First Half Thoughts

Submitted by CRex on

 

Offense:
-Not as explosive, but a nice slow methodical offensive series means the defense is not on the field.  That's good.
-Smart playing calling, good mixture.  Western doesn't see a lot the players coming.
-Passing is sharp on the short to midrange plays.  Not much of a deep game (or shots in that direction) but that's okay.  Really our WR corp seems more tuned for the short and mid stuff so better to take an almost automatic 8 yard pass than try for a 30 yard bomb.
-The spread them out and run at them seems to actually be working better from the RB perspective than it did against MAC schools last year.
-If you've been saying "Borges is going to cripple Denard's running", you should likely shut up now.
 
Special Teams:
-Gibbons WHY YOU NO KICK PATS HIGHER?  WHY? 
 
Defense:
-Secondary is soft but keeps redeeming themselves.  JT had that excellent arm chop in the endzone to force a drop.  Avery could have intercepted that one in the endzone if he turned around but still knocked the ball out and didn't take an interference despite having his back to the ball.  Fundamentals are improving from the tire fire of last year.  Still miss Jackson and Hall though.
-Hey look we're calling blitzes.  
-Lack of BWC (and thus a walkon starting at DE) is hurting out ability to penetrate and get pressure.  I'm imagining RVB as a DE right now and how he'd be slaughtering the edge on Western.  It would toally be Ghengis Van Bergen if he was at DE.  
-Soft coverage is still a little scary.  Once again we keep seeming to be a step or half a step away from getting a sack or forcing a bad throw with pressure.  I'll just sound like a broken record and imagine of RVB was at DE.  
-Blitzing LBs need to come in a little slower so they can react to the QB moving in the pocket.  Demens is coming in a rocket but can't adjust.
-Defense really looks like they need confidence and to start believing in themselves.  After Jake Ryan pulled that play they started to look better.  Still they seem shellshocked from last year still.
 
I'm feeling good but I'd feel even better if we had another tuneup week between this and ND.  Also insert broken record comment on "if only RVB was at DE".
 
Oh yeah and these video boards rock.  Also the COW that gives me actual reception.  Now to prepare to get wet.  
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UMfan21

September 3rd, 2011 at 5:55 PM ^

Feels like we've become boring like Iowa on offense.  I do miss RR's offense for the excitement and big play opportunities on every play...this just seems so bland in comparison.  Yes, it's been pretty effective, getting 3-4 yards per play.  If we are going to play this methodical type of offense, we need the defense to be way better.  They can't be giving up points or our offense can't keep up.

Agree with everyone else, the lack of pass rush is killing us.  Special teams is still awful.  Overall I think this team is slightly behind where I expected them to be (loose coverage and special team "meh").  Offense is about what I expected.

Hoping the 2nd half brings better adjustments and play.  So far, I don't see anyone who can take this team over on offense.  I see lots of spreading the ball around, but if the team falls behind, Denard can't get those big runs like he used to...who is going to step up?  RBs for the most part have been steady but quiet.  I think that missing an elite RB is going to hurt us at some point, Denard is still our only true threat.

Joined: 09/28/2009

MGoPoints: 51231

CRex

September 3rd, 2011 at 5:56 PM ^

Christ our safeties are lined up so far back they could be shopping over at Fingerle.    Maybe Kovac is going to build a bitchin treehouse after the game.  

Joined: 09/28/2009

MGoPoints: 9010

CRex

September 3rd, 2011 at 6:15 PM ^

Notice how Kovac is being used as an underneath safety more.  A threat to blitz or drop into coverage, while the faster guy is staying over the top.  The problem last year was Kovacs was on the top and getting outrun sometines.  See the Kovacs tip where he has DB help up top.  

Last year I recall seeing it more with Kovacs on the top and getting outrun while one of the hybrid LBs was underneath.  

Love Kovacs and love this staff is using his strengths while protecting his weaknesses.

Joined: 09/28/2009

MGoPoints: 9010

UMfan21

September 3rd, 2011 at 6:25 PM ^

Hard to gauge the defense today. If they aren't scoring TDs or blowing up QBs, they are sieve-ing it up. I hope the blitzing is more indicative of what they will be this year.
<br>
<br>I do love the two big runs after I said we have no good RBs

Joined: 09/28/2009

MGoPoints: 51231

BlueUPer

September 3rd, 2011 at 6:35 PM ^

It has been a perfect day for us in the fact that we haven't had to show much on offense and the defense can buid on this game with a ton of confidence!

Joined: 10/03/2010

MGoPoints: 6450

Rhino77

September 3rd, 2011 at 7:23 PM ^

...took a HUGE dump (Chicago got the storm first) and missed the opening kickoff and drive. Killing me DISH! Then I switched to streaming when it went out again and ABC took a dump. Dayum!

Joined: 05/27/2011

MGoPoints: 14169