Anyone seen Michael Goodson?
The guy looked like a future star last year as a freshman. He finished with 847 yards rushing and averaged 6.67 yards per carry. Through eight games this year he has 465 yards and is averaging 4.84 yards per carry. Did he play with Vince Young last year or something?
The Aggie coaches are trying to figure out the problem.
“It’s a combination of various factors, I think, that have led to this,” coach Dennis Franchione said. “We probably have not been getting the ball as well to the perimeter as many times as we were last year.
“On the tackle-to-tackle plays that Mike’s had, he’s gotten some tremendous gains, but he hasn’t broken big ones. And we’ve played two or three teams that just haven’t given up many big plays.”
I’ve only briefly watched the Aggies this year, but it looks like opposing defenses would rather have quarterback Stephen McGee keep it on the option than have to worry about Goodson getting the ball on the outside.
The stats seem to support this. McGee is averaging about 4 more attempts per game and almost 1.5 yards more per carry. He already has surpassed last year’s 13 game rushing yards total through the first 8 games of this year.
Any Aggies want to weigh in on this?
October 25, 2007 at 6:21 am
Its a combination of issues. Teams are taking away the outside option on the zone read, and making McGee and Lane beat them in the middle. Miami and Fresno St. gave the blue print for stopping the offense.
I think Goodson may be having some issues with this staff also.
October 25, 2007 at 6:35 am
Fresno State stopped the aTm offense?
October 25, 2007 at 7:59 am
Goodson only gets the ball on a majority of two plays. The option and the draw. As you mentioned, on the option teams have decided not to let Goodson beat them.
And, even though we has NO threat of a pass, we keep running the draw. Well, if the defense is commiting to the run, all the draw is doing is giving the defense time to shed their blocks and stuff the run since they don’t respect the pass even a little. That doesn’t leave a lot of room for Goodson to run.
We have had some success getting the ball to Goodson on screens, etc. But, I would kill to see A&M run Goodson out of a traditional I to take advantage of his skills, which include his vision.
October 25, 2007 at 8:17 am
“But, I would kill to see [Texas] run [Charles consistently] out of a traditional I to take advantage of his skills, which include his vision.”
October 25, 2007 at 9:36 am
frannie is a fraud and has ruined all the talent (Goodson, Bennett, Johnson, etc.) Bennett should be leaving this year, but frannie has played him out of the 1st round.
His dumbass won’t play Jerrod and defenses don’t respect Mcgee as a runner b/c he’s no Pat White.
The offensive scheme and play calling is just plain terrible.
frannie is the worst coach in America.
October 25, 2007 at 10:06 am
Fran is stubborn and is becoming quite good at pissing away good talent, much like Mack with his continual playing of Scott “wrong way” Derry over Muckleroy.
October 25, 2007 at 10:45 am
Henry James is dead on here
October 25, 2007 at 10:52 am
So, having a decent running threat at QB is important to a running back? Who knew.
But I agree, if I’m a defense, I want my guys teeing off on McGee thirty times a game and keeping the ball out of Lane and especially Goodson’s hands.
Since McGee prefers to lower his head and take vicious shots, I tell my safeties to get ready, line him up, and go at it. No need to stay back and defend the deep ball, since they can’t or won’t do it.
Don’t forget how overrated the A&M OL is. They are slow and stiff, and unless a defense makes them look good (Chizik) they can be had up front.
If I’m A&M I incorporate something like a quick swing pass screen or line up in one back, two tight end formations and hand Goodson the ball off tackle behind Bennett. Line him up at WR and get him reverses or quick screens. Hell, send him deep since he’s probably the fastest guy on the team anyway, and most certainly has better hands than Kerry “The Lobster Claw” Franks.
October 26, 2007 at 9:30 am
Not surprisingly, you guys don’t understand the genius behind fran’s plan. He will sacrifice a few losses and McGee’s health in his golden years so that he can uncork the true weapons of the aggy offense come T+1.
October 27, 2007 at 11:16 am
35 fuggin carries for McGee against Nebraska. 8 for Mike. That’s something right there
November 1, 2007 at 12:00 pm
A: Opposing coaches watched 38 seconds of film and this revelation came to them: don’t bite on the smoke draw; render an entire player ineffective.