University of Northern Iowa Panthers

[shot_5533]

Re: University of Northern Iowa Panthers

More play action when we have the leading rusher in all of Division one??? Why in the world would we want to do that??? Take off the tinfoil hat.

Got to admit its great to have options. Passing game will come. Play action is always awesome. Can we count on our fingers and toes the amout of play action the Jacks have ran in the last few years? It would be great too if Sumner could come to the line, survey the defense, and run if they have seven in the box and pass if they have eight in the box.

Great posts about UNI. I have a question - Who have the Jacks beaten this year who might be better?

[SF_Rabbit_Fan]

Re: University of Northern Iowa Panthers

Got to admit its great to have options. Passing game will come. Play action is always awesome. Can we count on our fingers and toes the amout of play action the Jacks have ran in the last few years? It would be great too if Sumner could come to the line, survey the defense, and run if they have seven in the box and pass if they have eight in the box.

Great posts about UNI. I have a question - Who have the Jacks beaten this year who might be better?

Seriously? Almost every time we step up to the line Sumner looks over to the sideline for the coaches signals on whether to stick with the play called or audible. At least I assume that's why there are two coaches frantically making hand gestures while Austin is looking toward the sideline before the play starts.

Indiana State is probably better than UNI.

[SDSUAlum08]

Re: University of Northern Iowa Panthers

I don't really understand how people keep saying 'the passing game will work itself out' or 'the passing game will come around and I'm not worried'. News flash, State is over halfway through the season and the passing game sucks and the difficult part of the schedule is now beginning. You can blame injuries, but with this good of a running game it should be easier to pass the ball. Luckily our coaches aren't saying it will be alright and are working hard at developing Sumner and the receivers. Until that gets better, I'm skeptical in believing this is a team that can make the playoffs and win some games. My opinion.

[goon]

Re: University of Northern Iowa Panthers

I hope we win. It would be nice to get a win there finally. How bad of a loss would it be if we lost?I think we we want to prove this team is for real we need to win this game. Most important game of the year. Gonna need the D to keep up the awesome play and offense needs to stay sharp keep drives going. I think we win but probably an ugly win this week whch is fine with me.

[JackJD]

Re: University of Northern Iowa Panthers

Seriously? Almost every time we step up to the line Sumner looks over to the sideline for the coaches signals on whether to stick with the play called or audible. At least I assume that's why there are two coaches frantically making hand gestures while Austin is looking toward the sideline before the play starts.

Indiana State is probably better than UNI.

I claim to have very little understanding of play calling and the x's and o's of football. Now, with that disclaimer in mind,...I thought Sumner looking over to the sidelines is planned, not unlike how the Southern Illinois offense operates. On nearly every play when SIU has been at CAS the last couple of games, most of the SIU offense looks to the sideline for last minute instructions, adjustments etc. Personally, I do not care for the SIU approach but I figure their coaches have plans etc. This season it seems our quarterback looks to the sideline frequently and, as noted by SF_Rabbit_Fan, there are two assistant coaches giving the same hand signals. I do not reach the same conclusion reached by SF_Rabbit. I have not viewed that activity as a sign the quarterback doesn't know whether to stick with the play called or audible. I thought it is part of the coaching approach this year and I just assumed someone in the booth watches the defense set up and then calls down to the two assistants who then relay last-second instructions to the offense. Those last-second instructions have resulted in adjustments in the line, for example, which creates the hole for Zach to blast through.

It seems to me that if the look to the sideline is a result of indecision, then the two assistants would not always be on the same page. And yet, when I watch the assistants, they are absolutely in tandem on the hand signals etc. I have yet to see them not give the same signals.

So, some of you experts out there, what is it: 1) a sign the QB is having trouble making up his mind; or 2) just a wrinkle in how plays are called? When SIU does it, it is very evident that's the way the offensive coordinator is calling plays and I think it shows no indecision on the part of the SIU quarterback. What's different about us?

[mnjackrbt]

Re: University of Northern Iowa Panthers

Its just a way of getting the audible from the coaches in the box. I believe the plays are designed to either be run as called or look to the sideline and get the signal for the different play after showing what the defense shows up in. Its also a way of seeing 2 different D alignments on one play so you know how the D will react later in the game. I however have never noticed the 2 coaches showing the same hand signals. Generally one is the "live" coach and one is the "dead" coach so the D doesn't pick up on the signals and the coaches switch who is live and dead each drive or half or something like that. Its a very convenient and easy system to get accurate audibles, not a way of saying "sumner doesn't know how to read a D." He very much knows how to, which is part of the reason he is struggling IMO. Last year he didn't know what he was doing, had no pressure, and just went out and played and had fun, like he has done his entire life. This year he knows what hes doing, thinking too much, and feeling the pressure. He just needs to settle down and go out and have fun.

[SUPERBUNNY]

Re: University of Northern Iowa Panthers

It isn't just the quarterback looking over. You'll notice the entire offensive unit looking to the sidelines. My guess is that this system is a far more efficient way to get a call from the booth upstairs and quickly get it to the quarteback. It would also be more effective in a noisy environment. By being at the line, it takes away the chance for the defense to substitute personel and in theory give us an advantage. Does it? Who knows? You could argue it does in the running game but not really in throwing the ball.

Coach Stig explained the process of how they audibled last year and all the different commands that went out to the line, the backs, receivers, and it amazed me how complex it was. It amazed me there aren't more delay penalties. All of those things being called out have a purpose and just aren't random chatter. By changing to the look to the side method it has to be able to get the info to the team faster and from the coordinator rather than just the QB making an audible.

I'm still of the belief that we will continue to improve throwing the ball but we also need to with the meat of the season ahead. This week will be a good barometer of how we are progressing.

