Things/Players etc. you want to see v. Indiana
I know that "basic elementary offensive competence" is the most likely and apt response, but aside from this generality, what are some specific things or players that you hope to see stand out in the Indiana game that would bode well on Saturday and for the rest of the season? I have a couple.
1. Breakthrough reciever - Grant Perry is very good at doing what he does, but what he does doesn't strike fear in the minds of opposing defenses. I think the loss of Tarik Black may have been more significant than any of us really knew at the time, and DPJ or Crawford really needs to step up to stretch defenses. I don't think anybody really respects us a deep threat, and that kind of trickles down to the rest of the offense. Teams sending pressure, really crowding the box. I would really like to see one of these recievers emerge as a real threat, and I think that DPJ in particular should get a lot more targets.
2. Generating turnovers - This is not something we have done much of since Florida. It could be that "not turning the ball over" is the more important thing, and I know that certain turnovers are kind of luck, but as good as our defense has been we really haven't taken the ball away much and our turnover margin in our last 10 games is atrocious. I would like to see the D get all over the ball and try to come away with a couple of TOs.
3. Animated Gif Harbaugh - I know that officials are cracking down on coach meltdowns, but with the exception of The Game last year, it seems like our teams under Harbaugh have kind of fed off of his outstanding sideline antics and played with a lot of intensity when he is fired up. I don't think he needs to launch his headset but I don't think I would mind seeing an official getting a piece of his mind this weekend.
What are some others you hope to see.
October 13th, 2017 at 10:31 AM ^
Or the offense is decent and the defense scores so we have a sizeable lead for once.
October 13th, 2017 at 11:26 AM ^
would be an ideal situation for Peters, I do agree with that!
October 13th, 2017 at 9:21 AM ^
Would like to see something that makes me feel good going forward so that the O-Line isn't such a question mark.
October 13th, 2017 at 9:21 AM ^
The first thing the offense has to do to become competent is stop turning the ball over.
Less penalties.
I'd like them to throw the ball to Evans more.
Short, quick passes. The O line can't hold up under long developing pass routes.
A lot less zone blocking.
O'Korn will get the start and if he struggles Peters comes in.
October 13th, 2017 at 9:22 AM ^
A win.....a confident win.....1 fucking confident win....please, for the love of God, beat a shitty team convincingly!
October 13th, 2017 at 9:22 AM ^
Drake Harris for the deep ball!
October 13th, 2017 at 9:23 AM ^
October 13th, 2017 at 9:51 AM ^
Not complicated.
On offense "stay ahead of the chains" as opposed to looking to mind-fvck everyone's DC into 80yd plays. Develop an identity that works with the personnel we have.
On defense. Do what they do.
Special Teams - find a guy to return kicks. This guy should be able to fight the urge to bring KO's out from 5yds deep in the end zone.
October 13th, 2017 at 9:32 AM ^
make good reads and not take coverage sacks. Any RB find a cutback lane for 10 or more yards. WR's not dropping passes. Another defensive TD
October 13th, 2017 at 9:40 AM ^
Just once in a while. Keep everybody on their tows.
October 13th, 2017 at 10:15 AM ^
October 13th, 2017 at 10:23 AM ^
I meant tohs.
October 13th, 2017 at 1:31 PM ^
I want a JH blow up...in the right circumstance though. We are up by at least two scores, good field position for us (either offense or defense) ....we get a bad call....go nuts Jim.
Id be more than happy to eat 15 yards
October 13th, 2017 at 1:47 PM ^
Crazy Harbaugh is definitely entertaining. However, if we need his antics to get the team fired up (as the OP suggests), I think this team has deeper issues than bad O-line and qb play.
October 13th, 2017 at 2:16 PM ^
don't think the players "need them" to get fired up, but a lot of times they seemed strategically executed at a point when our players were starting to drag for whatever reason. They would almost always respond on the field.
October 13th, 2017 at 2:52 PM ^
I guess that's kind of my point. If your coach going nuts is more motivating than wanting to not get your butt kicked on every other play, what does that say about our team? I can see a manager going nuts motivating a baseball team. Baseball is a much slower and non-confrontational game. Sometimes you need to shake the cobwebs to get refocused. But in a sport where you're supposed to "solve your problems with aggression", why should Harbaugh's sideline demeanor play a role?
