What can you do when you are a confirmed one dimensional team?

[18IsTheMan]

This is where we find ourselves. It's not that we have trouble running the ball. We simply cannot. We actually fared a bit better against UGA with 3.3 ypc than we did against Furman with 2.8 ypc. But we only tried 16 times against UGA. Even against Furman, when we ran it 39 times, we barely cracked 100 yards. Just pitiful. It's obvious at this point that it is what it is. We cannot run the ball. Just can't.

At least with what we're currently doing. I don't know they staff is sticking with Joyner. Is it entirely his fault? No, obviously not. However, at this point, what's the harm in giving Anderson and Braswell additional looks? If the only argument is that Joyner blocks better, I suppose that means we've waved the white flag in choosing a back who is inferior at running the ball only b/c he can block better. It tells me the staff is not even attempting to get anything out of this run game.

But that brings me back to my original question, what can you really do when you are solidly one dimensional and everyone knows it? We only ran the ball 6 times in the 2nd half against UGA. As great an Rattler has been, that's not sustainable, unless you've got a stable of top-shelf WRs, and we do not.

 

[Gamecock9395]

IMO, the coaching staff are tip-toeing around the problem because they know how bad it is. Since Kevin Harris left, we have been in reverse, 12th, 13th, now last in SEC. We have 8-9 RBs on the roster but only 1-2 are ready to go? Whose job is it to get them ready? Since Lloyd and Amos left they have become the leading rushers for their teams. Amos couldn't get on the field at SC.

 

[accock]

Lose 6 games

 

[Sweetwatergolf]

Prepare harder

 

[92Pony]

The stubbornness of this staff (with regard to RB) is starting to feel like that of the previous one. Play Anderson and Braswell!!

 

[Drewrule2001]

The stubbornness of this staff (with regard to RB) is starting to feel like that of the previous one. Play Anderson and Braswell!!

Agreed! What does it hurt to at least try them as 1 and 2 for a while?

The only thing I have seen, is DK seems to be a good blocker.

 

[Prestonyte]

A radical and innovative change is called for in an attempt to provide help for the OL in taking some heat off the pass rush. This would give Rattler time to be even MORE effective than he already has demonstrated he can be.
Attempting the same ole thing in the running game is futile and a coaching failure. Not making an innovative attempt to change is an injustice to the team and the fans. RUNNING GAME IMPROVEMENT SHOULD BE OUR COACHES PRIMARY FOCUS because of the impact it will have on the entire team as it will open up the passing game even more, allow us to keep the offense on the field for more plays and keep our shallow depth defense off the field and rested.

 

[18IsTheMan]

The stubbornness of this staff (with regard to RB) is starting to feel like that of the previous one. Play Anderson and Braswell!!

I agree. I'm not saying one of those guys would come in and light it up, but at this point, you have to ask: what would it hurt? They can't be appreciably worse than what we've had so far with Joyner. And I'm not throwing him under the bus, but what we're currently doing isn't working. I've just never understood the rationale of sticking with something that was not working.

Back in 2021, we had Zaquandre White who seemed to be quite obviously our best option at RB. We heard lots of things like he didn't practice well and this and that, but the bottom line was, whenever he set foot on the field, he produced. He averaged 6.6 ypc on the season. It baffled me all season that he would look great, then be totally MIA. Then he'd come back and look great again. Then go MIA.

 

[CockofEarle…]

This is where we find ourselves. It's not that we have trouble running the ball. We simply cannot. We actually fared a bit better against UGA with 3.3 ypc than we did against Furman with 2.8 ypc. But we only tried 16 times against UGA. Even against Furman, when we ran it 39 times, we barely cracked 100 yards. Just pitiful. It's obvious at this point that it is what it is. We cannot run the ball. Just can't.

At least with what we're currently doing. I don't know they staff is sticking with Joyner. Is it entirely his fault? No, obviously not. However, at this point, what's the harm in giving Anderson and Braswell additional looks? If the only argument is that Joyner blocks better, I suppose that means we've waved the white flag in choosing a back who is inferior at running the ball only b/c he can block better. It tells me the staff is not even attempting to get anything out of this run game.

