Mark and Ed: I'm begging you, run the ball!
by I need more Esteban on Oct 27, 2009 7:08 PM CDT
76 comments
We all know the ups and downs that have occurred this season for the KU football team. Some of the highest expectations in school history have been tough to live up to so far for this team. Our offense is great, our defense has struggled but is improving dramatically, and I would argue that they have done their part in each of the last 2 games to keep us in the game. Our offense has been the one to really make things tough. Two first half turnovers leading to 14 points against Colorado and three interceptions in the first half against OU leading to 14 first half points.
What is the problem all of the sudden? How about balance. While watching the OU vs. KU game from the stands, I couldn't help but notice that OU looked like they knew what we were doing on virtually every play, they swarmed to the ball, they blanketed our receivers, and they beat the crap out of us. OU has a great defense and maybe more running plays wouldn't have made a difference, but I believe that if we would've had a more balanced attack, this game would've been much closer.
The non-conference was pretty much labeled a success for KU. Everyone knows that the level of talent we played was not exactly up to par with the Big 12, although I will remind people that UTEP has looked good and Duke won back to back conference games for the first time since 1993, I believe. Nevertheless, still not Big 12 caliber. But we can only play the teams on our schedule and we won in very convincing fashion. What was so exciting about the non-con on offense? Our running game.
Here are the attempts and yards in each of the games. I'm going to cut the QB attempts in half as many times it is a pass play that breaks down, or a sack.
vs. Northern Colorado
Running back Attempts: 29
QB Attempts: 13 (6)
Rush Yards: 281
vs. UTEP
Running back Attempts: 32 (16 Sharp, 16 Opurum)
QB Attempts: 5 (2)
Rush Yards: 166
vs. Duke
Running back Attempts: 22
QB Attempts: 5 (3)
Rush Yards: 134
vs. Southern Miss
Running back Attempts: 28 (Opurum)
QB Attempts: 13 (6, Negative yards=sacks)
Rush Yards: 109
vs. Iowa St.
Running back Attempts: 24 (Opurum)
QB Attempts: 5 (2)
Rush Yards: 110
I don't think the QB attempts are as important here but I went ahead and included them because sometimes we have designed runs. I'm focusing more on the RB's carries, though. Before Colorado, not one time under 22 attempts for the running backs.
vs. Colorado
RB Attempts: 15
QB Attempts: 7 (3)
Rush Yards: 40
Loss! We lose this game, we hand the ball off a total of 15 times, 13 to Jake Sharp and 2 to Toben Opurum. This a week after Toben carried it 24 times for 98 yards. I know we were playing catch up for a lot of this game but it doesn't matter. We closed the gap and made it a game so there is no reason to not get 20 carries for our backs. Once again, loss.
vs. OU
RB Attempts: 20 (13 Opurum, 7 Sharp)
QB Attempts: 8 (4)
Rush Yards: 73
Loss Loss Loss! I don't want to take the time to look this up but I would guess that half of those carries came when we were down big late in the game. We rarely tried to run the ball Saturday even when OU was blitzing and dropping 8 guys into coverage. Our unbalanced offense looks like it is being outcoached week in and week out now. Why our coaches think that we can just pass when teams are expecting it every play, boggles my mind.
I'm not here to say that if we run the ball more, we will win. But I think our offense has a much better chance of succeeding when the defense doesn't know what is coming at them. It should also lead to less oppurtunities for costly turnovers that have really hurt us in the last 2 games. In the Reesing era, things have always been better when we have committed to the running game as well as the passing game. So I'm here to say:
Coaches: PLEASE RUN THE BALL MORE! I don't care if it's Jake or Toben, just get them out there running at least 25 times a game.
That is all.
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It would make Todd’s job a little bit easier. He isn’t doing himself any favors right now, but it certainly doesn’t help when opponents don’t worry much about the run.
Insanity is just a state of mind.
The problem in both CU and OU loses....
was that we fell behind early due to mistakes. I’m still a believer that if we can be ahead or in an even type situation that the staff will run the ball.
