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A&m Early Game Rewatches & Max Johnson Film Observations

FL Cane

FL Cane

All ACC
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Wasn't working yesterday, so I had some time to rewatch the A&M App game and pull up whatever film on Max Johnson. Some observations on A&M and their new starting QB:
  • Switching out Haynes King for Max Johnson is an interesting move. Johnson is an experienced QB with multiple starts under his belt. Watching his LSU film, three things are apparent. First, Johnson is a one-read QB. He will lock onto a target pre-snap and stay with that target unless his check down is right in his face. His QB vision isn't great. Second, Johnson's decision-making is suspect. He throws a lot of toss-up balls into some very tight windows. Third, he's got decent pocket awareness and is mobile. King is a more mobile QB, but Johnson is athletic enough to pick up chunk yardage if the defense gives him an opportunity. Johnson is a below-average to average QB with decent arm talent and mobility. As we know, QBs with Johnson's background have lit us up before, so we need to get him under pressure early and consistently.

  • Devon Achane is the best weapon that A&M has on O. He's quick and shifty, has great vision, and can make a defense pay if there's any open lane. Stopping him is going to be priority #1 for this defense. Achane's stats at this point are underwhelming (28 Attempts, 3.9 YPC, 2 TDs, and 108 yds on the ground), but don't let that deceive you. He's a **** of an athlete, and he will challenge our defense. Additionally, he's dangerous on special teams, as he had a kickoff return TD last week.

  • Ainias Smith is A&M's best receiver. Make no mistake, they have a talented WR room, but this guy is their most proven WR. He didn't do much against App, but we can't let him get into a rhythm with Max Johnson.

  • A&M's OL is underwhelming. You'd think in year 5 of Jimbo that this unit, being as big and talented as it is, would be one of the best in the country, but it's evident that they're still trying to figure things out. While they've only allowed 2 sacks, they haven't been able to get the running game going. It's vital for us to kill their run game tonight and force them to go to the air.

  • A&M underutilizes its TE's. In years past, good TE's have killed us in the middle of the field. Despite how underutilized they are, would be surprised if they didn't dial up some plays attacking us at an obvious weak spot.

  • Jimbo's scheme is stuck in the past. It's an offense that requires 1) an excellent QB and 2) phenomenal OL play to set up the run. A&M has neither of those intangibles at the moment. Given his past with Jimbo's offenses, there's no reason why Steele shouldn't be able to scheme for this match-up. App State didn't let A&M get into rhythm, and, as a result, they only had a total of 180yds offense. We can't let them find a groove or build confidence because they are at a psychological low point right now. Need to take advantage.

  • A&M's defense is excellent. This is a unit that's not going to give you much, and when they do, you have to capitalize. App State beat them by doing three things: 1) dinking and dunking 90% of the time, 2) setting up third and manageable, 3) and owning TOP. As many have already said, that's not a viable strategy for Miami. A&M's defense was gassed after playing for 40 mins. While we're not gonna own TOP as App State did, we can't afford to let their defense stay fresh.

  • A&M's Kicker has the potential to be another Baxa. He's 1-3 on the year and missed a crucial FG against App State. Anything beyond 40 yds, and he's very suspect.
Overall, this is a game where Miami - should, on paper - be coming out with a W. However, the line is -6 A&M for a reason. First, we haven't won an out-of-conference ranked matchup in a very long time. The last win against a ranked out-of-conference opponent was in 2013 against UF. It's been even longer for an away game win. Everyone is skeptical that we've made a cultural turn and have the wherewithal to finally get this type of W. Second, A&M has an excellent D, and our O has looked subpar at points in this early part of the season. Third, A&M is at home. This will be the most hostile environment this team has probably ever played in.

Prediction-wise, I think Miami does enough to get the job done. We have the better QB by a mile, and for the first time in a long time, we have the better staff too. That ends up making all the difference today.
 
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FL Cane said:
Wasn't working yesterday, so I had some time to rewatch the A&M App game and pull up whatever film on Max Johnson. Some observations on A&M and their new starting QB:
  • Switching out Haynes King for Max Johnson is an interesting move. Johnson is an experienced QB with multiple starts under his belt. Watching his LSU film, three things are apparent. First, Johnson is a one-read QB. He will lock onto a target pre-snap and stay with that target unless his check down is right in his face. His QB vision isn't great. Second, Johnson's decision-making is suspect. He throws a lot of toss-up balls into some very tight windows. Third, he's got decent pocket awareness and is mobile. King is a more mobile QB, but Johnson is athletic enough to pick up chunk yardage if the defense gives him an opportunity. Johnson is a below-average to average QB with decent arm talent and mobility. As we know, QBs with Johnson's background have lit us up before, so we need to get him under pressure early and consistently.

