Petrino too predictable?

[Kratz]

Has the former mad man become too predictable? Seems so to me.

I remember the guy that ran a fake punt against WVU on his own 35. Today he wouldn't go for it on 4th and 1 at midfield against a 2-5 team.

The unpredictability was part of what made him so great during his first tenure here. I just don't see it anymore. I could cite numerous examples.

I hope that guy returns soon. Too much talent at the skill positions and not enough talent on the line to not run some trick plays.

 

[KerryRhodes]

I also think he holds back plays for future opponents.

 

[Steelers2012]

I also think he holds back plays for future opponents.

I don't know about that. We've already played FSU and Clemson. Exactly who is he holding back for? I don't have any issue with his playing calling whatsoever, but I would enjoy seeing some fun "trickeration" type plays, given the abilities of some of our players. I mean, a backward sideline pass to Bonnafon for a forward pass, or even a downfield pass from Bonnafon to Jackson would be pretty exciting.

 

[CardX]

I thought today wasn't his best called game. Not so great execution, however. I think the early Quick drop and poor play set the tone. Credit goes to UVA and Bronco, imo. They certainly didn't look or play like a two win team. I'll gladly take the dramatic win.

 

[Kratz]

I don't know about that. We've already played FSU and Clemson. Exactly who is he holding back for? I don't have any issue with his playing calling whatsoever, but I would enjoy seeing some fun "trickeration" type plays, given the abilities of some of our players. I mean, a backward sideline pass to Bonnafon for a forward pass, or even a downfield pass from Bonnafon to Jackson would be pretty exciting.

Exactly. Line Bonnafon and Jackson up in the shotgun side by side. If you're the defense, are you even sure who the ball is going to be snapped to?

 

[Morgantown Card]

Has the former mad man become too predictable? Seems so to me.

I remember the guy that ran a fake punt against WVU on his own 35. Today he wouldn't go for it on 4th and 1 at midfield against a 2-5 team.

The unpredictability was part of what made him so great during his first tenure here. I just don't see it anymore. I could cite numerous examples.

I hope that guy returns soon. Too much talent at the skill positions and not enough talent on the line to not run some trick plays.

No.

 

[beasleythecard]

Has the former mad man become too predictable? Seems so to me.

I remember the guy that ran a fake punt against WVU on his own 35. Today he wouldn't go for it on 4th and 1 at midfield against a 2-5 team.

The unpredictability was part of what made him so great during his first tenure here. I just don't see it anymore. I could cite numerous examples.

I hope that guy returns soon. Too much talent at the skill positions and not enough talent on the line to not run some trick plays.

I wish he would consider power football and run the ball. at least some times in the red zone.

 

[nccardfan]

I thought today wasn't his best called game. Not so great execution, however. I think the early Quick drop and poor play set the tone. Credit goes to UVA and Bronco, imo. They certainly didn't look or play like a two win team. I'll gladly take the dramatic win.

Actually what set the tone of the game was when Virginia decided to take the ball first. In every game prior Louisville got the ball first. I think it caught us off guard that they took the ball first.

 

[FloridaCard]

Actually what set the tone of the game was when Virginia decided to take the ball first. In every game prior Louisville got the ball first. I think it caught us off guard that they took the ball first.

Excuse me!?!

 

[zipp]

Petrino's coaching under different circumstances than his last stint here. He has the best player in the nation at quarterback. That probably affects a lot of his play-calling decisions. As far as lining up and blowing the other team off the ball, those other teams also have better players than Petrino consistently coached against here before.

It could be that Petrino has misjudged the quality of some of our opponents. But if I think my personnel are better than yours, I don't know if I want to do a lot of trick-er-ation and risk taking. Maybe better to just play fundamental football. If we're fortunate enough to be able to play Bama in a couple months, I'd probably like to see some of that gadget stuff...

 

[NISMOZCARD]

The one issue I have with his coaching is his leaving Quick on the field. Guy should be on the bench!

 

[zipp]

I raised that same question about JQ and the last play at Clemson. You may ask why that guy was on the field if WR is our deepest position.

