Play-calling vs Strategy on Offense

I've seen several folks comment that the play calling vs UGA was poor/conservative and that's what Mullen does in all big games etc... After re-watching the game, I actually think the play calling was fine. It wasn't conservative. I think it appeared that way during the game because Fitz had little time to scan the field and would just dump it to a back or force a throw into a covered receiver. The O-line just couldn't get a push. All of our first down runs were short, so the LBs never bought the play-action fakes second or third down. Additionally, even when Fitz had time in the pocket, none of the receivers were getting separation. He tried the back shoulder to DGray 3 times, and all 3 were broken up. So, I don't think play-calling was the issue here.

Having said all that it seems the coaches either over-estimated our O-line or under-estimated UGA's D-line. When it was evident our O-line was going to struggle, I think there should've been some more of Fitz rolling out of the pocket, as well as quick-short throws and wide-receiver screens. Since our receivers were playing poorly, it may not have worked anyway, but it was obvious the coaches thought Fitz would be able to hang out in the pocket like he did vs LSU. Instead, Fitz was pressured nearly ever time he dropped back, and there was no 'back-up' gameplan to go to. Hopefully this week we'll install some plays to help Fitz out when the O-line is struggling to create a clean pocket.

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Originally Posted by Beaver

Having said all that it seems the coaches either over-estimated our O-line or under-estimated UGA's D-line. When it was evident our O-line was going to struggle, I think there should've been some more of Fitz rolling out of the pocket, as well as quick-short throws and wide-receiver screens. Since our receivers were playing poorly, it may not have worked anyway, but it was obvious the coaches thought Fitz would be able to hang out in the pocket like he did vs LSU. Instead, Fitz was pressured nearly ever time he dropped back, and there was no 'back-up' gameplan to go to. Hopefully this week we'll install some plays to help Fitz out when the O-line is struggling to create a clean pocket.

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Don't diss our OL. People on here will jump you. Hev is a genius. Recruiting is always better. Look at our Offensive numbers. The OL is GREAT.**

On a more serious note, I wonder if the "Mullen is a QB guru" has gone to his head a little bit. That could explain the lack of rollouts.

Was finally able to watch game after being out of town all weekend. Play calling could have been better but there were other things.

1. Hill needs to play more.
2. Too much side to side against a speed defense. The few times we plunged straight ahead we were successful (4-5 yards).
3. Too much side to side on passing routes. Very rarely do our receivers have the opportunity to catch balls in stride going vertically. That is how you attack a speed defense.
4. Where the heck were our tight ends? Run them vertically up the seams. Get them involved. Them against lb > better matchup than our wr against db. More two tight end sets. Also, run behind them.
5. 7 is killing you at corner. Flea flicker was bad, but that pass interference was huge too. Uga would have had 3rd and 8 from their own ten at a time where we actually had started to move the ball offensively. 7 also missed a huge tackle on Chubb while green had Chubb stood up for a loss that would have made it 3rd and 7 instead of 3rd and 1. Next play, Chubb in wildcat for td.
6. Fitz was bad. Bad reads in passing game. Bad reads in run game. He had a walk in td on play before our field goal if he pulls it. Just bad.
7. Poor job by staff of having team prepared mentally and emotionally. Our piss wasn't hot.

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Originally Posted by confucius say

Was finally able to watch game after being out of town all weekend. Play calling could have been better but there were other things.

1. Hill needs to play more.
2. Too much side to side against a speed defense. The few times we plunged straight ahead we were successful (4-5 yards).
3. Too much side to side on passing routes. Very rarely do our receivers have the opportunity to catch balls in stride going vertically. That is how you attack a speed defense.
4. Where the heck were our tight ends? Run them vertically up the seams. Get them involved. Them against lb > better matchup than our wr against db. More two tight end sets. Also, run behind them.
5. 7 is killing you at corner. Flea flicker was bad, but that pass interference was huge too. Uga would have had 3rd and 8 from their own ten at a time where we actually had started to move the ball offensively. 7 also missed a huge tackle on Chubb while green had Chubb stood up for a loss that would have made it 3rd and 7 instead of 3rd and 1. Next play, Chubb in wildcat for td.
6. Fitz was bad. Bad reads in passing game. Bad reads in run game. He had a walk in td on play before our field goal if he pulls it. Just bad.
7. Poor job by staff of having team prepared mentally and emotionally. Our piss wasn't hot.