  • Devon Achane is the best weapon that A&M has on O. He's quick and shifty, has great vision, and can make a defense pay if there's any open lane. Stopping him is going to be priority #1 for this defense. Achane's stats at this point are underwhelming (28 Attempts, 3.9 YPC, 2 TDs, and 108 yds on the ground), but don't let that deceive you. He's a **** of an athlete, and he will challenge our defense. Additionally, he's dangerous on special teams, as he had a kickoff return TD last week.

  • Ainias Smith is A&M's best receiver. Make no mistake, they have a talented WR room, but this guy is their most proven WR. He didn't do much against App, but we can't let him get into a rhythm with Max Johnson.

  • A&M's OL is underwhelming. You'd think in year 5 of Jimbo that this unit, being as big and talented as it is, would be one of the best in the country, but it's evident that they're still trying to figure things out. While they've only allowed 2 sacks, they haven't been able to get the running game going. It's vital for us to kill their run game tonight and force them to go to the air.

  • A&M underutilizes its TE's. In years past, good TE's have killed us in the middle of the field. Despite how underutilized they are, would be surprised if they didn't dial up some plays attacking us at an obvious weak spot.

  • Jimbo's scheme is stuck in the past. It's an offense that requires 1) an excellent QB and 2) phenomenal OL play to set up the run. A&M has neither of those intangibles at the moment. Given his past with Jimbo's offenses, there's no reason why Steele shouldn't be able to scheme for this match-up. App State didn't let A&M get into rhythm, and, as a result, they only had a total of 180yds offense. We can't let them find a groove or build confidence because they are at a psychological low point right now. Need to take advantage.

  • A&M's defense is excellent. This is a unit that's not going to give you much, and when they do, you have to capitalize. App State beat them by doing three things: 1) dinking and dunking 90% of the time, 2) setting up third and manageable, 3) and owning TOP. As many have already said, that's not a viable strategy for Miami. A&M's defense was gassed after playing for 40 mins. While we're not gonna own TOP as App State did, we can't afford to let their defense stay fresh.

  • A&M's Kicker has the potential to be another Baxa. He's 1-3 on the year and missed a crucial FG against App State. Anything beyond 40 yds, and he's very suspect.
Overall, this is a game where Miami - should, on paper - be coming out with a W. However, the line is -6 A&M for a reason. First, we haven't won an out-of-conference ranked matchup in a very long time. The last win against a ranked out-of-conference opponent was in 2013 against UF. It's been even longer for an away game win. Everyone is skeptical that we've made a cultural turn and have the wherewithal to finally get this type of W. Second, A&M has an excellent D, and our O has looked subpar at points in this early part of the season. Third, A&M is at home. This will be the most hostile environment this team has probably ever played in.

Prediction-wise, I think Miami does enough to get the job done. We have the better QB by a mile, and for the first time in a long time, we have the better staff too. That ends up making all the difference today.
Click to expand...
Spot on observations. Only thing I don't agree with is the highlighted portion. One of the things Gattis is being criticized for is being too plodding and methodical, we aren't quick strike enough. We have had a lot of 5, 6 and 7 minute drives so far this year, I don't expect to have 40 minutes of possession like APP State but I think we can win the TOP battle 35/36 to 24/25 by bringing pressure on 3rd downs and continuing to keep the running game going.
 
Achane has 10.1 100 meter speed (for reference thats like tyreek hill fast), people probably dont realize how fast that kid is moving but he can jog and outrun our angles with ease.. Cannot let him get loose at any moment.. He isnt shiftest but that speed in open field is DANGEROUS.
 
In my opinion if we lose this game it will be for one reason and one reason only. Speed

We just don’t have enough of it.
We can say we’re gonna bully them, we can say look how they lost to upstate. But the fact remains that if they find a way to take advantage of our lack of speed the way they weren’t able to with app state, it’s going to be a very long night.
 
FL Cane said:
  • Jimbo's scheme is stuck in the past. It's an offense that requires 1) an excellent QB and 2) phenomenal OL play to set up the run. A&M has neither of those intangibles at the moment. Given his past with Jimbo's offenses, there's no reason why Steele shouldn't be able to scheme for this match-up. App State didn't let A&M get into rhythm, and, as a result, they only had a total of 180yds offense. We can't let them find a groove or build confidence because they are at a psychological low point right now. Need to take advantage.
Click to expand...
Also to add to this statement about Jimbo offense, the SEC guys were going in on him and Steele even mentioned in his presser that Jimbo offense is his offense and if you turned on tape from fsu til now it would be same. Posted this else where but will add here also..

