Red Zone Production

[brnzfan57]

I'll start off by saying very impressed by Saturdays performance ,by far the best we looked going up against a M.A.C. team. The one thing that bothers/worries me is our ability to punch the ball in once we get in the red-zone. Traditionally spread teams struggle scoring T.D.'s when they get down in the Red zone. There's many reasons for this, C.B.'s playing tighter, not as much space for the offense to spread the "D" out etc.. So my question is how do we improve on this and up our T.D. percentage.

I would make these changes: (note:almost all of my scenario's involve taking Gonzo out, which isn't anything against him. I just think he's similar to our other W.R.'s and the close spacing eliminates the biggest part of his game,speed)

1.) Take out Gonzales/insert Lyons and have a W.R. set of Lyons, Hall, Holmes, Ginn. I think this set gives you another big W.R. to utilize jump balls.
2.) Take out Gonzo, have 3 W.R. set of Holmes, Ginn, Hall and insert a Johnson into backfield with B.S. behind him. This gives you the opportunity to run or pass.
3.) If Smith doesn't end up winning the job back,insert him in the line-up vs. Zwick and he adds that running dimension down at the goal-line.
4.) 2 W.R. set with Ginn& Holmes, backfield with Johnson& B.S., jumbo O.L. of Boone, Rehring, Simms, Mangold,Downing, Barton. This gives you pure power, with an option to pass to your best W.R. still.

What does the board think?

 

[exhawg]

The power running game was the only thing that disappointed me about the Miami game. It seemed like we had a hard time lining up and punching the ball in. I couldn't tell if it was blocking, running, or mix of the 2, but it has to get better. I agree that it would be better to have bigger receivers in from the 10 yard line in so they can fight for the ball. IMO Zwick's int wouldn't have happened if that it was thrown to Hall rather than Holmes. Holmes it too small to fight for balls like taller receivers can.
The only thing that really worries me about this team is that none of the RB's show a lot of inside running power. I would like to see Haw get a shot when he gets out of the doghouse.

 

[Steve19]

Bring back Pete Johnson

 

[ScarletInMyVeins]

I think we'll see a completely different team this weekend when we play texas. One would have to think that Tress and Co. was holding back a majority of the formations and plays that they will be using over the course of the year.

 

[exhawg]

I think we'll see a completely different team this weekend when we play texas. One would have to think that Tress and Co. was holding back a majority of the formations and plays that they will be using over the course of the year.

We already saw a completely different team than from the beginning of last season. Besides adding some new routes and trick plays JT can't go too much further. I'm actually at the point where I would prefer them to spend practice time working on the old 3 yards and a cloud of dust offense so that they will be able to punch it in from the 5 without having to throw the ball.

 

[ScarletInMyVeins]

I meant different from what we saw last weekend.... I think we'll be fine in the red zone.

 

[GoBucks89]

I still like the old "Robust T" formation that Woody used to run (two tight ends, and three big backs spread from left to right behind the QB). You can use Boone as your extra tight end as long as he reports to the ref. The whole stadium knows you're going to run but there's nothing the defense can do about it. Regardless of which side you run to, you always have the numbers and it works great in short yardage. But if we're not already inside the 10, then I'm not worried. The spread will still work from the 10-20 yard range, especially if Smith is your QB.

As for Zwick's interception, I really believe he was trying to throw it away, but it slipped out of his hand and fluttered just enough to allow the DB to pick it. That play looked busted from the beginning anyway.

 

[martinss01]

I still like the old "Robust T" formation that Woody used to run (two tight ends, and three big backs spread from left to right behind the QB). You can use Boone as your extra tight end as long as he reports to the ref.

i thought someone said boone played against miami so that ends his redshirt right? *shrug* might as well use him. i fully expect a pass to carp in the redzone against texas.

As for Zwick's interception, I really believe he was trying to throw it away, but it slipped out of his hand and fluttered just enough to allow the DB to pick it. That play looked busted from the beginning anyway.

ive watched that play a few times. it looks like the play was originally going to be a quick pass to ginn in the flat but zwick audibled to a run. the line got the audible but schnitker nor the receivers did. if you watch the play again we have 2 linemen downfield and one as far as 7 yrds. zwick found himself in the middle of a busted play with the d bearing down on him. he saw holmes open and threw it half a yard to far to the left. he should have stepped forward, took the hit, and threw the ball wide right of holmes forcing holmes to make a play ala the gonzo td in the alamo bowl. either its a td or its incomplete. because noone else on the field has a shot at it. definite screw up on the missed audible either by the skill players or zwick, definitely a bad decision with the ball by zwick.

 

[Brutus1]

Let Ginn take shotgun snaps from inside the red zone. Throw on the first play to plant the seed that he can also pass.

Take the snap, roll to the wide side and watch everyone collapse on him, then drop a pass over the top. Everyone and their mother will be chasing him.

 

[martinss01]

Let Ginn take shotgun snaps from inside the red zone. Throw on the first play to plant the seed that he can also pass.

Take the snap, roll to the wide side and watch everyone collapse on him, then drop a pass over the top. Everyone and their mother will be chasing him.

id be more inclinded to do this off a reverse. assuming they play ginn like miami did, give ginn a reverse and sneak carp behind their d. easy 6...

 

[brnzfan57]

good comments

i thought someone said boone played against miami so that ends his redshirt right? *shrug* might as well use him. i fully expect a pass to carp in the redzone against texas.

Boone did indeed play Saturday and looked huge. I thought about putting Carp in there as an option, but didn't know if the trade off between Boone and him would be worth it. Boone would be the road grater, while Carp could give you the passing option also.