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It wasn't even luke warm. Also, unless our WRs make huge strides then we won't win against teams with even average corners. Even Croom had 1 WR every year that could win one on one battles, I don't think we have a single guy that can do that this year. If we get those WRs we have committed and recruiting then it will certainly help. Guidry and Heath would start immediately.

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Originally Posted by confucius say

Was finally able to watch game after being out of town all weekend. Play calling could have been better but there were other things.

1. Hill needs to play more.
2. Too much side to side against a speed defense. The few times we plunged straight ahead we were successful (4-5 yards).
3. Too much side to side on passing routes. Very rarely do our receivers have the opportunity to catch balls in stride going vertically. That is how you attack a speed defense.
4. Where the heck were our tight ends? Run them vertically up the seams. Get them involved. Them against lb > better matchup than our wr against db. More two tight end sets. Also, run behind them.
5. 7 is killing you at corner. Flea flicker was bad, but that pass interference was huge too. Uga would have had 3rd and 8 from their own ten at a time where we actually had started to move the ball offensively. 7 also missed a huge tackle on Chubb while green had Chubb stood up for a loss that would have made it 3rd and 7 instead of 3rd and 1. Next play, Chubb in wildcat for td.
6. Fitz was bad. Bad reads in passing game. Bad reads in run game. He had a walk in td on play before our field goal if he pulls it. Just bad.
7. Poor job by staff of having team prepared mentally and emotionally. Our piss wasn't hot.

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Good analysis!

Still can't understand how so much pass interference was allowed. They were complimenting Kirby Smart for having his DBs "play through" the receivers as Saban teaches his DBs to do. Time after time the replays showed them making contact, arms and more, and they were saying it was a "great job." No calls on ANY contact while the ball was in the air. We do have small receivers, but man, the interference was making them even smaller.

Nick Gibson had a good game. He led our team in rushing with 54 yards in only 5 carries. 30 yards more than A-Train. We couldn't run the ball at all and we suck when we can't run. Gibson is a big back and he can wear on the defense some. Maybe a very big formation with Gibson and a bunch of TE's can beat on the defense some when they're shutting down our normal stuff. Gotta do something different when teams are stuffing our run game down though.

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Originally Posted by wmccgc

Still can't understand how so much pass interference was allowed. They were complimenting Kirby Smart for having his DBs "play through" the receivers as Saban teaches his DBs to do. Time after time the replays showed them making contact, arms and more, and they were saying it was a "great job." No calls on ANY contact while the ball was in the air. We do have small receivers, but man, the interference was making them even smaller.

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Truth. Saban and smart both openly coach that. Do it all the time and it becomes the norm. Refs are not going to call PI every play.

We abandoned the run way to soon. Not sure why we aren't playing to Fitz strength. Get him going that opens up williams then the D walks an extra man up that opens up the play action. Mullen coaches crazy in big games. Play to our strengths

We don't have the WR's or OL for 4/5 wide..... need more Relf coast and less 2015 offense....to me this team is very similar to first Gator Bowl team both offensive and defensively...

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Originally Posted by confucius say

Truth. Saban and smart both openly coach that. Do it all the time and it becomes the norm. Refs are not going to call PI every play.

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Similar to what the Seahawks do. Also kind of like South Carolina in the women's championship game. If you get away with it then keep doing it. It was amazing that basically their DBs are taught to chop the WRs arms to prevent the catch which is blatant Pass Interference but it wasn't called once.