[El Scorcho]

If you were Coach Rocco, what would be your game plan heading into this week?

I'm going to heavily moderate this thread, so don't say I didn't warn you. Before you reply, I'm going to require that replies to this post follow a specific format so that (hopefully) things don't get out of control. So, please keep your posts in the following format:

1. Offense - blah blah blah

2. Defense - blah blah blah

3. Special teams - blah blah blah

4. Overall Strategy - blah blah blah

Also: If you post a critique of someone else's game plan before you post your own game plan, your post gets deleted. You must post a game plan in the above format before you can participate in any discussion in the thread.

With the rules out of the way, let's hear how you'd coach the Flames against St. Francis this week.

[TIMSCAR20]

I have not gotten into the fray this weekend but let me start this off.

Offense: I would get Zach Terrell some reps at QB and begin to use his threat to run and pass in a spread offense like WVU. Slaton and White seem unstoppable. I know Jennings and Terrell are not those guys but they could have that affect with our offensive line.

Defense: I would mix in other defenses with the cover 2. I know we only gave up 15.6 points per game last year with virtually the same D minus Manny Rojas but adding Vince Redd. This defense can work. Better offense and more confidence will get us to make plays specifically on third down to get us off the field. The middle seam route would be taken away. Make someone do something else to beat me.

Special Teams: Nothing different

Overall Strategy: Not much different other than take a few more shots down field with Jackson and Bolden but that will work a lot if ZT is at QB and you have to worry about him AND Rashad.

Let me say that I think Coach Rocco will get this thing turned around very soon and IMO a change at QB to Spencer Landis is not the answer. He is a backup QB that seems more mobile but it takes a lot more than mobility to play the QB position. I believe ZT is the answer. He is the real deal. I know he hasn't been taking snaps at QB but he can get it back really quickly. Let him get the rust off in the St Francis game.

[BJWilliams]

Offense: I do agree with SCAR's point about Slaton and White, but I see ZT as more of a Darren McFadden type of player. Anybody that watched the Arkansas-Kentucky game (yeah Arkansas lost but McFadden was a monster). I would get Zach the lions share of his reps at RB but I would put him in the backfield and split Brock out to take advantage of his throwing ability as well as his running abillity. Really I see us kind of like Arkansas in that we have two RBs that both can make good things happen (much like Felix Jones and McFadden) and a quarterback that CAN do good things if the confidence is there.

Defense: Really I would try to mix the blitzes up. We are not really sending a lot of guys to blow up the backfield and get the QB moving. send blitzes from the corners occasionally not just the line or the LBs

Special Teams: Nothing really to change there

Overall Strategy: Id use more 4 and 5 wide sets to free up Wynton and Dominic if we are gonna throw and also some misdirection with ZT to take advantage of his gamebreaking speed. Then we can pound Rashad in between the tackles.

[dwhite]

OFFENSE: First things first, Brock starts. Pull him now and his confidence is gone. Everyone on the team that I have talked to maintains that Brock is a great QB, and that he is a hard worker in practice. There hasn't been one game in the past two seasons in which a WR/TE hasn't dropped a perfectly thrown ball at least once during the game. In fact, this happens about 3-4 on average per game. I have missed 2 games in 2 years here at LU, and I've seen first hand what this does. Instances coming to mind: Towson 2006, Wake Forest 2006, W&M 2006 and 2007, and Elon 2007 - all fairly close games (minus Wake) we had a legitimate shot at winning. Brock shoulders some of the blame, no doubt, but it doesn't all rest on him, that's why he starts in my book. Rashad has looked better for 2 reasons this season. 1) He's not stopping after one hit, he's working for the yards - that's important. 2) He looks more like a team player, like he really wants it more. For that reason I think he starts over Zach...at RB. I would subtract the TE from most of our basic packages put Zach out wide. I would send him in motion EVERY, SINGLE play. This adds a whole new dimension to the offense, and gives ZT a chance to make something happen. ZT is definitely a threat, and if we want to be competitive we have to use our big time playmakers. Finally, the OL has to start blowing people off the ball. Both Sene and Pinigis are supposed to be league prospects, and though I'm no scout I haven't been impressed. Sheer size, yes, but the passion has to be there. When our OL, which is considered to be the best in the Big South, starts to bring it, the running game will grow tremendously. Not only that, giving Brock more time consistently will lead to him making wiser decisions in the pocket. This week, I use the ZT-RJ combination to attack St. Francis. Run the ball to the wide side of the field and let ZT make things happen. ZT was a QB, so let's throw in a flea-flicker for something out of the motion package. Hitting Rashad underneath was a great outlet for Brock and allowed Rashad more touches, keep doing this. Instead of throwing to the sidelines, run more post patterns with Bolden, BT, and Jackson. Brock can throw it, the boys can fly, let's see what happens. I predict the Offense will rebound this week, Brock will surprise the 11K (or less) in attendance, and have an incredible game - possibly even garnering Big South Offensive Player of the Week honors, depending on if all three TD passes are caught by one guy. 3 rushing TD's and 3 passing TD's, LU hangs 42 on a less than great St. Francis team.

