What I'm seeing and hearing...

[TwentySix]

I like what I saw with JoJo last week.

I think he's getting too much criticism for the drop/INT (which was bad).

Lance Roffers is the man - but I disagree when he called that the turning point in the game. It happened with 10 minutes left in the 2nd Quarter.

IMO - the complete bust in our secondary on the SMU TD pass on the next play was worse.

I’m not saying Trader’s drop/INT should have swung the game, but it definitely did imo. We completely turtled up after that play. Prior to that play we had 164 yards on 23 plays (over 7ypp), after that we had 269 on 54 (under 5ypp). Now, that’s on the coaching staff, but I still do think we saw a drastic change in how the offense was being called after that because they seemed to immediately start calling the game scared.

I agree with you that I liked what I saw from JoJo. One (really bad) play shouldn’t have changed everything. But I do think it did, which is a coaching issue, not a JoJo issue.

 

[Ironmanfootball]

The blocking scheme comments are concerning. I’m no OL expert but our OL is huge compared to most ACC DLs, we should be getting push and driving guys forward not standing them up..smh

Similar to our whole offensive philosophy, if your scheme takes away the advantages you have (Size and length at OL, speed on the outside) then it no longer becomes an advantage

Great write up D, but I highly doubt things will change. Especially since it sounds like penalties is what they’re most focused on. That’s a big problem but the elephant in the room problem is Mario needs to change his coaching approach and philosophy starting at the OL and that will never happen

It worked with Cam ward because Cam made things happen, but 90% of QBs need a system that helps make them better

I've noticed they haven't been "pulling" the runner like they did with Martinez last year. It's illegal and I was shocked the refs let them do it every game multiple times per game last year. I don't think they've done it all season and it has eliminated some of the 'big plays' that should've been blown dead last year.

 

[simplycanes]

I’m not saying Trader’s drop/INT should have swung the game, but it definitely did imo. We completely turtled up after that play. Prior to that play we had 164 yards on 23 plays (over 7ypp), after that we had 269 on 54 (under 5ypp). Now, that’s on the coaching staff, but I still do think we saw a drastic change in how the offense was being called after that because they seemed to immediately start calling the game scared.

I agree with you that I liked what I saw from JoJo. One (really bad) play shouldn’t have changed everything. But I do think it did, which is a coaching issue, not a JoJo issue.

Part of being "tough" isn't just being absurdly overcommitted to running the ball (though, I'd argue we even half-*** that with how we teach it, but whatever, FizziCulL), it's also allowing your team to get up from the mat and fight again. We don't do that.

 

[TwentySix]

Part of being "tough" isn't just being absurdly overcommitted to running the ball (though, I'd argue we even half-*** that with how we teach it, but whatever, FizziCulL), it's also allowing your team to get up from the mat and fight again. We don't do that.

Completely agree.

 

[flips]

Part of being "tough" isn't just being absurdly overcommitted to running the ball (though, I'd argue we even half-*** that with how we teach it, but whatever, FizziCulL), it's also allowing your team to get up from the mat and fight again. We don't do that.

Great point. Guys commit moron penalty, and it's like, welp nothing we can do keep playing. JoJo drops the ball and it's an INT and not only did we stop throwing it deep to JoJo we basically stopped throwing it down the field to anyone

 

[simplycanes]

Great point. Guys commit moron penalty, and it's like, welp nothing we can do keep playing. JoJo drops the ball and it's an INT and not only did we stop throwing it deep to JoJo we basically stopped throwing it down the field to anyone

I don't give a rat's *** what Mario said to Zagaki, we were a vastly superior team walking into that stadium, and Mario f-cking know that. Still, he did all that he could to neutralize that once we kicked off. The response following that turnover should have been a gigantic middle finger back to SMU that says, "we're better than you, and you know it, too!" Instead, we said, "nice play, we're scared of you now." Think about what a different message those two approaches make to a football team.

 

[bshaw28]

I’m not saying Trader’s drop/INT should have swung the game, but it definitely did imo. We completely turtled up after that play. Prior to that play we had 164 yards on 23 plays (over 7ypp), after that we had 269 on 54 (under 5ypp). Now, that’s on the coaching staff, but I still do think we saw a drastic change in how the offense was being called after that because they seemed to immediately start calling the game scared.

