UCLA Week Practice Thread: 31 October Coach Rhule

[huskernut]

Regarding all the Satt editorials, I think the short answer is that if I’m the OC and I have a pro offense scheme and a future NFL quarterback, I understand how he moves in the pocket, but I’m not creating or encouraging situations where he takes off down the field for 30+. No matter how well he may run or his 40. Or no matter whether it worked one play last Saturday. The little secret that should be clear is that no one in that program wants to see this offense without DR behind center. Ever. That a plan B would involve some real ugliness. That the QB room is DR and DK if they want to play 21st century football. And DK has a ways to go to catch up to DR. So DR is green jersey as much as possible.

I also think Satt is answering the questions he is asked — that’s as much about the strength of the local media as the a coach who is not completely comfortable at a podium. Would you rather he spew constant coach speak? Or get defensive and channel Mike Gundy? He’s at least being 100% genuine.

It’s not rocket science: they have trouble running the ball because the o-line is banged up, lacks depth, and is often over-matched, but they are grinding; the RBs don’t create extra yards, but are running hard and hanging on to the ball; the young QB and WR/TEs are inconsistent with throws/routes (and blocking), but have moments of true greatness. They lean on the screen/perimeter game because the other teams are starting to bring numbers up the middle because it has rattled DR and the running game isn’t keeping the dogs off. Skill guys are struggling to block at the edge so it’s not very pretty at times. But they do it, even badly, because even a pitcher with a crummy curveball needs to show it sometimes.

When execution is high, drives look easy. The drive to take the lead at OSU was gorgeous. When it’s not (or DR doesn’t bail them out with a pro throw in a tough down/distance), they struggle. And they are so very obviously playing the big-picture every game. Trying to own clock and field possession. HCMR obviously has a strategy, and Satt is following the plan. Keeping the lid on things so they don’t need to chase — like the IU game. Not give the ball away. And mostly succeeding in keeping it tight.

So how about keeping the crap you want to throw at Satt to Saturday nights post-game and when you do maybe ground it in actual Xs and Os? The ongoing bs some of you throw at him is borderline unbalanced. My dog has more self-control when the UPS guy is at the door.

I agree with most of this. I see an offense that struggling in many of the ways you cite. I'd add the challenges in the passing game with down field receivers not getting open as often as hoped, pass protection being pretty good but not great, and Dylan being more of a super talented FRESHMAN who sometimes isn't seeing downfield are pressure, is letting defenses play close, which makes it hard to run.

Just saying we would get more running yards if we would commit more to the run doesn't solve the actual challenges the O is facing. So they're desperate to get the ball out to the perimeter to force the other side to defend more space. Throwing a screen or out to the flat is an unpretty but relatively safe thing Raiola can execute. So they run it. It doesn't look great and is only slighty useful but it's necessary in the absence of more other parts of the offense working well.

I'm not calling Satterfeld a genius but I think it mostly looks like it does because that's what they can do now.

Not to mention the worst ugliness on those screens was against Ohio freaking State. Most other than top 10 offenses are not going to look good against them.

 

[NorthwoodHusker]

I agree with most of this. I see an offense that struggling in many of the ways you cite. I'd add the challenges in the passing game with down field receivers not getting open as often as hoped, pass protection being pretty good but not great, and Dylan being more of a super talented FRESHMAN who sometimes isn't seeing downfield are pressure, is letting defenses play close, which makes it hard to run.

Just saying we would get more running yards if we would commit more to the run doesn't solve the actual challenges the O is facing. So they're desperate to get the ball out to the perimeter to force the other side to defend more space. Throwing a screen or out to the flat is an unpretty but relatively safe thing Raiola can execute. So they run it. It doesn't look great and is only slighty useful but it's necessary in the absence of more other parts of the offense working well.

I'm not calling Satterfeld a genius but I think it mostly looks like it does because that's what they can do now.

We're trying to take what the D is giving us, we just arent taking it.

 

[huskernut]

We're trying to take what the D is giving us, we just arent taking it.

That's fair. Our actual execution is uneven in lots of ways. In the long run that comes back to the coaches, but in the short run I don't know what to say about it.

 

[NUinID]

We're trying to take what the D is giving us, we just arent taking it.

Exactly, they need to be better at it, but it’s what the defense is giving.

Most forget that OSU is actually a very good defense and they actually moved the ball fairly well.

 

[HuskerBred]

Exactly, they need to be better at it, but it’s what the defense is giving.

Most forget that OSU is actually a very good defense and they actually moved the ball fairly well.

True. A lot of future pros there.

 

[HuskerBred]

That's fair. Our actual execution is uneven in lots of ways. In the long run that comes back to the coaches, but in the short run I don't know what to say about it.

I agree completely about your long run/short run comments. They work with what they have right now. When they have more and better linemen and playmakers and have had time to get everyone in sync, no one will be in the weeds more and be a tougher critic than me. But I’d like to think those days will be about celebrating some nice wins rather than calling for heads. The guy in charge has a plan. I want to see it executed.

