RB usage (long)

[HardcoreClone]

Reflecting on our season, I'm still baffled and disappointed with our lack of creativity using Montgomery, especially realizing he is likely gone now.

I wish I had a specific stat, but the vast majority of carries for DM was between the tackles. I have no idea why we didn't get him out in space more. Outside runs, jet sweeps, quick screens, delayed screens, flats. Could have run that stuff with our other talented backs, Milton, Jones, as well. All year I've wondered why DMs catches severely dropped compared to last year? We finally throw him the ball late 4th qtr and he damn near scored.

Is it more difficult schematically to get the back into the flats on those RPO's? There might be some times when he gets caught in the traffic but I would think he can still get out for more passes. And I know taking the RB out is one less blocker for Purdy, but I would for him to always have a safety valve checkdown receiver if there is nothing downfield. We saw how easily Wazzou threw to their backs, nothing more than a short rushing game.

We all know Butler's abilities and DM earning every yard he got. I'm concerned who we have next year that can replace those yards, big plays and scores. Who is going to bail out the OC's lack of creativity and versatility? I would love to have an improved OL to run the ball better, but people can't keep blindly expecting that. I will need to see it to believe it.

We have an elite defense that needs more support from our offensive staff if we want to win championships.

 

[Aclone]

"No idea"? Seriously? Could it possibly be the simple that he's not exactly the same type of back as Kene?

 

[CyCloned]

It all comes down to the OL getting better. I thought ISU had the best OL coach in the country when Manning was able to do put together a decent unit in the first year with transfers and walkons. Then last year the OL was just not very good at all, but at least could pass block a little. This year, by the end of the year, the OL could sort of run block and sort of pass protect. Will they be better next year? Well, everything is in place for there to be improvement. everyone is back and some of the younger guys sound like they may challenge for starting positions. We will see.

 

[HardcoreClone]

"No idea"? Seriously? Could it possibly be the simple that he's not exactly the same type of back as Kene?

I know DM and Kene aren't the exact same backs. But that doesn't mean both can't be used more on the outside. I'd say DM was pretty lethal last season catching +30 passes and getting into the open field.

The frustrating thing for me was we rarely even tried something different this season with DM. It's one thing if that stuff doesn't work, but I didnt see much effort get him the ball in different ways. Zone read up the gut....Pretty sure Jay Jordan mentioned every week we needed to rush the ball to the edges more, with little visible change in gameplans.

Just trying to start discussion. How will the OC attempt to match or exceed this season's output with the likely losses of DM and Butler?

 

[Cyforce]

I'd say it starts and ends with lack of push up front. There's a reason our best lineman was the only one that didn't commit a false start.

 

[AuH2O]

As for using DM in the passing game less, I think it comes down to two main things. First, with Purdy as QB ISU ran a lot of RPO, which you aren't going to throw to the RB. Second, Kolar's emergence and ability to find soft spots in coverage, make tough catches and run after catch meant more often than not rather than keep a TE for pass protection, DM was the guy picking up a blitz. He was pretty damn good at it.
I would like to see a little speed option like ISU did last year against Iowa with Park. That was the most effective I remember ISU running to the perimeter in a while and we haven't really seen it much since.

 

[HardcoreClone]

I'd say it starts and ends with lack of push up front. There's a reason our best lineman was the only one that didn't commit a false start.

I guess I dont quite understand how lack of OL push affects our ability to get the ball out quick to the edges and flats? I feel this strategy helps an OL that doesn't have the ability to overwhelm and run straight at a defense. Get them going side to side, then maybe that can open up more creases for downhill runs?

I know there are only so many targets, and Butler deservedly got plenty of those. But Milton, Jones, and Kene seemed to disappear late in the year. I think those guys are pretty dynamic with the ball too.

 

[CyCloned]

I guess I dont quite understand how lack of OL push affects our ability to get the ball out quick to the edges and flats? I feel this strategy helps an OL that doesn't have the ability to overwhelm and run straight at a defense. Get them going side to side, then maybe that can open up more creases for downhill runs?

