[BostonCard]

[quote author=Boston Card link=topic=17932.msg211100#msg211100 date=1510088101]
I don't think the issue with WSU was that they overpursued (for which a reverse is a good antidote); it was that they beat their blockers too easily.  A slow developing play like a reverse would probably result in a tackle for loss 10 yards behind the LOS.  A screen might work better, since the goal is to have the defense in the backfield quickly.

BC

The issue is that Shawgren didn't try ANYTHING different - reverse, screen, flare, slant, putting Love in the slot, putting Love and Speights in the backfield together, etc. etc. If we'd run a half dozen of these types of plays and still lost, you couldn't point to a conservative, pedestrian game plan as the reason we lost. Of course, if we'd done that we might not have lost.
[/quote]

I find it odd that at once Shaw is accused of running too complicated a playbook, but on the other hand, not throwing a bunch of plays up there and seeing what sticks.  As I mentioned above, the most parsimonious answer as to why Costello didn't run many of those plays is that he hasn't had a chance to practice many of those plays.  He has only had first team practice reps for two weeks in his life (and maybe shared for a third).  I'm guessing they focused on the basics.

BC

[BostonCard]

[quote author=Boston Card link=topic=17932.msg211100#msg211100 date=1510088101]
I don't think the issue with WSU was that they overpursued (for which a reverse is a good antidote); it was that they beat their blockers too easily.  A slow developing play like a reverse would probably result in a tackle for loss 10 yards behind the LOS.  A screen might work better, since the goal is to have the defense in the backfield quickly.

BC

The issue is that Shawgren didn't try ANYTHING different - reverse, screen, flare, slant, putting Love in the slot, putting Love and Speights in the backfield together, etc. etc. If we'd run a half dozen of these types of plays and still lost, you couldn't point to a conservative, pedestrian game plan as the reason we lost. Of course, if we'd done that we might not have lost.
[/quote]

I find it odd that at once Shaw is accused of running too complicated a playbook, but on the other hand, not throwing a bunch of plays up there and seeing what sticks.  As I mentioned above, the most parsimonious answer as to why Costello didn't run many of those plays is that he hasn't had a chance to practice many of those plays.  He has only had first team practice reps for two weeks in his life (and maybe shared for a third).  I'm guessing they focused on the basics.

BC