09.13.06
R.I.P The Run Game
The tales of woe about the FSU rushing attack have been many. The quaint little neighborhood of NCAA rushing bottom-feeders that Jeffy’s offense now calls home includes the likes of Temple, Virginia and Baylor. Better? Duke. Worse? Only Hawai’i, who has yet to play a second game. The Noles will even commemorate the fallen half of the playbook, albeit 4 years too late, by breaking out black uniforms against BC later in the season.(Scroll down)
The recent success of teams known for wearing all black.
In what I thought was a completely unrelated, whimsical jaunt through the annals of FSU lore, I was thinking wistfully last week of the days when the no-huddle offense was a staple of one of the most feared offenses in all of college ball. Hell, I remember running that shit in the 2nd quarter against Maryland on the way to final scores in the half-hundreds and above. It kept defenses off-guard and tired, and kept the scoreboard hot. Draw plays out of shotgun formations, quick hitches to receivers with 8 yard cushions, it all came flooding back amid faint cheers and faded memories of glory. Well, apparently I wasn’t the only one. From Fear the Spear:
Let’s not kid ourselves. Does anyone care about a running game? Is it “rushing yards” we’re after, or is it an effective, potent offense.
They need to revive the Fast Break offense. Screen passes, short passes to RBs in the flank, and direct snaps out of the shotgun.
These do all of the things that an actual I-formation pure running game do for you, which is to keep the defense honest, preventing the defensive line from selling out to a full blown pass rush every play.
Yes, this is a message board post, but it lacks the usual histrionics and horrifically-detailed wishes of Jeffy Bowden’s violent demise. And it got me wondering- Would the death of a ponderous rushing attack in Tallahassee be such a bad idea? FSU has got a second-year QB, experienced and healthy O-line, and returning players at the other skill positions. Why not run the 2-minute drill from the opening gun?
Even the geriatric could run the no-huddle offense.
Considering the atrocious new clock rules, this may be the best way to get back the lost 18 plays a game, which this offense obviously needs in order to score points.
And yes, that is the awful stench of desperation you smell emanating from this post. I’ve been wearing it well for the last 5 years.
New Rule Hat-Tip to The Intellectually Dominating Sunday Morning Quarterback.
HisOtherBrotherDaryl (HOBD) said,
September 13, 2006 at 3:51 pm
Well cited and where does one find more photos of the Clemson-Purdue episode of Cops?
The historical dialectic of football is one in which the thesis of running-the-ball is countered by the antithesis of pass-the-ball and eventually forms a sythesis in myriad forms – West Coast Offense being chief in this. At this point in football history, run-the-ball rules the turf. Pass-the-ball comes from it.
It’s time for the pass-the-ball antithesis to re-balance things out. How about an effective run that begins with an effective passing attack? I’m not talking run-and-shoot or run-and-gun – more like shoot-and-run.
So what if FSU can’t run the ball and has no rushing talent? Open up the passing attack, and let the run happen underneath it. It could help.
But the Owl of Minerva has not flown. It cannot fly: there is no one to lead this new synthesis. Who could it be? Jeffy? He’s more likely to be the victim, the preterite to be dominated by the new form. Which leaves FSU pretty much screwed, it’s heyday a historical reflection on the dialectic of football history when they signalled a new era of passing attack. Maybe the passing attack could come back, but not led by that team’s current set.
theredhookraider said,
September 13, 2006 at 12:31 pm
My favorite part of the story was this:
“The word “Unconquered” will be on one leg of the pants, and there will be other means of making tribute to the tribe.”
My second favorite part of the story was this:
“FSU also made it official that the Alan Jackson concert that will kick off a drive to raise scholarships will be held on Nov. 3.”