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Mike Blakely on the move
Posted by
Staff
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21 May 2012
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Zeke Pike CJ Uzomah Corey Grant Mike Blakely Onterio McCalebb Scot Loeffler Tre Mason Jermaine Whitehead Jaylon Denson Anthony Morgan
Last season, Bernard Pierce and Matt Brown of Temple combined for 33 rushing TD's, 90 runs of 10-yards or more and 21 runs of 20-yards or more. Michael Dyer and Onterio McCalebb combined for 15 rushing TD's, 61 runs of 10-yards or more and 11 runs of 20-yards or more. Under Scot Leoffler, Pierce and Brown improved on their 2010 totals of 17 rushing TD's, 52 runs of 10-yards or more and 16 runs of 20-yards or more. A key element in Leoffler's run-offense is the misdirection and counter plays, which takes advantage of the vision and lateral skills his running backs possess.
Mike Blakely, Tre Mason and Corey Grant all possess quickness and great lateral movement, which should make Auburn's run-offense in 2012 extremely competitive. Of those 3 backs, Blakely has quick feet and great vision, allowing him to change direction in his quest to extend each running play.
The play...
On this play Auburn will run their zone-read counter play. At the snap, Blakely takes the hand off from Zeke Pike, moving from his left to right during his first 2 steps. Blakely will cut back to his left, following behind CJ Uzomah, who is pulling right to left. Blakely has the option of taking the play inside or bouncing it outside. On this particular occasion, Blakely hits the A-gap, where he will encounter Jermaine Whitehead closing in on the point of attack. Blakely will dip his left shoulder as if he intends to continue forward but will cut back to his right after Whitehead commits to the inside angle.
The cutback...
Blakely bounces the play back to the right (wide side), where he will turn up field for a 27-yard gain. Anthony Morgan and Jaylon Denson do a terrific job of walling off the wide side of the field, allowing Blakely to turn the play up the sideline for a big gain. Blakely is blessed with the ability to make the first defender miss out on the tackle, which increases his opportunity to make "impact" plays.
Though McCalebb is Auburn's only experienced RB, look for the younger backs to improve as the season progresses as they find their comfort zone within the offense.
Mike Blakely, Tre Mason and Corey Grant all possess quickness and great lateral movement, which should make Auburn's run-offense in 2012 extremely competitive. Of those 3 backs, Blakely has quick feet and great vision, allowing him to change direction in his quest to extend each running play.
The play...
On this play Auburn will run their zone-read counter play. At the snap, Blakely takes the hand off from Zeke Pike, moving from his left to right during his first 2 steps. Blakely will cut back to his left, following behind CJ Uzomah, who is pulling right to left. Blakely has the option of taking the play inside or bouncing it outside. On this particular occasion, Blakely hits the A-gap, where he will encounter Jermaine Whitehead closing in on the point of attack. Blakely will dip his left shoulder as if he intends to continue forward but will cut back to his right after Whitehead commits to the inside angle.
The cutback...
Blakely bounces the play back to the right (wide side), where he will turn up field for a 27-yard gain. Anthony Morgan and Jaylon Denson do a terrific job of walling off the wide side of the field, allowing Blakely to turn the play up the sideline for a big gain. Blakely is blessed with the ability to make the first defender miss out on the tackle, which increases his opportunity to make "impact" plays.
Though McCalebb is Auburn's only experienced RB, look for the younger backs to improve as the season progresses as they find their comfort zone within the offense.
