- Jun 12, 2014
- 8,953
- 32,420
Founding Member
Alright, I'm through mourning the lost opportunity this past Saturday (I'm also sober again) and ready to discuss what we need to do to win from here on out. Let's try to avoid the fire and bench autonomic responses and keep it to the X's and O's of what we can reasonably expect to put out on the field. Here's what I think:
*Offensively, I think we have been mediocre beginning games and stronger finishing with the one-back zone approach. Matt Jones is the guy that makes this good, but we seem to struggle with any of the other backs. When healthy, Jones gets heavy later in games, which increases his effectiveness. Of course, you really need to have a lead fo maximize this package. If we are forced to use the other backs predominantly, I believe we need to have a FB (Joyer seems to be the forgotten man) or some heavy package or mix in some misdirection (counter, etc.). The prohibitive on the counter is the lack of lateral mobility of many of our OL. To wit, Trenton Brown got beat to the POA by the back on a counter last game, so those plays must be carefully planned from a personnel standpoint. I think we can run it better than we have, but it will take more than simply substituting the backs.
Obviously our passing attack does not strike fear into anyone consistently. We can get a little better, but there should be no expectation of us suddenly beginning to throw for 400 per game, even if we have a change at QB (though certainly I'm for giving the next guy a shot if he can simply cut down on turnovers). As such, we can expect to see a loaded box with minimal coverage frequently in passing situations (one high man or man with no Safety as we saw a couple of times from LSU). Our receiver play dictates this as much or more than that of the QB. Thus, it is imperative that the proper pre-snap read is made and an appropriate check (that is available) be made. For example, if we read a load with an edge blitz, most times we are in a four receiver, one back set and one call or check would be a vertical route for #1 (to the field) and a dig or slant by #2 or #3 (if trips) into the ILBs with the back flaring. Simply trying to account for everyone in the box and hoping a receiver shakes free has not been good to us enough. I'm also a fan of play action, but this often is not a big part of a spread scheme. However, a waggle off of the zone or stretch could be good to us.
*Defensively, we seem to rely on speed and quickness among the front six or seven as opposed to superior strength. Until that balances (next year maybe), we may need to try and confuse the blocking schemes as much as possible without becoming too unsound (well-timed stems, loops, and twists from the DL along with blitzes that are specifically game-planned). Our pass defense will get much better when we can consistently pressure the passer. Most of our LBs are not great tackling in space, so it should make sense to try and get them downhill as much as the game plan will allow.
Our secondary presents the greatest challenge IMO, specifically from a personnel standpoint. When Hargreaves is in, one third of the field is effectively eliminated. When he's out, there are weak links to be exposed. Poor Brian Poole, whether he wants to talk about it or not, is a prime example. We can blame his blow (and those in the KY and Bama games) on the coaches, but our schemes are not that complex (a lot of one and two high man with some combos occasionally mixed in). Players have to make plays and if they are having trouble doing so and/or the next guy can't do it, we have to help them by generating a pass rush, unconventionally if need be. I hope Tabor becomes the regular he looks poised to become.
*Special Teams need to be consistent. So far, coverage teams have been pretty decent, but it is imperative that we keep the field as long as we can for our opposition. If our KOs are going to be fielded consistently inside the ten and no deeper than five into the end zone, we have to continue to maintain lane integrity and get-offs to keep all returns inside the twenty-five. Punting is better from our side of the fifty, as hang time and distance usually result in a fair catch. Where we have to get better IMO are the punts from midfield to opposition's territory. A punt from their thirty-five to forty isn't a bad thing (especially if your offense is anemic) if you can consistently down it inside the ten, which I believe we have not done. Of course we like everybody else rely on coverage and some manner of end over end punt. Whatever happened to the "coffin corner?!"
Returns are good for the most part, but Debose needs to fight the urge on kicks he receives toward the back of the end zone. The twenty-five is imminently better than the occasional one we spring combined with starting at the ten too often.
FGs have to be consistent for us, as I'm forecasting quite a few attempts from here on out. I'm hoping Hardin can maintain any confidence generated from the one he made against UT when we need a long one and that Velez can be automatic on all others. These guys will be more important than we think.
*Intangibles, to me, would be to have some reliable receivers emerge before the season's end and improved play from the QB position. We lack game changers, so minimizing mistakes might be the most important thing we can do moving forward. This requires better from both coaches and players than I think we've had thus far.
