I watched USC somewhat neutralize a Utah DL that is one of the best in the nation by using wide OL splits. Then I watched central Michigan - who had Zero sacks against Akron and 1 against Wisconsin - punish our OL all day long.
Both of our tackles are turnstiles. Zion is criminally slow getting out of his stance. He needs help and he isn’t getting it from chipping or scheme thus far.
Of course, wider splits won’t help if we insist on staying under center and being play-action centric. Ive commented on it several times in the pre season and since... with this OL, we have no business being play action centric. We need more quick hitting passes. It took Richt dropping 4 straight games before he let Kaaya start getting it out quickly from the gun. Enos is proving to be just as stubborn.
Jarren is completing 70% of his passes, and hits guys in stride on the slant better than most guys around the nation. This in spite of being constantly pressured. Dallas has great vision and lateral footwork and would do well against any additional pressure up the middle created by wider splits. We need to do something. It can’t hurt to try.
Some other thoughts before rewatching:
-Gurvan almost concussed someone. He is a better striker than FS. Or at least a better SS than FS. He should be battling for Carters minutes. They play the same way, only Gurv is more athletic. Please get Bolden out there immediately vs Va Tech.
-Our Lack of a pass rush is quizzical. Garvin lacks pass rush moves, but maybe that’s cause he spent the summer learning how to drop into coverage. GR15 creates havoc, even though we insist on playing him inside and basically giving up all his natural leverage. 94 looks like a player. I haven’t noticed our DTs make a single play all season.
-CBs need to hit the jugs machine and run a zillion gassers after that performance.
-Besides the one Hedley held too long and got blocked, he looks pretty good. Strong leg. Will only improve. Just hope that delay rollout right thing doesn’t get predictable. Beamer might be gone, but VT special teams are elite in my mind until I see with my own eyes that they aren’t.
-Our WR blocking was a significant advantage the past few years and has all but disappeared. Clearly this was more of an emphasis of the last staff, and one of the only things they did well. This OL needs all the help it can get, and the WRs aren’t contributing as much as they are capable of.
-The delayed blitzes don’t get home. It’s brought up every week. No need to say more.
-But I will say more: Blake Baker stinks and his defense looks just like D’No’s. The loss of JJ and company obviously hurts, but he ruined our aggressive, downhill defense. Manny needs to take playcalling duties back.
More after I rewatch.