SB Nation User Blog: kayakyakr

Dixon does qualify

kayakyakr — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 23:27:07 -0000

So all that railing that people did on him was for nothing. He'll be playing in the first game.

Accordingly, they overlooked a credit and that credit let him reach the time required.

I also want to mention that fanshots need to have a "quick thought" option where we can just post text. I don't have a link and I don't want to get a link so I can't write a fanshot, but there isn't enough here for a fanpost.

The role of the running game in an Air Raid offense

kayakyakr — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 02:57:51 -0000

Bear with me, this is a rough, in-progress look at the role our running game has played in the past and a question of what role it should play in the future. I feel that we should start with finding out what has worked and what hasn't worked in the running game so we can, as an inconsequential online entity, point out the direction that we feel Mike Leach should take in the further development of the running game. Yes, I say we because I'm hoping for input. Most of my thoughts on the matter are anecdotal (though I suppose I could look up old game footage, I'm not going to do that right this instant), so feel free to correct me and I will adjust.

First, I'd like to characterize our running game as of last year: a few draws, but mostly off-tackle handoffs out of the shotgun, what amounts to running the zone read without any of that read part. A majority of the handoffs go directly up the middle, what I see as either a homerun or a 2 yard loss if the runningback can't avoid the end that's come to get him. There was a set with two TE's that often managed to pick up a couple of yards, but it never seemed to get quite the push needed to pick up consistant yardage.

Now, of course, I'm going to tell you the 2 reasons why I think that was:

1) There is next to no motion on the line. Run blocking last year was very similar to pass blocking. The idea of standing your man up and not letting him get to the running back is a great though, but it doesn't open up any running lanes. A scheme that pulls a guard, runs the defense along itself (in a zone blocking scheme), even one that has a fullback leading the way will open up running lanes. I remember that one of the most consistent plays last year was the "student body left/right". Everyone's going one direction and at some point there's a cutback lane for the running back.

2) No misdirection. This can really be 2 part: basic runs without fear of counters or delayed draws or the like; and absolutely no play action. The first is pretty self explanatory. The second you may ask why play action would help the running game. With the lack of play action, a defense can read run as soon as they see the quarterback go for the handoff. The linebackers can attack the line at will or stuff up the mid-field passing lanes without having to make a choice between run and pass.

There's the one claim I think I can back up with statistics. I hope I'm not the only one that remembers talk in 2004 (I think it was some tv announcer in our opening game) about the addition of play action to the playbook. And true enough, I remember a much greater presence of play action during games. That year, our top two running backs gained the most yardage in the modern leach era (Henderson had more yards individually in 2005, but he and Mack combined for more the year previous. Yards per carry were down in 2004 vs 2003 and 2005, though. Not sure how to explain that except to point out that yards per carry were way down in 2007).

Ok, so much for part 1 of this running game look. I think next time, if there is one, I think I might look at touches vs running game as an indicator of success. Part 3 would be thoughts about what sort of running mentality might work with the Air Raid.

Recruiting Sites

kayakyakr — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:39:58 -0000

So, I've recently joined the ranks of those who have more money than they ever had in the past (ie I got a reasonably-well paying job and finished paying off credit debt). News is slow and I've been thinking about subscribing to one of the recruiting sites.

Which would you suggest for TTU? Supposedly it varies so much between the two based on team, so i'm not really sure.

Also, not football related, but I would like to express here how good the movie wall-e was. I'm not often blown away by "family" films, but this one did it.

Crabs vs Marlon Williams Drama

kayakyakr — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:29:40 -0000

Marlon William's Myspace for Marlon's myspace where he's put up a new track bout Crabtree. Hope that these things are not going to blow up and ruin the potential.

keep it in kids, you're on the same team. Mike's been pretty strict on team cancers before, I don't expect this to be any different.

Also, this is most definitely a fan post because i expect discussion to follow and to hell with fan shots that aren't simply links.

Good recruiting year so far

kayakyakr — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:24:11 -0000

I was looking through Tech commits this year and it's looking great. I don't ever remember us having 10 commits before the season starts as well as plenty of interest from a mess of other players.

we're at 10 players, 7 of them defensive, 2 Jucos. 1 of the Juco players is a guy whose goal it's been to play at TTU, having committed with us 3 times now. I think it sticks this time.

I'm thinking that we'll stick in there with a few more WR's so we're not putting all our eggs in that one amazing WR group from a few years back, but Leach seems to be favoring only the most talented. It didn't really work for us last year, but you have to keep trying. The kids seem to be listening.

Karam said now that he's committed to Tech, he plans on doing a little recruiting of his...

kayakyakr — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:47:08 -0000

Karam said now that he's committed to Tech, he plans on doing a little recruiting of his own.

"There are a few guys that I would like to come to Lubbock with me," Karam said. "I'm going to start working on them right away."

CardinalSports.com - Karam goes with gut

Friendswood QB chooses Red Raiders | AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

kayakyakr — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 12:24:10 -0000

Friendswood QB chooses Red Raiders | AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Looks like Leach took a local kid for his 2009 QB. I'm guessing he goes after one of the top qb's in the nation in 2010.

Bleacher Report likes TTU's defense

kayakyakr — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 13:35:57 -0000

Bleacher Report likes TTU's defense

These guys have TTU's D in the tops of the league

Larry Hays Steps Down

kayakyakr — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 17:12:36 -0000

Larry Hays Steps Down

Coach Hays has retired from coaching our baseball team. No hard feelings, he'll still be working for Tech in a different way for the next 3+ years. New position in the AD

paterno supports playoff

kayakyakr — Fri, 23 May 2008 02:54:01 -0000

paterno supports playoff

I like the crazy old man that will say pretty much anything because he's crazy and old.

I can't remember is Leach a playoff supporter?