Yes^^^. Sam's running is remarkable, has helped our team in various situations. Also has resulted in at least one concussion, and a shoulder injury which sidelined him for a week or so. So I agree with the post above that TH needs to get more creative in the run game, and in the red zone. We seem to have a problem scoring in the second half, and in settling for field goals instead of getting the six. We have jumped ahead in a few games in the first half only to allow a team to come back and nearly catch us in the second half. I think this is due to the 2nd half play calling which becomes somewhat defensive, playing not to lose rather than keeping the pedal down, e.g., first game with ou, and the Sugar Bowl.
I love Sams progress and attitude. I did not like seeing him run the rock over and over on the goal line. He is not going to last like that. Why didn't we use the 2 point play to score the TD? Everybody expects Sam to run so sneak the TE out wide open. Don't we have a couple of receivers at 6'5"? I'm sure Sam didn't mind but I found myself feeling bad for him.
The problem is that sequence was not running four times in a row. The problem is he did not run a single time under center. If he is under center on the first play, he probably scores on the first play. It ended up working out though due to the time it ran off the clock. If you need an inch, line the QB up under center! Do not do a shotgun snap! Football 101
I wondered about that to. Under Center the QB sneak gets the initial advantage of knowing the snap count and surge by the OL, plus I think it protects the QB a little more since the DL & LB's don't get a full head of steam hitting him. GA was mostly in a Goaline D formation and the shotgun formation with a designed run by the QB takes too long to develop. Plus, Sam generally hesitated a moment before he picked a hole to run for and that added to the time the D could step up to stop the run. I kept thinking fake the QB run and try a jump pass / pass to a receiver dragging in the flat / over the middle or hit the RB in the flat - of course if they are open OR run the option to the wide side of the field and if open you have an angle to get it over the line or pitch the RB. Just my .02 play calling.
I was an early Sam believer, also seeing him play in HS. He’s a little better runner than HF gives credit to. He’s pretty straight forward on simple power contact, but what can look awkward in open field at first is that for his size, he changes directions unexpectedly surprisingly fast (maybe just a step), which is enough for the defender to at least pause and reset, which shifts the power advantage back to Sam. As for the goal line calling, it was shockingly conservative and predictable, especially given that we went for it on 2 fourth downs instead of a sealing FG, which was shockingly aggressive. The only thing that makes sense is that TH was basically willing to give the ball up on downs, and play defense, and thought the only way to lose was an int, fumble return or blocked kick. Plus of course the hope that Sam might actually score against a stacked line, which eventually turned out to happen.
OK but I like the way it said to GA that we are going to push this ball in this way and you can't stop it.
That's my take We've got 4 tries to make this happen and are willing to take all 4 tries If it takes 4 tries, we burn A LOT of clock I believe in our guys And if not, you have to go 98 yards against our defense, which I am also confident in Very sound end - of - game logic to me.
I would have liked a play action on 2nd or 3rd, but loved the aggressive play calling. Run Sam at least 3 times. As far as under center, I think Sam is better with some steam and finding a crease. Either way, we made it, we won, and who am I to question play calling.
In general I liked that sequence. In hindsight I might have thrown on 2nd down to create doubt in their minds. I think that running from the shotgun is advantageous for Sam. Perhaps like Bevo, give him some momentum and with his very strong base (and vision), stopping him is almost impossible. Finally, in a critical game, you do what you have to do to win. That includes running your QB five times in a row if necessary. I agree that it’s risky, but the goal is to win the game, particularly considering that it is the last game he will play until late August.
