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- Jan 15, 2012
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Putting aside the talk of a coaching change for right now, there are a few things I would like to see if we are to make a run. Look, I'm no fan of Manny Diaz as our HC and that extends to much of the staff as well. I've made my thoughts on that quite clear so I'm not looking to rehash them in this thread. With as terrible as this season has been so far I think that we have collectively earned a brief respite from all the misery and BS.
We seem to have found ourselves a quarterback and that in itself seems like a minor miracle. We knew the two young QBs were talented but after King went down we didn't know what to expect. Tyler Van Dyke has shown himself to be a leader with great physical and mental toughness who is not only cool under pressure but seems to thrive in those types of situations. That and he can make all the throws. So now that we have seen what a Van Dyke led offense is capable of I would like to throw out a few things I would like to see going forward in terms of personel, style of play etc. . Please chime in with your ideas.
Based on the past few games and the season to this point I would think that Pitt will want to focus on taking away Charleston Rambo. It is clear that he has become TVDs favorite target.
I want to see TVD spread the ball around a bit more to guys like Keyshawn Smith, Xavier Restrepo and the young kids especially Brashard Smith. Throw in Brinson and even a vet like Harley. The point is that we have weapons so let's do a better job distributing the ball amongst them as this will keep defenses guessing
We need to see much more of Elijah Arroyo. Kid is a stud and he is ready for an expanded role. That much is obvious. Arroyo is a matchup nightmare so use him!
I mentioned Brashard Smith above but it merits repetition. B.Smith is an explosive playmaker. He must be on the field as much as possible. Lashlee needs to do a much better job of getting the ball to explosive talents like Knighton and the 2 Smiths. Get it to these guys in space!!!!!!
We all know that Rooster is a budding superstar but we have two other RBs with excellent talent who are available. They can't contribute by sitting on the bench. Get Franklin and Brown some carries for crying out loud. They could be great compliments to Roosters style especially late in games
Someone tell Lashlee that it's not illegal to expand the running game. Look for better or different ways to exploit your playmakers talents. Put B.Smith and Rooster in the backfield together. Use different combinations in the running game. Use Mallory or Arroyo as Hbacks more often or explore the different ways they can exploit defenses.
Work the slot more often. Harley is a veteran and a natural in the slot. Take advantage. Restrepo is also a mismatch against many safeties and linebackers. Use them.
Use Knighton more in the passing game. Did I mention using B.Smith? Use Brashard as a utility guy and line him up all over the formation.
Use more pre snap motion.
Take the training wheels off of Van Dyke for crying out loud! He's earned that much. Don't be afraid to open it up and use the pass to set up the run
On Defense
Stop being cute and get back to basics.
Stop blitzing so much. It isn't working as it rarely gets home. I would bet that we are close to the very bottom in terms of percentage of blitzes that get home. I'll try to look that up.
Prioritize stopping the run like we did vs NC St.
On the DL Roberts, Taylor and C.Williams need more snaps.
Chase Smith needs to play
Someone needs to challenge Corey Flagg at Mike
Is Tirek Austin Cave hurt? Why no snaps?
Try Malik Curtis at PR.
Edit: I would really like to read everybody's thoughts and ideas. So let's hear them. @Rellyrell
@Liberty City El
and everyone else I can't seem to remember right now.
We seem to have found ourselves a quarterback and that in itself seems like a minor miracle. We knew the two young QBs were talented but after King went down we didn't know what to expect. Tyler Van Dyke has shown himself to be a leader with great physical and mental toughness who is not only cool under pressure but seems to thrive in those types of situations. That and he can make all the throws. So now that we have seen what a Van Dyke led offense is capable of I would like to throw out a few things I would like to see going forward in terms of personel, style of play etc. . Please chime in with your ideas.
Based on the past few games and the season to this point I would think that Pitt will want to focus on taking away Charleston Rambo. It is clear that he has become TVDs favorite target.
I want to see TVD spread the ball around a bit more to guys like Keyshawn Smith, Xavier Restrepo and the young kids especially Brashard Smith. Throw in Brinson and even a vet like Harley. The point is that we have weapons so let's do a better job distributing the ball amongst them as this will keep defenses guessing
We need to see much more of Elijah Arroyo. Kid is a stud and he is ready for an expanded role. That much is obvious. Arroyo is a matchup nightmare so use him!
I mentioned Brashard Smith above but it merits repetition. B.Smith is an explosive playmaker. He must be on the field as much as possible. Lashlee needs to do a much better job of getting the ball to explosive talents like Knighton and the 2 Smiths. Get it to these guys in space!!!!!!
We all know that Rooster is a budding superstar but we have two other RBs with excellent talent who are available. They can't contribute by sitting on the bench. Get Franklin and Brown some carries for crying out loud. They could be great compliments to Roosters style especially late in games
Someone tell Lashlee that it's not illegal to expand the running game. Look for better or different ways to exploit your playmakers talents. Put B.Smith and Rooster in the backfield together. Use different combinations in the running game. Use Mallory or Arroyo as Hbacks more often or explore the different ways they can exploit defenses.
Work the slot more often. Harley is a veteran and a natural in the slot. Take advantage. Restrepo is also a mismatch against many safeties and linebackers. Use them.
Use Knighton more in the passing game. Did I mention using B.Smith? Use Brashard as a utility guy and line him up all over the formation.
Use more pre snap motion.
Take the training wheels off of Van Dyke for crying out loud! He's earned that much. Don't be afraid to open it up and use the pass to set up the run
On Defense
Stop being cute and get back to basics.
Stop blitzing so much. It isn't working as it rarely gets home. I would bet that we are close to the very bottom in terms of percentage of blitzes that get home. I'll try to look that up.
Prioritize stopping the run like we did vs NC St.
On the DL Roberts, Taylor and C.Williams need more snaps.
Chase Smith needs to play
Someone needs to challenge Corey Flagg at Mike
Is Tirek Austin Cave hurt? Why no snaps?
Try Malik Curtis at PR.
Edit: I would really like to read everybody's thoughts and ideas. So let's hear them. @Rellyrell
@Liberty City El
and everyone else I can't seem to remember right now.
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