Good, Bad, Ugly - ISU

[PlayerRep]

I noticed something watching the replay last night...on a couple of the longer QB scrambles (not up the middle, but broken plays), both OLB's had crashed inside, and the CB's were running with the WR's, so the outsides were wide OPEN for the QB....if THAT's by design, that's gotta change.

There is a lack of RB coverage on several plays last week and in previous games. Strahm is a powerful mudder, wouldn't want to battle him in cramped quarters, but he lacks closing speed and one step lead by QBs in the last three games they run for big gains. Looks like he has had QB run responsibility on several QB scrambles and he makes play for QB and is out of position or too slow to make tackle. Also have to take into account with no huddle play subbing players for down and distance can't happen offense can spread things out and exploit big personel packages. Funny how when teams play fast like Stitt our defense doesn't respond well so far this year.
The results have been good a win is a win just worry about better teams exploiting defense if some adjustments are not implemented soon. BTY I am impressed with the talent the coaches have brought into the program there are injuries hurting the defense and not looking for coaching changes. Alexander and Epperly had a good game nice to see several players involved.

Strahm is not a mudder. He is mobile and fairly fast. Played safety in high school. Is fairly good in pass coverage.

Don't care if he was faster than Bolt in high school. He couldn't keep up with the QBs in the last three games when they took off on scrambles. Against EWU in the third quarter 3rd and long Strahm delays and takes a gap right, Gage steps to his left and starts to scramble Strahm backs out of his rush and touches Gabe but is too slow to tackle him Gage gains about 20 Yards Strahm was left in the dust. Strahm was either out of position or attempted to make a play on the QB and was too slow or maybe both. ISU same set up and the 235 LB QB out sprints Strahm. I don't need to talk to coaches to see the TV coverage that gave a clear picture.
Strahm is not fast enough to slow rush and make play on QB scrambles in the last three games.
The defense is better with Strahm, Strahm admitted missing a couple of tackles post game he takes responsibility and is a good team leader. Does not change the film, he is slower than the last three QBs and the ISU QB doesn't look like speed is one of his assets. Problem for the defense when this happens in man to man coverage. Chances are Griz will be torched by QB scrambles if defense doesn't adjust.
One other issue is RB coverage if the ISU QB wasn't focused on his brother the RBs were wide open I'm sure every OC we will face this year noticed.

So you expect middle backers to be faster than fast qb's? Interesting.

 

[kemajic]

He is mobile and fairly fast. Played safety in high school. Is fairly good in pass coverage.

Was he 241 lb in HS? Troxel went after him big time in the game, not unlike MSU (presume help from Gregorak) last year. They must know something you don't, but how could that be....

When he was younger, lighter and presumably faster, he came into the Cal Poly game to replace KVA who had his bell rung. KVA, with his speed and exceptional tackling skill, had held the edge effectively, but once he was gone CPSLO ran wild on the edge which Strahm could not hold. It was that game that convinced Gregorak that he was not fast enough to play outside and needed to move inside. He had to bulk up and get stronger to play inside, which he did. But there is no evidence to suggest speed is one of his strengths. We needed more leadership than we got out of senior Kidder last year; we need more leadership out of senior Strahm this year.

Two good road wins, but not because of our defensive play. Our offense is just outscoring them.

 

[Diesel]

Are you saying the ISU QB is faster than Studsrud, Cookus, Cantwell, or Murray?
Are you flipping on your assessment on his DB speed?
If he he can't keep up with Sims trailing QB on a scramble than I would agree his speed or lack there of is an issue.
Better scheme or better technique would protect him. Swap out a DB for Strahm or Banks on third and long or allow Strahm to rush and have Banks who seems to be faster spy the QB on these downs.
I respect what you have posted and know coaches and players are fighting injuries and adjusting. Tendencies are occurring on a regular basis as per Strahms play defending QB scrambles. Not knocking the kid he is a solid player, just saying don't expect him to play faster than he can. I trust this can be adusted to protect him and looking forward to that happening.

 

[Diesel]

He is mobile and fairly fast. Played safety in high school. Is fairly good in pass coverage.