DEFENSE: Wow...where to begin. One word...LEADERSHIP. I'm not seeing any out there, at all. We are putting virtually no pressure on the QB, and that's a problem! We send in blitz packages, but check out almost every time. The secondary has looked horrible this season, but with all the time in the world you would expect the QB to be able to pick them apart. We have to have more pressure on the QB. This means sending 4 guys every time...period. I have never been a fan of the 3-4, and again I'm left dissapointed. Move Redd to DE opposite Ackley, and put Richard inside with Dugan. Blitz atleast once every four downs, keep the pressure coming. Pressure causes turnovers (see Brock Smith) and poor decisions. Nick Hursky has been solid this season, as has SRL, send one or both of them into the back field and let's see hwat happens. Ackley is going to step up as a leader this week, maybe someone else will too. This will fire up the guys and we'll start to see some changes in the way they play. The secondary shouldn't stop running this week. We've gotten beat so many times and we looked terrible against W&M and Elon. Someone has to step up and start making plays. So far, not sure who that will be. I'd like to see the occasional safety blitz even, or send Pat Calvary or Kent Hicks, either way...the themes of the week should be PASSION and PRESSURE!

SPECIAL TEAMS: I have been so underwhlemed by the Special Teams play in the last two games. ST is our chance to legally knock the crap out of the opposing team, and we should take every opportunity to do just that. I'd like to see more energy on ST, and that may mean taking some of your starters off ST and using reserves.

OVERALL: If I was a coach, or even if I had a larger student refund and could get a great deal, I would get every player a t-shirt made this week with the words "LIBERTY FOOTBALL" on front, and on the back these words: PRIDE. PASSION. EXECUTION. Maybe it would help, maybe it wouldn't, but it would get the point across that unless we make a change, we'll never make the leap from good to great. Our boys should be proud to call LU home. 12,000 + fans have shown up twice because of pride. We build nice facilities because of pride. We have to carry the pride on to the field. It has to be about more than just football. It's about building a legacy at LU, and we want that legacy to be one we're proud of. Passion comes naturally when you're proud of something. If we really grab on to the fact that it's our time, and what we do could be the foundation for greatness, the passion will come automatically. It has to be there every down, every play, every snap. We have to bring it every time. Finally, we have to execute. Both O and D have to take care of their assignments on every down. No plays off, no going 90%. 100% every time. Perfecting in practice what we need to win. Coach Rocco and his staff are more than capable of getting us back on track. We have a great group of guys, and if we can get these things in order, we will make the jump from good to great.

Thanks for the opportunity.

[BlueCometAlum]

1. Offense - Everything starts with the offensive line. the offensive line must play better than they did at elon for the flames to win. They cannot miss blocks on critical downs and must stop the stupid penalties i.e. holding false start and hitting people in the head. If this aspect gets better the run game will be able to add an extra yard per carry in most cases. Just as important is the play of the quarterback. As i stated in another thread, the stats this week will not be an indicator of how the quarterback plays. if smith is still overthrowing his receivers, dancing in the pocket, and making bad decisions then a change needs to be made. Jennings has been effective to an extent but he is still dancing before he hits the hole. he is not hitting the hole hard runing over players and getting those tough yards at first. He runs to the line of scrimmage dances until a hole opens and then tries to start running again. The wide receiver play needs to get better. The team is loaded withplayers who are fast and can create plays but it is impossible to create a play when you do not catch the ball. When smith actually makes a throw that's catchable the receivers are dropping them. A sure fire way to get the ball into the hands of these playmakers without relying on the quarterback is to do end arounds like wake forest did last year and like the panthers do with steve smith. we cant complete the screen pass to get them the ball in space so we need to do something else. Lastly terrell needs to be involved more. he is not fast straight on but he is hard to tackle. If
we are not going to run him as the rb line him up direct snap like darren mcfadden or allow him to return kicks. He needs to be on the field in one way or another.

