The depth chart was released Monday which means we can almost taste the beginning of the season. It also means we tend to ramp up our expectations, whether they deal with personnel, coaches or offensive philosophy. It’s that latter part I want to focus on today.
During the Game of the Century three years ago, Brent Musberger called Jim Tressel the best playcaller he's seen in college football in a long time. It was lofty praise but there was good reason for it. Tressel had a cast of explosive offensive players who gave him the confidence to be more dynamic in his play selection. And, the result was an attack that worked all parts of the field and reduced predictability, all to the chagrin of opposing defensive coordinators.
It’s important to first point out what I mean by dynamic playcalling. I’m not suggesting passing every down or dialing up trickeration every series. In fact, I hate that type of football. It seems indentity-less. Rather, my idea involves using the middle of the field more, feeding the tight end, hitting running backs on screens and most of all, setting up defenses by running different plays from the same formation. I know it sounds like standard-fare stuff but we’ve largely been devoid of each one the last few years.
This element of deception brings two examples to mind immediately. The first came during the victory over Notre Dame in Fiesta Bowl where Tressel cleverly used a somewhat unusual bunch formation involving two tight ends and a WR. On the opposite side of the field, Ginn was split wide and Pittman was the lone running back. Ohio State ran out of this formation two or three times initially with modest results:
The Irish safeties started reading run based on previous plays and naturally started getting on their toes to crash the line of scrimmage. Unfortunately for them, that’s exactly what Tressel wanted to happen and he used Santonio Holmes to pay for their aggressiveness. Holmes was the wide receiver lined up with the bunch but rather than staying in to block, he released and ran right by the Notre Dame secondary to accept a perfectly thrown Troy Smith pass. The pre-snap formation, although now going in a different direction, is the exact same one the team rushed from earlier:
As good as that play was, it’s not even the best example in my opinion. The following year as Ohio State was walking through opponents, the staff installed a super jumbo look at Northwestern. This formation called for five lineman to the right of the center. Along side the extra tackle, the last two lineman are actually a tight end and receiver (Ginn).
We ran Beanie for the first down and a nice gain (left screenshot). The staff could easily have just snuck Troy for the first down or ran a stock I-Formation play but they saw an opportunity to setup Michigan for the following week (right screenshot). Although the down was different, the distance was the same and so was the formation. Certainly Michigan saw this during film study and knew we ran out of it previously. This time, however, Ginn released and darted upfield to the surprise of the Michigan defense. Had Smith’s pass not been underthrown slightly, he would have been untouched as he scored.
It’s been a while since we’ve seen that style from The Vest. Playcalling changes with each season as a natural ebb and flow occurs when players depart. What could be done one year, may not be possible the next. The coaches have varying degrees of confidence based on experience, talent and, in the case of the quarterback, mobility. When a team lacks more than one of those items, the staff tends to button up the offense to minimize risk. It’s sound football tactically but for those who wish for a more wide open attack, you’re left longing.
On the surface, it would seem this season will feature another year of a more conservative plan. Tressel has an offense that lacks experience in a major way, easily the most youthful two-deep I can remember. He also lost, as we know, his alpha-dog running back who simply moved the chains, provided flexibility and turned scary would-be tacklers into thumbsuckers. And, yet, here I believe the staff has all the reason to return to the dynamic playcalling we saw a few short years ago.
Terrelle Pryor is a once in a decade talent who, we’ve been told, has improved ten-fold and lives in the film room. It would be un-American to have him hand off, run the occasional boot and playaction all day. He also has a bevy of talented receivers who make up for their lack of experience with speed. In addition, the offensive line - although retooled - is thought to be a strength this year providing flexibility to open up more of the playbook. And as much as we have with Pryor, it is what we don’t have that also leads me to think we become more aggressive. Our grinder of a RB is gone and we have no experienced fullback - admittingly though, the fullback is going the way of the dodo bird.
By getting back to this more intelligent attack, pressure is returned to the defense. JT and staff purposely establish mini-tendencies and then break them within the same game. Sideline routes are no longer pounded into the ground because they now work between the hashes as much as outside them. We even saw this to a small degree last year in Wisconsin on Ohio State’s final drive. Of course, I don’t expect any of this to show itself against Navy. But, I would be disappointed if it didn’t materialize as the season progresses since it would help compensate for any deficiency likely magnified if the staff stuck to a conservative plan.
Comments
we can only hope...
A co-worker of mine and I have been talking about this for the better part of the past 2 months. Wanting some similar to the days of Troy Smith in play calling.(not early Troy Smith, the more mature dual-threat and more developed passer Troy Smith).
