2 posessions and the O line

[hm.grwn.grizfan]

After watching the game again and rewinding frequently, I've come to a conclusion about this years griz. They are just a few mistakes from being a GREAT team!!!! I know this sounds like sugar coating, however, our boys were oh so close despite their being outplayed for much of last sarurdays' game. We are obviously handicapped on the o line due to our losses, however, we were nonetheless in a position to win the game against a very good NDSU team. This game was VERY winnable, we just need our line (and particularly our fullbacks) to take notes from NDSUS. The difference right now b/w our line and theirs is our tackles and guards ability to get off their initial block and progress to the 2nd level, as well as their "pulling" technique. NDSUS line consistently did this, which allowed them to run the ball at will. Watch #59 and how he pulls @ the 1:55 mark of the game. The speed that their tackles pull makes all the difference in the world. Our guys at this point don't pull with half the speed! Additionally, watch their fullback (#46) and how he absolutely explodes off the snap and IMMEDIATELY dominates his assignment. Even with our inexperienced line, the game could have swung our way with just a few tweeks, and more importantly, a bit more experience. Down 12-7 with less than 1 minute left in the half we were on the 3 yard line and gave up a sack, which forced us to kick a field goal. We closed the half down 12-10. Punch that in we win the first half,despite our lack of consistency on offense. In the second half, we had a chance to get within 2pts of NDSU and score the first points on them this season in the second half when on their 18 yard line after moving the ball well with both the run and pass for the first time in the game, JJ threw an ill-advised pass up for grabs in the end zone resulting in a pick. This was (IMO) the turning point in the game which sealed the grizzlies' fate. Long and short of it, is that if we clean up our errors, and approach each opponent with the same vigor that we brought to NDSU, we should be more than capable of garnering a playoff bid if not an auto bid. Here's to our grizzlies dominating their conference schedule, and garnering the Big Sky conference auto bid this season!! Go GRIZ!!

 

[grizeyes]

After watching the game again and rewinding frequently, I've come to a conclusion about this years griz. They are just a few mistakes from being a GREAT team!!!! I know this sounds like sugar coating, however, our boys were oh so close despite their being outplayed for much of last sarurdays' game. We are obviously handicapped on the o line due to our losses, however, we were nonetheless in a position to win the game against a very good NDSU team. This game was VERY winnable, we just need our line (and particularly our fullbacks) to take notes from NDSUS. The difference right now b/w our line and theirs is our tackles and guards ability to get off their initial block and progress to the 2nd level, as well as their "pulling" technique. NDSUS line consistently did this, which allowed them to run the ball at will. Watch #59 and how he pulls @ the 1:55 mark of the game. The speed that their tackles pull makes all the difference in the world. Our guys at this point don't pull with half the speed! Additionally, watch their fullback (#46) and how he absolutely explodes off the snap and IMMEDIATELY dominates his assignment. Even with our inexperienced line, the game could have swung our way with just a few tweeks, and more importantly, a bit more experience. Down 12-7 with less than 1 minute left in the half we were on the 3 yard line and gave up a sack, which forced us to kick a field goal. We closed the half down 12-10. Punch that in we win the first half,despite our lack of consistency on offense. In the second half, we had a chance to get within 2pts of NDSU and score the first points on them this season in the second half when on their 18 yard line after moving the ball well with both the run and pass for the first time in the game, JJ threw an ill-advised pass up for grabs in the end zone resulting in a pick. This was (IMO) the turning point in the game which sealed the grizzlies' fate. Long and short of it, is that if we clean up our errors, and approach each opponent with the same vigor that we brought to NDSU, we should be more than capable of garnering a playoff bid if not an auto bid. Here's to our grizzlies dominating their conference schedule, and garnering the Big Sky conference auto bid this season!! Go GRIZ!!

Great post. I'm always optimistic about our Griz. D is good and as you pointed out, the O might be a few games from getting there as well. I'm somewhat less optimistic about our coaching - hopefully the coaching will prove many of us wrong and we will see improvement in our offense. O line experience will help as well as planning, scheming, game adjustments, play calling, etc.
GO GRIZ!!!

 

[ranco]

I think the difference in the game was the opening of the third quarter. We kicked a field goal at the end of the half and had some momentum, knowing we get the ball to begin the second half. NDSU did what ever very good team does to begin a half. They stuffed the griz, who go 3 and out. They then methodically drive the ball down for a touchdown. That, more than anything displayed the difference between the teams. We could have gotten lucky and won the game, but there was no question who the better team was.

 

[Proud Griz Man]

This game was VERY winnable, we just need our line (and particularly our fullbacks) to take notes from NDSUS. The difference right now b/w our line and theirs is our tackles and guards ability to get off their initial block and progress to the 2nd level, as well as their "pulling" technique.
Long and short of it, is that if we clean up our errors, and approach each opponent with the same vigor that we brought to NDSU, we should be more than capable of garnering a playoff bid if not an auto bid. Here's to our grizzlies dominating their conference schedule, and garnering the Big Sky conference auto bid this season!! Go GRIZ!!

