Down The Drive - #21 Cincinnati Bearcats at the Toledo RocketsA Cincinnati Bearcats blog for the moderately intelligenthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48741/downthedrive-fave.png2012-10-25T11:01:12-04:00http://www.downthedrive.com/rss/stream/32939832012-10-25T11:01:12-04:002012-10-25T11:01:12-04:00Film Study | Kickoff Returns and Complex Systems
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<figcaption>Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>In the third quarter of the Cincinnati Bearcats game against the Toledo Rockets UC took the lead on a good throw, and a great adjustment from Damon Julian. With the extra point up and good the Bearcats took a 20-19 lead. A lead that would last for all of 18 seconds. </p> <p>5 years, more or less, is the amount of time that elapsed between <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/116553/bernard-reedy">Bernard Reedy's</a> dagger of a kickoff return Saturday night and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=942miu-cRY0">a similar return by South Florida's Mike Jenkins</a> in the Bearcats wild 2007 win over the Bulls. 61 games elapsed in between. 61 games that saw the Bearcats field a top notch special teams unit again and again. It all went to shambles Saturday, and at the worst possible time.</p>
<p>There are three key factors to Reedy's return, so lets start with the most obvious one, Reedy. Reedy came into the contest on a hot streak, the hottest streak you can have for a return man. In back to back contests Reedy had taken kicks to the house, a punt against Central Michigan, kick off against Eastern. He was as hot a return man as is humanly possible without spontaneous combustion.</p>
<p>Second, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/79630/pat-o-donnell">Pat O'Donnell</a> had been manning the kickoff spot all season, and doing a marvelous job. He ranks in the top 10 nationally in yards per kickoff, and touch back percent. But he picked up a hamstring issue, and Butch Jones was not happy with his placement of kickoffs when, you know, they didn't fly 8 yards deep into the endzone. So there was a competition with O'Donnell and Miliano. Miliano won.</p>
<p>Third, the Bearcats decided to address the threat of Reedy with a directional kicking scheme. Butch Jones from <a target="_blank" href="http://www.downthedrive.com/2012/10/23/3544280/Cincinnati-bearcats-football-louisville-cardinals-keg-of-nails-october-26th">Tuesday's presser</a>.</p>
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<p>Obviously the kickoff return is something that is inexcusable. We are working to get it corrected. We break up our special teams and we’ve run that scheme for over 20 years. And that’s the first time we’ve ever had a kick off using that scheme ran back on us. It is something that we take great pride in our special teams.</p>
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<p>The scheme Butch speaks of is basically a coffin corner kick where you put the ball deep into the corner of the goalline and sideline and the return man must decide if he wants to risk the return, or make a call on whether the ball roll out of bounds. Best case scenario, the ball will be hit to land two yards from the sideline, five yards from the endzone, at which point the return man has no choice but to return the ball into the teeth of a coverage unit designed to trap him in the corner. This kickoff was obviously not the best case scenario, so what went wrong.</p>
<p align="center"><object width="640" height="480"><param name="movie" value="http://swf.tubechop.com/tubechop.swf?vurl=Z7SD38F3wbM&start=139&end=158&cid=618335">
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<p>Every Down The Drive readers favorite phrase, lets take it frame by frame.</p>
<p align="center"><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1623403/reedy.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Reedy_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1623403/reedy_medium.jpg"></a> <br id="1351139923949"></p>
<p>Not a great kickoff from Miliano, 9 yards short of the goal line, just outside the numbers. Not only that, but there isn't a lot of hang time on the kick. Notice that no Bearcat is within15 yards of Reedy, that gives Reedy more than enough time to scan the coverage for weaknesses.</p>
<p align="center"><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1623419/reedy_2.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Reedy_2_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1623419/reedy_2_medium.jpg"></a> <br id="1351140088329"></p>
<p>This is the block in the back that wound up not being a block in the back. It is impossible to tell if the Toledo player actually connects with Malcom Murray. Beleive me, I've watched the clip 20 times, its inconclusive at best. The UT player clearly intended to block him in the back, I just don't know that he did. As for Reedy, he's running to daylight.</p>
<p align="center"><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1623515/reedy_3.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Reedy_3_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1623515/reedy_3_medium.jpg"></a> <br id="1351140321782"></p>
<p>This frame illustrates the risk with directional kicking on a kickoff. Its great if you can contain the return man in the corner. But if he breaks contain it gets really dicey, really quickly. Five Bearcats have wound up overrunning the play, and are in no position to make a difference.</p>
