Thoughts on the LT game
Posted: Sun Sep 19, 2021 1:32 pmI'm glad to hear Sonny still disappointed in the way the team is playing. I think we all feel the same way, despite the outcomes. I don't think anyone watching so far would expect us to beat TCU, Houston, Cincy, Memphis, or UCF this year.
- Offense came out much sharper; only non-scoring drives in the first half were penalty and the 4th down.
- OL was much, much better yesterday overall. Especially in the running game. Kudos to the coaches for owning things and changing back. Thomas was much better yesterday.
- That said, Osborne is still inconsistent. And I am really surprised that Morris continues to outsnap Bryant. Bryant is clearly a better player.
- The goal line failure is on the coaches, IMHO. Yes, we should have been able to block better. But we pushed the pile on 1st and second down, and then on third down, we subbed the RB and that allowed LT to sub in their goalline package. if we had just continued to play, I think we score on 3rd.
- Another thing I have noticed is that on short yardage situations, and even on pass plays, there are times where our blocking schemes are really super complicated. OL are pulling all over the place, tackles end up inside, guards end up on the edge. It happens pretty often, it is surprising, and it is way more complicated than it needs to be, especially in short yardage. We try to trick people too much instead of just running them over.
- I *think* the 12 players in the huddle was BS. There were never actually 12 players in the huddle, and I think that is what Sonny was complaining about. The 12th player was the WR who was not in the huddle.
- Tanner is efficent and was very good in a lot of areas yesterday. However, there are times in the games when you just have to let it rip. You can't be running on third and long or 4th down when there isn't a clear lane. You have to give your players a shot. The play calling also in the second half when we had the chance to extend the 5 point lead was too conservative. Sometimes you need to play to win, not be afraid of losing. The aggressiveness will cost you from time to time, but playing conservative doesn't fit the team. Hopefully that last drive will get him rolling on making quick decisions and letting the ball fly. Too often, he is waiting for receivers to break open instead of anticipating that they will become open. He is going to get obliterated by the TCU defensive line if he doesn't speed it up. Unless things change substantially, I can see us getting drilled pretty bad, the offense struggling next week, and Stone playing his first game action in the second half.
- Last note on the offense... I hate to say it, but I think it is time to start Kerley over Roberson. When healthy, Reggie is awesome. NFL player. But he clearly isn't there yet. No deep passes his way, yet again. And when you compare him versus Kerley on those WR screens, the difference in explosiveness is significant. Even on the game ending play yesterday, Reggie was basically jogging to the end zone. I think it is time to focus on letting him get back to full speed and backing off a little bit until he gets there.
- Defensively, I thought there were a lot of good efforts on the line. We held the line well. 30 carries for 132 yards is kind of an OK day for LT, but in reality they busted one long run and outside of that were 29 for under 100.
- As frustrating as parts of the game were to watch, the one good thing is that 90 is starting to step up. An elite DE who can create pressure is one of the big things I felt was missing going into the season. If Paul continues to step up and that void gets filled, that is a big deal. I'm interested to see if he can keep his progression up against TCU.
- I thought the LB crew had a poor day. They have been great to this point in the season, but there were several missed tackles. They need to play better, especially against a TCU. Moore in particular I want to see more from.
- At corner, Westfall was benched after that first big TD, but I couldn't help but notice on the replays that Denbow was lined up on the right side of the defense, but went left to cover the same space as the other safety. That eliminated any help over the top. Westfall certainly missed his press at the line of scrimmage and got beat, but not having any help I think contributed.
- They continue to focus on playing Crossley at the nickel corner. But that guy can't be seeing half the snaps of the other corners. We need him out there more often, and I hope the coaches make the adjustment. He and McMorris are clearly the best corners we have. Rogers, Johnson, and Westfall are all struggling. Johnson had a rough day. I get it that the QB clearly had a good day and they made some really tough plays. But they need to find a way to play Crossley and McMorris against TCU.
- I get that NWO dropped a pick. And he made some mistakes out there. And Massey isn't always lined up in the right spot. But it is time to go ahead and start them at safety and roll the dice. They have the ability to make plays. Everyone else at safety is just kind of "a guy". In today's college football, you need big plays to create negative situations from the offense. I'd rather take the risk and play those guys most of the snaps. Snap counts yesterday: Massey 39, Denbow 9, NWO 49, Cromartie 52. Its time to see Massey and NWO lead the snap counts and Denbow when healthy swapping in with both of them.
