Heavy package with Will Campbell in the backfield
During the non-conference schedule, I recall a goal-line play where Will Campbell lined up in the backfield as a fullback, and Michigan scored. I do not recall seeing that play again.
Am I right that it was used only once? Does anyone have a theory as to why it hasn’t been seen again? I thought it would be called much more often, given that it worked the first time, and it’s not a trick play that loses its value once the defense has seen it. A fullback Campbell’s size is going to be a force in short-yardage, practically by definition. It ought to work elsewhere on the field, too.
November 18th, 2010 at 5:02 PM ^
likey
November 18th, 2010 at 5:07 PM ^
Maybe we've been trying to keep it under wraps for the two toughest games of the year?
Sounds like it would be a good package to run out against Wisconsin's beefy D.
O les do it?!
November 18th, 2010 at 5:09 PM ^
I say we line up like that, have Denard fake the give then quietly walk toward the end zone.
November 18th, 2010 at 5:18 PM ^
That quiet walk from Denard may be faster than WC's 40 time.
November 18th, 2010 at 7:44 PM ^
Something like this?
November 19th, 2010 at 12:23 PM ^
How would it have looked if the D would have speared the guy at the LOS. It would almost be an unsportmanslike penalty. That is a once in a lifetime play.
November 18th, 2010 at 5:10 PM ^
we have better lead blockers on our team for that situation. That is more than likely the reason you saw it in our ooc schedule. I also recall a situation where they brought QW in to act in the same role. Yes, they are space eaters, but I recall watching Campbell's h.s. tapes where he was a major force on defense dure to pure size, but from an OL point of view, a definite work in progress. He undeniably stood straight up every snap and seemed lethargic moving forward, and backs were able to run behind him simply because at that age he was such an intimidating presence and the defender would more likely than not opt to get the hell out of the way rather than anything to do with his blocking prowess.
Not the case any longer, and that's is why Dews has had a hell of a time teaching him the defensive position to what his optimum should be. He's having a hell of a time staying low, but if he should ever learn technique - on either side of the ball- look out.
November 18th, 2010 at 5:17 PM ^
It was against ND, Hopkins first career touchdown.
QW and Big Will were both in.
November 18th, 2010 at 5:11 PM ^
I have yelled for this formation on every short yardage play of any importance. If you can't get 2 or 3 yards with all that beef on the field, you don't deserve it!
November 18th, 2010 at 5:15 PM ^
for those short yardage situations. Just line up in the I and hand it off to him. Works every time.
Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
November 19th, 2010 at 2:19 PM ^
I believe he has, in fact, converted every 3rd and short opportunity he's gotten the past two games. For some reason people forget the ones that work out.
November 19th, 2010 at 4:06 PM ^
2 TE Package with Quinton, Big Will, and Vincent Smith lined up in the backfield. Hand off to Vincent, but Quinton and Big Will grab him and throw him 15 yards down field.
Or maybe just put Mike Martin back there and have him hammer-throw Vince.
November 18th, 2010 at 5:21 PM ^
The idea of using an OL in the backfield is not new. While used infrequently, its been around for many many years. I don't know what it is, but theres probably a reason why it doesn't happen more often. Perhaps OL are no more effective at this kind of blocking than FB/TEs. Perhaps any increased blocking effectiveness is offset by the diminished pass threat.
November 18th, 2010 at 5:42 PM ^
watson was used in one play in his freshman year to come in as a lead blocker at the goal line... i would have loved for him to been able to red shirt that year, 2006 with him and branch on the d-line would have been awesome...
November 18th, 2010 at 6:37 PM ^
Why it ins't run more often.... probably because you're basically giving a TELL to the defense and they know exactly what your'e going to go. If you tried going to a passing formation or even an outside run, there would be little chance of success.
November 18th, 2010 at 8:24 PM ^
fumbles.
November 18th, 2010 at 5:25 PM ^
hell yeah, use him like bears did with the fridge
November 19th, 2010 at 2:21 PM ^
Those of us who watched the 1996 Purdue game disagree.