My question is, do we have those type of receivers? In the Fiesta Bowl against Notre Lame Troy had Holmes, Ginn, and Gonzo to toss the rock to. I know we have talented receivers no supposedly, but are they similar to that trio? I think that is the key. We all not TP can do his thing all day, but the guys he throws to determine how often, to whom, and for how many TDs he will throw.
Excellent.
One of my favorite play calls of the Tressel regime came against michigan in the 2006 game you refered to - Troy faked either Pittman or Beanie up the middle and hit Ginn for a TD deep over the middle of the field for a TD. That play was a thing of beauty partly due to the great fake by the rb and qb and partly due to the timing of the call - short yardage situation.
Yes - well stated and it was against Michigan .
The receivers and the offensive line will be the key. I think the receivers can get it done - it's not like these routes are advanced in the form of double moves, etc. As long as they apply the techniques they've been taught for years, natural ability then takes over...and they all have a lot of natural ability.
The offensive line is a little more mysterious. I think the middle will be really, really good but the edges will need to prove they can hold up. And if JT does give Pryor the calls we all hope for, Pryor needs to continue to build the trust by delivering on the plays.
Good Stuff. It is nice to see your straightforward football analysis back online.
offensive line, the million dollar question. deja vu?
I am just excited that there have been murmurs of the return of the option pass. The one where Troy would option right with Pittman and the once outside the pocket would take a step back and launch it downfield. Reportedly this play has been seen in practice a few times. Yay football (squeals like girl).
oh man, if he can do it, that would be so very sweet!
This team should be able to move the ball. We need to take advantage of Pryor's speed and get him on the edge whenever possible. I still like the play with the tight end delay. I think we ran it once vs penn st.
Will see alot of short passes to the backs with the tight end down the middle? Stoneburner has been kept under wraps pretty well. I think that is by design.
This team could also be a power running team with brewster, boren, Lil boren at FB leading the way up the gut for Pryor/Saine/Boom. With all these teams running the spread you'd think a power look would give Ohio State an edge. Ball control offense is the only way to beat a team with more offensive firepower like USC or Florida.
We can only pray this is true because everybody knows TP can run, so we're sure to have at least a one-on-one matchup down field. Ooohh. I feel like the one-piece-pajamas-clad Peter as "Electric Man."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
I know, my second Family Guy reference this week. BTW, very nice article keith.
very nice article... great work.
great breakdown. hopefully tress can regain his "status" for playcalling.
I think to some degree the creativity of Tressel is underrated. He has different goals for his offense than many coaches - he wants to not have turnovers more than he wants to score points. When he has a QB whom he trusts to not turn the ball over and a competent running back, we end up with the high-flying days of Smith and Pittman in 2005-2006. When we have no ground game to balance (2003-2004) or an unreliable/inexperienced quarterback (2007-2008) our offense looks predictable.
As painful as it can be, the combination wins games. The embarrassment of USC was much more attributable to our own turnovers than our lack of offensive yardage.
Giggity-giggity.
wow excellent insight and observations. could there be a weekly offensive strategy post? say something like what you saw last week and what you think it means for next week and weeks to come.
Keith, Great Article, Very informative
Great Article Keith! Welcome Back!
Amen. Having him back makes me realize just how much he was missed. Looking forward to a full season of this. :)
Keith, I'm so glad you're on this site. Your analysis is great and your handle on real football is so much better than the big boys like ESPN.
Would love to read your thoughts on the Rodriguez sitch at Michigan.
Don't know if I sent you this one:
RICH RODRIGUEZ INDUCTED INTO OHIO STATE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME
© Joe Bodolai, All rights reserved.
In just his first season at Michigan, Rich Rodriguez has enamored himself to Ohio State football fans to an unprecedented degree. After being named Ohio State’s MVP in this season’s 42-7 drubbing of the team from up north, Rodriguez was inducted into the Ohio State football Hall of Fame
“Rodriguez did a masterful job,” said Hall director Archie Griffin, “he inflicted more ignominy and pain on the entire state of Michigan in one season than even coach Tressel or Woody could ever do in just one season.” The defeat not only knocked Michigan out of a bowl game for the first time in 33 years, but by losing to the Buckeyes (for the fifth time in a row) he consigned Michigan to the worst season in its over 100 year history. “The level of agony he inflicted on Michigan football is worthy of such a great honor and everyone in Ohio is thrilled with what he has brought to the program.”
The nine losses were the most ever endured by Michigan, and that accomplishment left Ohio State as one of only two teams to have never even had an eight loss season (the other being Tennessee).
