WR Screen passes, where have they gone?
Where have all the screens gone? I feel like this was a play we'd use 4-5+ times a game last year to stretch teams horizontally, and did so with great success. This year it seems to be a minor miracle if you even see it once in a game. Do the coaches not have faith in the WR blocking? Is Speight not as good as Rudock at getting the ball out quickly and accurately on screens? I'm not blaming the loss on it but simply thought wow, we really haven't been utilizing screens at all.
November 14th, 2016 at 12:38 PM ^
November 14th, 2016 at 10:06 PM ^
if the offensive line had chosen to block on the play. That was shades of 2007 against OSU.
November 14th, 2016 at 12:38 PM ^
Could have been a way to compensate for an underperforming offensive line. Maybe now that we can protect a little better we're running to achieve the same purpose?
November 14th, 2016 at 2:46 PM ^
Also we've been using more WR jet sweeps with guys like McDoom to threaten teams horizontally, so that takes up many of those snaps that you might otherwise use a screen pass for.
November 14th, 2016 at 12:39 PM ^
November 14th, 2016 at 1:11 PM ^
Bingo...he can't get it there in time. Last year, all Darboh needed was a little bit of time to make a bit of a side step and then he could drag a corner for 5+ yards.
This year, they are usually all over it too quickly.
November 14th, 2016 at 2:30 PM ^
playbook for Columbus.
November 14th, 2016 at 3:14 PM ^
Why does O'Korn under center bring the screen game back?
His arm is not supposed to be a cannon, nor is he all about the mental game. He's distinguished by his mobility more than anything else, right?
Given his supposed propensity for TOs, I doubt Harbaugh puts things back in the playbook that are deemed higher risk.
November 14th, 2016 at 3:44 PM ^
Okorn's arm is stronger than Speight's.
November 14th, 2016 at 12:39 PM ^
In which Rudock made a read (largely pre-snap, but to some degree post-snap as well) that resulted in him making the throw. My guess is that either Speight isn't as successful making this read or the coaching staff has limited what to put on his plate in that regard. If he's making the read correctly as often as incorrectly, it's putting you in bad situations and you just have to take it off the table, which is my guess as to why you are seeing less.
November 14th, 2016 at 12:41 PM ^
I <3 you and your insight.
November 14th, 2016 at 12:47 PM ^
That makes sense, it did seem like Rudock did a lot more at the line then Speight does so that fits right into what you're saying.
November 14th, 2016 at 1:25 PM ^
I have a hard time remembering that Rudock was a 5th year senior sometimes. Although it was his first year with Michigan, he was a much more experienced quarterback, so it is safe to assume he was better at reading defenses and adjusting correctly. I think as Speight continues to grow (He's only on his 10th start!) they will give him more freedom to do things like that on the hot reads. Thanks for the insight!
November 14th, 2016 at 12:40 PM ^
November 14th, 2016 at 12:40 PM ^
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November 14th, 2016 at 12:46 PM ^
It seems like we're getting some pretty decent WR blocking most of the time, but as someone said, I also wonder if not going to this very often is a product of Speight's size or if they don't feel he can consistently get this off before the OL releases on the DL, which in a typical screen is just a few seconds. It is an interesting difference between last year and this year, one I didn't really think about honestly.
November 14th, 2016 at 12:53 PM ^
November 14th, 2016 at 12:55 PM ^
A personally hate these plays.
High risk to reward ratio.
If you are going to try a 10 yard throw, why not throw it downfield and make the ball do the work instead of a 10 yard throw sideways and force the WR to make the yards?
The risks are getting your QB sacked because you released DL too soon and a pick that is an instant TD.
November 14th, 2016 at 1:37 PM ^
I've always thought people said these are high percentage throws. Get your guy the ball in space and see what happens. Rarely do you see a QB get lit up or intercepted on a WR screen play because it develops quickly (or is supposed to). Throwing it downfield 10 yds means more bodies to throw through which equals higher probability to get picked.
November 14th, 2016 at 1:53 PM ^
Yeah, they are high % completion rate, but usually for no yards.
A corner or safety is already assigned to that WR and the WR has get a really quick throw and quick takeoff before that corner closes space.
More effective are screens to a back or TE already in motion since they are LB assignments and the LBs don't have the speed or pass coverage skills of a corner.
November 14th, 2016 at 4:34 PM ^
November 14th, 2016 at 5:10 PM ^
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November 14th, 2016 at 12:58 PM ^
reward to risk ratio, particularly in a close game, doesn't support it.
November 14th, 2016 at 1:05 PM ^
My favorite play of the Harbaugh era was the double-WR-screen fake and TE pass up the middle.
I've been waiting patiently since then to see it again. Maybe it was tailored to something BYU--and only BYU does--but if Harbaugh asks me I'm pushing for it.
November 14th, 2016 at 1:16 PM ^
The play against Maryland last year was awesome as well. An end around of some sorts with Jake Butt.
November 14th, 2016 at 5:40 PM ^
Didn't we run against Florida too? I recall seeing it twice last year. I thought to Hill (BYU) and to Butt against Florida?
November 14th, 2016 at 1:14 PM ^
Add slant passes to this also. I may be wrong but it doesn't seem like we have thrown that many.
November 14th, 2016 at 1:24 PM ^
they seem few and far between as are draws which both can be used to slow down a pass rush.
November 14th, 2016 at 1:28 PM ^
Quick WR screen against a cover 2 defense with Desmond King is... not advisable.
November 14th, 2016 at 2:26 PM ^
all this second guessnig of the coaching staff after one loss is absurd. This is a team that, to this point, has over achieved. I think the most optimistic expectations had us going into the OSU game with at least 1 loss, potentially 2 and we are right on target for that.
The team laid an egg and there are always things we can second guess but for me, I have the utmost confidence in this coaching staff to make the right decisions. If they are calling wide receiver screens there must be a reason. If Ty Isaac didn't get more carries, there must have been a reason. Unlike previous years, this coaching staff has a method to their madness. They don't just aimlessly throw crap at the wall and see what sticks.
Why don't we all just settle down and remember that this team still has everything to play for. It was one bad game and I, for one, am confident that this staff will look at the tape and fix what was wrong.
November 14th, 2016 at 5:17 PM ^
Thanks now Paula Cole is stuck in my head.
November 14th, 2016 at 5:19 PM ^
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November 14th, 2016 at 5:56 PM ^
November 14th, 2016 at 6:22 PM ^
Open up the last couple of weeks especially against ohio. But then of course we have the issue of a backup QB. I think O'Korn will do great but it's going to be a huge challenge against the suckeyes. Am really looking forward to seeing our team respond.
GO BLUE!!
November 14th, 2016 at 11:47 PM ^