I know this is probably longer than most might want to read and is rather simplistic, but unlike some I don't think we need to trade the bicycle for a Harley Davidson. We just need to quit sticking our foot in the spokes and keep our britches leg out of the chain! Please add if you will.
*Offensively, I think we have been mediocre beginning games and stronger finishing with the one-back zone approach. Matt Jones is the guy that makes this good, but we seem to struggle with any of the other backs. When healthy, Jones gets heavy later in games, which increases his effectiveness. Of course, you really need to have a lead fo maximize this package. If we are forced to use the other backs predominantly, I believe we need to have a FB (Joyer seems to be the forgotten man) or some heavy package or mix in some misdirection (counter, etc.). The prohibitive on the counter is the lack of lateral mobility of many of our OL. To wit, Trenton Brown got beat to the POA by the back on a counter last game, so those plays must be carefully planned from a personnel standpoint. I think we can run it better than we have, but it will take more than simply substituting the backs.
Obviously our passing attack does not strike fear into anyone consistently. We can get a little better, but there should be no expectation of us suddenly beginning to throw for 400 per game, even if we have a change at QB (though certainly I'm for giving the next guy a shot if he can simply cut down on turnovers). As such, we can expect to see a loaded box with minimal coverage frequently in passing situations (one high man or man with no Safety as we saw a couple of times from LSU). Our receiver play dictates this as much or more than that of the QB. Thus, it is imperative that the proper pre-snap read is made and an appropriate check (that is available) be made. For example, if we read a load with an edge blitz, most times we are in a four receiver, one back set and one call or check would be a vertical route for #1 (to the field) and a dig or slant by #2 or #3 (if trips) into the ILBs with the back flaring. Simply trying to account for everyone in the box and hoping a receiver shakes free has not been good to us enough. I'm also a fan of play action, but this often is not a big part of a spread scheme. However, a waggle off of the zone or stretch could be good to us.
*Defensively, we seem to rely on speed and quickness among the front six or seven as opposed to superior strength. Until that balances (next year maybe), we may need to try and confuse the blocking schemes as much as possible without becoming too unsound (well-timed stems, loops, and twists from the DL along with blitzes that are specifically game-planned). Our pass defense will get much better when we can consistently pressure the passer. Most of our LBs are not great tackling in space, so it should make sense to try and get them downhill as much as the game plan will allow.
Our secondary presents the greatest challenge IMO, specifically from a personnel standpoint. When Hargreaves is in, one third of the field is effectively eliminated. When he's out, there are weak links to be exposed. Poor Brian Poole, whether he wants to talk about it or not, is a prime example. We can blame his blow (and those in the KY and Bama games) on the coaches, but our schemes are not that complex (a lot of one and two high man with some combos occasionally mixed in). Players have to make plays and if they are having trouble doing so and/or the next guy can't do it, we have to help them by generating a pass rush, unconventionally if need be. I hope Tabor becomes the regular he looks poised to become.
*Special Teams need to be consistent. So far, coverage teams have been pretty decent, but it is imperative that we keep the field as long as we can for our opposition. If our KOs are going to be fielded consistently inside the ten and no deeper than five into the end zone, we have to continue to maintain lane integrity and get-offs to keep all returns inside the twenty-five. Punting is better from our side of the fifty, as hang time and distance usually result in a fair catch. Where we have to get better IMO are the punts from midfield to opposition's territory. A punt from their thirty-five to forty isn't a bad thing (especially if your offense is anemic) if you can consistently down it inside the ten, which I believe we have not done. Of course we like everybody else rely on coverage and some manner of end over end punt. Whatever happened to the "coffin corner?!"
Returns are good for the most part, but Debose needs to fight the urge on kicks he receives toward the back of the end zone. The twenty-five is imminently better than the occasional one we spring combined with starting at the ten too often.
FGs have to be consistent for us, as I'm forecasting quite a few attempts from here on out. I'm hoping Hardin can maintain any confidence generated from the one he made against UT when we need a long one and that Velez can be automatic on all others. These guys will be more important than we think.
*Intangibles, to me, would be to have some reliable receivers emerge before the season's end and improved play from the QB position. We lack game changers, so minimizing mistakes might be the most important thing we can do moving forward. This requires better from both coaches and players than I think we've had thus far.
I know this is probably longer than most might want to read and is rather simplistic, but unlike some I don't think we need to trade the bicycle for a Harley Davidson. We just need to quit sticking our foot in the spokes and keep our britches leg out of the chain! Please add if you will.
