Use of the TEs and other great improvements so far
Brian mentioned how many options the O has for the TE (the scrape counterpunch, the fake scrape counterpunch that freed Koger up for that 20 yard rumbling pitch/catch), etc. Totally agree.
The use of the TE is probably my favorite development of the O so far, and I'd also include (1) the WRs' hands (we all know Matthews' has been able to catch anything thrown his way since he got here, but the lack of drops on basic passes has been a fantastic surprise) - we'll see how this holds up in sub-60 weather in a month or so, (2) the blitz pickups/blocking in general by the RBs - Minor in particular. I counted at least 5 crushing blocks by Minor in the ND game and Brian highlighted at least 2 key blocks (the pancake on the 3rd down conversion to Odoms on the last drive, and the block on the GW TD pass), (3) Brown's hands out of the backfield - that guy looks silky smooth flaring out into the flat, into space. We know he has the speed - the issue with him has been breaking through tackles and making something happen when the hole isn't big enough for a truck. Love to see the staff figuring out other ways for him to get into space, though I do hope to see him do it with carries out of the backfield.
One more quick thought - Forcier's STUDBOLT! run looked to be a "fake counterpunch" (as Brian described - when Koger pulls but instead of blowing up the DE, avoids him and heads for the flat)... ND apparently tried to take that away by rolling McCarthy (?) forward leaving nothing but empty space.
I hope to see teams try to take away that TE flex play because with Tate/Denard running it and needing only to beat a DE, I'll take that all season. Can you freaking imagine having a crucial 4th down play turn on Threet or (no offense, young man) Sheridan having to beat the DE to get into space? Night and day.
September 18th, 2009 at 5:10 PM ^
TE use has been great. Blocking needs to improve a bit though. Note that RR did not use TEs for the most part throughout his WV tenure. Shows that RR is able to incorporate the available talent (which Webb and esp Koger have).
September 18th, 2009 at 8:16 PM ^
I agree, but I would say that RR is able to evolve the offense as more pieces are available and more counters to the counters need to be created. Which is why talented TEs will be recruited for the future.
September 18th, 2009 at 5:12 PM ^
One great improvement/adjustment that's happened so far: recognizing Stevie Brown's skill set is better suited for the position of OLB, and putting him where he's been able to make an immediate impact leaps and bounds beyond where he was able to take his game to last year, and the year before.
September 18th, 2009 at 6:02 PM ^
Good point. It would be nice to see Stevie put the pieces together this year and have a solid season.
September 18th, 2009 at 5:20 PM ^
I was a bit O-heavy in my "positive developments." Brown's switch is big. Take away the need for him to pick a long-distance angle/read, and his athleticism is taking over.
September 18th, 2009 at 5:47 PM ^
Koger is a monster and a matchup nightmare. The staff has done a good job getting him the ball and should continue to do so.
September 18th, 2009 at 6:03 PM ^
We all know the offense has been fun to watch so far. But after reading your post and Brian's UFR amidst other comments, I am inspired.
We are only two games into the season. Yet, as you sagely observed, the receivers are catching better, RR has expanded the TE's role, the blitz pickups are pretty solid. I'd toss in the obvious trio of Tate's emergence, Minor's good health, and D-Rob's potential. Add it all up and viola... it's a season with a magnificent sense of wonder sprayed all over it. Who knows where it will take us, but what a fun ride/experience it looks to be.
I never would have imagined all of that would come together so quickly.
Kudos to RR. The man knows his business and can coach. Glad we have him.
September 18th, 2009 at 8:19 PM ^
As I've been watching the games this season I keep thinking to myself, "Self, what the hell is that sprayed all over this season?" Rich Rodriguez is like the R. Kelly of wonderment. Skeet skeet skeet.
September 18th, 2009 at 8:26 PM ^
Re: the lack of drops, I think some of that comes down to our QB throwing accurate, very catchable passes. Tate's a nice departure from our (pre-2008) tradition of having QBs with cannon arms that often lacked touch.
September 18th, 2009 at 8:52 PM ^
I was thinking about this earlier today and was about to post until my boss rudely interrupted me. I know that Koger has lined up in the backfield on some plays, what do you guys think of handing the ball off to Koger from the backfield on a fullback dive. Forgive me if this has happened or has been posted already.
September 18th, 2009 at 9:29 PM ^
Going for the kill against WMU with a 24-0 lead going into the first half. The bomb to Hemmingway put WMU out of their misery.
In the past, that is a 24-0 lead and running plays to soak the clock.
Going for the WIN against ND. In the past, that is four running plays once we hit the 30-yard line and a hope and a prayer that we can hit a field goal to force OT.
The measurable intangible, the very pad level and fluid hipdom of keeping the foot on the accelerator for 60 minutes--that alone tells me that this is going to be fun. Yes, yes--personnel helps, but DAYUM, watching ALL of that personnel being used for an entire game means Code Purple on the Priapism Alert scale.