X's and O's Mensah and Mali

[rsa coral gables]

rewatched the Clemson game yesterday and concluded that Mensah focuses too much on Mali when he has better options. i counted five forced throws.

for example, on the fourth down throw that was defended by Hampton, a throw that was slightly behind Mali, he had Upshaw right in front of him for a first down. on the drive that resulted in the second field goal at the beginning of the fourth quarter, he was flushed out of the pocket to his left and threw into the corner of the endzone where mali was, but he had TE Briggs wide open in front of him.

this needs to get fixed, meng.

 

[ben]

it's like CJ stroud at ohio state. pull up his highlights and watch as he repeatedly overlooks an open receiver, but it doesnt matter because his ball placement is so elite. it's a good problem to have at the college level.

 

[RozayCane]

I feel like he was worse with that the 1st four games as they are clearly trying to get Mali to NY and plus he’s that dude.

But facing a much better secondary, it’s a lot more risky.

 

[rsa coral gables]

it's like CJ stroud at ohio state. pull up his highlights and watch as he repeatedly overlooks an open receiver, but it doesnt matter because his ball placement is so elite. it's a good problem to have at the college level.

no, not a good problem to have when Mali is double teamed and unavailable.

 

[MarkyMark]

While not our biggest issue, it is something I have noticed too. With the injuries piling up, it is important that Mensah makes this adjustment moving forward. I am being greedy, but there have been a number of conversions/yards left on the table. This wont work when the competition improves. Also, Hampton can kiss my ***. He only made that play because of the ball placement. Mali had him beat by a mile if that ball is thrown in front of him.

 

[go canes]

Throw it to Mali when he is open. The one conversion to Mali which was like 3rd and 2 Mali made the catch fine. But Barkate was behind him around mid field wide open. OSU has the same problem with Smith being bracketed but he is still putting up huge numbers. Mali has to get his touches. I want to see Miami go deep a little more in the passing game. Mali has had 2 TD's at least taken away by penalty.

 

[Applecane]

I don't want Mali to get frustrated...That could lead to bad things...He sets his standards so high...

 

[skyman]

rewatched the Clemson game yesterday and concluded that Mensah focuses too much on Mali when he has better options. i counted five forced throws.

for example, on the fourth down throw that was defended by Hampton, a throw that was slightly behind Mali, he had Upshaw right in front of him for a first down. on the drive that resulted in the second field goal at the beginning of the fourth quarter, he was flushed out of the pocket to his left and threw into the corner of the endzone where mali was, but he had TE Briggs wide open in front of him.

this needs to get fixed, meng.

When I was saying we need to get a better flow of offense and being too mali centric in other games creating bad habits this is what I mean.. I know for fans its hard to understand when the numbers are all positive and such but looking to games that matter where defenses will force us to play left handed, the habits you create in other games will be tested in these type of games, if your eyes are stuck on Mali when he has two guys covering him, its a problem.

 

[edge]

On the 4th down play you mentioned, yes Upshaw was open. But the presnap read had Mali wide open. Problem is that right before the snap Clemson shifted their secondary and then Mali was covered. Mensah got tricked. Sometimes you have to hand it to the defense.

 

[skyman]

I don't want Mali to get frustrated...That could lead to bad things...He sets his standards so high...

I dont understand your thought process, why would he get frustrated? If he has two guys on him that is the ultimate respect a defense can pay you and Mali is a ball player he will point Mensah to throw to open guy with better matchup..

He will have opportunities to shine and single cover (he wasnt doubled every play) so he will still get his but if we become predictable and throw to mali in must have situations when he is double covered, offense will be in trouble.. This is what happens when you get 70% target share, good defenses will lan to take you away.. High standards will bring trap coverages, brackets, doubles, etc. Someone else is open, come off the read and keep the offense on field and flowing

 

[Angry Ibis]

On the 4th down play you mentioned, yes Upshaw was open. But the presnap read had Mali wide open. Problem is that right before the snap Clemson shifted their secondary and then Mali was covered. Mensah got tricked. Sometimes you have to hand it to the defense.

