Explosive Plays

[Frank Lee]

What are they? Where/when did the term originate? Should the metric be a goal or a result? Can such a focus help or hinder in certain situations or against certain teams?

[The reason I bring this up is that Dozier, Manoa, et al pounded away in the 87 Fiesta Bowl and I remember being happy about five-yard runs.]

 

[Lazy Dave]

There isn't a universally accepted definition, but James Franklin defines it as a rushing play of more than 15 yards or a passing play of more than 20 yards.

 

[RickinDayton]

There isn't a universally accepted definition, but James Franklin defines it as a rushing play of more than 15 yards or a passing play of more than 20 yards.

Against the better teams explosive plays primarily result when you established an offensive rhythm first and set a team up.
I think CJF and many other coaches are too enamored with "explosive plays" and try too hard to force them. Against the elite teams a balanced offense can be successful without forcing "explosive plays". Move the ball with 5-7 yd runs and 10-15 yd passes and you will get an "explosive play" or two beyond those yds that can help bring the "W".

 

[LudicrousSpeedGO!]

Against the better teams explosive plays primarily result when you established an offensive rhythm first and set a team up.
I think CJF and many other coaches are too enamored with "explosive plays" and try to hard to force them. Against the elite teams a balanced offense can be successful without forcing "explosive plays". Move the ball with 5-7 yd runs and 10-15 yd passes and you will get an "explosive play" or two beyond those yds that can help bring the "W".

It's a moneyball thing. They all are informed of advanced metrics and what the data tells them to do. You get more money from a few more home runs than from small ball. What the analytics doesn't tell you is how you get the explosive plays. If you are running it down their throat, they are going to put an extra defender or 2 into the box and then you are more likely to beat them over the top. If they are afraid of your wideouts, then they may go light in the box and you may gash them for a 15 to 20 yard run. We don't have AI calling the plays yet.