Was he 241 lb in HS? Troxel went after him big time in the game, not unlike MSU (presume help from Gregorak) last year. They must know something you don't, but how could that be....

When he was younger, lighter and presumably faster, he came into the Cal Poly game to replace KVA who had his bell rung. KVA, with his speed and exceptional tackling skill, had held the edge effectively, but once he was gone CPSLO ran wild on the edge which Strahm could not hold. It was that game that convinced Gregorak that he was not fast enough to play outside and needed to move inside. He had to bulk up and get stronger to play inside, which he did. But there is no evidence to suggest speed is one of his strengths. We needed more leadership than we got out of senior Kidder last year; we need more leadership out of senior Strahm this year.

Two good road wins, but not because of our defensive play. Our offense is just outscoring them.

:thumb: thanks kemajic well said
Stitt made a comment that graduation solved some of the issues the Griz had last year. Brutally honest remark that is becoming more true as this year progresses. Even after losing a Sr QB in a cupcake game early on this team is progessing well a few things to clean up and a few guys getting healthy things are looking up. Think Kidder just was banged up D line was too thin last year. Sr DBs underperformed and seemed to have a disjointed Sr class. This year's Srs seem to be more unified lead by David Reese, Phillip 's injury has helped ralley the team.

 

[Ursus1]

Are you capable of making a comment without personally attacking a player? Are you capable of making an accurate comment? Are you cabable of making an articulate and clear comment?

Each starting backer missed 2 tackles. No major blown assignments. Rb swing was good against the particular D call and not shown previously on film. This is official but feel free to continue to make your own incorrect assessments.

Question for you...how can a good defensive call not account for a running back? They were not in a position where they needed to send the house and gamble. I am not suggesting it wasn't the call...just whether you think it is sound defensive planning.

Every defensive call has a vulnerable area or two.

But an uncovered running back seems a "blown coverage" in design. What reward was worth that risk in game situation as it was.

 

[PDXGrizzly]

Are you capable of making a comment without personally attacking a player? Are you capable of making an accurate comment? Are you cabable of making an articulate and clear comment?

Each starting backer missed 2 tackles. No major blown assignments. Rb swing was good against the particular D call and not shown previously on film. This is official but feel free to continue to make your own incorrect assessments.

Question for you...how can a good defensive call not account for a running back? They were not in a position where they needed to send the house and gamble. I am not suggesting it wasn't the call...just whether you think it is sound defensive planning.

Every defensive call has a vulnerable area or two.

But an uncovered running back seems a "blown coverage" in design. What reward was worth that risk in game situation as it was.

If you are thinking of the RB touchdown in the beginning of the game, Banks (I think) had the responsibility, but got caught up in the wash on the inside. Left the RB wide open.

 

[IdaGriz01]

... If you are thinking of the RB touchdown in the beginning of the game, Banks (I think) had the responsibility, but got caught up in the wash on the inside. Left the RB wide open.

The announcers mentioned that on replay. He "bit on a fake" (mis-read a read) and took at least two quick steps to the inside. Had no chance to stop, change direction and recover. That, of course, assumes that he did have that coverage responsibility ... which seems likely.

 

[Mavman]

For what ever reason Strahm was not his best Saturday. One play he lowered a shoulder on the ball carrier and almost missed the guy, on another play the te caught the pass and strahm jogged after him as he went out of bounds, on another the back got through the line and Strahm jogged downfield after him. The final play I described had me wondering if he was playing hurt. I like his play usually however Saturday he stood out and I'm sure he would be first to admit not his best game, I'm sure it will come up in the meeting room also when the coaches grade him. I would bet he will be back to playing great next week.

Not intending to disagree with anything you said, and certainly don't want to hurt your feelings, but I already posted what came from the linebacker coach last night after watching the tape. 2 tackles missed by each starting backer (too many), but not other major mistakes made. Wheel route coverage was more of a play call into D call scheme problem, as the play had not been show by ISU previously.

