Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda…
While watching the Tennessee-Florida game this weekend, I sent a text to a close friend: “It must be hard calling plays with Crompton at the helm.” And he replied, “Seriously, you have to throw at least half the passing plays out of the playbook.”
Over the course of the next couple of days, I did some thinking and looked back over my game notes. We couldn’t have been more right. Check this out: The Vols called a whopping 22 passing plays Saturday. Crompton threw the ball 19 times, six of those on Tennessee’s last ditch effort to score. Take a look at the break down:
Play.................Frequency...........Total Result
Sack..........................1.........................-2 yards
Scramble.....................2........................8 yards
Incompletion...............6........................0 yards
WR Completion.............3........................32 yards
RB/TE Completion.........8........................61 yards
Throws of 20+ yards.....2........................Interception
Outside of the last drive, Crompton had one completion to a WR for 17 yards. One. What does this tell us? The Vols should start using Bryce Brown and Montario Hardesty in the passing game even more.
Use a base set with Hardesty, Brown, one WR, one TE, and one FB. The Vols can line up three wide, four wide, tight end wing, three RB backfields, shotgun wing, shotgun spread, pro-set, etc, etc. All with the same personnel. And Kiffin should start using Brown and Hardesty in the slot, as a wing, as a out wide. Run WR screens, jailbreak screens, play action screens all using the two runningbacks.
It was obvious Saturday that Brown and Hardesty are the two playmakers for this team. But without a legitimate passing attack, defenses will continue to crowd and overcrowd the box further shrinking running lanes. Crompton can complete the short passes. Brown and Hardesty can do some damage in the open field. Using them in the short passing game will spread out the defense, open running lanes, and give the Vols’ playmakers more touches all at the same time.
Call of the Week
I’m adding a new section! I don’t know how well this will work, but after listening to Gus Johnson explode after the Stokely miracle last week, this seems like it could be fun. Each week, I’ll scour the games for the most exciting announcer of the week and include a link to that play. This week? Sean McDonough pulls his best Gus Johnson impersonation in VaTech’s improbable comeback against the Black Shirts of Nebraska.
Monday Obits
Cleveland Browns. The Brownies look to be in complete disarray right now. Some Clevelanders are already calling for Brady Quinn’s head. Scoring only 26 points in two games while giving up over 60 can lead to these kind of problems. After Adrian Peterson embarrassed the Browns in week one, the Broncos continued the party, keeping the Browns scoreless for the final three quarters Sunday. If the Browns keep this up, the dog pound will be full… but not with rabid fans.
The Deceased: Oakland Raiders, Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns
Debo’s Xs & Os
While discussing the Vols woeful offense, I mentioned “jailbreak screens.” And if you caught the end of the Colts-Fins’ Monday night thriller, you saw rookie speedster Pierre Garcon run one to perfection for the winning score. The jailbreak is a favorite play of mine, and you can see its success at almost any level of football – from middle school to the NFL. And it’s our focus in this week’s Xs & Os.
The jailbreak screen is a bit of a hybrid. It is a wide receiver screen; but as in running back screens, linemen move downfield to create a convoy of blockers for the ball carrier. The basic formation used is twins opposite a tightend or split end.
Here’s another tidbit that will make this explanation easier for both of us. A flanker (or slot) is a receiver that lines up “off the ball,’ or one yard behind the line of scrimmage, and is conventionally deemed the Z receiver. A split end (or wide out) is a receiver that lines up “on the ball,” or even with the line of scrimmage, and is deemed the X receiver.
Here, you see the Z (inside) receiver block the DB covering X. X takes a false step forward and then retreats directly back to the QB. The QB will fade back inviting defensive linemen to chase him and deliver the ball to X.
Menawhile the linemen, will chip (block and then release) the interior defensive linemen and release downfield. Once X catches the ball, he should run up and to the middle of the field. As linemen make their blocks, he may need to cross the field entirely or bend back to the play side numbers. If blocked correctly, there should be daylight for X to find.
A key to breaking the big one is often blocking the backside safety; it can mean the difference between first down and touchdown. This is often the backside receiver or tight end. In this diagram, the backside slot should release to the inside and go headhunting for the safety.
We call it a jailbreak screen because the ball carrier runs back into the teeth of the defense and follows his blockers to daylight – often resembling a frenzied jailbreak.
