Quick SU-GT game thoughts

[orangepassion]

• Obviously, huge and much-needed win. Great for team (and coach) morale and confidence
• Defense continuing to do a great job w/ the turnovers. Impressed that they hung tough in the second half after the offense had a few 3-and-outs. The one concern is the missed tackles, which hopefully can get cleaned up, because if it can, sky is the limit there
• That INT and subsequent lateral by Carter to Trill was the ultimate Yes!-No!-Yes! play. Loved the result, but was very risky and don't think it was worth the risk. Based on the Post-game, appears Dino will be having a conversation w/ Jahad. Luckily, all's well that ends well.
• Trill didn't look like himself on his original INT return, looked a little slow, and we know he's a great athlete. I'm guessing he wasn't 100%, because if he was, no way he gets caught on that return.
• Everyone's taking about Tucker and rightfully so, but how about Hanna (-Barbara)? Should've had 2 INT's and the one that was taken away was the more impressive of the 2. Looked very good yesterday.
• Devito with some deep passes right on the money. He has definitely shown improvement w/ throwing the ball away and running for positive yardage at times. The step he needs to take if we're going to be a good offense is to make a few plays when being pressured. In the first 3 games, I've seen all the other QB's do that. He still seems to get panicky w/ any pressure and not see the field. The staff needs to find a way to simulate these situations in practice. The receivers also have to help him and come back to the ball too, but that's the step we (and he) need to become a good offense.
• In spite of a key drop by Nykeim, the receivers otherwise held onto the ball fairly well, particularly the 2 deep balls. Hopefully, those 2 deep balls start to soften opposing defenses and allow for some more space on the mid-range passes
• Really displeased w/ the routes on some of our 3rd and short to medium. Nykeim running a 3 yard route towards the sidelines on a 3rd and 5 is frustrating, as is having seemingly everyone go long on a 3rd and 4 (?). If we're going to throw a 3 yard pass when we need 5, let's at least do it where he has space to run. We need better situational awareness on 3rd down to get more 1st downs to give the D some rest and tire out the opposing D.
• Happy w/ the early pass to Hackett. Would still like to see us utilize the TE's and the middle of the field more, but made a little progress there, which brings me to:
• Our WR's don't block-They could really help our outside running and screen game if they decide to do so. If they are unable or unwilling, would love to put Benson and/or our bigger receivers out there on the perimeter to block and occasionally fake the block and release.
• Tucker w/ a big game. A good combo of speed and strength. I do hope we don't forget about Jordan. He's too talented to keep off the field. Let's get him in space
• OL with much improved pass blocking this game-Time will tell how much opponent factored in, but very happy w/ their progress
• After seeing Qadir on the sidelines, no one should ask again why he's not on the field. Unless he makes a major change w/ his body, don't see him ever getting a snap. Too bad. Saddest thing in life is wasted potential (Bronx Tale reference)
• Things hopefully looking up w/ a bye and two very winnable games coming up. Hopefully, we luck out and get Davis back on the OL and Cisco is healthy. We are on!

 

[jr4750]

OP, your reviews are top notch. I’m with you on some of those routes. I watched MSUs air raid yesterday and they make that 7 yard pass seem so easy. The WRs just run to space and turn around. I wish we did that a bit more, I think it would help Tommy establish some confidence and create some manageable 3rd downs,

 

[sufandu]

