Cameron Artis-Payne Screen

[StatTiger 3,188]

One of the highlights of the 2013 Auburn A-Day game was JUCO transfer, Cameron Artis-Payne, who was named Offensive MVP of the game. He was involved in the longest offensive play of the game, a 42-yard pass from Kiehl Frazier.

The play...

On this play, Auburn's offense sets up the defense with what appears to be a dig route to Jaylon Denson on the boundary side. At the snap, Kiehl Frazier sells the "dig route" by turning his shoulders towards Denson. (Note in Image #2 how the defense reacts to Denson)

While Frazier sells the dig route, Cameron Artis-Payne slips out of the backfield into the flat. Frazier delivers a high pass, which Payne is required to adjust to the flight of the ball. Robenson Therezie takes a poor angle to Payne and barely misses making the tackle for what would have been a 2-yard gain. Payne accelerates down the sideline for a 42-yard gain, setting up a touchdown for the offense.

It was a great call at the right time, executed very well by the offense. Again, the play is set up with the fake dig route to Denson and great effort by Payne. The combination of Payne and Tre Mason should give Auburn a solid running threat but the two should be dangerous weapons in the passing game too.

[gravejd 3,304]

Its going ot be fun watching this year to see who between Payne and Mason can win the race for most yardage this season. I think they both have similar running styles with Payne being a bit bigger and Mason being a bit faster. If both of them can also contribute something in the passing game then our offense should be awfully hard to stop on a consistant basis.

[Bottomfeeder 244]

Would a better pass have resulted in more yards?

[Weegle777 78]

Outstanding as always Stat. Keep 'em coming brotha.

[TheBlueVue 177]

Would a better pass have resulted in more yards?

Hard to answer that question but that play shows how simple plays like that which should be routine rarely are with KF. CAP had to make an outstanding catch on a pass play that couldn't been floated more than 10 or 15 yards.

[AU64 10,122]

Would a better pass have resulted in more yards?

probably...CAP had to break stride and reach up with one hand to make the catch....and then got back in stride. Either RT "missed" the tackle or else CAP "broke" the tackle...depends on one's point of view. Either way, it was a typical college play with imperfect performance by several guys ...resulting in a very nice gain. Hoping to see more of that.

[EagleReedle 14]

Would a better pass have resulted in more yards?

Hard to answer that question but that play shows how simple plays like that which should be routine rarely are with KF. CAP had to make an outstanding catch on a pass play that couldn't been floated more than 10 or 15 yards.

I agree. Time and time again I see a slow lob, a rink a dink pass in regards to some of the short throws to our rb's from KF & it's frustrating.

[StatTiger 3,188]

Alabama does an exceptional job working their RB's in their screen game. AU threw the screen to Tate in 2009 but not much to Dyer in 2010 or 2011. I hope this is element Malzahn brings back for Payne and Mason.

[Dixie1860 27]

Love this kinda stuff STAT! Thanks. Selling the dig route is what makes the play and that type of ball-handling skill is one thing Cam was so good at. With the threat of a QB that can run and good ball fakes the LB's and DB's are at a disadvantage and can't jump plays.

[StatTiger 3,188]

Love this kinda stuff STAT! Thanks. Selling the dig route is what makes the play and that type of ball-handling skill is one thing Cam was so good at. With the threat of a QB that can run and good ball fakes the LB's and DB's are at a disadvantage and can't jump plays.

Added to the shifts, motion and fakes is the overall tempo of which the offense is run. As Malzahn states, it will be Auburn's "edge" but will be worthless without execution.

[Dixie1860 27]

Love this kinda stuff STAT! Thanks. Selling the dig route is what makes the play and that type of ball-handling skill is one thing Cam was so good at. With the threat of a QB that can run and good ball fakes the LB's and DB's are at a disadvantage and can't jump plays.

Added to the shifts, motion and fakes is the overall tempo of which the offense is run. As Malzahn states, it will be Auburn's "edge" but will be worthless without execution.

Exactly, with exhaustion the fast-twitch muscles aren't so fast and information is harder to process.

[Bottomfeeder 244]

I believe Saban's "strateragy" is to make everyone stay at home to defend against the HUNH.

[IronMan70 3,322]

Would a better pass have resulted in more yards?

Hard to answer that question but that play shows how simple plays like that which should be routine rarely are with KF. CAP had to make an outstanding catch on a pass play that couldn't been floated more than 10 or 15 yards.

Both KF and JW have problems at times with the screens and short passes. Since this is such a big part of the offense, both in fakes and primary plays, the passes need to be routine. We have to have a QB that can do that on a consistent basis.

[TheBlueVue 177]

Would a better pass have resulted in more yards?

Hard to answer that question but that play shows how simple plays like that which should be routine rarely are with KF. CAP had to make an outstanding catch on a pass play that couldn't been floated more than 10 or 15 yards.

Both KF and JW have problems at times with the screens and short passes. Since this is such a big part of the offense, both in fakes and primary plays, the passes need to be routine. We have to have a QB that can do that on a consistent basis.

Without it this offense will never reach its maximum potential. I've been accused of promoting one prospective QB over the others but that's really not true. I do see the obvious flaws in those we currently have and the biggest is their continued inconsistency on those little routine plays that should be automatic. Hopefully, Gus will mold a guy into the player we need at that position. I am for whoever can get it done without needing team mates be all world receivers on plays that, in reality, should require little to no special skills.

[AUGradinTX 0]

Glad to have CAP on board. However, I think Tre is the better back and expect him to get the majority of the load. IMO, what we need the most (in order to exceed expectations) is for NM to be a baller. We need a play-maker at QB and the other guys (JW and KF) just don't seem to have "it."

[AUfanLCDR 0]

Great job as usual STAT. This misplay by Robenson Therezie was very obvious from where I was sitting. Besides the angle, he tried to tackle high up from the side. Payne is going to eat defenders if they try that. My other problem was that ball floated. It was a difficult catch which made me feel stronger about Payne capabilities. I agree that Payne and Mason could have some spectacular plays on screens this year.

[Slammer1 409]

I like our running back situation. Mason and CAP might have us thinking about another Cadillac and Ronnie Brown. I am not annointing them just yet but I do see potential here.

[auburn4ever 1,266]

If Cameron stays healthy, how many of you think he'll run for at least a 1,000 yards this season?

[quietfan 233]

If Cameron stays healthy, how many of you think he'll run for at least a 1,000 yards this season?

I could see both CAP and Mason getting 1000 yards, IF the O-line does its job. ... And two RB's of that potential alternating breathers--plus Gus's tendency to keep a McCalebb-type threat on the outside--really exhausting the defense in a HUNH attack. In 2010, Dyer and Cam both rushed for 1000+ and McCalebb came close, behind the outstanding line play of Ziemba & Co.

[StatTiger 3,188]

If Cameron stays healthy, how many of you think he'll run for at least a 1,000 yards this season?

Given at least 180 carries, I think either Payne or Mason could surpass 1000-yards. If the starting QB ends up being Marshall, I could see the ground game really taking off in 2013.