Simms, Bad Play Calling , and Another Thing or Two

[lego126]

How many play action passes were called while we were having succes running the ball in the 1st half? How many 2 runs , 1 pass, punt drives did you see? Do you deny that our 6 runs and punt at the end of the 1st half did not lead to Oregon getting the tie going in to the half.

Why would a screen be called with 10 guys within 5 yards of the LOS ?

Blocking assignments were not missed in so much as they were sending more guys than we could block in the 2nd half. The 2nd half was one big Oregon blitz.

I agree that Simms does not read the field at all and locks in all they . You can see it from the stands.

I know the play calling was predicatble because myself and the people around us in section ZZ were calling the runs or passes before they happened. I am pretty sure that myself or the people around me are not defensive coordinators .

I remember in the third quarter, Oregon ran the same play 4 times in a row, and ripped us for 3-8 yards each time. It's all about execution. I've never been a OC or a HC. Running the same type plays over and over, is them trying to set something up, and get a good mismatch. Think about it, you run 5 plays to set up single covering for a post route, and the ball gets over thrown, or the ball gets dropped, you gotta' start over setting up, and that's only IF you can manage to get a first down, which we had a hard time with in the second half.

 

[Sib18]

A few observations I wanted to share ...and maybe others who were at the game noticed the same things.

The biggest reason that we failed was because we gave Oregon 76 offensive snaps. The biggest reason we gave them the ball that much was because our offense failed.

The offense failed and it is a tough kind of failure...because our offensive line was blowing Oregon off the ball . The running attack early on , showed the O line dominance. Then O started stacking the box. They were in a cover 1 look after we began to have our way with them , 1 safety back and 10 guys within 7 yards of the line of scrimmage. I think the blame goes to the offensive play calls ( I am a Chaney fan but um..) It then went 2 runs , pass. Some times they would call the same 2 runs in a row. It was very predictable. The formations had little varience. The Orgeon defenders were cheating to the run lanes before the snap. The passes were predicatble. The threw out routes and go routes. No come backs , no crossing routes , the allstar tight end we have and the great freshman tight end was all but forgotten. At the end of the first we get all Fulmerish. 3 mins left , Oregon calling time outs , we run into a crown of 10 guys 3 times and punt. With 1 minute to go ...same thing.

The defense was excellent the 1st half ...but were left on the field way too long in the second , considering the offensive monster they were up against. They did a very admirable job until the 4th quarter ( at the end of the 3rd you are behind by only 7 )

The second half was pass after pass in a massive overcorrection. Oregon switch from cover 1 to cover 2 ...pick 6 resulted. Simms staring down the receivers was part of it but from Os coverage , thy knew what he was going to do before he did it .

I hope they can get a good blend of playcalling in that keeps a defense off balance . I hope to never see 3 runs into a crowded box and the level of predictablity that we showed. That who Fulmer- like , sit on the half time lead and give up points anyway thing needs to go.

The defense did a great job down the stretch , you have to expect to give up a couple of big plays to a team like Oregon ...but they can't be left on the field as long as they were ( see Ole Miss , Auburn , and Va Tech from last season ) Any defense will fold against good competition.

If Simms and Chaney can't figure this out ....we will lose games we don't expect to lose and have no chance at an upset. It is not the O line , they are actually a bright spot. It is the play calling and trigger man

You're absolutely right on everything - couldn't have said it better myself. Way too predictable play calling, Simms staring his recievers down, defense wearing down. I, too, felt like we were back in the Fulmer days - when are we going to open it up and let are so-called playmakers make plays?

 

[utvolpj]

You're absolutely right on everything - couldn't have said it better myself. Way too predictable play calling, Simms staring his recievers down, defense wearing down. I, too, felt like we were back in the Fulmer days - when are we going to open it up and let are so-called playmakers make plays?

who are these playmakers and who is going to get them the ball?

 

[615 Vol]

God himself could come down and coach the Vols and there would still be fans saying he didn't do a good job!

He's busy right now trying to learn Denver's offense.

 

[keithpowers]

He's busy right now trying to learn Denver's offense.

Denver has an offense?

 

[spudvol]

"Simms said offensive coordinator Jim Chaney would “let me have it” in the film room if he looked to his right when he was supposed to be throwing to his left.

“A lot of the stuff that we do has to be kind of designed to do that,” Simms said. “I can’t be too creative back there and try to look off defenders. We have a game plan where we just have one or two options or three, and on the film they want my eyes to be looking where my reads are. At times it’s really one or two guys, so if my eyes aren’t where those guys are, I’m going to hear about it the next day.

“I’ve got to make sure my eyes are on my target and where I need to be looking."

