8 reasons to be optimistic for the 2017 Griz

[sdk.catfish]

I was going to post this on another thread but that one pretty much got hijacked. I acknowledge that I could have made errors - lots of numbers to crunch.

Here are 9 reasons for potential optimism in 2017 if these areas could be statistically improved and the areas where we ranked near the top of the conference were maintained. It seems to me that some of them they are more dependent on coaching that talent. They are areas I will be watching for improvement in 2017. Realistically I don’t think we should expect the Griz to win the conference unless improvement in these types of areas is achieved.

SPECIAL TEAMS
1. PAT – the Griz were dead last in PAT success rate at 82%. PSU had a success percentage of 100, 3 teams had a 98% success rate and the conference average was 94%. Moving our percentage up to the 2016 conference average would be a huge improvement.
2. Kick Return Yards – The Griz were 10th in the conference in Kick return Average and 4th in Punt Return average (good). Just a 4 yard improvement in kick returns would have moved us to 2nd in the conference. Some improvement in this area would yield better starting field position.

PENALTIES
3. Penalties – The Griz were tied for 3rd with NAU for the highest number of penalties (79) and alone at 3rd in penalty yards (719). The conference average for penalty yards was 645 with 5 teams having less than 600 yards. Striving to reduce penalty yardage to 600 yards in 2017 might keep some offensive drives alive and stop opponent’s drives.

OFFENSE – in general many of the offensive statistics rank the Griz in the top tier of the conference. There is room for improvement in some areas including:

4. Rushing Yards – I realize that Stitt’s offense is pass orientated but the Griz were 10th in the conference in rushing yards. Cal Poly had 4337; UM had 1932; Conference Average was 2345. Improving rushing yards by even 10% would move us to 2146 yards and at least in the middle of the pack.
5. Time of Possession – MT was 5th in the conference in TOP (not bad). The 10% increase in rushing yards (or other factors like penalty reduction) could move us near the top of the pack, decreasing the demands put on the defense.
6. Sacks Allowed – MT was tied for 10th, with EWU and N. Dakota, in sacks allowed with 24. A passing team should expect more sacks but even a small improvement of 4 less sacks per year would move us to sixth in the conference.
7. Fumbles Lost – Griz were 4th in the conference in most fumbles lost with 10. Losing 4 less fumbles would have placed us tied for 4th least fumbles lost. 4th least would be a solid goal for 2017

DEFENSE – Defensive statistics were not bad and small improvements might make a big difference. Here are a couple.

8. Rush Yards Allowed – Griz were 6th in the conference in 2016. A 10 % improvement would have placed us 4th and that would be a solid goal for 2017.
9. Yards per Catch Allowed – Griz were dead last in the conference with 15 yards per catch allowed. This is something that needs cleaning up in 2017. Striving for a conference average (12.6) would be a drastic improvement.

 

[Diesel]

DEFENSE – Defensive statistics were not bad and small improvements might make a big difference. Here are a couple.

8. Rush Yards Allowed – Griz were 6th in the conference in 2016. A 10 % improvement would have placed us 4th and that would be a solid goal for 2017.
9. Yards per Catch Allowed – Griz were dead last in the conference with 15 yards per catch allowed. This is something that needs cleaning up in 2017. Striving for a conference average (12.6) would be a drastic improvement.[/quote]

The D-line in 2016 was flat out lacking DTs. Johnson played well and was consistent entire year. Kidder should have been a dynamic DE, but instead had to play too many snaps and had to fill in at DT too much, his diverse ability to line up anywhere on D-line was great, but fewer snaps could have helped him to have a greater impact towards the end of the games, he also fought through some injuries and not knocking the guy he was a beast. Buss was dynamic rusher from the LB position at times, but suffered injuries that slowed him down. Sims first year starter became less effective probably due to his size playing DT. Then the two transfer DTs play okay, but didn't finish the year well. When the D-line tired at the end of games the QBs had clean pockets to throw from or huge running lanes.

Would have liked to see Johnson and Kidder around one more year. Looks like the DEs will be stacked in 2017 and the two transfer DTs from 2016 will have some help with Sims getting bigger and Longria should be ready to get into the rotation, maybe Bradley will be available also. Maybe the deep LB core can give another upstart like Buss to help with the rush.

Consistent front four will really help the pass defense.

 

[PlayerRep]

I was going to post this on another thread but that one pretty much got hijacked. I acknowledge that I could have made errors - lots of numbers to crunch.

Here are 9 reasons for potential optimism in 2017 if these areas could be statistically improved and the areas where we ranked near the top of the conference were maintained. It seems to me that some of them they are more dependent on coaching that talent. They are areas I will be watching for improvement in 2017. Realistically I don’t think we should expect the Griz to win the conference unless improvement in these types of areas is achieved.