I agree with you that I liked what I saw from JoJo. One (really bad) play shouldn’t have changed everything. But I do think it did, which is a coaching issue, not a JoJo issue.

I 100% agree we were playing looser/more confident before the INT. We turtled up from there.

But I look at this a little different - I think this is as much on the defense as the offense.

This team needs to win with Defense. We lack explosive players on Offense (outside of Toney), so we can't just make it be as explosive as we like.

My Issues with the Defense
- SMU had 5 drives in the 2nd half. 4 went for 40+ yds. They were - TD, FG, FG, Missed FG, Punt. We shouldn't have let them get in scoring position so easily.

- SMU had -2 yds rushing in regulation. So in OT when we throw an INT, the Defense needed to step up and save us. Instead they rolled over and gave up 6 carries for 25 yds & a TD.

- When JoJo's bobble causes an INT, the D needed to step up. Instead Jakobe Thomas has a complete bust on the next play

 

[Ironmanfootball]

I cannot BELIEVE we got CIS reports saying McCoy could be going to the league after this year

McCoy, Okunlola, the center... terrible.

 

[RozayCane]

The Offensive issues start & end with SEC Becky.

The run game is struggling (Drunk Joe Namath voice), because teams are packing the box against us. We're running into 7-8+ man fronts, especially on short yardage plays. Why? Because they don't respect the QB, therefore, they can just sit back in 2-high playing Cover 3 & watch his eyes all game.

They know he's going 2 places with the ball. To Toney & CJ Daniels, and there's only 4 routes between the 2 of them that he throws;
For Toney - Drag route, Curl route
For CJ - Button Hook, Deep In

If you watch just 2 games worth of film on Becky, you can perfectly sequence when & where he’s going with the ball.

HENCE WHY HE KEEPS THROWING PICKS ON IN-BREAKING ROUTES... But alas.

The reason why he's uncomfortable when he has time to throw, is because he's not an advanced progression reader. He's a one read & throw QB. DC's since LAST YEAR, have figured out, that all you have to do is confuse Becky with coverage. It's not pressure, or disguised looks, just sit back & watch him & he will take you to the ball.

The major difference in the Offense from last year to this year, is that Defenses were scared to Death of Cam & his improvisational ability. The coverages we saw on a weekly basis were of a result of DC's biting their finger nails off in anticipation for how to stop Cam. They'd play Man, they'd play Zone, they'd give us Cover 2, 3, 5, 6, 0, they'd go presnap Blitz & drop 7, they'd go presnap Zone & come with delayed Blitzes, they tried everything & none of it worked, until FSU when our Patron Saint decided he needed a pound of flesh.

But the point is, the Offensive struggles this season are because DC's don't respect our passing attack & they see on film that they don't need to because our QB is going to give them the ball when they need it & our RB's are going to run directly to them.

A better QB = a better Offense
A better Offense = Winning games we should win

Unfortunately, the HC is a firm believer in the idea of being able to win games in spite of your QB & not because of your QB. Which is why he always loses close games against lesser opponents, because he still hasn't figured out the formula.

 

[LeanMeanOrangeGreen]

No, zero chance. Beck stinks and/or his arm is shot

I don’t think he’s been 100% this entire season and I think he was at his lowest from
a health standpoint against Louisville. Some of those throws in the 4th were wobbly, had no zip, and not on target at all. Did not look like a collegiate QB and certainly not a 4 million dollar one. Not making excuses for him and his play that game but something looked totally off. I thought there was a serious possibility we’d rest him against Stanford but that’d also let people know he’s hurt or didn’t fully recover from his injury last year. I could see why this staff and maybe the University wouldn’t want anyone to know we took a gamble on a guy coming off elbow surgery and it didn’t exactly pay off, or that we were throwing someone who wasn’t 100% out on the field every week. Just a theory.

 

[ddann]

At what point do we look at the OC and ask why the passing game isn’t relying on single read throws, which I belief is what spread offenses like to do?

In fact, I’m pretty sure Louisville put on a 1-read throw clinic.

