Horrible Starts

[ranco]

The one thing that has been consistent this season is how poorly the Griz offense starts each game. With the exception of NAU, our first possession of each game has been atrocious. In the NAU game, we managed to score a touchdown on the first drive, but that entire drive came on two plays, a 56 yard pass and a 22 yard run. If you take out the NAU game, the Griz have a grand total of 21 yards in five possessions. We attempted 4th down conversions twice on our side of the field and failed both times. It is poor preparation? nerves? What ever the cause, the numbers are ugly. Below is a breakdown of each opening "drive."

Weber: 3 plays, - 5 yards: Punt (1:23 drive)

UCD: 3 plays, + 7 yards: 4th down conversion fails 52 drive)

NAU: 4 plays, + 75 yards: Touchdown (1:10 drive)

Liberty: 3 plays, + 1 yard: Punt 59 drive)

Cal. Poly: 3 plays, + 3 yards: Punt (1:25 drive)

NDSU: 6 plays, + 17 yards: 4th down conversion fails (1:23 drive)

 

[signedbewildered]

Maybe differ?

 

[Grisly Fan]

I tried to make the point that "maybe 3 and outs are OK on the first possession of the game". Yeah, I know they aren't but they keep happening so... what I suggested let's at least stretch the field with three long passes. We only need one to complete to make it worthwhile. At least the defense would really have to respect the deep routes from that point forward. Maybe it would open up the short/intermediate stuff. It would at the very least be something different because continuing to do the same thing while expecting different results is, well you know.

 

[bigkid]

The one thing that has been consistent this season is how poorly the Griz offense starts each game. With the exception of NAU, our first possession of each game has been atrocious. In the NAU game, we managed to score a touchdown on the first drive, but that entire drive came on two plays, a 56 yard pass and a 22 yard run. If you take out the NAU game, the Griz have a grand total of 21 yards in five possessions. We attempted 4th down conversions twice on our side of the field and failed both times. It is poor preparation? nerves? What ever the cause, the numbers are ugly. Below is a breakdown of each opening "drive."

Weber: 3 plays, - 5 yards: Punt (1:23 drive)

UCD: 3 plays, + 7 yards: 4th down conversion fails 52 drive)

NAU: 4 plays, + 75 yards: Touchdown (1:10 drive)

Liberty: 3 plays, + 1 yard: Punt 59 drive)

Cal. Poly: 3 plays, + 3 yards: Punt (1:25 drive)

NDSU: 6 plays, + 17 yards: 4th down conversion fails (1:23 drive)

How dare you point out reality. This truth should never be discussed on any board let a lone egriz. The thought that this offense can't get out of the blocks and sustain it for at least 15 plays is inconceivable.

 

[Griz!ron]

The one thing that has been consistent this season is how poorly the Griz offense starts each game. With the exception of NAU, our first possession of each game has been atrocious. In the NAU game, we managed to score a touchdown on the first drive, but that entire drive came on two plays, a 56 yard pass and a 22 yard run. If you take out the NAU game, the Griz have a grand total of 21 yards in five possessions. We attempted 4th down conversions twice on our side of the field and failed both times. It is poor preparation? nerves? What ever the cause, the numbers are ugly. Below is a breakdown of each opening "drive."

Weber: 3 plays, - 5 yards: Punt (1:23 drive)

UCD: 3 plays, + 7 yards: 4th down conversion fails 52 drive)

NAU: 4 plays, + 75 yards: Touchdown (1:10 drive)

Liberty: 3 plays, + 1 yard: Punt 59 drive)

Cal. Poly: 3 plays, + 3 yards: Punt (1:25 drive)

NDSU: 6 plays, + 17 yards: 4th down conversion fails (1:23 drive)

Execution, that will solve all problems, being able to complete the pass, make a 3-4 yard run, etc. Learning curve, developing players, etc takes time.

 

[mtgriz]

I have been more concerned about the horrible finishes and how to address those.

 

[ranco]

I thought this deserved a bump after the last two games since the horrible starts have continued. I'm not sure what the coaching staff does to prepare for opening drives (or opening defense), but they should change it.

UND: 3 plays, + 4 yards: Punt (1:27 drive)

Portland: 3 plays, +3 yards: Punt (1:17 drive)

Out of 8 games, the opposing team has scored touch downs 5 times on their opening drive and one field goal.

 

[Grisly Fan]

I tried to make the point that "maybe 3 and outs are OK on the first possession of the game". Yeah, I know they aren't but they keep happening so... what I suggested let's at least stretch the field with three long passes. We only need one to complete to make it worthwhile. At least the defense would really have to respect the deep routes from that point forward. Maybe it would open up the short/intermediate stuff. It would at the very least be something different because continuing to do the same thing while expecting different results is, well you know.

Yes I'll be THAT guy and comment on my own post. We continue to do the same thing and expect different results. Hard to understand. I really hate our run game. The deep hand-off option read means all the DL has to do is collapse the pocket (and it seems our OL is only happy to let them) and you not only stuff the run but hurry or sack the QB. Hard to put all the blame on the OL though. Unimaginative pay calling at its best.

 

[grzz]

I'll start this by saying I am a big Stitt fan and think his aggressiveness brings us in line with the current game. There have obviously been major growing pains. And has been addressed on this board numerous times, our offensive line is just not cutting it from a talent stand point.

All that being said, is it possible that Stitt is going to have to "re-build" his playbook over the off season now that he has a year of FCS experience under his hat? Perhaps some of what worked at the lower level with his better coached players was that they were better bale to expose weaknesses by players of a lower skill set, and as he is playing against better athletes those gaps aren't there as much?