Unexpected HUGE contributors and other re-watch observations

[Nick44]

Benson was fully dressed and warming up. Looked fine. Likely that was the plan that he wouldn’t play but got warmups in. Maybe he is back next week.

 

[007]

Which is important, because we get raw prospects who have to be molded. It is great to have a developmental type of OL coach, since we aren't landing many blue chip guys who are ready to see the field out of the gate.

The transformation of the Oline run blocking (so far at least) reminds me of the transformation on D that White was able to accomplish. As an aside though, White's ability to rotate and develop players is huge for the program. I'm not sure that Schmidt has that luxury currently.

I'm optimistically looking forward to Schmidt's impact in year 2, including the body type and numbers of linemen he brings in this cycle.

 

[Apdaly]

I think Servais is a cool guy and he's a solid OL, but I would love if one of the younger guys can be a solid upgrade over him long term.

Bergeron and Bleich are legit ACC linemen, and I think young guys like Cruz and Ellis can get there as well

I was hoping that servais could bump out to RT. Ellis at Lg and Bleich at center. Since I know he’s had some reps there

 

[RF2044]

The transformation of the Oline run blocking (so far at least) reminds me of the transformation on D that White was able to accomplish. As an aside though, White's ability to rotate and develop players is huge for the program. I'm not sure that Schmidt has that luxury currently.

I'm optimistically looking forward to Schmidt's impact in year 2, including the body type and numbers of linemen he brings in this cycle.

I'm really excited about Schmidt, and the tools we're giving him to work with. Magnusson, Hoeh, and others show the template -- guys who are 6-4 to 6-6, but only weigh about 265 pounds coming out of high school, so they aren't big / fat / slow. Room to easily add 30 pounds onto that frame without losing the athleticism.

Future looks bright.

 

[Apdaly]

so I’m fully ready to see sharod’s snaps go
Down for Alford and gadsen. Queeley was laying some great down field blocks though. Depending on the game plan that might be more valuable than his ability to catch haha.

 

[PhatOrange]

Duce made an NFL play on Saturday but it’s crazy to think our dbs can play flawlessly every snap. NFL guys get torched. Might be the hardest position to play.

 

[upperdeck]

The transformation of the Oline run blocking (so far at least) reminds me of the transformation on D that White was able to accomplish. As an aside though, White's ability to rotate and develop players is huge for the program. I'm not sure that Schmidt has that luxury currently.

I'm optimistically looking forward to Schmidt's impact in year 2, including the body type and numbers of linemen he brings in this cycle.

then you better hope Dino is still here or it all starts over.

 

[qdawgg]

Is it me or is this a thread we wouldn’t have seen in the last 10 years. Everyone talking about how positive things look and how they could potentially get better this year or with young guys in coming years. It feels good to win against a solid team AND look like we deserved the win.

This isn’t meant to turn this thread negative. But if our recruiting on O could bring in even 1 game changing WR, I think the offense would open up so much. I’m not sure defenses are going to worry about our deep ball even if we start completing some of them. Because even if we do, our % making those isn’t going to be stellar. Especially with Tucker, everyone knows that we’re going to eventually run the ball (minus Rutgers - I don’t see that mistake happening again). So having Benson back, throwing out wide, some misdirection I think are going to be key on sustaining drives for the rest of the season. Even completing 4-5 bubble screens and a couple short passes in the middle, will cause the defense to step a few yards back and wait to attack the line.

 

[syrBossHogg]

Agree on Cruz / Ellis. I wonder if they'll get worked in as the season unfolds, a la Bergeron two years ago. Guess it all comes down to how well they understand the playbook.

Our big weak link now appears to be RT [Vet or Tisdale], although Tisdale did reasonably well last week I thought. I have no idea whether a kid like Cruz [who is the highest rated OL we've landed in a while] might be ready to play LT, which would give us the option of shifting Bergeron over to RT.

Our OL has gone from worst ever last year to more than serviceable this year. Strengthening that lone weak link position would enable them to be even better.

I agree that I think Cruz is the heir to the LT spot, but I think this staff still wants to cross-train guys so I wouldn't be shocked if he starts at RT then works his way over to LT once Bergeron goes pro. Another poster suggested Bleich could move to C, I could see that as well

 

[syrBossHogg]

Is it me or is this a thread we wouldn’t have seen in the last 10 years. Everyone talking about how positive things look and how they could potentially get better this year or with young guys in coming years. It feels good to win against a solid team AND look like we deserved the win.

This isn’t meant to turn this thread negative. But if our recruiting on O could bring in even 1 game changing WR, I think the offense would open up so much. I’m not sure defenses are going to worry about our deep ball even if we start completing some of them. Because even if we do, our % making those isn’t going to be stellar. Especially with Tucker, everyone knows that we’re going to eventually run the ball (minus Rutgers - I don’t see that mistake happening again). So having Benson back, throwing out wide, some misdirection I think are going to be key on sustaining drives for the rest of the season. Even completing 4-5 bubble screens and a couple short passes in the middle, will cause the defense to step a few yards back and wait to attack the line.