But that brings me back to my original question, what can you really do when you are solidly one dimensional and everyone knows it? We only ran the ball 6 times in the 2nd half against UGA. As great an Rattler has been, that's not sustainable, unless you've got a stable of top-shelf WRs, and we do not.

Try and make the best of it. Air Coryell

 

[ThinnyJ]

I still don't understand why we don't try more toss sweep kinds of runs, and use those types of setups for passes too... May help get the pocket moving some when we can't block well.

 

[18IsTheMan]

Try and make the best of it. Air Coryell

Need to have some good receivers for that.

 

[Big JC]

This is where we find ourselves. It's not that we have trouble running the ball. We simply cannot. We actually fared a bit better against UGA with 3.3 ypc than we did against Furman with 2.8 ypc. But we only tried 16 times against UGA. Even against Furman, when we ran it 39 times, we barely cracked 100 yards. Just pitiful. It's obvious at this point that it is what it is. We cannot run the ball. Just can't.

At least with what we're currently doing. I don't know they staff is sticking with Joyner. Is it entirely his fault? No, obviously not. However, at this point, what's the harm in giving Anderson and Braswell additional looks? If the only argument is that Joyner blocks better, I suppose that means we've waved the white flag in choosing a back who is inferior at running the ball only b/c he can block better. It tells me the staff is not even attempting to get anything out of this run game.

But that brings me back to my original question, what can you really do when you are solidly one dimensional and everyone knows it? We only ran the ball 6 times in the 2nd half against UGA. As great an Rattler has been, that's not sustainable, unless you've got a stable of top-shelf WRs, and we do not.

Take away Rattlers 4th quarter scramble for about 16 yds and the Furman ypc is about what we end up with again 37 yds on 16 carries for 2.3 ypc.

To answer your question in the thread topic; one dimensional teams generally do not win very many games in the SEC. The coaches had better find a way to create some sort of running game or this could end up being a very long season.

 

[Big JC]

I still don't understand why we don't try more toss sweep kinds of runs, and use those types of setups for passes too... May help get the pocket moving some when we can't block well.

LBs and safeties are too fast in the SEC today for toss sweeps to be effective, they take too long to develop and the OL has to be able to pull and run with the play and I'm not sure our OL can do that effectively. In the old days, the running back could easily outrun the LB to the corner and defenses generally only had one or two dbs on the field at a time.

 

[18IsTheMan]

There's always the veer.

 

[ROP1940]

The stubbornness of this staff (with regard to RB) is starting to feel like that of the previous one. Play Anderson and Braswell!!

Amen partner. why not use true running backs. the above mentioned. do not worry about being a freshman or anything else. If they don't play they will transfer anyway. Running back has been a problem for a long time. I think new line coach and running back coach is in order. But do think we will not get where we want to be with our predictable offense.

 

[Prestonyte]

I still don't understand why we don't try more toss sweep kinds of runs, and use those types of setups for passes too... May help get the pocket moving some when we can't block well.

Anderson on the outside looks like a good option.

 

[92Pony]

I agree. I'm not saying one of those guys would come in and light it up, but at this point, you have to ask: what would it hurt? They can't be appreciably worse than what we've had so far with Joyner. And I'm not throwing him under the bus, but what we're currently doing isn't working. I've just never understood the rationale of sticking with something that was not working.

Back in 2021, we had Zaquandre White who seemed to be quite obviously our best option at RB. We heard lots of things like he didn't practice well and this and that, but the bottom line was, whenever he set foot on the field, he produced. He averaged 6.6 ypc on the season. It baffled me all season that he would look great, then be totally MIA. Then he'd come back and look great again. Then go MIA.

The Z White situation was one that drove me nuts - ahhh, what could have been......

But yeah, I've long held the opinion that some guys just have "IT" 'when the lights come on'. Sometimes you gotta find those guys. And you don't find them if they're riding the pine, or getting 2 carries in a game.

 

[Harvard Gamecock]

There's always the veer.

Flying wedge.

 

[18IsTheMan]

Flying wedge.

Shoot, at this point, why not?

 

[Gradstudent]

This is where we find ourselves. It's not that we have trouble running the ball. We simply cannot.