I'm not saying he doesn't play. But he may not play when you can ill afford a mistake or a lapse in concentration...

 

[indaville]

Dropped passes have nothing to do with Petrino

 

[beasleythecard]

The one issue I have with his coaching is his leaving Quick on the field. Guy should be on the bench!

SHOULD BE OFF THE TEAM WITH WASHINGTON AND RATCLIF.

 

[KerryRhodes]

Dropped passes have nothing to do with Petrino

Yes it does if he doesn't bench him.
He needs to be second team.

 

[wilkie01]

I think CBP has forgotten more about football than most of us know! So my answer to the OP is no.

 

[indaville]

You can't put all the starting receivers on the bench on the road in a tight game.

 

[zipp]

Another problem with that dropsy stuff is it's contagious. Reggie's never had that problem, but then HE drops one.

You have to consider dealing with the player who might infect the next guy...

 

[BPGhost]

Another problem with that dropsy stuff is it's contagious. Reggie's never had that problem, but then HE drops one.

You have to consider dealing with the player who might infect the next guy...

I think if you go back and watch the game film, Bonnafon has several drops this year - thru 8 games he only has 10 receptions. IMO it's the reason LJ doesn't target him more frequently.

 

[beasleythecard]

You can't put all the starting receivers on the bench on the road in a tight game.

I would give seth dawkins all of quicks reps

 

[nccardfan]

What's the issue with Radcliff? It's not like he wants to fumble. It was Jeremy that fumbled today and had a lackadaisical effort to make a first down.

 

[beasleythecard]

What's the issue with Radcliff? It's not like he wants to fumble. It was Jeremy that fumbled today and had a lackadaisical effort to make a first down.

heat of the moment I guess. pure frustration.
I had a coach that would make life miserable if a player fumbled, I just wonder if anything happens to players when they drop balls and fumble. seems as if nothing is done to discourage bad plays.

 

[Cue Card]

Has the former mad man become too predictable? Seems so to me.

I remember the guy that ran a fake punt against WVU on his own 35. Today he wouldn't go for it on 4th and 1 at midfield against a 2-5 team.

The unpredictability was part of what made him so great during his first tenure here. I just don't see it anymore. I could cite numerous examples.

I hope that guy returns soon. Too much talent at the skill positions and not enough talent on the line to not run some trick plays.

In all fairness, coach Petrino today has a solid defense to fall back on which means he can play field position instead of forcing things to keep his offense on the field while limiting his defense being ON the field. It's not predictability. It's called being a football coach.

 

[nccardfan]

I don't know. I think back to Lamar's first pass against Auburn, an option pass that was intercepted. I don't think Bobby has tried anything close since then and you got a perfect choice of a former QB Bonnafon to throw an option pass to Lamar. Can you imagine? As far as saving it, what for? It's likely we are not playing in the ACC championship. I think it's worth trying just to see if you can execute it. I think Bobby is a little more conservative because he realizes there is so much at stake here.

 

[Rollem Cards]

The unpredictability was part of what made him so great during his first tenure here. I just don't see it anymore. I could cite numerous examples.

I see it like this.

Most rich folks don't start out rich. The take a lot of risk, and chances, and mortgage everything they have to get where they are.

Once they're rich, suddenly they don't take those risks anymore. Why?

They have something to lose now.

Same with CBP. He has something to lose now. He's a T10, in a P5 and can't be seen as a "gimmick" coach when he has an "offensive genius" rep to uphold.

If we were going to see gimmicks it would have been with FSU (where didn't need any) or CU (where we played them toe-to-toe without them)

All I saw yesterday were constant shots at big plays over sustained drives, and it almost bit us.

We'll be happy as long as it keeps winning.

 

[zipp]

I see it like this.

Most rich folks don't start out rich. The take a lot of risk, and chances, and mortgage everything they have to get where they are.

Once they're rich, suddenly they don't take those risks anymore. Why?

They have something to lose now...

That's a great analogy!...

 

[Birdie King]

I thought today wasn't his best called game. Not so great execution, however. I think the early Quick drop and poor play set the tone. Credit goes to UVA and Bronco, imo. They certainly didn't look or play like a two win team. I'll gladly take the dramatic win.

