[Hulk01]

In 2015, Stanford had one of the nation's three most productive offenses.  Maybe we should try to get their offensive staff.

[Hulk01]

In 2015, Stanford had one of the nation's three most productive offenses.  Maybe we should try to get their offensive staff.

[stupac2]

In 2015, Stanford had one of the nation's three most productive offenses.  Maybe we should try to get their offensive staff.

It's really starting to feel like some people have just forgotten last year.

Also, as a fun game, how many times this season have we started the same 5 OL for two games in a row? I'm not sure where to look for that info, but I think doing it would be instructive.

[stupac2]

In 2015, Stanford had one of the nation's three most productive offenses.  Maybe we should try to get their offensive staff.

It's really starting to feel like some people have just forgotten last year.

Also, as a fun game, how many times this season have we started the same 5 OL for two games in a row? I'm not sure where to look for that info, but I think doing it would be instructive.

[fullmetal]

What worries is me is why Chryst is double- or triple-clutching on the ball before he throws it.  Being unsure of your throw was something I dinged Burns for, and I gotta say, those same issues apply to Chryst now. 

[fullmetal]

What worries is me is why Chryst is double- or triple-clutching on the ball before he throws it.  Being unsure of your throw was something I dinged Burns for, and I gotta say, those same issues apply to Chryst now. 

[Spiny_Norman]

I understand that the Stanford coaches consider more factors than just what the QB does after the ball is snapped in their evaluations.  And even at that, they pay attention to distinctions about technique that go unnoticed by most fans including armchair coaches like me.

But I cannot help but compare Burns and Chryst to Sam Darnold and how he has progressed this season.  Read through this description of how Darnold reacted and adapted to the Oregon defense on Saturday.  Would feel much better about Burns and Chryst if we saw this type of command and decision making on passing plays.

On one of U.SC’s first offensive plays against Oregon on Saturday, quarterback Sam Darnold diagnosed a  screen to a receiver that was sniffed out, and he took off running the other way.

ESPN’s color analyst, Todd Blackledge, took the opportunity to rave about the decisiveness of Darnold and his counterpart on the Ducks, Justin Herbert.  “For as young as they are, the poise and the quickness of their decision making is outstanding,” Blackledge said.

He had hardly finished speaking when Darnold took the next snap, surveyed the field and cocked his arm, ready to release the ball on another of the quick reads that have made him U.SC’s offensive engine. Then he held up, managing a pump fake. He shifted his body slightly, perked up upon seeing receiver Deontay Burnett on a crossing pattern and fired there instead — an accurate pass, though Burnett dropped it.

The rest of Darnold’s afternoon and evening progressed similarly: slight hesitations, lengthier lingering in the pocket and passes to his secondary options. Sometimes, he said, he dropped back to pass and discovered there was a defender in a spot he wasn’t expecting. . . .

Oregon disguised coverages and rotated often, from one safety, to cover-two, to three defenders deep, “trying to confuse a young quarterback,” U.SC Coach Clay Helton said during a teleconference with reporters on Sunday.

It worked — to a point. U.SC did adapt. The Ducks often left the middle of the field vacated, and Darnold exploited it by feeding Burnett, the slot receiver, and his tight ends. And Darnold still enjoyed a healthy stat line: he completed 28 of 40 passes for 309 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.

http://lat.ms/2fwQbri

[Spiny_Norman]

I understand that the Stanford coaches consider more factors than just what the QB does after the ball is snapped in their evaluations.  And even at that, they pay attention to distinctions about technique that go unnoticed by most fans including armchair coaches like me.

But I cannot help but compare Burns and Chryst to Sam Darnold and how he has progressed this season.  Read through this description of how Darnold reacted and adapted to the Oregon defense on Saturday.  Would feel much better about Burns and Chryst if we saw this type of command and decision making on passing plays.

On one of U.SC’s first offensive plays against Oregon on Saturday, quarterback Sam Darnold diagnosed a  screen to a receiver that was sniffed out, and he took off running the other way.

ESPN’s color analyst, Todd Blackledge, took the opportunity to rave about the decisiveness of Darnold and his counterpart on the Ducks, Justin Herbert.  “For as young as they are, the poise and the quickness of their decision making is outstanding,” Blackledge said.

He had hardly finished speaking when Darnold took the next snap, surveyed the field and cocked his arm, ready to release the ball on another of the quick reads that have made him U.SC’s offensive engine. Then he held up, managing a pump fake. He shifted his body slightly, perked up upon seeing receiver Deontay Burnett on a crossing pattern and fired there instead — an accurate pass, though Burnett dropped it.

The rest of Darnold’s afternoon and evening progressed similarly: slight hesitations, lengthier lingering in the pocket and passes to his secondary options. Sometimes, he said, he dropped back to pass and discovered there was a defender in a spot he wasn’t expecting. . . .

Oregon disguised coverages and rotated often, from one safety, to cover-two, to three defenders deep, “trying to confuse a young quarterback,” U.SC Coach Clay Helton said during a teleconference with reporters on Sunday.

It worked — to a point. U.SC did adapt. The Ducks often left the middle of the field vacated, and Darnold exploited it by feeding Burnett, the slot receiver, and his tight ends. And Darnold still enjoyed a healthy stat line: he completed 28 of 40 passes for 309 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.

http://lat.ms/2fwQbri

[winflop]

In 2015, Stanford had one of the nation's three most productive offenses.  Maybe we should try to get their offensive staff.

Two of the last three years our OL, QB, WRs, and TEs have been subpar.  With that lens, 2015 looks like the aberration not the norm.

[winflop]

In 2015, Stanford had one of the nation's three most productive offenses.  Maybe we should try to get their offensive staff.

Two of the last three years our OL, QB, WRs, and TEs have been subpar.  With that lens, 2015 looks like the aberration not the norm.

[BostonCard]

Remember that USC was bringing back the most experienced line in the Pac-12, who most pre-season observers pegged to be the best line in the conference (though that mantle obviously has to be given to Washington now).  I wonder how good Chryst and/or Burns would be with that line, and whether Darnold may not be as good with our line.

That being said, with the very same line, the highly regarded Max Browne struggled mightily, so there is only so far that a good line can take you.

BC

[BostonCard]

Remember that USC was bringing back the most experienced line in the Pac-12, who most pre-season observers pegged to be the best line in the conference (though that mantle obviously has to be given to Washington now).  I wonder how good Chryst and/or Burns would be with that line, and whether Darnold may not be as good with our line.

That being said, with the very same line, the highly regarded Max Browne struggled mightily, so there is only so far that a good line can take you.

BC

[fullmetal]

I think a good QB would know when to bail out of a collapsing pocket and when to throw it away.  If the pocket starts collapsing right away, a good QB should have some idea that this might happen (based on in-game OL performance) and be already thinking about his escape route.  Also crucial: not fumbling the ball on snaps or sacks.  The goal of successful pass plays relies on the assumptions of ball security and not losing yards.  Good QBs should at least be able to secure the ball and not lose yards.

Not an easy task given certain OLs...but yeah, make a good/safe decision decisively (quickly enough) -- and then execute.

[fullmetal]

I think a good QB would know when to bail out of a collapsing pocket and when to throw it away.  If the pocket starts collapsing right away, a good QB should have some idea that this might happen (based on in-game OL performance) and be already thinking about his escape route.  Also crucial: not fumbling the ball on snaps or sacks.  The goal of successful pass plays relies on the assumptions of ball security and not losing yards.  Good QBs should at least be able to secure the ball and not lose yards.

Not an easy task given certain OLs...but yeah, make a good/safe decision decisively (quickly enough) -- and then execute.