Being at the game and traveling havent read much of the board. Some of this may have been posted already. Just some quick thoughts...
1. Our starting unit on defense was impressive. Very impressive. This group took control of that game yesterday and got us going when the offense and Deshaun were sputtering. The thing that is so impressive, beyond the physical ability of these guys, is that they are so disciplined and fundamentally sound. They are so well coached. And the group that sets the tone are those DTs. Another very impressive showing by the two deep at DT. And, that zone blitz by Venables was absolute mastery. Its like he knew what was coming and was one step ahead, as usual. Boulware and Goodson really stepped it up this week and made themselves known, which I was glad to see. If there is one spot among the starters that worries me, its that corner spot occupied by Tankersly. I did not think he had a great game. Just did a poor job finding the ball. Also, he just looks stiff in the hips to me. Hope I am wrong and he just had a bad day.
2. Aside from Wilkins, Byers, and maybe Jadar Johnson or Odaniel, we have a lot of development left to do with the second string defense. There is absolutely talent there, in most spots, but you dont see the same technique and discipline you see from the starters outside of Wilkins, Byers and Johnson. Jeffrie Gibson, especially, struggled with assignment and technique, even though the physical tools are there. What I have been most impressed with, though, is the concerted effort Dabo has made to get these guys reps, and how hard his coaches are using these first two games to develop these guys. One great example I saw yesterday was a guy like Huggins, who is massively talented, but just learning the DT position. He was way more talented than the guy he was lined up against yesterday, but he was playing with poor leverage and technique and getting pushed around because he was playing high and not using his hands. After a few plays, he gets subbed out for one play where Dan Brooks promptly met him on the sideline, filled his ear full and sent him right back in one play later.
3. Notice that I said we were talented at most spots on defense with our second string guys, but just raw. There is one spot I am extremely concerned about and dont know if development alone is all that is missing. The biggest concern is Weak Side LB. Jalen Williams plays hard. He looks like he is playing his assignments, he is hustling on every play, BUT he is so overmatched physically it prevents him from being effective, even when he uses effort and technique. If we lose Ben Boulware, we are in major trouble at that position. I see no way that we could be adequate at that position without moving someone over. I love Jalen's tenacity and toughness, but if he is ever starting at that spot, I will be very concerned. We have a major need at that backup Will position.
4. On offense, it was obvious we were a little off to start the game, including Deshaun, but I was pleased to see us settle down and look sharp in that second quarter and first drive of second half before we brought in all of the twos. I think they sold out to stop the run, and clog running lanes inside. There were times when there were more guys in one spot than we had guys to block. But I thought Gallman did a great job of getting the most of his touches. He did a great job finding the crease and bouncing out to space. His lateral quickness and vision is superior to every other back. He still needs to get better in pass pro though. There was at least one sack on Watson that was all on Wayne. That said, on a pass on a drive earlier I saw him step up and make a great pickup that made the completion possible. Wayne just needs to continue to work to be more consistent in that area, but there is a wide margin between he and the other backs right now IMO.
5. The biggest disappointment on offense that I saw were blocking by Leggett and Seckinger, and ofcourse the snaps from Ryan Norton. I was encouraged by Leggett's effort as a blocker last week, but not so much this week. As for Seckinger, I know he is still recovering from knee complications and he has never been a blocking TE anyway, but there were times he got absolutely blew up as blocker early yesterday. As for Norton, it was obvious his knee is bothering him and he is not 100%, but that aside, at this point how can you continue to allow him to cost your offense with poor snapping? He was a HUGE part of the problem in the first quarter. I think some of Deshaun's passes were off because of poor snaps that threw his rythym off. Then, he single handily almost got Deshaun hurt and eneded one drive with the high snap, and on another, the snap was so bad Deshaun missed the mesh with the RB and had to eat it. At this point, how can we possibly put him ahead of Guillermo?
6. Kudos to Andy Teasdall. He did a marvelous job rebounding from a poor showing last week. Dont know what to think of Huegel yet. I think the opportunities yesterday will make him better. Couple of disappointing misses, but he rebounded after each one. I liked that Dabo took advantage of that opportunity at the end of the game to give him another look after the previous miss. And he nailed it. As for kickoffs, consider me concerned.
Overall it was a great game. Lots of teachable moments. We got lots of good reps for young guys.We faced a little adversity early and responded. Id say we got the maximum out of these first two games and got better.
