Lashlee’s offense can help Canes limit sacks

Miami’s new OC has a history of having QBs get rid of the ball fast

On top of the obvious of fixing the culture in the quarterback room and getting the ball in athletes’ hands in space, new Miami Hurricanes offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee will also be tasked with helping the offensive line cut down on sacks allowed and keeping the team’s talented tight ends involved in his spread-like scheme.

Lashlee’s propensity to have his quarterbacks get rid of the ball quickly should aid a young line that gave up 51 sacks — thirdmost in college football last season — but returns all its starters.

“Our system, we’re in the shotgun probably 90% of the time, but we’re not trying to hold the ball forever,” Lashlee told 560-AM. “The longer you hold the ball, the more sacks you have, the more negative plays you have, the more bad things happen. … Let’s get it out of [the quarterback’s] hands and get

completions, get it to our playmakers.”

That seems to indicate Lashlee will emphasize a short passing game, but he stressed that this notion does not eliminate the deep ball.

“That doesn’t mean we’re not going to throw vertically down the field because we are, and that’s a big part of what we do,” Lashlee said. “But I don’t think you have to hold it forever to do that, and that’ll help limit the sacks.”

When Jarren Williams, Miami’s starting quarterback for much of last season, was at his peak, he was connecting on those vertical throws in wins over Florida State and Louisville.

When opposing defenses bring extra pass rushers, rather than being a cause for concern, Lashlee views it as a chance to exploit holes they leave open in coverage.

“People are going to blitz. I like it when people blitz because that just gives you opportunities for big plays,” Lashlee said. “If you get the ball out quick on some blitzes and hurt them, they’ll stop it.”

The way Lashlee will look to simplify the offense could help avoid confusion for blockers when the blitz does come.

“What we do allows our guys to do it over and over again that they can solve a lot of problems, instead of doing a bunch of different stuff and you know it all but you’re not really good at anything,” he said.

Lashlee vows that his offense will keep tight ends, one of the Hurricanes’ most talented position groups with rising juniors Brevin Jordan and Will Mallory, heavily involved.

“In what we do, those guys are kind of the glue guys,” Lashlee said. “The better your tight ends are, the more versatile you can be and play fast.

“Because, if you don’t have great tight ends, you can play fast, but you’re a little bit limited, and the defense has a little better idea of kind of what personnel you’re in, what set you’re in.”

The numbers back up his notion. Last year at SMU, junior tight end Kylen Granson had 43 receptions for 721 yards (third on the Mustangs) and nine touchdowns. That receiving yardage would’ve led the Hurricanes last year. While at Auburn, Lashlee coached tight end C.J. Uzomah, who is now with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Jordan, one of three John Mackey Award finalists, had 35 receptions for 495 yards and two touchdowns in 2019, while Mallory caught 16 passes for 293 yards and two touchdowns.

Lashlee envisions the versatility of his tight ends being a big advantage.

“When you have tight ends that can put their hand down, be off the ball, flex out like a wide receiver, like the couple of guys we have here,” Lashlee said, “it really gives you a lot of versatility to — not only go fast — but go fast and be multiple with the looks you give. One minute you’re in a heavy set, the next minute you’re in empty [set] and you’ve gone fast.”