I do agree though that in both instances it seems we completely abandon the run and play like a team who is about to lose. we’ll see, but I’m hopeful that from here on out if we can get off to a better start we’ll see a more balanced attack again.
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
Yeah we were down but only by eight points in the first half. We should have been running the ball more in the first half, especially after the first two drives when Todd looked terrible throwing the ball. I think a steady diet of Toben and Jake against teams that are running 5 DB’s out there against us would be a good idea.
Shovel passes/ screens
To get the full picture here, you probably have to include those, as well- is there really much of a difference between a forward pitch to Sharp and a backwards/ lateral one?
As an aside, we try to use the shovel play too much, IMO. It seems to work great the first time, as it catches a defense off-guard. But I think we tip it off or something, because it never seems to work after that during the game. Maybe we just need to run it from different formations or something- I dunno.
Also:
I know we were playing catch up for a lot of this game but it doesn’t matter.
I have to strenuously disagree with this statement. It absolutely does matter. When you’re down more than one score, you’ve got to chuck the ball around, period.
by KennyGregoryRockThaCradle on Oct 27, 2009 9:39 PM CDT reply actions
The problem is....
Who are you going to get to run the ball 24 times a game?!?!
Jake Sharp is hurt. He’s a liability running the ball, not an asset. Pesonally, I don’t think that will change anytime soon. Whatever is wrong with him, it’s a season long thing. Sucks, but that’s the reality.
Toben Opurum was gassed running the ball 28 times vs USM (he admitted it and Mangino even addressed it….kid never ran the ball that much in high school).
To expect TO to run the ball 20+ times a game consistently in Big 12 play is a recipe for disaster if you ask me.
So who runs the ball?
Sawin' wood
Nice call
but I will add,
Running the ball also does wonders for time of possession, which of course keeps our soft defense on the sidelines. The best defense is one that never needs to come on the field.
Wait. Sarah Palin's in Hong Kong? But who's watching Russia?
exactly...
right now it would have to be split between Jake and Toben. More Toben in my opinion based on the Sharp injury. You’d have to figure Toben’s good for 15-18 and Sharp can go another 8 or so after Toben’s beat up some people.
As far as who else can run the ball, the answer is nobody. Rell Lewis hasn’t done much to impress the staff and I honestly don’t see him getting any serious minutes based on that.
Daniel Porter…who?
The good news is apparently Deshaun Sands has looked good on scout team all year so perhaps next year we can get to position where we can have two backs with different styles splitting the carries.
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
Sharp's 8 or so carries would be a waste if
he’s not 100%. And he’s not. We’d be better off lining up Kale Pick as a RB.
Sawin' wood
I don’t completely agree…I think if his carries are limited Jake can still make a few plays. He showed a little bit on that shovel pass against OU last week. I agree he can’t provide much, but he could give us a few good plays.
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
I'd rather see Sharp at 85%
running the counter option than Opurum. He doesn’t yet have the lateral explosiveness to run outside the numbers.
Me no likey Clint Bowen.
True
Just wish he was 100%. A healthy Jake Sharp doesn’t get caught from behind on that shovel pass.
Sawin' wood
absolutely right...
and I can tell you that no one is more frustrated by not being 100% than Jake. He knows that’s his biggest asset and not having it in his senior season has to be a heartbreaker,
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
believe it was early in the year...
maybe UTEP or Duke…can’t remember off hand but wasn’t it Southern Miss where Toben ran the ball the majority of the snaps?
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
I'm pretty sure it was UTEP
Because he was in early in that game and after a while kind of disappeared in that game, even when the score was still relatively close.
He started the Dook game
but he didn’t have any burst and was pulled shortly into the game. That much I remember. I still haven’t heard what exactly is wrong…
Me no likey Clint Bowen.
