The State of Miami Football & Random Observations on the MSU Game

Canegrad89

Recruit
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Oct 15, 2017
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We were gashed on defense (particularly by their RBs) because we simply don't have the horses in the front seven. Their runners (RBs, QB) were often untouched before reaching our DBs. Their run plays win by design and because both their OL & WR block hard. Our DL was porous and the LBs seem to be swept out of plays or out of position far too often. There also continues to be far too many missed tackles. We have some really good talent in the secondary but they are being called on to do far too much because of serious deficiencies in the front seven.

We have a few talented players in the front seven but mostly we have below average talent at LB and very few difference makers on the DL. JHH shows flashes and hopefully will continue to develop. Chantz could be a difference maker going forward but needs more experience. Leonard Taylor will be great for us. The serious recruiting deficiencies of the prior defensive staff are coming home to roost. Our best talent is young. Our upperclassmen are getting pushed around. The tackling at LB is horrific and our LBs seem to consistently be out of the play. We need to recruit like crazy for DL and LB. We need to seriously upgrade the talent at LB and get some serious athletes playing at that position.

Do we have a line featuring Russell Maryland (first overall pick in the NFL draft), Cortez Kennedy (HOF), Jimmie Jones (first round pick as a back-up), Shane Curry (3rd rounder & highly talented), Willis Peguese (freak athlete) and Greg Mark? No -- it's not even close. Our DL is simply underwhelming in terms of talent. Not only are they not getting many sacks, they are not containing the run either. While it's not Miami football (at all), if we're just not going to get much of a pass rush this year from the DL then at least have discipline and contain the run.

Do we have the Bermuda Triangle at LB? Ray Lewis. Nate Webster. Dan Morgan. Jon Vilma. How about Colin McCarthy? No, we have nothing close to that. We have a bunch of smaller players who cannot tackle at all and seem constantly out of position or blocked out of plays. They've got to learn to shed blocks and tackle. Our recruiting at LB has to get light years better. It was poor under the prior staff and now we're struggling big time because of that.

Penalties: we continue to be undisciplined and get penalized far too often. Something has got to change within the program. It's fine to have a few silly penalties if you're the 1989 Canes (and you're so loaded you can get away with it) but when you're probably a .500 team (if you're lucky) you've got to play disciplined football or you have very little chance. This team cannot afford dumb penalties. They've got to change the mindset in the program about penalties.

Football IQ:

  • Tyrique had a tough game today but one of the least heady things he's done is field that punt near the one yard line. Just "no". Be aware of where you are on the field and the ST coach should have reminded him before the punt.
  • Gurvan Hall tackling the blocker instead of the ball carrier on one of the big plays for MSU in the second quarter was mind-boggling. Carter also missed a tackle on that play (one of many missed tackles for him on the day). The result was about a 30-yard gain for MSU. Just brutal.
  • #60 Nelson: there's no rule limiting the spacing of the 7 lineman on the line of scrimmage. When MSU's DL lined up wide, Zion should have lined up wider so he could of engaged him head on. Instead, Nelson stayed bunched in tight with the Guard and the DL went right around him (barely touched by Nelson). It was a huge turning point in the game when King was ruled to have fumbled (deep in Miami territory) and just a mind-boggling alignment by Nelson. Get in front of their DL so you can block them!
  • King: made some bad decisions on quite a few of his throws today. Needs to protect the ball more.

Tackling: The front seven is a mess right now. It's throwing off the entire defense. If I was coaching the defense, I would incorporate tackling drills into every practice until the tackling becomes exceptional. Tackling can be taught with two players at close range moving at low speed. It can also be taught through the use of video footage. I wish we could go the Jimmy Johnson route and have full-contact scrimmages daily -- he thinks there were fewer injuries then because players became accustomed to taking hits -- but NCAA rules limit that. So, your recruiting evaluations have to be better and you've got to recruit players that were sure tacklers in high school. Close-range, low speed tackling drills (within the bounds of the rules) should also be a staple of practice. Something's gotta give on the tackling. It is absolutely terrible! Carter really struggled against MSU. It just isn't that hard. Lead with your shoulder (not your head) and wrap up with both arms. Any defensive player with any passion for the game should be able to master that simple exercise.

Turnovers: the four turnovers we had were huge in this game. The game was close until the end of the third quarter. When Nelson lined up incorrectly and gave the MSU DL a clear path to King, the whole complexion of the game changed due to a turnover deep in our territory. King also did not do a good job of protecting the ball (including poor decisions when throwing). The turnover margin went big time in MSU's favor. The turnover chain has gone into hibernation (largely because we're not generating any real pressure from the DL). Turnovers turned a closely contested game into a laugher for MSU.

