Ok, so I started to look back at the game a bit. It makes me want to vomit a bit, but whatever. Time to move on.
Let's start with the fact that Richt has openly said he wants to run the ball more out of traditional sets (2 backs) and take that to mean he wants less reliance on RPO.
1. Stop using our TEs as decoys
Against FSU, we used our TEs as pawns to move LBs around, keep them shallow, and either open up in breaking routes behind them for Coley and Richards (and Berrios attempts, more than on that later), or clear out routes underneath them.
I submit that Chris Herndon and David Njoku will both have NFL careers. I've said Njoku reminds me of a taller Delanie Walker. I've said Herndon reminds me of Fred Baxter, the former Jets TE/H-Back who was used as a random utility guy in the 90s.
First, let's state that FSU's TEs had 7 catches for 137 yards against UNC. So for this next game, it's potentially there if we want it. But, bigger picture, let's use Njoku's talents beating teams vertically. Against FSU, most of what both Njoku and Herndon were asked to do went toward the sideline. I mentioned that, if I'm playing Nickel or Safety against a bigger dude, I most definitely want him trying to run away from me toward the sideline because I know I can close and get between him and the ball. What I don't want is a bigger dude going vertical where he can essentially box me out. Why we didn't do that against FSU is beyond my understanding, but I propose we move in that direction.
2. Herndon in the backfield
Above, I mention that Herndon's comparison is a utility guy like Fred Baxter. In the Spring, we saw him used in the H-back and in motion. If Richt really wants to move back to more traditional sets in the run game, then Herndon is a better option than Marquez Williams and allows our offense to remain flexible. Have him come across formations on counter plays. Have him in the broken-I and in motion. Have him running simple circle routes that are EASY reads for Kaaya and require little time from our OL (think Najeh Davenport).
Essentially, while Richt wants to revert to "his style" of running the ball instead of over reliance on RPOs, we can compromise. I'm sure everyone loves Marquez Williams and he can help us in 6-8 plays a game, but he is NOT the answer to our troubles against anything but lesser teams. His presence invites more guys to fly down into the box. When we ran Coker-T in the 4th, I nearly lost my mind. It should not be our staple. We have an accurate passer who needs space, windows and some time. Clear defenders OUT rather than bring them in tighter.
3. RPO as a topping instead of the base
There is a time and place for RPO. Please, please look at RPO threads and realize it's a run/pass option and not a zone-read where Kaaya is expected to run. Looking back at the game, we actually ran the pass part more successfully than I remembered. Richards caught quick slants. Coley caught passes. We didn't even really bubble out much out of it. Kaaya should have actually elected the "P" more than he did the "R" in the RPO. It's still going to be used and it should, but let's use it with timing and to create leverage instead of our bread and butter.
4. We need vertical shots down field
I said this on the podcast and was mostly disappointed we only did it a handful of times. We need intentional shots downfield even if they don't connect. Especially if we're going to do
#2 and keep Herndon and Njoku in the game together, we need to keep defenses with 2-high Safeties as much as possible. It's the only way we'll run effectively with our current OL and RB combinations. Whenever we get a RB who can get YAC or a mauling OL, I'll concede these intentional stretches of the defense will matter less. I'd still say they're extremely important in modern football. Richards is our best bet outside. That's our guy. Play Mullins if you have to and send him on just 3 routes (go, stop, out). Coley is a vertical threat out of the slot. Njoku is a vertical threat from both the TE position (especially) and sometimes out of the slot (against a LB).
5. Don't try to do all of it
I'm all for flexibility, but throwing crap at the wall makes things worse. When we went Coker-T and I-Form late in the game, it was troubling. When we immediately switched back to 4WR and trips, it was maddening. Because we switched out
on the very subsequent plays. To me, that indicated a little bit of desperation. If you're going to be desperate, be radical downfield, I think. This is the inverse of our experiences with D'Onofrio. I'm not saying Coach Richt is D'Onofrio. That's unfair. I'm comparing doing too many things and then reverting to the most conservative route when the chips are down. I propose the opposite, like I did with defense. Do a handful of things - 11 Personnel (Shotgun), 12 Personnel (Herndon utility) - really well and, when the chips are down,
go out swinging.
Like I said in another post, we shall find out a heck of a lot in the next 11 days. May we be on the right side of the brawl. And, by that, I mean do whatever we decide aggressively and assertively.
*By the way, I know it's not the NFL, but their league average off of 21 personnel (2 backs talked about) is somewhere around 13% plays called. Anyone want to take a guess why? So, yeah.
