ALL 22 Mensah vs Clemson

[OBLIVION]

Watching how we attacked Stanford when they played man coverage compared to Clemson was night and day.

Against Stanford, we did a much better job creating separation and giving the QB defined answers. Against Clemson, too many plays took too long to develop, there weren't enough check-offs or outlets, and once the first read wasn't there, Mensah didn't have many places to go with the ball.

That matters with an OL that is still trying to get its feet under it. You can't keep asking them to hold up on long-developing concepts and expect everything to stay clean, especially after we started losing starters. The OL had good moments and bad moments, but the play-calling wasn't consistently helping them either. I also didn't see many slants. And when we did run them, the other routes were sometimes muddying the same area, which took away the window that should have been there. If you're going to run a quick slant, you have to create space for it.

For the most part, Mensah also ignored the RBs in the passing game. If the OL is struggling to give you time, the RB needs to be an outlet, a check-down, or a way to punish the defense for bringing pressure. Everything can't be a WR screen, but everything also can't be a long-developing route with no answer underneath.

As the night went on, I thought Mensah started rushing throws and became less precise than normal. Some of that is on him, but when you're constantly feeling pressure and don't have many easy throws available, that is going to happen. Dawson needs to help Mensah and the OL until they get their feet under them. More quick-game options, more outlets, more ways to attack the middle of the field, and more routes that allow receivers to find open spots and sit down in zone coverage.

That is another issue with the way our route trees are set up. I don't see many opportunities for receivers to find spots in the zone and give the QB an easy throw. Too often, everybody is running through an area instead of someone occupying a window and making the read easier.

 

[skyman]

One play here I have time stamped was in 3rd qtr, pocket is disintergrating but he has time to check it down to a wiiiiiide open Pringle in flats.. He hangs on the hope of Mali running a corner post route that takes forever to open up, if he checks it down to Pringle with 20 yards of space, take that profit. Agree overall with route combos and such, have been saying we same in other threads..

14:04 mark

 

[OBLIVION]

One play here I have time stamped was in 3rd qtr, pocket is disintergrating but he has time to check it down to a wiiiiiide open Pringle in flats.. He hangs on the hope of Mali running a corner post route that takes forever to open up, if he checks it down to Pringle with 20 yards of space, take that profit. Agree overall with route combos and such, have been saying we same in other threads..

14:04 mark

At 8:52 mark Fletcher is alone on the wheel route with a lot of space that possibly could've been 87 yard TD

 

[E1k]

I think mensah has to find his balance on when to be more aggressive and when to take the checkdown or what’s within the system. Oline isn’t picking up stunts the best right now so i get his clock can be sped up at times. I want to see him hunt more like cam did, he’s playing within the system which is great and its working well so far but there is more there if he hunts for it

@6:00 that has to go to lofton. @14:17 has to go to pringle may have been his first int if he wasn’t hit here, i don’t think he saw the other safety under mali. The mali conversion across the middle was a nfl throw and catch vs pressure but i think it could have went to coop and been an easier conversion

Overall i think clemson dbs won this battle vs our wrs and their edge rushers won the battle vs our tackles…WRs and Tackles im eager to see how they play when the competition keeps rising, im not completely sold there yet

 

[k9cane]

Watching how we attacked Stanford when they played man coverage compared to Clemson was night and day.

Against Stanford, we did a much better job creating separation and giving the QB defined answers. Against Clemson, too many plays took too long to develop, there weren't enough check-offs or outlets, and once the first read wasn't there, Mensah didn't have many places to go with the ball.

That matters with an OL that is still trying to get its feet under it. You can't keep asking them to hold up on long-developing concepts and expect everything to stay clean, especially after we started losing starters. The OL had good moments and bad moments, but the play-calling wasn't consistently helping them either. I also didn't see many slants. And when we did run them, the other routes were sometimes muddying the same area, which took away the window that should have been there. If you're going to run a quick slant, you have to create space for it.

For the most part, Mensah also ignored the RBs in the passing game. If the OL is struggling to give you time, the RB needs to be an outlet, a check-down, or a way to punish the defense for bringing pressure. Everything can't be a WR screen, but everything also can't be a long-developing route with no answer underneath.

As the night went on, I thought Mensah started rushing throws and became less precise than normal. Some of that is on him, but when you're constantly feeling pressure and don't have many easy throws available, that is going to happen. Dawson needs to help Mensah and the OL until they get their feet under them. More quick-game options, more outlets, more ways to attack the middle of the field, and more routes that allow receivers to find open spots and sit down in zone coverage.

That is another issue with the way our route trees are set up. I don't see many opportunities for receivers to find spots in the zone and give the QB an easy throw. Too often, everybody is running through an area instead of someone occupying a window and making the read easier.

Great post. I have gotten the sense that at times, as he gets pressure right up the middle, that he locks on to stuff downfield and -- as you noted -- not just gone into the flat to a back for a quick, easy gain. I think it's led to a few of Miami's sacks this season

Mensah has been great this season, it's a relatively minor quibble. But every yard will count when UM gets into the post-season (knock on wood)

 

[OBLIVION]

I think mensah has to find his balance on when to be more aggressive and when to take the checkdown or what’s within the system. Oline isn’t picking up stunts the best right now so i get his clock can be sped up at times. I want to see him hunt more like cam did, he’s playing within the system which is great and its working well so far but there is more there if he hunts for it

@6:00 that has to go to lofton. @14:17 has to go to pringle may have been his first int if he wasn’t hit here, i don’t think he saw the other safety under mali. The mali conversion across the middle was a nfl throw and catch vs pressure but i think it could have went to coop and been an easier conversion

Overall i think clemson dbs won this battle vs our wrs and their edge rushers won the battle vs our tackles…WRs and Tackles im eager to see how they play when the competition keeps rising, im not completely sold there yet

There were several plays where he held the ball instead of firing it off when the receiver made the cut inside, allowing Clemson's coverage to become a problem.

