More In-Depth Observations From Last Night (first half - Offense) *very long*

*WARNING - VERY LONG*

I tried to post this in the 'Offensive Snowflakes' thread and got this message:

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You don't have permission to access this resource."

...whatever the hell that means. (Mods, feel free to move this into that thread...I tried, I know it's snowflakes). Anyway...I typed all of it, I'm posting it, dammit.

First Half - Offense only.

I absolutely love this time of year, there's something about watching things fall in place, a team come together, and players find their role that I enjoy (remember, I'm the obsessive depth chart guy).  No, this isn't another JJ/Cade post. I wanted to share some things that I saw from the entire offense...after watching the first half for the 3rd time now. Obviously they're a huge part of that offense.

Overall: Yay!! We've found our starting QB, big fan of letting it play out on the field - it's literally how you handle every other position. Think back to last year...who was the guy opposite Hutchinson? Hint, it wasn't Ojabo until game 3 or 4. He rotated with Harrell, Morris and Upshaw until he was clearly "the guy." DJ Turner didn't start at the beginning of last year either. The guys are literally rotating to figure out who goes opposite Morris this season. You also had guys like Schoonmaker and Rob Moore carve out roles for themselves. It's fun watching it play out in real time.

QB: McCarthy has always been more talented, it's the experience/maturity/intangibles that put Cade ahead (as they should've) - there were 3 presnap reads where he takes his time, noticeably scans the defense and runs the play (I'm sure he always did it, but the camera was tight on him 3 times). You can see him do this before the Donovan Edwards catch...where he also looks off the safety(!), and it was at that exact point where I said, "it's over."

If McCarthy can be consistently good at the things Cade is great at...it's no longer a contest. That said, we did have to burn 2 TOs because of some type of communication, alignment, or substitution mistake, those can't happen in bigger games. But the accuracy, the touch, the kid is now a complete QB - and having Cade was probably the perfect thing for JJ because everything Cade is, is what JJ had to work on. If it was Joe Milton (it would've never been a competition), or even Denard...those guys don't push JJ where he needed to grow. Cade was a great model/example and it was incredible to feel like I was watching Cade, with JJ's physical traits and ability. JJ would've gotten here, he's not an idiot, Cade likely accelerated that process. He is clearly more than just "upside" (the dumbest argument for starting a quarterback, ever. Unless it's year 1 for a coach and it's a mulligan year to get highly rated freshmen experience for the future).

McNamara had a nice first throw to Ronnie Bell. Even avoiding the blitz and finding Corum on the outlet was a good play. The issue is even in that "successful" play. Corum was his only option (for a gain of 2) because he's not able to avoid the pressure. So you're asking everyone else to be perfect, including the coaches. And if one block is missed, if one blitzer is unaccounted for...the only options are eat the sack, throw it away, or check it down. So Bell, Johnson, Wilson, Anthony...they may be wide open, but they're covered because the free rusher limits McNamara to those 3 options. Avoiding the rusher and running isn't an option for him either. It's just too limiting, especially when you don't have Haskins to put you in 2nd and 5 or 6 all game. Literally the very next play after the check down to Corum, McNamara gets out of the pocket and checks down to Stokes (who drops it). Now it's 3rd and 8. With Haskins, you run him...2nd and 6, Cade checks down on the next play, it's 3rd and 4...and you can run whatever you want. Cade in 3rd and 4 is great...Cade in 3rd and 8? Not so much.

Last comment is an obvious one, JJ's presence slows down the pass rush (and it's noticeable). Guys have to stay in their rush lanes and it makes it easier for our OL. When Cade is back there, screw gap integrity, just go get the QB. Guys like Trente Jones have struggled a little in obvious passing situations where it's not a quick throw. Zinter got (uncharacteristically) SMOKED in this situation. Everything is easier for everyone when you're not a sitting duck.

Wait, one more thought on QBs. JJ did a nice job in the two-minute. 

RB: First play of the game and Corum does exactly what Hart (and the rest of us) was talking about...takes a good gain, makes a great cut and turns it into a great gain. Without Haskins, this is a MUST. Speaking of Haskins, there was only one run where it was clear, "damn, we needed Haskins right there" (it was first run of the 2nd quarter/5th drive). But one thing that will go unnoticed that Corum does well is, Haskins finished every run by running you over for 2 or 3 yards...Corum does this hesitation/wiggle move to get the tackler off balance and it allows him to fall forward for 2-3 yards as the guy makes the tackle. It's different, but accomplishes the same thing. 

The biggest improvement last night was Edwards. I've been critical of his vision, he often just ran full speed at wherever the play was supposed to take him and he would run up the back of his OL (Haskins was a MASTER at patient running) or Donovan would get tripped and fly forward 2 yards because his strides were so open. His long run on the "Edwards" drive was the most Hassan Haskins run of the season, "wait, wait, wait...GO!" That may have been HIS moment where the light came on. The catch on the next play is filthy. If he's going to do that...you've got to start playing him with Corum more often.

Stokes is RB #3, put it down in ink. He just has to learn how to pass block (Dunlap still comes in on 3rd down to pass block). But he's a great pure runner. Karan Higdon is such a spot on comparison. 

WR: Hello Roman Wilson! Vey nice story, good on the coaches for highlighting him early. Ronnie Bell is an NFL WR, he has eligibility next year, doesn't need to use it, he's a weapon in the slot - he's noticeably faster than he was early in his career example, the first crossing route on the 2nd drive). Had the drop and the fumble, I've seen enough from him that there's no reason to address it any more than Zinter's blown pass pro rep.

Was nice to see "Darius Cornelius Johnson" make some big catches. There were rumors about frustration coming from the WR room as they looked to showcase for the NFL...based on absolutely nothing, he was always my first guess. Either way, he made some really nice catches. Let's get him the ball!

TE: Erick All seemed fine after his boo boo. Best TE room in school history. TEs were more the story of the 2nd half, but not much in the first 30 minutes other than doing what they were supposed to do.

OL: Outside of Cade's series...they were great. El-Hadi came in early for Keegan, didn't see why, but he's in on the 2nd and 3rd drives - missed it in real time. Keegan comes back on the 4th drive. Trente Jones is a work in progress on pass pro. Zinter got smoked on a 3rd and 8. 100% on him - no excuse.

We need another OT to emerge and I'll feel good about Barnhart (out for 2-3 weeks), El-Hadi, Crippen, Atteberry..and whoever that is last guy is. Quietly, this may be one of the biggest things to focus on these next 2 weeks. Find that 10th OL to fill out the 2nd unit. If not, it's Keegan, which is fine for this year...but it means you're probably going to the portal to replace Hayes after this season.

Thank you for attending my TedTalk... Go Blue!