<p align="center"><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1623635/reedy_4.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Reedy_4_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1623635/reedy_4_medium.jpg"></a> <br id="1351140517861"></p>
<p>I see a hole, Reedy sees a hole.</p>
<p align="center"><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1623691/reedy_5.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Reedy_5_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1623691/reedy_5_medium.jpg"></a> <br id="1351140582299"></p>
<p>Hole. Corry Mason (I think, its hard to tell with the low quality video) is in the way, sort of, but he is not squared up, trying to break down on the run. Oh and tackle the most elusive guy on the field.</p>
<p align="center"><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1623795/reedy_6.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Reedy_6_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1623795/reedy_6_medium.jpg"></a> <br id="1351140785143"></p>
<p>Mason dives and misses, Reedy is at full speed, has blockers, open space and no Bearcat is really in position to make a play. Its OK to swear.</p>
<p align="center"><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1623843/reedy_7.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Reedy_7_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1623843/reedy_7_medium.jpg"></a> <br id="1351140931113"></p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/160648/bruce-horner">Bruce Horner</a>, resolute special teams warrior takes a dive and misses.<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113151/tony-miliano">Tony Miliano</a> himself is next and takes a swing...</p>
<p align="center"><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1623859/reedy_8.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Reedy_8_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1623859/reedy_8_medium.jpg"></a> <br id="1351141060495"></p>
<p>and whiffs. Jeremy Graves hasn't a hope in hell of catching Reedy.</p>
<p align="center"><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1623875/reedy_9.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Reedy_9_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1623875/reedy_9_medium.jpg"></a> <br id="1351141151702"></p>
<p>Little man flexin...</p>
<p align="center">****</p>
<p align="left">This is why special teams are special. This breakdown can't be pinned on anyone in particular. Everyone on the kickoff team played their part. Miliano kicked a poor ball, 6 guys overran the play, Malcom Murray kinda, sorta, maybe got blocked in the back with no flag, and lastly Bernard Reedy made guys look silly in space.</p>
<p align="left">Kickoff coverage is a complex system, and with complexity comes the potential for compounding errors. Three four small errors led to one big blunder. In and of themselves neither of those four mistakes would result in a kickoff return for a touchdown. Have all four of them at once and a TD becomes preordained. That being said, Reedy can't return a ball that lands 9 yards deep in the endzone.</p>
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https://www.downthedrive.com/2012/10/25/3552142/film-study-kickoff-returns-and-complex-systems-cincinnati-bearcats-bernard-reedy-rocketsMatt Opper2012-10-22T13:11:53-04:002012-10-22T13:11:53-04:00Flaws Appear In Bearcats Loss To Toledo
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<p>Munchie Legaux played badly, but he wasn't the only one, and he isn't the only reason the Bearcats fell to Toledo.</p> <blockquote>
<p>"Our margin of error is very small. It doesn't matter if we are playing Delaware State, Fordham, Louisville, Toledo, it does not matter. We just can't show up, we are not good enough to just show up and beat anybody. We have to follow the plan to win, the formula to win."</p>
<p>-Butch Jones</p>
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<p>It is a long time after the Toledo game to be making a post about it. But, being in retail, getting a Saturday off usually comes at the cost of a Sunday full of work. So right now is the first time I have had a moment to talk about the game. There has been a rush to judgement, understandably, to wrap this loss up and tie it around the neck of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113148/munchie-legaux">Munchie Legaux</a>. Its easy, but it isn't exactly accurate.</p>
<p>Munchie played badly. But, that is a game that UC should have won, and its a game where UC lost, on the margins. Two non offensive TD's and five field goals did the business for the Rockets. The moment after UC took its first, and only, lead of the game <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113151/tony-miliano">Tony Miliano</a> tempted fate one too many times kicking to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/116553/bernard-reedy">Bernard Reedy</a>, and Reedy took it 91 yards to the house to give the Rockets the lead for good. It was the first kickoff return for a TD that the Bearcats had given up in 61 games.</p>
<p>This was a classic margins game, because UC statistically dominated the Rockets. The Bearcats gained 123 more yards, averaged 6.6 yards per play to the Rockets 5.3. And on, and on. But UC lost because the Rockets had those two, huge non offensive TD's, and they made the difference in the game.</p>
