Gattis and tempo question.
So, I've been reading the articles on Gattis and the new no huddle offense he's installing.
I choose to be optimistic. So no 'I'll believe it when I see it' for me. The evidence seems to show that this is in fact a sea change offensively.
On the surface I like it. We have two coordinators who sound like a football version of Horatio Nelson. 'Bring the enemy to battle....on our terms...'
With that said:
What is the opinion out there. Will we look like OSU?
I hate to say it, but I have to ask, is there a version of no huddle that can be slow? We aren't known for our speed currently.
Are any MgoCoaches out there worried about the transition costs coupled with the drop off in talent on the D?
I really hope this settles and and lights some fireworks. If only because I'm tired of changing coordinators and tweaking schemes. I'd love to have the identity as a high powered O that can still bruise, and a tough D.
March 26th, 2019 at 10:52 AM ^
I think the wear on an inexperienced D is a valid concern. However, no huddle does not have to translate into fast paced. They can still operate at the speed they are comfortable given the circumstances. I see that it provides more options. They can go fast if the situation dictates. They have more time to adjust the play to the defense. They can get poor matchups "locked" onto the field. They can also run the ball and snap with under 5 left on the play clock. I think many offenses do better no huddle...including the Lions.
March 26th, 2019 at 11:04 AM ^
I've always thought that is why Stafford does well in the two minute drill by forcing the defense into the same coverage and personnel.
March 26th, 2019 at 10:53 AM ^
No huddle and tempo are two different things, not huddling just gives you the ability to go tempo.
I think we will mostly be in the “hurry up and wait” mode of keeping the personnel on the field, getting to the next line without huddling, but then getting the play and formation from the sideline. We will go fast at times, but I don’t think we will be in constant tempo mode. We can lock the defense on the field without truly going fast.
Alabama was only 85th in adjusted tempo last year.
March 26th, 2019 at 10:58 AM ^
Good explanation, Doc. Just having the threat of tempo can often be enough to lock defensive personnel on the field.
March 26th, 2019 at 11:11 AM ^
Hopefully Shea will be watching to catch the defenses not set and make them pay. Get 2 safeties confused and tear the top off.
March 26th, 2019 at 11:29 AM ^
I think the thing that will be pivotal will be having a do-it-all TE. The ability to effectively run out of a lot formations without changing personnel really hinges on a TE who's nearly as effective in blocking as he is as a receiver.
To be able to stay in 11 personnel for a whole drive, while moving the TE from in-line, to out wide, to the slot, etc. is really great. My money would be on Eubanks becoming "the guy", but my sample is pretty limited still.
March 26th, 2019 at 12:33 PM ^
We know Eubanks can run, has he learned to block yet?
That's the question. I've heard that he's done well there in practice, but he hasn't been asked to do a ton of it in games.
McKeon has been inconsistent in his blocking in the past, and slimmed down some this offseason, so I'm skeptical that he's going to be a consistently good blocker this year. Hopefully I'm wrong.
We really need one of those two to put it all together this year though.
Gattis also said the line was a strength this year, which it certainly could be if Runyan continues to improve and whoever wins the RT job is functional to good and can improve throughout the year.
I wonder if they'd be able to still use the TEs mainly as pass threats and use playcalling and tempo to keep the D off balance enough that somewhat lackluster TE blocking can do the job well enough? All the TEs on the roster are basically 6' 6" and between 230-250 lbs, so none of them seem likely to be strong blockers, though I agree Eubanks seems to have the best shot of the bunch.
Well Brian thought most of McKeon's problems were assignment-based because they put a lot on his plate and when he did get a hold of a guy he did well. So hopefully he's either gotten that fully downloaded (hard to say with a somewhat new O) or will be given simpler assignments.
Harbaugh mentioned Eubanks on AED as standing out for being able to do both so that’s heartening
March 26th, 2019 at 12:51 PM ^
The TEs are actually a position group that Gattis was pretty high on at his last presser. He was very happy with the depth at the position. So at least there’s that. I know it tells us nothing about their blocking ability but hopefully we will see some jumps forward in this respect from a few guys.
March 26th, 2019 at 11:36 AM ^
As simple as it sounds, we will have to wait and see. People forget, we have a few weapons that fit into different packages, and if we sub, we have to give the defense the opportunity to sub also. The main advantage I see is getting the play from the sideline once the defense is set. The guys will look over and get any adjustments the OC deems necessary.
March 26th, 2019 at 11:59 AM ^
So what Mantis is saying is, if you go tempo then you don’t necessarily have to huddle?
The exact opposite - not huddling doesn't necessarily mean tempo.
I wonder if it will look a bit like the Gary Moeller no-huddle of the early 1990's?
March 26th, 2019 at 10:56 AM ^
This sounds like a question for Frank Chuck or Space Coyote.
March 26th, 2019 at 11:12 AM ^
Why yes. Yes it does. :-)
March 26th, 2019 at 11:00 AM ^
No-huddle does not equal Tempo or fast-paced play. All it does is give you the option to run a play quickly or tempo if you want to. Alabama and OSU are examples of teams that won't huddle, but they still usually don't snap the ball until the play clock is under 10.
Having a no-huddle style allows you to be more flexible with how you run your offense and adjust better depending on the game situation. For example, Michigan wouldn't be taking up as much time as possible before running a play when there's less than a minute to go and they don't have any timeouts like last year.