I don't get hurt feelings on a message board. Also read my post I never said anything about the wheel route or missed tackles by LB's. Said Strahm threw a shoulder at a ball carrier and almost missed him. Plus not sure I'm a fan of position coaches talking to fans about game tape. As far as the wheel route I would have thought Banks would have responsibility for a rb coming out of the backfield on that play and it looked like he got sucked inside, oh well it happens.

 

[PlayerRep]

Are you capable of making a comment without personally attacking a player? Are you capable of making an accurate comment? Are you cabable of making an articulate and clear comment?

Each starting backer missed 2 tackles. No major blown assignments. Rb swing was good against the particular D call and not shown previously on film. This is official but feel free to continue to make your own incorrect assessments.

Question for you...how can a good defensive call not account for a running back? They were not in a position where they needed to send the house and gamble. I am not suggesting it wasn't the call...just whether you think it is sound defensive planning.

Every defensive call has a vulnerable area or two.

But an uncovered running back seems a "blown coverage" in design. What reward was worth that risk in game situation as it was.

As I said, every defensive call has a weak or weaker spots. If the offensive play is designed to go into the weak spot, then the offensive play is more likely to succeed. No scheme/play call can cover every single gap, spot, area on the field on every play. Apparently, this play had not been seen on tape, and the call was made right into the weakness of the defensive call. My impression is that Banks may have had other responsibilities on the particular play call, as I don't think he is getting huge blame from the coaches. Again, just my impression and guess.

 

[PlayerRep]

For what ever reason Strahm was not his best Saturday. One play he lowered a shoulder on the ball carrier and almost missed the guy, on another play the te caught the pass and strahm jogged after him as he went out of bounds, on another the back got through the line and Strahm jogged downfield after him. The final play I described had me wondering if he was playing hurt. I like his play usually however Saturday he stood out and I'm sure he would be first to admit not his best game, I'm sure it will come up in the meeting room also when the coaches grade him. I would bet he will be back to playing great next week.

Not intending to disagree with anything you said, and certainly don't want to hurt your feelings, but I already posted what came from the linebacker coach last night after watching the tape. 2 tackles missed by each starting backer (too many), but not other major mistakes made. Wheel route coverage was more of a play call into D call scheme problem, as the play had not been show by ISU previously.

I don't get hurt feelings on a message board. Also read my post I never said anything about the wheel route or missed tackles by LB's. Said Strahm threw a shoulder at a ball carrier and almost missed him. Plus not sure I'm a fan of position coaches talking to fans about game tape. As far as the wheel route I would have thought Banks would have responsibility for a rb coming out of the backfield on that play and it looked like he got sucked inside, oh well it happens.

Coaches talk to "fans" at qb club and otherwise all the time. Hauck used to do a post-game thing with supporters after the game. Don't know if that still occurs. Players talk to parents and some people. Parents talk to people. Information like this spreads in different ways. Nothing said was a secret or confidential. The number of missed tackles had been estimated in the post game press. That info turned out to be accurate. All of the blown assignment claimed by some posters seems to have turned out not to be accurate. Is that a surprise? And yes, everyone who said there were too many missed tackles were absolutely correct.

 

[PlayerRep]

... If you are thinking of the RB touchdown in the beginning of the game, Banks (I think) had the responsibility, but got caught up in the wash on the inside. Left the RB wide open.

The announcers mentioned that on replay. He "bit on a fake" (mis-read a read) and took at least two quick steps to the inside. Had no chance to stop, change direction and recover. That, of course, assumes that he did have that coverage responsibility ... which seems likely.

But the announcers don't know what the defensive play call was and what Banks' responsibilities were on that play. Nor do you or I.

 

[PlayerRep]

He is mobile and fairly fast. Played safety in high school. Is fairly good in pass coverage.

Was he 241 lb in HS? Troxel went after him big time in the game, not unlike MSU (presume help from Gregorak) last year. They must know something you don't, but how could that be....

When he was younger, lighter and presumably faster, he came into the Cal Poly game to replace KVA who had his bell rung. KVA, with his speed and exceptional tackling skill, had held the edge effectively, but once he was gone CPSLO ran wild on the edge which Strahm could not hold. It was that game that convinced Gregorak that he was not fast enough to play outside and needed to move inside. He had to bulk up and get stronger to play inside, which he did. But there is no evidence to suggest speed is one of his strengths. We needed more leadership than we got out of senior Kidder last year; we need more leadership out of senior Strahm this year.

