Key Areas to Improve 2015 to 2016

[SoldierGriz]

Game 1 in the books with a "W." In the end, that's all that matters.

After last season, many agreed the Griz needed to work specifically on several areas of the game. These included: 3rd down conversion rate, red zone efficiency, YPC gained and allowed, and turnover margin.

How did they do in these areas?

3rd down conversions: 2015 - 35%. Game 1 - 36% (5/14). +
Red Zone efficiency: 2015 - scored TDs 46%. Game 1 - scored TDs 80%. +++
YPC gained: 2015 - 3.6. Game 1 - 3.9 +
YPC allowed: 2015 - 3.9. Game 1 - 2.1 ++
Turnovers: 2015 - 11 fumbles and 15 picks (total). Game 1 - 2 fumbles and 2 ints. ---

Improvement in most relative to last year totals. They have got to protect the ball, and improve 3rd down conversion rates. Much to work on for sure. Griz D also only had 2 sacks that I believe - that kind of surprised me.

 

[HookedonGriz]

The lesser amount of sacks did not surprise me. I remember Stitz referenced in an interview that it is easy to get sacks when you pin your ears back and go after the QB but sacrifice your run defense in doing so. He said this year they are going to be much better at stopping the run and will get there sacks when they can. I think we saw that Saturday with a lot of different schemes, rotations, and strategic LB blitz packages. Was fun to watch.

 

[BWahlberg]

Game 1 in the books with a "W." In the end, that's all that matters.

After last season, many agreed the Griz needed to work specifically on several areas of the game. These included: 3rd down conversion rate, red zone efficiency, YPC gained and allowed, and turnover margin.

How did they do in these areas?

3rd down conversions: 2015 - 35%. Game 1 - 36% (5/14). +
Red Zone efficiency: 2015 - scored TDs 46%. Game 1 - scored TDs 80%. +++
YPC gained: 2015 - 3.6. Game 1 - 3.9 +
YPC allowed: 2015 - 3.9. Game 1 - 2.1 ++
Turnovers: 2015 - 11 fumbles and 15 picks (total). Game 1 - 2 fumbles and 2 ints. ---

Improvement in most relative to last year totals. They have got to protect the ball, and improve 3rd down conversion rates. Much to work on for sure. Griz D also only had 2 sacks that I believe - that kind of surprised me.

I was thinking about doing a similar comparison - but it would probably be good to take a look at things 3 to 4 games into the season, we should have a reflective body of work at that point that'll make an interesting comparison!

 

[SoldierGriz]

Yep...one game is obviously not a good sample size. Would love to see progress...or not in some key areas as season progresses.

 

[UMGriz75]

Turnovers: 2015 - 11 fumbles and 15 picks (total). Game 1 - 2 fumbles and 2 ints. ---
Improvement in most relative to last year totals.

Well, that one comparison is a little scary. Scored over a season, this year's "rate" would be the equivalent of 22 fumbles and 22 picks compared to last year's. Not good at all.

 

[PlayerRep]

The lesser amount of sacks did not surprise me. I remember Stitz referenced in an interview that it is easy to get sacks when you pin your ears back and go after the QB but sacrifice your run defense in doing so. He said this year they are going to be much better at stopping the run and will get there sacks when they can. I think we saw that Saturday with a lot of different schemes, rotations, and strategic LB blitz packages. Was fun to watch.

Will be interesting to see how the D stops the run at UNI.

 

[behappp]

I believe special team play may be worth comparing,too

Punting and fg kicking seemed improved

Coverage on kicks was horrendous - but let's hope that was due to only 1 player.

Also comparing turnovers as the season goes on would be interesting.

 

[HookedonGriz]

The lesser amount of sacks did not surprise me. I remember Stitz referenced in an interview that it is easy to get sacks when you pin your ears back and go after the QB but sacrifice your run defense in doing so. He said this year they are going to be much better at stopping the run and will get there sacks when they can. I think we saw that Saturday with a lot of different schemes, rotations, and strategic LB blitz packages. Was fun to watch.

Will be interesting to see how the D stops the run at UNI.

Must admit I'm very very worried about this. A QB who runs like a RB and ran over 1000 yards last season as well as a RB who also ran for over 1000. That is tricky for everyone. IMO this UNI team will battle the bison for a national title.

 

[GlacierGrizX]

The lesser amount of sacks did not surprise me. I remember Stitz referenced in an interview that it is easy to get sacks when you pin your ears back and go after the QB but sacrifice your run defense in doing so. He said this year they are going to be much better at stopping the run and will get there sacks when they can. I think we saw that Saturday with a lot of different schemes, rotations, and strategic LB blitz packages. Was fun to watch.

Will be interesting to see how the D stops the run at UNI.

Do you think we will see either 4-3 front or 4-4 front? Does their QB slink up the center or bust it outside with an option?

 

[HookedonGriz]

The lesser amount of sacks did not surprise me. I remember Stitz referenced in an interview that it is easy to get sacks when you pin your ears back and go after the QB but sacrifice your run defense in doing so. He said this year they are going to be much better at stopping the run and will get there sacks when they can. I think we saw that Saturday with a lot of different schemes, rotations, and strategic LB blitz packages. Was fun to watch.

Will be interesting to see how the D stops the run at UNI.

Do you think we will see either 4-3 front or 4-4 front? Does their QB slink up the center or bust it outside with an option?

It looks like down and distance will dictate a lot of the scheme, which I like. Unfortunately this QB will kill ya on read option, up the middle, and designed QB runs up the gut or outside. Then when we are doing all we can to shut that down, the old play action pass comes into play. They really are a two headed beast with that QB and RB. Not to say the Griz can't game plan and defend them well, but they will definitely have a challenge.

 

[Bisonfanatical]

The lesser amount of sacks did not surprise me. I remember Stitz referenced in an interview that it is easy to get sacks when you pin your ears back and go after the QB but sacrifice your run defense in doing so. He said this year they are going to be much better at stopping the run and will get there sacks when they can. I think we saw that Saturday with a lot of different schemes, rotations, and strategic LB blitz packages. Was fun to watch.

Will be interesting to see how the D stops the run at UNI.

Must admit I'm very very worried about this. A QB who runs like a RB and ran over 1000 yards last season as well as a RB who also ran for over 1000. That is tricky for everyone. IMO this UNI team will battle the bison for a national title.

Yes ... They are very capable

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[zirge]

The lesser amount of sacks did not surprise me. I remember Stitz referenced in an interview that it is easy to get sacks when you pin your ears back and go after the QB but sacrifice your run defense in doing so. He said this year they are going to be much better at stopping the run and will get there sacks when they can. I think we saw that Saturday with a lot of different schemes, rotations, and strategic LB blitz packages. Was fun to watch.

Will be interesting to see how the D stops the run at UNI.

Must admit I'm very very worried about this. A QB who runs like a RB and ran over 1000 yards last season as well as a RB who also ran for over 1000. That is tricky for everyone. IMO this UNI team will battle the bison for a national title.

week 1 Aaron Bailey threw for 135 yards, ran for 114 more and had two touchdowns

 

[Grisly Fan]

Key area to improve? First possession(s) of the game. Especially against UNI the Griz have to have the initiative. At the very least you want to get the field position equation in your favor which means 3 or 4 first downs and pin them back deep. Of course scoring on the first drive would be nirvana but I am trying not to get greedy... A few 3 and outs to start this game means doom for the Griz -- and bad news for the season if it persists beyond that.