- September 26th, 2010, 2:17 pm
#321531
Our offense has a ton of talent at the skill positions. Mike Brown is one of the top quarterbacks in the country. Chris Summers is likely a top 5 receiver. Our other guys are all very good as well.
Our offense relies on getting guys into space and letting them make people miss and using their speed and athleticism. Usually one block and a good move by the ball carrier will spring a big play. Screens, slants, and things like that are what we're very good at.
Our offense, right now, isn't meant to be a between the tackles power run offense. We don't have Stephen Sene, Eddie Pinigis, Mike Godsil, and those guys up front with Rashad Jennings behind them. It's a different offense. The lack of a run game doesn't bother me as much as forcing it when it isn't there. Unfortunately, at times, we get somewhat stubborn and try to force things on offense instead of staying with what works until the other team stops it.
First down is our biggest problem. We saw it in the second half last night. When we completed a pass on first down, we set ourselves up to get the next first down every single time. The two times they were incomplete on first down the drive stalled. When we rushed on first down, we only ended up picking up the first down once out of four times.
When we ran the ball on first down, we averaged two yards per carry for the game. That left us with an average 2nd and 8 any time we ran the ball. That handcuffs your offense. When you become predictable, you're easy to stop. When you're in 2nd and long consistently, your playbook shrinks. We were able to do more things and have the most success last night when we were successful on first down (five of our first six were 5 yards or more).
If we can get back to getting 4 yards or more consistently on first down, then our offense will be back to the way it used to be. It doesn't matter how we get those four yards, whether it be running or passing, but we have to get back to getting them.