Observations from Billy Napier's Pink Slip Game

[FL Cane]

It's always a great Sunday when Miami wins, even better when it's against the hated Florida Gators, who Miami is now 9-2 against in the last 40 years. Here's some thoughts on yesterday's win:

• Miami arguably has the best RB Duo and running game in the country. This is without Jordan Lyle by the way. For the most part, we pounded Florida up front and ran at will. One reason why it'll be so hard to beat this team is that we can legitimately lean on this running game when our passing offense is out of sync. Imagine how much better this running game will be when Jordan Lyle is back in the mix.
  
  
• Carson Beck and Miami's passing offense had a rough night. Weather conditions or not, Beck was off all night, underthrowing and overthrowing his receivers consistently. Even check-down passes that looked easy last week looked like a challenge yesterday. Ultimately, I think we saw Beck at his worst. The 1 Int was a solid play by Cormani McClain, and Florida's defense went into a shell that really took away any big pass potential. Beck has two weeks to bounce back against FSU. I expect him to play well.
  
  
• Miami's WRs were quiet last night. A lot of that has to do with Florida's shell defense and very good DBs, but we need to execute at a far higher level. CJ Daniels had a huge drop on third and long. Look for these guys to bounce back in two weeks.
  
  
• For the most part, Miami's OL was very good last night. However, James Brockermeyer has issues to work out. Had three pre-snap penalties yesterday and some issues with the snap. Teams have realized if they simulate the snap he'll mess up. Need to get that cleaned up in the bye.
  
  
• The TE room has been a disappointment so far. Elijah Lofton has shown flashes, but we're not doing enough to make him an asset. I'd be fine not seeing Bauman the rest of the year. Looked lost at various points yesterday and missed some opportunities to extend drives.
  
  
• Shannon Dawson called arguably his worst game as OC at Miami. Out of sync, predictable, and ultimately went into a shell way too early. Dawson can be a very good borderline elite OC at times. But he needs to be more consistent and not disappear after our first two drives.
  
  
• Miami's defense is elite. This defensive front has pulverized everyone they've played. We have the best DE Duo in the country with Messidor and Bain, and our LBs are the best they've been in years. Secondary also does a great job in straight-up eliminating the intermediate passing game. Unlike last year, we can lean on this D to win tough games where our O isn't doing its job.
  
  
• The biggest play of the game last night was 4th and 2 deep in Miami territory, with Florida driving and Miami only up 13-7. Last year, any team converts that against us easy. This year, our D made a huge stop and completely swung the momentum of this game.
  
  
• Special Teams was a concern going into this year, but Carter Davis looks like the guy. Big leg and seems unphased. Lets hope he keeps it going.
  
  
• It was a crime to blow that whistle early on Marty Brown's run. Miami scores there, and it's 20-0 and a completely different game.
  
  
• There's no reason why we didn't go for it on 4th in various sitautions yesterday, especially in UF territory. I understand playing field position, but when your D is playing lights out those are risks you can take.

 

[sstcane]

In the past 20 years I don't think we would ever win a game where our offense was playing like this. That's the bright spot about a game that was sloppy. We really need to fix the amount of pre snap penalties on our O-Line because it completely kills the momentum on drives.

 

[TaylorWalls]

• Shannon Dawson called arguably his worst game as OC at Miami. Out of sync, predictable, and ultimately went into a shell way too early. Dawson can be a very good borderline elite OC at times. But he needs to be more consistent and not disappear after our first two drives.

At some point, we have to be mature enough to be able to think deeper than "we stopped scoring, therefore the play calls were bad".

We never "went into a shell". We tried to throw on every drive.

 

[90scane]

I was disappointed we didn’t roll out the T on more 4th down plays vs punts. We havebt been stopped with the heavy T formation and Florida was limited with guys hurt.

 

[Hstokes1447]

That Marty Brown TD call back reminds me of the VT, TD call back last season. The difference is this defense protected the offense

 

[SFbayCane]

It's always a great Sunday when Miami wins, even better when it's against the hated Florida Gators, who Miami is now 9-2 against in the last 40 years. Here's some thoughts on yesterday's win:

• Miami arguably has the best RB Duo and running game in the country. This is without Jordan Lyle by the way. For the most part, we pounded Florida up front and ran at will. One reason why it'll be so hard to beat this team is that we can legitimately lean on this running game when our passing offense is out of sync. Imagine how much better this running game will be when Jordan Lyle is back in the mix.
  
  
• Carson Beck and Miami's passing offense had a rough night. Weather conditions or not, Beck was off all night, underthrowing and overthrowing his receivers consistently. Even check-down passes that looked easy last week looked like a challenge yesterday. Ultimately, I think we saw Beck at his worst. The 1 Int was a solid play by Cormani McClain, and Florida's defense went into a shell that really took away any big pass potential. Beck has two weeks to bounce back against FSU. I expect him to play well.
  
