Hula Bowl - O’Connell and Ford

[HookedonGriz]

In retrospect I’m going with he dropped it on purpose that was fourth down and picking it off there would’ve actually given them worse field position. Smart haha!

 

[kemajic]

Ford should have had a pick. Can't believe he didn't get it.

Smart move to drop; 4th down. A mistake DBs often make to essentially give the offense a punt when TO by loss of downs is winning football.

 

[IdaGriz01]

Ford should have had a pick. Can't believe he didn't get it.

Smart move to drop; 4th down. A mistake DBs often make to essentially give the offense a punt when TO by loss of downs is winning football.

Right on!

Surprising how often backs go for the pick in those cases. Shows good "situational awareness" by Ford.

 

[Bok_Choi]

You can see Paddy O" has the skills, but he's playing a different role - coverage. Hope he can get more comfortable with the spot before the camp season starts.

 

[Griz2k]

You can see Paddy O" has the skills, but he's playing a different role - coverage. Hope he can get more comfortable with the spot before the camp season starts.

Ya, I'd say he's struggled a bit but hopefully will redeem himself in the 2nd half.

Ford is having a really good game though. Was not on the field during the opposing team's TD drive.

 

[Bok_Choi]

You can see Paddy O" has the skills, but he's playing a different role - coverage. Hope he can get more comfortable with the spot before the camp season starts.

Ya, I'd say he's struggled a bit but hopefully will redeem himself in the 2nd half.

Ford is having a really good game though. Was not on the field during the opposing team's TD drive.

I don't think about redemption, every rep he gets like this now is gold. He was an outside guy who got moved into the middle of the field. It's a truly different position with a bunch of keys he likely didn't have at UM. I don't think they allow blitzing in these games, so he won't be able to show off any of that kind of skill until training camps. I think he's doing well.

 

[Griz2k]

Well damn, Ford torched on that TD.

 

[AZDoc]

Well damn, Ford torched on that TD.

Yep big. Showed his lack of top end speed too. So far a good showing though.

 

[Griz2k]

Well damn, Ford torched on that TD.

Yep big. Showed his lack of top end speed too. So far a good showing though.

I think that's always been the knock on right? Great nose for the ball but not extremely fast. I'm curious to know what his 40 time is.

 

[mthoopsfan]

Looks like Ford got beat for long TD. No safety help.

I now see that my game feed is about 7 or 8 minutes slower than the game.

 

[Griz2k]

Looks like Ford got beat for long TD. No safety help.

I now see that my game feed is about 7 or 8 minutes slower than the game.

Ya, I'd like to see the replay and find out where the safety was.

 

[Griz2k]

Bummer of a name for the female sideline reporter...Smacker. Wow.

 

[mthoopsfan]

Looks like Ford got beat for long TD. No safety help.

I now see that my game feed is about 7 or 8 minutes slower than the game.

Ya, I'd like to see the replay and find out where the safety was.

Me too. While Ford was way behind, it is extremely hard to cover a wide receiver deep and all the way across the field in man coverage, without safety help. It seemed odd that he was so far behind so early coming across the field. Did he get turned around? Stumble/slip? Was there a mixup?

Bummer for him for the NFL scouts.

 

[RoseyMustGo]

Ford one of the key players to watch in this game, according to the NFL Draft Network:

https://thedraftnetwork.com/hula-bowl-2023-nfl-draft-stock/

 

[reinell30]

I think both Montana guys represented the Griz name proudly! O'Connell had a couple big tackles and Ford had two awesome pass breakups! On the TD pass Ford was burned on, no safety in the middle at all and Ford had too much ground to makeup. One of O'Connell's tackles, he had to come from the opposite side of the line to make, looked quick.
Outstanding job Ford and O'Connell, you did Griz nation proud!

 

[AZGrizFan]

I think my biggest takeaway is that they looked like they belonged. They weren’t outclassed or overwhelmed. They looked good, played good ball, and got lots of mentions. Productive day for both. BTW, thought Dotson looked good too at RB. BSC representing well today.

 

[HookedonGriz]

I think both Montana guys represented the Griz name proudly! O'Connell had a couple big tackles and Ford had two awesome pass breakups! On the TD pass Ford was burned on, no safety in the middle at all and Ford had too much ground to makeup. One of O'Connell's tackles, he had to come from the opposite side of the line to make, looked quick.
Outstanding job Ford and O'Connell, you did Griz nation proud!

Oh so just like the regular season all over again. Rinse, lather, repeat

 

[reinell30]

I think both Montana guys represented the Griz name proudly! O'Connell had a couple big tackles and Ford had two awesome pass breakups! On the TD pass Ford was burned on, no safety in the middle at all and Ford had too much ground to makeup. One of O'Connell's tackles, he had to come from the opposite side of the line to make, looked quick.
Outstanding job Ford and O'Connell, you did Griz nation proud!

Oh so just like the regular season all over again. Rinse, lather, repeat

I typed, Ford should be used to it no safety help, but I erased it. I wanted to keep my post positive.

 

[AZDoc]

Looks like Ford got beat for long TD. No safety help.

I now see that my game feed is about 7 or 8 minutes slower than the game.

Ya, I'd like to see the replay and find out where the safety was.

Yeah I rewatched it and when he scores you see ford shrug like…”where’s my help”

I agree they both looked like they belonged. That’s awesome.

 

[mthoopsfan]

Oh so just like the regular season all over again. Rinse, lather, repeat

I typed, Ford should be used to it no safety help, but I erased it. I wanted to keep my post positive.

Safety help depends on the defense, what the defensive call was on the play, and whether there is supposed to be safety help. The Griz defense was often designed for the safety/Hauck to fill for the run, and not be in coverage.