2. Defense - On saturday there was a lot of confusion on the defensive side of the ball. we were shuffling in players left and right. Many times the players were not set before the ball was snapped. There were several plays where we could have been flagged for having too many men on the field but weren't. Last year we ran most things out of our base 34 defense. This year they are trying to do more matchups nickel dime quarter coverage. The players look confused by everything. the complex defense this year is not working as well as the simplified base 34 of 2006.

3. Special teams - This is the strongest unit for the flames.

4. Overall Strategy - I am normally a defer to the second half person but this week the flames need to get the ball first drive and score. They need to get the ball into the hands of the playmakers by whatever means necessary. They cannot make stupid mistakes and commit dumb penalties. the defense needs to be simplified and play something other than a base cover 2.

[TDDance234]

Great thread, Scorcho.

1. Offense - I'm starting Brock but he's on a very tight leash. The indecisiveness with the football and dancing feet have to stop. Read through your progressions and if nothing is there get rid of the ball. I'm starting Rashad at running back and Zach at WR. A tough call for me to start ZT at WR but that is the best way to maximize his use right now--with Wynton on the other side, he's going to get some single coverage. I would mix some of the downhill running of Jennings with a lot of quick three-step drop and release type plays to neutralize the pass rush early and keep the defense off balance.

2. Defense - Blitz, blitz, and blitz some more. We have some extremely athletic linebackers--with Lloyd, Duke and Redd running around out there, we should have someone in the backfield getting pressure every play. We were so scared against Elon of getting burnt, we rushed 3 every time and our DE's overpursued like crazy--creating run lanes for Riddle. We have to get some pressure on the QB, it's an absolute must. Secondly, we have to shut down the middle of the field. We can't allow big gains from TE's down the seem of our defense.

3. Special teams - Nothing really can be said here--Elon had a great game plan against STs and shut down and/or didn't kick it to Wynton. I didn't like having Boldon back with Wynton either--use that extra man as a blocker and force them to either kick it out of bounds or to Wynton.

4. Overall Strategy - Get the ball out of Brock's hands early and often. Quick slant routes, fades, anything to get him from dancing around in the pocket. Run hard with Rashad.

Pretty simple--we need to start getting back to the basics.

[El Scorcho]

grm: Please follow the specified format for this thread. It's outlined at the top.

[grm]

grm: Please follow the specified format for this thread. It's outlined at the top.

Thanks. That explains where my last post went.

[grm]

grm: Please follow the specified format for this thread. It's outlined at the top.

Thanks. That explains where my last post went.

Actually, at first, I was offended, knowing the types of posts that go here without reprimand, but after reading the initial format and the warnings, I understand. I just looked at the thread title - not the specified format.

[ToTheLeft]

1. Offense - Spencer Landis needs to start at QB, Zach Terrell at RB, Rashad at FB, Crawford, Wynton, Bolden, and Turner rotate at Wideout. The line needs to just kep doing what they are doing on pass blocking, and I am not a blocking expert, so I don't know how to fix the run blocking. The offense needs to run in a similar fashion in terms of passing, short slants, screens, and flats. However, when there are 9 guys in the box, we need to open up the deep ball, which is why Spencer is needed. The running game needs to focus on sweeps, draws, and FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE MISDIRECTIONS! When we run the same play 5 times, and fail, it would set up PERFECTLY for a counter run. Reverses and end-arounds should also be used to keep the D honest. ZT needs to get the ball with open space early in the downs, on 1st or 2nd. Rashad needs to get the ball in short yardage situations, or when there are 6 or fewer guys in the box, on draws, off tackle, or pitches. (He does run a 4.45 right? He can run a toss play)

2. Defense -Use a base Cover 1/2 combined with man defense, with tough bump-and-run at the line, knocking guys off of easy routes, and a safety to pick up anyone who gets burned deep. The pass rush needs to get aggressive, and use stunts, blitzes, and delay blitzes.