The Weekend Menu
Watch out for Miami streaking up those power rankings! Over the next two weeks, they have a BIG chance to impress – going to VaTech and then hosting a resurgent Oklahoma. If they keep this up, they may enjoy back-to-back appearances on the Weekend Menu. But this week our focus is the upset minded Hokies. Wedding Crashers had it all wrong: CRABCAKES and football! That’s what Virginia does!!
Virginia Crab Cakes and Red Pepper Sauce
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon seafood seasoning
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Dash pepper
• 1 pound lump crabmeat, cartilage removed
• 4 French bread, crust removed
• RED PEPPER SAUCE:
• 1/2 cup chopped sweet red pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons minced shallots
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Lemon wedges
Directions
1. In a large bowl, combine the first seven ingredients; stir in crab. In a food processor or blender, process bread slices, a few at a time, until fine crumbs form (total volume should be 2-1/2 cups). Add 1 cup to the crab mixture; mix well.
2. Shape 1/4 cupfuls of crab mixture into patties. Coat both sides of patties with remaining bread crumbs, pressing to adhere. Place on a baking sheet; cover and refrigerate for up to 6 hours.
3. Meanwhile, for sauce, in a blender of food processor, combine the red pepper, onions, mustard, mayonnaise, shallots, parsley, honey, lemon juice, salt and pepper; cover and process until finely chopped. Refrigerate until serving.
4. In a large skillet, melt half of butter and half of oil. Place half of the crab cakes in skillet. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes on each side or until lightly browned (carefully turn the delicate cakes over). Repeat with remaining butter, oil and crab cakes. Serve with sauce and lemon wedges.
Finding a beer for crab cakes wasn’t as easy as BBQ, but I’ve got the perfect pairing: Spaten Premium Lager. With a golden color and a well-balanced hop-flavor, Spaten has a great crisp finish to polish off any crab cake. Let’s hope Jacory Harris and Tyrod Taylor and match this meal with a QB pairing of their own.
Don’t forget to send your comments, emails, and gripes. And enjoy your football and enjoy it often!
While watching the Tennessee-Florida game this weekend, I sent a text to a close friend: “It must be hard calling plays with Crompton at the helm.” And he replied, “Seriously, you have to throw at least half the passing plays out of the playbook.”
Over the course of the next couple of days, I did some thinking and looked back over my game notes. We couldn’t have been more right. Check this out: The Vols called a whopping 22 passing plays Saturday. Crompton threw the ball 19 times, six of those on Tennessee’s last ditch effort to score. Take a look at the break down:
Play.................Frequency...........Total Result
Sack..........................1.........................-2 yards
Scramble.....................2........................8 yards
Incompletion...............6........................0 yards
WR Completion.............3........................32 yards
RB/TE Completion.........8........................61 yards
Throws of 20+ yards.....2........................Interception
Outside of the last drive, Crompton had one completion to a WR for 17 yards. One. What does this tell us? The Vols should start using Bryce Brown and Montario Hardesty in the passing game even more.
Use a base set with Hardesty, Brown, one WR, one TE, and one FB. The Vols can line up three wide, four wide, tight end wing, three RB backfields, shotgun wing, shotgun spread, pro-set, etc, etc. All with the same personnel. And Kiffin should start using Brown and Hardesty in the slot, as a wing, as a out wide. Run WR screens, jailbreak screens, play action screens all using the two runningbacks.
It was obvious Saturday that Brown and Hardesty are the two playmakers for this team. But without a legitimate passing attack, defenses will continue to crowd and overcrowd the box further shrinking running lanes. Crompton can complete the short passes. Brown and Hardesty can do some damage in the open field. Using them in the short passing game will spread out the defense, open running lanes, and give the Vols’ playmakers more touches all at the same time.
Call of the Week
I’m adding a new section! I don’t know how well this will work, but after listening to Gus Johnson explode after the Stokely miracle last week, this seems like it could be fun. Each week, I’ll scour the games for the most exciting announcer of the week and include a link to that play. This week? Sean McDonough pulls his best Gus Johnson impersonation in VaTech’s improbable comeback against the Black Shirts of Nebraska.