 

[fjbfour]

Just as we had earlier requested officiating discussion move to the current thread on that topic, let's move the extended Satterfield discussion back to here.

This thread is primarily for this week's practice and game prep.

 

[Brew City Husker]

I agree completely about your long run/short run comments. They work with what they have right now. When they have more and better linemen and playmakers and have had time to get everyone in sync, no one will be in the weeds more and be a tougher critic than me. But I’d like to think those days will be about celebrating some nice wins rather than calling for heads. The guy in charge has a plan. I want to see it executed.

This sounds kind of reasonable unless you look at what Indiana has done with “what they have right now”. Is Indiana 56-7 more talented than Nebraska? To me, they looked slightly more talented at WR, but mostly more passionate, more disciplined and with better execution and a better scheme.

I understand why we continue to throw the ball out to the flat on screen passes all the time. I just don’t understand why we aren’t better at it.

 

[Red Reign]

If this all comes to fruitation it will be a huge signing day for Nebraska

 

[HuskerIDoc]

I agree with most of this. I see an offense that struggling in many of the ways you cite. I'd add the challenges in the passing game with down field receivers not getting open as often as hoped, pass protection being pretty good but not great, and Dylan being more of a super talented FRESHMAN who sometimes isn't seeing downfield are pressure, is letting defenses play close, which makes it hard to run.

Just saying we would get more running yards if we would commit more to the run doesn't solve the actual challenges the O is facing. So they're desperate to get the ball out to the perimeter to force the other side to defend more space. Throwing a screen or out to the flat is an unpretty but relatively safe thing Raiola can execute. So they run it. It doesn't look great and is only slighty useful but it's necessary in the absence of more other parts of the offense working well.

I'm not calling Satterfeld a genius but I think it mostly looks like it does because that's what they can do now.

Not to mention the worst ugliness on those screens was against Ohio freaking State. Most other than top 10 offenses are not going to look good against them.

I think part of the problem too, is that as a Freshman he is trying to get it all in one play. There are receivers that are open early on slants that he is passing up on. early in the season he would take those. Right now he is pressing to make a big play. This is why he is struggling against man coverage versus zone coverage. Man he has to make the read and get the ball out and let the guys run after the catch if possible. Zone he can wait and drop the ball in the spaces.

 

[LarstheRed]

Saterfield just stated that he did not know how Raiola runs. How could you get to this part of the season and never work on QB scrambles?!!

Are you suggesting he have designed run plays? I seriously doubt that is something they are going to actively game plan around. What exactly are you thinking should be done with scrambles? 'When pressure comes from here, you go there'. You go where you think you can avoid someone trying to smash you. Dylan knows where his receivers are, and if possible, I have little doubt he'd know to try to move in a direction he'd be able to still get the ball down field.

 

[NorthwoodHusker]

I think part of the problem too, is that as a Freshman he is trying to get it all in one play. There are receivers that are open early on slants that he is passing up on. early in the season he would take those. Right now he is pressing to make a big play. This is why he is struggling against man coverage versus zone coverage. Man he has to make the read and get the ball out and let the guys run after the catch if possible. Zone he can wait and drop the ball in the spaces.

I think part of that is he knows hes close to making the first part happen, believes he can, and is slowly drawing the line within himself where he can or cant.
He wants his full repertoire in front of him, the tighter windows and speed hes adjusting to.
I cant blame him, because once hes fully adjusted, watch out.

 

[HuskerBred]

This sounds kind of reasonable unless you look at what Indiana has done with “what they have right now”. Is Indiana 56-7 more talented than Nebraska? To me, they looked slightly more talented at WR, but mostly more passionate, more disciplined and with better execution and a better scheme.

I understand why we continue to throw the ball out to the flat on screen passes all the time. I just don’t understand why we aren’t better at it.

I think the Indiana thing is a combination of two things: they lifted and shifted several key players and all their coaches at one time (I’d be shocked if a few programs don’t try to hire a “whole” program this off-season). Dakota schools? Idaho? Some solid football teams out there. And I think IU had the perfectly weak conference buildup schedule. Tailor made. I imagine if they had OSU or PSU early it would have been bumpier. I also think — and reasonable minds can disagree — the 56-7 score is not a true reflection of the difference between IU and NU. That game got away from the Huskers. It happens.

100% agree with you about the screen game. It should be a long handoff. Watch the Niners or Chiefs. It’s so smooth and quick. Like a direct snap to the receiver. It’s like little stuff messes with the timing. Slightly off snap. Slightly off throw. And can’t mesh on the block. Tenths of seconds. And a fail.

 

[HuskerBred]

Garbers completed a lot of throws and a high percentage of throws against Rutgers last week. Anyone watch the game and have a take on it? I haven’t seen UCLA play but it sounds like they have had a hard time protecting Garbers.

 

[HuSkaBob]

This thread is almost useless. More than half the posts in this thread are off topic. Yes, commenting on the OC's comments in this thread is off topic -- this is where the links to the info are shared. Please start another thread if you want to talk about something bone-headed that was said by a coach, player or HuskerMax member.