First half analysis of o-line play vs. Marshall

[JasonB]

I just got done re-watching the first half of the Marshall game and grading our blockers. We had 38 plays on offense, 5 of which were punts. Here is my analysis:

RUNNING GAME:
- We ran the ball only twice on designed runs to the outside. Everything else was up straight up the middle or behind a guard.

- Of our 15 run plays, 9 of them were delays of some sort. Every run except for one in the second quarter was a delay of some sort. We had 4 plays that were successful run plays.

- On the unsuccessful plays, we had:
- One counter where we just didnt' have enough blockers.
- 2 plays where we ran up the middle, our Poynter and BK doubled a tackle, and the middle linebacker came in without getting hit and stuffed the run. Bad decision by the center to try and double instead of hit an LB.
- 1 horrible block by BK that doomed a play.
- 1 play where 71 couldn't maintain his block.
- 1 play were Peveto missed his block, but Martin hesitated and blew the run anyway.
- 1 play where Poynter blocked nobody.
- 1 play where Urbanus blocks nobody, and Poynter lost his block.
- 1 play wehre Urbanus beaten badly, Peveto blocks nobody.
- 1 play where Urbanus blocked nobody and his tackle went in a creamed a back.
- 1 play where nobody expected the QB to fake the handoff and keep, so nobody blocked on the backside, everyone blocked for a sweep right.

- On one of the successfull plays, Peveto didn't block anybody, but got lucky when the Tackle he was supposed to block took the RB 5 yards deep in the backfield on a fake handoff QB keeper.

- On the option, 71 shot out and blocked a LB instead of the end, and the end forced a quick pitch, run was successful anyway.

PASSING GAME
- 5 completed passes with good blocking.
- 1 pass completed, but QB threw too soon with no pressure.
- 1 pass competion where pass threw early because 71 was beat for speed.

- 1 drop with good blocking. 71 had his guy pushed wide. Ecert felt some pressure because didn't step up into nice pocket.

- 2 pass incomplete, QB threw too early with no pressure and a good blitz pickup.
- 3 pass incomplete with no pressure, QB threw too soon, into coverage, before any separation.

- 1 pass incomplete where poynter beaten badly.
- 1 dropped INT where Peveto horrible block.
- 1 poor pass on a screen, where Peveto was going to whiff his block anyway.
- 1 incomplete where Urbanus was beaten and Eckert gets hurt.
- 1 sack where BK gets beaten.

SUMMARY

4 bad blocks on 18 passing plays really isn't that bad. Our QBs have "happy feet" back there and get rid of the ball way too soon. They are scared to death, which I guess after Tulane I shouldn't blame them. But they had a lot more time and space than they took advantage of.

DJ had easily the best half. I only have him down for one mistake, and it was minor. Both tackles played better than anyone else, although they weren't tested as much because we didn't attempt many wide runs in order to cut down on potential negative plays.

Our interior offensive line needs a lot of work, however. BK made two mistakes, one missed tackle for a big running loss and gave up a sack. But he also had the benefit of getting double-team help a lot of the half. Poynter was the next worst. The center has to make a lot of decisions, and he made a lot of poor ones. Lots of double teams where it wasn't necessary, and he could have blocked a backer to get more running yards. One time in particular, BK has the inside position on his DT on a run up the middle, but Poynter goes to block him anyway. There is NOBODY behind the MLB, who runs up and manages to stuff the play. Get a hat on that guy, and it is a HUGE pickup. Lots of blocking nobody. He was very poor.

The worst is the other guard. Peveto started getting beat like a drum as the half went on, or making mental mistakes, and doing a very poor job. Then Urbanus came in and played even worse (Urbanus played at each guard position and also some LT. ).

In summary, though, I was surprised by one thing. I thought we were beaten physically a lot in the game. But we weren't. We make a lot of mental mistakes on the line, especially at the center position, which I guess is to be expected from a young center. We have a lot of mental lapses on the line where we double one person and let another run free, or where people can't figure out who to block. A lot of the time, when we have a short run, it isn't because of physical domination. It is because we double team and nobody is free to take on a linebacker. And because we don't have a lead blocker, that middle linebacker stuffs the play.

That is at least a little bit comforting. Mental mistakes are easier to correct than physical ones. Of course, double teaming the tackles could be preventing some of the more physical mistakes from occurring....

I have two recommendations for stopping this.

