FB: Duke 14, Georgia Tech 24

I’m not sure Matt Ryan ever had a designed run in the NFL (maybe even at BC), not counting sneaks. But he certainly had many opportunistic runs ending in slides for gains, even first downs. MM never. Ever. That is just odd.
But he at least ran for sneaks! Maalik won’t even do that!

Has anyone asked Manny about this? Like even on plays where we should sneak, Maalik literally never does. He always without fail hands it off
 
Really happy for Vandy! But watching their QB made me even more upset about our immobile QB. They had no 3 and outs vs Bama! Amazing. We may lead the country in 3 and outs. We had so many to start the game vs Heels and GT. And less than 100 yds offense in 1st half of both games.
I’m really proud of the Devils for their grit and resilience to start 5-0 with three fourth quarter comebacks. I rushed the field after UNC and it was awesome!
But our offense is tough to watch at times- both the play calling and execution. We need to be able to sustain drives and convert some more 3rd downs. Especially against quality teams like GT and rest of teams on our schedule, I don’t see Murphy all of sudden becoming Lamar Jackson after the bye week. But maybe Loftis or Belien will get some playing time to give us some variety on offense.
 
Am I misremembering (happens more frequently as I get older), or isn’t Loftis taking a redshirt this year.
Yes, that is his intention. But there is no official category of "redshirt." It just happens when a player doesn't play (or doesn't play a sufficient number of games).
 
I do not think that. Did you not read the post I was responding to? I can well believe he prefers not to run, but I never claimed that he never does.
75Crazie, I read your post carefully, as I do all that I respond to. If you read mine carefully, I asked why do you think that he never runs? I asked that not because you claimed he didn't, but because he never does! I suppose someone can find a clip or two out of all the snaps where he goes a couple of steps in the pocket, but I do not recall him running, and numerous posters have said the same. I would be delighted to see a clip of all of MM's Greatest Running Hits! Or any.
 
If you read mine carefully, I asked why do you think that he never runs? I asked that not because you claimed he didn't, but because he never does!
I apologize. In my defense, that question can be taken in two completely different ways, and of course I chose the more offensive way. But it's not much of a defense, and for that I am sorry.
 
It is possible to win with a pocket passer QB, though I very much think it is not ideal for Duke. I think Cut was right. At a place like Duke, you have to have to do things a little differently. Using the backup QB as the power runner (Connette). Finding a linebacker in a safety's body and creating a role for him to thrive (Jeremy Cash). Developing mobile QBs who could give you more options on offense (Boone/Sirk/DJ/Riley). Cut knew that the way we try to win can't be the way other teams try to win.

I'm a bit worried that the offensive staff does not agree with that approach. We run a very basic offense. That may be because our offensive line is so bad. It may be because our young QB can't be trusted with more complex stuff. But we have to find a way to be less predictable. I'm not sure big fixes are possible in the middle of the season, but I have some ideas:

- run more motion and misdirection. It's amazing how much harder it is to defend a simple handoff when you have to worry about a WR in motion that could be a jet sweep, or a QB that could be taking off in the opposite direction as the RB, etc.

- involve Maalik in the running game. Again, this probably just isn't going to happen. But you don't have to be fast to run the ball occasionally as a QB. It could be that our QB just refuses, or perhaps that he's not ready to make the reads necessary to run the read option.

- Run more screens/short passes. We dabbled in this over the first couple of games, and it has mostly disappeared. I'm not entirely sure why.

- Have the staff keep working with Maalik on decision making. We've often talked about how much we go for the high risk deep balls. Well, most pass plays have multiple options, and it's possible our QB just makes that choice more often than he should. With good coaching, he can choose the better option. To be clear, I think the staff has definitely given him the green light to air it out, but he needs to be able to check down when appropriate.

- Give Henry Belin some opportunities. He came in for one drive against Northwestern, and I thought he did really well. His running ability kept NU off balance, and he was able to complete a short throw. For some reason, that package was put on ice.
 
It is possible to win with a pocket passer QB, though I very much think it is not ideal for Duke. I think Cut was right. At a place like Duke, you have to have to do things a little differently. Using the backup QB as the power runner (Connette). Finding a linebacker in a safety's body and creating a role for him to thrive (Jeremy Cash). Developing mobile QBs who could give you more options on offense (Boone/Sirk/DJ/Riley). Cut knew that the way we try to win can't be the way other teams try to win.

