GFN: Growing Pains & Silver Linings

[GrizFanNews]

Life got in the way of my writing this week, so this isn't exactly timely...

Food or thought though as a challenging non-conference season is over and the Griz head into conference play.

http://www.grizfannews.com/the-liberty-game-growing-pains-and-silver-linings/

 

[Cotton-eyed Hoe]

Fantastic write-up!

 

[tgreseth]

Excellent write-up and love the use of vids to show your observations. Thanks for doing this!

 

[bgbigdog]

Great write up. The Roberts situation in the end zone was PI, the refs front/back of the play just blew the call. Am wondering what you think about the issue of receivers getting separation this past couple of games? Against NDSU it seemed like they were running free all over the field and the explosives were there, thus the points and drives continuing. This may be one of the issues with trying to drop passes into a window to Chase, shortest guy on the field.

 

[EverettGriz]

Great job as always GFN.

 

[kemajic]

Am wondering what you think about the issue of receivers getting separation this past couple of games? Against NDSU it seemed like they were running free all over the field and the explosives were there, thus the points and drives continuing. This may be one of the issues with trying to drop passes into a window to Chase, shortest guy on the field.

NDSU had no film on us. Now DC's have sufficient film to review and prepare. It's tougher to have wide open receivers. They (especially EH) seemed to be working harder to get open Saturday than they did in Lynchburg; and Chalich had several completions to well-covered receivers against NAU.

 

[nzone]

Good read. Thanks

 

[BWahlberg]

Again a great write up - love the vine/video clips.

A few added thoughts;

- I assume you were just being a little facetious calling Naccarato 5-4, he's 5-7 but that doesn't change your point. The CPSLO game wasnt an over-throw by Gus though, a flat out drop by Chase - the ball hit him right in the hands. It might've been a tad early but I go back to what you always hear coaches say, if it hits you in the hands you should catch it. I do agree with your points on best using him though.

- With Josh Jannsen I just don't know how to feel. I can't imagine the coaches are simply keeping him on the bench to prove a point to him or treat him like crap. Could it be he's not learning the playbook? I just feel there's more than what's on the surface here.

- Matt Berg, something specifically I wanted to bring up in the reply. He left Montana b/c Pflu wouldn't keep him at QB. He was here as kicker and QB and when he was told he would not stay in the QB rotation he left. That was 2010 or 2011 and we had a ton of QBs ahead of him including Jordan Johnson, Gerald Kemp, SSH, and shortly after even Gus and Simis. Berg I believe was asked to stay as a kicker and he opted to leave to try to be a QB (at least that's what I was always told).

- On the broader point of "will talented players leave"? That's always something we'll see with a new coach, you're right the honeymoon is fading and this off-season I bet some players (WRs for sure) will head to somewhere else. I don't think we'll lose any defense guys as long as Ty doesn't go anywhere (which I don't see).

- Totally agree this team is beating itself more than it's getting beat. We could be 4-0 and probably the #1 or #2 team in the country... but honestly I like the position they're in now because they're more accurately represented at 2-2 and in the 12/13/14/15 range. If this team was 4-0 and lets say beat Poly by 1 and beat Liberty by a score - and then this last week - would anyone actually believe this was a legit top 5 team? I would have a hard time believing it. Early losses don't hurt as bad as late ones, hopefully the team can keep improving.

- ST is getting better every week and in the last 2 games has given the offense 3 short field spots (sadly only 9 points scored on those I believe) Good call there, people bitching about ST are just pointing at the kicker and some missed short fieldgoals. Otherwise they've been pretty good.

 

[griz4life]

I doubt Jannsen is being overlooked. Coaches like to use players with the highest completion percentages. Stitt indicated as much in the Missoulian a week or two ago. Catch more catches in practice and you'll get more playing time.

 

[griz5700]

Jannsen was running with the 1s and 2s all of spring and most of fall camp. In fact I think he ended fall camp as a projected starter. Guy catches everything and is pretty tough after contact. He could help this team. Weird deal.

 

[jcglfer]

Awesome write up!! Thank you.

 

[kemajic]

- ST is getting better every week and in the last 2 games has given the offense 3 short field spots (sadly only 9 points scored on those I believe) Good call there, people bitching about ST are just pointing at the kicker and some missed short fieldgoals. Otherwise they've been pretty good.

Do you think our kick return game is "pretty good?"

 

[BWahlberg]

- ST is getting better every week and in the last 2 games has given the offense 3 short field spots (sadly only 9 points scored on those I believe) Good call there, people bitching about ST are just pointing at the kicker and some missed short fieldgoals. Otherwise they've been pretty good.

Do you think our kick return game is "pretty good?"

Like most of ST it's improved. It didn't start the best but has fared much better in the last two weeks.

 

[Ursus1]

no evidence to support, but I wonder if Jannsen dropped a few and now has a case of the dropsies. Like a golfer who shanks an iron...they then seem to come in piles and messes with your head causing more

 

[kemajic]

- ST is getting better every week and in the last 2 games has given the offense 3 short field spots (sadly only 9 points scored on those I believe) Good call there, people bitching about ST are just pointing at the kicker and some missed short fieldgoals. Otherwise they've been pretty good.

Do you think our kick return game is "pretty good?"

Like most of ST it's improved. It didn't start the best but has fared much better in the last two weeks.

Our best KO returns are the touchbacks.

 

[AZGrizFan]

- ST is getting better every week and in the last 2 games has given the offense 3 short field spots (sadly only 9 points scored on those I believe) Good call there, people bitching about ST are just pointing at the kicker and some missed short fieldgoals. Otherwise they've been pretty good.

Do you think our kick return game is "pretty good?"

Like most of ST it's improved. It didn't start the best but has fared much better in the last two weeks.

Our best KO returns are the touchbacks.

Length of KO return/starting field position where returns were attempted:

NDSU game:13/13 (Counts), 21/24 (Henderson)
CP game: 17/19 (Jones), 40/44 (Henderson), 15/17 (Jones), 3/41 (Henderson)
Liberty game: 26/34 (Henderson), 18/18 (Henderson), 15/19 (Henderson)
NAU: No returns on KO's

So, outside of the one squib kick by CP, we've started outside the 25 exactly twice in 8 KO return attempts. One thing to note, however, is that NONE of these attempts were from inside the end zone...two were taken AT the goal line but all others were kicked short of the end zone....not sure they've got a choice there, kem.

 

[BWahlberg]

Length of KO return/starting field position where returns were attempted:

NDSU game:13/13 (Counts), 21/24 (Henderson)
CP game: 17/19 (Jones), 40/44 (Henderson), 15/17 (Jones), 3/41 (Henderson)
Liberty game: 26/34 (Henderson), 18/18 (Henderson), 15/19 (Henderson)
NAU: No returns on KO's

So, outside of the one squib kick by CP, we've started outside the 25 exactly twice in 8 KO return attempts. One thing to note, however, is that NONE of these attempts were from inside the end zone...two were taken AT the goal line but all others were kicked short of the end zone....not sure they've got a choice there, kem.

I think the Counts return was a yard or two deep - remember he stutter stepped and lost momentum when crossing the goal line and lost a lot of momentum. Don't think he did returns after that one...