GB, GB, GJ!

SUPERBUNNY

[SF_Rabbit_Fan]

Re: University of Northern Iowa Panthers

Its just a way of getting the audible from the coaches in the box. I believe the plays are designed to either be run as called or look to the sideline and get the signal for the different play after showing what the defense shows up in. Its also a way of seeing 2 different D alignments on one play so you know how the D will react later in the game. I however have never noticed the 2 coaches showing the same hand signals. Generally one is the "live" coach and one is the "dead" coach so the D doesn't pick up on the signals and the coaches switch who is live and dead each drive or half or something like that. Its a very convenient and easy system to get accurate audibles, not a way of saying "sumner doesn't know how to read a D." He very much knows how to, which is part of the reason he is struggling IMO. Last year he didn't know what he was doing, had no pressure, and just went out and played and had fun, like he has done his entire life. This year he knows what hes doing, thinking too much, and feeling the pressure. He just needs to settle down and go out and have fun.

This is what I was thinking.

I noticed the coaches were not doing these audible signals when Eric Klein was in the game last Saturday (at least some of the time).

[KUlawJack]

Re: University of Northern Iowa Panthers

I don't really understand how people keep saying 'the passing game will work itself out' or 'the passing game will come around and I'm not worried'. News flash, State is over halfway through the season and the passing game sucks and the difficult part of the schedule is now beginning. You can blame injuries, but with this good of a running game it should be easier to pass the ball. Luckily our coaches aren't saying it will be alright and are working hard at developing Sumner and the receivers. Until that gets better, I'm skeptical in believing this is a team that can make the playoffs and win some games. My opinion.

I agree with all of this. 11 picks half way through the season is ridiculous. We're lucky they haven't cost us more. 20 sacks given up is way too damn many.

As many have mentioned, we should be able to play action people to death given the effectiveness of our run game. Hopefully we will see more of that Saturday.

[common sense rabbit]

Re: University of Northern Iowa Panthers

I agree with all of this. 11 picks half way through the season is ridiculous. We're lucky they haven't cost us more. 20 sacks given up is way too damn many.

As many have mentioned, we should be able to play action people to death given the effectiveness of our run game. Hopefully we will see more of that Saturday.

totally agree on the 11 picks and the sacks. How bout some screens to our backs and sue dig routes to our Wr's. Simple routes but yet effective.

[RabbitObsessed]

Re: University of Northern Iowa Panthers

Got to admit its great to have options. Passing game will come. Play action is always awesome. Can we count on our fingers and toes the amout of play action the Jacks have ran in the last few years?

I need to work on my sarcasm. I agree with you. With our running game, PA would be even more effective so I think it's ridiculous that we don't use it more.

[propar80]

Re: University of Northern Iowa Panthers

I agree with all of this. 11 picks half way through the season is ridiculous. We're lucky they haven't cost us more. 20 sacks given up is way too damn many.

As many have mentioned, we should be able to play action people to death given the effectiveness of our run game. Hopefully we will see more of that Saturday.

KU-I know you go to the "Difference Makers" meetings in SF, or you did. If so, have you or anyone else asked why we don't do more "play action" considering we have the leading rusher in FCS? It drives me nuts that we don't see more of it as I'm pretty sure that on "running downs" all 11 defensive guys would be biting on the play-action. I would actually LOVE to see a "flea-flicker" from Zenner back to Sumner, as I can't even imagine how wide open Rollins or Kool would be downfield!! But I'm sure the word "Flea-Flicker" is competely forbidden in this offense.

Then again we are 5-1, but IMO, we're going to eventually need the passing game back. And if that means running Play-action to get some of our recievers loose then so be it.

Go Jacks!!

[KUlawJack]

Re: University of Northern Iowa Panthers

KU-I know you go to the "Difference Makers" meetings in SF, or you did. If so, have you or anyone else asked why we don't do more "play action" considering we have the leading rusher in FCS? It drives me nuts that we don't see more of it as I'm pretty sure that on "running downs" all 11 defensive guys would be biting on the play-action. I would actually LOVE to see a "flea-flicker" from Zenner back to Sumner, as I can't even imagine how wide open Rollins or Kool would be downfield!! But I'm sure the word "Flea-Flicker" is competely forbidden in this offense.

Then again we are 5-1, but IMO, we're going to eventually need the passing game back. And if that means running Play-action to get some of our recievers loose then so be it.

Go Jacks!!

They suspended Difference Makers in Sioux Falls so I didn't join this year. I think it was a lot work for Coach to get down here so I haven't had an opportunity to ask.

You mentioned a flea flicker, but Coach Stig might call that "communist football." I'm not sure if a flea flicker would be considered communist football or not. I'm guessing its getting awfully close to that line.

[JackJD]

Re: University of Northern Iowa Panthers

...I however have never noticed the 2 coaches showing the same hand signals. Generally one is the "live" coach and one is the "dead" coach so the D doesn't pick up on the signals and the coaches switch who is live and dead each drive or half or something like that....

I haven't watched the assistants sending in the signals all the time but when I do, it appears to me (I'm sitting on the west side of the stadium and the coaches are in front of me but I only see their backs and their hand movements) the two coaches are doing the same thing. Actually some of the hand signals remind me of the hilarious cheerleader routine in Saturday Night Live a few years ago with Will Ferrel and Cheri Oteri (the Spartans!): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oas-R1ivGQ8
Go to about the 28-second point in the video--when the coaches are sending that same signal depicted in the SNL video, Zenner goes for a long run.

[yoteforever]

Re: University of Northern Iowa Panthers

This is a big game for you. All smack aside, good luck at UNI. We'll do our best to create separation for you but not likely.