• Obviously, huge and much-needed win. Great for team (and coach) morale and confidence
• Defense continuing to do a great job w/ the turnovers. Impressed that they hung tough in the second half after the offense had a few 3-and-outs. The one concern is the missed tackles, which hopefully can get cleaned up, because if it can. sky is the limit there
• That INT and subsequent lateral by Carter to Trill was the ultimate Yes!-No!-Yes! play. Loved the result but was very risky and don't think it was worth the risk. Based on the Post-game, appears Dino will be having a conversation w/ Jahad. Luckily, all's well that ends well.
• Trill didn't look like himself on his original INT return, looked a little slow, and we know he's a great athlete. I'm guessing he wasn't 100%, because if he was, no way he gets caught on that return.
• Everyone's taking about Tucker and rightfully so, but how about Hanna (-Barbara)? Shouldn't had 2 INT's and the one that was taken away was the more impressive of the 2. Looked very good yesterday.
• Devito with some deep passes right on the money. He has definitely shown improvement w/ throwing the ball away and running for positive yardage at times. The step he needs to take if we're going to be a good offense is to make a few plays when being pressured. In the first 3 games, I've seen all the other QB's do that. He still seems to get panicky w/ any pressure and not see the field. The staff needs to find a way to simulate these situations in practice. The Receivers have to help him and come back to the ball, too, but that's the step we (and he) need to become a good offense.
• In spite of a key drop by Nykeim, the receivers otherwise held onto the ball well, particularly the 2 deep balls. Hopefully, those 2 deep balls start to soften opposing defenses and allow for some more space on the mid-range passes
• Really displeased w/ the routes on some of our 3rd and short to medium. Nykeim running a 3 yard route towards the sidelines on a 3rd and 5 is frustrating, as is having seemingly everyone go long on a 3rd and 4 (?). We need more 1st downs to give the D some rest and tire out the opposing D. We need better situational awareness on 3rd down.
• Happy w/ the early pass to Hackett. Would still like to see us utilize the TE's and the middle of the field more, but made a little progress there, which brings me to:
• Our WR's don't block-They could really help our outside running game if they decide to do so. If they are unable or unwilling, would love to put Benson out there on the perimeter to block and occasionally fake the block and release. Alternatively, incorporate our bigger receivers at times.
• Tucker w/ a big game. A good combo of speed and strength. I hope we don't forget about Jordan. He's too talented to keep off the field. Let's get him in space
• OL with much improved pass blocking this game-Time will tell how much opponent factored in, but very happy w/ their progress
• After seeing Qadir on the sidelines, no one should ask again why he's not on the field. Unless he makes a major change w/ his body, don't see him ever getting a snap. Too bad. Saddest thing in life is wasted potential (Bronx Tale reference)
• Things hopefully looking up w/ a bye and two very winnable games coming up. Hopefully, we luck out and get Davis back on the OL and Cisco is healthy.

A lot pf good points.

Regarding Qadir, I'm starting to wonder if he has some kind of health issue. I would think that if it was an issue of motivation or work ethic, the staff would have suggested he find a new home.

 

[Redrum]

• Obviously, huge and much-needed win. Great for team (and coach) morale and confidence
• Defense continuing to do a great job w/ the turnovers. Impressed that they hung tough in the second half after the offense had a few 3-and-outs. The one concern is the missed tackles, which hopefully can get cleaned up, because if it can, sky is the limit there
• That INT and subsequent lateral by Carter to Trill was the ultimate Yes!-No!-Yes! play. Loved the result, but was very risky and don't think it was worth the risk. Based on the Post-game, appears Dino will be having a conversation w/ Jahad. Luckily, all's well that ends well.
• Trill didn't look like himself on his original INT return, looked a little slow, and we know he's a great athlete. I'm guessing he wasn't 100%, because if he was, no way he gets caught on that return.
• Everyone's taking about Tucker and rightfully so, but how about Hanna (-Barbara)? Should've had 2 INT's and the one that was taken away was the more impressive of the 2. Looked very good yesterday.
• Devito with some deep passes right on the money. He has definitely shown improvement w/ throwing the ball away and running for positive yardage at times. The step he needs to take if we're going to be a good offense is to make a few plays when being pressured. In the first 3 games, I've seen all the other QB's do that. He still seems to get panicky w/ any pressure and not see the field. The staff needs to find a way to simulate these situations in practice. The receivers also have to help him and come back to the ball too, but that's the step we (and he) need to become a good offense.
• In spite of a key drop by Nykeim, the receivers otherwise held onto the ball fairly well, particularly the 2 deep balls. Hopefully, those 2 deep balls start to soften opposing defenses and allow for some more space on the mid-range passes
• Really displeased w/ the routes on some of our 3rd and short to medium. Nykeim running a 3 yard route towards the sidelines on a 3rd and 5 is frustrating, as is having seemingly everyone go long on a 3rd and 4 (?). If we're going to throw a 3 yard pass when we need 5, let's at least do it where he has space to run. We need better situational awareness on 3rd down to get more 1st downs to give the D some rest and tire out the opposing D.
• Happy w/ the early pass to Hackett. Would still like to see us utilize the TE's and the middle of the field more, but made a little progress there, which brings me to:
• Our WR's don't block-They could really help our outside running and screen game if they decide to do so. If they are unable or unwilling, would love to put Benson and/or our bigger receivers out there on the perimeter to block and occasionally fake the block and release.
• Tucker w/ a big game. A good combo of speed and strength. I do hope we don't forget about Jordan. He's too talented to keep off the field. Let's get him in space
• OL with much improved pass blocking this game-Time will tell how much opponent factored in, but very happy w/ their progress
• After seeing Qadir on the sidelines, no one should ask again why he's not on the field. Unless he makes a major change w/ his body, don't see him ever getting a snap. Too bad. Saddest thing in life is wasted potential (Bronx Tale reference)
• Things hopefully looking up w/ a bye and two very winnable games coming up. Hopefully, we luck out and get Davis back on the OL and Cisco is healthy. We are on!