He got hurt midweek...
in between the UTEP and Duke games. Not contact drill during practice.
by hiphopopotamus on Oct 29, 2009 8:29 AM CDT up reply actions
Hey looks like the coaching staff reads RCT
From yesterdays article: http://www2.kusports.com/news/2009/oct/28/back-track/
"We have to be who we are, and I think we have to continue to try to establish the run game and have some balance, because if you have some balance, good things happen for you," offensive coordinator Ed Warinner said. "That doesn’t always happen —sometimes the defense will dictate whether you have balance or not. … But we definitely have the mind-set where we need to run the ball effectively."
Glad I could help
by I need more Esteban on Oct 29, 2009 11:59 AM CDT reply actions
very good este...
we’ll thank you should we come out with a win Saturday : )
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
Ok labbadadda.....I'll bite
You’re leading the fire Bowen train. So let’s say you get your wish and we fire Bowen.
Now what?
Who do you get to replace him?
Sawin' wood
there we go
would love to hear this as well, don’t say Bill Young.
by I need more Esteban on Oct 29, 2009 4:22 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm interested too...
Personally I want Bowen a part of the staff. Obviously we’ve gone out an put more money into the assistant coaching staff recently as well though so I’d be curious who might be a realistic alternative.
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
Get TCU's D coordinator
Their D is always solid and we might be able to pay him more, entice him with leading a big12 defense. Sold. My case would be better if I knew his name…
I think you just might have bailed Labba out there.
That seems like a good answer to me, at least. Besides, names aren’t that important anyhow. The result of the Defense is.
by play4'ships on Oct 29, 2009 9:05 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I don't know. TCU is an extemely wealthy school
Not sure what he’s paid, but I bet he’s paid well.
My own personal opinion is that I want to keep Bowen on the staff too.
The thing that keeps coming back to me…..our DBs were good when Earnest Collins was coaching them. As soon as he split and we got JeNey Jackson……uh, down we go. Was it the coaching or was it the talent playing?
Sawin' wood
All I know
is what I see on the field. My theories may not be correct but as the results have dictated neither are the theories of those coaching the secondary.
Me no likey Clint Bowen.
Check out his credentials
http://gofrogs.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/bumpas_dick00.html
Here are the wins:
His name is Dick Bumpas. He has a freaking awesome stache. His defenses have been really highly rated every year.
He has recruiting ties in Texas. Look at his stache. Seriously. Lets gobble him up, throw him some bones. I want DICK BUMPAS on my team. Now.
The Bumpas' Dogs!!!
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
by Owen Kemp on Oct 29, 2009 10:03 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Holy. Crap.
It’s… it’s beautiful. I want to just bask in his awesome essence.
by KennyGregoryRockThaCradle on Oct 30, 2009 12:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Mr. Bumpas
Seems like the kind of man that appreciates a good scotch, a good cigar (while Cubans get all the publicity, Nicaraguans offer the best bang for your buck- it’s that eye for talent that has helped make TCU so solid over the years), and the tender loving of a good, faithful, plump woman (real gentlemen prefer curves) after a hard day’s work.
by KennyGregoryRockThaCradle on Oct 30, 2009 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions
Some other ideas I came up with after some research
Guys we might be able to land because its a step up, into the big12, etc. And they all have solid Ds for years:
Wally Burnham, USF
Bob Pruet, Virginia
Ron English, Louisville
Frank Spaziani, Boston College (stretch)
Mark Stoops, Arizona (might like to join the big12 with Bob at OU)
Justin Wilcox, Boise State
Wally Burnham
is Iowa State’s defensive coordinator now.
by hiphopopotamus on Oct 30, 2009 8:05 AM CDT up reply actions
Oops my bad.
I personally liked the last two, I think adding another Stoops to the big12 would be fun and he’d recruit well, and Wilcox’s D at Boise have been under the radar good.
Lemme see.....the last Virginia coordinator to come to the Big 12
and the State of Kansas for that matter was…..Ron Prince.
That one didn’t work out so well. Let’s be careful with this choice!
