Shotgun Formation Is Far From Lethal - WSJ

[MBCyclones]

http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-shotgun-formation-is-far-from-lethal-1443727918

Anyone see this article? I wonder how this applies to Sam and our system?

 

[cloneu]

It seems like starting our QB a few yards closer to the DL would be a bad idea.

 

[besserheimerphat]

In the NFL, the shotgun is used much more often in passing situations so the defenses are setting up to defend the pass. The other thing to remember is that the shotgun is really to help the QB get away from the rush so he can read the secondary. In college, the coverages aren't nearly as complex as in the NFL so the extra 0.5 - 1 second that a college QB gets is really helpful but not so much in the NFL. The fast pace of play in college helps too because defenses have less time to get calls in, make personnel adjustments and get aligned properly.

 

[CyCloned]

I think the real issue for ISU is that they are not good at running out of the shotgun, so passing becomes more defendable. Basically they know ISU is not going to gash them with the running game, so they build the defense around stopping the short passing game. ln addition, for some weird reason, the ISU offense almost never throws over the middle on short routes, which means that Sam is throwing 30 yard passes to the sideline instead of 10 yard passes down field. Not throwing short over the middle also makes defending the run easy for other teams. Their LBers never have to drop back in pass coverage.

Trying to gain 1 yard for a first down out of the shotgun is the most frustrating thing for me. Now that Lanning is getting some playing time the QB sneak may get back in the playbook.

 

[isufbcurt]

I think the real issue for ISU is that they are not good at running out of the shotgun, so passing becomes more defendable. Basically they know ISU is not going to gash them with the running game, so they build the defense around stopping the short passing game. ln addition, for some weird reason, the ISU offense almost never throws over the middle on short routes, which means that Sam is throwing 30 yard passes to the sideline instead of 10 yard passes down field. Not throwing short over the middle also makes defending the run easy for other teams. Their LBers never have to drop back in pass coverage.

Trying to gain 1 yard for a first down out of the shotgun is the most frustrating thing for me. Now that Lanning is getting some playing time the QB sneak may get back in the playbook.

So which is it? Half the people here on CF would have me believe all we do is throw short and never throw deep. But then the other half tell me all we do is throw deep and never throw short. With so many experts on this site it's hard for someone to know what we should be doing.

 

[ISUME]

So which is it? Half the people here on CF would have me believe all we do is throw short and never throw deep. But then the other half tell me all we do is throw deep and never throw short. With so many experts on this site it's hard for someone to know what we should be doing.

I believe the posting is saying Sam must throw the ball 30 yards to get to the WR on the end, which only accounts for 10 yards down the field.

 

[MeowingCows]

So which is it? Half the people here on CF would have me believe all we do is throw short and never throw deep. But then the other half tell me all we do is throw deep and never throw short. With so many experts on this site it's hard for someone to know what we should be doing.

You're confusing field yardage with actual throwing distance over-the-air. 10 yard gain to the sideline on a 25-yard pass to get it there, versus 9-yard gain on an 11-yard pass straight forward.

 

[Wesley]

I think the real issue for ISU is that they are not good at running out of the shotgun, so passing becomes more defendable. Basically they know ISU is not going to gash them with the running game, so they build the defense around stopping the short passing game. ln addition, for some weird reason, the ISU offense almost never throws over the middle on short routes, which means that Sam is throwing 30 yard passes to the sideline instead of 10 yard passes down field. Not throwing short over the middle also makes defending the run easy for other teams. Their LBers never have to drop back in pass coverage.

Trying to gain 1 yard for a first down out of the shotgun is the most frustrating thing for me. Now that Lanning is getting some playing time the QB sneak may get back in the playbook.

We need Sam to be throwing more like Brandon Weeden or Sam Bradford over the middle

 

[Wesley]

So which is it? Half the people here on CF would have me believe all we do is throw short and never throw deep. But then the other half tell me all we do is throw deep and never throw short. With so many experts on this site it's hard for someone to know what we should be doing.

The only time we throw deep is to the outside about 12 yards downfield.

 

[CyCloned]

So which is it? Half the people here on CF would have me believe all we do is throw short and never throw deep. But then the other half tell me all we do is throw deep and never throw short. With so many experts on this site it's hard for someone to know what we should be doing.

I am talking about throwing a 30 yard pass to a WR at or behind the LOS, as opposed to throwing a 10 yard pass over the middle to a WR or TE. The WR screen is a great play if you have guys that can also be a threat to come off the line and beat press coverage deep. So far I have not seen this happen very often. SR also struggles to throw that sideline over the top pass. I for one don't think we take enough deep shots to keep defenses honest. I also hate the passes that are right down the sideline. I know it helps guys get open because it spread the defense out, but when 25% of the passes go sailing out of bounds it looks like a wasted down to me.

 

[Cyclone1985]

They're open across the middle, Sammy Staredown just doesn't throw it. BUT when he does once or twice a game, it goes for big yardage.

Watch on Saturday. Every other play someone is open across the middle.

 

[D UP Clones]

They're open across the middle, Sammy Staredown just doesn't throw it. BUT when he does once or twice a game, it goes for big yardage.

Watch on Saturday. Every other play someone is open across the middle.

Ah, the classic open receiver from the stands comment. My goodness, I am not going to say anymore.

Unlike you and many other people I rarely see a wide open receiver.

 

[Tre4ISU]

They're open across the middle, Sammy Staredown just doesn't throw it. BUT when he does once or twice a game, it goes for big yardage.

Watch on Saturday. Every other play someone is open across the middle.

When people create nicknames for players that include their real name, I just normally assume they don't have any real knowledge of anything involving the sport. It seems you are no different.

 

[Cyclone1985]

When people create nicknames for players that include their real name, I just normally assume they don't have any real knowledge of anything involving the sport. It seems you are no different.

So you would rather I call him "Staredown Senior" and then I can be considered an expert? 3 years of staring down receivers has gotten him that nickname. When announcers who have seen one game make note of it, its not just me.

You, my friend, have two game-watch tasks; 1 - watch Sammy Staredown's head. It'll look one way the entirety of the play. 2 - Watch the receivers going across the middle, they will be open 50% of the time. Now I know this requires some quick eye movement, but I know you can do it!

 

[Clonefan94]

Interesting, but isn't this kind of like saying that most shark attacks happen within 200 yards of shore? I mean yeah, that's where people are, kind of tough to be attacked by a shark in the middle of the ocean when no one jus swims out there.

Most shotgun situations are used on obvious passing plays in the NFL. The Defense is geared up for it. I'd like to see this calculated during obvious passing situations only and then compare the 2.

 

[NickTheGreat]

So which is it? Half the people here on CF would have me believe all we do is throw short and never throw deep. But then the other half tell me all we do is throw deep and never throw short. With so many experts on this site it's hard for someone to know what we should be doing.

If you watched the second half against Iowa, you'd know he neither threw short nor long. :twitcy: