Freshman QBs get TD passes in scrimmage

[CitizenofLeavittTown]

Quit worrying.  If the offense lit it up, you'de be worried that the D stunk and couldn't stop anyone.  Don't try to read too much into these scrimmages. 

Here's how I see the early season:

Keep it simple versus UT-Martin to get the reps against live opposition, stay healthy and secure the win.

Unleash the power running game on UCF and be done with the gnats for good as we barge into their house, take their women and drink all their beer.

And then send the nation a message against the Jayhawks in front of a national TV audience!

I like this guy's way of thinking. Go Bulls!

[TheBullies]

Grothe never plays well when it is "no QB contact."

Glad to see our freshmen doing something good.

These two know what they can bring.

[USFDan]

Grothe never plays well when it is "no QB contact."

Glad to see our freshmen doing something good.

These two know what they can bring.

That's my concern.  All a team has to do is put a spy on Grothe and they shut down our offense.  Remember rutgers last year?  Most are saying we can be an elite team this year.  Look at all of the elite teams in college football.  How many of them have average offenses that turnover the ball?  Probably none.  In college, you have to be able to score or you can't be elite.  How many elite teams go out their first game against sub par competition and go vanilla on offense and barely beat teams they should beat by 40?  Not many.  Most throttle the other team before putting in the backups.  They don't try to hide their strenghts.  They give the pther teams on their schedule a lot to think about.  Our offense has no swagger.  This year we need to come out and flex our muscle and build that swagger right off the bat.    A decent offense will make our defense that much better.

[Bullpride08]

Grothe never plays well when it is "no QB contact."

Glad to see our freshmen doing something good.

These two know what they can bring.

That's my concern.  All a team has to do is put a spy on Grothe and they shut down our offense.  Remember rutgers last year?  Most are saying we can be an elite team this year.  Look at all of the elite teams in college football.  How many of them have average offenses that turnover the ball?  Probably none.  In college, you have to be able to score or you can't be elite.  How many elite teams go out their first game against sub par competition and go vanilla on offense and barely beat teams they should beat by 40?  Not many.  Most throttle the other team before putting in the backups.  They don't try to hide their strenghts.  They give the pther teams on their schedule a lot to think about.  Our offense has no swagger.  This year we need to come out and flex our muscle and build that swagger right off the bat.    A decent offense will make our defense that much better.

Dan the spy thing wouldn't work against our offense.

First, we run a read-option, no teams can just "put a spy" on an option QB.  In the option teams try to assign a player to the QB, but the blockers all have specific assignments...option plays are designed for mis-direction and to seal running lanes and a QB to read defenses, the available running lanes, and either pitch or run.  If a team 'just put a spy' on Grothe then he'd pitch or hand it off to the RB, but the real key, the difference in the read option, is it's done at the LOS, and not strung out like a normal toss option outside, those plays gives defenses a chance to string those out.  The Read option is a quick read where Grothe looks at the LB alignment, then lines us up properly then takes the snap, if the LB/DE folds in and bites Grothe pulls it and goes around him, if he maintains his gap Grothe hands it off to the RB.

A team can't just put a spy on him and shut him down.  The real value in this is felt once you get that QB in the open field, if they're elusive and quick that 5 yard gain can become 15-20 real fast- as in grothe's case quite often.  Statistically speaking our offense was it's best ever at USF last year, and top 32 in the nation.  They do need to up the killer instinct though, and they need to not turn it over too.

[CousinRicky]

August 20, 2008

Freshman QBs get TD passes in scrimmage

Having his top quarterbacks protected from contact and not allowed to scramble in scrimmages this preseason has reminded offensive coordinator Greg Gregory how key a mobile passer is in USF's offense.

On Wednesday night, as the Bulls ran their final preseason scrimmage, the only touchdowns were from freshman quarterbacks B.J. Daniels and Evan Landi, who are "live" and thus can scramble and take hits.

"You can definitely see how important it is to run the quarterback," Gregory said. "We put B.J. and Evan in, and it was a completely different offense. They're live, and we're able to move the ball. Anyone who thinks we shouldn't be running the quarterback, all they've got to do is come to our scrimmages and they'll find out ... the ball doesn't go very far unless we throw every play. It's just such a dynamic part of our offense when we let them run."

Starter Matt Grothe and top backup Grant Gregory are both equally dangerous running as throwing. Gregory said on designed run plays last year, USF's quarterbacks averaged better than 6 yards per carry.

"They get real frustrated in these scrimmages," Greg Gregory said. "They're real anxious for the season to get here because they get to play as a live person."

Both touchdowns went to walk-on receivers, as Daniels found redshirt freshman Jeffrey "Pookie" Wilson, while Landi connected with former track standout Antwon Hanks.

THIS AND THAT: Defensive line coach John Hendrick, who rejoined the team Sunday for the first time since suffering a heart attack July 1, was not at either of Wednesday's two practices. USF coach Jim Leavitt said his blood pressure had been elevated, and he didn't know if Hendrick would return Thursday. ... Of the seven freshmen held out of practice Tuesday because they haven't been cleared academically, two -- offensive lineman Danous Estenor and linebacker Chase Geaney -- returned to practice Wednesday.

Posted by Greg Auman at 9:52:15 PM on August 20, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (2)

http://blogs.tampabay.com/usf/

Wow, that doesn't sound promising for the running game and an offense returning 10 starters and a supposedly improved Mike Ford and Jamar Taylor.

[TheBullies]

Wow, that doesn't sound promising for the running game and an offense returning 10 starters and a supposedly improved Mike Ford and Jamar Taylor.

I think what he is saying is running option plays.

[CousinRicky]

Wow, that doesn't sound promising for the running game and an offense returning 10 starters and a supposedly improved Mike Ford and Jamar Taylor.

I think what he is saying is running option plays.

Hope you are right.  I took it to mean that we weren't running the ball well with our running backs.

[USF Bulls Football]

I took it as when we run the zone read. When the defense knows who the ball is going to, its a bit easier to defend the zone option.