you need a quarterback, capable of hitting running backs, and tight ends with short passes, and I’m sure we will see that in the future.
Gotta be able to run the ball. The most excellent example of an elite passing attack losing due to the lack of a running game is Super Bowl XIX. Dolphins ran 9 rushing plays all game to SF’s 40. Walsh played 6 DBs and shut down the mighty Marino passing attack. The Dolphins were never in it. Gotta be able to run
That’s 40 years ago dude. DBs no longer can hit receivers and DLs have to play two hand touch with the QBs. I did see where the NFL is going back to running more last year to combat all the smaller faster defenders.
Simply, you get the best talent you can. And THAT dictates what is your offense. But in the end, you have to have a QB to run your offense successfully. And if you have a "game manager" instead of an elite talent, you win with talent and not a pure philosophy. I think UF is best designed to have some good quality runners (but usually not elite) and some fast receivers. But in the end, we need better QB play than we are getting and a better O-line.
I think the rules changes have drastically tipped the scales in favor of the passing game. If Bama couldn’t run at will with 5 star olines and 5 star running backs then I just don’t think it can be done anymore. Lil Nicky had to start recruiting QB’s who could win games throwing. I think balanced offense is great of course cause sometimes horrible weather will affect the passing game and you need to run. But if teams stack the box, you gotta throw it to win. Not rocket science imo.
That was 40 years ago lol. I think you want to be balanced, but we will definitely be a running team this year.
What difference does it make how long ago it was? Are you suggesting you can’t learn from the past? Sure the game changes. Steve Spurrier redefined offense with the wide open passing attack. Not the one-dimensional Mountain West throw on every down, but a balanced game that featured pass first. Dan Marino certainly didn’t invent the pass-first offense, but he set new standards for the game. Both Spurrier’s Gators and Shula/Marino’s Dolphins established new levels of excellence for passing offenses, yet both failed when they couldn’t run when they needed to: The Choke @ Ron Zook Field in 1994 for SOS, and the Super Bowl game against the 49ers for Shula/Marino. One fact remains constant for the game through the generations: going to an effective ground game is absolutely essential to winning championships. It’s by far the best way to own possession late in the game when you need a few 1st downs to keep the other offense off the field. My point: I’d rather have a powerful ground game and a weak passing game, than a powerful passing game with a weak ground game. Of course, both is best — but if we can run on our opponents this season we should get our 7 or 8 wins - and hopefully more.
I like the one where they talk about the shape of the Earth..."It's-a round like a baseball-a." "It's flat like a pancake-a." BAM!!!! He hits the other guy over the head with a frying pan... Then quips, "It's-a flat like-a your head-a." I shouldn't have put in quotes, because it's inaccurate. But you get the point.
Tebow’s running sure opened up that passing game. It’s much easier to pass with eight in the box. Spurriers best team had Fred and they could pound it at will. Passing sells tickets and the rules have been set up for it, but if you can’t stop the run, there’s no reason to ever throw the first pass.
Who ever can run play action the most effective with a good defense will win most games. Maybe mix in a little RPO with it.. it keeps the opposing team guessing and they cant key in on a particular scheme. Have a reliable pass catching TE for a safety blanket for the QB, a shifty slot receiver to motion and expose the defensive set and key in on the weak areas, and a fairly fast outside WRs to stretch the field and keep the defense honest. At that point a really good running attack will slaughter a defense and their moral. If they stack the box the TE can make them pay, if the defense moves a safety up to account for the TE the slot or outside WR's can blow the top off the defensive back side with only 1 safety over top. It really is about how you scheme to what the defense gives you but you have to have talent at those positions to keep the defense worried. The more the defense is thinking about what is coming next instead of reacting to what is happening thenmore opportunities with arise both on the ground and the the air.
I pretty much agree with you gator, but against SEC defenses you have to have a stout, competent OL or it is all for naught.
Oh absolutely, I didn't touch on them because I figured that was a given. we were just talking running or passing so i was focused on the skill positions. But yes yiu need a good oline to make either passing or rushing work.
I do think times have changed especially with the spread offense's. It seems that teams with a quality qb who can pass and run effectively is a difference maker. Such a qb puts so much pressure on a defense so that in the end passing and running stats look great. All in all, typically passing can cover more ground at a quicker rate than running the ball. I think of the fun in gun that could score quickly, build a huge lead and then focus more on running to eat clock ending the game. I think of passing is more effective when needing a quick score or two minute offense. But ultimately there needs to be some balance for defenses will try to take away what you do best. Personally speaking, I'd rather watch a fun n gun than 3 yards and a cloud of dust even if the running game methodically scores.
Well sure. Most of us cling to the Spurrier era for many reasons. Not the least, offense is fun, scoring points is FANtastic and blowing people out.........satisfying to say the least. But Napier ain't the head ball coach. I am happy he is doing so well recruiting receivers with speed. Some say, with the exception of the defensive line, reciever may have been UF's best recruited position this last cycle. I was not a fan of Mullen recruiting size over speed myself. Napier may offer a different offense once he gets his players in place. Thats why I'm so excited about DJ. My biggest concern is fan base patience for year 2. The record could be disappointing. Unless the bottom completely drops out, I intend to be supportive. I'm not going to be hyper concerned about records until years 3 and then even more so in year 4. UF needs to compete for something substantial in year 4 or it may be bad news for the staff.
I’ll agree and add the this the thing you can’t quantify but we know is there/ overall excitement about the program, fan excitement, buzz, recruiting… when you throw it around- even if you take some L’s, it pays dividends in other areas
