In the spirit of overanalysis

[touchdownvikings]

Knowing that I'm reading WAY too much into small things, I conclude that this year Harbaugh is concerned in a significant way with a Jerry Kill-esque notion of the Gophers offense not beating itself.

(1) Says that the best run was one where Taylor gained two yards by taking on half a defender and gaining two yards, rather than bouncing outside and potentially losing yards. Emphasis: don't go backwards.

(2) Says that on second-and-two Drake has to know not to take a sack -- just throw the ball into the dirt. Emphasis: don't kill a drive that is in gear by going backwards.

(3) Says that one major point of development for Drake is learning to check into better running plays, in view of defensive alignment. Emphasis: don't go backwards by running an ill-fated rushing play.

(4) Says that he intentionally had the offense run plays that were "bad" selections in view of the defensive alignment. Emphasis: develop the ability not to go backwards when Drake does not, in fact, check the offense out of an ill-fated rushing play.

So, basically, I heard a lot of talk that amounted to not beating yourself by going backwards. (Kill: you win by not losing.)

Listened here:

 

[denguegopher]

Knowing that I'm reading WAY too much into small things, I conclude that this year Harbaugh is concerned in a significant way with a Jerry Kill-esque notion of the Gophers offense not beating itself.

(1) Says that the best run was one where Taylor gained two yards by taking on half a defender and gaining two yards, rather than bouncing outside and potentially losing yards. Emphasis: don't go backwards.

(2) Says that on second-and-two Drake has to know not to take a sack -- just throw the ball into the dirt. Emphasis: don't kill a drive that is in gear by going backwards.

(3) Says that one major point of development for Drake is learning to check into better running plays, in view of defensive alignment. Emphasis: don't go backwards by running an ill-fated rushing play.

(4) Says that he intentionally had the offense run plays that were "bad" selections in view of the defensive alignment. Emphasis: develop the ability not to go backwards when Drake does not, in fact, check the offense out of an ill-fated rushing play.

So, basically, I heard a lot of talk that amounted to not beating yourself by going backwards. (Kill: you win by not losing.)

Listened here:

Agree, as someone else said a long time ago, "most football games are not won, they are lost." As for Danny Collins all that I can say is, "Right."

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

These kinda details prefaced with "In the spirit of overanalysis" are a lot more fun to take.

The folks on the internet who get really serious about some quotes ... less easy to take.

I enjoyed your post.

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

Agree, as someone else said a long time ago, "most football games are not won, they are lost." As for Danny Collins all that I can say is, "Right."

I always thought of it more as "taking advantage of the other team's mistakes".

Let's say the other team fumbles twice, if you can turn that into 14 points and do ok / not turn the ball over ... that's something only the very best teams can overcome.

But yeah same as you're saying.

 

[touchdownvikings]

Here's the shocking thing: Kill and PJ are right when they say all that "boring" stuff about basically just not beating yourself.

The Gophers offense was not effective last year: it was #129 out of 136 Division I teams in total offense. So it was very bad.

But...

The Gophers lost 2 fumbles all year long. Tying for #3 in Division I.

If we exclude Wittke's int in garbage time against Northwestern State, then the Gophers threw 6 last year, tying for #9 in Division I.

The Gophers were penalized for 31.2 yards per game. #5 in Division I.

The Gophers gave up 216 tackles-for-loss yards (i.e., "going backwards") last year. Good for #28 in Division I.

So, basically, the Gophers won 8 games by just not beating themselves. They excelled not at affirmatively moving the ball, but at just not doing anything stupid.

Damn, that amazes me to see it in black-and-white.

 

[march madness]

Are we going to have to return to an RPO offense to get a good running game, and quick passes?

 

[PMWinSTP]

I always thought of it more as "taking advantage of the other team's mistakes".

Let's say the other team fumbles twice, if you can turn that into 14 points and do ok / not turn the ball over ... that's something only the very best teams can overcome.

But yeah same as you're saying.

I also like running an unexpected big play right after a turnover, like a mid field fumble recovery off a QB sack. Players are pumped, fans are pumped. Run a well practiced, well disguised play-action pass play for a big gain or TD.