* want to add this was what some said about Richt also and not wanting to add motion or anything, it got soo bad even sideline reporters asked him about it and he said the plays worked before and they will work, lol.. Some were wayyy ahead of curve but called mopes..

 
Achane might break one long one, probably will, that doesn’t mean they win the game.
 
FL Cane said:
Wasn't working yesterday, so I had some time to rewatch the A&M App game and pull up whatever film on Max Johnson. Some observations on A&M and their new starting QB:
  • Switching out Haynes King for Max Johnson is an interesting move. Johnson is an experienced QB with multiple starts under his belt. Watching his LSU film, three things are apparent. First, Johnson is a one-read QB. He will lock onto a target pre-snap and stay with that target unless his check down is right in his face. His QB vision isn't great. Second, Johnson's decision-making is suspect. He throws a lot of toss-up balls into some very tight windows. Third, he's got decent pocket awareness and is mobile. King is a more mobile QB, but Johnson is athletic enough to pick up chunk yardage if the defense gives him an opportunity. Johnson is a below-average to average QB with decent arm talent and mobility. As we know, QBs with Johnson's background have lit us up before, so we need to get him under pressure early and consistently.

  • Devon Achane is the best weapon that A&M has on O. He's quick and shifty, has great vision, and can make a defense pay if there's any open lane. Stopping him is going to be priority #1 for this defense. Achane's stats at this point are underwhelming (28 Attempts, 3.9 YPC, 2 TDs, and 108 yds on the ground), but don't let that deceive you. He's a **** of an athlete, and he will challenge our defense. Additionally, he's dangerous on special teams, as he had a kickoff return TD last week.

  • Ainias Smith is A&M's best receiver. Make no mistake, they have a talented WR room, but this guy is their most proven WR. He didn't do much against App, but we can't let him get into a rhythm with Max Johnson.

  • A&M's OL is underwhelming. You'd think in year 5 of Jimbo that this unit, being as big and talented as it is, would be one of the best in the country, but it's evident that they're still trying to figure things out. While they've only allowed 2 sacks, they haven't been able to get the running game going. It's vital for us to kill their run game tonight and force them to go to the air.

  • A&M underutilizes its TE's. In years past, good TE's have killed us in the middle of the field. Despite how underutilized they are, would be surprised if they didn't dial up some plays attacking us at an obvious weak spot.

  • Jimbo's scheme is stuck in the past. It's an offense that requires 1) an excellent QB and 2) phenomenal OL play to set up the run. A&M has neither of those intangibles at the moment. Given his past with Jimbo's offenses, there's no reason why Steele shouldn't be able to scheme for this match-up. App State didn't let A&M get into rhythm, and, as a result, they only had a total of 180yds offense. We can't let them find a groove or build confidence because they are at a psychological low point right now. Need to take advantage.

  • A&M's defense is excellent. This is a unit that's not going to give you much, and when they do, you have to capitalize. App State beat them by doing three things: 1) dinking and dunking 90% of the time, 2) setting up third and manageable, 3) and owning TOP. As many have already said, that's not a viable strategy for Miami. A&M's defense was gassed after playing for 40 mins. While we're not gonna own TOP as App State did, we can't afford to let their defense stay fresh.

  • A&M's Kicker has the potential to be another Baxa. He's 1-3 on the year and missed a crucial FG against App State. Anything beyond 40 yds, and he's very suspect.
Overall, this is a game where Miami - should, on paper - be coming out with a W. However, the line is -6 A&M for a reason. First, we haven't won an out-of-conference ranked matchup in a very long time. The last win against a ranked out-of-conference opponent was in 2013 against UF. It's been even longer for an away game win. Everyone is skeptical that we've made a cultural turn and have the wherewithal to finally get this type of W. Second, A&M has an excellent D, and our O has looked subpar at points in this early part of the season. Third, A&M is at home. This will be the most hostile environment this team has probably ever played in.

Prediction-wise, I think Miami does enough to get the job done. We have the better QB by a mile, and for the first time in a long time, we have the better staff too. That ends up making all the difference today.
Click to expand...
So Miss 2H TVD and WRs better show up from the first snap.
 
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I am going to do with…. The friggin’ kicker will be lights out. Seems like every squad we play the kicker turns into Adam Vineteri.
 
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