Sunshine Pumper

[hambone29]

Spread is a concept. It simply means you are trying to spread the defense out and use the entire field in hopes of creating space for playmakers, and in our case, neutralizing any size disadvantage. We still do this. The only 180 from last year is Sokol at QB. Its not that we quit running "the spread."

[Dwayne From Minden]

The only 180 from last year is Sokol at QB.

I disagree with that -

Better blocking and pass protection - maybe much better

And we are using the entire field with the playbook - lots of middle seams and a few crossing patterns in addition to throwing the ball deep - we would only throw it deep once or twice a ballgame last year and everyone was incomplete or overthrown

I do agree with you on the spread concept though - we are still running three & 4 wide-outs, multiple looks, misdirection and other things but we are doing it out of the huddle in nearly all occassions

[hambone29]

I disagree with that -

Better blocking and pass protection - maybe much better

And we are using the entire field with the playbook - lots of middle seams and a few crossing patterns in addition to throwing the ball deep - we would only throw it deep once or twice a ballgame last year and everyone was incomplete or overthrown

I do agree with you on the spread concept though - we are still running three & 4 wide-outs, multiple looks, misdirection and other things but we are doing it out of the huddle in nearly all occassions

I agree with all that. Oline has def improved. I just tend to believe Sokol (and Higgins) is responsible for the bold. Sokol's poise and pocket awareness makes the O-line better, and makes it easier to call plays.

[DONW]

One of our 4 receivers has TE size. Dykes didn't know what a FB or TE was.
Gaston 6-3 260
Johnson 6-3 230
Smith 6-3 210

[hambone29]

Chandler Spence was TE size and got quite a few snaps on offense as a TE/FB/Hback.
And which of the 4 starting WRs has this TE size you speak of?

[Tech77]

Receivers are catching the football.

[SicemDawgz]

Who cares?

Classic

[HogDawg]

Ummm, no! I actually graduated from La Tech. I would like to see La Tech improve in all aspects............. but I fear, the same mentality that you have is the very reason La Tech has failed to increase it's enrollment or fan base in the last 20 years!

Goofball.

[HogDawg]

Here's my take on last year. I think when Holtz interviewed for the job, he was told that Tech has always been a passing team and wants to continue that way. So, he hires Peterson and tells him we have to run the no-huddle spread offense here and that's what he did. After a disastrous year, Holtz decides to go back to what he knows best since he knows if he doesn't get things turned around he could be fired from his second job in a row. He goes out and gets some players that are more suited to his offense like Gaston and the two big freshman RB's. He also gets lucky when Sokol does not get the start at Iowa and transfers. He also makes a great hire when he gets Diaz to run the defense. He doesn't feel comfortable with Peterson calling the plays since he's a spread coach, so he decides to call the plays himself. As far as I'm concerned, I hope we never run the spread again. I really like the kind of offense we're running now. I love those power plays down on the goal line and I like to see the QB getting under center. It makes it a lot more difficult to see who gets the ball.

Very good post, Don. Very reasonable. Sounds exactly like what we've witnessed.

[HogDawg]

No, he's a lying idiot.

I concur.

[HogDawg]

I agree with all that. Oline has def improved. I just tend to believe Sokol (and Higgins) is responsible for the bold. Sokol's poise and pocket awareness makes the O-line better, and makes it easier to call plays.

RhinoDawg and some others from here on BB&B sit very close to me on game days. They will tell you that I spent half of last season screaming about our inability to use the MIDDLE of the football field on passing downs. To me, that's been the biggest change between 2013 and 2014: Sokol has the guts to STAND IN THE POCKET and survey the MIDDLE of the football field, looking for the open receiver. None of our 2013 QB's would do this. The only pass play any of those Tech QB's were comfortable with last season was the "Sideline Screen", which defenses keyed on after seeing it thrown 8 times in the 1st quarter of each game.

Ironically, the "sideline screen" play was the first play Holtz called for both of our backup QB's when they entered the UNT game last Thursday night.

[RhinoDawg]

Yes, he did spend half the season screaming.

[70TECHGRAD]

Yes, he did spend half the season screaming.

Rhino....are you going to do any tailgating this year?? I remember you saying last year that you might not continue in 2014.

[RhinoDawg]

Rhino....are you going to do any tailgating this year?? I remember you saying last year that you might not continue in 2014.

I will still tailgate but I am not hosting a public tailgate as I have done in years past. My youngest child moved away from Ruston mid-2013. He and his wife come back for most football games. When he lived here (and his older sister before him) I took seeing him for granted (since I did so on a regular basis). It did not dawn on me or my wife that our work to host a couple hundred people at each home game would prevent us from spending any time with our kids when they come home for these events. To put on our tailgate we would begin cooking, setting up, etc. as early as Wednesday each week and would not finish take down, clean up, etc. until Sunday evening. My activities always have and always will evolve with my family dynamic. To scale back has been a difficult decision, but the cat's in the cradle.

[RhinoDawg]

Rhino....are you going to do any tailgating this year?? I remember you saying last year that you might not continue in 2014.

P.S. thanks for your help in the past - you have excellent apple-slicing skills.