Let's look at the passing game now, specifically, how Cumbie used TEs at TCU in the passing game. Read Part 1 first if you missed it yesterday.
The first play is out of a formation, and even play fake, that we saw a lot under Yost, but Cumbie mixes it up with some different route combinations. Watch the was the slot receiver and the TE switch their routes and confuse the WVU secondary. Two guys go with the slot, and the TE sits down in the huge open space created. This is not just your basic 4 Verts concept that Tech ran from this look, Cumbie is scheming wins again.
Against Tech in 2019, Cumbie did an excellent job at using the defenses aggressiveness against it. On this play, he loads up the line of scrimmage to give a run look, and uses Leggett's propensity for run support to create an easy throw and catch. I believe this is an RPO where Duggan is reading Leggett. He could hand it off, even though I don't think that would've gone anywhere, but the moment Leggett steps up Duggan pulls the ball and delivers it to the tight end. Too easy, words we have not said about Tech offense in a few years.
Speaking of easy, this next play falls into that category. It's a doubles formation with the TE lined up in that slot on the right. Texas is playing Cover 2, and Cumbie uses the left slot receiver and the right outside receiver to manipulate the coverage in a way that gets the TE wide open down the seam. The deep in/sit by the left slot occupies one safety, while the fade from the outside receiver on the right occupies the other safety. That leaves the middle of the field wide open for the TE. Easy TD. Looks simple, but it was schemed open.
Third and four on the plus side of the 50, I can guarantee you this would've been a run play from Yost. Baylor was probably thinking the same thing with 6 guys in the box against trips set, instead of playing into Baylor's hands Cumbie takes a shot. Baylor is playing Man Free here, and, just like in the last clip, Cumbie called a passing scheme that takes advantage of the weakness of that coverage. It's Smash (shallow route/corner) concept, but he runs with the number three receiver (his TE) to create even more space. The safety has no chance, so the TE just runs into the space vacated by the secondary, and it should have been a touchdown. Ultimately, it didn't work, but I love the aggressiveness.
Same formation for this play, this time it's a fake screen. I don't want to keep saying the same thing over and over again, but this is not some kind of elaborate route combination, it's simple! It just uses the defense against itself, watch the way they sell out for the screen. Cumbie does a good job of using the TE in vertical role, that is somewhat different, which probably sells the screen even more. If you're going to run the receivers screens, which I think you should, you have to have counters like this.
Last play, and another example of Cumbie using the defenses aggressiveness to his advantage and scheming an easy win. Cumbie is using two TEs here, both in the box and both creating a nub side on the left, to compact the defense and create space in the open field. Every route, except the shot, is short and crossing which pulls the secondary up, then he sends his fastest guy into all that space. Tech had no chance.
After just watching the highlights from 2019, I'm impressed with Cumbie's ability to scheme easy wins, use the defense against itself, and call plays with his players strengths AND weaknesses in mind. Three things that this Tech offense desperately needs with questions about QB and OL. Obviously, TCU had it's fair share of struggles offensively, which I'll dive into later, but nothing I've seen has given me any reason to question thinking this was a solid hire and that the offense will improve next season.
Also this,
Just feels good all around.
The first play is out of a formation, and even play fake, that we saw a lot under Yost, but Cumbie mixes it up with some different route combinations. Watch the was the slot receiver and the TE switch their routes and confuse the WVU secondary. Two guys go with the slot, and the TE sits down in the huge open space created. This is not just your basic 4 Verts concept that Tech ran from this look, Cumbie is scheming wins again.
Against Tech in 2019, Cumbie did an excellent job at using the defenses aggressiveness against it. On this play, he loads up the line of scrimmage to give a run look, and uses Leggett's propensity for run support to create an easy throw and catch. I believe this is an RPO where Duggan is reading Leggett. He could hand it off, even though I don't think that would've gone anywhere, but the moment Leggett steps up Duggan pulls the ball and delivers it to the tight end. Too easy, words we have not said about Tech offense in a few years.
Speaking of easy, this next play falls into that category. It's a doubles formation with the TE lined up in that slot on the right. Texas is playing Cover 2, and Cumbie uses the left slot receiver and the right outside receiver to manipulate the coverage in a way that gets the TE wide open down the seam. The deep in/sit by the left slot occupies one safety, while the fade from the outside receiver on the right occupies the other safety. That leaves the middle of the field wide open for the TE. Easy TD. Looks simple, but it was schemed open.
Third and four on the plus side of the 50, I can guarantee you this would've been a run play from Yost. Baylor was probably thinking the same thing with 6 guys in the box against trips set, instead of playing into Baylor's hands Cumbie takes a shot. Baylor is playing Man Free here, and, just like in the last clip, Cumbie called a passing scheme that takes advantage of the weakness of that coverage. It's Smash (shallow route/corner) concept, but he runs with the number three receiver (his TE) to create even more space. The safety has no chance, so the TE just runs into the space vacated by the secondary, and it should have been a touchdown. Ultimately, it didn't work, but I love the aggressiveness.
Same formation for this play, this time it's a fake screen. I don't want to keep saying the same thing over and over again, but this is not some kind of elaborate route combination, it's simple! It just uses the defense against itself, watch the way they sell out for the screen. Cumbie does a good job of using the TE in vertical role, that is somewhat different, which probably sells the screen even more. If you're going to run the receivers screens, which I think you should, you have to have counters like this.
Last play, and another example of Cumbie using the defenses aggressiveness to his advantage and scheming an easy win. Cumbie is using two TEs here, both in the box and both creating a nub side on the left, to compact the defense and create space in the open field. Every route, except the shot, is short and crossing which pulls the secondary up, then he sends his fastest guy into all that space. Tech had no chance.
After just watching the highlights from 2019, I'm impressed with Cumbie's ability to scheme easy wins, use the defense against itself, and call plays with his players strengths AND weaknesses in mind. Three things that this Tech offense desperately needs with questions about QB and OL. Obviously, TCU had it's fair share of struggles offensively, which I'll dive into later, but nothing I've seen has given me any reason to question thinking this was a solid hire and that the offense will improve next season.
Also this,
Just feels good all around.
