Today was the first day in full pads and the media was treated to seeing the entire practice. The video II posted on YouTube definitely shows the team in much higher spirits than I remember seeing them in years past but I really don’t know whether to be impressed with our defensive line or really, really concerned with the play of our offensive line. Unfortunately, I think it might be the latter.
[youtube]gtRAhEw_wgQ[/youtube]
We can’t do anything without a line. I’m a firm believer in using one primary back(aldridge)and allow him to get stronger as the game goes and use the others as a change of pace. Its too hard for the line to get used to all the different running styles.
Amen, Irish2, I agree 120% with 2 talented backs in the back field at the same time.
If we don’t play our best players, we are not going to be happy with the results. And its not like we don’t have an extra large talented RB to move to FB!
I don’t understand either why this concept is not reconized by the coaches with the all the depth at running back? I agree this should be an immediate grasp of the obvious.
We’ve been proposing this idea for some time. Why don’t we put BOTH Hughes & Allen or Hughes & Aldridge on the field at the same time & go with a 2 back offense in the “I” or split back formation either as our base offense or as a change-up second half offense or 2-minute offense? We think that our offense would be MUCH stronger, & it would open up the passing game. It worked for USC a few years ago. It’s perplexing why we continue to press ahead with a single back offense & waste the options that are available with 2 GOOD running backs on the field at the same time. Yes, we are aware that we use a 2-back offense sometimes with Schwapp as FB, but he is not a runner like Hughes and Allen. He is mostly used as an extra blocker at the point of attack. It ain’t rocket science folks! ND is missing out on the chance to have an EXPLOSIVE offense with 2 backs & a throwing QB – Mr. Inside (Hughes); Mr. Outside (Allen); Mr. Aerial (Clausen or Crist). Food-for-Thought. We wish someone would suggest that to Charlie or Mike Haywood!!
Still not seeing any explosion from the O-line on those goal line sets. They need to come off the snap with some violent intent, but I’m not seeing it yet.