We only ran a real running back twice against UGA, Mario Anderson had 2 carriers for 9 yards.

Against UGA, it was more simply that we didn't run the ball.

 

[will110]

It seems to me we just need to forget the running game entirely. Run it every once in awhile to keep the defense honest, but overall just sling it. We've got the quarterback, receivers, and tight ends to make it happen. Quick passes and screens can be our running game.

 

[Harvard Gamecock]

It seems to me we just need to forget the running game entirely. Run it every once in awhile to keep the defense honest, but overall just sling it. We've got the quarterback, receivers, and tight ends to make it happen. Quick passes and screens can be our running game.

The problem with this strategy is twofold, 1) Since this is not the original offensive scheme, you are asking for an almost entire revamp of what we have, easier said than done. 2) It would not take very long for opposing staffs to figure out the scheme,at which point they would have both the CB's and LB's play a few yards deeper to take away quick outs and slants.
I don't know what the answer is but a coach pulling down several million dollars a year should start to figure this one out.

 

[TheRoo]

This is where we find ourselves. It's not that we have trouble running the ball. We simply cannot. We actually fared a bit better against UGA with 3.3 ypc than we did against Furman with 2.8 ypc. But we only tried 16 times against UGA. Even against Furman, when we ran it 39 times, we barely cracked 100 yards. Just pitiful. It's obvious at this point that it is what it is. We cannot run the ball. Just can't.

At least with what we're currently doing. I don't know they staff is sticking with Joyner. Is it entirely his fault? No, obviously not. However, at this point, what's the harm in giving Anderson and Braswell additional looks? If the only argument is that Joyner blocks better, I suppose that means we've waved the white flag in choosing a back who is inferior at running the ball only b/c he can block better. It tells me the staff is not even attempting to get anything out of this run game.

But that brings me back to my original question, what can you really do when you are solidly one dimensional and everyone knows it? We only ran the ball 6 times in the 2nd half against UGA. As great an Rattler has been, that's not sustainable, unless you've got a stable of top-shelf WRs, and we do not.

True. You get the feeling the staff felt like they owed it to Joyner to give him ample opportunity after being such a team player all of these years and converting him to RB for this season. Either way, would expect to see other options from this point forward.

 

[Jonesz2]

Open tryouts for rb. Look at everyone that played rb in high school

 

[18IsTheMan]

True. You get the feeling the staff felt like they owed it to Joyner to give him ample opportunity after being such a team player all of these years and converting him to RB for this season. Either way, would expect to see other options from this point forward.

That seems to be the case. Three games is a fair look.

Joyner’s singular attribute is his athleticism. Skill-wise, he has not distinguished himself as SECcaliber at any particular position.

Given his athleticism, it’s probably best to slot him in somewhere on the WR depth chart. He can be effective if you get him the ball in space.

 

[Deleted11512]

The problem with this strategy is twofold, 1) Since this is not the original offensive scheme, you are asking for an almost entire revamp of what we have, easier said than done. 2) It would not take very long for opposing staffs to figure out the scheme,at which point they would have both the CB's and LB's play a few yards deeper to take away quick outs and slants.
I don't know what the answer is but a coach pulling down several million dollars a year should start to figure this one out.

I agree 100%. It's silly that in year 3 we're starting a converted QB/WR at RB, and a converted QB at the slot. It makes zero sense to me. It also makes zero sense to me why we continue to put Fugar out there. I've never seen a 6-5 327 man with tree trunks for arms and legs get tossed around like a ragdoll so much.

And if the blocking is reason for DK playing fine. Then Doty shouldn't be out there. Watching him trying to block on the edge is hilarious.

 

[18IsTheMan]

I agree 100%. It's silly that in year 3 we're starting a converted QB/WR at RB, and a converted QB at the slot. It makes zero sense to me. It also makes zero sense to me why we continue to put Fugar out there.

Fair points to make. Year 3 is still in the rebuild phase, but having to convert a WR to RB and having your backup QB also taking snaps at WR is pretty rough.

Some of it's not Beamer's fault. Nobody anticipated Lloyd transferring, but we kind of bungled the process for recruiting a RB from the portal after that. We put all our eggs in the Diggs basket, even after it was evident he'd be going home to play for LSU.