I agree a lil but yesterday was the first time he could breath in a long time he has to slow his clock if the line keeps it up . He did hang in and make a perfect throw that nykiem took his eyes off a split sec to soon that might have Been a score it happens I’ll take it in a win

 

[AAM62]

Is there a greater than 0% chance bleich wins an appeal over the bye? Probably not but that would be great.

 

[TheCusian]

Was listening to a podcast recently where the former QB was saying there’s not enough simulating pressure and pocket awareness in practice in the NFL. It made me think about TD.

I don’t think pocket awareness is a talent thing (you got it or you don’t) 100%. I think you can get better at it. And practice is safer lol

 

[JRHEETER]

I agree a lil but yesterday was the first time he could breath in a long time he has to slow his clock if the line keeps it up . He did hang in and make a perfect throw that nykiem took his eyes off a split sec to soon that might have Been a score it happens I’ll take it in a win

I felt the biggest difference was Tommy looked confident and comfortable with what was going on around him

 

[Redrum]

I felt the biggest difference was Tommy looked confident and comfortable with what was going on around him

There was a couple I wanna see on film but I have the guest that won’t leave and my Steelers crew arrives at noon so I’ll watch tonight

 

[PAcuse]

If you watch the Trill INT the 4.4 speed ACC WR had a 5 yard running head start on him.
Trill is fine.

 

[CuseMan4]

I will say, myself included a lot of overreacted. Our offense isn’t as bad as the first two games it’s probably right around where it was yesterday. We played 2 really good teams the first 2 games with a limited preseason so we obviously had some kinks to workout and had to find the right combination of players. It seems we worked out a lot of those kinks yesterday and found the right combo of players. If our offense can play close to that every game, we’ll have a shot to win most games with our defense. My biggest criticism so far for the defense is we need to work on stopping the run. That’s their biggest flaw right now. Other than that we are deeeep and have playmakers all over the field on defense. I know it’s early for some of these guys but I can see a handful of these guys getting drafted someday.

 

[Chip]

If you watch the Trill INT the 4.4 speed ACC WR had a 5 yard running head start on him.
Trill is fine.

Agree, that WR was really fast and was already moving.

It did look like Trill got a little dinged up on the tackle, but he was back in there the next series.

 

[shu 49]

If you watch the Trill INT the 4.4 speed ACC WR had a 5 yard running head start on him.
Trill is fine.

I think he looked slow too.

 

[PAcuse]

I think he looked slow too.

Anyone will look slow against that head start and speed

 

[shu 49]

Anyone will look slow against that head start and speed

Yeah just didn’t seem as explosive.

 

[FAL]

Anyone will look slow against that head start and speed

He didn’t look slow at all with that lateral!

 

[AAM62]

I will say, myself included a lot of overreacted. Our offense isn’t as bad as the first two games it’s probably right around where it was yesterday. We played 2 really good teams the first 2 games with a limited preseason so we obviously had some kinks to workout and had to find the right combination of players. It seems we worked out a lot of those kinks yesterday and found the right combo of players. If our offense can play close to that every game, we’ll have a shot to win most games with our defense. My biggest criticism so far for the defense is we need to work on stopping the run. That’s their biggest flaw right now. Other than that we are deeeep and have playmakers all over the field on defense. I know it’s early for some of these guys but I can see a handful of these guys getting drafted someday.

