- Nov 25, 2016
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I have heard a lot of people criticize the offensive play calling. However, I think that maybe some people simply look at a play that didn't work and think it was a bad play call.
If a pass play is called and the receiver is open but the QB doesn't get him the ball, is that a bad play call?
There's a difference between poor play calling and poor execution.
I've made a few gifs to help point out the difference.
For example, this is a pass play from the first drive of the FSU game.
The Gators line up in a tight formation with two tight ends both on the left side of the line. Goolsby runs a quick route across the middle and takes a linebacker with him. Lewis runs straight downfield and takes the safety with him. Right guard Fred Johnson gets beaten badly and the FSU rush gets to Appleby pretty quickly. Somehow Appleby manages to get off a perfect pass and hits Perine in stride. The linebacker has to come back across the field to push Perine out of bounds after a big gain.
That was a beautifully drawn up play and it was executed perfectly. The misdirection made FSU think run, the routes cleared out room for Perine, the blocks held just long enough and the QB delivered a perfect pass.
Everyone can agree that was a great play call.
Then we have a play that didn't work.
Here's the same play from a different angle
This is the 4th down play that failed to get a TD. Goolsby lines up on the line of scrimmage split out on the right side. The two receivers lined up behind him both run short routes and pull the defense up towards the line of scrimmage. This gives Goolsby a one on one matchup. Goolsby gets by the defender and is open if the ball is thrown in front of him. However, Scarlett's assignment was to block in pass protection. He gives up on his assignment too soon and runs out as a receiver. Scarlett never notices the blitzing DB. Appleby has to get rid of the ball under pressure and throws a bad pass.
If Scarlett carries out his assignment and blocks the blitzing DB then that play is a touchdown and a great play call. However, Scarlett missing his assignment doesn't make it a bad play call. It was just poorly executed.
That's what happens when you are forced to play freshmen and sophomores. They sometimes miss assignments due to lack of experience. Earlier in the season lots of people were griping that we should be playing Scarlett more. This is exactly why the coaches were giving the other guys opportunities. Scarlett has not been a good pass blocker. I'm sure watching this play in the film room will help him grow and mature as a player, but it comes at the expense of a TD in the FSU game. That is the price of youth and inexperience.
If a pass play is called and the receiver is open but the QB doesn't get him the ball, is that a bad play call?
There's a difference between poor play calling and poor execution.
I've made a few gifs to help point out the difference.
For example, this is a pass play from the first drive of the FSU game.
The Gators line up in a tight formation with two tight ends both on the left side of the line. Goolsby runs a quick route across the middle and takes a linebacker with him. Lewis runs straight downfield and takes the safety with him. Right guard Fred Johnson gets beaten badly and the FSU rush gets to Appleby pretty quickly. Somehow Appleby manages to get off a perfect pass and hits Perine in stride. The linebacker has to come back across the field to push Perine out of bounds after a big gain.
That was a beautifully drawn up play and it was executed perfectly. The misdirection made FSU think run, the routes cleared out room for Perine, the blocks held just long enough and the QB delivered a perfect pass.
Everyone can agree that was a great play call.
Then we have a play that didn't work.
Here's the same play from a different angle
This is the 4th down play that failed to get a TD. Goolsby lines up on the line of scrimmage split out on the right side. The two receivers lined up behind him both run short routes and pull the defense up towards the line of scrimmage. This gives Goolsby a one on one matchup. Goolsby gets by the defender and is open if the ball is thrown in front of him. However, Scarlett's assignment was to block in pass protection. He gives up on his assignment too soon and runs out as a receiver. Scarlett never notices the blitzing DB. Appleby has to get rid of the ball under pressure and throws a bad pass.
If Scarlett carries out his assignment and blocks the blitzing DB then that play is a touchdown and a great play call. However, Scarlett missing his assignment doesn't make it a bad play call. It was just poorly executed.
That's what happens when you are forced to play freshmen and sophomores. They sometimes miss assignments due to lack of experience. Earlier in the season lots of people were griping that we should be playing Scarlett more. This is exactly why the coaches were giving the other guys opportunities. Scarlett has not been a good pass blocker. I'm sure watching this play in the film room will help him grow and mature as a player, but it comes at the expense of a TD in the FSU game. That is the price of youth and inexperience.