Inside The Cardinal: Be Careful when Watching the WildCaff & O-Line -
stupac2 - 11-22-2016
Here's the weekly newletter:
Quote:The college football world has watched Christian McCaffrey erupt in the last month, rushing for 787 yards in Stanfords last four games. The Stanford offense has surged alongside our star running back, averaging more than 39 points and 465 yards per game. Equally important to our offense as the WildCaff carrying or catching the ball though, has been the threat of our All-American junior.
On our second possession of the Big Game, Stanford quickly reached the Cal 16-yard line and lined up with the strength of our offense on the left side. Watch Keller Chryst fake the hand-off to McCaffrey running to the strong (left) side, while the entire offensive line and tight end Dalton Schultz convincingly block for him.
![[Image: 5837988501eaec1cd9e1a1ec34ac07ad.gif]](http://neweratickets61-t.neolane.net/res/neweratickets/5837988501eaec1cd9e1a1ec34ac07ad.gif)
All seven players in the Cal defensive front seven bite completely on the fake, and Chryst crosses the line of scrimmage without a Bear within five yards of him. Sixteen yards into the end zone untouched, Chryst scores the easy touchdown.
Later in the first quarter, the Cardinal caused the Bears again to commit their defense where they expected McCaffrey to run. This time, the ball was in our running backs hands with a play call to reverse field after his first few steps to the strong (right) side. Watch the offensive line and Schultz block right, while the Cal defense flows with them.
![[Image: 4954c68ef79d538f5bb03b90b661cb07.gif]](http://neweratickets61-t.neolane.net/res/neweratickets/4954c68ef79d538f5bb03b90b661cb07.gif)
One defensive end reverses his direction but has no chance to catch McCaffrey, who runs free for a 36-yard gain. The last ten yards of the run are earned by Chryst clearing out a safety. We constantly preach to our players that the best explosive plays are made possible by that kind of fanatical effort blocking downfield.
Stanford scouts our own offensive tendencies the same as opposing defenses do for us, including the plays which Stanford often runs to the strong side of the field. Selling that threat of Christian McCaffrey to the defense can free up open spaces elsewhere on the field for us to run free.
I'm not sure I believe that second play was intentional, but it was definitely fun to watch. Chryst as a 10th blocks is fantastic, too.
Re: Inside The Cardinal: Be Careful when Watching the WildCaff & O-Line -
JeffInCorvallis - 11-22-2016
Once Chryst figures out that the defensive end isn't going to catch McCaffrey he turns on the juice. He's got some nice wheels and throws a good block.
Re: Inside The Cardinal: Be Careful when Watching the WildCaff & O-Line -
BostonCard - 11-22-2016
The second play was deliberate. Watch Chryst get ready to block, realize that McCaffrey was going to outrun the DE, and become the leading fullback. Chryst takes one nonchalant step to sell the fake, and then get ready to block.
BC
Re: Inside The Cardinal: Be Careful when Watching the WildCaff & O-Line -
CTcard - 11-23-2016
(11-22-2016, 09:29 PM)Boston Card link Wrote:The second play was deliberate. Watch Chryst get ready to block, realize that McCaffrey was going to outrun the DE, and become the leading fullback. Chryst takes one nonchalant step to sell the fake, and then get ready to block.
Yeah, that was obviously the call.
I was initially not as sure as Chryst apparently was that the Cal DE wasn't going to be able to catch McCaffrey - thinking Chryst missed the block he should have made. Of course it turned out Chryst was right and his sprint down the field earned an extra couple of yards and a great visual.
Re: Inside The Cardinal: Be Careful when Watching the WildCaff & O-Line -
BostonCard - 11-23-2016
I had the same instinct as you did, CT. It looked like the DE might have had a shot at McCaffrey, and that Chryst could have laid a beautiful block had he wanted to. But I should have known better, Chryst went on to become the lead blocker, and the DE really had no chance at McCaffrey.
BC
Re: Inside The Cardinal: Be Careful when Watching the WildCaff & O-Line -
fullmetal - 11-23-2016
Chryst should have taken out the weakside linebacker (#1)...I think that guy was the one that made the shoestring tackle. Oh well, great play! (I agree, it looked deliberate.)
Re: Inside The Cardinal: Be Careful when Watching the WildCaff & O-Line -
Langdude - 11-23-2016
Man. As a running back, it would be so awesome to see your quarterback sprinting balls-out in front of you to lead-block.
-m.
Re: Inside The Cardinal: Be Careful when Watching the WildCaff & O-Line -
CTcard - 11-23-2016
(11-23-2016, 11:09 AM)fullmetal link Wrote:Chryst should have taken out the weakside linebacker (#1)...I think that guy was the one that made the shoestring tackle. Oh well, great play! (I agree, it looked deliberate.)
Not clear.
The safety he did sort of take out, or at least turned around, looks like he would have made the tackle sooner than the weak side LB did. Although, the safety was in front of McCaffrey and perhaps since he could see and if there were a little more room, McCaffrey could have made the guy miss.
Re: Inside The Cardinal: Be Careful when Watching the WildCaff & O-Line -
82lsju - 11-23-2016
more McCaffrey highlights here
https://www.facebook.com/stanfordfootball/videos/1263694916985243/
Re: Inside The Cardinal: Be Careful when Watching the WildCaff & O-Line -
fullmetal - 11-23-2016
(11-23-2016, 11:20 AM)CTcard link Wrote:[quote author=fullmetal link=topic=16169.msg180391#msg180391 date=1479924548]
Chryst should have taken out the weakside linebacker (#1)...I think that guy was the one that made the shoestring tackle. Oh well, great play! (I agree, it looked deliberate.)
Not clear.
The safety he did sort of take out, or at least turned around, looks like he would have made the tackle sooner than the weak side LB did. Although, the safety was in front of McCaffrey and perhaps since he could see and if there were a little more room, McCaffrey could have made the guy miss.
[/quote]
Oh, I see. You're right, I lost Chryst in the blur of bodies before the tackle.