November 18th, 2010 at 5:27 PM ^
Good to see some football talk returning versus some of the less than imformative posts from earlier in the day. Glad it is almost Saturday. Go Blue!
November 18th, 2010 at 5:28 PM ^
Wisconsin calls Will Campbell at RB "the shifty one"
November 18th, 2010 at 5:31 PM ^
Does anyone recall the huge Bengals D-Lineman knocking Troy Polamalu out? Maybe Big Will can do that to at least two people on the Wisky secondary haha
November 18th, 2010 at 5:34 PM ^
I know Lewan has concussion like symptoms (or did earlier this week when the last IR came out) but I'd be interested to see what he could do to donkeys with a running start. Also he seems to have this mean mindset that would send him flying through at a high speed while screaming "Excuse me miss, I just want to dance!"
November 18th, 2010 at 5:47 PM ^
Forget Big Will. After his sweet lateral, no look toss against Illinois, I want to see Gallon throw a forward pass, on some type of gadget play, with you know who on the receiving end. It is sure to be a touchdown for somebody.
November 18th, 2010 at 5:56 PM ^
bring in a backup at OG and put Omameh at FB. He has great burst, size and obviously wrecks LBs in space. Since this talent (second level blocking) is more or less wasted on the goal line at the Guard position, put him at FB and let him lock on to whoever is stupid enough to show up in that hole.
November 18th, 2010 at 6:45 PM ^
While I agree with those who say the Heavy formation should be used more, I think a large reason why RR has moved away from it as the season has progressed is because, like most coaches, RR doesn't want to monkey around too much with a system that seems to be working. With a limited number of hours to practice each week, I'm sure he rather focus on perfecting the base offense and some minor variations instead of implementing a batch of new formations and plays that would be used in very specific circumstances. While I wouldn't mind seeing an lineman step up in the backfield, the offense has been moving the ball so well that I'm not sure it would be needed except in a couple of circumstances, namely those when giving it to Vincent Smith would seem far too obvious.
November 18th, 2010 at 6:47 PM ^
For reelz, brah.
November 18th, 2010 at 7:05 PM ^
Why not make things interesting? Worked for the Fridge.
November 18th, 2010 at 9:55 PM ^
will carr? it didn't work so well.
November 18th, 2010 at 10:09 PM ^
and give him the option to a throw to a streaking Mark Huyge on the Tackle Elgible
November 19th, 2010 at 2:04 PM ^
Remember when Rich Rod called an audible on a punt to get the defense to jump? (forget what game, it was short yardage situation) Hagerup went to QB, Big Will was in the backfield, and I was so rooting for him to get the handoff. Unstoppable.
(Edit: guy below me got it first, damn)
November 18th, 2010 at 7:10 PM ^
O1 | 1 | G | BEEF MACHINE | 3 | 2 | 0 | Goal line | Run | Iso | Hopkins | 1 | ||||||||
Yeah, let's massively overreact to last year's Illinois debacle. No, seriously. I totally endorse this course of action. Lewan, Washington, and Campbell come in, as does Hopkins, and they bellow in rage as the ball is snapped. The stampede ends a half foot into the endzone. Excelsior! | |||||||||||||||||||
Drive Notes: Touchdown, 14-7, 1 min 1st Q. |
http://mgoblog.com/category/post-type/upon-further-review?page=3
I recall RR saying in the presser that they had a few other things that they had practiced out of that formation. Our version of Gator Heavy debuted the next week (I think) with the dual H-Back's and the true BEEF MACHINE package hasn't been seen since.
November 18th, 2010 at 7:16 PM ^
Elegant Angle Films?
November 18th, 2010 at 7:26 PM ^
I was more a fan of the trick punt play where Hagerup walked up to play qb to try to draw the defense offsides and Big Will was lined up as the running back. I got so excited thinking that the play was actually going to be run.
November 18th, 2010 at 7:28 PM ^
lol "heavy package"
November 19th, 2010 at 7:36 AM ^
the heavy formation with koger, webb and hopkins and denard running from the spread. i thought we should have used this in short yardage more recently instead of trying to bounce smith in there.