Offense:

We have some real weapons on offense. Rambo, Smith, Brinson, George, Arroyo & Mallory should be causing major headaches for opponents. We should be lighting up opposing defenses.

The loss of Chaney was huge. Badly need Knighton back & contributing. Passing to Cam is great as it gets the ball to him in space and he catches the ball well. Way better than running up the middle for no gain.

Tight ends need to be incorporated more to keep the chains moving. They are being underutilized. Mallory needs to step up & perform to his true potential.

Run blocking needs to improve significantly. None of our running plays win by design. None of them. MSU employed clever blocking schemes that created huge lanes for their RBs. Our run plays always seem to rely solely on Cam out-athleting the opponent's defense while the OL blocks straight ahead. What about blocking schemes that create lanes? Blocking by the TEs & WRs needs to improve dramatically. It needs to become an attitude (one adopted by all 11 players on offense). Lashlee & the other coaches on offense need to improve significantly in their run play design (and the execution of plays needs to happen at much higher level with all 11 players developing an attitude).

King (if healthy) needs to continue to use his legs to keep the chains moving and provide a spark to the running game.

Play design and playcalling need to improve significantly. King needs to protect the ball more & make better decisions. The offense is vastly underperforming its true potential. Except at RB (due to Chaney's injury), we have a wealth of talent that is not being maximized right now.

Manny needs to take a hard look at his front seven and come up with a combination of starters that can get some sacks out of the DL and consistent tackling by the LBs. Got to get more production at the LB position as they are virtually a non-factor right now. Mostly need them simply to be in position and making sure tackles. Play the best players regardless of age and/or experience. Get Leonard Taylor involved (either at DT or DE), if he can be a difference maker. The current front seven isn't cutting it at all. Look at every player available on the roster and mix it up until you can create pressure from the DL and get some more physical play & sure tackling from the LB position.

Your thoughts?
 
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Your thoughts?
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We were gashed on defense (particularly by their RBs) because we simply don't have the horses in the front seven. Their runners (RBs, QB) were often untouched before reaching our DBs. Their run plays win by design and because both their OL & WR block hard. Our DL was porous and the LBs seem to be swept out of plays or out of position far too often. There also continues to be far too many missed tackles. We have some really good talent in the secondary but they are being called on to do far too much because of serious deficiencies in the front seven.

We have a few talented players in the front seven but mostly we have below average talent at LB and very few difference makers on the DL. JHH shows flashes and hopefully will continue to develop. Chantz could be a difference maker going forward but needs more experience. Leonard Taylor will be great for us. The serious recruiting deficiencies of the prior defensive staff are coming home to roost. Our best talent is young. Our upperclassmen are getting pushed around. The tackling at LB is horrific and our LBs seem to consistently be out of the play. We need to recruit like crazy for DL and LB. We need to seriously upgrade the talent at LB and get some serious athletes playing at that position.

Do we have a line featuring Russell Maryland (first overall pick in the NFL draft), Cortez Kennedy (HOF), Jimmie Jones (first round pick as a back-up), Shane Curry (3rd rounder & highly talented), Willis Peguese (freak athlete) and Greg Mark? No -- it's not even close. Our DL is simply underwhelming in terms of talent. Not only are they not getting many sacks, they are not containing the run either. While it's not Miami football (at all), if we're just not going to get much of a pass rush this year from the DL then at least have discipline and contain the run.

Do we have the Bermuda Triangle at LB? Ray Lewis. Nate Webster. Dan Morgan. Jon Vilma. How about Colin McCarthy? No, we have nothing close to that. We have a bunch of smaller players who cannot tackle at all and seem constantly out of position or blocked out of plays. They've got to learn to shed blocks and tackle. Our recruiting at LB has to get light years better. It was poor under the prior staff and now we're struggling big time because of that.

Penalties: we continue to be undisciplined and get penalized far too often. Something has got to change within the program. It's fine to have a few silly penalties if you're the 1989 Canes (and you're so loaded you can get away with it) but when you're probably a .500 team (if you're lucky) you've got to play disciplined football or you have very little chance. This team cannot afford dumb penalties. They've got to change the mindset in the program about penalties.

