Here at FQ, we are going to start a weekly series of watching the progression of true freshman running back Cam Akers. With the two week delay of Florida State football, it is working out because we get to track back to the original start. Not many true Freshman see action against the Crimson Tide, but Mr. Akers saw 10 carries on 30 yards. In this series we will track his major plays, and plays that should have been maximized to his potential. So click the read more button and join us as we are tracking Cam Akers.
Play #1: GH Counter Left (-1 yard)
This was Cam’s third carry of the game coming on the first play in the second half. This was a play that should have been a huge gain, with one down block, and a little vision. The “GH Counter” is what made Dalvin Cook’s career at FSU, and many of his explosive plays came from it. In general the GH counter is similar to the GT counter which many of us ran in high school, but instead of the offensive tackle pulling, it is the H-back pulling. The H back pulling on this play is #81 Ryan Izzo, and the guard that is pulling is #70 Cole Minshew. This play could have busted wide open, with small mistakes minimized, and Jimbo should have came back to call it more. So click play on the video below, and see the play in action.
Click Play and it will go straight to the play you need to see
The Four Mistakes on this play
- Pulling Right Guard #70 Cole Minshew needed to be much more down the line, and he was far to slow in his pull.
- #81 Izzo who is supposed to pulling, and wrapping for playside backer hesitates for some unknown reason, he ends up getting in the way due to not wrapping tight up to the second level.
- #74 Derrick Kelly gets romped over on his down block protecting B Gap, with a crashing defensive end. He has to stay on his feet here, and wash the defensive end down. Last years left tackle Roderick Johnson was a master at this.
- Cam Akers has to remember this is a B-C gap play, and not run back to the middle. The vision has to be at work here, as the success was in the original attack point at B-C Gap.
The play drawn up, how it was meant to be with crappy paint
Play #2 HB Sweep Left(9 Yards)
His first carry of the ballgame and there was nothing fancy about this play but saying our running back is athletic enough to get to the outside. The offensive line only has one rule on this play, and it is to reach and run play side. The defensive player that is in the play side gap of the offensive lineman is to be reached. It is the OL’s responsibility to get to their outside shoulder and flip their hips on the defender. Watch the play below because pretty much everyone would have gotten a plus, as it was executed well. Make sure you watch all the offensive lineman work left.
The play drawn up, how it was meant to be with crappy paint
You can see that every lineman and every skill player is reaching and running left. You really have to appreciate our Left Guard Landon Dickerson, executing a cut block on the playside Alabama linebacker. The vision of Akers looked like a veteran here as he was reading butts and numbers. Remember if our guys are successful at flipping their hips on defenders, Akers can keep stringing it outside as he is shielded. This means that he is seeing the butts of our lineman if they are successful reaching and running. But once he reads opponents numbers it is time to plant your foot and cut up field, which he did here perfectly. Jimbo should have called this with Akers a couple more times.
Lead Right (7 Yards)
Just like the play above there is nothing fancy about a lead play. This is straight up board drill for your offensive lineman, hit the man in front of you ,and get vertical movement. For the running back it is his job to put his nose in the middle and grind out some yardage. You will see in the play Akers had great explosive speed, which allowed him to break through the first level. I love it when Jimbo gets into the traditional I-Formation. The one negative in this play is the fullback (#26 Vickers) had way too wide of a track, and did not touch anyone. Click play and watch the play below.
Bottom line: Let’s pray that Jimbo Fisher isn’t scared to run against anyone else like he was against Alabama. The two running backs (Akers and Patrick) only rushed 16 times together, making only 27% of the plays called against Alabama. You will not beat anyone with that play calling, and it makes things difficult on your quarterback. Akers has potential to be great for us, and please make sure you come back and see the breakdown for the North Carolina State game next week.
P.S: RUN THE BALL
