The o-line and receivers are below average.
- Thread starter ThunderCat98
- Start date
The entire line struggled today. They struggled to open up holes in the running game and they struggled at times in pass protection especially in the second half. They got manhandled and its not the first time. It has happened all year. I made a point in the "pick the score" thread to point out the line looking bad this year. They looked bad again today. I would hope they could get it fixed at some point but I dont know. If you are getting pushed around physically maybe that's just a lack of ability and talent on the O line.
Litton had no time to throw and receivers had no time to get open. Idk if they would have even if litton had time bc they haven't created separation this season and when they do they drop it. Anyways my point is more about litton not having time and our line getting abused esp by no. 51. I know yuracheck was our go to but why not bring him or another tight end in to assist in blocking since they wont have time to get open anyways if litton is constantly getting pressured? Hell id rather go empty backfield and bring another TE in to block as opposed to wasting another valuable second faking a handoff to a rb that imo didnt pick up the block very well tonight.
I watched the o-line closely today. They aren't physical, and never seem to know where the pressure is coming from. On one third down play Kent only rushed three. Three guys were blocking one player and the right tackle (shocking, right?) Got beat one-on-one and sacked Litton. How does that even happen? That's something you don't even see in little league fb.
The O-line is the biggest problem but given it's a new line with a new center, maybe they will get better once Van Horn gets back.
The receivers, on the other hand, are very discouraging. It seemed that every time Litton completed a pass, it had to be threaded in a very tight spot. They are just not getting open like they did last year.
If I knew all the answers, I'd be the coach, but I wonder why we don't try a traditional screen pass? It seems like something that would work and maybe soften up the pass rush some.
The receivers, on the other hand, are very discouraging. It seemed that every time Litton completed a pass, it had to be threaded in a very tight spot. They are just not getting open like they did last year.
If I knew all the answers, I'd be the coach, but I wonder why we don't try a traditional screen pass? It seems like something that would work and maybe soften up the pass rush some.
Ive noticed with our receivers that they don't seem to catch that great with their hands this year. Usually if it hits them in the body they make the catch but if they have to extend their arms it goes through their hands. Also, receivers are supposed to go up and get the ball at the highest point when it is a jump ball and ours will jump which shows they have been taught the same but usually they jump to catch it around the waist instead of at its highest point. I mentioned it a couple of weeks ago to a friend but i seen it yesterday on a pass to allen in the endzone he jumped but it was at his waist and the defender waited til the ball got there and jumped to knock it away. I don't have all the answers and i know the coaches are better at teaching players than i ever will be but most of our problems are basic things that are taught at a young age. This group has a ton of talent but have struggled with basics. Even catching punts you have to watch the ball in and complete the catch before you do anything. If you cant do that you signal for fair catch or get away from it and make sure your blockers get away from it. I feel these "easier" games could've been used to iron some wrinkles out and take our guys back to the basics since we are having so many mental mistakes but we will see how it goes this week. Maybe it is chemistry we are struggling with idk... like i said i dont have an answer but it is sloppy and we were all told how good we could be this year but we have looked far from it besides the defense in the purdue game.
The two biggest things this team needs to find going forward are a line combination that can pass block as a unit and a wide receiver that can create separation down the field. We have to be able to give our young QB time and targets - yesterday he had neither.
We could also use a good situational (third down) pass rusher. The interior of the D-line has been pretty good but our ends have not been getting to the QB.
We could also use a good situational (third down) pass rusher. The interior of the D-line has been pretty good but our ends have not been getting to the QB.
