SB Nation User Blog: displacedute

Use of the "Jerry Rice" formation at Utah.

displacedute — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:16:33 -0000

When Jerry Rice was at MVSC his coach would line him up solo on one side of the field and would line up 4 receivers on the other side, who would all run crossing routes. If the opponent double- or triple-covered Jerry then the didn't have enough guys to cover the other wideouts and the QB could hit them for a big gain. If the opponent single-covered Jerry (like only an idiot would) then he'd get wide open for a huge gain or touchdown.

via assets.sbnation.com

The blog author talks about which SEC teams could use the formation, and against which SEC opponents, but I was looking at it and thinking it would work GREAT at Utah, at least in some situations. There are very few MWC teams that have 5 talented and fast cover corners who could cover Utah's wideouts one-on-one (TCU is the only one who comes to mind). Every other MWC opponent would have to make the choice between letting the outside man get open deep (I suggest using David Reed or Aiona Key as the outside man) or double-covering him and leaving one of our smaller/quicker receivers (Brooks, Lacy, Matthews, Wesson, etc.) open for a shorter but still decent gain. Not saying we should use it every down, but when we're running no-huddle with five-wide, it would certainly be interesting.

Links below:

Speed Kills SEC blog about which SEC teams could use the formation.

Smart Football Blog post that inspired the Speed Kills post

Top 10 moments of 2008-2009.

displacedute — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 18:53:43 -0000

Jazzy probably has all of these on video, but here are the top 10 moments of 08-09 for me:

10- Godfrey's TD at the end of the 1st half against Michigan. If he doesn't push in from the 1-yard line I don't know if we win that game. Probably would have ranked higher if Michigan did not suck so much.

9- The closing minute drive against AF. No play really stands out, maybe the TD run.

8- The two sacks to take TCU out of FG range in the first half of the game.

7- The defensive performance of the last quarter of the UNM game.

6- The first interception of the BYU game. Good read, good play, but nothing compared to what we were about to see.

5- Sack #1 on John Parker Wilson, by Sly, which let us know we weren't giving up anything against their "more-talented" OL.

4- Kruger's pick in the BYU game. Would probably be #2 if he hadn't fallen down at the 2 yard line.

3- The last two minutes of the Oregon State game. I'll admit, I gave up when they scored the touchdown. But then Brian goes down, ties it up, defense gets the stop and Brian gives Louie the chance to win it in regulation, which (of course) he does. Never should have doubted him.

2- The last minute drive against TCU. We had, prior to that drive, 200 yards of TOTAL OFFENSE all game. An average of about 50 yards per quarter. We finished it off with an 80-yard TD drive to win the game. This game I actually watched the whole ending, because after the OSU game I was sure Brian wasn't letting us lose. The 4th-and-5 conversion is the best play of the drive, especially considering Brian had just missed an easy TD by overthowing Casteel.

1- TD number 3 against Alabama. Two great long drives, plus the one short drive after the interception, and I knew we were in this game for real. A 14-0 lead after one quarter is pretty good, but a 21-0 lead is soul-crushing for the other team.

Anyway, that's mine.

Great Game Tide.

displacedute — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 17:16:25 -0000

I just wanted to let all of you know how impressed I have been by your fans on this site and what a great job you do of representing the University of Alabama. I know you are still smarting from yesterday, but I was very impressed by the class of your players yesterday as well. Often when teams are losing to an underdog (although hopefully people will stop calling us that soon) they start acting classless and I think your team did a great job of staying above that yesterday.

I thought it was a great game by both sides. I'm sure Smith had something to do with our win last night, but I feel like both teams played pretty well and Utah just got the better of a very good Alabama team. Considering we beat 4 ranked teams this year, I'd hope we get some #1 votes. Congrats on a great season, Alabama, and considering the average age of your players, I doubt it will be very long before your next Sugar Bowl and maybe a NC game. Hopefully we get a playoff soon, in which case I look forward to seeing all of you again.

What If Sports

displacedute — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 20:16:46 -0000

Don't know if you all have seen this, but whatifsports.com's computers seem to think Utah will win it on a last-second drive and a 51-yard FG by our All-American kicker.

What If Sports previews the Sugar Bowl.

I would be pretty surprised if Coffee Runs for 191 and Ingram for 121 and Utah still wins the game. The two lost fumbles and the two missed FGs really seem to be the difference. I wouldn't be surprised if the team that wins the TO margin wins the game. Of course, I'm a Ute, so I still think we have a chance against you. I know many here feel differently.