Wanted to pass along some fresh game thoughts, what I saw heat of the moment. As an aside, am going through the process of evaluating every ACC commit to see where everyone stands, QB's should be hitting the recruiting forum at some point next week.
- Thankful to have conversation to have on the game.
- Offense, scheme issue. In an era where nearly all the offenses are going no huddle (not quite as fast as Syracuse aspires), the advantage it provides is not as strong as it was when Babers was hired. The idea of the scheme, to make a defense guard the entire field, has disintegrated into dives up the middle, bubble screens to the outside and deep balls down the sideline.
- OL was below average, but not the putrid line we saw at the beginning of last.
- With that said, at this point, you have to believe the issues offensively are at QB or WR (and in this situation, first game jitters facing a Top 25 team on the road is another valid thought). I am in the WR camp at this point. Offense is a big play offense and it doesn't have a premium WR on the outside to make challenged catches. Hard to say what this offense needs at WR. Made a NFL caliber WR (Trishton Jackson) look like just an above average ACC WR and not a DUDE (and this is where QB concerns could bear validity). Taj is solid, but can he consistently make challenged catches and get separation?
- While I think the scheme puts the WR's at a disadvantage, very intrigued by the wiggle from Nykeim. Looks like he lost some weight and got some speed back.
- Gilbert makes his money for the adjustments from this week to next week, need to see more players in space where a move can open them up.
- Defensively, some of it was UNC not knowing what to expect and the other part was some intriguing stuff. Seems to be a solid rotation of DL that can provide at least average production, if not better. Linton is a definite disruption pass rusher and has a chance to be pretty special. Does Tuazama force his way into the lineup on obvious passing downs? Was a UNC offense that didn't have a great line, but returned 4 dudes.
- LB play was solid overall. Thompson held his own as an undersized LB, but got to see that the refs will only call hands to the face once and won't repeat it. Would assume Richards would replace him when they clear him to play just for the physicality he can provide. Saw a lot of faces get run defensively when the game was still in doubt, seems to be a deep group, with Mikel the standout and Cantin-Arku the reliable LB who gets in the right spot.
- Cisco does Cisco things. Is a zone safety who has to read the QB, but has big time hands and that was a NFL caliber INT. Still surprised he is the Rover and Williams is the FS. Williams, in my laymans eyes, seems to be the better blitzer and overall disruptor, with Cisco being able to take advantage with his ability to read QB eyes and jump routes. Meli on 1 side, Nunn/G. Williams on the other side should be useful.
- This was always a L. Convert some mistakes and it doesn't become as obvious (getting UNC into obvious passing downs trailing by 2 scores). Game at Pittsburgh, feel confident Cuse can get that W.
- Thankful to have conversation to have on the game.
- Offense, scheme issue. In an era where nearly all the offenses are going no huddle (not quite as fast as Syracuse aspires), the advantage it provides is not as strong as it was when Babers was hired. The idea of the scheme, to make a defense guard the entire field, has disintegrated into dives up the middle, bubble screens to the outside and deep balls down the sideline.
- OL was below average, but not the putrid line we saw at the beginning of last.
- With that said, at this point, you have to believe the issues offensively are at QB or WR (and in this situation, first game jitters facing a Top 25 team on the road is another valid thought). I am in the WR camp at this point. Offense is a big play offense and it doesn't have a premium WR on the outside to make challenged catches. Hard to say what this offense needs at WR. Made a NFL caliber WR (Trishton Jackson) look like just an above average ACC WR and not a DUDE (and this is where QB concerns could bear validity). Taj is solid, but can he consistently make challenged catches and get separation?
- While I think the scheme puts the WR's at a disadvantage, very intrigued by the wiggle from Nykeim. Looks like he lost some weight and got some speed back.
- Gilbert makes his money for the adjustments from this week to next week, need to see more players in space where a move can open them up.
- Defensively, some of it was UNC not knowing what to expect and the other part was some intriguing stuff. Seems to be a solid rotation of DL that can provide at least average production, if not better. Linton is a definite disruption pass rusher and has a chance to be pretty special. Does Tuazama force his way into the lineup on obvious passing downs? Was a UNC offense that didn't have a great line, but returned 4 dudes.
- LB play was solid overall. Thompson held his own as an undersized LB, but got to see that the refs will only call hands to the face once and won't repeat it. Would assume Richards would replace him when they clear him to play just for the physicality he can provide. Saw a lot of faces get run defensively when the game was still in doubt, seems to be a deep group, with Mikel the standout and Cantin-Arku the reliable LB who gets in the right spot.
- Cisco does Cisco things. Is a zone safety who has to read the QB, but has big time hands and that was a NFL caliber INT. Still surprised he is the Rover and Williams is the FS. Williams, in my laymans eyes, seems to be the better blitzer and overall disruptor, with Cisco being able to take advantage with his ability to read QB eyes and jump routes. Meli on 1 side, Nunn/G. Williams on the other side should be useful.
- This was always a L. Convert some mistakes and it doesn't become as obvious (getting UNC into obvious passing downs trailing by 2 scores). Game at Pittsburgh, feel confident Cuse can get that W.