Monday Obits
Cleveland Browns. The Brownies look to be in complete disarray right now. Some Clevelanders are already calling for Brady Quinn’s head. Scoring only 26 points in two games while giving up over 60 can lead to these kind of problems. After Adrian Peterson embarrassed the Browns in week one, the Broncos continued the party, keeping the Browns scoreless for the final three quarters Sunday. If the Browns keep this up, the dog pound will be full… but not with rabid fans.
The Deceased: Oakland Raiders, Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns
Debo’s Xs & Os
While discussing the Vols woeful offense, I mentioned “jailbreak screens.” And if you caught the end of the Colts-Fins’ Monday night thriller, you saw rookie speedster Pierre Garcon run one to perfection for the winning score. The jailbreak is a favorite play of mine, and you can see its success at almost any level of football – from middle school to the NFL. And it’s our focus in this week’s Xs & Os.
The jailbreak screen is a bit of a hybrid. It is a wide receiver screen; but as in running back screens, linemen move downfield to create a convoy of blockers for the ball carrier. The basic formation used is twins opposite a tightend or split end.
Here’s another tidbit that will make this explanation easier for both of us. A flanker (or slot) is a receiver that lines up “off the ball,’ or one yard behind the line of scrimmage, and is conventionally deemed the Z receiver. A split end (or wide out) is a receiver that lines up “on the ball,” or even with the line of scrimmage, and is deemed the X receiver.
Here, you see the Z (inside) receiver block the DB covering X. X takes a false step forward and then retreats directly back to the QB. The QB will fade back inviting defensive linemen to chase him and deliver the ball to X.Menawhile the linemen, will chip (block and then release) the interior defensive linemen and release downfield. Once X catches the ball, he should run up and to the middle of the field. As linemen make their blocks, he may need to cross the field entirely or bend back to the play side numbers. If blocked correctly, there should be daylight for X to find.
A key to breaking the big one is often blocking the backside safety; it can mean the difference between first down and touchdown. This is often the backside receiver or tight end. In this diagram, the backside slot should release to the inside and go headhunting for the safety.
We call it a jailbreak screen because the ball carrier runs back into the teeth of the defense and follows his blockers to daylight – often resembling a frenzied jailbreak.
The Weekend Menu
Watch out for Miami streaking up those power rankings! Over the next two weeks, they have a BIG chance to impress – going to VaTech and then hosting a resurgent Oklahoma. If they keep this up, they may enjoy back-to-back appearances on the Weekend Menu. But this week our focus is the upset minded Hokies. Wedding Crashers had it all wrong: CRABCAKES and football! That’s what Virginia does!!
Virginia Crab Cakes and Red Pepper Sauce
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon seafood seasoning
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Dash pepper
• 1 pound lump crabmeat, cartilage removed
• 4 French bread, crust removed
• RED PEPPER SAUCE:
• 1/2 cup chopped sweet red pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons minced shallots
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Lemon wedges
Directions
1. In a large bowl, combine the first seven ingredients; stir in crab. In a food processor or blender, process bread slices, a few at a time, until fine crumbs form (total volume should be 2-1/2 cups). Add 1 cup to the crab mixture; mix well.
2. Shape 1/4 cupfuls of crab mixture into patties. Coat both sides of patties with remaining bread crumbs, pressing to adhere. Place on a baking sheet; cover and refrigerate for up to 6 hours.
3. Meanwhile, for sauce, in a blender of food processor, combine the red pepper, onions, mustard, mayonnaise, shallots, parsley, honey, lemon juice, salt and pepper; cover and process until finely chopped. Refrigerate until serving.
4. In a large skillet, melt half of butter and half of oil. Place half of the crab cakes in skillet. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes on each side or until lightly browned (carefully turn the delicate cakes over). Repeat with remaining butter, oil and crab cakes. Serve with sauce and lemon wedges.
Finding a beer for crab cakes wasn’t as easy as BBQ, but I’ve got the perfect pairing: Spaten Premium Lager. With a golden color and a well-balanced hop-flavor, Spaten has a great crisp finish to polish off any crab cake. Let’s hope Jacory Harris and Tyrod Taylor and match this meal with a QB pairing of their own.
Don’t forget to send your comments, emails, and gripes. And enjoy your football and enjoy it often!
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1 comment:
Will you please send your suggestions and advice to Lane Kiffin? He obviously needs it.
The food sounds good, but I still think that crabcakes belong to Maryland.
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