I know there are only so many targets, and Butler deservedly got plenty of those. But Milton, Jones, and Kene seemed to disappear late in the year. I think those guys are pretty dynamic with the ball too.

I think a lot of that is related to Purdy being a freshmen and trusting Butler more than anyone else. Maybe the coaches just targeted Butler a lot more, but whatever the situation, the ball did not get spread around as well late in the year.

 

[HardcoreClone]

As for using DM less in the passing game less, I think it comes down to two main things. First, with Purdy as QB ISU ran a lot of RPO, which you aren't going to throw to the RB. Second, Kolar's emergence and ability to find soft spots in coverage, make tough catches and run after catch meant more often than not rather than keep a TE for pass protection, DM was the guy picking up a blitz. He was pretty damn good at it.
I would like to see a little speed option like ISU did last year against Iowa with Park. That was the most effective I remember ISU running to the perimeter in a while and we haven't really seen it much since.

Good points. Although I wouldn't say Kolar has been a consistent target. He probably had what, 15 catches all year?

I do like the option idea, but setting up Purdy for a few more hits.

 

[CyGuy5]

We don’t run outside enough. I also would have liked to see us get a little more creative but idk if the O-Line could handle that

 

[ArgentCy]

We don’t run outside enough. I also would have liked to see us get a little more creative but idk if the O-Line could handle that

This. We need to find the equivalent of Heacock on offense or someone along that line. The play design and play calling have been lackluster on offense.

 

[Cyforce]

I guess I dont quite understand how lack of OL push affects our ability to get the ball out quick to the edges and flats? I feel this strategy helps an OL that doesn't have the ability to overwhelm and run straight at a defense. Get them going side to side, then maybe that can open up more creases for downhill runs?

I know there are only so many targets, and Butler deservedly got plenty of those. But Milton, Jones, and Kene seemed to disappear late in the year. I think those guys are pretty dynamic with the ball too.

When you can't get push upfront LBs have no garbage to clear and sweeps look like races to the sideline.

This is a big reason for receiver screens.

 

[HardcoreClone]

When you can't get push upfront LBs have no garbage to clear and sweeps look like races to the sideline.

Very good point, thanks! People dont have to agree with me if you think we fully utilized DM this year. Even so, if/when we lose him, how is our offense going to adjust to get positive yardage within 10yds of the LOS?

Same question can be asked about Butler. How will we adjust not being able to throw jump balls?

 

[Cyforce]

Very good point, thanks! People dont have to agree with me if you think we fully utilized DM this year. Even so, if/when we lose him, how is our offense going to adjust to get positive yardage within 10yds of the LOS?

Same question can be asked about Butler. How will we adjust not being able to throw jump balls?

I don't disagree with you that I would of liked to see DM all over the field, problem was our line just couldn't provide that.

DM spent most of his career here keeping defenses honest. He's the reason Lazard and Butler were able to make big plays.

 

[HardcoreClone]

DM spent most of his career here keeping defenses honest. He's the reason Lazard and Butler were able to make big plays.

Exactly! And as great as he was at doing just that, I wish we would have utilized him more in a variety of ways. I'm sure he'll have a ton of catches in the NFL.

 

[HardcoreClone]

Watching Texas opening drive. A couple swing passes to RB...

 

[norcalcy]

Everyone is going to be amazed at our offense and our Offensive Coordinator when we get an offensive line.

 

[dualthreat]

Everyone is going to be amazed at our offense and our Offensive Coordinator when we get an offensive line.

Well, we're waiting. If Campbell can't get a good run blocking OL by year 4, I'm not going to hold my breath anymore.

As for our offense as a whole, our playbook doesn't appear to be very thick. I'll chalk that up to a rookie QB.

 

[cdface]

Everyone is going to be amazed at our offense and our Offensive Coordinator when we get an offensive line.

...and an OC.

 

[SpokaneCY]

Well, we're waiting. If Campbell can't get a good run blocking OL by year 4, I'm not going to hold my breath anymore.

As for our offense as a whole, our playbook doesn't appear to be very thick. I'll chalk that up to a rookie QB.

Imagine what we can do with our crappy offense and OL that could only win 8 games 2 years in a row when they get average.