We’re coming off of having a week off and to say the fan base is frustrated would be an understatement.
With that said I’ve put together a quick hit list of things I would like to see (not listing everything) for this team. This is an eye towards next year without sacrificing winning this year.
COACHING
Manny Diaz – Can’t say to much about this because what the head coach does behind the scenes isn’t visible on game day. But he needs to grow getting the team ready week-in-week out, which he's struggled at. Manny also needs to show he’s willing to make bold moves from a playing time standpoint, and exert more control over Baker.
Baker – Has to get better at calling defense in real time based on down and distance. He’s really struggled with this on multiple occasions. Also, the DB blitz from deep needs to be ripped out of the playbook. Also, talk to Manny and get rid of the striker position.
Stroud – Flat out he’s been the worst positional coach on the team. The defensive line has taken a giant step back under his stewardship. We lost some talent, but this unit should not be playing at this level.
Enos – Unlike most others I don’t have a problem with his style of offense – it’s varied, we run one back, two back, empty set, spread w/one RB. What I DO have a major problem is his play calling based on down & distance, situation on the field, etc. Jarren is a really good play action QB, I have no issues with calling those plays, but you never call play action deep in your own territory. NEVER. That’s OC 101. Having your QB turn his back to the line deep in your own territory is a disaster. But he does it. Stop play action on 2nd and 3rd and long.
Please, more early down passing. I promise, that will help the line. Also, stop forgetting about our two stud TEs in the 2nd half. You game plan early to get them the ball, but then the play calling changes in the 2nd half.
QB
Love what we’ve seen from Jarren. The future is bright with him. Yes, at times he holds onto the ball to long, but he keeps his eyes up & is trying to make plays. I’ll live with that and that’s something (his internal clock) that is simply fixed through reps. He’s not a dink & dunk QB – he throws the 10 – 20 yard ball well & often, often fitting the ball into tight windows. One caveat, the deep ball has to get much better. I’m not sure what’s going on here – it’s not an arm strength or timing issue. For some reason his mechanics break down – both legs and arm – almost like he’s trying to soft toss (baseball term) and guide it softly.
RBs
Need to see Lo. I like DJ & Cam, but they’re limited physically. They’re championship level starting RBs on stacked offenses who get drafted late and have solid NFL careers as backups. Lo is our best size / speed athlete on the roster, let’s see what he can do. Physically we haven’t had a hold your breath RB since Duke & Lamar, and Lo is the one RB who has the athletic ability to make us hold our breath on any play. Not saying he’ll be good, but need to see what he can do on a regular basis.
TE
Not much to say. They’re our best play makers which is really cool to say but sad to think about. Brevin is terrific. Will just needs to see the ball more and is our best YAC player on the roster. Feed them more!
WRs
Honestly, please stop saying this group is loaded. It isn’t. We have a bunch of guys that are just okay. The speed of the group is frankly sad. JT is again inconsistent. Doesn’t make contested catches, drops passes & for as great of an athlete he supposedly is he doesn’t make plays in space. KJ is a very good 2nd /3rd WR on a championship team. Hope BH develops into KJ. Hartley is a big effort guy, I appreciate that, but he’s a 5th / 6th WR on a very good team.
We need to see more of Pope & Wiggins. Again, these are two of our best athletes. Our WRs look slow. Get them on the field. Jarren is hitting WRs in stride on 10-20 yard routes. Make someone miss and take it to the house. These two are the most likely to do that.
OL
It is what it is at this point. Unfortunately we have to live w/ our two true frosh lineman and hope they develop. CD needs to continue developing into a solid center, but wow, he struggles with anchoring at times. Donaldson, well it's just sad. He's average at best. Feel bad for Scaife. He's our best o-lineman and is above average at tackle, but is elite at guard. But he's taking one for the team. His 2nd contract in the NFL will be huge at guard, unfortunately his first won't because of where we're playing him at.
For the love of god, can just one guy step as a 6th lineman so the staff isn't scared to death. Asking for two would just be silly and unrealistic.
DL
Not much to say, this group is just so surprising to me. This was supposed to be a group that wasn’t simply the best unit on the team, but best in the conference. I’m shocked by how much they’ve failed to grow, or in some cases regressed. We lost talent, but there is still plenty there.
This falls mostly on Stroud. Garvin has regressed. Patchan is healthy & playing solid against the run, but has regressed in pass rush. Love what I’m seeing from GR, but again, he’s beating people with effort & physical ability, but in terms of technique not seeing anything from coaching for him.
The DTs have been solid. Holding the line of scrimmage, but absolutely nothing happening in terms of impact play.
LB/Strikers
No way around it, Shaq & MP are who they are. Physically limited who struggle in space. We’ve known this for well over a year now. But on top of that they’ve regressed in terms of recognition & impact plays in the backfield. I was pounding the table for McCloud to be playing over one of them for two years now. Glad he’s redshirting. He’s a better athlete than both & has been screwed over by the Diaz defense.
Brooks needs burn in every game on defense. Just a couple of drives each game. He’ll be starting next to McCloud in 2020 and he needs to be ready.
Romeo & Gil have been terrific. Get rid of the striker position. Teams simply out scheme us with this ridiculous position.
CBs/Safety
To me these are the two positions that are TBD. We lost 3 multi-year starters so I expected regression, and some struggles to start the year & get progressively better as the year goes on. That happens to everyone, including Alabama. Bandy had a terrible game, but that happens. Blades absolutely should be playing over Ivey. He’s looked good and so far Ivey is playing slow (not as an athlete, but seems to be thinking way too much & slow to react). CW – burn his redshirt & get him in every game. He should be a key contributor next year.
Hall is getting better each week and will be terrific for us. Carter has been solid, but nothing more. Excited to see what Bolden brings.
Kicker
Pray
Team leadership/Identity
After four weeks I have no idea what this team’s identity is, and they need to find one quick. Also, I have no idea who the team leaders are (it’s not the senior LBs). I have no idea which player the team follows, whose personality galvanizes their teammates. That’s not good.