Gattis even stated that the offense is a PRO-STYLE no huddle. They won't be turning into Oregon or Indiana where they try to snap the ball as quickly as possible with 5 wide-outs. I would recommend checking out Alabama's offense from last year or even Penn State's.
They aren't completely redoing the offense. They're updating it to make it better, more flexible, and one where we don't run the ball up the middle every first and second down.
March 26th, 2019 at 12:28 PM ^
Running on first and second down isn't necessarily a bad thing if you have a creative running game. It gets you to third and short, controls the clock, wears down a defense, rests your own defense, keeps your quarterback healthy, and limits backbreaking turnovers by college quarterbacks.
It's not flashy but teams like Wisconsin, Ohio State, and Michigan State have built overachieving programs on it. It's also gotten us 10 wins three of Jim's four years here.
March 26th, 2019 at 12:47 PM ^
My emphasis was less on the actual running on first and second down and more on how we run it on those downs. All your points are valid and you have to be able to run the ball to win. But, you also have to be creative with it.
Except that we don't have a creative running game. And no speed at RB, either. Our offense has been entirely too predictable for too many years. And Harbaugh is 0-4 against OSU, 1-3 in bowl games, and no championships in 4 years.
March 26th, 2019 at 11:04 AM ^
Yes, a lot of no huddle schemes can slow it down. It doesn't have to be up tempo in an Oregon style of play, the reason teams go no huddle is to trap the defense on the field with their designated personnel, and can create matchup problems, while designating the pace to suit the offenses preference.
March 26th, 2019 at 11:05 AM ^
I really hope we don't have those stupid goddamn posters with random cartoons and such on the sideline now. I really hate those things.
March 26th, 2019 at 11:11 AM ^
I'd be okay if they had a theme that was halfway decent. Maybe a car theme. 'They're playing the Regal GNX card. Must be a streak down the sideline....no curves in that route...'
March 26th, 2019 at 11:13 AM ^
Harbaugh so all different cuts of steaks and glasses/jugs of milk
March 26th, 2019 at 12:12 PM ^
“Ribeye Right!” “Ribeye Right!”
March 26th, 2019 at 12:47 PM ^
logged in to upvote. ribeye right was second only to loin left in bo's playbook. hope we get more play up the flanks though.
March 26th, 2019 at 11:11 AM ^
What if one of those posters was your picture, Mad Hatter? Would that change your mind? I'm thinking your poster would be the play call for snapping the directly into McKeon's knee.
March 26th, 2019 at 11:30 AM ^
The only way I'd be ok with it is if they used wildly inappropriate images.
Run the pot leaf, cleavage, buttplug, Ren and Stimpy play.
March 26th, 2019 at 12:00 PM ^
No sir, I don't like it.
March 26th, 2019 at 12:57 PM ^
I don't like it at all.
March 26th, 2019 at 12:08 PM ^
Don't forget the rubber nipples!
I'm reminded of the cheerleader scene in the replacements.
March 26th, 2019 at 11:14 AM ^
To the best of my recollection, neither PSU nor Alabama had those posters while Gattis was at either school. He wasn't the OC, but if he worked under guys who called plays without them, maybe he won't use them either.
I think we should have random (but tasteful) signs that have no connection whatsoever with the play calling. Even have the QB look over in that direction before calling for the snap. Drive the other team’s analysts crazy.
March 26th, 2019 at 11:20 AM ^
aw, I like them!
March 26th, 2019 at 11:48 AM ^
I hate stupid delay of game penalties at terrible times, but we all have to pick our battles.
March 26th, 2019 at 11:59 AM ^
What about one with sad-pizza Urban, purple-faced Kelly, blank-stare D'Antonio, and Bugs Bunny?
March 26th, 2019 at 12:14 PM ^
I like this. Make it trolltastic.
March 26th, 2019 at 12:12 PM ^
Those random pictures were a neat idea for like one day about 10 years ago, but no one pays attention to that nonsense.
Don’t care about the hieroglyphs but am concerned that you might move away from SE Michigan. You’re not going to hear me go on about purifying the Sons of Levi and how my sheep have gone astray. Don’t forsake me hatter.
Ha! No need to worry just yet. I'm still at the getting Mrs. Hatter on board stage. She's been dead set against moving (aging parents, etc), but I think the potential salary bump is starting to appeal to her.
I really hope we don't have those stupid goddamn posters with random cartoons and such on the sideline now
Agreed.
Except for this one:
I’d love to see plays come in from boards with photos of Izzo and Woody Hayes.
March 26th, 2019 at 11:10 AM ^
Moving the chains gives the D just as much time to rest, if not more, than sitting in a huddle.
March 26th, 2019 at 11:14 AM ^
I hope we go uptempo as opposed to down tempo.
I just hope we have a bon tempo.
March 26th, 2019 at 11:19 AM ^
Gary Moeller came out in the game against Notre Dame in 1990 running no huddle. 1990. The year after Bo retired.
I think this team can play without huddling.
March 26th, 2019 at 11:30 AM ^
2008 Capital One Bowl.
Lloyd Carr's final game and he FINALLY decides to go 4-wide and let Henne sling the rock all over the yard. He throws for something like 375 and Michigan ROUTES Urban Meyer's/Tim Tebow's Florida team if not for a couple of uncharacteristic Mike Hart fumbles.