Read Option

[earsky]

It was a thing of beauty on Saturday.I can't say that it was earlier this season.The chemistry between Lamar Jackson,Brandon Radcliff and the offensive line(yes,the o-line) was about as good as it gets from an execution standpoint.

LJ's decision making was almost perfect.BR's emergence as the guy to get the ball tells how far he's come since early season in that package.The thing that struck me most was the illusion that the read is supposed to create.It was there Saturday,on full display.

Trying to figure out who has the ball is what makes it work,along with LJ's decision making.I thought the camera was faked out several times on tv.Credit LJ and BR for executing the illusion and the o-line for executing the blocks.

Now,you sprinkle in the play fake with that read and the lb's have to bite and it should open up the middle...

 

[zipp]

Let's not forget who we were playing... LJ didn't run like a hot knife thru better against the better ACC defenses. Granted, he probably has improved as you and Petrino describe.

I doubt that Petrino's master plan for LJ and the offense involves play after play of the read option. That will be one of the plays/schemes that Petrino wants his QB to execute going forward. He isn't abandoning the Petrino offense of old--he's adding to it...

 

[Louisvillian]

Let's not forget who we were playing... LJ didn't run like a hot knife thru better against the better ACC defenses. Granted, he probably has improved as you and Petrino describe.

I doubt that Petrino's master plan for LJ and the offense involves play after play of the read option. That will be one of the plays/schemes that Petrino wants his QB to execute going forward. He isn't abandoning the Petrino offense of old--he's adding to it...

This is true. As Earsky pointed out the chemistry between the O-line and the backfield was pretty to watch as was the decision making of Lamar but after watching the replay it's simply amazing how many times the UK outside LBs chose to attack the RB instead of Lamar.

Obviously you would like to have more than one guy containing the read option or get enough penetration to blow it up at the point of attack but if you have only one choice you have to take Lamar and make him hand off. Amazingly the Mildcat defense chose just the opposite almost every time.

Our offensive line deserves a lot of credit. Last year when Reggie was in the game the front 7 of UK was able to blow things up at the point of attack but they also don't have Bud Dupree and Z Smith anymore.

Seems to me that the lightweight UK defensive coaches are unable to make adjustments. Last year they had no answer to our passing game when KB came in and this year they were ready to defend the pass but we're bewildered by Lamar and the read option. Hope they keep that staff intact.

 

[Sawyer]

Let's not forget who we were playing... LJ didn't run like a hot knife thru better against the better ACC defenses. Granted, he probably has improved as you and Petrino describe.

I doubt that Petrino's master plan for LJ and the offense involves play after play of the read option. That will be one of the plays/schemes that Petrino wants his QB to execute going forward. He isn't abandoning the Petrino offense of old--he's adding to it...

And don't forget, the ACC coaches were probably expecting LJ to be in the game and they might have even informed their defenses that Louisville was not going to pass on every play. Then again, that might be too much for some coaches to think about.

 

[MrLandry]

Don't get me wrong, beating UK is ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS enjoyable. However, the way we beat them, You'd have to say was more their blame than our credit. At some point for them not to just sell-out and attack Jackson on every read option was just inexcusable. I could only laugh as time and again the DE/LB crashed down on the RB and Lamar just took off. When he did pass, Most of his downfield throws were basically jump balls or just off target. But they never adjusted. It was really pitiful. Hopefully Stoops and staff will be around for a long time.

 

[Knucklehank1]

The reality is that the UK defenders were absolutely laughable in their lack of playing responsibilities against the read option. I'm not sure if they aren't coached well, have uncoachable players or just a combination of both, but they are flat out terrible. Kudos to Jackson and Petrino for realizing and exploiting UKs ineptitude.

 

[beantowncard]

Don't get me wrong, beating UK is ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS enjoyable. However, the way we beat them, You'd have to say was more their blame than our credit. At some point for them not to just sell-out and attack Jackson on every read option was just inexcusable. I could only laugh as time and again the DE/LB crashed down on the RB and Lamar just took off. When he did pass, Most of his downfield throws were basically jump balls or just off target. But they never adjusted. It was really pitiful. Hopefully Stoops and staff will be around for a long time.

Maybe, but then you're looking at 180 yds from Brandon Radcliffe. It was LJ making good reads and the whole offense executing well. 38-0 in the second half.

 

[Louisvillian]

The reality is that the UK defenders were absolutely laughable in their lack of playing responsibilities against the read option. I'm not sure if they aren't coached well, have uncoachable players or just a combination of both, but they are flat out terrible. Kudos to Jackson and Petrino for realizing and exploiting UKs ineptitude.

BP and Garrick McGee had to be giggling and elbowing each other in the side when they saw that ineptitude.

We only gave the Slappies 13 weeks to study video of Lamar shredding another SEC defense in Auburn. Were they just praying he wouldn't play?

I will say one thing in UK's defense (ha defense), seeing Lamar do his stuff in person is different than watching him on video. His explosiveness is jaw dropping.

 

[mrFootballFan]

The reality is that the UK defenders were absolutely laughable in their lack of playing responsibilities against the read option. I'm not sure if they aren't coached well, have uncoachable players or just a combination of both, but they are flat out terrible. Kudos to Jackson and Petrino for realizing and exploiting UKs ineptitude.

Lpt football is a laughingstock program

 

[teamcanada]

UK coaches must have overlooked Jackson's game tape . I read where their LB said they didn't prepare for Jackson at all.

 

[earsky]

The point isn't how bad UK's approach was to the read,but the execution of the read itself.Give credit where it's due.LJ has come a long ways since those early ACC games and so has the offensive line.His reads in this game were nearly perfect,as opposed to those early games where he basically held the ball no matter the read.On top of that,the deception created with the football between LJ and BR helped to keep those outside lbs off balance.That's something that was not present in those early games.

 

[wilkie01]

Let's not forget who we were playing... LJ didn't run like a hot knife thru better against the better ACC defenses. Granted, he probably has improved as you and Petrino describe.

I doubt that Petrino's master plan for LJ and the offense involves play after play of the read option. That will be one of the plays/schemes that Petrino wants his QB to execute going forward. He isn't abandoning the Petrino offense of old--he's adding to it...

But do not forget the freshman are now playing like sophomores and maturing and learning the system.