The UVA media say previous coach Mike London could recruit well, but couldn't coach 'em up. I think Bronco can do both.

 

[Birdie King]

I don't know. I think back to Lamar's first pass against Auburn, an option pass that was intercepted. I don't think Bobby has tried anything close since then and you got a perfect choice of a former QB Bonnafon to throw an option pass to Lamar. Can you imagine? As far as saving it, what for? It's likely we are not playing in the ACC championship. I think it's worth trying just to see if you can execute it. I think Bobby is a little more conservative because he realizes there is so much at stake here.

Don't think you will be seeing any more Reggie to Lamar passes because that could present an opportunity for Lamar to get laid out. If he goes down we are toast !

 

[gocards1987]

heat of the moment I guess. pure frustration.
I had a coach that would make life miserable if a player fumbled, I just wonder if anything happens to players when they drop balls and fumble. seems as if nothing is done to discourage bad plays.

Quick got benched after the drops and Radcliff got benched after his fumble. What more do you want done. As frustrating as this game was for Quick kicking him off the team or never playing him is insance considering how effective he has been this year.

 

[gocards1987]

Exactly. Line Bonnafon and Jackson up in the shotgun side by side. If you're the defense, are you even sure who the ball is going to be snapped to?

We have as good or better talent than most of our opponents. My biggest gripe with the play calling is the lack of designed plays to the backs. We run a ton of option because of Jackson but teams are starting to learn that they can key on Jackson because he keeps it so much. Many times the backs get the ball in the zone read just because the play is blown up and they are the sacrificial lambs. I't think they'd go better on a run play with blocking geared for them to hit the hole and goal.

I'm not sure we should be taking the ball out of our best players hands on passing plays. We have really good receivers and generally they are beating those covering them. Doing trick plays only limits the number of receivers that you need to cover.

 

[gocds]

I believe most coaches that have been around as long as CBP actually become somewhat predictable. Where Bobby Petrino excels is in using his player's talents to the team's best advantage. Plus I don't really give a large rat's butt who does or does not care for CBP so long as his family and Lord have forgiven him that's all that counts. Hopefully he has learned from his (many) mistakes and until it is proven that he hasn't I'll be in his court. CBP is one helluva coach and I think to really question that is folly, but again that's just my own opinion.

GO CARDS - BEAT EVERYBODY!!! God Bless America!!!

 

[Rollem Cards]

teams are starting to learn that they can key on Jackson because he keeps it so much.

It seemed to me that several times Saturday we were close to another fumble or three when the RB didn't know if he was or wasn't getting the ball. The one fumble was clear he didn't think LJ was going to give it to him.

Not starting trouble, but just watching body language and bench activity, I'm not sure maybe there isn't a little jealousy over the ball distribution. As long as we win all will be good I'm sure.

 

[CardHack]

Back when we played in Petrino's first stint at Louisville there were three teams that defensively bedeviled us...Memphis in 2003, Middle Tennessee State down in Nashville in 2006 and most fatefully Rutgers the same year. Something he said after the Memphis and MTSU games has always stuck with me and it's when he said after both that "they defensively did some things that would be considered unsound" meaning they went with a very dangerous and unorthodox approach, each of which end resulted in blowing up our blocking schemes. I think that Petrino works so thoroughly from an early game script that the best defensive approach might be the one that shows one thing early with the intent of attacking his second time through the order so to speak...and that second time through needs to be stuff that few if any offensive coaches would anticipate.

One thing is different now vs. his first stint and it's that in each of those four years he had offensive lines that I would deem better than the last two; we didn't give up sacks to the extent we are now even with Jackson and it's something that has gotten progessively worse as the season has gone on. Those two early drives stifled by drops set a bad tone for us; UVa has to play much differently defensively if we land any of those haymakers early. As the game went on they could take more chances creeping people into the tackle box because we weren't completing high percentage throws.

 

[PushupMan]

I don't know about that. We've already played FSU and Clemson. Exactly who is he holding back for? I don't have any issue with his playing calling whatsoever, but I would enjoy seeing some fun "trickeration" type plays, given the abilities of some of our players. I mean, a backward sideline pass to Bonnafon for a forward pass, or even a downfield pass from Bonnafon to Jackson would be pretty exciting.