October 13th, 2017 at 3:24 PM ^
me rephrase. There are times when what is happening on the field kind of takes on a life of its own and things begin to feel inevitable. Essentially "bad mojo." What Harbaugh antics would seem to do was just to add in an unforeseen variable, they shook things up, a kind of reset button. For a second, it seemed like the players would forget about getting a bad call and a couple of bad bounces, instead it was just "coach freaking out."
This is why a lot of basketball coaches will take technical fouls. You rarely see a team start to get calls after a tech, nor do you see a team "more fired up." However, the dynamic has changed ever so slightly and a lot of times you will see a momentum shift when there was no reason to expect one.
In this regard, I never felt like Harbaugh's outbursts were completely organic. I think they were more strategic than people realized. And I am really surprised that we haven't seen anything like that this year yet, even if the officials are on notice to call coaches for it.
October 13th, 2017 at 3:39 PM ^
Thanks for the clarification. That makes more sense to me for coach's antics to be a distraction more than motivation. I still don't want to see it since that would mean we're getting hosed by the refs or getting bad bounces!!
October 13th, 2017 at 3:40 PM ^
point.
October 13th, 2017 at 9:38 AM ^
About turnovers: Well, the two pick-six incidents against Cincinnati were good. But yeah, getting more turnovers would be nice--especially if they happen to give the offense a shorter field. Being -5 in turnover margin certainly didn't help the cause last weekend.
October 13th, 2017 at 9:51 AM ^
A shutout. The D-Line and Bush in the backfield all day. Hudson and Metellus blowing people up. And a Long, Watson, or Hill pick six. That's enough for a victory assuming no offensive dorfs. So I'd guess I'd like to see that too: no points gifted by the offense.
October 13th, 2017 at 10:46 AM ^
October 13th, 2017 at 11:39 AM ^
Taking a safety, throwing a pick six, opposing defense running back fumblerooskies, snap going over the QBs head and getting recovered in the endzone, punt block return for touchtown. A defensive shutout does not guarnatee victory if there are too many offensive dorfs.
October 13th, 2017 at 9:50 AM ^
October 13th, 2017 at 9:51 AM ^
re deep pass game - its obviously not just receivers needing to step but also OL and backs providing enough time / space for QB to throw and the QB must toss more catchable balls.
they clearly need to incorporate DPJ more - he needs the ball in space so screens, hitches, slants, etc, coupled with more deep shots to him. DPJ needs to do run crisper routes to allow QB enough space to take advantage of catch radius. and QB needs to give all receivers a chance to go up and make plays - routes must improve and hopefully gain some separation but okorn absolutely cannot continue to put it on top of receivers right on the sideline or out of bounds.
cant be afraid to throw back shoulders, zip some posts and seams in there, or give gentry, mckeon, DPJ, etc a chance to go up for it and win. and they obviously must continue to target perry but okorn seems to stare him down more than others and hes gonna get picked if hes not more careful (its mostly shorter routes, 3rd downs, etc but its still dangerous, gotta improve). not sure if hes capable but okorn needs to better manipulate defenders with his eyes - in addition to running his progressions quicker, more confidently and more accurately (again, if he can - im not trying to knock him, we just havent seen a ton of it).
ball security must improve above all else - this D will give them a chance most weeks if they avoid turnovers. long post but unfortunately they need a lot of work, across the board on O
October 13th, 2017 at 10:20 AM ^
I think JOK has been pretty good on the deep throws. Asking a college QB to be bulls eye accurate on a deep throw is asking a lot imo. JOK has generally put the ball in an area where the receiver has a chance to make a play. Unfortunately, the receivers haven't made any plays on the deep balls.
October 13th, 2017 at 10:38 AM ^
Secretly I think he is actually good at throwing fades/long balls (see crawford through the hands pass and even the DPJ sideline pass wasn't super bad) and thats the reason for getting Drake harris back. DPJ and Harris out of the slot. Profit.