I thought after 2018 we wouldn't have to worry about bringing in quality WRs, but the past couple years nobody has really done anything besides TJ and Taj. We'll see how Gadsgen and Alford do, I think they have more upside than other guys we've used.

Honestly more worried about the playcalling, Gilbert isn't creative and the lack of PA when there's a strong running game is extremely alarming.

 

[Dmcnabbrules]

Alford looks to have a lot of potential. At this point I like what they are doing with him. Have specific plays with him in mind. So much goes into playing wide receiver. Queely is an excellent blocker, a big reason he stays on the field. Alford’s development will have a lot to do say about how the season goes.

 

[721Comstock]

I agree that I think Cruz is the heir to the LT spot, but I think this staff still wants to cross-train guys so I wouldn't be shocked if he starts at RT then works his way over to LT once Bergeron goes pro. Another poster suggested Bleich could move to C, I could see that as well

Nah - Bleich is a prototype OG. Don't 'fix' what ain't broke.

We need guys like Red and Ilaoa working on their shotgun snaps like 100 / day, every day, from now until Spring Ball.
AND - we need to recruit a 'true' Center prospect, OR pound the portal for one.

 

[qdawgg]

I thought after 2018 we wouldn't have to worry about bringing in quality WRs, but the past couple years nobody has really done anything besides TJ and Taj. We'll see how Gadsgen and Alford do, I think they have more upside than other guys we've used.

Honestly more worried about the playcalling, Gilbert isn't creative and the lack of PA when there's a strong running game is extremely alarming.

Well the play calling IMO opinion is our biggest obstacle to getting to a bowl game. If we don’t get to one that will likely be the biggest single reason (hello Rutgers). But that is a lot like recruiting of WR’s. Just very unexpected that with DB as the coach we’ve struggled at times with OC’s and we’ve recruited a million WR’s and the % of them being playmakers is almost zero. Very weird in general. Maybe there’s a severe lack of coaching up at that position group. IDK. But I like what I’ve seen from Alford and that’s concerning he doesn’t see more action.

 

[007]

then you better hope Dino is still here or it all starts over.

yeah, of course. and water is wet. my hope is that the decision makers do whatever is in the best long term interest of the program, even if it means starting over. i have faith in JW to make those decisions.

in the here and now, i like the impact Schmidt has had on the running game.

 

[cuse62]

I like our tackling, especially the corners. It just seems we don’t miss a lot of tackles.

Run blocking is real good. I don’t care how good of back you have, unless there is blocking running backs won’t produce. Yes, the backs can help that.

 

[Consigliere]

Run blocking is real good. I don’t care how good of back you have, unless there is blocking running backs won’t produce. Yes, the backs can help that.

And will only get better with Rhino back. I'd like to see some sets with Elmore in the backfield in a power I and Benson in the slot with Taj and Alford on the edge. Play action in that formation should be very effective if we want to iso Luke in the middle of the field.

 

[0.2 YNdeeR]

Good observations, CR. I've had the pleasure of re-watching 3 times, and would echo how blessed we are to have LB's as good as #'s 7, 3 and 2, and how effective #'s 9 and 18 are at disrupting the backfield. White is not just good at developing talent, he's also good at recognizing it (Bear). However, the ACC is going to require more sustained offensive success given that our D got tired in late 3d and and 4th quarters, although it rose up when it counted.

The only thing I would add on offense (besides getting Benson open per Consigliere's post) is that, in regard to play-calling clearly Gilbert is spoon-feeding GS. As Shrader learns more of the offense and gets more comfortable with our WR's, I think the play book will open more and that will give him even more opportunities to gash the defense.

For someone I thought incapable of throwing long, he laid out a pretty sweet looking long ball to Alford on the first play of the game. Just needed a little more air under it and boom. We're just seeing the tip of the iceberg with Alford .. what a weapon he could be.

 

[TexanMark]

I'm really excited about Schmidt, and the tools we're giving him to work with. Magnusson, Hoeh, and others show the template -- guys who are 6-4 to 6-6, but only weigh about 265 pounds coming out of high school, so they aren't big / fat / slow. Room to easily add 30 pounds onto that frame without losing the athleticism.

Future looks bright.

Don't forget about Garth Barclay...he has NFL height and weighs around 290lbs now. Ultimately, I think he will try to get to 310lbs. I bet next year he makes it into the rotation.

 

[721Comstock]

Don't forget about Garth Barclay...he has NFL height and weighs around 290lbs now. Ultimately, I think he will try to get to 310lbs. I bet next year he makes it into the rotation.

Yeah, I thought he was gonna be a 'project' for his entire career here, but at 290 now, he's on the cusp of having legit ACC OL size.

Dunno what Coach Schmidt's recruiting chops are, but so far it seems like his development skills are excellent.
Which is EXACTLY what we need, as we're rarely going to get P5-ready OL straight outta HS.
Seems like we've got some solid (literally) pieces in place for the upcoming seasons, to backfill as guys graduate.