1) We need some plays with a lead blocker. If we are going to have to double a DT in order to push him aside, then we have to have a lead blocker that can take out a middle linebacker. In fact, that is why I suspect the QB keeper is successful sometimes - we seal off on a DT, then the middle linebacker takes the RB. Because we run a spread, everyone else is on the outside, so it creates a huge gap. The misdirection takes care of having a lead. But I think we would be a lot more successful and much more CONSISTANT with a lead runner in there.

2) Playaction. I ws surprised that we rarely, if ever, do playaction passes. The middle LB and safety are rushing the LOS. If you playaction and keep the back in to block (which, by the way, our backs do a pretty darn good job of, especially Massey), then 1) the TE should be available in the flat (if man coverage) or over the middle (if zone) and 2) the deep post should be available, which we don't ever run.

[JasonB]

And, just for you Stallion, the last thing I want to add is that we obviously need better QB plays. Lots of decisions that are made too quick, and poorly. One way to keep the MLB honest, and to make the other team drop into more nickel packages is to force them to respect the passing game. This means actually taking advantage of the athleticism on the team. Romo made a lot of poor decisions in the passing game. Whether it is Phillips or Willis, I hope someone can beat him out. Romo tries hard, but does do some bad stuff out there. And I still contend that Phillips would have been in there a long time ago if he was really healthy. After seeing the play in that first half, I am thinking that we will 1) definately see Willis before the year is out and 2) Phillips is going to get a redshirt, and probably go into spring as the starting QB with a fully recovered shoulder.

Also, the mental mistakes on the o-line are not a pass to the coaching staff. Adjustments could be made as I illustrated before in order to deal with our situation. But it isn't being done.

[Stallion]

good to see that someone else noticed Massey is a much improved blocking back. I don't know of any credible evidence that Phillips has a redshirt year availiable. If that's the case, I can deal with that but I don't think that's the case. Otherwise, why not just explain the situation. I've never even heard Bennett claim that Phillips is physically recoveing. Again if true that changes the entire analysis.

[White Helmet]

Good analysis, but on the option often times you leave the DE unblocked and read him for the pitch. So possibly add one more to the good play and that gives us what, 2 well blocked plays?

[KnuckleStang]

“1 play where nobody expected the QB to fake the handoff and keep, so nobody blocked on the backside, everyone blocked for a sweep right.”

This sounds like it may have been a true naked boot. Not saying that's what happened here, but in many cases the coach might even tell the QB to keep it without telling the rest of the offense – resulting in a better overall fake, since a well-schooled defensive player is supposed to read the play through the blocking scheme…i.e. it doesn’t matter if you fake right in the backfield and block everyone to the left – the front 7 should be following the blocking scheme to the ball (LB’s with poor fundamentals get caught “peeking” in the backfield a lot, vs. reading the blocking scheme).

Thanks for the excellent, thorough analysis, JB! Somebody's been putting in the time. Interesting stuff. Loosely translated: our o-line is terrible.

[jtstang]

Thanks for the excellent, thorough analysis, JB! Somebody's been putting in the time. Interesting stuff. Loosely translated: our o-line is terrible.

I agree, it looked like thorough analysis (don't know for sure, too long to actually read). But did not need it to reach your conclusion, KnuckleStang. Our o-line is part of our team, ergo they must be terrible.

[JasonB]

good to see that someone else noticed Massey is a much improved blocking back. I don't know of any credible evidence that Phillips has a redshirt year availiable. If that's the case, I can deal with that but I don't think that's the case. Otherwise, why not just explain the situation. I've never even heard Bennett claim that Phillips is physically recoveing. Again if true that changes the entire analysis.

I will be the first to admit that I haven't seen Phillips in practice or anything like that. But I will look at these facts:

1) When healthy last year, Phillips beat out both JUCOs for the starting position.

2) When I look at Phillips on the sidelines, he doesn't look down or depressed. He is into the game. Think about past QBs who have been in the doghouse. They sit around and sulk. He is active in playcalling. Coach Bennett joked about him in one of the Running with the Stangs episodes. He helped dump the stuff on Bennett after the TCU game.

To me, all of those observations indicate that Phillips would challenge for the job if healthy and that he and Bennett are on the same page about where he is.

Because of that, I think he is in a Pennington situation where yes, he could play if he had to this year, but if there is any way to keep him out of contact this year, do it. Rotator Cuff takes a long time to come back from. Even if you get your arm strength back, you still run the risk of hurting it again when you take a hit. So, I think that they are looking for an additional medical redshirt for this season.

