That weird Shane Morris run block package?

Submitted by Wolverine Devotee on

Surprised this hasn't been talked about but not really since it was the beginning of the game.

So. Just what WAS that? Because that play happened on our first offensive series, I believe.

I'm referring to the play where Shane Morris came in and it was a toss sweep to the left with Peppers running the ball and Morris acting as a run blocker.

Something we could see in the future? 

Peppers is gone if Kalis and Morris hit their blocks.

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BlueMaize

September 19th, 2016 at 9:50 AM ^

Yep, I think this is exactly it. We'll see that same package later in the year, but there is a TON that can be done out of it. Morris as a lead blocker, Morris keeping and running. Morris throwing. Peppers throwing. Peppers handing back off to a WR on a sweep reverse. 

Whatever it is, we have the basics on film now so if/when that package comes in teams are gonna have to account for it but not really know what they are accounting for. 

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stephenrjking

September 19th, 2016 at 10:47 AM ^

Maybe. But there were a number of things that the staff brought out last year that looked like setups for later plays that wound up never being seen again. So we could see this again... Or it might never happen. A remarkable number of looks produced by the Harbaugh offense are just one-off creations that are never seen again.

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MotownGoBlue

September 19th, 2016 at 9:54 AM ^

I'm not. Jabrill needed a touch on offense to release some of that adrenaline. Not that he won't be giving 150% every play but it's good to get him reacquainted with the offense. I just wish we didn't need him so much in our backfield (he knows it too and will do everything possible for an extra yard).

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reshp1

September 19th, 2016 at 9:45 AM ^

O'Korn got in for a play even before Speight got dinged too IIRC. I think it's probably more motivational for those guys at this point as opposed to a serious package, but I could definitely see those guys get used later on for some plays where QB mobility is an asset. Maybe the plan was to get some of those plays on film early and come out with a counter to them later. Once CO went up two scores, I think Harbaugh didn't want to dick around with that anymore.

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rc15

September 19th, 2016 at 9:52 AM ^

Adding this in could also be a more efficient use of practice time. O'Korn or Morris could practice these option/running plays against the 2nd team or scout team to get the reps and timing in, and then you just tell the O-line to block it like play X.

You can add these threats to your playbook without reducing reps the starters take on our more core plays.

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gobluedave

September 19th, 2016 at 9:44 AM ^

Seemed obvious they wanted an extra blocker for peppers. I've seen how Speight avoids contact. Wouldn't want him as a lead blocker. Maybe this sets something up in the future. Could be a fun package.

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gobluedave

September 19th, 2016 at 9:44 AM ^

Seemed obvious they wanted an extra blocker for peppers. I've seen how Speight avoids contact. Wouldn't want him as a lead blocker. Maybe this sets something up in the future. Could be a fun package.

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ijohnb

September 19th, 2016 at 10:43 AM ^

could throw out of it as well, and if becomes a part of the offensive playbook my guess is that Morris will eventually take a deep shot out of the package.  They could also direct snap to Peppers who could run or throw it, perhaps to Shane who is a pretty athletic kid.  You're right, there are endless possibilities there.

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maizenbluenc

September 19th, 2016 at 9:45 AM ^

I was going to go back and watch that and the O'Korn plays because I was trying to figure out the timing - were they subbed in while Speight was working the owie out of his shoulder - or were they package plays and will we see more of them?

OPDEC - operational deception - keep opposing DCs guessing

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Ron Utah

September 19th, 2016 at 9:45 AM ^

It's an option package. Shane is our best running QB and this package opens loads of possibilities: standard option plays, bootlegs, run/pass options, and passes to the QB. Obviously, they can also run all he other stuff we currently run. Loved that we put it on film, and ran a simple toss play out of it.



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rc15

September 19th, 2016 at 9:46 AM ^

I definitely think it was to put it on tape for other teams to have to prepare for.

Additional benefits are that you can use Shane as a blocker without worrying that your starting QB is going to get injured, and Shane and Jabrill can work on the toss exchance without needing to waste 1st team reps on it.

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readyourguard

September 19th, 2016 at 9:50 AM ^

It wasn't a horribly designed play, other than we counted on our QB to throw a critical block.  Had Shane got to the one safety and Kalis (albeit a tall order) could have hustled to get to the other safety, the play goes a long way.  As it was, Morris wasn't able to get a hat on anyone and Kalis was just too slow to get to the safety.

My only question about the play was, why then?  Why on the 3rd play of the game?  We just had Smith go for 10+ yards on play 1, and Darboh dropped an easy pass for another 1st down.

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steviebrownfor…

September 19th, 2016 at 11:33 AM ^

I think a lot of people would agree with you, but here are the only two answers I can come up with: First, to try and catch them off guard by putting Pep out there and just being generally confusing (If we can't figure it out two days later, imagine what the defense was thinking?) and Second, because Harbaugh is weird and does weird things.

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readyourguard

September 19th, 2016 at 12:06 PM ^

That's probably as good an explanation as anyone can offer.

I guess my only thing is, let's run the damn ball to start the game.  Smith got 10 yards on the first play.  Feed him again.  Get him into a groove.  I think I even saw him point at himself on his second 10 yard run later in the game, as if to say "Gimme the damn ball."

 

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Tbone67

September 19th, 2016 at 9:55 AM ^

That wasn't the only play i saw Kalis whiff on his blocking assignment. As i was watching him miss on his blocks, what kept going thru my mind was how he told Michigan fans last week to chill out, everythings all right with the OL to the media.

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Rasmus

September 19th, 2016 at 10:06 AM ^

Using Morris instead means Speight/O'Korn don't have to learn that package or practice it, and can focus on running the regular offense.

Also, in the original Arkansas wildcat, the running back (Darren McFadden) was a real threat to throw. By bringing Morris in with Jabrill, the defense still has to respect the pass -- indeed with Shane's cannon, they have to worry about the deep ball.

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Sauce Castillo

September 19th, 2016 at 10:03 AM ^

I'm surprised no one mentioned this yet but that was a very stanford-like type play.  I don't know if Jim used to run similar plays when he was there but I know I saw that last year in watching a couple stanford games where Kevin Hogan would give that quick pitch and then be a lead blocker.

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