The Coordinators

[RyanCuse44]

I don’t love this narrative about E Rob stepping up in the second half. Go back and watch that second half. They brought pressure with Reese, a move that Fran took credit for in the presser. Then watch how many times UCONN shot themselves in the foot by not being able to catch a football. Not sure what adjustments you can make that causes open receivers to drop passes but okay.

Also, anyone making the excuse about not having the talent to execute is lying to themselves. I’ve watched smaller, slower, less talented Syracuse’s defenses dial up good pressure, and play tougher then what I’ve seen week in and week out out over the last 15 games.

I want E Rob to have success, I’ve been trying hard not to let my frustration cloud what I’m seeing, so I can give credit where credit is due… but right now I see zero positives, schematically.

You are correct and he's not good.

 

[MadNY3]

Special Teams.

I'm a bit harsher. Delay of game penalty before a punt. Had to burn before our rookie kicker's first FG attempt because only 10 guys out there. And a missed FG (albeit a 48-yarder.)

 

[PhatOrange]

Nixon: This is the first time I've watched a game and asked myself: "What the hell is Nixon doing?" For example, that failed trick play on 4th and 2 deep in UCONN territory that fooled absolutely no one on the Huskies' defense. Of course, it didn't help that Angeli couldn't throw the ball into the ocean for a long stretch of the game. But, he did resurrect the passing game when it was crucial. Things Nixon ought to think about:
1. Willis should get the ball twice as much as his kid. At least.
2. Get creative with the run game. Allegedly, we have some super fast RBs. Use them.
3. Work on 3rd down and 2. It shouldn't be as hard as we make it look.

Robinson: Got to hand it to him. He made the adjustments that kept UCONN to 2 field goals in the second half. Not bad at all. He still has a maddening tendency to go soft in critical situations. Like on the drive that put UCONN in position for the tying field goal. He pressured, pressured, and then went soft allowing the long completion. Granted, the guy had to make a superb catch, but if the QB was under duress, he doesn't make that throw.

Brumfield: For the first time in the Fran era, special teams don't feel like an adventure. OK, they missed a field goal. But, someone said it was Fran's kid doing the long snapping with resulting problems. Maybe the kid needs to practice this season instead of coming in, in critical situations.

The FG was also from 48 I think. Not a chippy and did have the distance

 

[CIL]

Nixon: This is the first time I've watched a game and asked myself: "What the hell is Nixon doing?" For example, that failed trick play on 4th and 2 deep in UCONN territory that fooled absolutely no one on the Huskies' defense. Of course, it didn't help that Angeli couldn't throw the ball into the ocean for a long stretch of the game. But, he did resurrect the passing game when it was crucial. Things Nixon ought to think about:
1. Willis should get the ball twice as much as his kid. At least.
2. Get creative with the run game. Allegedly, we have some super fast RBs. Use them.
3. Work on 3rd down and 2. It shouldn't be as hard as we make it look.

Robinson: Got to hand it to him. He made the adjustments that kept UCONN to 2 field goals in the second half. Not bad at all. He still has a maddening tendency to go soft in critical situations. Like on the drive that put UCONN in position for the tying field goal. He pressured, pressured, and then went soft allowing the long completion. Granted, the guy had to make a superb catch, but if the QB was under duress, he doesn't make that throw.

Brumfield: For the first time in the Fran era, special teams don't feel like an adventure. OK, they missed a field goal. But, someone said it was Fran's kid doing the long snapping with resulting problems. Maybe the kid needs to practice this season instead of coming in, in critical situations.

Willis spent time on the bench because he missed his pass protection responsibilities a few times and almost got Angeli killed.

We moved the ball when Nixon came in - better pass pro and he was able to add value as a check down specialist. That was a hige part of our comeback - stopped UCONN from sending the house.

 

[Cuse On 3]

Can we talk about how our OL looks. It’s not good to be pushed back by a smaller team on the line of scrimmage.

Believe this is on Coach Dale Williams as our line should have been a significant upgrade and seems to be floundering

Idk, they were solid last week especially in the run block. UConn getting as much pressure as it did was surprising. Not panicking yet. I still think we’ll figure it out better as season progresses

 

[MadNY3]

Willis spent time on the bench because he missed his pass protection responsibilities a few times and almost got Angeli killed.

We moved the ball when Nixon came in - better pass pro and he was able to add value as a check down specialist. That was a hige part of our comeback - stopped UCONN from sending the house.

I thought Nixon missed on the pass protection on 4th down that Angeli got whacked on and fumbled on.

 

[CIL]

Willis had two poor series in a row…the blitz that killed Angeli was actually on the tackle if I recall correctly.

 

[AngryOtto]

Willis had two poor series in a row…the blitz that killed Angeli was actually on the tackle if I recall correctly.

Saw the same thing in the Tenn game. Two that really stuck out to me. Great runner but if he does not get better in pass protection he will not play much. Cannot have your qb destroyed because miss a block. With his size he should be great in blitz pickup.

 

[HRE Otto IV]

Saw the same thing in the Tenn game. Two that really stuck out to me. Great runner but if he does not get better in pass protection he will not play much. Cannot have your qb destroyed because miss a block. With his size he should be great in blitz pickup.