I'm a bit worried that the offensive staff does not agree with that approach. We run a very basic offense. That may be because our offensive line is so bad. It may be because our young QB can't be trusted with more complex stuff. But we have to find a way to be less predictable. I'm not sure big fixes are possible in the middle of the season, but I have some ideas:

- run more motion and misdirection. It's amazing how much harder it is to defend a simple handoff when you have to worry about a WR in motion that could be a jet sweep, or a QB that could be taking off in the opposite direction as the RB, etc.

- involve Maalik in the running game. Again, this probably just isn't going to happen. But you don't have to be fast to run the ball occasionally as a QB. It could be that our QB just refuses, or perhaps that he's not ready to make the reads necessary to run the read option.

- Run more screens/short passes. We dabbled in this over the first couple of games, and it has mostly disappeared. I'm not entirely sure why.

- Have the staff keep working with Maalik on decision making. We've often talked about how much we go for the high risk deep balls. Well, most pass plays have multiple options, and it's possible our QB just makes that choice more often than he should. With good coaching, he can choose the better option. To be clear, I think the staff has definitely given him the green light to air it out, but he needs to be able to check down when appropriate.

- Give Henry Belin some opportunities. He came in for one drive against Northwestern, and I thought he did really well. His running ability kept NU off balance, and he was able to complete a short throw. For some reason, that package was put on ice.
This is the best post on this thread
 
I would settle for a little more misdirection, and continuing to work with Maalik on decision making (which I am positive is an ongoing process).

We have seen some running plays involving Brown (#14) and I think Hagins. I think those plays have been moderately successful. I suspect that our coaches feel that the offensive line is better at straight ahead blocking than pulling or open field blocking and that may be why the straight ahead approach seems to be our coaches' preference.
 
I think we know who we are at this point and I'm not holding out hope for any drastic improvements this point. Still many winnable games on the schedule with an elite defense even with the offense like this.
I wonder what our NIL deal with Maalik is. Would have to imagine it’s multi-year, but if it’s not, would love to take that money and see if we could get a dual-threat in the portal
 
I wonder what our NIL deal with Maalik is. Would have to imagine it’s multi-year, but if it’s not, would love to take that money and see if we could get a dual-threat in the portal
I don't follow the team as closely as others here but based on what I saw last year I would rather give the two guys sitting on the bench a try and use the money to put more talent around them. I thought they both did well and with reps could be very good QBs.

Don't take this as me giving up on Maalik. I stand behind our guys and want him to succeed. And I don't think it is impossible.
 
If Maalik sticks around (he's only a sophomore) I think he could be a lot better next year. This year is what it is.
 
I don't follow the team as closely as others here but based on what I saw last year I would rather give the two guys sitting on the bench a try and use the money to put more talent around them. I thought they both did well and with reps could be very good QBs.

Don't take this as me giving up on Maalik. I stand behind our guys and want him to succeed. And I don't think it is impossible.
I'm not criticizing your post because I mostly agree, but it reminds me of how I feel about my Cardinals paying the over-the-hill guys and not using it more wisely. That's what college sports has become in my mind. Pay for play.

GoDuke!
 
- Have the staff keep working with Maalik on decision making. We've often talked about how much we go for the high risk deep balls. Well, most pass plays have multiple options, and it's possible our QB just makes that choice more often than he should. With good coaching, he can choose the better option. To be clear, I think the staff has definitely given him the green light to air it out, but he needs to be able to check down when appropriate.
The whole post is fantastic but I wanted to focus on this point. I feel this is the biggest issue for the offense right now. Maalik has a big arm and appears to want to show it off on every pass play. Unfortunately, his accuracy on long throws is not great, so Duke often faces 3rd and long. A completed throw to a check down and Duke is facing 3rd and something reasonable. I also think Maalik has a tendency for tunnel vision.
 
I think the last two posts are very accurate. I have been wondering how going for the home run pass equates to a 3 pointer in basketball. Is a 20% completion rate equivalent to 2 or 3 short completions? The big gainer is exciting and eats up yards but most of the time is a wasted down and shortens the time the offense is on the field (and the defense is resting). Using it occasionally does stretch the defense but not every 5 or 6 plays.

I can only imagine the conversations between coaches and player about this subject. So far there have been no repercussions in terms of playing time.
 
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