Gonna say something unpopular but hear me out: don't start Ott at RB. If we are going up the middle with RPO, use Ifanse and Stredick to soften up the lines...then bring in Ott later to hit home runs. It's a mistake to use Ott as a power back. He'll never make it through the season and that's not his strength anyhow. He's not an every do…
Gonna say something unpopular but hear me out: don't start Ott at RB. If we are going up the middle with RPO, use Ifanse and Stredick to soften up the lines...then bring in Ott later to hit home runs. It's a mistake to use Ott as a power back. He'll never make it through the season and that's not his strength anyhow. He's not an every down back. I would save him for later in the game and as a third down specialist that they have to cover. That would also open upper receivers in longer yardage situations.
I think they need to open up the playbook, give different looks to keep the D guessing and find other ways to give Ott the ball in space....some jet sweeps, a reverse, short passes or wheel routes. They haven't really used the RPO effectively and the screens have been ineffective (poor blocking)...not sure if that's a learning curve and to keep plays simple for SJV. Spav should watch how the 9ers find various ways of getting CMC the rock!
100% this. He is the best, most dynamic player on the field, and this coaching staff needs to find every way possible to get the ball in his hands. For all his faults, even Musgrave was using Ott on wheel routes out of the backfield.
Not having any inside information on his health, I have no idea whether Ott will even play again this year. Though on the face of it he didn’t appear to have been hurt nearly as badly as Jahvid Best was on his fateful fall, one wonders what’s the timeline for recovery or if there might be some complicated considerations for him to sort through. For instance, we all know that based on his upside Ott could command good money from a top program’s NIL offer if he enters the transfer portal after this year, but only if he’s got a clean bill of health at that juncture. Not playing the rest of this year but being in the best shape possible when suitors come calling is not the most bizarre idea for him to consider. This is the new market reality. But, I suppose you could also argue he’s got to prove he is durable enough to be worth it.
The fall was bad but not season ending. He's going to play again this year and as far as I've seen there's no precedent for players sitting out all but 2 games to command more NIL money from another program; it's silly to suggest Ott would do that his true sophomore year.
THAT would be interesting, especially if Finley's been in at QB. Jax is incredibly fast so I don't know if Wildcat gets you much change of pace, but it certainly would with Finley.
Good idea. Running 20-25 carries including the power runs against Washington will not be a good idea. Ifanse is more suited for those type of runs. Also Ott in space is what we should be going for, taking advantage of his strengths. I hope we will judiciously use 3-4 backs in the game keeping everyone fresh to the extent we can. We are still fifth in the nation in rushing even with Ott missing a game...
Also there a few keys to the game which might give us a chance. 1. Keep the ball away from Penix by controlling the time of possession. 2. Pressure Penix - he has been given all day to throw in the Huskies first three games. 3. Change our looks on defense to keep them off-balance. 4. Bring it with the run game if we can.
Forecast right now is for showers in the Seattle area on Saturday.
I will jet outta Husky Stadium by the 2Q and be in pj’s back at heyalumnigo’s & my Seattle AirBnb if there’s even a hint of rain, let alone any type of weather delay. No thanks.
I've wondered the same thing, though you don't want his presence or lack thereof to tip plays either. You would start him since our opening drive is probably scripted and then mix things up based on what we see (maybe we already do that?).
You also have to be careful about weighting 3rd down more heavily. Moving the chains on 1st and 2nd is better for a drive. Unfortunately, there's no easy way to scheme around having a middling passing game.
Good points. I also like the idea of using Ott on the first series (to see if you can get a big play before they are settled in)...but running him into a wall for Q1 is just a bad game plan.
I could also see mixing him in on different downs, not just third, but I was thinking along the lines of a guy like Ronnie Harmon (old Chargers guy) who they would bring in as a RB/wide out on 3rd downs, and had a lot of success with that formula.
Ott is THE guy you want out in space so that makes sense. Our screen game has been underwhelming but I still wouldn't want to be a LB who has to catch him.
Which back is the best blocker? Would be cool to see some multiple tail back sets. Remember how Oregon and Nevada used pistol concepts with two RBs and a ton of deception? Something like that would be cool especially with Sam as QB.
Also maybe wheel routes? It strikes me that our O’s main weakness is lack of a downfield passing threat and we have one of the fastest guys in the country just sitting there. Counterpoint is I guess wheel routes require good pass protection, so maybe use him slot too?
Gonna say something unpopular but hear me out: don't start Ott at RB. If we are going up the middle with RPO, use Ifanse and Stredick to soften up the lines...then bring in Ott later to hit home runs. It's a mistake to use Ott as a power back. He'll never make it through the season and that's not his strength anyhow. He's not an every down back. I would save him for later in the game and as a third down specialist that they have to cover. That would also open upper receivers in longer yardage situations.