[Nacho]

JB I am not sure but I think there may be something to what you are saying. I usually watch some of the pregame warmups. I have noticed that Phillips doesn't seem to have as much zip on the ball. He did however play very well in the spring and in the red/blue game which leads me to the conclusion that if something did happen it was right before the season began. Phillips has been throwing as the 3rd QB in warmups I think, so I still don't have a good handle on what is going on. Bennet hasn't said a word about a reinjury as far as I know.

[Stallion]

yeah but we've had some pretty well informed insiders on this board state categorically that alleged Rotator Cuff injury did not require surgery and insinuated that wasn't the real story as to why he sat last season. If he's hurt-he's hurt but has Phil Bennett ever said this year categorically that Phillips injury prevents him from playing. Or that we are looking at Willis because Phillips is recuperating. I follow the team pretty close and I never have heard that. Instead we get these ridiculous rumors that he is out of shape when mobility is really not even an issue with Phillips. The plan to redshirt a player is not a state secret and is usually common knowledge. I'm the first to really hypothesize that Phillips might be redshirting because of possible problems with receiving the medical redshirt last year-but I really don't have any credible evidence. If Bennett is going to make the case for playing Willis he should fully explain the reasons. Plus once he sets foot on the field he should play the majority of the remaining games PERIOD.

[jtstang]

If Phillips is hurt and looking for another medical redshirt, why say that he and Willis are competing for the No. 2 spot this week? Can't you just say he's injured?

[Hoop Fan]

this is a bigger mystery than our recruiting standards. We're on a need to know basis, and its clearly deemed by someone that fans/alums dont need to know these things. It sure isn't very good alumni relations when you want people to keep supporting a program that has not given anybody an ounce of return on their investment, emotional or financial.

[Nacho]

Short SMU. You can't lose.

[JasonB]

I am guessing we know a bit more after this weekend. I suspect that Bennett will play Willis over Phillips this weekend, and then finally be asked about Phillips after the game or next week. Then we will finally know an answer.

[The XtC]

[quote="JasonB"] So, I think that they are looking for an additional medical redshirt for this season.[/quote]

Hope they're ready to get laughed at, then. Thats what the response will be when they ask for a 2nd medical redshirt year for a player who doesnt have a verifiable injury.

He played in the spring game in between the 2 seasons you're asking for redshirts for, he's in the stat book. He practices every day, the Dallas Morning News has mentioned several times how many snaps he gets with the first and second team, compared to Romo and Eckert. He's dressed out for every game, and been on the traveling squad for our first two conference games. Bennet specifically mentioned that Phillips would be "in the mix" at QB this week. All of that is documented. The injury that your fantasizing about isnt. What do you think will be the response when they ask for a redshirt for someone, and dont even have an x-ray to prove there was an injury? To get a 6th year, they have to convince the conference office that he had an injury severe enough to keep him from playing for 2 years. You think anyone is going to fall for that? Not when its obvious that he can practice, and the coach has said in a press conference that he's available to play.

The only way Phillips could be redshirted this year, would be if he didnt get one for last year. Thats it, end of story. Sorry if thats not what you want to believe, but sometimes the truth is hard.

[JasonB]

Some additional comments after reading the blurb in the paper today...

In the first half analysis that I saw of the Marshall game, I saw exactly ONE mistake by a running back. One ONE play, Martin hesitated before hitting a hole. The lack of a running game wasn't caused by poor running, it was caused by poor blocking and missed assignments. The talk of a lack of a playmaker at RB and switching to a new back is absurd. The majority of our runs were up the middle. Turner has a much less chance of getting past that free MLB than Massey or Martin do. Our coaches need to be talking about scheme changes there, not running back changes. We never got free outside to be able to utilize speed with a Turner or Henderson.

Secondly, the Phillips talk is concerning. If by "mechanics" he means that Phillips shoulder still isn't working right, then I am okay with everything. But if we aren't playing Phillips because he doesn't throw pretty, take a look at V Young, who throws like that gay guy threw the javelin in Revenge of the Nerds.

If Phillips does not play this year and never gets a redshirt, I would really have to question the coaching staff. It is just another instance of a defensive coach who wants "consistancy" out of offense, and can't handle playmakers who are a little erratic. See Wansteadt, who has managed to pull the reigns on one of the most proven NCAA QBs coming into this year. The combination of that decision plus the inability to get Henderson, Turner, or Warren in on the WR screen is disturbing and will plant me firmly on the Bennett has to leave bandwagon.