What do you see us doing differently this year, schematically?

[Bigbenchcane]

Fletcher killed it in pistol, hope we keep that going.

 

[88]

Teams are disguising coverages out of split field looks so much more/better now it's a tough ask to attack downfield so much. It's a big reason scoring has decreased since the height of the air raid boom. Defenses have adapted

Split field coverages/changing pictures, simulated pressures, creepers aren't too inviting for a verticle passing game.

 

[Eye of the Ibis]

Dawson has shown ability to adapt to personnel, expect that again next year.
- More creativity with backfield sets (Lofton, Mali, 2 RBs, etc.) to allow run game inserts that worked well last year, especially with lack of proven in-line TE.
- (In addition to more downfield passing), expect to see more spacing and zone-beater passing concepts. With more juice at WR, expect teams to play more zone but Mali and Barkate are elite at finding gaps in zone.
- More conventional screen game, depending on development and athleticism of OL. WR screens ask OL to do a lot in space, we had some very good (70) to elite (61) players on the OL in space last year.

 

[Silentobserver]

Probably less two tights unless Gilbert or mueller break out. Even then probably not cause the depth isn’t there

Agreed. Mueller - unless he is an absolute freak this Spring and Fall - will most likely be brought along slowly until they trust him in the run game.

Will most likely see more 3x1s formations, and hopefully some 5 wide (which should include Lofton split out at times). I keep repeating this, but I would like to see variations of the two back - Lofton with one of the backs, Fletcher with Pringle, throw Toney back there at times.

Two things are certain though regardless of what changes - we will still see a power run game (hopefully the outside zone and counters play a more promienent role in the run game), and variations of WR screens (so many options with whose number is called with those bubbles and tunnel screens).

Dawson hopefully is spending some time in Baltimore with his buddy Todd Monken.

 

[arwinga]

I really think we will see 20 personal alot more this year. 2 backs and 3 wide. We showed a little of this vs Flordia last year if I remeber correctly.

 

[JHallCanes]

Teams are disguising coverages out of split field looks so much more/better now it's a tough ask to attack downfield so much. It's a big reason scoring has decreased since the height of the air raid boom. Defenses have adapted

Split field coverages/changing pictures, simulated pressures, creepers aren't too inviting for a verticle passing game.

Agreed. Mensah is deadly in that 10-15-20 yard range especially when he moves the pocket with his legs

Not saying he’s Cam but with the WR group we have, I’d expect it to look more like the 2024 offense and we rarely threw it deep in 2024 IIRC. Cam and Mensah could have/could likely run for a ton of yards in this offense but they’d rather throw it

Spot the ball

 

[dccane06]

What's going to change on defense? Is losing the impact that Bain and Mesi had in run defense going to put more pressure on LBers?

 

[JayCane20]

More deep shots in general to really open up the lanes for the run game and to get Toney room to work underneath.

Would also like to see us double or even triple Toney's average depth of target. I think 80% of his yards were YAC. I'd like to see him on some more crossers and posts. He always seemed to beat his guy and get open when we let him do it but just preferred to get him the ball quick and let him work.

He'll take less hits that way. Definitely less hits from LBs and bigger safeties that were causing the ball to pop out in the playoffs.

Also, it seemed like every time we ran that wide/stretch zone with Fletcher, it hit a big play. A&M carry that was basically the game winner, hit a big one against OSU, the 57 yarder against Indiana. I'd like to see that with Pringle and just some more wide zone in general. Loved the fake toss to Toney and give to Fletcher that scored and I've seen Mensah do the delayed shovel passes up the middle and be effective at it.

 

[SC-Cane]

3-4 Wr sets and tempo

 

[Cane787pr]

 

[K-TownCane21]

Our bread and butter will always be our run game and physicality that Mario instills but I can see a lot more 3 wide receiver sets and up to 5 wr empty sets with tempo. A little bit more duo/outside zone mixed in to create some run lanes as we saw with Fletchers big runs. I could see us motioning Mali from wr down into the back field more to create mismatch problems out of the backfield or confusion with coverage with the defense since we have so many wr to take advantage of any blown coverages.

 

[Phydeaux]

Too many weapons to stay in tight sets. Spread it out and watch the D try to cover all the weapons, thus opening up the run for our monster backfield. This will be fun to watch!

As ive noted
More like Dennis Erickson formations.
More 3-4 wide, single back, but w Cromario jumbo package built in.

 

[caneworld]

More vertical passing concepts.

Which calls for a better TE room as the in between option

 

[E1k]

More play action from the pistol, move the pocket more, more rpo.

 

[E1k]

Dawson has shown ability to adapt to personnel, expect that again next year.
- More creativity with backfield sets (Lofton, Mali, 2 RBs, etc.) to allow run game inserts that worked well last year, especially with lack of proven in-line TE.
- (In addition to more downfield passing), expect to see more spacing and zone-beater passing concepts. With more juice at WR, expect teams to play more zone but Mali and Barkate are elite at finding gaps in zone.
- More conventional screen game, depending on development and athleticism of OL. WR screens ask OL to do a lot in space, we had some very good (70) to elite (61) players on the OL in space last year.

Lol is this a coach

 

[ShadowSpring]

Hopefully way more 2 RB w 3 WR sets even using Lofton or Brown back there. Perfect fit for our depth and strengths.

Super excited to see Mansah to Vanilla Allen Hurns to take the pressure off Baby Jesus.

 

[SFbayCane]

A complete and total elimination of the Mali-Cat nonsense would be a good start.

 

[90scane]

Closer to 2024 offense: more deep routes opening up the run game and digs/crossers. The goal should be 42 points per game.
Closer to 2025 defense: faster edge rushers but less effective at setting the edge. IF the offense scores early and often, we will force opponents to pass a ton more, which should play to our strengths on D. The goal should be 10 points per game.

The concerns I have:
OL, can they grow into a dominant force running when we want for 5-6 yards? Overall, the balance on offense with the threat of Mensah+WRs should make it possible.
DL, can they stop the run when we face CFP teams? Specifically setting the edge.

 

[kyle_schick]

No schematic changes.

Mensah will take more deep shots.

Passing will be more effective.

Running will be less effective.

 

[Scorpioncane]

Probably less two tights unless Gilbert or mueller break out. Even then probably not cause the depth isn’t there

Depth in the te room? ...there is no depth, as far as production goes! But, we got bodies- gilbert, lofton, mueller, briggs, carver, nickel