I'm hoping going into the FSU game the OL is 63, 58, 76, 66 and 78. After going up against Clemson's pass rush and making it through that test, I'm hoping we finally start to see the foundation take root and this group begins to develop some consistency.

 

[LoyalCane24]

I think mensah has to find his balance on when to be more aggressive and when to take the checkdown or what’s within the system. Oline isn’t picking up stunts the best right now so i get his clock can be sped up at times. I want to see him hunt more like cam did, he’s playing within the system which is great and its working well so far but there is more there if he hunts for it

@6:00 that has to go to lofton. @14:17 has to go to pringle may have been his first int if he wasn’t hit here, i don’t think he saw the other safety under mali. The mali conversion across the middle was a nfl throw and catch vs pressure but i think it could have went to coop and been an easier conversion

Overall i think clemson dbs won this battle vs our wrs and their edge rushers won the battle vs our tackles…WRs and Tackles im eager to see how they play when the competition keeps rising, im not completely sold there yet

Its what you said. His clock is sped up. When this O line improves and starts giving him more time... look out.

If you don't remember, we were taking deep shots against Stanford and FAMU all game. That stopped when we began facing real pressure.

Also, Josh Moore being out definitely hurt our downfield passing game...

 

[E1k]

Its what you said. His clock is sped up. When this O line improves and starts giving him more time... look out.

If you don't remember, we were taking deep shots against Stanford and FAMU all game. That stopped when we began facing real pressure.

Also, Josh Moore being out definitely hurt our downfield passing game...

Yea we miss someone like moore alot, and vaugn. Id like to see wingo get snaps too

 

[BODESLAM]

DON’T FORGET THAT MENSA WOULD HAVE THE TIME TO KNIT BABY JESUS A PAIR OF CHRISTMAS BOOTIES BEHIND “LAST” YEARS O-LINE….

 

[brock]

I think The throw where he got clobbered and still made the throw to Toney on 3rd down he had someone on the right side field running up the seam uncovered too

 

[OBLIVION]

I think The throw where he got clobbered and still made the throw to Toney on 3rd down he had someone on the right side field running up the seam uncovered too

He did, Lofton was wide open.

 

[Invalid Username]

Learning experience my guy. This is probably the best defense (besides Wake) we face the rest of the year in conference

 

[OldhamA]

I think mensah has to find his balance on when to be more aggressive and when to take the checkdown or what’s within the system. Oline isn’t picking up stunts the best right now so i get his clock can be sped up at times. I want to see him hunt more like cam did, he’s playing within the system which is great and its working well so far but there is more there if he hunts for it

@6:00 that has to go to lofton. @14:17 has to go to pringle may have been his first int if he wasn’t hit here, i don’t think he saw the other safety under mali. The mali conversion across the middle was a nfl throw and catch vs pressure but i think it could have went to coop and been an easier conversion

Overall i think clemson dbs won this battle vs our wrs and their edge rushers won the battle vs our tackles…WRs and Tackles im eager to see how they play when the competition keeps rising, im not completely sold there yet

I think Mensah predetermines reads prior to the snap.

The Upshaw conversion on third down (I don't have time to find it on the video above as I'm at work) where he hits Upshaw on a crosser between three defenders - Upshaw then runs towards the right sideline and turns it into a bigger play - Toney (who is often his first read) is absolutely wide open for an easy first down on the left in the slot.

I don't have many complaints about Mensah, but I do think Ward had a better feel for the game.

 

[QuattroCane]

Learning experience my guy. This is probably the best defense (besides Wake) we face the rest of the year in conference

It really shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. Clemson’s players were light years ahead of Stanford’s.
Also, I think it’s important to remember, because I remind myself repeatedly, that he’s not perfect and he’s still learning as well.

 

[ShadowSpring]

Mensah said after the game he had a couple TD's he left out there. BTW.

 

[90scane]

The Clemson game was Mensah's worst to date. He wasn't seeing the field as well. He got away from his check downs and kept forcing the ball down field. It felt a little like Beck but with better accuracy. IMO, the OL issues caused some of this.

 

[OBLIVION]

Mensah said after the game he had a couple TD's he left out there. BTW.

Nobody is tearing him apart

 

[ShadowSpring]

Nobody is tearing him apart

I didn't say you were

 

[E1k]

I think Mensah predetermines reads prior to the snap.

The Upshaw conversion on third down (I don't have time to find it on the video above as I'm at work) where he hits Upshaw on a crosser between three defenders - Upshaw then runs towards the right sideline and turns it into a bigger play - Toney (who is often his first read) is absolutely wide open for an easy first down on the left in the slot.

I don't have many complaints about Mensah, but I do think Ward had a better feel for the game.

He’s more accurate throw to throw than cam for sure but thats it

 

[OBLIVION]

He’s more accurate throw to throw than cam for sure but thats it

Cam was more of a renegade where to me, Mensah is more controlling of his actions. Cam would just sling it to the other side of the field without a care in the world.