<p>Munchie played badly against the Rockets, but I don't but into the argument that the reason the Bearcats is all on Munchie. If UC doesn't have a major gaff on kick off coverage, or better yet doesn't tempt fate by kicking to the most <a target="_blank" href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=newssearch&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CCoQ-AsoATAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Fsports%2Fcolleges%2Fmistakes-special-teams-haunt-no-21-cincinnati-as-bearcats-suffer-29-23-loss-at-toledo%2F2012%2F10%2F20%2F2d466806-1b29-11e2-ad4a-e5a958b60a1e_story.html&ei=UHyFUJLOOaqo0AGn2oHABA&usg=AFQjCNEplJf4bhFVpjnM2g9sRGQ89uuZ9Q">red hot return man in the country</a>, UC wins.</p>
<p>There are quite a few issues with this UC team at the moment, but they fly completely under the radar, because all anyone has eyes for is the quarterback. That comes with the territory, but its deeply unfair to characterize the performance of the Bearcats on Saturday night as perfect, except for the play of Munchie. UC lost that game because they lost on the margins, which is where UC has been winning under Butch Jones.</p>
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https://www.downthedrive.com/2012/10/22/3538200/cincinnati-bearcats-23-toledo-rockets-29-football-munchie-legauxMatt Opper2012-10-20T14:15:21-04:002012-10-20T14:15:21-04:00The #21 Bearcats Face Their Biggest Test Yet
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<figcaption>Rob Leifheit-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>With the news of Walter Stewart hitting Bearcat Nation like a bomb today its been lost in the shuffle a bit that there is still a game to be played. This game was always going to be difficult, it becomes more so without Walt.</p> <p>All week long Butch Jones has been pounding into his team that this game, this road game, is a test of them. That it would challenge them in ways that they never expected. He was talking to his players, he might as well have been talking to the fan base.</p>
<p>It is highly unlikely that the team or just found out about the Walt injury today, like the rest of us did. Remember the rumor that started the rampant speculation started on the <a target="_blank" href="http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/conversation?gameId=322942649">ESPN gamepage</a>, and it involved Walt in a neck brace. Its likely that the team has known about this since Monday, possibly Sunday.</p>
<p>Its a shock to us, but it won't be to the team who has been preparing for this game with the assumption that Walt won't be in it. That is comforting, sort of. It doesn't change the prevailing facts in this game, the most relevant of which is that you, me and 9 other guys could probably toss 400 yards of offense on the board. This game is a test, doubly so with Walt, the unquestioned talisman of this team standing on the sideline. But this team can pass it, with or without Walt. I am heading up to Toledo</p>
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https://www.downthedrive.com/2012/10/20/3530792/cincinnati-bearcats-football-toledo-rockets-glass-bowl-october-20thMatt Opper2012-10-20T11:33:51-04:002012-10-20T11:33:51-04:00Mills and Mouhon Have A Big Spotlight to Fill
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<figcaption>Jonathan Ernst</figcaption>
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<p>September 12th 2009. That was the last time a Cincinnati Bearcats defense stepped onto the field <em>without</em> Walter Stewart in the starting lineup. In between that day, where the Bearcats hung 70 on Southeastern Missouri State, have come 41 games, and 41 starts for Walt. His loss is big, to say the least. </p> <p>But the Bearcats do have a capible back up, two of them actually. Brandon Mills has 16 career sacks, and 28 TFL. He has played in every game since early in the 2009 season. This is not a guy who will be shocked by anything that he sees tonight. That being said, this has not been his best season. Just 1 sack and 1 TFL on the season.</p>
<p>The other option to start in Walts stead is Silverberry Mouhon, a redshirt Freshman from Norcross, Georgia. Mouhon has as much talent as any young defensive linemen in a Bearcats uniform over the last half a decade. Defensive line coach Steve Stripling loves Silverberry, and his potential, and he <i>has</i> seen plenty of live, relevant reps this season. But as with Mills, the production isn't great. Mouhon has 5 tackels on the year with no TFL's or sacks, though he does have a pass breakup and hurry on the season.</p>
<p>Coming into the season I thought that the Bearcats depth up front would be even better than it was last year. So far that has been true, sort of. By that I mean that the rotation is even deeper, UC routinely plays 9 guys in the rotation, which is more than last year. But this injury will be the first really big test of the theory. Brandon Mills and Silverberry Mouhon are going to have big spotlights on them. That spotlight is so big because the guy they are playing so routinely fills it. Its a big space to fill.</p>
