Rich Rodriguez (official thread of humility)

[osugrad21]

Originally Posted by Shivvy77

What do you mean, "you have the defensive playbook?"

I mean I have the WVU defensive playbook that is given to the players.

Originally Posted by rocketman

I was meaning to ask you this since you answered questions before when we decided to run a 3-3-5; How will this work against teams that will run the ball right at you? Would you keep 4 down lineman most of the time, like you mentioned?

Well, yes a 4 man front is to be expected, but there are numerous ways to achieve that. Many 33 teams leave the olb or "spurs" off the LOS (usually 3x3) and then slant the line and replace according to the call. However, WVU had a tendency to walk up the spur to play a tight 9 technique and jam the TE down to keep him off the LBs. Therefore, if you get a double tight formation like tOSU likes to run, you are looking at a 5 man front. The 33 is so versatile in looks, but the key to its success lies in the confusion up front from pre-sanp movement...but WVU did not do much of that.

[Lockup]

Originally Posted by NastyNatiBuck

The point of the 3-3-5 is to have 8 guys in the box, I do believe.

How does a 3-3-5 keep 8 in the box any better than a 3-4 or 4-3?

[osugrad21]

Originally Posted by Lockup

How does a 3-3-5 keep 8 in the box any better than a 3-4 or 4-3?

If you are living in a 3 deep look, they all can keep 8 in the box...but if you are living in 3 deep, you won't be living in college football too long.

[muffler dragon]

Originally Posted by ShakerBuck

thoughts about RR by ex-players

small sample (probably 7 voters based on %s of voters who perceived him in diff ways)

Dick Rod

and his comparison to Tress

Comparison to Tress

One word: Wow!

[sandgk]

Originally Posted by NastyNatiBuck

The point of the 3-3-5 is to have 8 guys in the box, I do believe.

No that is not the point of a 3-3-5. Not saying you cannot flex the thing to have eight in the box, but that isn't the main point.

[muffler dragon]

grad:

For the defense deficient, would you mind explaining the pros and cons of the 3-3-5 defense?

[Tlangs]

I was listening to Rome and an emailer sent in a message about "somewhere the vest is shaking in his boots". Rome expanded on this comment as well.

I think what a lot of people are missing out on is that the offense hasn't been Michigan's problem the last couple of years. Their defense is there number 1 problem. Unless Rich Rodriguez can fix the defense, it doesn't matter if the offensive overhaul is successful.

[BuckandRoll]

I thought that I read that ramrod's resignation wasn't effective until 1/3/2008. How can he call a recruit (that he was recruiting to WV) while he is still legally employed at WV, and tell him he WILL be the coach at TSUN, and that he wants him as his next quarterback?

It doesn't only seem unethical, but it seems like it breaks the rules of NCAA Compliance and his contractual obligations to WV. Am I missing something?

[GrizzlyBuck]

Damn Grad, all this complicated X's and O discussion has me so discombobulated I forgot what I was going to write

I wrote earlier in this thread about RR's getting tight in big games and then discussed how this reminded me of some of Coops traits. That said, I think RR is a very good coach and he is apparently an offensive innovator.

I just cannot get the pictures out of my mind of RR coming unglued as the Pitt game came to a close. I just wonder how that will play on a national stage (that's if the nation gets the B10 network ) I know the Pitt game was huge for WVU, but I'm curious to think how RR'l react to a night game in Camp Randall between top 10 teams on ABC (heaven forbid the Shoe between #s 1 and 2)

As far as his gimmicky O and D is concerned, I've always felt that gimmicks help teams with lesser talent have a shot against teams with more. I've always wondered what would happen if a team with elite talent ran a gimmicky type system. If he can get the right QB, then I think he can be really successful, but defenses still win Championships and I don't think he has shone the devotion to D that will be needed.

As to The Game, he mentioned that scUM was unique in that it has three rivalries NoD, MSU and of course, The Game. He definately did not seem to hold it up like JT did in his opening presser. Time will tell if he is scUM's version of Coop or if he will lead a resurgence in Ann Arbor. I lived through the Woody and Bo years and it wasn't so bad

[MaxBuck]

Originally Posted by Tlangs

I was listening to Rome and an emailer sent in a message about "somewhere the vest is shaking in his boots". Rome expanded on this comment as well.

I think what a lot of people are missing out on is that the offense hasn't been Michigan's problem the last couple of years. Their defense is there number 1 problem. Unless Rich Rodriguez can fix the defense, it doesn't matter if the offensive overhaul is successful.

Michigan scored 3 points against us this season, so I'd say the "O" is an issue also. No argument that the Wolverine "D" needs to improve generally, though they looked pretty strong against the Buckeyes.

[osugrad21]

Off the top of my head...

Pros--

Versatility, more looks without substitutions (good for the no huddle and spread philosophies), best "athletes" and more speed on the field, deception in pre-snap movement along the front, ability to mask and roll into multiple coverages without getting caught with a "bad" mismatch, wider range in recruiting (less prototypes to follow)

Cons--

Susceptible to the power game due to giving up the size up front, gives up severe blocking angles at times, tough option responsibilities in base look, sprint out packages put enormous pressure on edge players, can end up as a finesse defense instead of a pressure defense.

[GrizzlyBuck]

Originally Posted by Tlangs

I was listening to Rome and an emailer sent in a message about "somewhere the vest is shaking in his boots". Rome expanded on this comment as well.

I think what a lot of people are missing out on is that the offense hasn't been Michigan's problem the last couple of years. Their defense is there number 1 problem. Unless Rich Rodriguez can fix the defense, it doesn't matter if the offensive overhaul is successful.

I hate to say this but Rome is right, since RR was born further south, he is obviously faster than JT, thank God he isn't from Fla or we'd have no chance. (these media personalities must have it in their contract that they have to say something more inane or idiotic than the day before or the contracts are voided)

[HailToMichigan]

Originally Posted by sandgk

Then why was he described as pro-style during his recruitment?
Also - you are correct to try and guide the conversation away from spread option - as you acknowledge, Mallett hasn't got the wheels for that.
By the same token, just because he was in the shotgun for passing downs (every down?) in high school does not mean that he will be comfortable in or capable of running a readless spread.

I don't know exactly the type of offense Mallett ran, but you generally don't line up in the shotgun with two RBs and two TE's either. I assume it would be some variation of the spread, because, yes, it was every down. That's why he had so many snap-fumbles from under center. He'd basically never done that. I suppose he was described as pro-style because they lump all QB's into "running" and "pro-style" QB's, and it is not hard to rule Mallett out of one of those categories.

As for Rice, WVU beat Rutgers 31-3 this year, so the defense must have been doing something right, whether or not Rice got his yardage. And, as has been mentioned, 3-3-5 doesn't mean 3-3-5 all the time. I see that as something RR is willing to bring to the table, not a square peg waiting to be put into a round hole. He didn't win 60 games at WVU by being a stubborn ass about his defense.

[MaizeandBlue]

Originally Posted by NastyNatiBuck

Wasn't there a freshman a few years ago who was a QB in high school but UM turned to a WR? Antonio Bass or something like that. Did he transfer? Rich might use him for a little read option if he is still there.

Antonio Bass tore his knee up pretty bad in spring practice of 2006. he has missed the last 2 seasons and had multiply operations. it is unclear if he is ever going to be able to return.

[buckeyeinfla]

first off...WVU spread is centered around a RUNNING QB...that is the key to making it go...when white got hurt or they had to pass..it was tough...now...maybe he modifies it for the mallet but it was predicated on white's running ability....as for the 3-3-5....looks like FRESHMAN leshaun mccoy ran pretty well against it huh?