 

[92Pony]

Open tryouts for rb. Look at everyone that played rb in high school

Bad part is; We have a dude already on the team who played RB in HS (I assume) AND, played RB for 3yrs in college already (albeit at a lower level), and we won't use him.....

 

[GACocks]

Personally, I think this is a little premature. Just the other day I was reading some folks calling for an air raid offense. We got behind the 2x defending champs and had to pass. We sucked it up against UNC. Oline was not prepared and for some reason we kept the same signals so Kitchens could steal them. Play to our strengths, use the pass to open up the run. We have some studs coming in for the Oline (finally). Its not time to panic… yet.

 

[18IsTheMan]

Just how one-dimensional are we?

Whether you look at rushing yards/game or yards per carry, we are the dead last...in the nation. Out of 133 schools, nobody is worse.

Conversely, we are 20th in passing yards/game.

We are as solidly one-dimensional as you can get.

 

[Lurker123]

Bad part is; We have a dude already on the team who played RB in HS (I assume) AND, played RB for 3yrs in college already (albeit at a lower level), and we won't use him.....

Serious question. Do we think the position coach, coordinator and head coach are just blind? Or could there be another reason he is not seeing snaps?

They can't all be idiots, right?

Not that I know what that other reason is. It's just that it boggles the mind that 3 levels of coaches would miss what seems so very obvious.

 

[92Pony]

Serious question. Do we think the position coach, coordinator and head coach are just blind? Or could there be another reason he is not seeing snaps?

They can't all be idiots, right?

Not that I know what that other reason is. It's just that it boggles the mind that 3 levels of coaches would miss what seems so very obvious.

Your point is well-taken. But we (I) can only go with what we see on gameday; That is Anderson gaining yardage better than DKJ, and looking tougher and harder to bring down. Maybe that isn't what the coaches are looking for in RB1.....?

 

[Dun Lurkin]

Try and make the best of it. Air Coryell

I guess we just need our version of Chuck Muncie!

 

[Prestonyte]

Dedicate yourself to becoming a two-dimensional team!

 

[Big JC]

Bad part is; We have a dude already on the team who played RB in HS (I assume) AND, played RB for 3yrs in college already (albeit at a lower level), and we won't use him.....

I assume he is getting carries in practice and he must not be impressing anyone.

 

[Deleted11512]

Your point is well-taken. But we (I) can only go with what we see on gameday; That is Anderson gaining yardage better than DKJ, and looking tougher and harder to bring down. Maybe that isn't what the coaches are looking for in RB1.....?

I sincerely hope you are wrong. That would be like saying "we don't value accuracy and arm strength in a QB."

 

[Lurker123]

Your point is well-taken. But we (I) can only go with what we see on gameday; That is Anderson gaining yardage better than DKJ, and looking tougher and harder to bring down. Maybe that isn't what the coaches are looking for in RB1.....?

I agree wholeheartedly with you. I just can't connect the dots on why something that seems so obvious is being missed.

Just a guess, but maybe it's something like pass protection. If they guy is bad at it, we may need more blocking than running from the RBs right now. (With the OL issues)

 

[92Pony]

I assume he is getting carries in practice and he must not be impressing anyone.

“Practice?!? We talkin ‘bout practice??!?” . (Just a light-hearted reply )

 

[gamecock stock]

I loathe being one-dimensional on offense. I always have. None of us on the outside know why we are not a good rushing team from the running back position. But somebody on the coaching staff better figure it out. On our schedule, we still have Kentucky, Missouri, Florida, Clemson, Texas A&M and Mississippi State to play. Their rushing defenses are ranked 13th, 18th, 21st, 34th,, 35th and 48th respectively in the nation. And we play Mississippi State on Saturday. So, they better earn their big bucks by figuring it out FAST.

 

[Beanerball]

No matter whose in the backfield, we will still have keep running multiple sets and a lot of motion as we did against UGA. We can’t over power teams up front so we need to continue to stretch the field from sideline to sideline. That can help open up the middle some. I agree we need to give the other backs more opportunities. As one poster pointed out, straight up toss plays won’t likely work. I know Rattler needs to stay healthy but we need to run him some.