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https://www.downthedrive.com/2012/10/20/3530058/with-walter-stewart-out-the-spotlight-will-be-on-brandon-mills-andMatt Opper2012-10-20T10:52:43-04:002012-10-20T10:52:43-04:00Cincinnati Defensive End Walter Stewart Out
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<figcaption>Rob Leifheit-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The Bearcats defense takes a huge hit today as Walter Stewart will be out of the game. Stewart picked up an injury in the Fordham game. </p> <p>By most statistical measures the Cincinnati Bearcats defense is playing at a much higher level this season than in years past. Yards per game and passer rating allowed are hovering at around the 2008 defenses numbers. But in this safe, supportive environment known as the internet I think Bearcat fans can admit something to themselves: UC hasn't really played a good offense yet. That changes tonight, but this defense will have to get it done <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcincinnati.com%2Fblogs%2Fuc%2F2012%2F10%2F20%2Fucs-stewart-will-not-play-tonight-vs-toledo%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.downthedrive.com%2F2012%2F10%2F20%2F3529974%2Fwalter-stewart-out-against-the-toledo-rockets" target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">without Walter Stewart.</a></p>
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<p>Senior defensive end Walter Stewart will not play due to an undisclosed upper body injury that he suffered in last week’s game against Fordham. Stewart continued to play after sustaining the injury.</p>
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<p>Walt's production will be missed, dearly, against an offense as talented and explosive as the Rockets. The glass half full part of me would like to think that the coaches are playing it safe so that Walt can go against Louisville. But I don't know if I am that optimistic.</p>
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https://www.downthedrive.com/2012/10/20/3529974/walter-stewart-out-against-the-toledo-rocketsMatt Opper2012-10-19T21:01:12-04:002012-10-19T21:01:12-04:00Keys to the Toledo Game
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<figcaption>Rob Leifheit-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The Cincinnati Bearcats embark on their first true road test of the 2012 season tomorrow night when the Bearcats venture into the hostile confines of the Glass Bowl. The game promises to be a fast and furious affair, by which I mean it will probably last close to four hours. Here are the keys to the game for the Bearcats.</p> <p><b>Win On Third Down</b></p>
<p>On paper, there are very few holes in the Rockets game. They run the ball well, racking up 189 yards per game, and they average a respectable 4.9 yards per carry. They have a dynamic passing attack that ranks in the top 30 in yards per game, passer rating. If there is a weakness its up front, the Rockets have given up 12 sacks on the season and can be knocked off schedule. It is vital for the Bearcats to do just that.</p>
<p>It has flown way under the radar this season. With all the available talking points from Munchie to, the emergence of the new look offensive line, and the surprising defensive play its easy to overlook third down defense. UC is 19th in the country in third down defense, and UC does that by getting teams off schedule with big plays, particularly sacks. Toledo is a dangerous offense, but as the saying goes, there aren't a lot of plays in the playbook for third and long. UC has to force Toledo into those spots to make life more difficult for Terrence Owens and crew.</p>
<p><b>Run To Win</b></p>
<p>Toledo is bad a defense, and that is putting it somewhat mildly. Against such a defense I would normally advocate playing the game at a faster pace. But that would play into the hands of the Rockets. UC runs with a nominally fast pace, averaging around 68 plays per game. But Toledo is even faster at 77 plays per game on average.Its in the Bearcats best interest in this game to control the pace and the tempo, and the best way to do that is with the running game.</p>
<p>Toledo fans are more concerned about the secondary, but their defensive line is a disaster right now. T.J. Fatinikun and Christian Smith, starting defensive ends at the start of the season, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.hustlebelt.com/2012/10/1/3437142/tj-fatinikun-injury-toledo-rockets">have been lost to injury</a> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&ved=0CC8QFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.toledoblade.com%2FUT%2F2012%2F10%2F01%2FInjuries-to-test-Toledo-depth.html%3FDB_OEM_ID%3D18000&ei=ou-BUPGILuay0AGX2oCYBQ&usg=AFQjCNFLkaQC8A7O6ORP1W9CfWLxkh1qzg">for the year</a>. Those injuries happened in the same game, against Western Michigan, pile onto <a target="_blank" href="http://www.toledoblade.com/UT/2012/09/09/Rockets-somber-after-injury.html">another injury to starting</a> defensive tackle Danny Farr.</p>
<p>Its not a great situation up front, defensively, for the Rockets. How bad is it; Matt Campbell has been forced to press not one or two, but three true freshmen into the defensive rotation. In the long run that will be a net positive for Toledo, but right now its patch work. UC has one of the best ground games in the country, and Toledo just gave up 383 yards on the ground to Eastern Michigan. A team that hadn't yet topped the 200 yard barrier before Saturday. Ground and pound.</p>