This team still has a ton of potential and depth. But things need to change significantly to prevent us from getting whipped next week.
- Offense came out much sharper; only non-scoring drives in the first half were penalty and the 4th down.
- OL was much, much better yesterday overall. Especially in the running game. Kudos to the coaches for owning things and changing back. Thomas was much better yesterday.
- That said, Osborne is still inconsistent. And I am really surprised that Morris continues to outsnap Bryant. Bryant is clearly a better player.
- The goal line failure is on the coaches, IMHO. Yes, we should have been able to block better. But we pushed the pile on 1st and second down, and then on third down, we subbed the RB and that allowed LT to sub in their goalline package. if we had just continued to play, I think we score on 3rd.
- Another thing I have noticed is that on short yardage situations, and even on pass plays, there are times where our blocking schemes are really super complicated. OL are pulling all over the place, tackles end up inside, guards end up on the edge. It happens pretty often, it is surprising, and it is way more complicated than it needs to be, especially in short yardage. We try to trick people too much instead of just running them over.
- I *think* the 12 players in the huddle was BS. There were never actually 12 players in the huddle, and I think that is what Sonny was complaining about. The 12th player was the WR who was not in the huddle.
- Tanner is efficent and was very good in a lot of areas yesterday. However, there are times in the games when you just have to let it rip. You can't be running on third and long or 4th down when there isn't a clear lane. You have to give your players a shot. The play calling also in the second half when we had the chance to extend the 5 point lead was too conservative. Sometimes you need to play to win, not be afraid of losing. The aggressiveness will cost you from time to time, but playing conservative doesn't fit the team. Hopefully that last drive will get him rolling on making quick decisions and letting the ball fly. Too often, he is waiting for receivers to break open instead of anticipating that they will become open. He is going to get obliterated by the TCU defensive line if he doesn't speed it up. Unless things change substantially, I can see us getting drilled pretty bad, the offense struggling next week, and Stone playing his first game action in the second half.
- Last note on the offense... I hate to say it, but I think it is time to start Kerley over Roberson. When healthy, Reggie is awesome. NFL player. But he clearly isn't there yet. No deep passes his way, yet again. And when you compare him versus Kerley on those WR screens, the difference in explosiveness is significant. Even on the game ending play yesterday, Reggie was basically jogging to the end zone. I think it is time to focus on letting him get back to full speed and backing off a little bit until he gets there.
- Defensively, I thought there were a lot of good efforts on the line. We held the line well. 30 carries for 132 yards is kind of an OK day for LT, but in reality they busted one long run and outside of that were 29 for under 100.
- As frustrating as parts of the game were to watch, the one good thing is that 90 is starting to step up. An elite DE who can create pressure is one of the big things I felt was missing going into the season. If Paul continues to step up and that void gets filled, that is a big deal. I'm interested to see if he can keep his progression up against TCU.
- I thought the LB crew had a poor day. They have been great to this point in the season, but there were several missed tackles. They need to play better, especially against a TCU. Moore in particular I want to see more from.
- At corner, Westfall was benched after that first big TD, but I couldn't help but notice on the replays that Denbow was lined up on the right side of the defense, but went left to cover the same space as the other safety. That eliminated any help over the top. Westfall certainly missed his press at the line of scrimmage and got beat, but not having any help I think contributed.
- They continue to focus on playing Crossley at the nickel corner. But that guy can't be seeing half the snaps of the other corners. We need him out there more often, and I hope the coaches make the adjustment. He and McMorris are clearly the best corners we have. Rogers, Johnson, and Westfall are all struggling. Johnson had a rough day. I get it that the QB clearly had a good day and they made some really tough plays. But they need to find a way to play Crossley and McMorris against TCU.
- I get that NWO dropped a pick. And he made some mistakes out there. And Massey isn't always lined up in the right spot. But it is time to go ahead and start them at safety and roll the dice. They have the ability to make plays. Everyone else at safety is just kind of "a guy". In today's college football, you need big plays to create negative situations from the offense. I'd rather take the risk and play those guys most of the snaps. Snap counts yesterday: Massey 39, Denbow 9, NWO 49, Cromartie 52. Its time to see Massey and NWO lead the snap counts and Denbow when healthy swapping in with both of them.
This team still has a ton of potential and depth. But things need to change significantly to prevent us from getting whipped next week.
.