  
• Miami's WRs were quiet last night. A lot of that has to do with Florida's shell defense and very good DBs, but we need to execute at a far higher level. CJ Daniels had a huge drop on third and long. Look for these guys to bounce back in two weeks.
  
  
• For the most part, Miami's OL was very good last night. However, James Brockermeyer has issues to work out. Had three pre-snap penalties yesterday and some issues with the snap. Teams have realized if they simulate the snap he'll mess up. Need to get that cleaned up in the bye.
  
  
• The TE room has been a disappointment so far. Elijah Lofton has shown flashes, but we're not doing enough to make him an asset. I'd be fine not seeing Bauman the rest of the year. Looked lost at various points yesterday and missed some opportunities to extend drives.
  
  
• Shannon Dawson called arguably his worst game as OC at Miami. Out of sync, predictable, and ultimately went into a shell way too early. Dawson can be a very good borderline elite OC at times. But he needs to be more consistent and not disappear after our first two drives.
  
  
• Miami's defense is elite. This defensive front has pulverized everyone they've played. We have the best DE Duo in the country with Messidor and Bain, and our LBs are the best they've been in years. Secondary also does a great job in straight-up eliminating the intermediate passing game. Unlike last year, we can lean on this D to win tough games where our O isn't doing its job.
  
  
• The biggest play of the game last night was 4th and 2 deep in Miami territory, with Florida driving and Miami only up 13-7. Last year, any team converts that against us easy. This year, our D made a huge stop and completely swung the momentum of this game.
  
  
• Special Teams was a concern going into this year, but Carter Davis looks like the guy. Big leg and seems unphased. Lets hope he keeps it going.
  
  
• It was a crime to blow that whistle early on Marty Brown's run. Miami scores there, and it's 20-0 and a completely different game.
  
  
• There's no reason why we didn't go for it on 4th in various sitautions yesterday, especially in UF territory. I understand playing field position, but when your D is playing lights out those are risks you can take.

Good write up. I was at the game and had nearly the same thoughts. Some items I'd further highlight:

1 - Our Wide Receivers rarely get separation. I saw this against Notre Dame and again last night. No one was open. Either ND and UF's DB's are that good or are WR corp is more pedestrian than folks realize. This is why Im really pushing for Joshua Moore to be developed more quickly. He's our one big body receiver that can be targeted without separation.

2 - The Marty Brown pick up might end up being the most low key portal MVP guy in college football this season.

3 - Carson Beck: By his own admission, most of his mistakes last year were the result of him pressing too much. We saw that last night. Even though UM has not trailed this season, when UF scored that TD, Beck immediately wanted to get it back and threw a bad pick where he had an easy 6+ yard gain with his feet. There were other plays where he waited too long to hit the running back on the check down causing his throws to be inaccurate. The big Marty Brown run was a great catch by Brown to salvage a doo doo throw by Beck.

 

[kupakong]

At some point, we have to be mature enough to be able to think deeper than "we stopped scoring, therefore the play calls were bad".

We never "went into a shell". We tried to throw on every drive.

How about the play calls were bad b.c. there was barely any play action passing? Came out of 2nd half w a great play action pass and then barely saw any more rest of game.

 

[clg003]

It's always a great Sunday when Miami wins, even better when it's against the hated Florida Gators, who Miami is now 9-2 against in the last 40 years. Here's some thoughts on yesterday's win:

• Miami arguably has the best RB Duo and running game in the country. This is without Jordan Lyle by the way. For the most part, we pounded Florida up front and ran at will. One reason why it'll be so hard to beat this team is that we can legitimately lean on this running game when our passing offense is out of sync. Imagine how much better this running game will be when Jordan Lyle is back in the mix.
  
  
• Carson Beck and Miami's passing offense had a rough night. Weather conditions or not, Beck was off all night, underthrowing and overthrowing his receivers consistently. Even check-down passes that looked easy last week looked like a challenge yesterday. Ultimately, I think we saw Beck at his worst. The 1 Int was a solid play by Cormani McClain, and Florida's defense went into a shell that really took away any big pass potential. Beck has two weeks to bounce back against FSU. I expect him to play well.
  
  
• Miami's WRs were quiet last night. A lot of that has to do with Florida's shell defense and very good DBs, but we need to execute at a far higher level. CJ Daniels had a huge drop on third and long. Look for these guys to bounce back in two weeks.
  
  
• For the most part, Miami's OL was very good last night. However, James Brockermeyer has issues to work out. Had three pre-snap penalties yesterday and some issues with the snap. Teams have realized if they simulate the snap he'll mess up. Need to get that cleaned up in the bye.
  