<p><b>Turnover Margin</b></p>
<p>In the event that this game becomes a shootout (more likely than I would like) the contest will be decided on the margins. With special teams play, where the return games are, essentially, equal, and the Bearcats have an advantage in terms of kick coverage and, well, kicking. But the Rockets have Bernard Reedy, which makes special teams a wash.</p>
<p>Defensively Toledo has issues, lots of them. Its really hard to give up 488 yards per game and <i>not </i>have issues. But there is one thing they do well, and that's force turnovers. The Rockets have 14 takeaways on the year, in other words two per game, which is quite good.</p>
<p>UC for its part has put the turnover bug to bed after the Delaware State game. Since that game the Bearcats have had just 1 turnover, against Virginia Tech, and have 10 consecutive quarters of turnover free Football. But UC has put the ball on the ground 4 times in those two games, but they did not lose any of them, which is an outlier. UC has to play clean against Toledo who is +6 in turnover margin.</p>
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https://www.downthedrive.com/2012/10/19/3528434/friday-night-keys-21-cincinnati-at-toledoMatt Opper2012-10-18T10:27:17-04:002012-10-18T10:27:17-04:00Film Study | Packaged Concepts and The Rockets
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<p>With a young rising star in Matt Campbell as its Head Coach the Toledo Rockets are managing to stay ahead of the curve offensively. One of the ways that the Rockets manage this is by packing concepts.</p> <p>If you turn on the TV on Saturday to watch West Virginia, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Baylor or one of the dozen or so schools igniting Football fields from coast to coast a question surely arises. How do these teams continue to make the spectacular look routine. They manage it because the routine play is<a target="_blank" href="http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8287610/packaged-plays-rethinking-concept-modern-play-calling"> more spectacular than ever before</a>.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>That seemingly <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-videos/09000d5d8256abec/QB-Rodgers-to-RB-Grant-32-yd-pass">straightforward screen pass</a> to Ryan Grant suggests that now things are no longer so simple. There's a new game, and it takes those time-tested plays and blends them into something new. It blends them so seamlessly that it threatens to upend the very idea of "run" and "pass." These are the "packaged plays," and because of them real football is ahead of the video games — both old and new. The answer to "What play was that?" is no longer so simple, because it's increasingly "All of them."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Coaches like Chip Kelly and Dana Holgerson have driven the trend for nationally recognized teams/brands, and thus are getting the lions share of attention/credit for this trend which is pushing offenses into heretofore <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ourdailybears.com/2012/10/1/3439596/art-briles-finally-loses-a-game-of-hyper-efficiency-chicken">unheard of realms of efficiency</a>. Its hard to be right, defensively, when the offense always has the option to make you wrong. That is where packaged concepts come into play.</p>
<p align="center">****</p>
<p align="left">Last Saturday a game of hyper-efficiency chicken, as <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ourdailybears.com/">Our Daily Bears</a> calls it, broke out between Toledo and Eastern Michigan. A bomb detonated in Rynerson Stadium during the third quarter. The fissionable material in this case was the defenses of the Eagles and Rockets.</p>
<p align="center"><iframe src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/50rFsqZmJWQ" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe> <br id="1350523711163"></p>
<p align="left">That third quarter saw the two teams combine 55 points, and 578 yards, on just 34 plays, and those stats don't even count the kickoff return for a TD by <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/116553/bernard-reedy">Bernard Reedy</a>. In that third quarter both teams <i>averaged</i> 15 yards per play. I could go on with the superlatives and numbers, but this kind of <a target="_blank" href="http://www.hustlebelt.com/mac-football/2012/10/15/3506258/toledo-eastern-michigan-third-quarter-bizzonkers">gets to the point</a>.</p>
<p align="left">In that kind of explosion little things, no matter how important, can get lost in the shuffle. Both offenses were good, but they worked in different ways. Eastern Michigan has a much more traditional attack, exploiting massive holes and missed assignments in the UT defense. Meanwhile the Rockets use a boatload of packaged concepts to leverage open holes, and then they sent Bernard Reedy through them.</p>
<p align="left">One play in particular stands out to me, and it happened with 8:59 left in the third quarter.</p>
<p align="center"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://swf.tubechop.com/tubechop.swf?vurl=50rFsqZmJWQ&start=90&end=105&cid=603970">
<embed src="http://swf.tubechop.com/tubechop.swf?vurl=50rFsqZmJWQ&start=90&end=105&cid=603970" mce_src="http://swf.tubechop.com/tubechop.swf?vurl=50rFsqZmJWQ&start=90&end=105&cid=603970" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> </p>