Link

 

[calban]

wow, all this after 2 games, are you critical guys the ones who sent crompton death threats?? i know why you guys were so upset when dooley got the job, you thought you deserved it. well you rats, why don't you leave the sinking ship. there are surely teams and coaches out there just waiting to be enlightened.....

It's time for a coup d' etat
If we could get these guys in there we might have a chance at beating Sabin this year.

 

[EZE]

Austin rogers dropped a comeback on third down with 3 minutes left in the half.

We also called screen passes.

I have watched the game 3 times now and just do not see how you can say the play calling was poor.

They stacked the box, we had some missed blocking assignments on passing downs but simms just looked like a kid who was unable to get a single start at louisville.

We had wide open wrs and wide open te's on lots of plays...simms did not get the ball to them.

Simms is not treated like crompton was at first. He is supposed to make reads over the whole field and choose the best option. Not the coaches fault that he is not doing it well.
Posted via VolNation Mobile

Craig James mentioned on the air multiple times that there were open receivers, but that Simms was going elsewhere with the ball. That is a decision-making problem.

 

[KB5252]

New O-line, qb, wr's, coach means that we are going to be limited in what plays we can run. Everyone needs to be on the same page and with so many new components to our offense our coaches simply aren't comfortable in throwing new cogs into the machine. CDD tried to implement new plays into the game plan but the offense had trouble running it in practice. The coaches felt it better to run the plays they knew and executed best. That may mean limited options but the reasoning is sound.

We can argue in circles all day long about why they aren't comfortable and multiple on offense but the answer IMO is fairly easy to deduce. We knew going in this year that we would be limited by talent and experience. IMO if we had our Moore we would have seen a little more faith in the passing game.

 

[KB5252]

Craig James mentioned on the air multiple times that there were open receivers, but that Simms was going elsewhere with the ball. That is a decision-making problem.

Simms keys in on the receiver the play was intended for, if that person is covered he isn't comfortable checking down, he gets rattled easily. I think it will get better as the season goes on but he doesn't appear to be a guy that has complete grasp of the offense and where all the receivers are going to be at on any given play.

 

[sjt18]

They stacked the box, we had some missed blocking assignments on passing downs but simms just looked like a kid who was unable to get a single start at louisville.

We had wide open wrs and wide open te's on lots of plays...simms did not get the ball to them.

Simms is not treated like crompton was at first. He is supposed to make reads over the whole field and choose the best option. Not the coaches fault that he is not doing it well.
Posted via VolNation Mobile

Who told you that? I think that is EXACTLY what Chaney is doing. They've got almost no experience at WR. No experience at QB. And teams are probably keying on Stocker knowing that he's the guy that can hurt them.

I think CLK and Chaney finally stumbled on a way to handle JC last year. Chaney seems to be starting out that way with Simms to help avoid critical mistakes and give the team their best chance to win.

If he doesn't improve on reads and check downs as the season progresses then maybe you can make comments like your first paragraph above. But when you have an O with problems and inexperience everywhere but TE... it is abject stupidity to lay it all at an inexperienced QB's feet.

Your argument is just a modified version of the one against JC last year except even less reasonable. JC had some experience around him and had played in the SEC. Over time, they finally gelled and became a decent throwing team.

If UT had opened the season with UTM, UAB, and Memphis then maybe we could see a more clean progression. But it kind of stinks that their 2nd game was against a top 10 team with a very good D.

I don't know how he will end up but simply throwing for over 50% Saturday suggests that your judgment is way premature.

 

[sjt18]

Everyone keeps saying that they don't think he can improve but never why.It can't be because he's a junior because Crompton was a 5th year senior. So why does everyone think that Simms can't improve?

Because some are quite certain the sky is at this moment falling... no matter what the facts are.

 

[sjt18]

The critical part of play calling that was off was the timing.

UT's tried to counter Oregon's blitzing with a screen pass, except UT never called it when Oregon was blitzing. And then when Oregon was blitzing, UT had a long pass play called that ended up a pick 6.

Part of Simm's development must be getting UT into the right play and reading blitzes. I would lay that INT at his feet. You have to see that blitz and check off... even if it is just a QB sneak.

The other problem was big plays: punt return TD, pick 6, Oregon 78 yd TD run, etc. Whoever is the safety on punt coverage screwed-up.

At least 2 guys lost lane discipline on that play. He didn't do anything but run straight forward. Oregon may have used cross blocking.

Same for the guy who was suppose to have the backside support in case Oregon's runs a reverse, probably the DE. That Oregon back reversed the field and no one was there.

Yes. Hopefully they will correct that quickly and completely. What Oregon's RB did by accident UF does by design.

 

[warrior]

Well, I guess CDD doesn't need to look any firther than the OP for his next offensive coordinator. Majic appears to have all the answers.