1. Our starting unit on defense was impressive. Very impressive. This group took control of that game yesterday and got us going when the offense and Deshaun were sputtering. The thing that is so impressive, beyond the physical ability of these guys, is that they are so disciplined and fundamentally sound. They are so well coached. And the group that sets the tone are those DTs. Another very impressive showing by the two deep at DT. And, that zone blitz by Venables was absolute mastery. Its like he knew what was coming and was one step ahead, as usual. Boulware and Goodson really stepped it up this week and made themselves known, which I was glad to see. If there is one spot among the starters that worries me, its that corner spot occupied by Tankersly. I did not think he had a great game. Just did a poor job finding the ball. Also, he just looks stiff in the hips to me. Hope I am wrong and he just had a bad day.
2. Aside from Wilkins, Byers, and maybe Jadar Johnson or Odaniel, we have a lot of development left to do with the second string defense. There is absolutely talent there, in most spots, but you dont see the same technique and discipline you see from the starters outside of Wilkins, Byers and Johnson. Jeffrie Gibson, especially, struggled with assignment and technique, even though the physical tools are there. What I have been most impressed with, though, is the concerted effort Dabo has made to get these guys reps, and how hard his coaches are using these first two games to develop these guys. One great example I saw yesterday was a guy like Huggins, who is massively talented, but just learning the DT position. He was way more talented than the guy he was lined up against yesterday, but he was playing with poor leverage and technique and getting pushed around because he was playing high and not using his hands. After a few plays, he gets subbed out for one play where Dan Brooks promptly met him on the sideline, filled his ear full and sent him right back in one play later.
3. Notice that I said we were talented at most spots on defense with our second string guys, but just raw. There is one spot I am extremely concerned about and dont know if development alone is all that is missing. The biggest concern is Weak Side LB. Jalen Williams plays hard. He looks like he is playing his assignments, he is hustling on every play, BUT he is so overmatched physically it prevents him from being effective, even when he uses effort and technique. If we lose Ben Boulware, we are in major trouble at that position. I see no way that we could be adequate at that position without moving someone over. I love Jalen's tenacity and toughness, but if he is ever starting at that spot, I will be very concerned. We have a major need at that backup Will position.
4. On offense, it was obvious we were a little off to start the game, including Deshaun, but I was pleased to see us settle down and look sharp in that second quarter and first drive of second half before we brought in all of the twos. I think they sold out to stop the run, and clog running lanes inside. There were times when there were more guys in one spot than we had guys to block. But I thought Gallman did a great job of getting the most of his touches. He did a great job finding the crease and bouncing out to space. His lateral quickness and vision is superior to every other back. He still needs to get better in pass pro though. There was at least one sack on Watson that was all on Wayne. That said, on a pass on a drive earlier I saw him step up and make a great pickup that made the completion possible. Wayne just needs to continue to work to be more consistent in that area, but there is a wide margin between he and the other backs right now IMO.
5. The biggest disappointment on offense that I saw were blocking by Leggett and Seckinger, and ofcourse the snaps from Ryan Norton. I was encouraged by Leggett's effort as a blocker last week, but not so much this week. As for Seckinger, I know he is still recovering from knee complications and he has never been a blocking TE anyway, but there were times he got absolutely blew up as blocker early yesterday. As for Norton, it was obvious his knee is bothering him and he is not 100%, but that aside, at this point how can you continue to allow him to cost your offense with poor snapping? He was a HUGE part of the problem in the first quarter. I think some of Deshaun's passes were off because of poor snaps that threw his rythym off. Then, he single handily almost got Deshaun hurt and eneded one drive with the high snap, and on another, the snap was so bad Deshaun missed the mesh with the RB and had to eat it. At this point, how can we possibly put him ahead of Guillermo?
6. Kudos to Andy Teasdall. He did a marvelous job rebounding from a poor showing last week. Dont know what to think of Huegel yet. I think the opportunities yesterday will make him better. Couple of disappointing misses, but he rebounded after each one. I liked that Dabo took advantage of that opportunity at the end of the game to give him another look after the previous miss. And he nailed it. As for kickoffs, consider me concerned.
Overall it was a great game. Lots of teachable moments. We got lots of good reps for young guys.We faced a little adversity early and responded. Id say we got the maximum out of these first two games and got better.