<p>This is, in essence two plays in one. The offensive line is blocking for an outside zone running play to the right hand side. Bernard Reedy motions into a bubble screen to the left hand side. Terrence Owens, the Rockets QB, simply reads his key defender and makes a decision on what "play" to run.</p>
<p align="center"><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1576577/packaged_concept.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Packaged_concept_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1576577/packaged_concept_medium.jpg"></a> <br id="1350523938491"></p>
<p>Lets take it frame by frame.</p>
<p align="center"><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1576609/reedy_swing.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Reedy_swing_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1576609/reedy_swing_medium.jpg"></a> <br id="1350524510775"></p>
<p>This is the pre snap look for Toledo. 2x2 with a back. This is a base set for the Rockets, with no real tendency, in terms of run or pass. EMU is in a Dime look with one linebacker.</p>
<p align="center"><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1576633/reedy_swing_2.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Reedy_swing_2_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1576633/reedy_swing_2_medium.jpg"></a> <br id="1350524691568"></p>
<p>Reedy starts his motion which will take him behind Terrence Owens and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/116563/david-fluellen">David Fluellen</a>.</p>
<p align="center"><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1576649/reedy_swing_3.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Reedy_swing_3_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1576649/reedy_swing_3_medium.jpg"></a> <br id="1350524767989"></p>
<p>EMU moves the man who was covering Reedy into the box. Terrence Owen's read on this play is the linebacker. The linebacker dictates where the ball will go, not so much by what he does, but by where he aligns. That makes this play, in essence, an option play.</p>
<p align="center"><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1578773/redux.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Redux_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1578773/redux_medium.jpg"></a> <br id="1350569721516"></p>
<p>Just prior to the snap Eastern Michigan rolls a safety into the box, which gives the Eagles a numerical advantage against the run. When that happens someone *cough* linebacker *cough* has to bump out to cover the third receiver to the backside. When it doesn't happen EMU is misaligned, and fatally so. In essence the Eagles gained a numerical advantage to the playside, at the expense of the backside where they are now out numbered.</p>
<p align="center"><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1576665/reedy_swing_4.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Reedy_swing_4_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1576665/reedy_swing_4_medium.jpg"></a> <br id="1350524905523"></p>
<p>Owens read is the linebacker, and he hasn't moved, that makes Reedy the read for Owens.</p>
<p align="center"><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1576705/reedy_swing_5.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Reedy_swing_5_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1576705/reedy_swing_5_medium.jpg"></a> <br id="1350525279258"></p>
<p>The ball is out, and the linebacker is 15 yards out of position.</p>
<p align="center"><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1576761/reedy_swing_6.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Reedy_swing_6_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1576761/reedy_swing_6_medium.jpg"></a> <br id="1350525348629"></p>
<p>Catch and run</p>
<p align="center"><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1576777/reedy_swing_7.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Reedy_swing_7_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1576777/reedy_swing_7_medium.jpg"></a> <br id="1350525385789"></p>
<p>A hole appears, and it is caused by the misalignment of that linebacker. If properly aligned the hole that Reedy is bursting through wouldn't really exist.</p>
<p align="center"><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1576785/reedy_swing_8.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Reedy_swing_8_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1576785/reedy_swing_8_medium.jpg"></a> <br id="1350525494085"></p>
<p>Now the safety and linebacker are diving at the feet of Bernard Reedy. Its already too late.</p>
<p align="center"><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1576801/Reedy_swing_9.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Reedy_swing_9_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1576801/Reedy_swing_9_medium.jpg"></a> <br id="1350525588649"></p>
<p>He Gone.</p>
<p align="center"><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1576809/reedy_swing_10.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Reedy_swing_10_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1576809/reedy_swing_10_medium.jpg"></a> <br id="1350525628426"></p>
<p>Touchdown.</p>
<p align="center">****</p>
