Great info, Dan. Thanks for taking the time to put it all together.
Riley/Langsdorf need to be willing to run TA or it's going to make this year a lot more difficult than it needs to be. I understand keeping him healthy but unless someone can provide some data showing that TA is less likely to get hurt taking hits in the pocket than he is as a part of the run game, there really is no debate. I think the data would show just as many injuries that result in loss of game time/season actually occur from non-contact situations as they do actual game contact (for any injury except concussion).
Even if the mindset is to call the game in a way to protect him from contact, there were still numerous opportunities to roll/boot TA out the backside of many of their formations and give him a RPO with the sidelines for bail-out to avoid contact. Just that would've helped to slow down what BYU was doing and helped NU's run game.
I love that this offense and coaching can make TA a 65% passer for the season (which I think it will). That said, the blueprint for beating NU is going to remain "commit to stop the run and make TA beat you with his arm". In those cases, the biggest opportunity they create is big play potential for TA with his legs if the coaches are only willing to exploit it.
JMO
Riley/Langsdorf need to be willing to run TA or it's going to make this year a lot more difficult than it needs to be. I understand keeping him healthy but unless someone can provide some data showing that TA is less likely to get hurt taking hits in the pocket than he is as a part of the run game, there really is no debate. I think the data would show just as many injuries that result in loss of game time/season actually occur from non-contact situations as they do actual game contact (for any injury except concussion).
Even if the mindset is to call the game in a way to protect him from contact, there were still numerous opportunities to roll/boot TA out the backside of many of their formations and give him a RPO with the sidelines for bail-out to avoid contact. Just that would've helped to slow down what BYU was doing and helped NU's run game.
I love that this offense and coaching can make TA a 65% passer for the season (which I think it will). That said, the blueprint for beating NU is going to remain "commit to stop the run and make TA beat you with his arm". In those cases, the biggest opportunity they create is big play potential for TA with his legs if the coaches are only willing to exploit it.
JMO
