FW*Telegram MG offense running on empty

OldTimer · September 22, 2006

Mean Green offense is running on emptyBy TROY PHILLIPS

Star-Telegram Staff Writer

DENTON - Mostly during a run of four conference titles in eight seasons, North Texas ran to daylight.

Three games into this season, the Mean Green's running game can barely locate one of those red first-down markers.

For UNT, it's a college football conundrum. What happens when the thing you do best becomes a weakness?

UNT (1-2) hopes to solve the riddle when it plays at Akron (1-2) at 5 p.m. Saturday. UNT's running game was not only poor last Saturday at Tulsa, it was the worst in a game during coach Darrell Dickey's nine seasons. UNT had 27 rushing yards and 89 total yards, another low in the Dickey era.

For two games and half of another (SMU), UNT's running game has gone nowhere. In losses to Texas and Tulsa, UNT had two rushing first downs in each game. Against SMU, all seven rushing first downs came in the second half.

To the untrained eye, it's a simple case of tentative running and poor blocking up front. During the more intricate study of game tapes, it's not so black and white.

"It's the difference between offense and defense," Dickey said. "On defense, 10 guys can screw up, but no one notices if one guy makes a great play. On offense, it's the opposite. One guy makes a mistake, and it foils the whole play."

Coaches say the breakdown is one of shared responsibility, themselves included. Running backs Jamario Thomas and Evan Robertson are slow to read holes or find them when they appear. UNT's zone-read running game requires blockers to execute assignments on the fly and counter defensive adjustments.

UNT does less one-on-one pass blocking, which favors younger lines. UNT is rotating eight to 10 linemen, but only two, tackle Joel Foster and guard Dylan Lineberry, are considered experienced.

Some blocks are being picked up but go unfinished.

"Even if you get your block, it's all about how you handled it," Foster said. "You know you could have done better or you made a mistake. You know when you watch the film that you messed up.

"On top of that, you have a coach there telling you, and other players seeing that you messed up."

Bottom line: The running game lacks rhythm or consistency, whether it's poor running or blocking, Dickey said.

The added component of a running quarterback in Woody Wilson, who will make his second start at Akron, eventually could help UNT improve up the middle. Wilson, a rollout specialist, has the speed to keep defenses from packing the box every play.

"We've got to be able to have another threat back there that scares the defense, running and throwing," Dickey said.

In no way does that let Thomas and Robertson off the hook. The coaches know Thomas has the overall ability and Robertson the speed to better produce.

"[so far] it's not the running game we had in the past," running backs coach Ramone Archie said. "Sometimes the hole's there, but our back might make the wrong read or cut and not get there. We need to see it, react to it and go to it."

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Troy Phillips, 817-390-7760 tphillips@star-telegram.com

good_ken · September 22, 2006

I just vomitted in my mouth.

I can't belive I just read an article on how its Jamario's fault.

This tells me that DD feesl there is an execution problem with the running game; not a coaching or playcalling problem.

[shaking head]

LongJim · September 22, 2006

I just vomitted in my mouth.
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user posted image