<p align="left">Butch Jones called the Rockets by far the best offense that this defense has faced to date. He's not wrong about that. If current trends hold the Rockets will have the best offense this defense will face all year. But it is not just the talent that the Rockets posses, it is the scheme as well.</p>
<p align="left">As the play above demonstrates pretty clearly the Rockets put constant stress on a defense, and they can exploit the smallest of mistakes in a big, big way. In general, these kind of offenses are disconcerting. They are going to gain yards, they are going to score points, almost regardless of who they play.</p>
<p align="left">The concern for Bearcat fans is based on the one abiding principal for the Bearcats on defense; Play Fast. The Bearcats are built for speed, and field one of the lightest defenses in the Big East, and certainly among the top 25. As good as that idea has been for UC, both last season and this year. It is not without risk.</p>
<p align="left">The Bearcats aggression has been known to result in <a target="_blank" href="http://www.downthedrive.com/2012/9/13/3325054/film-study-aggression-run-fits-and-the-occasional-disaster">big plays for the opposition</a>. John Jancek has been keeping it conservative for the last two weeks on defense, but it hasn't really prevented big chunks of yardage. In the last two games UC has allowed 9 plays of 20+ yards, that's not reassuring. The biggest question for Cincinnati Saturday won't revolve around the offense, its how Jancek and Co. will choose to approach the Rockets multi-faceted approach.</p>
<p align="left">The approach from the last two weeks would probably result in a mountain of points, yards and diving defenders, the kind of which its difficult to anticipate. Arizona had more success than anyone else slowing the Rockets down, and they did it by constantly attacking defensively, putting pressure on Terrence Owens and his receivers. Its not the Bearcats way to play tight man to man defense, but they have to take the game to the Rockets.</p>
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https://www.downthedrive.com/2012/10/18/3519144/cincinnati-bearcats-toledo-rockets-matt-campbell-terrence-owens-bernard-reedyMatt Opper2012-10-17T19:47:56-04:002012-10-17T19:47:56-04:00Cincinnati Bearcats Release Depth Chart For Toledo
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/fMbSLc89nrVCiwomCpgdtNd2m60=/0x222:3413x2497/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/1562793/20121013_ajw_af7_386.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rob Leifheit-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire</figcaption>
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<p>Regular starters Drew Frey and Anthony McClung sat out the Fordham game last Sautrday due to injury concerns. Will either man be ready to play against the Toledo Rockets on Saturday?</p> <p>For the second time this season, (the other being the Delaware State game) <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/5758/drew-frey">Drew Frey</a> sat out against Fordham due to injury. Also joining him on the bench Saturday was <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113155/anthony-mcclung">Anthony McClung</a>. McClung did dress, but did not play. Both will play against Toledo, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.gobearcats.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/101612aab.html">Butch Jones said as much</a>.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"McClung will play. <a href="http://www.gobearcats.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/frey_drew00.html">Drew Frey</a> will play. They will be full go full padded today at practice."</p>
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<p>So it isn't surprisign to see both in the depth chart. It was slightly surprising to see both listed as co starters. Malcom Murray is Frey's co starter, and the resurgent <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/35722/danny-milligan">Danny Milligan</a> is co starter in the slot. Barring a set back in practice, or even on game day, McClung and Frey will resume their positions.</p>
<p>Moving on to other news the battle between <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/133756/damon-julian">Damon Julian</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/133776/alex-chisum">Alex Chisum</a> continues to rage. Chisum had his best game of the season, by far, against Fordham and came up with the catch of the day going up between the safety and corner and coming down with a 25 yard gain.</p>
<p>The only other development is at RT Parker Ehringer continues to draw the start. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/79644/sean-hooey">Sean Hooey</a> started the first two games of the season, but hasn't played since. No word on the status of Hooey for the Toledo game. Expect Ehringer to draw his 4th straight start at RT, and his 5th of the season.</p>
<p align="center"><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1576385/Toledo.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Toledo_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1576385/Toledo_medium.jpg"></a> <br id="1350517375025"></p>
<p align="center">(click to enlarge)</p>
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https://www.downthedrive.com/2012/10/17/3518814/cincinnati-bearcats-release-depth-chart-for-the-toledo-gameMatt Opper