Two good road wins, but not because of our defensive play. Our offense is just outscoring them.

First, I doubt that Strahm currently weighs 241 now. Of course, a safety converted to linebacker with a lot more weight would normally not be as fast as he was, but he doesn't have to be as fast to play linebacker. You may be right on Strahm's speed, but I don't think you are. I see no evidence that Strahm is not plenty fast and mobile to be a middle backer. Do you think McSurdy is faster than Strahm?I tend to watch the pass defense a lot, and thus notice how the secondary and backers cover. I often see Stram reacting very well and covering well. Obviously, I don't see or watch him on every play.

It's hard to be a leader when you don't get first team reps in pre-season practice, don't suit up the first 2 games, don't travel to UW, and don't start for a couple more games. Yes, I know he didn't show leadership by having his incident.

 

[PlayerRep]

He is mobile and fairly fast. Played safety in high school. Is fairly good in pass coverage.

Was he 241 lb in HS? Troxel went after him big time in the game, not unlike MSU (presume help from Gregorak) last year. They must know something you don't, but how could that be....

When he was younger, lighter and presumably faster, he came into the Cal Poly game to replace KVA who had his bell rung. KVA, with his speed and exceptional tackling skill, had held the edge effectively, but once he was gone CPSLO ran wild on the edge which Strahm could not hold. It was that game that convinced Gregorak that he was not fast enough to play outside and needed to move inside. He had to bulk up and get stronger to play inside, which he did. But there is no evidence to suggest speed is one of his strengths. We needed more leadership than we got out of senior Kidder last year; we need more leadership out of senior Strahm this year.

Two good road wins, but not because of our defensive play. Our offense is just outscoring them.

:thumb: thanks kemajic well said
Stitt made a comment that graduation solved some of the issues the Griz had last year. Brutally honest remark that is becoming more true as this year progresses. Even after losing a Sr QB in a cupcake game early on this team is progessing well a few things to clean up and a few guys getting healthy things are looking up. Think Kidder just was banged up D line was too thin last year. Sr DBs underperformed and seemed to have a disjointed Sr class. This year's Srs seem to be more unified lead by David Reese, Phillip 's injury has helped ralley the team.

Stitt also seemed to indicate that moving TG on and having Semore be the DC would improve the defense.

 

[PDXGrizzly]

... If you are thinking of the RB touchdown in the beginning of the game, Banks (I think) had the responsibility, but got caught up in the wash on the inside. Left the RB wide open.

The announcers mentioned that on replay. He "bit on a fake" (mis-read a read) and took at least two quick steps to the inside. Had no chance to stop, change direction and recover. That, of course, assumes that he did have that coverage responsibility ... which seems likely.

But the announcers don't know what the defensive play call was and what Banks' responsibilities were on that play. Nor do you or I.

No, but based on my observations and limited playing experience (again, not big enough to play in college, I'll leave physical ability out of that equation for my ego's sake) it looked like Banks had that responsibility. No knock on the guy, stuff like that happens from time to time. Even Richard Sherman gets scored on.

 

[PlayerRep]

... If you are thinking of the RB touchdown in the beginning of the game, Banks (I think) had the responsibility, but got caught up in the wash on the inside. Left the RB wide open.

The announcers mentioned that on replay. He "bit on a fake" (mis-read a read) and took at least two quick steps to the inside. Had no chance to stop, change direction and recover. That, of course, assumes that he did have that coverage responsibility ... which seems likely.

But the announcers don't know what the defensive play call was and what Banks' responsibilities were on that play. Nor do you or I.

No, but based on my observations and limited playing experience (again, not big enough to play in college, I'll leave physical ability out of that equation for my ego's sake) it looked like Banks had that responsibility. No knock on the guy, stuff like that happens from time to time. Even Richard Sherman gets scored on.

I don't disagree. However, info filtering out indicates that perhaps it wasn't his responsibility, or that he had other responsibilities.