Sawin' wood
Yeah but that was KState getting desperate
Because no one wanted to come to Manhattan, Patterson at TCU turned em down, Leavit at USF, etc. Ron Prince’s offenses at Virginia were terrible before he came to KSU. But I did my homework on Pruet and he has done a good job with what he has to work with, plus he is younger and may recruit well.
If I could play God and get any D coordinator I choose
I’d want that Bud Foster guy at Va Tech. His D’s are CONSISTENTLY good. And I like the blue collar mentality. Bud teaches those kids how to lay the wood on every play. I think he’d fit in well with Mangino’s staff.
But he’s a icon almost as big as Beamer there, so no chance.
Sawin' wood
why not just go for Rex Ryan while we’re at it : )
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
Hey, get the old man!
Buddy Ryan is still alive. :)
by hunter s. royal on Oct 30, 2009 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions
Why not just move
Bowen back to DB’s coach and make Bill Miller the full-time Defensive Coordinator?
Me no likey Clint Bowen.
I know you aren't pleased with Bowen...and I don't exactly blame you...
but I do think right now he has two things working against him. First he doesn’t have the horses yet to keep up with the athletes in the spread and we’ve whiffed on both linebackers and ends for a little bit there recruiting which hurt us last year and now this year as well.
Secondly, it’s just a crappy time to be a D-Coord in the Big12…football is cyclical and defenses will adjust but I think we’re just beginning to see that adjustment for the first time this year. Thing is, the adjustments that are effective against the spread aren’t so much about scheme as they are talent. Again Kansas was working at a talent deficiency for so long that it takes time to overcome that. 2007 our success on the field wildly outperformed the talent in the program.
We’re in our 2nd season removed from that so the recruiting upgrade from that boost is in it’s Sophomore year at best in the program. We need longer sustained success even if it’s 8-4, 9-3 to continue moving us in the right direction. Tech and Missouri felt the same growing pains at times but have seemed to get closer to getting over the hump.
What the fuck am I talking about now? I guess in short I understand your concern but I’m not ready to throw in the towel because I think Bowen needs a chance to work with a higher level talent with more experience than what we have right now.
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
by Owen Kemp on Oct 30, 2009 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Okay -
I’ll give. I really only have one gripe, well, two gripes about Bowen’s defense. I’m not sure if this is part of his basic philosphy or as Rivet puts is as a result of the talent on the field.
But our talent on D should at least be able to match up against Duke, So Miss, and ISU right? Sure didn’t look that way on the field.
I realize we may not have the horses but I just don’t see any effort (other than changing out players of roughly the same ability) in changing a scheme that’s being ripped apart for two season.
Me no likey Clint Bowen.
don't give...
you bring up valid points but I just think it’s a combination of factors that lead to everyone’s frustrations with the D…not just Bowen.
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
You're right -
I said ‘I give’ but I just went back to complaining again. I guess I really don’t give..
Me no likey Clint Bowen.
I'm with ya Labba!!!
If something isn’t working you change it. Whether that’s scheme, personel or the man calling the plays. Something isn’t right and hasn’t been with our defense really since oh maybe 2005. I’m not happy with it.
Hell if everyone is running the spread and game planning for it, why don’t we just flip the shit upside down and go to the power I.
Would you schedule your classes around Schooner night at Louise's West...well hell yes!!!
by Drunk at Louise's West on Oct 30, 2009 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm not sure if you are joking or not...
but I’ve been thinking about that lately. Seems everyone is running the spread, recruiting the spread and planning for the spread both offensively and defensively.
That means eventually there will be a new trend as defenses will catchup and limit it’s effectiveness. Rather than be the follower it would be great if we could somehow set or be on the leading edge of the next trend. Might help our program along in it’s next phase.
Not sure if it’s the Power I but hey, it could be.
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
Single wing baby!
I’ll give my old HS Football Coach a call, he’s an expert.
Me no likey Clint Bowen.
The new trend is the (something)cat
The wildcat
The longhorncat
The bearcat
The Leachcat
Screw QBs. They just make mistakes. Direct snaps to backs and let them pound away.
