Why Craft Looks Good In The Two Minute Drill
by Achilles on Oct 21, 2008 6:39 PM PDT
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PrintThere are a few reasons:
1 - Kevin Craft is relatively weak at throwing the deep pass. He just doesn't have a big arm. Consequently, defenses play relatively tight against the Bruins' offense and don't worry too much about Craft going over the top.
This makes it more difficult for Craft to operate in the short game most of the time.
But, the two minute offense can coincide with the defense dropping back a bit. Stanford (and Tennessee, if I recall correctly) were concerned that an end of game deep ball could beat them, so they played deep. This opened up the shorter passes for Craft.
2 - Craft throws pretty well on the move, both on designed roll outs and when he improvises. In the two minute offense, when defenses rush fewer guys, he either has time or he has the room to move around:
So, the combination of facing defenses dropping back and also rushing fewer guys makes the two minute offense suited to Craft.
The more I watch him, I think Craft is a tough, heady kid with some physical limitations. If he had Cowan or Olson's arm, he's really be a good quarterback. As it is, he's getting better.
As a fan, I'm starting to really warm up to him.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.
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Craft's arm
Until last weekend based on what I was hearing from practice reports (and watching games to date) I also thought KC had a pretty weak arm.
I have to tell you his arm looked pretty good when hit Embree on that 40+ yarder in the designed roll out. One of his passes to Rorasrio had a reasonable distance.
Keep in mind, Joe Montana, IMHO the greatest QB ever to play this game had a pretty weak arm (well compared to Marino, Favre and all other gun slingers in the NFL). But he just had enough for Walsh’s WCO.
I think Craft just might have enough in Chow’s WCO (it is a version of a real WCO we are running now under Chow/RN). What we need badly from KC in terms of development is his ability to read progression of his receivers routes, and have the ability to check off and go to this 2nd if not 3rd option. If he can develop that, I think we might be on to something.
I already think he is further ahead where Drew Olson was in his 3rd year in Westwood. That is telling and I can’t imagine what Chow would have done with DO and BO (or Matt Moore) if he had chances to mold talents like those kids from their freshmen season.
Can’t wait to see what he does with Prince and Brehaut. Oh and I also think its a very good sign that Chow wants to redshirt Prince so badly. It probably means he wants to stick around here for a bit.
Good stuff as usual A.
K-Craft: More Heart than Arm
K-Craft doesn’t have a gun for an arm but he has a big heart and he is a very humble kid, which you gotta love. Agreed, if we can give him more space and time by rolling out—he’ll make some passes downfield. Especially, with our big time receivers. That being said, I’d still like to see Norm Chow rotate C-Force in more often. He’s not Jake Locker but he could really confuse opposing defenses. Hopefully, that will open up our stagnant rushing game. We’re going to have to take chances and do some crazy things to beat Cal at Memorial Stadium. I think CRN and Norm are planning just that—well, a guy can dream can’t he?
Funny, a friend brought this up the other day
Now it’s on Bruins Nation. So, good to know we’re not the only ones thinking this.
So, what to do? My buddy wondered why we can’t just keep KC in 2 minute drills all game long, keeping him in the pocket and keeping the opposing defenses off rhythm. I don’t think it’s as simple as all that. I’m sure opposing defenses would adapt. And that it doesn’t address our need to improve the running game.
Personally I would like to see KC improve on looking off opposing DBs. He really does lock into his primary receiver and makes it obvious to everybody in the stadium (and those of us watching on TV) where he is going with the ball.
I know, KC, everybody expects so much of you. But we only expect it out of you because we care.
GO Bruins!
A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. John Wooden
problem with running the 2 minute the whole game
is that the D will get worn out big time. The point of the no huddle hurry up is to score quickly. Therefore, the D rarely gets any rest. That’s the reason that all of those Big 12 teams with spread offenses don’t have any defense. Our offense isn’t going to score enough in the hurry up all game to make up for the defensive drop that would be guaranteed.
by bucknellbruin on Oct 22, 2008 7:07 PM PDT up reply actions
Not so sure
if it is a lack of “arm” but rather lack of time for longer routes to develop. KC is probably in the mid set of I got just seconds to get rid of this ball before I get smashed, so his focus naturally is local. Rollin out has bought him some time but also has limited the area where he can throw because we know it takes exceptional arm strength to throw cross field on a roll out. I too am on his bandwagon and I admire his dogged determination.
Analogy
I may be way off on this one, but Craft—who does play with a lot of guts, and who has bounced around a little bit during his college career—reminds me a little of the story of John Barnes.
I may also be dreaming, but wouldn’t it be great if, some day, we talk about Craft beating the Toejams as Barnes did in his day?
KC Stats
58.6% completions, 1518 yards, 7td, 7int (4 of those in his first half of play), 113.0 qb rating. Those numbers don’t look bad at all to me, especially considering his offensive line. I certainly wasn’t thinking he could be at those numbers at this point in the season.
Agreed
If you look at Olson’s numbers, they’re pretty similar to Craft’s. (Though it’s not exactly the fairest comparison; Craft’s playing for much better play-callers.)
55.3% (152-275) 1862 yards, 12 TDs, 11 ints in parts of 12 games over 2 years.
FWIW, Craft has a better completion percentage; we wouldn’t necessarily be getting a more accurate quarterback with Olson’s return.
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