Football IQ:

  • Tyrique had a tough game today but one of the least heady things he's done is field that punt near the one yard line. Just "no". Be aware of where you are on the field and the ST coach should have reminded him before the punt.
  • Gurvan Hall tackling the blocker instead of the ball carrier on one of the big plays for MSU in the second quarter was mind-boggling. Carter also missed a tackle on that play (one of many missed tackles for him on the day). The result was about a 30-yard gain for MSU. Just brutal.
  • #60 Nelson: there's no rule limiting the spacing of the 7 lineman on the line of scrimmage. When MSU's DL lined up wide, Zion should have lined up wider so he could of engaged him head on. Instead, Nelson stayed bunched in tight with the Guard and the DL went right around him (barely touched by Nelson). It was a huge turning point in the game when King was ruled to have fumbled (deep in Miami territory) and just a mind-boggling alignment by Nelson. Get in front of their DL so you can block them!
  • King: made some bad decisions on quite a few of his throws today. Needs to protect the ball more.

Tackling: The front seven is a mess right now. It's throwing off the entire defense. If I was coaching the defense, I would incorporate tackling drills into every practice until the tackling becomes exceptional. Tackling can be taught with two players at close range moving at low speed. It can also be taught through the use of video footage. I wish we could go the Jimmy Johnson route and have full-contact scrimmages daily -- he thinks there were fewer injuries then because players became accustomed to taking hits -- but NCAA rules limit that. So, your recruiting evaluations have to be better and you've got to recruit players that were sure tacklers in high school. Close-range, low speed tackling drills (within the bounds of the rules) should also be a staple of practice. Something's gotta give on the tackling. It is absolutely terrible! Carter really struggled against MSU. It just isn't that hard. Lead with your shoulder (not your head) and wrap up with both arms. Any defensive player with any passion for the game should be able to master that simple exercise.

Turnovers: the four turnovers we had were huge in this game. The game was close until the end of the third quarter. When Nelson lined up incorrectly and gave the MSU DL a clear path to King, the whole complexion of the game changed due to a turnover deep in our territory. King also did not do a good job of protecting the ball (including poor decisions when throwing). The turnover margin went big time in MSU's favor. The turnover chain has gone into hibernation (largely because we're not generating any real pressure from the DL). Turnovers turned a closely contested game into a laugher for MSU.

Offense:

We have some real weapons on offense. Rambo, Smith, Brinson, George, Arroyo & Mallory should be causing major headaches for opponents. We should be lighting up opposing defenses.

The loss of Chaney was huge. Badly need Knighton back & contributing. Passing to Cam is great as it gets the ball to him in space and he catches the ball well. Way better than running up the middle for no gain.

Tight ends need to be incorporated more to keep the chains moving. They are being underutilized. Mallory needs to step up & perform to his true potential.

Run blocking needs to improve significantly. None of our running plays win by design. None of them. MSU employed clever blocking schemes that created huge lanes for their RBs. Our run plays always seem to rely solely on Cam out-athleting the opponent's defense while the OL blocks straight ahead. What about blocking schemes that create lanes? Blocking by the TEs & WRs needs to improve dramatically. It needs to become an attitude (one adopted by all 11 players on offense). Lashlee & the other coaches on offense need to improve significantly in their run play design (and the execution of plays needs to happen at much higher level with all 11 players developing an attitude).

King (if healthy) needs to continue to use his legs to keep the chains moving and provide a spark to the running game.

Play design and playcalling need to improve significantly. King needs to protect the ball more & make better decisions. The offense is vastly underperforming its true potential. Except at RB (due to Chaney's injury), we have a wealth of talent that is not being maximized right now.

Manny needs to take a hard look at his front seven and come up with a combination of starters that can get some sacks out of the DL and consistent tackling by the LBs. Got to get more production at the LB position as they are virtually a non-factor right now. Mostly need them simply to be in position and making sure tackles. Play the best players regardless of age and/or experience. Get Leonard Taylor involved (either at DT or DE), if he can be a difference maker. The current front seven isn't cutting it at all. Look at every player available on the roster and mix it up until you can create pressure from the DL and get some more physical play & sure tackling from the LB position.

Your thoughts?
You are spot on in. Toretta said recently the 1991 team had 4 basic plays in the running game which they practiced repeatedly. They weren't RPO's. They were just basic, simplified football. Spread the other team out and tell the linemen to take advantage of it. Coaches have complicated football too much. Let the talent win out. Yeah if you are SMU you have to outscheme people. If you are Miami you just need to let your guys play a simpler system. I think it is the same on defense. We blitz sometimes when we don't need to do so. Let our talent beat theirs. Cause when you blitz you leave yourself vulnerable. When you are the more talented team you do not need to do that. When I saw us ready to run the weak side blitz from the short side of the field, I knew they would score. It is a vulnerability when you do that. If you are going to blitz do it only from the strong side, not the weak. But mostly trust the talent. It is there. Just need for the coaches to trust it and not gamble games away.
 
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