[Mick]

Play action passes are not trick plays. They are staples in well-conceived pro-style offensive systems. There should be a play action pass off every run in the west coast system, some straight drop-backs, some roll-outs, some bootlegs.  Another thing play-action passes do is get the RB involved as an outlet receiver.  One of the greatest failings of this 2018 Stanford offense is its inability to get Bryce Love the ball in space.  Play action passes would help this cause as he could often be an outlet receiver covered by linebackers.

Right, but you need a guy who can sell the fake and then execute it. Costello might not be that guy. Similar, for bootlegs you need a QB who can throw on the run, and right now Costello isn't running at all. We've speculated that he might still have some lingering effects from his injury/surgery last season, which could explain a lot of this.

Also, we've certainly tried getting Love the ball in space, but since the defense is keying in on him it might just not be the right play. Without going through and charting this stuff it's hard to say.

I was watching CJ Beathard over the weekend.  Man, can he sell a fake, same with his RBs.  It's been a long time since I've seen Costello really sell a fake.

[Mick]

Play action passes are not trick plays. They are staples in well-conceived pro-style offensive systems. There should be a play action pass off every run in the west coast system, some straight drop-backs, some roll-outs, some bootlegs.  Another thing play-action passes do is get the RB involved as an outlet receiver.  One of the greatest failings of this 2018 Stanford offense is its inability to get Bryce Love the ball in space.  Play action passes would help this cause as he could often be an outlet receiver covered by linebackers.

Right, but you need a guy who can sell the fake and then execute it. Costello might not be that guy. Similar, for bootlegs you need a QB who can throw on the run, and right now Costello isn't running at all. We've speculated that he might still have some lingering effects from his injury/surgery last season, which could explain a lot of this.

Also, we've certainly tried getting Love the ball in space, but since the defense is keying in on him it might just not be the right play. Without going through and charting this stuff it's hard to say.

I was watching CJ Beathard over the weekend.  Man, can he sell a fake, same with his RBs.  It's been a long time since I've seen Costello really sell a fake.