Fade passes in the Red Zone

Submitted by CoverZero on

Last post of 2016.  The winning FSU TD was a well-thrown fade pattern in to the end zone, to a WR who had a size and route advantage over All-American Jourdan Lewis.  It was a great play call with excellent execution by FSU.

It reminded me again, how faulty Drevno/Harbaugh/Fisch? play calls are inside the end zone.  Michigan had 2 starting WRs, both over 6-2 with excellent ball skills and leaping ability.  Where was the Fade Pass inside the Red Zone all season?  It is a high-percentage / low-risk play.  QB takes a short drop, which insulates him for taking a sack as he lets the ball go quickly.  WR has the full advantage over the DB on that type of route, especially if there is a size advantage.  Corner is in man coverage and has zero help on it.  Its a mano-e-mano, winner take all play.  The Fade is such a great play, that several variations can be run on it.  Back shoulder, stop, full corner Fade etc.

It has been very frustrating to watch Michigan try to play offense in the Red Zone vs. teams that have very good defenses.  Smith is slow with little burst, and the OL is not a good run blocking line.  To limit the playbook and take away things that may offset your weaknesses, and emphasize your strengths is crazy.

The next group of WR recruits has several guys over 6-3.  Hopefully their size advantage will be taken advantage of next year.

Happy 2017 to all of my friends, and enemies too. Go Blue.

 

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Nolongerusingaccount

December 31st, 2016 at 6:56 PM ^

Okay with the play calling overall. I actually was surprised by how fast FSU appeared during the game. There didn't seem to be much separation between the WRs and CBS and the OL wasn't giving much time for Speight. It is what it is, but I do think we need to (and are) recruiting more speed and higher rated skill position players



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MGoStrength

December 31st, 2016 at 7:00 PM ^

I don't know why we don't have an all TE formation We have like six 6'4" plus TEs that can all play. Why not put Butt, Wheatley, Asasi, and Bunting all out there together and use your size in the red zone where speed isn't as important. Plus they can block too if we run...Poggi and Hill, two more TEs.

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bcnihao

December 31st, 2016 at 7:13 PM ^

M's red zone offense this year was generally good.  Obvious exceptions were at OSU and the first 3 red zone series in the Orange Bowl.  Speight had lots of accuracy problems last night, so I'm not sure of why OP thinks throwing the fade would have been better.

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gbdub

December 31st, 2016 at 7:44 PM ^

Hard to execute with 2 DL in your face on every play. His mechanics sucked because he was constantly unable to step into throws due to pressure. Very tough to be accurate under those conditions. Speight was a symptom - the OL's inability to protect or open any holes in the run game was the disease.

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bklein09

December 31st, 2016 at 7:31 PM ^

The fade worked last night for FSU so it seems like a great play call. But if it's under thrown, JL has a chance to pick it and end the game. Happened to Oregon earlier this year against Colorado I believe. They had first and goal at the 10 to take the lead and threw a pick on a fade to end the game.



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freelion

December 31st, 2016 at 7:41 PM ^

but Speight would probably sail it into the stands or short arm it for an easy pick. Fade requires the QB to have good touch which Speight has nought.

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MINajee et Trois

December 31st, 2016 at 10:55 PM ^

Speight has a real weakness when it comes to lofting throws in there. He's overthrown receivers too many times to count by overthrowing loft passes

Definitely something to work. DPJ should be able to help here

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getsome

December 31st, 2016 at 11:21 PM ^

agree with pretty much your entire post.  however the QB must be capable and confident when throwing the fade (or most other routes for that matter) - and unfortunately m lacked confidence and skill at QB for long stretches of games / season.  doesnt mean they couldnt have tried throwing it up though since not much else worked.  but if speight is missing easy ones like that early throwback to chesson...

they struggled vs good Ds, particularly in the red zone, plain and simple.  some of its on coaching but its also execution and personnel.  they had championship level D and ST (those dudes were awesome for most of the year), but obviously the O wasnt there

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BlueWon

January 1st, 2017 at 9:02 AM ^

The rush had gotten in his head but there was no imminent pressure on those two passes.

He crapped his pants.

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Mgobluebilly

January 1st, 2017 at 11:44 AM ^

Is difficult to throw. Most quarterbacks struggle throwing the ball to the perimeter. Throwing a lofted ball deep enough, high enough, and to the perimeter is really difficult. Far easier to throw bullets to receivers running crossing routes.
You can only ask a player to do what he can do.

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