Sawin' wood
didn't we come up with a name for ours...if we did it...
the Shockhawk or something…can’t remember who said it.
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
I really can't stand the wildcat offense
Unless you have have a Mike Vick it removes a lot of the mystery from the offense.
“Oh look, their QB is spread out and the RB is behind center, looks like they’re going to run the ball here.” Brilliant.
I guess I’m just a football cynic…
Me no likey Clint Bowen.
Miami sure runs it pretty damn good
by I need more Esteban on Oct 30, 2009 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah -
I thought about including the Dolphin’s as an example of an exception but I hate all things Miami so I didn’t want to mention.
Me no likey Clint Bowen.
KC just shuddered
I don’t like the Wildcat (shockhawk) as an option for our O because we use the QB in the run game a lot already (draws, scramblin, spread options, qb read runs) so whats the point? I think the wildcat is much more effective for teams that run pro offenses and etc because it is a huge changeup.
Scott Van Pelt
on his show yesterday was talking about GTech and Navy’s Option formations being the next big think in college football, maybe it will come back after everyone thought it was dead
by I need more Esteban on Oct 30, 2009 3:17 PM CDT up reply actions
well Pick has shown he can run...
so we’ve got the guy at QB, but we’re going to need to start compiling some RB depth.
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
sands as the outside guy, Opurum the inside maybe?
by I need more Esteban on Oct 30, 2009 5:15 PM CDT up reply actions
I think our O next year will be similar to the one we ran with Meier in 2006
A lot of QB/HB option runs, basic options out of the shotgun, some qb draws, etc. Hopefully Pick can get his accuracy improved because we will certainly have a lot of speed and young talent at WR.
agreed Denver
I just don’t see the talent being up to the top level yet and I think that is the biggest factor.
by I need more Esteban on Oct 30, 2009 3:16 PM CDT up reply actions
TIME FOR SOME MATH BITCHES, DICK BUMPAS STYLE!
by KU Grad 08 on Oct 30, 2009 12:21 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs
You can't argue with math. It's science.
by KennyGregoryRockThaCradle on Oct 30, 2009 12:28 PM CDT up reply actions
The thing you have to like about Bumpas:
The stache. It does with Mangino’s. Every Mangino coach should have a stache. And say something like “we just have to keep sawin’ wood”.
Serious question: Bumpas was on staff at KSU with Patterson. Was Mangino at KSU at the same time? Maybe they already know each other.
Sawin' wood
Not sure on that...
But the dude would seriously be a good higher, all photoshopping aside. He is experienced, been in texas a while so I’m assuming he has texas recruiting connections, his defenses are always good, and have shut down some good teams (see a 17-10 win against OU a couple a year ago).
Could we get him? It would be hard given TCU’s success but he may be tired of beating up the MWC and like to try his hand at Big 12 football with a D that has some young talent, and has shown its offense is almost always going to put some points on the board.
Am I fully on the fire Bowen hay ride? No, but the way the season has gone, it could happen. I think some of my other suggestions were pretty good, I’m starting to really like Boise State’s D coordinator as well. But I am in love with getting Dick “Pain” Bumpas.
Hahaha Dick Pain
I hate that shit. Anyways, I don’t want to fire Bowen- I just want to move him over to special teams (where he used to do a pretty good job, I think). He could be a good defensive coordinator at some point- I just don’t like the idea of the team having to go through all of those growing pains.
Of course, this assumes that Bowen is the problem, and not coaches underneath him, talent level of players, etc.
by KennyGregoryRockThaCradle on Oct 30, 2009 9:07 PM CDT up reply actions
10 hours too late :(
Fucking job.
lol can't have a CKC without KC - Nicholai Khabibulin (LN21)
by Andy Edwards on Oct 30, 2009 10:18 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm commenting to you on here while we facebook chat
I’d like to officially prove to everyone on here I have no life whatsoever. Please someone top that.
by KU Grad 08 on Oct 30, 2009 10:30 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
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