They better because ETN will pad his draft stock against the cuse if they don’t

 

[griddy]

HCDB has taken plenty of heat, but he deserves a lot of credit for having his team ready to play.
Assistant coaches and the players themselves deserve credit, too.
It would have been easy, after two dispiriting defeats, to come home as underdogs in an empty stadium, with doomsayers predicting a winless season, a QB shakeup, etc., and be either flat, pointing fingers, or tentative.
The team we saw yesterday was none of those things.
And that starts with the coach. Hats off to HCDB for keeping his team together, focused and playing hard.

 

[PAcuse]

Yeah just didn’t seem as explosive.

Yeah I get that

 

[JKinPhilly]

HCDB has taken plenty of heat, but he deserves a lot of credit for having his team ready to play.
Assistant coaches and the players themselves deserve credit, too.
It would have been easy, after two dispiriting defeats, to come home as underdogs in an empty stadium, with doomsayers predicting a winless season, a QB shakeup, etc., and be either flat, pointing fingers, or tentative.
The team we saw yesterday was none of those things.
And that starts with the coach. Hats off to HCDB for keeping his team together, focused and playing hard.

I think the tone was set early when we won the toss and elected to take the ball. Granted, we ended up punting on the drive, but I thought it was a little message to the team right off the bat.

 

[OrangeTarheel]

Wide receivers not run blocking drives me nuts as a fan. Reminds me of Kevin Johnson. Although I’d kill for a Kevin Johnson on our team right now

 

[sufandu]

I agree a lil but yesterday was the first time he could breath in a long time he has to slow his clock if the line keeps it up . He did hang in and make a perfect throw that nykiem took his eyes off a split sec to soon that might have Been a score it happens I’ll take it in a win

What you say is true, but I also think he has to get better when there is that one free rusher. Watching other games yesterday, you can see the best qb's are able to make that one guy miss and make a play or throw that dime an instant before contact. It's what made McNabb so spectacular back in the day. He did it his whole career but the '98 Tennessee game is a microcosm of the magic he had. There were numerous plays where their NFL caliber LBs came unblocked and had him dead to rights, and, before you know it, he's running for a positive gain or throwing for a first down. Of course, I don't expect TD to be McNabb. That's not a fair expectation to place on anyone.

 

[Redrum]

What you say is true, but I also think he has to get better when there is that one free rusher. Watching other games yesterday, you can see the best qb's are able to make that one guy miss and make a play or throw that dime an instant before contact. It's what made McNabb so spectacular back in the day. He did it his whole career but the '98 Tennessee game is a microcosm of the magic he had. There were numerous plays where their NFL caliber LBs came unblocked and had him dead to rights, and, before you know it, he's running for a positive gain or throwing for a first down. Of course, I don't expect TD to be McNabb. That's not a fair expectation to place on anyone.

True but he is running well and has been elusive and doesn’t have the check down options with this vertical offense
The sack one of our guys got pushed back like 7 yards like he was on roller skates
I watched first half We are gonna identify some things to work on during the bye
One is some air on the shorter throws to the end zone

 

[orangepassion]

True but he is running well and has been elusive and doesn’t have the check down options with this vertical offense
The sack one of our guys got pushed back like 7 yards like he was on roller skates
I watched first half We are gonna identify some things to work on during the bye
One is some air on the shorter throws to the end zone

Agree we should have check downs/hot read that TD knows going into every pass play. Those keep the chains moving and gives our Defense a chance to rest. Simple 5-6 yard passes can go a long way, especially if it's the middle of the field where the receiver has space to run. Congrats on TD's TD's!

 

[Redrum]

Agree we should have check downs/hot read that TD knows going into every pass play. Those keep the chains moving and gives our Defense a chance to rest. Simple 5-6 yard passes can go a long way, especially if it's the middle of the field where the receiver has space to run. Congrats on TD's TD's!

Thanks I needed it

 

[DoctorBombay]

Agree we should have check downs/hot read that TD knows going into every pass play. Those keep the chains moving and gives our Defense a chance to rest. Simple 5-6 yard passes can go a long way, especially if it's the middle of the field where the receiver has space to run. Congrats on TD's TD's!

Good points about giving rest to our defense. I love setting the pace but these quick throws in rapid succession, sometimes work against you.
I’d love to see us step off the gas pedal every now & then, depending on the down & the situation.