He got tricked for the exact reason the OP is bringing to us.

 

[Angry Ibis]

I dont understand your thought process, why would he get frustrated? If he has two guys on him that is the ultimate respect a defense can pay you and Mali is a ball player he will point Mensah to throw to open guy with better matchup..

He will have opportunities to shine and single cover (he wasnt doubled every play) so he will still get his but if we become predictable and throw to mali in must have situations when he is double covered, offense will be in trouble.. This is what happens when you get 70% target share, good defenses will lan to take you away.. High standards will bring trap coverages, brackets, doubles, etc. Someone else is open, come off the read and keep the offense on field and flowing

Mali is not that soft to get frustrated about winning. Once we show we will throw it to other players, Mali will free up more and eat. All for the better of the team.

I am not liking this tone of worrying about feelings... the OL and now WR room... Just Win!!!

 

[QuattroCane]

I’m sure those things are/will be addressed in the film room. The bottom line is we have some guys that are very motivated to be successful I’m pretty confident that Mensah is the kind of guy that can get coached up and recognize where he can improve.

 

[skyman]

Mali is not that soft to get frustrated about winning. Once we show we will throw it to other players, Mali will free up more and eat. All for the better of the team.

I am not liking this tone of worrying about feelings... the OL and now WR room... Just Win!!!

agreed, mali a ball player, his mind dont even work like that..

 

[Firesite]

I think it is all about trust. Mensah trust Toney to make those catches. Hopefully some of the other WRs can step up these next few games and build some trust with Mensah. I believe they will figure it out.

 

[edge]

He got tricked for the exact reason the OP is bringing to us.

Not worried about it. He will see the film and learn from it. The Clemson game was a good test before ND. Mensah and Dawson understand you better spread the ball around against teams with good corners.

 

[S.CarolinaCane]

rewatched the Clemson game yesterday and concluded that Mensah focuses too much on Mali when he has better options. i counted five forced throws.

for example, on the fourth down throw that was defended by Hampton, a throw that was slightly behind Mali, he had Upshaw right in front of him for a first down. on the drive that resulted in the second field goal at the beginning of the fourth quarter, he was flushed out of the pocket to his left and threw into the corner of the endzone where mali was, but he had TE Briggs wide open in front of him.

this needs to get fixed, meng.

I saw the same, and it kind of stood out when I saw the video of Lofton's plays. Dude was open quite a bit. I figured the tape sessions these next two weeks would be interesting.

 

[423Hurricane]

Lot’s of variables that arm chair QB’s have no idea about.

What was the play call?
What was his 1st, 2nd, 3rd etc reads?
How much pressure from the defense?
Anything blocking his view?
Etc, etc, etc.

Mensah has been elite and 1 game with numbers less than the average of his 1st 4 games will motivate him to be better.

 

[Combo]

Up to the Clemson game, Mali has been ridiculously open so much that Mensah would be foolish to not throw to him. That started to change with Clemson and will also not be the case when we face teams with good DBs. I trust he'll then start to look more for the other WRs. Certainly Barkate since they've connected so much previously

 

[Applecane]

I dont understand your thought process, why would he get frustrated? If he has two guys on him that is the ultimate respect a defense can pay you and Mali is a ball player he will point Mensah to throw to open guy with better matchup..

He will have opportunities to shine and single cover (he wasnt doubled every play) so he will still get his but if we become predictable and throw to mali in must have situations when he is double covered, offense will be in trouble.. This is what happens when you get 70% target share, good defenses will lan to take you away.. High standards will bring trap coverages, brackets, doubles, etc. Someone else is open, come off the read and keep the offense on field and flowing

He's a very young guy who has had extraordinary success. My experience in life is that sometimes -- sometimes -- such a person can get frustrated when he suddenly hits adverse headwinds.
I am in no way predicting this will happen. He seems, on the surface, to be focused and level-headed. But you never know for sure...