SilverEagle · September 22, 2006

Mean Green offense is running on emptyBy TROY PHILLIPS
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
DENTON - Mostly during a run of four conference titles in eight seasons, North Texas ran to daylight.
Three games into this season, the Mean Green's running game can barely locate one of those red first-down markers.
For UNT, it's a college football conundrum. What happens when the thing you do best becomes a weakness?
UNT (1-2) hopes to solve the riddle when it plays at Akron (1-2) at 5 p.m. Saturday. UNT's running game was not only poor last Saturday at Tulsa, it was the worst in a game during coach Darrell Dickey's nine seasons. UNT had 27 rushing yards and 89 total yards, another low in the Dickey era.
For two games and half of another (SMU), UNT's running game has gone nowhere. In losses to Texas and Tulsa, UNT had two rushing first downs in each game. Against SMU, all seven rushing first downs came in the second half.
To the untrained eye, it's a simple case of tentative running and poor blocking up front. During the more intricate study of game tapes, it's not so black and white.
"It's the difference between offense and defense," Dickey said. "On defense, 10 guys can screw up, but no one notices if one guy makes a great play. On offense, it's the opposite. One guy makes a mistake, and it foils the whole play."
Coaches say the breakdown is one of shared responsibility, themselves included. Running backs Jamario Thomas and Evan Robertson are slow to read holes or find them when they appear. UNT's zone-read running game requires blockers to execute assignments on the fly and counter defensive adjustments.
UNT does less one-on-one pass blocking, which favors younger lines. UNT is rotating eight to 10 linemen, but only two, tackle Joel Foster and guard Dylan Lineberry, are considered experienced.
Some blocks are being picked up but go unfinished.
"Even if you get your block, it's all about how you handled it," Foster said. "You know you could have done better or you made a mistake. You know when you watch the film that you messed up.
"On top of that, you have a coach there telling you, and other players seeing that you messed up."
Bottom line: The running game lacks rhythm or consistency, whether it's poor running or blocking, Dickey said.
The added component of a running quarterback in Woody Wilson, who will make his second start at Akron, eventually could help UNT improve up the middle. Wilson, a rollout specialist, has the speed to keep defenses from packing the box every play.
"We've got to be able to have another threat back there that scares the defense, running and throwing," Dickey said.
In no way does that let Thomas and Robertson off the hook. The coaches know Thomas has the overall ability and Robertson the speed to better produce.
"[so far] it's not the running game we had in the past," running backs coach Ramone Archie said. "Sometimes the hole's there, but our back might make the wrong read or cut and not get there. We need to see it, react to it and go to it."
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Troy Phillips, 817-390-7760 tphillips@star-telegram.com
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I'm going to have to disagree with his assessment. I think that the running game makes a nice rhythmic THUMP THUMP sound as it consistently and mindlessly bangs it's head against those 8 and 9 man brick walls that are consistently being put up by our opponents.

foutsrouts · September 22, 2006

How stupid does he think we are? Now he's trying to blame the ineptitude on everyone but himself and Ramon Flannigan. Our HC ond OC are both former quarterbacks, yet they seem to have no clue as to how to attack a defense. Are they just plain stubborn or are they too blind to see that every week we are facing S. Mississippi's defense all over again?

At least there was one positive in the article. Even though it took them three games to see the obvious, it appears that they have finally figured out who the starting quarerback should be. We'll see how long they leave him in the game this time.

good_ken · September 22, 2006

Bottom line: The running game lacks rhythm or consistency, whether it's poor running or blocking, Dickey said.

I just don't understand. Its like he pumping nails into the coffin that contains his career.

I guess he knows what he's doing

eulesseagle · September 22, 2006

That is why they call him, Darrell "Keep 8 In The Box" Dickey and his trusty sidekick, Ramon "I Can Count All the Plays On My Digits" Flannigan.

These two masked riders of the northern plains will figure out a way to run between the tackles on 8 & 9 men fronts to pound out wins just like the good 'ol days.

adman · September 22, 2006

How stupid does he think we are? Now he's trying to blame the ineptitude on everyone but himself and Ramon Flannigan. Our HC ond OC are both former quarterbacks, yet they seem to have no clue as to how to attack a defense. Are they just plain stubborn or are they too blind to see that every week we are facing S. Mississippi's defense all over again?
At least there was one positive in the article. Even though it took them three games to see the obvious, it appears that they have finally figured out who the starting quarerback should be. We'll see how long they leave him in the game this time.
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adman · September 22, 2006

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How stupid does he think we are? Now he's trying to blame the ineptitude on everyone but himself and Ramon Flannigan.
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"Coaches say the breakdown is one of shared responsibility, themselves included."