I think they need to open up the playbook, give different looks to keep the D guessing and find other ways to give Ott the ball in space....some jet sweeps, a reverse, short passes or wheel routes. They haven't really used the RPO effectively and the screens have been ineffective (poor blocking)...not sure if that's a learning curve and to keep plays simple for SJV. Spav should watch how the 9ers find various ways of getting CMC the rock!
100% this. He is the best, most dynamic player on the field, and this coaching staff needs to find every way possible to get the ball in his hands. For all his faults, even Musgrave was using Ott on wheel routes out of the backfield.
Not having any inside information on his health, I have no idea whether Ott will even play again this year. Though on the face of it he didn’t appear to have been hurt nearly as badly as Jahvid Best was on his fateful fall, one wonders what’s the timeline for recovery or if there might be some complicated considerations for him to sort through. For instance, we all know that based on his upside Ott could command good money from a top program’s NIL offer if he enters the transfer portal after this year, but only if he’s got a clean bill of health at that juncture. Not playing the rest of this year but being in the best shape possible when suitors come calling is not the most bizarre idea for him to consider. This is the new market reality. But, I suppose you could also argue he’s got to prove he is durable enough to be worth it.
The fall was bad but not season ending. He's going to play again this year and as far as I've seen there's no precedent for players sitting out all but 2 games to command more NIL money from another program; it's silly to suggest Ott would do that his true sophomore year.
Well that's a depressing perspective....
Best left immobilized on a stretcher. Ott walked off on his own. We’ll see him again this year.
I would run Ott out of the wildcat a bit with Ifanse.
THAT would be interesting, especially if Finley's been in at QB. Jax is incredibly fast so I don't know if Wildcat gets you much change of pace, but it certainly would with Finley.
Good idea. Running 20-25 carries including the power runs against Washington will not be a good idea. Ifanse is more suited for those type of runs. Also Ott in space is what we should be going for, taking advantage of his strengths. I hope we will judiciously use 3-4 backs in the game keeping everyone fresh to the extent we can. We are still fifth in the nation in rushing even with Ott missing a game...
Also there a few keys to the game which might give us a chance. 1. Keep the ball away from Penix by controlling the time of possession. 2. Pressure Penix - he has been given all day to throw in the Huskies first three games. 3. Change our looks on defense to keep them off-balance. 4. Bring it with the run game if we can.
Forecast right now is for showers in the Seattle area on Saturday.
We need it to really rain.
A little lightning perhaps?
And thunder
With delays. It’s already a late game, so probably could go until 2:30 a.m. with any luck, like it did in 2019.
I will jet outta Husky Stadium by the 2Q and be in pj’s back at heyalumnigo’s & my Seattle AirBnb if there’s even a hint of rain, let alone any type of weather delay. No thanks.
I've wondered the same thing, though you don't want his presence or lack thereof to tip plays either. You would start him since our opening drive is probably scripted and then mix things up based on what we see (maybe we already do that?).
You also have to be careful about weighting 3rd down more heavily. Moving the chains on 1st and 2nd is better for a drive. Unfortunately, there's no easy way to scheme around having a middling passing game.
Good points. I also like the idea of using Ott on the first series (to see if you can get a big play before they are settled in)...but running him into a wall for Q1 is just a bad game plan.
I could also see mixing him in on different downs, not just third, but I was thinking along the lines of a guy like Ronnie Harmon (old Chargers guy) who they would bring in as a RB/wide out on 3rd downs, and had a lot of success with that formula.
Ott is THE guy you want out in space so that makes sense. Our screen game has been underwhelming but I still wouldn't want to be a LB who has to catch him.
Have Ifanse and Ott together in the game at same time. Ott in motion or spread him wide. Replace one of the WRs.
Which back is the best blocker? Would be cool to see some multiple tail back sets. Remember how Oregon and Nevada used pistol concepts with two RBs and a ton of deception? Something like that would be cool especially with Sam as QB.
I don't know who is a good blocker. I would think Ifanse due to size
Also maybe wheel routes? It strikes me that our O’s main weakness is lack of a downfield passing threat and we have one of the fastest guys in the country just sitting there. Counterpoint is I guess wheel routes require good pass protection, so maybe use him slot too?
No,no,no. We must wear him out until, in frustration, he starts hurdling defenders. 😂
In truth, I think your idea is best. It also gives reps to stredick and ifanse.
We should send email to Knowlton to have our commenters give suggestions to Wilcox
I hope your suggestion was made tongue-in-cheek.
No, it has to go to Knowlton
You don't get the joke do you?
Oh mines probably a bad joke. I just like to mess with Bob
Who got banned?
Not Bob, I hope.
Please lighten up on Bob.