SPECIAL TEAMS
1. PAT – the Griz were dead last in PAT success rate at 82%. PSU had a success percentage of 100, 3 teams had a 98% success rate and the conference average was 94%. Moving our percentage up to the 2016 conference average would be a huge improvement.
2. Kick Return Yards – The Griz were 10th in the conference in Kick return Average and 4th in Punt Return average (good). Just a 4 yard improvement in kick returns would have moved us to 2nd in the conference. Some improvement in this area would yield better starting field position.

PENALTIES
3. Penalties – The Griz were tied for 3rd with NAU for the highest number of penalties (79) and alone at 3rd in penalty yards (719). The conference average for penalty yards was 645 with 5 teams having less than 600 yards. Striving to reduce penalty yardage to 600 yards in 2017 might keep some offensive drives alive and stop opponent’s drives.

OFFENSE – in general many of the offensive statistics rank the Griz in the top tier of the conference. There is room for improvement in some areas including:

4. Rushing Yards – I realize that Stitt’s offense is pass orientated but the Griz were 10th in the conference in rushing yards. Cal Poly had 4337; UM had 1932; Conference Average was 2345. Improving rushing yards by even 10% would move us to 2146 yards and at least in the middle of the pack.
5. Time of Possession – MT was 5th in the conference in TOP (not bad). The 10% increase in rushing yards (or other factors like penalty reduction) could move us near the top of the pack, decreasing the demands put on the defense.
6. Sacks Allowed – MT was tied for 10th, with EWU and N. Dakota, in sacks allowed with 24. A passing team should expect more sacks but even a small improvement of 4 less sacks per year would move us to sixth in the conference.
7. Fumbles Lost – Griz were 4th in the conference in most fumbles lost with 10. Losing 4 less fumbles would have placed us tied for 4th least fumbles lost. 4th least would be a solid goal for 2017

DEFENSE – Defensive statistics were not bad and small improvements might make a big difference. Here are a couple.

8. Rush Yards Allowed – Griz were 6th in the conference in 2016. A 10 % improvement would have placed us 4th and that would be a solid goal for 2017.
9. Yards per Catch Allowed – Griz were dead last in the conference with 15 yards per catch allowed. This is something that needs cleaning up in 2017. Striving for a conference average (12.6) would be a drastic improvement.

I think UM was the 2d worst team in the nation for average per catch given up. 14.95. Presbyterian gave up more.

 

[MikeyGriz]

How about if we turned around and looked for the ball when we're defending a pass? Might lead to some knocked down balls, fewer penalties, or maybe even some interceptions!

 

[grizcountry420]

How about if we turned around and looked for the ball when we're defending a pass? Might lead to some knocked down balls, fewer penalties, or maybe even some interceptions!

I agree. You would think a DB would have some sense when the ball is coming their way, to turn around and find the ball instead of just straight up face guarding receiver all of the time. And if the ball is under thrown you might as well just give them 15 yards cause our DB will be running in to the receiver. That drove me nuts watching our DB's cover down field..

 

[fanofzoo]

How about if we turned around and looked for the ball when we're defending a pass? Might lead to some knocked down balls, fewer penalties, or maybe even some interceptions!

Not sure but the coaches tell them to do that, WTF.

 

[AZGrizFan]

How about if we turned around and looked for the ball when we're defending a pass? Might lead to some knocked down balls, fewer penalties, or maybe even some interceptions!

I agree. You would think a DB would have some sense when the ball is coming their way, to turn around and find the ball instead of just straight up face guarding receiver all of the time. And if the ball is under thrown you might as well just give them 15 yards cause our DB will be running in to the receiver. That drove me nuts watching our DB's cover down field..

Watching most of the bowl games it seems as if most DB's are coached to do this instead of turning to look at/find the ball....not all, but most.

 

[grizcountry420]

How about if we turned around and looked for the ball when we're defending a pass? Might lead to some knocked down balls, fewer penalties, or maybe even some interceptions!

I agree. You would think a DB would have some sense when the ball is coming their way, to turn around and find the ball instead of just straight up face guarding receiver all of the time. And if the ball is under thrown you might as well just give them 15 yards cause our DB will be running in to the receiver. That drove me nuts watching our DB's cover down field..

Watching most of the bowl games it seems as if most DB's are coached to do this instead of turning to look at/find the ball....not all, but most.

I noticed that too.

 

[argh!]

How about if we turned around and looked for the ball when we're defending a pass? Might lead to some knocked down balls, fewer penalties, or maybe even some interceptions!

I agree. You would think a DB would have some sense when the ball is coming their way, to turn around and find the ball instead of just straight up face guarding receiver all of the time. And if the ball is under thrown you might as well just give them 15 yards cause our DB will be running in to the receiver. That drove me nuts watching our DB's cover down field..

Watching most of the bowl games it seems as if most DB's are coached to do this instead of turning to look at/find the ball....not all, but most.

I noticed that too.

me, too. do you know if there is a relatively recent change in the rules that allows for corners to not play the ball? or was it always like that, and coaching philosophies have changed regarding how to best cover a a receiver?