No, that can’t work. You’re just a blindly loyal Beck apologist.

 

[ddann]

I don't think Lyle is fully healthy. He left the game vs ND and hasn't looked sharp since. He's running with hestitation and tentativeness. I wouldn't be surprised if the ND injury aggravated a prior issue.

He's playing because there's no point in shirting RBs unless medically unable to play. They have limited shelf lives, are mostly fungible, and are likely transfer candidates.

This has to be the explanation. He just doesn’t look anything like the RB he was pre-injury last year. Can’t imagine this is what the coaching staff had in mind when they made him the day 1 starter vs ND.

 

[ddann]

If we truly do let it rip, look like a playoff team and go 4-0 is everyone going to sit around and congratulate Mario/Dawson or can we have discussion about them why it took 2 losses to make adjustments?

I get what you’re saying. But it’s November. So the “look like a playoff team and go 4-0” scenario you describe is probably not something we should seriously ponder.

 

[Calinative]

I like what I saw with JoJo last week.

I think he's getting too much criticism for the drop/INT (which was bad).

Lance Roffers is the man - but I disagree when he called that the turning point in the game. It happened with 10 minutes left in the 2nd Quarter.

IMO - the complete bust in our secondary on the SMU TD pass on the next play was worse.

It was the turning point but not because of the result on the field. It was the turning point because this staff turtles anytime Beck gets a turnover or negative play and immediately it being followed by a TD, made the staff enter the fetal position. Simple as that. Did we have a single target further than than 10yards or the 1st down marker (whichever deeper) the rest of the game? Jojo only other target was the screen lol

 

[Ironmanfootball]

This has to be the explanation. He just doesn’t look anything like the RB he was pre-injury last year. Can’t imagine this is what the coaching staff had in mind when they made him the day 1 starter vs ND.

Which brings me back to the injuries. If Lyle was supposed to be THE GUY and he is injured / not 100%, then maybe there's 'less injuries' so far but the quality of them is huge

 

[Memnon]

 

[TRick72]

But he got caught, so I wouldn't say that's a strength

Maybe…maybe not

 

[TRick72]

More than likely yes but we don’t. But the question or ponder to me isn’t whether Beck is as good as Cam, he’s not by a large margin, to me is it are we running the same plays under the same parameters? We’re slower pace/tempo. Gives us no time to change or audible out. Cam changed a ton of plays last year. If he was forced to run 13 straight A gap runs on 3/4th short do we see similar results as this year?

We don’t need the O to be as good as last year and we don’t need Beck to be Cam. We need our staff to put us in a better position with some different or diversified looks, break tendencies we all see as couch jockeys and stop playing not to lose. It’s going to make it a lot easier to be successful.

If we truly do let it rip, look like a playoff team and go 4-0 is everyone going to sit around and congratulate Mario/Dawson or can we have discussion about them why it took 2 losses to make adjustments?

 

[bshaw28]

It was the turning point but not because of the result on the field. It was the turning point because this staff turtles anytime Beck gets a turnover or negative play and immediately it being followed by a TD, made the staff enter the fetal position. Simple as that. Did we have a single target further than 10yards or the 1st down marker (whichever deeper) the rest of the game? Jojo only other target was the screen lol

Yes - we had 3 on just our last drive:

3rd & 5 - Marion 30 yd catch (called back because illegal man downfield)
3rd & 15 - Marion 16 yd catch on 3rd & 15 (16 yds in the air)
3rd & 8 - Marion 30 yd incomplete pass (the stupid holding / no interference call)

I'm 100% with you - our play calling leans too conservative & predictable. But we're still taking shots.

But the Defense....SMU had the ball on their own 10 with 2 minutes left in regulation. There's no excuse for the D not stopping them.

 

[janneke99]

If Lofton, the starting tight end, hurt his shoulder which affected his blocking, than hurt his leg which affected his mobility, and his on field play has been sub par, why do you keep playing him?

Lack of depth, dont trust the young tight ends, well simplify their roles and give them a try. cant be worse.

Lack of depth, don't trust the young tight ends, than use less 2 tight end sets, and get more wide receivers on the field........ at least try something to improve instead of trying the same thing!!!!!