October 13th, 2017 at 9:51 AM ^
October 13th, 2017 at 9:51 AM ^
October 13th, 2017 at 12:21 PM ^
It's horrifically depressing that Rutgers is the only game left on our schedule that is basically a sure thing.
October 13th, 2017 at 9:54 AM ^
I suppose you can file that under "basic elementary offensive competence", but that's it. Don't turn the ball over. They probably beat MSU if they don't.
Be the 2000 Baltimore Ravens. You have Trent Dilfer at QB. Don't do dumb shit. Pick up a first down here and there to rest your defense, effectively cover punts and dominate field position.
And stop throwing fades. Please. For the love of all things holy.
October 13th, 2017 at 10:00 AM ^
October 13th, 2017 at 10:00 AM ^
Wanted this against Sparty, but save it for Ohio now.
A RB flare or angle route out of the backfield, specifically Evans, get him the ball on the run.
October 13th, 2017 at 10:01 AM ^
Where did you go man? I would like to see 2016 Chris Evans re-emerge.
October 13th, 2017 at 10:11 AM ^
have difficulty seeing exactly where Evans fits as a consistent back in the offense they are running (trying to run). This sucks, because I think he is talented. But he doesn't block, he doesn't get any YAC, and for better or worse this offense really does not use RBs out of the backfield that much. What this offense calls for is a bruising tailback with better than average vision, a Chris Perry type. I kind of hoped that is what Walker was going to be and I am discouraged that we haven't seen any of him.
October 13th, 2017 at 10:08 AM ^
As stated in the OP, I want to see Harbaugh return to 2015 and 2016 form - yelling a lot more and getting animated. I have to believe that provides some energy and motivation for the players. I also need to see the receivers get better. As for defense, I'd like to see even more pass rush from the defensive line. It'd be nice to see Aubrey get some more playing time. Our defensive line is great, but it's going to be nasty in 2018.
October 13th, 2017 at 10:17 AM ^
Not in the Brian Kelly chewing the shit out of guys way, but in the slamming his fists on shoulders after good plays kind of way. I believe players feed off of that.
October 13th, 2017 at 10:54 AM ^
I'm not sure you'll see too many Harbaugh antics this year. Part of the reason for that is the NCAA instituted a new rule this year that can allow the refs to tack on a 15 yard penalty, without warning, for any kind of sideline interference from the coaches.
I'd bet my bottom dollar this is a reaction to all of Harbaugh's shenanigans over the last two years, but he has to keep himself more in check this year for the sake of his team. Whether it's a dumb rule or not, the absolute last thing you want is to be in a tight game with OSU, lose your shit over what you think is a questionable call, give OSU a fresh set of downs, and watch them punch it into the endzone to possibly put the game away.
October 13th, 2017 at 11:15 AM ^
I'm well aware, but thank you for the comment.
October 13th, 2017 at 10:10 AM ^
A win.
October 13th, 2017 at 10:17 AM ^
October 13th, 2017 at 10:22 AM ^
October 13th, 2017 at 10:22 AM ^
October 13th, 2017 at 10:22 AM ^
October 13th, 2017 at 10:25 AM ^
"Generating more turnovers" isn't as nonsensical as "win the time of possession," but it's in the same class.
The defense is playing at a very high level. There's no systematic way to "generate more turnovers." I'm sure they're doing their best (poking at the the ball, etc.).
October 13th, 2017 at 10:36 AM ^
you see the part of my post where I ackowledge exactly that?
And how is "win the time of possession" non-sensical? Time of possession is actually pretty important to an offense that lacks explosiveness and wants to win on field possession and defense.
Odd post.
October 13th, 2017 at 10:26 AM ^
During his recruitment we heard about his good hands and excellent route running, and even during summer camp we heard about some amazing catches he was making. What we need from our receivers is some separation. If not injured, would sure like to get a look at him.
October 13th, 2017 at 10:33 AM ^
100% agreed on missing animated Harbaugh. I think there is something to the fire he brings as a coach that causes his guys to play. I think an angrier Harbaugh has a direct correlation to better play.
October 13th, 2017 at 10:35 AM ^