Much very deserved blame has been laid at the feet of the feeble Notre Dame offensive line over the last 2 years for the Irish's pathetic running game. Coming in at #100 in rushing offense in 2008, it's not hard to see why. At the same time, some grumblings have been heard regarding the Irish RB stable's ability to break a big play. After all, teams that are patient with the run aren't really seeking to only gain 3 or 4 yards on each carry. The entire reason for being patient with the running game is that it should eventually pay dividends in a big play here or there on top of consistent gains. In 2008, any patience the Irish displayed with the running game (and that amount is debatable) was never rewarded. The longest rush by any Irish RB in 2008 was 21 yards by Armando Allen against Purdue. And if you'll recall, that run was against a defense that had essentially run out of linebackers to put on the field. Meanwhile, the best Aldridge or Hughes could scrounge up on a single play in 2008 was 19 and 18 yards respectively.
That's pretty obviously pathetic. But just how pathetic, really? Here's a list of players on the rosters of 2009 Irish opponents who all managed to gain a better season-high mark in 2008. Note: This is just something I was able to clap together with a quick scan. I probably missed some.
That's 26 players that ND will face this year who've all shown a better ability to break a big running play in the last year than any Irish RB did in the same time. Hell, Washington and WSU each have multiple guys on their roster who accomplished the feat, and those two programs had to play one another just so one of them could have a win in '08. Nevada has 2 guys who've got '08-bests that triple the best of Armando Allen. And Nevada joins SoCal as teams that have 5 guys on the '09 roster with better '08-bests than any Irish runner. The only team on ND's schedule that doesn't have a runner with a better '08-best than any Irish runner is, somewhat surprisingly, Pitt. But that team lost their 3 best runners after last season, and all of those guys would have been on this list if they were on the '09 roster. Even without any representation from Pitt, there are 14 guys on that list who had a 2008 best that is at least twice as long as Allen's best.
So much has been made of the outright talent advantage ND should have over just about everyone on the '09 schedule, but, frankly, until I see a little more running to daylight and a little less of this...
...I'm not likely to buy into it.
By san diego irish August 27, 2009 - 4:57 pm
Much has been made about the ND backs lack of vision and I think those are fair criticisms (although not as big an issue as line play). Something that is less discussed is the down field blocking of the wide receivers. Brian Driskell discussed it at length in one of his posts recently.
I’m not sure Michael Floyd could have blocked the safety that popped Allen on that play, but you’ll notice that he doesn’t really block anyone including his own man (someone else–Grimes, a senior, did seal off his man). A freshman and two sophomores (Floyd, Tate, and Kamara) were not exactly effective blockers last year. I’m hoping that improves this year. Now that they have had time to learn the offense and improve their route running they should be able to concentrate more on blocking.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By domer.mq August 27, 2009 - 5:00 pm
SDI,
On that particular play, the guy Floyd had was playing tight on Floyd pre-snap. Floyd took him 10 yards down the field. It’s Allen’s job to not run into the safety, and really he should have anticipated his position and Floyd’s and cut out. He has the legs. He hasn’t show that he has the eyes. But yeah, I haven’t liked the WR blocking. Still, 21 yards? At some point, the RBs have to step up too.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By san diego irish August 27, 2009 - 5:00 pm
You also could have added Tate (end around) and Harrison Smith (fake punt) to the list of “rushers” who had longer runs than ND’s tailbacks.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By domer.mq August 27, 2009 - 5:10 pm
I could have, SDI, but that would have made me cringe even more.
