thoughts on trick plays
Given the Irish have not been as yet been pushed to the wall (Clemson aside) I was wondering what others on this board might project as options to change or maintain momentum against tough North Carolina or potentially others down the road. As for me I would not be shocked to see us have a pass thrown from our punter in formation or from Avery Davis on a halfback pass. As for our punter, no opponent as yet has been exposed to what could be a surprise throw from Bramblett given my understanding he was a decent quarterback in high school. Not many college punters were quarterbacks in high school and you seldom see such an attempt at this level of play. It should also be noted that Avery Davis was an outstanding passer for his Texas high school state runner-up champion school and was originally brought to ND at that position although it was generally a given that he would have to find another position and was viewed more as an athlete. Let's not be surprised if it occurs.
Others thoughts on what we might see that is out of character for the Irish in a pinch?
Replies to: thoughts on trick plays
We've already run 2 trick plays with Bramblett this year
One worked, one failed. I don't think we'll catch anybody by surprise with him. I do like the idea of Davis throwing on one of the jet sweeps. Even if it doesn't hit, it would make defenses respect that it is an option. And a much more than the idea of Kyren throwing, which failed miserably.
Re: We've already run 2 trick plays with Bramblett this year
Thanks for the reminder. I remember one as a run but cant recall the other....was it a pass?
Both runs, one fake FG, one fake punt
Neither was a pass, but they've shown opposing coaches he's a good athlete, as such I think they will be prepared for all possible fakes.
Trick plays are often a sign of desperation. (But they are fun, when they work!)
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Depends on how you define a trick play.
To me, watching Clemson play ND, I felt like Clemson had 3 or 4 play calls where the play itself gained yards. It wasn’t the talent, it was the play call that they had set up and caught ND off guard that resulted in a big play.
If that’s a trick, so be it, I’m good with those.
But if we are talking about double reverse passes, then I think we are better off shelving that until we are desperate
I lean more toward excellent execution of sophisticated plays
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My thoughts...
Regarding plays is a good mix of pass and run with deception in the backfield instead of deep hand-offs almost always. Then, if Rees is hot and mixing things up, it all comes down to execution and focus. Trick plays are for underdogs and that is not the case here. I liked the dump pass to the hidden back for the short yardage TD earlier in the year, but everyone will now look for the formation. If Davis is in at crunch time, the whole defense will know he is a pass threat. As for the punter, if ND is down...see above. A tackle eligible alignment might be a surprise and seems to work often in the NFL. Who knows....we will soon but hope not.
Of paramount importance to me is that the Irish MUST throw to the guys in the gold helmets and NEVER try to dribble the pointed ball. If penalties are kept without PFs and under 30 yds for the game then the Irish are 98% probability to win in my book. If they have a total of 5 TOs and major penalties combined, it will likely be a loss, or at best a pull it out at the buzzer win. Anything higher gives me no hope. After last week, eliminating sloppy play must be paramount in every player's head. Turnovers and blunders cause nightmares and destroy dreams.
Don’t know as much trick plays as some misdirection for me
1. With our TEs inside the 25 we should be deadly. I would love to see a roll right and throw back left, ND ran this against Michigan one year and the guy walked into the endzone, no one within 20 feet of him.
2. Against the UNC defense I would imagine they are going to gamble and blitz, screens, delays and misdirection could work very well this week.
3. I need to see how the line recovers but if good, UNC is giving up a lot of rushing yards we should pound the rock.
Jamie, I loved watching misdirection, but that ship sailed LOOOOOONG ago. Update your playbook.
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Ah yes, misdirection. Ara and Tom Pagna used that running scheme very well.
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Re: Ah yes, misdirection. Ara and Tom Pagna used that running scheme very well.
Wing Back Draw to Best the play that set up Clements TD v USC at the end of the first half!
I expect tricks from Mack Brown, not sure vice versa needed.
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