Anyhow, I will agree with the other posters on here who point out that bad execution makes even the best play call look bad. I will further note that it is hard to make any good play calls when your QB is playing like we played in the second half last night.

Agreed, the runs in the first half really opened up the passing game. Unfortunately, Simms could not make the throws. If even a couple of good throws were made, then all of the sudden the box is not loaded with nine and you can run again. If the pass does not work, it is hard to run.

 

[KB5252]

Part of Simm's development must be getting UT into the right play and reading blitzes. I would lay that INT at his feet. You have to see that blitz and check off... even if it is just a QB sneak.

He should have noticed the defender coming on the blitz, they didn't mask it, he lined up just outside the DE. Our running back should have noticed he was the biggest threat and gotten over to slow him down at least. There were multiple failures on that play but it started with the qb.

At least 2 guys lost lane discipline on that play. He didn't do anything but run straight forward. Oregon may have used cross blocking. Yes. Hopefully they will correct that quickly and completely. What Oregon's RB did by accident UF does by design.

See bold.

 

[majic73]

He should have noticed the defender coming on the blitz, they didn't mask it, he lined up just outside the DE. Our running back should have noticed he was the biggest threat and gotten over to slow him down at least. There were multiple failures on that play but it started with the qb.

I disagree with this ...although I have found sevral of your posts well thought and true.

The blitz was masked. There were 3 receivers bunched right. two Corners, One safety up top. The LB edged out toward the inside receiver. His responsibilty would be to carry himm or the first man inside, to the right safety . The opposite side LB , who was nearly on the line was the correct read for the back to pick up. He is the backer with no responsibilty but contain ...he blitzes once he determines pass .

Chalk it up to play design. The receiver bunch should have been flared out 5 yards further. The backer in that case , would have had to go with them if he was going to cover. If he stayed home , the QB and Blocker would then know they had two potential blitzers. The offensive coach has to make the defense 'tell' what they intend to do with design , motions , and alignment.

There is a ton of that going on in the offensive sets that we ran. The coaches are smart guys ...I am sure they will see the design flaws and fix it.

 

[Allvolinnashville]

He should have noticed the defender coming on the blitz, they didn't mask it, he lined up just outside the DE. Our running back should have noticed he was the biggest threat and gotten over to slow him down at least. There were multiple failures on that play but it started with the qb.

I disagree with this ...although I have found sevral of your posts well thought and true.

The blitz was masked. There were 3 receivers bunched right. two Corners, One safety up top. The LB edged out toward the inside receiver. His responsibilty would be to carry himm or the first man inside, to the right safety . The opposite side LB , who was nearly on the line was the correct read for the back to pick up. He is the backer with no responsibilty but contain ...he blitzes once he determines pass .

Chalk it up to play design. The receiver bunch should have been flared out 5 yards further. The backer in that case , would have had to go with them if he was going to cover. If he stayed home , the QB and Blocker would then know they had two potential blitzers. The offensive coach has to make the defense 'tell' what they intend to do with design , motions , and alignment.

There is a ton of that going on in the offensive sets that we ran. The coaches are smart guys ...I am sure they will see the design flaws and fix it.

I disagree with this and agree with sjt19. I was at the game. When they lined up I knew it was a receiver screen...i told my fiance that when Simms was backpeddling and the safety cheated up that it was going to be a pick 6. Simms stared it down the whole way. I could have jumped in front of that ball.

 

[papatomany]

Everyone keeps saying that they don't think he can improve but never why.It can't be because he's a junior because Crompton was a 5th year senior. So why does everyone think that Simms can't improve?

Actually, they don't seem to be saying he can't improve, just that he probably won't ever be SEC caliber (i.e. the upside ain't much). The evidence is what he's shown so far at Louisville, here, and in JC.

"Appeared in 10 games for El Camino (Calif.) Community College, completing 159-of-269 (59.1 percent) passes for 2,204 yards with 17 touchdowns against only 12 interceptions." 59% and a 17/12 is nothing to write home about.

Compare to:
"Completed 246-of-385 passes (64%) for 3,479 yards and 36 touchdowns against only eight interceptions while leading Mt. San Antonio to 12-2 mark and berth in California state title game"

That's Nick Lamaison.

 

[majic73]

I disagree with this and agree with sjt19. I was at the game. When they lined up I knew it was a receiver screen...i told my fiance that when Simms was backpeddling and the safety cheated up that it was going to be a pick 6. Simms stared it down the whole way. I could have jumped in front of that ball.

definately not a receiver screen. Two of the 3 receivers were 15 to 20 yards up the field when the INT happened ...one left underneath. No one over to block for the lone receiver . To be a screen ...you have to have blockers ...otherwise you are just a 'hot read' I was at the game too. I have watched the play over and over as well as Dooley's La Tech offense. It is the same inside - out tech he used there. He feels it add power to the run by giving more blockers at the point of attack and creates one on one match ups in open space because the defense doesn't know who is going out. It also gives the offense no idea who is blitzing and puts more defenders at the point of attack. This is the whole reason everybody is going to the spread ...to get away from that !