3. Special teams - Get the ball to #1 or #9 and don't block in the back. Tackle the return man the FIRST time. Put Ben Shipps in to kick! (Kidding, he's redshirting, and Noah has been okay.)

4. Overall Strategy - Play like you are losing. Play with the heart we played with in the 4th quarter against William and Mary. And for heaven's sake, adjust DURING the game, and from game to game. Those who do not look at the history are doomed to repeat it. Look back at what plays and styles didn't work, and either change them or ditch them. Lets get one formation, and run lots of good plays out of it, rather than a bunch of formations, with one play out of each, and we havent even perfected that play.

[El Scorcho]

Thanks to all who have read and then posted their game plans. For everyone else who is wondering where their post went, please read the first post in this thread before replying again.

[Schfourteenteen]

Offense: More importantly than this game Id be looking at the whole season at this point. See who does well this week. Id give ZT time at qb even with 3rd stringers and see how he reacts. Spencer gets more time than usual. Brock goes into the game know that although he is the starter, he is on a short leash. He gets a minumum of a half to prove why he should be qb and if he becomes a I-AA QB then we keep him in. I use the whole playbook, not just the plays I know Brock wont screw up on. More shots down the field, more plays that test Brock as a passer. Running the ball, more stuff to the outside, more trick plays, reverses that sort of thing. I look to score 80 points in the first half this week and will not shut the offense down for the sake of keeping the score legit because I dont know if the O will ever spark up again. Wynton is the play maker on this team he gets at least 15 touches.

Defense: 3-4 Soft Cover 2 is absolute garbage with the way we are playing. So we rotate 3-4 Man Cover 1 up with 4-3 with Redd being a down lineman or a MLB. Either way we have the athletes to compete with St. Francis, and to be honest with alot of the teams on our schedule. More man coverage and more pressure. Redd blitzes up the middle, to flush out the pocket. Grieser and Dickerson will play more aggressive towards picks, even if they get beat downfield. Kent Hicks gets kicked off the team after he commits one more foul.

Special Teams: TAKE THE POINTS BEFORE THE 4th quarter. Golden rule. On third down in the redzone kick the field goal, so no interceptions . Anytine I can get points I take them.

Coaching: Make adjustments early and often. If Brock doesnt play well in the first half whoever did well in practice between Landis and ZT starts the second half. If my defense is getting peeeeed on then I make every change possible in order to pressure the QB, safety blitzes corner blitzes it doesnt matter just something to mix it up. If the offense is rolling we keep passing not because we want to run up the score but because we need to get in a rythym NOW before we get slaughtered at Toledo. After the Toledo game the decision is made on Brock - If he plays well he has the job but if he continues to stutter we look at all our options closely.

[rogers3]

Disclaimer: I am not a football expert and I am not educated in all the nuances of offensive play-calling and defensive coverage!

Offense: I would like to use Terrell and Jennings together more often. By using them individually, the defense can adjust for the different styles each brings to the field. I know that our offense can be successful with Smith at the helm, and I would continue with him as QB. I would work at creating more quick short passing routes that might open up as a result of the threat in my backfield.

Defense: Even if you have great backs, a QB can make a play if he is never pressured. Since I am the coach, my defensive coordinator better make some changes that will create more pressure on the QB. If our defense has speed at the line and in the LB positions, I would want to blitz early and often in an effort to keep the QB on his heels.

Special Teams: What a change over last year!

Overall: Discipline and Heart! I've watched LU ball since 1975 and our worst teams have lacked both of these! I must say that I've seen much worse in the penalty category over the years, but I didn't get the sense that we were playing with a lot of heart! I know that we have a lot of good tranfers, but I would not feel that I had to have them on the field if they weren't playing with determination and discipline.

I'm glad that all I have to do is sit here and second-guess the coaching as opposed to being a coach! I think Rocco is a good coach and I think that we will see steady improvement.

[thepostman]

I have avoided posting in the thread simply because I am far from a football expert...I have more knowledge in basketball then any other sport, but I will give short answers...just to throw them out there.

