More From Steve Sarkisian

He said today the bubble screen will be used a times.

“It is a piece of our offense. It’s an option for the quarterback. It’s not a designed play,” he said.

And finally when asked by offensive guard Nico Falah if cookies will be part of the program next season, said, “the cookies will stay.”

35 thoughts on “More From Steve Sarkisian

  1. Especially the cookies baked by the Tings that Clay Matthews used to love so much!!

  2. As much as we hate the Lane Kiffin version of the bubble screen, we forget the purpose of it in spread offenses. (Of course, I don’t expect a cynical guy like Wolf to understand this. )

    The screen forces the defense to commit an extra defender to the sideline or the middle. Ideally, whichever they choose will be wrong because the play will go the other way. Since the defense must defend the entire field horizontally, they can’t have a numbers advantage.

    Oregon often does this as one more wrinkle to the option read. Of course, their WRs block (and hold) better than any team in the nation.

    When we run it, a guy like Agholar or Lee (who aren’t fond of blocking) whiff on their guy and the play often results in a loss.

    • Did Sarkisian say he wanted to implement spread? I’ve been watching UW games again and it doesn’t look like he has a pure spread offense that some other teams do (I’m thinking A&M). I still hope he tweaks his UW offense because our QBs are not mobile (Kessler can run but not in the way Manzel can). We have more power guys on our o-line too.

      Edit: Actually, I’m rarely seeing Price under center, but I have seen a couple power like formations. I’ll have to watch more.

      • It’s almost 100% spread. (Defined: shotgun, single back to one side, zone read at snap or fake handoff to RB)

        A mobile QB isn’t a requirement of the spread as the “spread” can come from a jet sweep (receiver in motion) or bubble screen to either side. This resembles Baylor’s and UCLA’s version where the QB doesn’t run as often as Oregon’s version. ASU and UofA run a similar version.

        The whole premise is spreading the defense out so they can’t gang up on a particular side. If they do, the “read” will either have the QB throw the swing / bubble screen or run to the inside / opposite side.

        • But fucla spread offense was only effective last Saturday having Hundley run. That’s what killed us and then opened up their passing game. Keith Price and Jake Locker before him also ran to make UW’s offense effective. Even Nick Foles was forced to run last year to make Rodriquez’s version work, as we saw in their comeback win against us.

          • Ucla offense was effective because quick swings and hitches were able to halt the pass rush from being effective and hitch was almost always a first down to Seymour side since he was always 8 to 10 yards off. Hundley legs escaping the rush or simply extending the play.

          • I still don’t know why they didn’t have a spy on Hundley. I felt going into that game that Pendergast’s 5-2 scheme was wrong for that offense because it makes you pay for overpursuing.

          • Well first its a 3-4 scheme. But yes a spy would be good at times along with some more zone blitzes and man blitzes, hundley wants to be a pocket passer and will hold onto the ball a little longer then most mobile quarterbacks. Clancy also likes to give a forty front more against spread with stand up ends.

          • Yeah…it’s truly a 3-4, but always liked to call it 5-2.

            Of course, if we had stud CBs, we’d have much more flexibility with the blitz.

    • The bubble screen is a constraint play designed to keep the defense honest. If a DB is defending 8-10 yards off the line of scrimmage (to prevent getting beat deep) the bubble screen can be very effective. It’s about taking what the defense gives.

      When called at the proper time the bubble screen is a sure fire 4-5 yard gain. Leave it to Kiffin to turn it into a sure fire 3 yard loss.

      • Correct. And the problem with press coverage with a DB is that they now will have their back turned to the play and won’t be able to support the sweep or screen to another WR.

        This thinking really capitalized the “Dieon Sanders trend” of DBs wanting only to be finesse guys who didn’t like to tackle.

        The spread almost forces you to use 4 safety-like DBs who aren’t shy of contact.

        Guys like Robey last year would often be a spectator and watch the big gain.

  3. That Nico fella is just so cute! It’s all about cookies. No wonder Klemm and Mora passed of that big piece of crap.
    fit UN!

    • Klemm PASSED on him? Do you call a scholarship offer a method of passing on him?

      Use the other screen name…it might make you smarter!

      • They ended up pulling the offer because he kept going back and forth and they got tired of it. We ended up with the #2 rated OL class in the country without Falah. No big loss for us.

        • Then the #2 OL class, wouldn’t you agree it was better for the kid to go to a school where he’d likely get more playing time due to SC being thin at the position?

          Not directed at you, but I always get a chuckle when fans think a player picked a school simply because they thought the school was “better”.

          Lots of other things factor into the decision such as the team’s current depth at the position. (I.e. – if Vanderdoes picked SC, he’d be behind seniors Kennard and Breslin. If he goes to ucla, he has a good chance of STARTING.)

          • Breslin and kennard play outside mostly, eddie would have been competing inside. But no doubt that kid is a stud.

          • Breslin is more of a pass rushing end and Kennard can play 3 technique, right? I believe Townsend was still healthy and we just picked up Bigelow. With Uko and Williams already established inside, it was a no-brainer for EV.

          • He was on the phone waiting to see if Morris committed or stayed down south. When Morris committed, UCLA told him to go to SC. That’s well known.

          • Your points are valid…but YOU MISSED THE POINT. The scholarship offer was REVOKED. Potential playing time was not a factor in NICO making his decision. He did not have a choice!
            fit UN!

          • Vanderdoes simply chose the winning team and ran over Kennard scoring a TD. Why would he want to play behind Kennard?

      • I seem to recall an offer extended then retracted once KLEMM and others got a good look at Fala’s poor work ethic. He’s big and lazy….perfect for SUCks.
        fit UN!

    • HAHA. I remember the Bruins writing articles on why Falah would choose them instead of USC. Oops.

  4. i think a guy like george farmer will benefit from this offense . its not complicated no long drawn out plays you see the card on the sideline and you know the entire play. if a defense stacks the middle the qb throws to the sideline where the receiver is usually in a 1 on 1 situation which is the best you can ask in football.

    • Good point. Farmer is a forgotten name, but if he has learned how to maintain his health during this lost season for him, he could be a tremendous weapon next year.

      • Funny stuff…. I’ve got a message for Farmer. Congrats on winning the inaugural ABSORBINE Jr. “Silas Redd” memorial award….I dub thee….George (Coach I’m Hurt AGAIN!) Farmer!
        fit UN!

  5. Just noticed…DeWayne Dedmon was just released by Golden State. The big 7 footer couldn’t bang under the boards against real men, though he certainly proved he could kick some rear end against a couple of women up in Spokane! (That knee “buckler” delivered by Caleb to Tavai was suggggarry sweet!)
    fit Un!

    • Just another SUC professional failure. I believe DWD has an offer from a Albanian BB Team. Maybe it’s legal to kick women around over there.

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