We've called the Bonnafon to Jackson pass play before, against Syracuse, I believe. The players didn't execute it properly. Bonnafon failed to catch the toss from Samuel, resulting in a fumble which we luckily recovered for about a 5 yard loss.

Which brings me to my point - why resort to trickeration when we have Lamar Jackson, who gives you trickeration on every run due to his amazing ability to make defenders miss?

 

[PushupMan]

Also, regarding the OP's assertion that BP has become to predictable, I think our last offensive play of the game enough to dispel that notion.

From yesterday's ESPN article: "The throw itself was impressive enough from Jackson. The Virginia defender was in good position, but the only person who could have caught the ball was Smith. The fact that Petrino would let Jackson throw that ball when all the Cardinals needed was a field goal to win tells you all you need to know about the confidence everybody on that team has in Jackson."

http://www.espn.com/blog/acc/post/_/id/96024/inside-the-play-lamar-jacksons-game-winning-magic

Predictable would have been to run the ball in the middle of the field, call timeout with 5 seconds left, and kick the field goal.

 

[Steelers2012]

We've called the Bonnafon to Jackson pass play before, against Syracuse, I believe. The players didn't execute it properly. Bonnafon failed to catch the toss from Samuel, resulting in a fumble which we luckily recovered for about a 5 yard loss.

Which brings me to my point - why resort to trickeration when we have Lamar Jackson, who gives you trickeration on every run due to his amazing ability to make defenders miss?

I do remember that play attempt. I think that was the intent of the play as well, but it never got fully executed to find out. Don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating "resorting to trickeration" as a gameplan in a crucial circumstance. I'm talking doing it when everything else is going well, the game isn't in the balance, and mostly for entertainment value. Make it a fun play for the players. I'm sure Jackson would love to add a receiving TD to his resume.

 

[nccardfan]

Also, regarding the OP's assertion that BP has become to predictable, I think our last offensive play of the game enough to dispel that notion.

From yesterday's ESPN article: "The throw itself was impressive enough from Jackson. The Virginia defender was in good position, but the only person who could have caught the ball was Smith. The fact that Petrino would let Jackson throw that ball when all the Cardinals needed was a field goal to win tells you all you need to know about the confidence everybody on that team has in Jackson."

http://www.espn.com/blog/acc/post/_/id/96024/inside-the-play-lamar-jacksons-game-winning-magic

Predictable would have been to run the ball in the middle of the field, call timeout with 5 seconds left, and kick the field goal.

I disagree with this because I don't believe we were in our FG kicker's comfortable range. In fact I would say it was a safer call to throw it in the end zone in case you get a pass interference call as well.

Blanton's longest FG is 39 yards. The ball was on the 29 yard line making it at least a 40 - 45 yard kick. No thanks!

 

[PushupMan]

I disagree with this because I don't believe we were in our FG kicker's comfortable range. In fact I would say it was a safer call to throw it in the end zone in case you get a pass interference call as well.

Blanton's longest FG is 39 yards. The ball was on the 29 yard line making it at least a 40 - 45 yard kick. No thanks!

While true, another safer play would have been to run the same play we did, but remove Jackson's option to throw it into the end zone. Petrino could have told him to throw it to Hikutini on the out for the 10 yard gain, or throw it away.

No matter how you want to characterize that last play, it was anything but predictable.

 

[indaville]

So after reading this stuff i have heard bench the starting receivers if they drop a pass and fake punts from our side of the field on 4th and short.CBP takes little risk and plays field position because he has a top 10 defense. I see numerous freshman getting snaps so the starters sit their fair share of snaps.I'm happy none of you are head coach.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

Interesting thread OP.

I think it comes down to execution. WR drops hurt us early. There were a couple deep throws that were there, but dropped. We also had a drop on a 3rd D cross route that was wide open that looked like a big gain.

Once an offense leaves big plays on the field, the blowout will be tough to materialize.

My thought is it doesn't matter what play is called if the players aren't executing.