In any case ...definately not a screen . Two guys out 20 yards , 1 guy underneath and no blockers ...not at all. The best QB on the planet could have no idea 3 or 4 backers were coming and 1 blocker sure could not have picked them up. Oregon could gamble like that beacuse they knew at that point in the game that we were not going to do anything short middle....everything was outside or deep sideline.

 

[sjt18]

I don't think it was a screen but still believe he has to make that read or at a minimum check down quickly to an outlet... you DEFINITELY can't lob the thing up like that.

OTOH.... if he had about 7 more yards on that thing we might be talking about him being a miracle man right now.

Still an ill advised decision and poor read.

 

[evansdad25]

Coach Dooley said that he was pissed off by the lack of effort, and the defense needed to stop being a bunch of f******g p****ies. Needless to say it was a rough week in practice.

 

[motown vol 09]

Coach Dooley said that he was pissed off by the lack of effort, and the defense needed to stop being a bunch of f******g p****ies. Needless to say it was a rough week in practice.

did art confirm the above? TIA

 

[evansdad25]

did art confirm the above? TIA

Yes

At first Art was offended by the swear words, but then he remembered that he should respect his elders.

 

[motown vol 09]

u can tell when a kid has been raised right.

 

[VegasVol]

A few observations I wanted to share ...and maybe others who were at the game noticed the same things.

The biggest reason that we failed was because we gave Oregon 76 offensive snaps. The biggest reason we gave them the ball that much was because our offense failed.

The offense failed and it is a tough kind of failure...because our offensive line was blowing Oregon off the ball . The running attack early on , showed the O line dominance. Then O started stacking the box. They were in a cover 1 look after we began to have our way with them , 1 safety back and 10 guys within 7 yards of the line of scrimmage. I think the blame goes to the offensive play calls ( I am a Chaney fan but um..) It then went 2 runs , pass. Some times they would call the same 2 runs in a row. It was very predictable. The formations had little varience. The Orgeon defenders were cheating to the run lanes before the snap. The passes were predicatble. The threw out routes and go routes. No come backs , no crossing routes , the allstar tight end we have and the great freshman tight end was all but forgotten. At the end of the first we get all Fulmerish. 3 mins left , Oregon calling time outs , we run into a crown of 10 guys 3 times and punt. With 1 minute to go ...same thing.

The defense was excellent the 1st half ...but were left on the field way too long in the second , considering the offensive monster they were up against. They did a very admirable job until the 4th quarter ( at the end of the 3rd you are behind by only 7 )

The second half was pass after pass in a massive overcorrection. Oregon switch from cover 1 to cover 2 ...pick 6 resulted. Simms staring down the receivers was part of it but from Os coverage , thy knew what he was going to do before he did it .

I hope they can get a good blend of playcalling in that keeps a defense off balance . I hope to never see 3 runs into a crowded box and the level of predictablity that we showed. That who Fulmer- like , sit on the half time lead and give up points anyway thing needs to go.

The defense did a great job down the stretch , you have to expect to give up a couple of big plays to a team like Oregon ...but they can't be left on the field as long as they were ( see Ole Miss , Auburn , and Va Tech from last season ) Any defense will fold against good competition.

If Simms and Chaney can't figure this out ....we will lose games we don't expect to lose and have no chance at an upset. It is not the O line , they are actually a bright spot. It is the play calling and trigger man

Very correct, but it's even worse -- the "brilliant" game plan was to only have one-third of the field to throw the ball to, often only one wideout running a route on that third, the QB not even faking like he could throw the ball anywhere else, and then Simms delayed decision-making and release (throwing the ball only after the receiver had fully turned rather than on their break, which will lead to many more picks against Florida, and killed many possible 1st downs & big plays against Oregon), with a general inability to recognize pressure consistently from blitz packages.

Remember -- Chaney couldn't get a HC job anywhere despite the coattails of Tiller, Brees & Orton; his only NFL gig was at TE coach of one of the worst teams in the NFL hired by someone he put in coaching; and he has no proven track record of offensive consistency (given Tiller called the plays at Purdue).

Also remember -- Simms was looked at extensively in a high-profile high school community (b/c of his last name) by recruiters, coaches and analysts across the board, and all the good ones passed on him; then he goes to Louisville, and fails again so badly he leaves for JC; he then is so mediocre in JC, few offer him, his consistency continues to be a problem, and now he's in the SEC. Nothing about his past points to likely success in the SEC.

Finally -- Dooley's QB decisions generally stunk at La Tech and there's no reason they'll get better now.