The Read Option
- Thread starter NCHawker
- Start date
Our LBs are terrible and DEs stink at holding the edge... Ott can rush the passer but both he and Meir aren't very good against the run or specifically taking care of their assignment in the read option. The LBs are out of position so often and can't get off of a block to save their life. If they are running with a full head of steam blitzing they are good at that. I long for the days of Clayborne again.... It's assignment football. Do your job be where your supposed to and for the love of god tackle when you make contact. This has been the worst tackling team in who knows how long...
It's not just the read option that's giving us a trouble these days. Read option used to be thought of as a spread/pass-happy run game. But you've seen teams co-opt the principles into a a power run game and then add jet and fly sweep action on top of the zone read look. Then add high-quality running backs, strong and mobile QBs, and fast jet sweep guys, to a competent offensive line/tight ends.
It really stresses the defense's gap assignments and makes it difficult to cheat gaps. These teams can run a power run game to almost all gaps out of the same formation with different players which leaves defenders in space to control their gaps. You can't cheat or stack certain gaps. It's harder to out-scheme these offenses and you have to rely on players winning individuals battles. These power run schemes also still give the play-action game.
The Illini will start Wes Lunt at Qb this Saturday, as he returns from a broken leg. When he is in, no zone read. Now, they will probably mix in either O'Toole or Bailey after seeing how badly iowa defends the zone read....Bailey can really run and could damage us.
I doubt that Wis. will do it much with Stave in there, but with McEvoy, they will use it.
Armstrong of Neb will do it well.
Good stuff! This is along the lines of what I have been thinking but is far better articulated that I have been able to achieve. Thanks! I know this is a thread about Iowa's D, but in addition, this is what I hoped Iowa would go to on the O when GD arrived. I have NO problem with the play action O. But this is the adjustment many play action teams have made to compromise opposing defenses. The biggest problem for Iowa may be successfully recruiting a QB who is a decent run/pass guy. They are hard to come by.
dwh5er
Well-Known Member
Gruden said last nite on MNF that the read-option is strictly a college scheme....as he criticized the Panthers for running it with Newton too much which is going to shorten his career. As Gruden said, in the NFL, QBs make way too much money to put them at risk and they will get hurt.
Now, in college, it is all the rage, but you better have two guys who can do it if you are going to allow the QB to keep it very often. I would like to see Iowa do it vs Wis and Neb, maybe just once, with CJ and see if they could shock the defenders and rip off a big gain.
Now, in college, it is all the rage, but you better have two guys who can do it if you are going to allow the QB to keep it very often. I would like to see Iowa do it vs Wis and Neb, maybe just once, with CJ and see if they could shock the defenders and rip off a big gain.
I certainly could be wrong, but in no way would I believe CJ is a true dual threat QB in a Division 1 setting.
HawkeyeWalker
Well-Known Member
Phil better figure it out, and quick. Couldn't believe how poorly the Ends and LBS played the read option. Our defense has been average most of the year, on Saturday they were the worst I've seen in over 15 years. Clueless against the read option...
I knew losing Morris, Hitchens, and Kirksey would hurt...I truly didn't think it would be this bad. They were the difference in many games last year, and it's showing.
I hate that I am this worried about playing the worst team in the B1G.
Haven't been this concerned about the state and future of Iowa football since the late 90's.
I knew losing Morris, Hitchens, and Kirksey would hurt...I truly didn't think it would be this bad. They were the difference in many games last year, and it's showing.
I hate that I am this worried about playing the worst team in the B1G.
Haven't been this concerned about the state and future of Iowa football since the late 90's.
eveningnewsteam
Well-Known Member
I feel bad for the LBs, in particular Bower and Jewell. This isn't their fault. They're playing in a spot that right now neither are ready for. The blame lies with the staff and their failure in recruiting, but we already knew that. The young LBs are doing the best they can. Both will be excellent in the future, but they're getting thrown to the wolves when both should be about 2 years from seeing significant snaps.
teachercoach
Well-Known Member
Teams that slow this down.... have to make them go 80 yds - guess - yes, guess correctly w/ run blitz on 1st down... 2ndary is giving up the 5 yd 1st down throw.... trying to get 3-4 chances, in a bend/don't break scheme that you can get an offense in 2nd & 13-15 or force fumble, bad read, penalty - some negative play. If you stick base defense/gap assignment football, you better have matchups you know you can win and steer the offense into those matchups - if not then you see Maryland, Minn, Ia St - our 3 losses.
Short fields, base up front and guessing run/pass by safeties is living a little dangerous v. teams that do this well
Knight78
Well-Known Member
And why not? The linebackers are probably the most important positions on the defense. More pressure on the QB? Send a linebacker on a blitz. Better pass coverage is always attained with a linebacker who can drop back and cover a tight end or running back. And who fills the gaps when the offensive line takes care of the defensive line on the run plays?