Also, I updated the post with a better video of that Armando Allen run. Watch Floyd. He did his job nicely on that play and Allen did something dumb.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By san diego irish August 27, 2009 - 5:17 pm
I don’t know hardly anything about blocking technique or assignments (is someone supposed to block the safety or is that the back’s job to juke him?) so I can’t argue with you and the video’s not the best. But it seemed like the other receiver who I’m guessing was Grimes sealed his guy to the outside pretty effectively whereas Floyd, if he moved his guy at all (I can’t tell if Floyd is driving him or he is just running away from Floyd) didn’t put his guy on the ground or tie him up or move him inside or outside. As Allen crosses the 35 yard line he has two guys in front of him, one to his right (Floyd’s guy) and the safety who is rapidly closing from the left. Clearly he made the wrong decision and deserves the blame for that. But if Floyd’s guy was dropped or sealed somewhere near the line of scrimage (Like Grimes did), seems like Allen’s decision would have been that much easier. I’m sure it’s not that simple and maybe Floyd’s position on the field versus his defender didn’t allow him to seal like Grimes did, but it would have been nice if he could have done so.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By san diego irish August 27, 2009 - 5:22 pm
That video is better and Floyd did a better job than I originally thought. Still would have liked to see him put his guy on his back, but maybe that’s not realistic in that situation. And it’s still hard to understand how Allen didn’t see that safety and break it outside. I’m sure he’s asked himself the same question.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By joeyknunklehead August 27, 2009 - 5:26 pm
After enduring to brutal 2007 season the RBs weren’t experienced in getting to the 2nd level of defenses and breaking off big runs. More importantly than long runs … ND needs to successfully convert 3rd & Short situations in the 2nd Half of games in order to put team away.
Whether its long runs or 3rd & shorts – ND needs to learn how to win again.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By domer.mq August 27, 2009 - 5:28 pm
It’s generally not a WR’s job to put a guy on his back, technique-wise. It’s a good way to get flagged for holding even if they don’t hold because the refs aren’t accustomed to seeing it. Floyd did exactly as he should there. The safety, by the time Allen is 5yds down field, is Allen’s job. He should, at the very least, have seen him and not gotten laid out and dropped the ball. At the very least. And yes, this is just one play, but it’s very illustrative of many things all the Irish RBs have done wrong.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By domer.mq August 27, 2009 - 5:31 pm
Also, SDI, to understand what Floyd is supposed to do there, just watch his CB. The CB isn’t trying to read the play. The CB’s responsibility is “don’t let Floyd get past you.” So Floyd’s job is to drive the CB off the LOS. He does that. Grime’s block is okay, but in that play, as slot, you’d rather he drove the guy inside. But his defender did the right thing in keeping the ball carrier to his inside shoulder. Allen went back inside, but he should have bounced outside as soon as he could.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By brendan August 27, 2009 - 5:41 pm
In recalling the screens and the kickoff return Allen ran in the Hawaii game, is that a sign that his vision is getting better? He sure seemed to glide through the defenders on those plays. I hope that’s good sign for when he’s past the first line of defense this year.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By BJDomer August 27, 2009 - 6:04 pm
If Allen bounces that to the outside, he gets stopped at the first down line. He made the right read. Grimes’s man had position and would have had the outside covered. I can’t fault Allen for going inside, but there is no excuse for a fumble. Ever. Bottom line, it was the right read but a bad play because he ended up fumbling.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By domer.mq August 27, 2009 - 6:43 pm
Not saying bounce out at the get go, BJ. I’m saying he should have bounced out one past Grimes. Good backs can make that cut.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By The Biscuit August 27, 2009 - 6:43 pm
i dont think running directly into a defender is ever the right read.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By BJDomer August 27, 2009 - 7:09 pm
Sometimes it is, Biscuit. There’s no way he breaks a huge run on that play. He was surrounded by defenders. North-south was the best option. I have found where Allen made his mistake, though, and it’s not that he didn’t cut outside after passing Grimes. The man Floyd was supposed to be blocking was on Allen’s outside. Allen would have to make a very sharp cut and stay at full speed to avoid both Floyd’s man and the linebacker chasing him from behind. Allen decided to take on the safety, but he sort of cringed at the last second. He slowed down, and the safety didn’t, so he took a huge hit. Still should have hung on to the ball though. The downfield blocking wasn’t good enough for Allen to break a big run. Of course, you might disagree.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By san diego irish August 27, 2009 - 7:24 pm
It would be interesting to see that play from a different camera angle. It might change your perspective on whether or not the cut to the outside was actually there or not. My first inclination was that he should have broken it outside, but it wouldn’t be the first time that I changed my mind after seeing a different replay.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By DeepTeaKup August 27, 2009 - 7:35 pm
In my humblest of humble opinions it comes down to two things:
1) ND has decent backs but none of them have top end speed. Blocking seems to be okay but they lack that burst.