IMO he is the best player on our team. We should be running the O through him. Those plays where he is weak, he should rarely be put in that position.

Yesterday felt like Nixon was calling the game like he had McCord and LQA.

 

[richmondcuse03]

I don’t love this narrative about E Rob stepping up in the second half. Go back and watch that second half. They brought pressure with Reese, a move that Fran took credit for in the presser. Then watch how many times UCONN shot themselves in the foot by not being able to catch a football. Not sure what adjustments you can make that causes open receivers to drop passes but okay.

Also, anyone making the excuse about not having the talent to execute is lying to themselves. I’ve watched smaller, slower, less talented Syracuse’s defenses dial up good pressure, and play tougher then what I’ve seen week in and week out out over the last 15 games.

I want E Rob to have success, I’ve been trying hard not to let my frustration cloud what I’m seeing, so I can give credit where credit is due… but right now I see zero positives, schematically.

This is not what Fran said in the post game presser. He was asked if Reese would play more and he responded by talking about the anecdote about how Reese was brought here to rush the passer. Several people have posted this and tried to claim Fran took credit for having Reese rush the qb. That’s simply not what he said. Reese was brought here to be a pass rush specialist.

 

[Rage4CUSE]

IMO he is the best player on our team. We should be running the O through him. Those plays where he is weak, he should rarely be put in that position.

Yesterday felt like Nixon was calling the game like he had McCord and LQA.

It'll be hard putting him in most games after a few snaps if you only ever put him in, in running plays. You have to improve his awareness for run blocking.

 

[sufan59]

IMO he is the best player on our team. We should be running the O through him. Those plays where he is weak, he should rarely be put in that position.

Yesterday felt like Nixon was calling the game like he had McCord and LQA.

For sure. And look it’s possible they are executing in practice and it’s why they call it. They just tighten up in the game.

 

[Offthedome]

Agreed on 1 & 3, I could have lived more with Villari in shotgun, it at least gives a slight hint of a pass and gives Villari some momentum and time to see where he might go. I knew what was happening when he was in motion!

Angeli was looking at the sideline on the snap. I assume that was meant to be a deception. Obviously, it wasn't.

 

[HRE Otto IV]

It'll be hard putting him in most games after a few snaps if you only ever put him in, in running plays. You have to improve his awareness for run blocking.

Teams won't come at us as hard in non passing situations if we have balance. Which minimizes his pass blocking weakness. For obvious passing situations, then you take him out.

In FBS games last year, SU was tied for 114th in rushing attempts per game. IMO we cannot win that way this year. Not with the players we have on O, and not with the lack of players we have on D. When you have a beast like Willis, you should be looking to get him 85+ yards on the ground per game (1000 for the season).

 

[FrancoPizza]

Willis spent time on the bench because he missed his pass protection responsibilities a few times and almost got Angeli killed.

We moved the ball when Nixon came in - better pass pro and he was able to add value as a check down specialist. That was a hige part of our comeback - stopped UCONN from sending the house.

Bar must be pretty low because earlier in the game I saw replays where UConn just overpowered tricky dick.

 

[orangepassion]

Wasn't the INT on a roll out?

Yes, but he was comfortable when he threw it

 

[OttosShoes]

Holy cow how about Gill’s hit on the punt returner? Big boy football

OMG the sound it made. I *almost* felt bad for the KR not calling a fair catch. Almost.

Said it before in another thread... He's missing a pocket awareness, timeclock or something. He doesn't "feel" the pocket if that makes any sense.

That's a great description for what's hard to describe. I've been saying "holds it a breath too long" meaning something similar.

It doesn't happen in the hurry up, and not when scrambling. I suspect it has to do with complex reads, which kind of makes sense when you consider it's his first year here and didn't play spring ball.

 

[Blanko97]

20 = fine

420 yards against UConn only results in 20 points because they are bad. Against a team with a pulse that'll be doubled. If UConn scored 20 because syracuse benched their starters to begin the second half and the second string gave it the ole college try, yeah 20 is okay. But when you're relying on TEs dropping wide open passes to save yourself from giving up 30+ thats not "Fine"

 

[GoSU96]

420 yards against UConn only results in 20 points because they are bad. Against a team with a pulse that'll be doubled. If UConn scored 20 because syracuse benched their starters to begin the second half and the second string gave it the ole college try, yeah 20 is okay. But when you're relying on TEs dropping wide open passes to save yourself from giving up 30+ thats not "Fine"

It was four less than last year. I didn’t say they played great, but the outcome on the scoreboard was fine.

 

[FrancoPizza]

420 yards against UConn only results in 20 points because they are bad. Against a team with a pulse that'll be doubled. If UConn scored 20 because syracuse benched their starters to begin the second half and the second string gave it the ole college try, yeah 20 is okay. But when you're relying on TEs dropping wide open passes to save yourself from giving up 30+ thats not "Fine"

I don’t think anybody expected the defense to be adequate this year. The real concern now is if the offense can put enough points on the board.

 

[Blanko97]

It was four less than last year. I didn’t say they played great, but the outcome on the scoreboard was fine.

Honestly, last year wasnt fine either. I do see what you're saying but falling into the trap of "a win is a win" against terrible teams is a mentality that gets you 3 win years like with Shafer.