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Message: [QUOTE="sutomcat, post: 33065, member: 27"] I think we are seeing the same thing we did last year. Conference teams are not willing to give Syracuse the quick slant routes that have become the backbone of the new offense we have been running the last 2 years. Once that happens and we are unable to run the ball consistently, we struggle to move the ball at all. I agree Nassib made 2 awful throws that lead to interceptions...that screen pass early and the throw late in the game over the middle. He had a couple of chances to get long completions where he did not throw it well. And I agree, it looked like the shots he took affected his play to some extent. Was not as poised as he has been. Though he rarely had quality time to run plays to completion as designed. But to my eyes, like last year, most of the time on passing plays, the receivers were not open or were barely open, where a great throw and catch was required just to get a short gain. We continue to need to find an answer when we are defended this way. Part of the problem is the lack of size, strength and speed from our receivers. Watch the replay of the game and see how Van Chew gets manhandled by physical coverage. I like the kid a lot, he gives 100%, has great hands and fine speed, but he has not been able to do much against strong man coverage in his career and given his body, I don't think this is ever going to change. Provo is stronger than Van but again, when the ball is thrown his way, he is often pitted in man coverage against a defender who is usually bigger, stronger and faster than he is. He has improved a lot over this career, but he still is not what you need to be a top notch TE at this level. The young kids might be good some day but I don't see any of them making big contributions right away. But Foster and West have nice size and strength and do not shy from physical play, so I think they will be good down the road. Lemon is the only guy I see who is able to get open consistently. I hope we throw it to him more often the rest of the season. The other part of the problem is, when the defense takes away the quick slants, you need to respond. You can't just keep calling them and hope it will all work out. Would like to see some plays designed to look like a quick slant that turns into a sprint route deep (executed with a pump fake). Would like to see more passes to the sidelines. Would like to see something different than we have been seeing. [/QUOTE]

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