2) It’s always seemed to me that ND stadium “plays slow”. The grass looks like it is about 2 feet tall and sometimes it looks like guys are moving in quicksand.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By BJDomer August 27, 2009 - 7:41 pm
Yeah, it’d be much easier to make a conclusive judgment if we had the coaches’ game tape. The broadcast perspective makes it impossible to understand what Allen sees.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By san diego irish August 27, 2009 - 8:54 pm
DTK–I disagree, I think Allen has good enough speed to take it to the house from most places on the field. He might not have that insane Reggie Bush overdrive that all backs are measured against these days, but he is fast enough. I think you will get a better sense of that this year. Agreed ND stadium is probably not the fastest surface around, but everyone is playing on the same field.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By domer.mq August 27, 2009 - 9:24 pm
BJ, perhaps Allen can’t make that cut, but a top back could. I’ll bet the 14 guys who had double Allen’s best in 08 could.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By BJDomer August 27, 2009 - 10:04 pm
Well, I tend to make excuses for Allen, since he’s my favorite player not name Golden Tate on this offense. So my observations probably come from behind the rosiest of rose-colored glasses when it comes to Armando Allen.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By dc August 28, 2009 - 10:11 am
Allen has plenty of top end speed, didn’t he win the 110 hurdles in FLA, that is a big deal. It is a matter of vision, which comes with experience, especially in the zone blocking scheme. Alford is going to make a world of difference, I predict multiple 20+ yard runs from Allen this year
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By Franco August 28, 2009 - 3:06 pm
I agree, that was totally Allen’s fault…I don’t think I’ve ever seen a safety lay a running back out in the secondary like that.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By JW August 28, 2009 - 3:22 pm
Here’s my take on the WR blocking on that play:
Floyd’s technique on the play was poor. The corner was in a bump and run, MAN TO MAN, technique. As such, the corner plays inside out (with the cardinal sin being giving up his inside) and his primary responsibility is Floyd. Because the corner is playing inside out, as Floyd takes an outside release (he didn’t but should have), running what looks like a fade – trying to sell the play as a pass for as long as possible (corner’s eyes are now away from the ball carrier because they are on his primary responsibility, Floyd) and recovering to pick up the block once the corner realizes it is a run. This would have put the corner in a totally different position on the field, allowing Allen more space.
The responsibility of blocking the free safety (who came from the weak side) is the X receiver’s, in this case Tate. Tate’s responsibility is to catch up to the FS and get a piece of him so that he is not in full speed pursuit. Again, this provides space for Allen. You can actually see Tate in a jog at the bottom, clearly not putting forth the extra effort to fulfill his responsibility and spring the play for a touchdown.
The best WR block was obviously by Grimes, as he took an excellent inside-out approach and turned his man to create a lane.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By san diego irish August 28, 2009 - 6:53 pm
Nice analysis JW (and not just because I agree Floyd could have done better).
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By BJDomer August 29, 2009 - 1:33 pm
I think Tate was bound to have a tough time reaching the safety. Judging by his position, the safety probably read run early, and he was well out of Tate’s reach. I agree, that guy was probably Tate’s to block, but it’s not always a block that can be made, particularly if the safety reads the play quickly. Floyd was also very lazy on that play. He probably should have tried to run the corner out of the play, but since he decided to stalk block, he should have engaged the corner as soon as the corner began attacking the run aggressively. If Floyd could have a) Run his man off; or b) gotten his body on the man; Allen would have had much more space to make the cut outside, and this play might have gained an extra 5-10 yards and Allen would have been spared that crushing hit (plus, no fumble).
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By te August 30, 2009 - 6:38 pm
Perhaps all of you missed your true calling…being collegiate football coaches at the highest level.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By The Biscuit August 30, 2009 - 10:06 pm
te, if talking about a game we love, players we love, an institution we love, and how certain things are bad, others are good, etc isn’t okay, what the F are we supposed to talk about on a freaking ND FOOTBALL BLOG?
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By Her Loyal Sons » Alford Wants the Big Run, Makes DomerMQ Giddy Like a Schoolboy September 9, 2009 - 10:53 am
[...] Just recently, DMQ did some analysis on our top runs in terms of yardage vs. our competition last year. You can see that analysis here. [...]
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0
By Kelli Garner September 25, 2009 - 7:01 pm
Really nice posts. I will be checking back here regularly.
Thumbs Up/Down:
0 
0