  
• The TE room has been a disappointment so far. Elijah Lofton has shown flashes, but we're not doing enough to make him an asset. I'd be fine not seeing Bauman the rest of the year. Looked lost at various points yesterday and missed some opportunities to extend drives.
  
  
• Shannon Dawson called arguably his worst game as OC at Miami. Out of sync, predictable, and ultimately went into a shell way too early. Dawson can be a very good borderline elite OC at times. But he needs to be more consistent and not disappear after our first two drives.
  
  
• Miami's defense is elite. This defensive front has pulverized everyone they've played. We have the best DE Duo in the country with Messidor and Bain, and our LBs are the best they've been in years. Secondary also does a great job in straight-up eliminating the intermediate passing game. Unlike last year, we can lean on this D to win tough games where our O isn't doing its job.
  
  
• The biggest play of the game last night was 4th and 2 deep in Miami territory, with Florida driving and Miami only up 13-7. Last year, any team converts that against us easy. This year, our D made a huge stop and completely swung the momentum of this game.
  
  
• Special Teams was a concern going into this year, but Carter Davis looks like the guy. Big leg and seems unphased. Lets hope he keeps it going.
  
  
• It was a crime to blow that whistle early on Marty Brown's run. Miami scores there, and it's 20-0 and a completely different game.
  
  
• There's no reason why we didn't go for it on 4th in various sitautions yesterday, especially in UF territory. I understand playing field position, but when your D is playing lights out those are risks you can take.

The craziest stat I've ever heard...

Florida's pass blocking grade for this game was 2.3.

Yes thats 2 mfn decimal 3.

 

[6th Ring is Near]

At some point, we have to be mature enough to be able to think deeper than "we stopped scoring, therefore the play calls were bad".

We never "went into a shell". We tried to throw on every drive.

Yes, I agree totally. Dawson called a good game to me. UF crashed 2 safeties deep and blanketed the slot routes and dared Miami to take check downs and run game. Miami took what they were given. Carson missed several passes where they were incompletes, or the receiver had to dive when a good pass they run for big yards. We probably score on the first half drive where the center kept false starting when we were in the red zone. 17-0 at the half and the game is over.
Sometimes as a play caller, the defense takes away a part of your offense and you have to take what you are given and be content with it. He did that and his QB had an off night. I thought it showed his greatness as a play caller.

 

[Cane30]

When the board was going on about how great Toney was and better than Restrepo, I pointed out, he isn't getting any separation so their is no comparison. I said, Marian was getting the most separation, not that it was enough. Not last night, but Beck's ball placement is very good.
I don't understand not trying some deep out's with Marian, Ray Ray or Moore against the 2 high S's last night. I can't recall if we tried against FSU's 2 high last year.

 

[JHallCanes]

At some point, we have to be mature enough to be able to think deeper than "we stopped scoring, therefore the play calls were bad".

We never "went into a shell". We tried to throw on every drive.

Thought we tried to throw the ball way too much honestly

Sometimes “the shell” is the best path to victory. We were getting 5-6 yards on almost every first down and people were saying we should throw it more. I’m not gonna argue with those people but it’s strange sometimes

 

[Hoyacane1620]

Good write up. I was at the game and had nearly the same thoughts. Some items I'd further highlight:

1 - Our Wide Receivers rarely get separation. I saw this against Notre Dame and again last night. No one was open. Either ND and UF's DB's are that good or are WR corp is more pedestrian than folks realize. This is why Im really pushing for Joshua Moore to be developed more quickly. He's our one big body receiver that can be targeted without separation.

2 - The Marty Brown pick up might end up being the most low key portal MVP guy in college football this season.

3 - Carson Beck: By his own admission, most of his mistakes last year were the result of him pressing too much. We saw that last night. Even though UM has not trailed this season, when UF scored that TD, Beck immediately wanted to get it back and threw a bad pick where he had an easy 6+ yard gain with his feet. There were other plays where he waited too long to hit the running back on the check down causing his throws to be inaccurate. The big Marty Brown run was a great catch by Brown to salvage a doo doo throw by Beck.

I'd go so far as to say that point 3 was caused by point 2. I kept thinking last night that Beck must be having flashbacks of his WR at UGA last year. I agree that he pressed on a few throws. I was listening to Roman on the OBB recap show this morning and he said that he spoke with another QB at the game. That rain was a real issue for the pass game.

He also made another point about Carson that I thought merited some thought. Last year, when the offense got stale, Cam took it upon himself to try and make things happen. Carson seems more likely to stay within the confines of the offense and put the game on the OL and RB shoulders. I don't think Cam would have done that at all.

He also pointed out that Dawson did nothing during that middle period of just stale, slogging offense, to spark it. INstead, we continued to run the same type of plays from the same formations. Maybe a script of 5+ plays he can go to in these kind of slumps would be helpful to his offense. It would also give some juice to the fans in the stands and that certainly helps the team...