What does everyone think of the offensive play calling this year?.

Thawki

Thawki

Well-Known Member
Thoughts?

Based upon the experience of the QB, WRs and TEs coming into his season, I give him at least a B+ right now. At first I thought it was a little high, but after thinking about it further, I don't think so. All of the above inexperience and a first-year offensive coordinator has this team at 3-0.

We don't seem to be getting a lot of pressure on the opposing QBs so far this year and the DBs seem to be lacking right now. If we are 3-0, then someone must be doing a pretty good job. If you say that is the QB the WRs ant the TEs and RBs, wouldn't you have to give BF credit for the game plan and the play calling? And even the pass plays that haven't worked have fallen into two categories. Either ill advised throws or bad deep balls. If they are bad deep balls, you give BF credit for trying to go down field. And even though they have missed, he keeps giving them chances to go downfield, trusting a strong-armed, but young, QB to get it right as his career advances and he gains confidence. And the poor deep balls haven't seemed to kill the drives, either. They seem to make up for the bad throws, more often than not. At least that is what it seems like to me.

My one issue would be that maybe he could have had passing plays that provided quicker patterns for a quicker release so the QB wasn't under as much pressure, at least in this game today.
 
It has been okay, but I do think they have been holding their cards to the chest for at least two of the games. Yesterday the second half was a prime example but pounding the ball at them was working so hard to move away from that especially wanted to get reps for some linemen and backs. What I would like to see on the third down plays and even some of these fourth down plays is get Stanley outside the pocket in some more run/pass option type of plays. If his pocket collapses his escapability isn't great and at this point in his career he isn't great at sensing pressure so at least getting him outside gives him some options and allows him to make some quicker reads.

I don't have the stats in front of me but the amount of time we have passed down field already this year has to be more than at least half the season last year. I also think we could work a little more counter runs/misdirection etc into the mix. So far my grade would be C+/B-
 
Seems very reminiscent of OKeefe. So that's mostly a good thing. Could do without the reverses and the running up the middle on 2nd and 10 after an incomplete pass. But it's nice to see them running route combinations to get people open and using the TE's in the passing game.

Also, like Jon said in his instant reaction podcast, nice to see us stick with the run when it's working and not just throw a random pass in there just 'cause.
 
Its promising and gives me hope, but like a lot of people, I am withholding judgement until midseason after they play teams like PSU and MSU.

There is some experimenting going on against inferior opponents and a lot of it is working.

The offense has done really well in making adjustments in the second half to what is needed at the time.

The team is throwing downfield again. Many times exploiting a defense that is stacked in the box.

The passes are getting spread out to a good variety of WR, TE, and RB. Essley, ISM, Fant, Tockensensen have all looked good.

Iowa is playing young players and seeing how they perform in real games, and many young players are showing potential.

Recognizes the special talent that Wadley has and tries to use it as much as possible.

Stanley fumbles a lot when under pressure. Good teams are going to figure that out and try to take advantage.
 
Not sure if I want to give him a grade just yet. IMO, he is only three tenths of the way through the exam.

It feels more like a better question would be. How is the apprenticeship going? Good or Bad? IMO, he is leaning towards Good.
 
Well if you try and look at it without including the results of the plays included I'd give him an A. Look how different the playcalling has been. He's taking shots down field. If any of the bombs against ISU or NT yesterday were completed Stanley would have Heisman hype around him (no not really) The lack of execution is the only reason for those plays not working QB had feet set and receivers were open. They've gone for it on 4th down a lot I think BF has a lot to do with that as well. The TEs are involved like 10x more then last yr already which is great. I'd just be surprised if anyone has had a problem with how BF has called games so far.... So far so good if you ask me
 
B... The passing game is 100% better compared to the Dreg Gavis years. Guys seem to be getting open downfield and we are actually throwing to them. We aren't connecting on some of those passes, but to get better at something you need to keep at it until you get it right.

So far we have been able to sling it around without any turnovers. I am scared that the first bad INT will cause Kirk to throw the anchor on it and turtle up back to the run on first and second down, and then a 5 yard square out on third down approach.
 
B

Much more unpredictable than it has been. Loved the deep ball call late to ISM. Just wish it would have worked. They know they have speed in Fant and ISM and BF is calling plays to get them the ball.

My only complaint is they don't use Wadley, Fant, or ISM as decoys. They need to start faking those keep sweeps instead of always running them. When the defense sees wadley or ISM coming around they're just selling out on the sweep
 
Xerxes said:
B

Much more unpredictable than it has been. Loved the deep ball call late to ISM. Just wish it would have worked. They know they have speed in Fant and ISM and BF is calling plays to get them the ball.

My only complaint is they don't use Wadley, Fant, or ISM as decoys. They need to start faking those keep sweeps instead of always running them. When the defense sees wadley or ISM coming around they're just selling out on the sweep
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure they have faked that a couple times now. All this talk of Wadley and Butler on the field at the same time. I want to see Wadley and IKM on the field at the same time.
 
Complex13 said:
B... The passing game is 100% better compared to the Dreg Gavis years. Guys seem to be getting open downfield and we are actually throwing to them. We aren't connecting on some of those passes, but to get better at something you need to keep at it until you get it right.

So far we have been able to sling it around without any turnovers. I am scared that the first bad INT will cause Kirk to throw the anchor on it and turtle up back to the run on first and second down, and then a 5 yard square out on third down approach.
Click to expand...

This is a good description on why the grade is B- or better. We now have a Pro-Style passing game for the I formation pro-style running game and offense. The hawks are getting receivers open downfield and Stanley is hitting them in stride.

BF may be saving some screen and draw packages.

The wide sweeps are better run by wadley and IKM who has the speed. Butler and Young are more between the tackles.

But that being said, I would give BF a higher grade when he can go off script with plays that work. The deep balls have been off script at times and if the connections had been made BF might get an A grade. But kudos to passing deep.

And a solid B for having check down routes to the running backs and fullbacks.
 
HawkeyeDenis said:
Compared to what we had? It''s no longer predictable. It works. Real tests start this week.
Click to expand...
I disagree, it has been very predictable. When we are in a one back set it's a run or play action. Did you notice how well North Texas keyed on the run in that formation while keeping a guy on the QB in case of play action roll out? Stanley only play actioned a couple times and each time the defender was on him. If we are in shotgun with one back it's a read option even though we don't ever run the QB (Stupid play). TE in motion from wide is an end around that never works. Any check at the line is a run change in direction never to a pass (this has always been a problem). We are as predictable as ever. I do like the throws to RBs out of the backfield but in general this is an easy offense to prepare for.
 
The play calling and schemes have been mostly superb. The execution has been lacking at times, mostly related to poor run blocking.
 
Last edited:
Mark it down. Late yesterday, that stretch run into the short sideline actually gained yards, IKM went for about 15.

That's the 1 time out of 20 that it works. Enough already.
 
A. Come on folks, what would your grade be if the threat of GD coming back factored in? Lol Ill judge on a) comparison to previous regime, b) results, c) good calls, lack of execution at times, d) Iowa stamped all over it but with a little excitement. e) Use of best resources (wadley, fant)

We are Iowa! We run the football. But.....if Stanley hangs the ball up better 5-6 times....and he will eventually.....there is a real vertical threat to this offense and we are looking for it. Taking shots!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Share this page

Top