Funny how so many people read only what they want to read.

chrisfisher · September 22, 2006

Mean Green offense is running on emptyBy TROY PHILLIPS
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
"We've got to be able to have another threat back there that scares the defense, running and throwing," Dickey said.
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Troy Phillips, 817-390-7760 tphillips@star-telegram.com
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Hell has frozen over. D "K8ITB" D has an enlightened moment. To bad the problem started in 2005 and the solution was only recently discovered (1/4 of the into the 2006 season). Hopefully in Akron, our "offensive attack" will reflect this ground breaking, light bulb moment for D "K8ITB" D. Moreover, I hope D "K8ITB" D remembers to tell Ramon "I keep all the plays on my 10 digits" Flannigan about the new "game plan."

NT80 · September 22, 2006

Dickey is either too stubborn to change his offense to fit his personnel or doesn't know how to. The smashmouth run game is not working with these players and last year's either. Actually, the only teams it ever worked against was new, fairly young head coaches of SBC teams. That's the reason for all the OOC losses; those coaches know how to defense a base run offense. But now the SBC teams can defense it too, thus last year's conference record. Either change and keep the offense fresh and adjust to your personnel or die being stubborn. 1-3 says stubborn.

foutsrouts · September 22, 2006

"Coaches say the breakdown is one of shared responsibility, themselves included."
Funny how so many people read only what they want to read.
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"Funny how so many people read only what they want to read."

How true!!

NT80 · September 22, 2006

"Funny how so many people read only what they want to read."
How true!!
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8 - 40

READ THAT !

UNTLifer · September 22, 2006

Dickey is either too stubborn to change his offense to fit his personnel or doesn't know how to. The smashmouth run game is not working with these players and last year's either. Actually, the only teams it ever worked against was new, fairly young head coaches of SBC teams. That's the reason for all the OOC losses; those coaches know how to defense a base run offense. But now the SBC teams can defense it too, thus last year's conference record. Either change and keep the offense fresh and adjust to your personnel or die being stubborn. 1-3 says stubborn.
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From the DRC Chat:

moderator: Don G. from Flower Mound asks: Could you see Coach Dickey and his offensive staff making any changes to open up the offense. It seems as if teams are just loading up on UNT because they know the history of their running game.

Sports editor Russ Goodall: Don, I would say that is a big No. Coach Dickey is so adamant about not changing their offensive philosophy that you can take it to the bank that things will stay the same. UNT wants to run the ball. As long as Dickey is the head coach, UNT will run first and pass when they have to.

UNT beat writer Brett Vito: I can't see how UNT can't make some changes after the Tulsa game. UNT will still try and run the ball inside. It's what they do, but with the offensive line struggling and Woody showing the ability to make plays in the open field, expect Dickey to try to get him on the perimeter more. Just don't expect UNT to suddenly line up with four wide receivers. It isn't going to happen.

And this from Vito in the same chat:

UNT beat writer Brett Vito: Dickey said this week that he will have to adjust the system to get Woody in the open and let him make plays. I think he will. That's UNT's best chance to win. Don't expect him to abandon the between the tackles running game, though. That's UNT's bread and butter and Dickey is determined to make it work. I asked Dickey on Tuesday if UNT still had the right people in place to make his offensive system work. He said he did.

chrisfisher · September 23, 2006

I wonder if D "K8ITB" D is aware of his OOC record? You'd be surprised how skewed people's thinking can be. He speaks as if he doesn't realize how poorly he has played against non-SBC competition. I wonder if he only remembers the SBC wins and rare OOC win to justify his signature "offensive approach?" ................or........................maybe he believes so strongly in the DD signature "offensive" just doesn't give sh*t, no matter what the cost.

One last thing: I propose that anytime anyone on this board says the word offense in relation to our football team, we put it in quotes, as in "offense." This is the most accurate way to present it as our "offense" only loosely captures or resembles the meaning this word.

Will to Win · September 23, 2006

There is a definite difference in JT's running now vs. his freshman year. I see a runner who has lost some initial quickness (or burst) once the ball is handed off to him. I also do not see him running (downhill) and giving it, and is instead. . . taking it.

If he runs with authority, he will wow you and give us 2-3 higlights a game.

For those of you who blame the O-line & R.F. for JT's poor production. I somewhat disagree.