Making the Adjustments

[Grizbeer]

Take that for what it's worth. He was interviewed quick after coming out at halftime and was asked one question:

"Coach what does your team need to do better in the second half?"

Stitt did answer they need to tackle better which I agreed with 100%. Weber was running all over us at that point and that RB was looking like Barry Sanders the way he made people miss. They also overpursed the QB and RB coming out of the backfield to catch the rock a few times. So IMO Stitt was spot on in needing to get better at that.

true, then he reiterated it in the Griz coaches show. Asked about the offense he said they started off really good in the first quarter, but Weber had the ball for 11 minutes of the 2nd quarter and they didn't get enough chances to score. Stitt than corrected himself that the TOP included the last part of the first quarter (the actual time of possession by quarter was: 1st Qtr UM 8:52, WSU 6:08. 2nd Qtr UM 5:39, WSU 9:21, 1st 1/2 UM 14:31, WSU 15:29).

Definitely agree the defense didn't tackle well in the first 1/2. It certainly didn't look good for those 2 long drives at the end of the 1st and start of the 2nd quarter (one ended in a TD, the other a punt) before UM threw a pick 6. I do feel like if the defense gives up 14 points in a half you should win a lot of games in this conference though.

BTW in the same Coaches show they interview Ben Roberts. 2 things he identified: 1) the defense showed a lot of looks they were not prepared for - I can't remember his exact wording here but I think it was 'like has happened the last few games'. The other thing Ben mentioned is the team needs to 'step on the throat' of the other team, that they have this mentality but just are not doing it for whatever reason.

 

[PlayerRep]

Perhaps the "math" of the shorter field of the red zone takes away options afforded offered outside the zone.

It does take away options. However, every team plays with the same field. How are other teams successful in the red zone, yet others are not? The red zon is the same for every team. Sorry, that does not cut it. :thumb:

it s all about the play calling and non existent running game. We are predictable, running game only goes right inside tackle and left inside tackle ( we cant block the DE's) After a long gain from the pass we comeback with the inside run) bubble screen execution is weak at best.( the two alternate receivers don't know how to block) and we don't throw 5,9,13 yards in the second level over the middle. if we do try the slant route, it is a pass behind the receiver or not a catchable ball. Make it easier on the QB. Post him up over the middle so he is a stationary target. I'm not sure if this is on the OC, receivers Coach or lack of a TE.

Wow, I totally agree -- the non-existant running game and the head-scratching play-calling, combined with the O-line problems, make for a very predictable offense that EVERY DC from opposing teams can easily deal with. It makes me very sad to realize this is the Griz team I love....

Interesting that some of you focused on the play-calling. I was going to make a similar comment, based on some comments I've heard, including from a former college qb (not UM), and not what I had observed (don't know enough about the offense to comment). These guys, one step above the guy on the adjoining bar stool, have questioned the play-calling, and have noted that the calls don't seem to be on each other and set up later plays. Don't know if that is true or not. I think the qb has considerable discretion, or at least Gus did, to make the actual play call at the line of scrimmage. Don't know how much the qb influences the play-calling overall, tho.

I wonder why the offense seems to be so inconsistent. They look like a powerful offense at times (the 95 yard drive) and then get so many 3 and outs or can't convert on 3d and 4th down so much.

 

[Grisly Fan]

PR's post triggered an interesting thought. If this is strictly a dynamic read offense then how would you use one play to set up another? Apparently Stitt signals in plays from the sideline. Do all players look to the sideline? I haven't seen this but maybe am missing it. I would guess that if you were to use the bubble receiver as a decoy there would have to be a hot read to trigger it. Oregon and several other no-huddle offenses use signs to set their plays that every O player can see then I presume QB checks off the play and everyone hot reads off of that. Not sure how you communicate much other than plain vanilla stuff otherwise.

 

[Grizbeer]

Doesn't sounds like we need to make any changes on offense, just need to figure out what is wrong with the defense:

"We've got to be perfect on defense," Stitt said, pointing to some rare letdowns against the Wildcats. "Against a team like Weber State that can not throw the ball, we've got to be able to shut those guys out. They were very one-dimensional and we couldn't stop the run."

http://missoulian.com/sports/college/montana/football/margin-for-error-slim-for-griz-after-bye-week/article_a7edea5b-ba01-513a-804e-036bd9b23359.html

 

[kemajic]

Doesn't sounds like we need to make any changes on offense, just need to figure out what is wrong with the defense:

"We've got to be perfect on defense," Stitt said, pointing to some rare letdowns against the Wildcats. "Against a team like Weber State that can not throw the ball, we've got to be able to shut those guys out. They were very one-dimensional and we couldn't stop the run."

http://missoulian.com/sports/college/montana/football/margin-for-error-slim-for-griz-after-bye-week/article_a7edea5b-ba01-513a-804e-036bd9b23359.html

Yes; Bob's world.

 

[kemajic]

According to Coach Stitt (based on his 1/2 time interview and coaches show comments) the biggest adjustment the team needs to make is the defense has to tackle better and do a better job of getting the ball back for the offense to have a chance to score.

The DC is fair game to criticize; never the OC.

So the 3 and 4 missed tackles we saw on a regular basis last Sat. is NOT a big problem?

Are you totally reading impaired?

 

[Spanky]

The biggest problem is poor blocking by the OL, not the defense.

 

[rimrockgriz]

The biggest problem is poor blocking by the OL, not the defense.

+1. The defense has played well enough to win every game, excluding the Liberty fiasco. Tough to think anyone was ready at Lynchburg. This offense puts the "D" under uncommon duress all too often. Their red zone performance is pathetic, and I'm putting it all on the man in the Celtics cap. Lider has punted well, however the bulk of the special teams is still a liability. Lets hold our breath and see what kind of adjustments are implemented for next week... :egriz:

 

[AZGrizFan]

Doesn't sounds like we need to make any changes on offense, just need to figure out what is wrong with the defense:

"We've got to be perfect on defense," Stitt said, pointing to some rare letdowns against the Wildcats. "Against a team like Weber State that can not throw the ball, we've got to be able to shut those guys out. They were very one-dimensional and we couldn't stop the run."

http://missoulian.com/sports/college/montana/football/margin-for-error-slim-for-griz-after-bye-week/article_a7edea5b-ba01-513a-804e-036bd9b23359.html

Yes; Bob's world.

That quote is taken out of context and was preceded by a discussion of the offensive woes NECESSITATING a perfect defense.

 

[HookedonGriz]

I had posted this a couple weeks ago when I was frustrated at what seemed like a lack of adjustments, especially in the red zone.

I love what Stitt and company did today by moving the bigger inside receiver to the line to block and help with the run game. It took away from their normal trips formation but it worked beautifully. I think it threw UNDs defense off quite a bit and they weren't prepared for it. They only give up 77 yards rushing per game. Today they gave up 160+ to Griz. Love that adjustment. Keep em coming!

 

[brewskis]

I had posted this a couple weeks ago when I was frustrated at what seemed like a lack of adjustments, especially in the red zone.

I love what Stitt and company did today by moving the bigger inside receiver to the line to block and help with the run game. It took away from their normal trips formation but it worked beautifully. I think it threw UNDs defense off quite a bit and they weren't prepared for it. They only give up 77 yards rushing per game. Today they gave up 160+ to Griz. Love that adjustment. Keep em coming!

Looks like we are pretty adaptable, hopefully we can continue to prove that. PSU may be the best defense we've faced yet....fortunately I like our chances with Simis.