 

[IdaGriz01]

... If you are thinking of the RB touchdown in the beginning of the game, Banks (I think) had the responsibility, but got caught up in the wash on the inside. Left the RB wide open.

The announcers mentioned that on replay. He "bit on a fake" (mis-read a read) and took at least two quick steps to the inside. Had no chance to stop, change direction and recover. That, of course, assumes that he did have that coverage responsibility ... which seems likely.

But the announcers don't know what the defensive play call was and what Banks' responsibilities were on that play. Nor do you or I.

Totally agree. In fact, for all we know, Banks might have been making a good play in this instance. That is, he perhaps had an inside responsibility but had an "Oh S**t!" moment when he saw the RB headed outside. Knowing the overall defensive setup, he realized the guy was about break wide open ... so he made a desperate try to cover. Only he and the coaches know for sure.

 

[PlayerRep]

... If you are thinking of the RB touchdown in the beginning of the game, Banks (I think) had the responsibility, but got caught up in the wash on the inside. Left the RB wide open.

The announcers mentioned that on replay. He "bit on a fake" (mis-read a read) and took at least two quick steps to the inside. Had no chance to stop, change direction and recover. That, of course, assumes that he did have that coverage responsibility ... which seems likely.

But the announcers don't know what the defensive play call was and what Banks' responsibilities were on that play. Nor do you or I.

Totally agree. In fact, for all we know, Banks might have been making a good play in this instance. That is, he perhaps had an inside responsibility but had an "Oh S**t!" moment when he saw the RB headed outside. Knowing the overall defensive setup, he realized the guy was about break wide open ... so he made a desperate try to cover. Only he and the coaches know for sure.

Yup. One of the things I've learned by playing and over time, is that in what looks like a bad break down in pass coverage, it's sometimes or even often not the closest player running 5 yards behind the open receiver who was the player who had the coverage responsibility. Just happened to see what was happening and tried to break to the play to try to do something. My impression is that the rb on that play may not have had someone assigned to cover him, but I don't know. I'm sure the scheme will adapt to take that situation into account in the future.

 

[IdaGriz01]

... One of the things I've learned by playing and over time, is that in what looks like a bad break down in pass coverage, it's sometimes or even often not the closest player running 5 yards behind the open receiver who was the player who had the coverage responsibility. Just happened to see what was happening and tried to break to the play to try to do something. My impression is that the rb on that play may not have had someone assigned to cover him, but I don't know. I'm sure the scheme will adapt to take that situation into account in the future.

I can relate to those "Oh S**t" moments, in playing (pre-college) defense. It's such a helpless feeling when you realize there's a blown coverage. Worse, of course, if it's you ... but bad enough even when it's not. :x

On the other hand, it's a huge thrill when you're the receiver –- nearly 60 years ago, played both ways -- and you realize you've broken clear with no coverage. Then you just pray the QB sees it too and gets you the ball.

 

[AZDoc]

I think a lot of this breaks down to...well, not breaking down. Good, solid, tackling skills would help a lot of the "issues". Assignments can be argued over and over, as has been said, none of us know for sure everyone's responsibility, whether we've played the game or not. I see overall improvement, and if the little things can continue to improve, with a bye week just at the right time, perhaps a great end of season run can be the result of the momentum started these last couple road wins.

 

[AZDoc]

... One of the things I've learned by playing and over time, is that in what looks like a bad break down in pass coverage, it's sometimes or even often not the closest player running 5 yards behind the open receiver who was the player who had the coverage responsibility. Just happened to see what was happening and tried to break to the play to try to do something. My impression is that the rb on that play may not have had someone assigned to cover him, but I don't know. I'm sure the scheme will adapt to take that situation into account in the future.

I can relate to those "Oh S**t" moments, in playing (pre-college) defense. It's such a helpless feeling when you realize there's a blown coverage. Worse, of course, if it's you ... but bad enough even when it's not. :x

On the other hand, it's a huge thrill when you're the receiver –- nearly 60 years ago, played both ways -- and you realize you've broken clear with no coverage. Then you just pray the QB sees it too and gets you the ball.

and then don't blow it like a wide open lay-up!