Offense: Zach needs to be in the game...period...I am not saying he has to be out there every down, but he needs to be out there at least 75% of the time...he is our most athletic player on the offensive side and to have him sitting is just simply silly in my opinion. I think Brock needs to be reeled in a bit...he will get the start but I feel as if the coaches should give Spencer some extra snaps in practice then normal just so he is ready if need be. If Brock continues to overthrow his recievers like he did this weekend (according to those who were there), then we need to look elsewhere. Throw in a few tricks to the bag...throw zach behind center for a couple of plays...who knows...something to get the offense excited about playing...

Defense: I have thought about it and though the coverage has been poor, the defense has had it rough (especially this past week), they are on the field way too often simply because our offense can not sustain long drives. While playing DII teams you can get away with that simply because the offense of the opposition is far from good....with that said we need to mix things up a bit. As i said I am not expert, especially when it comes to defensive schemes, but just mix things up a bit, confuse the offense...and just do a better job convering up the middle of field....

Special Teams: Very well...I give them an A on the season

Overall: I personally think they listened way too much to the hype they were given before the season. They thought they were better then they were, and I blame a lot of that on coach Rocco...of course you need to have confidence in your team and thats great...but you also need to be realistic with them as well. Maybe it was a mistake to use the slogan "Good 2 Great"...it sounds good, and I like it...but maybe a bit soon for that. Of course you can not do anything about that....

we have the talent to be very good...as many has said before...be more focused and just play hard...its amazing what those 2 elements can do for you in playing any sport....

[Iwasneverhere]

Newbie alert: First time poster, long time reader. I'm no expert on football but i'm learning so here goes....

Offense:
EXECUTION is key. O-line seems to be stacked this year. this means we need to get that running game going! we have two great backs in RJ and ZT. USE THEM! While they are both two very different backs in stature they both excel in certain situations. i personally would be a fan of ZT under center a couple of times with RJ as a back. can we say option? as for the passing game... Brock just needs to settle down at the beginning of games. looks like he decided to start playing after we were down a few touchdowns last week. we just don't need to wait to get the passing game going. I persoanlly would love to see a deep post rout by bolden and jackson mayb first play of the game instead of RJ "to the left to the left"? If brock can't settle it down. take him out for a series. yes i know i know most of you aren't big fans of rotating QB's but hey if it gets brock to play the was we all know he can then go for it.

Defense:
we obviously need to get the DB's workin double time. I know we aren't too deep in the position so here goes. pat calvary and kent kiscks are good. really good. problem last week was #19 had height and weight advantage on clavary. sounds like the guy couldn't do anything about it. so who gets matched up with him? hicks! and it worked for a little bit. but as we all know hicks has had problems with penalties. but if he can keep that in check, which i think he will, then we are good. we also need QB pressure. with that being said we also don't need to give up the middle of the field. can we say W&M? no short yardage slant routes over the middle. TE's should never have the most reciving yards in a game against you. LB's like Vince,SRL,and Hersky are good enough to get that done. they just need to EXECUTE. (you see a theme here?) and score score score. Pick SIX, recover fumbles. FORCE fumbles. anything you can to get off the field without giving up points.

Special teams:
Keep doing what they are doing.

Overall:
we got a does of reality the past two games. but in those two games there have been flashes of brilliance. with a little work, motivation, and EXECUTION we should be fine. yes this season may only be good to great if we win the big south but you know for all you people who are calling it quits after two games.... may i remind you of what happened last year? losing what? 4 games in a row then went on to win out? the season isn't over. don't hang your head. get out there execute, play with heart, play like you want to win. EXPECT TO WIN.
Thanks

[BJWilliams]

One thing I di dnot mention in my defensive game plan is the fact that you gotta cover that middle of the field. If you are playing zone and you leave the middle of the field open, you are gonna have WRs running quick slants and dig routes all day and TEs will just release into the middle of that zone and teh QB will hit him every time. Cover 3, one LB covering the middle while you have blitzes coming from so many possible directions (note I said possible) that somebody is gonna get a chance to come free to the QB. You get some hats into him...throw him out of his rhythm. Jam the receivers, particularly on the timing routes if youre gonna have any sort of man coverage. even from LBs on the TE

[SuperJon]

Read and acknowledged.