Very interesting commentary Home Grown! The Negative Neggies will label you as sugar coater.

Time and more practice will help our offensive line. Improved offensive line play gives JJ an extra second or two to throw (not a weak throw off his back foot while falling away) and a stronger and healthy Henderson (who goes to the ball and fights for possession) has a chance to make that touchdown.

The NDSU press corp and fans were saying something like 'except for 4-5 plays this could have been a shutout'. So if your aunt had balls, she would be your uncle.

 

[monte is a character]

After watching the game again and rewinding frequently, I've come to a conclusion about this years griz. They are just a few mistakes from being a GREAT team!!!! I know this sounds like sugar coating, however, our boys were oh so close despite their being outplayed for much of last sarurdays' game. We are obviously handicapped on the o line due to our losses, however, we were nonetheless in a position to win the game against a very good NDSU team. This game was VERY winnable, we just need our line (and particularly our fullbacks) to take notes from NDSUS. The difference right now b/w our line and theirs is our tackles and guards ability to get off their initial block and progress to the 2nd level, as well as their "pulling" technique. NDSUS line consistently did this, which allowed them to run the ball at will. Watch #59 and how he pulls @ the 1:55 mark of the game. The speed that their tackles pull makes all the difference in the world. Our guys at this point don't pull with half the speed! Additionally, watch their fullback (#46) and how he absolutely explodes off the snap and IMMEDIATELY dominates his assignment. Even with our inexperienced line, the game could have swung our way with just a few tweeks, and more importantly, a bit more experience. Down 12-7 with less than 1 minute left in the half we were on the 3 yard line and gave up a sack, which forced us to kick a field goal. We closed the half down 12-10. Punch that in we win the first half,despite our lack of consistency on offense. In the second half, we had a chance to get within 2pts of NDSU and score the first points on them this season in the second half when on their 18 yard line after moving the ball well with both the run and pass for the first time in the game, JJ threw an ill-advised pass up for grabs in the end zone resulting in a pick. This was (IMO) the turning point in the game which sealed the grizzlies' fate. Long and short of it, is that if we clean up our errors, and approach each opponent with the same vigor that we brought to NDSU, we should be more than capable of garnering a playoff bid if not an auto bid. Here's to our grizzlies dominating their conference schedule, and garnering the Big Sky conference auto bid this season!! Go GRIZ!!

If the rabbit had not stopped to........

I had to laugh at your post. You started out saying that the speed, tenacity, and execution of the NDSU O-line was the difference between theirs and ours. If our our boys could only get off their initial blocks and get to the second tier just like NDSU, we would have a great line. Duh, no kidding? You don't teach talent and speed. Every team in the nation wants their offensive line to do the things you stated. Most don't do it very well. That's why there is a vast difference in the talent level between 6'5" 300 lb. linemen throughout the nation. Every college team has 'em. Few have the great ones.

 

[spsyk]

NDSU move the ball at will into the red zone, and we're limited to kicking five FG,s that is a credit to how well the defense played, however the defense spend more time on the field then they should have, wearing them out the final ten minuets.

On the other hand playing JJ as a pro set offense and not a spread offense, failed to the degree of no running game, and no sustained drives, and not allowing JJ the ability to be the QB he was brought to Montana for, and returning the defense back not even getting a breather. IMO the failure of the two OC,s and the HC.


The athletes are there for the spread, although not the knowledge of two OC's and a volunteer HC.

Both the Wyoming and the NDSU were winnable games, although regrettably not with this staff, possiblely with the exception of Gregorak.

It also a credit to JJ and his toughness that he only suffer a concussion, and a beating, and still able to dress on Saturday s.

 

[mikegriz]

After watching the game again and rewinding frequently, I've come to a conclusion about this years griz. They are just a few mistakes from being a GREAT team!!!! I know this sounds like sugar coating, however, our boys were oh so close despite their being outplayed for much of last sarurdays' game. We are obviously handicapped on the o line due to our losses, however, we were nonetheless in a position to win the game against a very good NDSU team. This game was VERY winnable, we just need our line (and particularly our fullbacks) to take notes from NDSUS. The difference right now b/w our line and theirs is our tackles and guards ability to get off their initial block and progress to the 2nd level, as well as their "pulling" technique. NDSUS line consistently did this, which allowed them to run the ball at will. Watch #59 and how he pulls @ the 1:55 mark of the game. The speed that their tackles pull makes all the difference in the world. Our guys at this point don't pull with half the speed! Additionally, watch their fullback (#46) and how he absolutely explodes off the snap and IMMEDIATELY dominates his assignment. Even with our inexperienced line, the game could have swung our way with just a few tweeks, and more importantly, a bit more experience. Down 12-7 with less than 1 minute left in the half we were on the 3 yard line and gave up a sack, which forced us to kick a field goal. We closed the half down 12-10. Punch that in we win the first half,despite our lack of consistency on offense. In the second half, we had a chance to get within 2pts of NDSU and score the first points on them this season in the second half when on their 18 yard line after moving the ball well with both the run and pass for the first time in the game, JJ threw an ill-advised pass up for grabs in the end zone resulting in a pick. This was (IMO) the turning point in the game which sealed the grizzlies' fate. Long and short of it, is that if we clean up our errors, and approach each opponent with the same vigor that we brought to NDSU, we should be more than capable of garnering a playoff bid if not an auto bid. Here's to our grizzlies dominating their conference schedule, and garnering the Big Sky conference auto bid this season!! Go GRIZ!!

