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Several posters have alluded to our "quickness and speed", especially on D.... I frankly don't see that at all... Hambb is correct re: our d-line's lack of size, but I also don't see us making up for that with speed or quickness... NIU's O-line just flat out dominated us...how many times did you hear a d-lineman's name mentioned as a tackler...or even helping on a tackle?
As to our d-b's, I know I'm "biased" on this, but if I see Jordan burned one more time, I think I'll scream... he plays soft, he plays slow, PERIOD! I don't want to fix blame on any one player and a db is gonna get burned from time to time, but look at the tape, those of you who have the courage to do so, and see how many passes were completed with #2 frantically trying to cover... Sheldon's catch at start of 3rd Q. was HUGE, in that it looked like Jordan was trying to play bump and run, Sheldon ran right by him without being touched! It seems to me that we're much better if Newson plays the corner and Deaudre plays safety than what we used last nite.
Finally, to be totally fair to the dbs, NO pressure means MANY completions no matter who's playing where!

He ran by Jordan because Jordan was playing a short zone. He's supposed to let him go by with the safety picking him up. We run that defense a lot and it doesn't work very well

Flipper wrote:He ran by Jordan because Jordan was playing a short zone. He's supposed to let him go by with the safety picking him up. We run that defense a lot and it doesn't work very well

I thought on that particular play, Jelani was 1-on-1 against Sheldon, but I could be wrong. We did run that zone quite a bit last night and Horvath tore it up. I would prefer to see Keon at the corner with Mayberry at the other and Perry and Carswell at safeties.

Great post, 61. We watched Jelani frantically chasing receivers and Deaudre Perry trying to catch Wolfe with little success last night while Derrick Lett stood on the sidelines watching. We recruit guys like Lett with 4.4 speed at receiver only to be stuck at 3rd or 4th on the depth chart. Why can't we move him to DB?? We move guys like Grubb and Macon to offense, but not the reverse.

Flipper wrote:He ran by Jordan because Jordan was playing a short zone. He's supposed to let him go by with the safety picking him up. We run that defense a lot and it doesn't work very well

He ran by Jordan b/c Jordan doesnt cover his man, he gives him 15 yards, and plays to not get beat deep.... which doesnt even work a lot of the time.

On the particular play I'd referred to , right at the start of the 3rd Q., it appears he's trying to play bump and run, which means he's GOT to make contact at line of scrimmage....Sheldon ran by him... I didn't see him "releasing' to the safety, which would've been the case if they'd been in a zone.... Remember, he's the one who caught Sheldon after Sheldon slowed to turn upfield again after the catch.
Again, I don't want to fix blame on one player... we flat out got beat in all areas, including coaching. I'd just like to see us put our best players on the field, and I don't think Jordan is one... The Freak will verify this is not a new topic with me.
I'd also still like to see Stover get some reps at RB, assuming of course that he's still on the team.... haven't heard anything to contrary. I feel he's a better, stronger, more instinctive runner than Lane, and I've made that point before also.

Eh, maybe I was thinking of another play...there were so many breakdowns to catlougue.

On the question of speed, I thought we looked quicker to the ball and tackled better against OU. We just looked flat against NIU, falt and confused. NIU came at us with a different look at RB when Wolfe came in and we couldn't find an answer.

Wolfe is something we don't have, a little waterbug type of change of pace back that can really motor. This Daniels kid that is xferring in from Cincy may be that back.

Flipper wrote:On the question of speed, I thought we looked quicker to the ball and tackled better against OU. We just looked flat against NIU, falt and confused. NIU came at us with a different look at RB when Wolfe came in and we couldn't find an answer.

I think we've looked sharper and DO have the ability also. Maybe it's leadership we're lacking. There didn't seem to be anyone on the field to instill a sense of urgency. The game still could have been won up to the last FG kick.

How do you go from a 4th down goal line stand to Kent State in one minute?

There was certainly a contrast of styles on the field Friday night - your more finesse and speed versus our more physical, straight at you style. I don't think either necessarily has a distinct advantage over the other. Our D, however, is also a smaller, speedier D, but we seem to be more physical on D.

Something that wouldn't stand out for our opponents is that our OL was very young last year - we started 2 redshirt frosh and a soph, two of 'em at OG's. Because of that, we had some spotty and confused play last year, including all the looks your D threw at us. This year, we've really improved with an extra year and adding back into the equation a couple seniors that weren't on the team last year - one was on university suspension, the other was still recovering from an odd leg injury sustained in an offseason forklift injury a couple years ago. One of them is once again a starting OG, and another senior is finally really fulfilling his promise and is the other OG. Our OL is humming, right now, and it wasn't bad last year.

You appeared to be very keyed into the running game, and understandably so with a good OL and a young QB. That hurt you, as we were able to continually run play action the other direction - you never did adjust well to that. Then in the second half, our OL really latched on and negated the speed. Last year, the speed really killed us; this year we got you blocked and found lanes.

BTW - Horvath would certainly be the backup at best if our starter were healthy, but this was easily the best he's been for us this year. Against ISU he threw two INTs for TDs (we also got a punt blocked for a TD) and has generally been a little shaky, but a combination of good decisions and excellent play-calling made him very effective.

Garrett Wolfe is listed as the backup, but he's played a good bit and actually has a TD in every game this year. He's quite a change-up from the size and power of AJ Harris (who is not slow, himself), and I was very happy to see that he held up with so many carries.