Pass Rush, ups and downs?

[Cadillac]

Ok, same caveats as before: I heard the game, and checked the stats, but don't have a solid picture.

It seemed to me that the front four as a whole were dissapointing in the pass rush. This was something that I had some hope for, since our secondary is so Raw. It seemed to me that the key to our pass defense would be getting to the QB.

Justin Rodgers seemed to have a quite game (or at least not as disruptive as I was counting on), but one of the tackles seemed to be playing a bit above expectations. Overall there didn't seem to be enough pressure on Harnell (well, yeah) but did anyone see any bright spots there?

-CoS

[MustangIcon]

Did not see the game but the offense Tech runs is based on quick passes. Generally the QB has gotten rid of the ball before a pass rush has time to really get to him.

[ThadFilms]

I actually was excited by the pass rush. There will not be a better pure passing team that we will play this season, even in an eventual bowl game. Leach's system is not traditional - so comparing how a pass rush does against THIS offense translates against a passing attack in the future. It's important to grade on a curve. Why am I excited? Adrian Heywood was busting through the line all night, and it's supposed to be our ends that we should see all the sacks from - and indeed we did see our lone sack from the outside - Corey Muse. The important thing to recall, how many times did we hear - "hit as he throws" - of course most of those times the pass was completed. Against many of our opponents that could be a sack, and most definitely an incomplete pass. Harrell's only interception was one such occasion.

Hold off on the ship is sinking talk. Talk to me again in three or four weeks. We weren't supposed to sin yesterday. And while it was as close on the score board as I was hoping for, we limited our mistakes (a fumble in the red zone - that can't happen again), and we held them to ONE big play. This is Tech, they are usually good for 3 or 4 against great competition. If last night's game was at Ford, I'm not willing to say we win, but I think the scoreboard would have reflected a much better game. And remember we never gave up.... don't forget want happened agaist the Ags last year. (Of course Cadillac, you weren't around for our loss to the Aggies... but it was bad.)

[Mustangs35SMU]

don't forget want happened agaist the Ags last year. (Of course Cadillac, you weren't around for our loss to the Aggies... but it was bad.)

I want to forget that!

Really though, I agree with you TF. I was very surprised, to be honest, that we kept them under 40. Obviously I would've liked atleast 10 points on the board..heck even a touchdown would've been good for me but keeping them under 40 was huge for me.

[mrydel]

We all listen to the hype given to the stud RBs, Receivers, QBs, etc when they commit and sign. But not enough people pay attention to the lineman that sign. Yes we have a good, exprienced D-line but I would imagine (I honestly do not know) that TT has some top notch offensive lineman handling the blocking for the revolving door QBs. They have to. Do not be too disappointed with the lack of sacks or d-line play. I think from listening that they did fairly well and I expect much more as the season progresses and we play teams more equal to us. This is why I like the big lineman PB is recruiting and getting committments from. We need a lot more and then we can get back to where we cn play with the big boys.

[Cadillac]

I'm not saying the ship is sinking by any means, only that from the looks of it, the pass rush must improve in order for this team to be competitive. I wasn't hearing "Hit as he throughs" nearly as much as "Harnell takes the snap.... has pleanty of time... compete to ____" It's not to say that its the end of the world (or even the season) just not what I expected. I thought that, like Icon mentions, they would be killing us with quick passes, but insted, even though they were still throwing short, they had pleanty of time to do it.

It looks to me like the areas that need the most improvement on both sides of the ball are the lines. We all knew that the Oline was a concern, but for whatever reason, I was thinking the Dline was more solid that it showed last night.

You are also right, that over the next two or three weeks we should see a major improvment vs. lesser competition, however after last night, I'm not going to take that for granted.

And for the record, my inlaws are all aggies, so I know all about last years game lol.

-CoS

[tmustangp]

lets also realize that tech gave up only 17 sacks all season last year.. they gave up zero sacks against A&M, OU, and ALABAMA.. very impressive..

so just getting pressure on harrell is pretty impressive.. especially since the average amount of time that harrell holds the ball is less than 3 secs..

harrell was quoted as asking kinsbury, hodges, and symons for advice and they said "get rid of the ball as quickly as possible"