The pass rush...

[Coach Macho]

100% I mentioned in the gameday thread a few times the spot drops were killing us. I don’t remember Guidry with mismatched front 7/back 7 from his tape at Marshall or consistent spot drops but maybe I misremembered

Maybe that was just his strategy for this game. Or maybe that's the strategy for this year.
Playing it safer, forcing offenses to execute those zone throws all game long, and knowing that our offense will out-score most people.
Just my guess.

I know me personally as a DC, my strategy would change a little bit if I was playing beside an efficient high-scoring offense.

 

[Ironmanfootball]

Maybe Guidry is concerned with the possible lack of speed on the backend so he plays more zone as way to protect them. Especially with the eraser, Kam, being out.

Also the lack of Kinchens. He's the real deep safety guy, JW is obviously more of a rotate down guy

 

[Ironmanfootball]

No one's brought it up so I will. And feel the need for a qualifying statement due to his popularity. I understand talent may be an issue, but how soon should we expect to see the effect of JT's coaching in terms of development and on-field results?

Taylor was moved to the field to be able to sign STA players.

 

[305407cane]

Not a big fan of our philosophy on the back end of our defense. A lot of soft coverage and spot dropping...leaves large open windows in the zones.
CB's playing a ton of off coverage, giving up easy throws.
The commentator yesterday even said something about it and mentioned that Cristobal apparently wanted to see us challenge receivers more at the line.

I even remember seeing a few disgruntled faces on the sidelines after our CB gave up an easy 9 yard hitch route on 3rd down playing off coverage.

You think this is personnel related or just how Guidry wants it ?

 

[E1k]

You think this is personnel related or just how Guidry wants it ?

Probably both

 

[Coach Macho]

You think this is personnel related or just how Guidry wants it ?

Personnel thing...or situational thing...I'm not sure.

There were times in the Texas A&M game where we were giving up easy throw after easy throw.
Against Temple we were playing 8 yards off of the outside WR on 3rd & 6 and gave up an easy hitch throw for a 1st down.

I'm not too worried about it though. That's my only (small) gripe about defense so far.

Maybe he doesn't have faith in his CB's playing tight/press coverage. That would be a personnel issue.
I'm actually going through that right now, so I understand.
It's better to play slightly off sometimes, rather than risk getting beat deep in press coverage. (like last season)

Steele was a press coverage guy and we saw how that went last year.

 

[Cribby]

I wonder what Guidrys personal calculus is. Obviously he changes things up depending on the opponent.

Against Drake Maye and Jordan Travis I wonder if he's going to be dropping the ends into coverage and blitzing alot. Those QBs can dissect the secondary so I wonder if he'll prioritize pressure or keeping the QB contained and maximizing bodies in coverage.

I posted in the FSU / Clemson thread you must keep Travis in the pocket or force him out left towards the sideline. That’s the key. Cut the field in half and force throws across his body. Clemson did that in the second half and they scored zero points until OT. If you sit back JT will eat you up running and passing. Pressure is a must.

 

[YankeesCane]

Need to bring pressure againt UNC

Ill believe this team is on its way back if they can curtail Maye

 

[hollyhood27]

I posted in the FSU / Clemson thread you must keep Travis in the pocket or force him out left towards the sideline. That’s the key. Cut the field in half and force throws across his body. Clemson did that in the second half and they scored zero points until OT. If you sit back JT will eat you up running and passing. Pressure is a must.

Get him to his 2nd read. He struggles going through a progression. His big throws are on rhythm or scramble drills.

 

[Cribby]

Get him to his 2nd read. He struggles going through a progression. His big throws are on rhythm or scramble drills.

And those throws scrambling are always to the right

 

[Pentagon Cane]

is making it extremely difficult on our secondary. Having no difference maker off the edge forces our DB's to cover for a longer amount of time. So we blitz, and when you blitz to create pressure you also create bigger windows for QB's to throw into. Good QB's like the one's we'll face in ACC play will find them.

I'm only pointing this out because the secondary has taken the brunt of the "our biggest concern is" comments and I don't agree with it.

You think our secondary wouldn't take a huge step back when your All-American safety is out? Plus, Deen and Mesidor are **** good players with a ton of experience and production.

We will be more than fine when we hit conference play.

 

[OrangeBowlMagic]

And those throws scrambling are always to the right

One thing I've noticed a lot more of this year as well is he's scrambling to throw, not run as in years past.

I think he's trying to showcase himself as more of a passer, but I have seen probably 10 times this year where he breaks the pocket and has 10+ yards to run in his sleep, but he extends and throws an incompletion. I think that makes him a worse player overall, honestly.

Just look at the numbers. He averaged 69 YPG rushing in 2020, 54 YPG in 2021, 32 YPG in 2022, and down to 24 YPG so far this year.