Rodriguez delivered a typically short on content acceptance speech, filled with expletives and blaming his assistant coaches, the Lloyd Carr recruits, the media, and Tom Brady “for not being here when we need him.”
Griffin took exception to those who criticized Rodriguez for telling fans to “get a life” by pointing out “they do have a life – a life of unrelenting agony, nightmares, humiliation, self-doubt, despair and, of course, a healthy dose of penis envy.”
“Anytime someone could inflict such great long-lasting agony on Michigan is deserving of Ohio State love,” added Griffin, “and we think Rodriguez is going to continue to do great things for Ohio State in the few years he has to come.”
Joe
Hehehehehehehehehehehe....ZAP! I love Family Guy
Good points. No question it's a fine line to walk and JT is very good at what he does. The only disagreement I have with his general philosophy is asking the QB not to make mistakes (ie: turnovers). It's classic negative thinking.
I say let the opposing coaches work that out on their own
..remember that Tress also called a Statue of Liberty play and Pittman got a big gainer on it....
Im coming to the ohio state vs Usc game where is the best place to go
anywhere where there are police to protect you :)
varsity club is one of my favorite spots though.
that and eddie george's on high street. but high street might be a gamble.
i'm only kind of kidding about the police thing. I hear Chittenden past midnight is a LOVELY area!
thanks
I wouldn't recommend High St or Eddie George Grill if you are wearing SC stuff BTW....word to the wise. Not that you'll get the "Decker" treatment or anything, but can't imagine your night would be pleasant.
I honestly can't recommend anywhere seeing that this is a night game and people will have all day to consume whatever it is that their heart desires. I myself will be at Eddie's and the varsity club. Oh and the Bier Stube!!!
one week til my flight leaves for CMH!!
Like the others said, I would dress subtly; a Trojan ballcap would probably go unnoticed. Ask around for Hineygate; it's a pretty fun experience, even for opposing fans.
Some things last year caught my eye in the way of formations.
Vs. Mich. State we came out with this odd looking 4 receiver bunch with another receiver on the far end. We ran that like 2 or 3 times in that game and never saw it onces again.
Another formation I saw was a double fullback or tight end bunch to the right of the QB under center with one RB directly behind the QB. This play was setup as a run play and the double bunch would give more blocking to that side. Odd thing is, this exact formation was used as a shot-gun style formation with Tebow instead of under center.
It is a well known fact we have a very speedy group of receivers. Probably the speediest since 2005 with Ginn, Gonzo, and Holmes. I would not be surprised to see a lot of 4 and occasional 5 receiver sets because we have the speed at those positions as well as Pryor's improved passing ability, as well as running ability. That turns into a defense having to defend 6 guys and 42 yards. That equals to SPREAD ATTACK!
i thought that along with rally at riverwatch were no more
please tell me what i have heard is incorrect
Hineygate has moved to the Red Roof Inn on Olentangy River Rd (in between campus and WHAC). The Holiday Inn where is was for the last 25+ years was bought by OSU for student housing.
Correction: they fake Hineygate is at the Red Roof Inn. I think its actually called Hineyfest or something along those lines. The original Hineygate is still on Lane @ The Thirsty I or what used to be the old Cookers Restaurant.
jfunk-
That's true. But, the Danger Bros. are playing at the Red Roof Inn. You can't have a tailgate party and call it Hineygate without the Danger Bros, imo. The new Hineyfest will be more like the traditional Hineygate. This new Hineygate (w/o the Danger Bros.) has a better location but the entertainment will not be as good.
Riverwatch and Hineygate are alive, Riverwatch unchanged and Hineygate one door east from the Holiday Inn. The Red Roof Inn thing might as well be on Mars, that is just as close.
Unless they get the Stones to play Red Roof Inn, I will stick to the general campus area.
Good to know.
I don't feel like hoofing over to red roof!
what about a stones "tribute band"?
I'm sure people stuck in traffic would roll their windows down for some tunes.
AWESOME breakdown! Good analysis...much deeper than what you'd find on ESPN Gameday.
The Danger Brothers are terrible, have always been terrible, and will remain terrible until the sun explodes and destroys the earth.
...and they will be terrible AND on fire.
GO BUCKS!
http://eternal-earthbound-pets...
WOW......Timmy can you just let me know when you plan to destroy the earth and I will be sure to have Fido by my side?? BTW, does that helmet hurt your head, with that crown of thorns on??
i was at the open practice and if i recall correctly they ran the option pass at least three times once with a 30 yard+ gain....