If the rabbit had not stopped to........

I had to laugh at your post. You started out saying that the speed, tenacity, and execution of the NDSU O-line was the difference between theirs and ours. If our our boys could only get off their initial blocks and get to the second tier just like NDSU, we would have a great line. Duh, no kidding? You don't teach talent and speed. Every team in the nation wants their offensive line to do the things you stated. Most don't do it very well. That's why there is a vast difference in the talent level between 6'5" 300 lb. linemen throughout the nation. Every college team has 'em. Few have the great ones.

It was pretty clear that the poster thinks the Griz can get off their initial blocks and get to the 2nd level. Why assume we lack either talent or speed? From what I've seen, they've got potential.

 

[tgreseth]

If the rabbit had not stopped to........

I had to laugh at your post. You started out saying that the speed, tenacity, and execution of the NDSU O-line was the difference between theirs and ours. If our our boys could only get off their initial blocks and get to the second tier just like NDSU, we would have a great line. Duh, no kidding? You don't teach talent and speed. Every team in the nation wants their offensive line to do the things you stated. Most don't do it very well. That's why there is a vast difference in the talent level between 6'5" 300 lb. linemen throughout the nation. Every college team has 'em. Few have the great ones.

It was pretty clear that the poster thinks the Griz can get off their initial blocks and get to the 2nd level. Why assume we lack either talent or speed? From what I've seen, they've got potential.

You know who you're responding to right? This is the one and only Steve Dill aka "too many screen names to remember." This is his schtick...everything is wrong, nothing is right. He's a troll extraordinaire!

 

[Sam A. Blitz]

After watching the game again and rewinding frequently, I've come to a conclusion about this years griz. They are just a few mistakes from being a GREAT team!!!! I know this sounds like sugar coating, however, our boys were oh so close despite their being outplayed for much of last sarurdays' game. We are obviously handicapped on the o line due to our losses, however, we were nonetheless in a position to win the game against a very good NDSU team. This game was VERY winnable, we just need our line (and particularly our fullbacks) to take notes from NDSUS. The difference right now b/w our line and theirs is our tackles and guards ability to get off their initial block and progress to the 2nd level, as well as their "pulling" technique. NDSUS line consistently did this, which allowed them to run the ball at will. Watch #59 and how he pulls @ the 1:55 mark of the game. The speed that their tackles pull makes all the difference in the world. Our guys at this point don't pull with half the speed! Additionally, watch their fullback (#46) and how he absolutely explodes off the snap and IMMEDIATELY dominates his assignment. Even with our inexperienced line, the game could have swung our way with just a few tweeks, and more importantly, a bit more experience. Down 12-7 with less than 1 minute left in the half we were on the 3 yard line and gave up a sack, which forced us to kick a field goal. We closed the half down 12-10. Punch that in we win the first half,despite our lack of consistency on offense. In the second half, we had a chance to get within 2pts of NDSU and score the first points on them this season in the second half when on their 18 yard line after moving the ball well with both the run and pass for the first time in the game, JJ threw an ill-advised pass up for grabs in the end zone resulting in a pick. This was (IMO) the turning point in the game which sealed the grizzlies' fate. Long and short of it, is that if we clean up our errors, and approach each opponent with the same vigor that we brought to NDSU, we should be more than capable of garnering a playoff bid if not an auto bid. Here's to our grizzlies dominating their conference schedule, and garnering the Big Sky conference auto bid this season!! Go GRIZ!!

If the rabbit had not stopped to........

I had to laugh at your post. You started out saying that the speed, tenacity, and execution of the NDSU O-line was the difference between theirs and ours. If our our boys could only get off their initial blocks and get to the second tier just like NDSU, we would have a great line. Duh, no kidding? You don't teach talent and speed. Every team in the nation wants their offensive line to do the things you stated. Most don't do it very well. That's why there is a vast difference in the talent level between 6'5" 300 lb. linemen throughout the nation. Every college team has 'em. Few have the great ones.

His post was much more insightful than yours. Your the one stating the obvious... except that you can teach talent. OL is a very technical position. I've seen very physically talented linemen fail because they weren't smart enough, didn't work in the weight room, and/or couldn't execute. NDSU's OL isn't dominant because they are the most talented, it's dominant because they execute, are experienced, and know a system that is well established. Our young OL is showing noticable improvement. NDSU was a great learning experience for them and they will be a better unit because of it.

 

[Bison Dan]

4 of our OL are new this year. Only 1 returning starter.