He's clearly running less, both on designed runs and on scrambles, because he's improved dramatically as a passer. But I think it's making him a worse player overall. He's incredibly dangerous when he breaks the pocket and looks to run immediately. If I had to choose between him hitting his back foot and running if the pocket breaks down or his first read isn't there vs scrambling around and looking to throw, I'm taking scrambling to throw every time. I'd much rather see him throwing on the run vs running through our 2nd level.

 

[TOcane]

Our pass rush is anemic without Messidor, Kelly, and Deen. Which is also worrisome because none of those guys missing are pass rush specialist either. Messidor being the most talented of the bunch but not elite by any means.

Yesterday I saw some corner blitzes being called from Pittsburgh also which was reminiscent of Manny.

We’re going to learn a lot against g tech

Mesidor is a dude. You might as well say Jared Verse isn't any good either because their numbers were identical last season.

 

[hollyhood27]

And those throws scrambling are always to the right

100%. I actually think their scheme has regressed some this year. They are relaying on Wilson and Coleman to bail them out.

 

[COCane4Life]

Maybe that was just his strategy for this game. Or maybe that's the strategy for this year.
Playing it safer, forcing offenses to execute those zone throws all game long, and knowing that our offense will out-score most people.
Just my guess.

I know me personally as a DC, my strategy would change a little bit if I was playing beside an efficient high-scoring offense.

I’m with you. It was definitely a game plan decision.

We also have to remember Guidry is still trying reign in on what we do well. Temple is a great game to see how we execute keeping it simple. Stop the run and zone up on the back end during a rainy windy game makes sense to me.

Why put anything crazy on tape? We also had a ton of injured guys out. Go back to the basics and get out of there.

The reason I love Guidry is because every game he’s shown different things. The pass rush will come as we play teams that are more confident in their ability to push the ball downfield. The question is how do we hold up on the backend against those teams when we don’t get the qb down?

 

[Zanecane]

You think our secondary wouldn't take a huge step back when your All-American safety is out? Plus, Deen and Mesidor are **** good players with a ton of experience and production.

We will be more than fine when we hit conference play.

Did i say that? Of course the secondary is better with Kam. Deen and Mesidor are talented players but they aren't known for their explosiveness off of the edge.

No team is perfect and we have a weaknesses that Guidry is going to scheme around. Edge rush imo is the biggest one and it's putting more pressure on the backend.

 

[Cribby]

One thing I've noticed a lot more of this year as well is he's scrambling to throw, not run as in years past.

I think he's trying to showcase himself as more of a passer, but I have seen probably 10 times this year where he breaks the pocket and has 10+ yards to run in his sleep, but he extends and throws an incompletion. I think that makes him a worse player overall, honestly.

Just look at the numbers. He averaged 69 YPG rushing in 2020, 54 YPG in 2021, 32 YPG in 2022, and down to 24 YPG so far this year.

He's clearly running less, both on designed runs and on scrambles, because he's improved dramatically as a passer. But I think it's making him a worse player overall. He's incredibly dangerous when he breaks the pocket and looks to run immediately. If I had to choose between him hitting his back foot and running if the pocket breaks down or his first read isn't there vs scrambling around and looking to throw, I'm taking scrambling to throw every time. I'd much rather see him throwing on the run vs running through our 2nd level.

Donovan Mcnabb did this in Philly and it set the offense back. He wanted to get away from the “ stereotype “ of being a running qb even though he was never that. He ran when he needed to then he stopped running period. Ironically that’s when the injuries started. DM in todays offenses would be a force.

 

[Zanecane]

Donovan Mcnabb did this in Philly and it set the offense back. He wanted to get away from the “ stereotype “ of being a running qb even though he was never that. He ran when he needed to then he stopped running period. Ironically that’s when the injuries started. DM in todays offenses would be a force.

I'm sure Travis was told "this year we'll focus on preparing you for the NFL" but anyone outside of his circle of Yes Men can see he doesn't have NFL QB talent.

They need him to run 10 more times a game to be the best version of their O. Hopefully Norvell is too afraid to have that conversation with him.

 

[Cribby]

I'm sure Travis was told "this year we'll focus on preparing you for the NFL" but anyone outside of his circle of Yes Men can see he doesn't have NFL QB talent.

They need him to run 10 more times a game to be the best version of their O. Hopefully Norvell is too afraid to have that conversation with him.

He can maybe catch on as a backup but he’s not an nfl starter talent. He’s also on the fragile side. The Ravens would be a good spot.

 

[TOcane]

Donovan Mcnabb did this in Philly and it set the offense back. He wanted to get away from the “ stereotype “ of being a running qb even though he was never that. He ran when he needed to then he stopped running period. Ironically that’s when the injuries started. DM in todays offenses would be a force.

I was a McNabb fan. Wish they would have beat the Pats with T.O.