The second viewing is always critical for understanding what happened in the trenches. This game was no different. It showed how well the defensive line played and how inconsistent the offensive line was. But there was plenty to like, especially how far the team has come in one week.
Offense: B
Rettig's night was a bit uneven. Some of his throws were nice. The first TD to Amidon was a good read and a good throw. Wolford's drop could've been a TD too. However, he didn't see the safety and underthrew the flea flicker. Some of passes weren't sharp. I also think he's got to get a better feel for the pressure. Most of the sacks were not his fault, but he is still holding it too long too often.
Andre Williams carried this offense. Obviously this was his best game, but it wasn't him breaking a few big plays or even running over guys. He was making good cuts and reads. He got through traffic and tight holes better than he ever has. Wolford blocked well but missed his chance at a TD when he let the ball slip through his hands.
Amidon played really well. He's now getting even better about winning 50/50 balls and getting extra yards after the catch. Crimmins blocked well on the bubbles. Spiffy dd too. Once again we played a ton of TEs but didn't target any of them on pass plays. When we do, someone is going to be wide open.
The offensive line looked like two different groups. On run plays they were solid. They controlled the line of scrimmage and got good push. They also pulled and trapped well. On the play action Rettig had time. It seemed like on the true pass blocking plays we struggled...especially in the interior. White got blown up once. Gallik did too. Good news though was Betancourt looked solid when he filled in for Patchan.
While we remain really conservative, I thought the play calling was good. We were able to run and did it with a variety of looks. We gave Rettig options to pass out of the run. We were aggressive going downfield. I would like to see more effectiveness in true passing, but when the run is working, there is no reason to stop it.
Defense: A-
Abdesmad might have saved this game. His tackles and play on the goallines were great. The entire defensive line looked much better. Edebali looks really good, especially when he's allowed to stunt. He's now able to use speed as opposed to trying to just power his way into the backfield. Mihalik made some plays. Wujciak was solid. Ramsey's been quiet. I don't know if it is the new position or he's not 100% but he hasn't looked like his old self yet.
KPL is another guy who is a new man in this scheme. He's covering a lot of ground and covering a lot of mistakes. Divitto looked better. I think MLB is his better position. Daniels didn't look as confused and contributed and tackled more. Both looked better is pass coverage. We are not rotating the LBs very often. I would like to see more snaps for Duggan and Keyes.
Wake targeted Jones and he answered. He also tackled well. The Safeties both looked better. Last week they were out of position. This week they were disruptive. Both Rositano and Sylvia played Wake's option perfectly. Syvlia is also one of our best tacklers. Asprilla wasn't targeted much.
Pick a measurement for defensive performance. Turnovers? We got plenty of those. Big plays? The defense made them all over the field and especially in the redzone. Containing big plays? Did that too. It was really fun to watch. Brown had a good gameplan and called a good game. The best part was how well the guys handled the option. Everyone seemed to know their assignment. We also mixed up the looks. We had 4-3, 3-4 and even some 3-3-5. Other than the first half of the Villanova game, this defense has been very very good.
Special Teams: C
Freese's kicks and punts were fine. Our coverage was decent. The big problem on Special Teams was allowing the punt block. With the ease in which Wake rushed in, it seemed like they saw something in film and knew to exploit it.
Dudeck and Evans were fine on their returns. Spiffy did a better job on actually catching Fair Catches.
Overall: B+
I don't care that Wake's stubborn love of the option gave this game away. It was an important game and we came out focused and played well most of the time. I also appreciate the improvement from Week 1 to Week 2. We almost screwed things up before half but Addazio made the right call about the "two minute drill." Taking the knee would've been Spaz-like. And I think everyone took notice of him telling the sideline reporter "that's on me." It is a candor and accountability that has been missing too long.
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7 comments:
Bring on a very beatable USC team. Lane Kiffin is pulling a Spaz and running that team into the ground. Why he keeps getting opportunities to coach is beyond me.
I am totally on board with this team but we have a long way to go.
We open as 14 1/2 point underdogs at USC. Their defense is quite stellar, and our receivers (except Amidon) have trouble getting open at all. I know Spiffy had a TD catch but still..........
We will have trouble scoring on them unless we unveil some new plays. USC and Kiffin must respond this week, or he is gone. Does that help us or hurt us?
Special Teams has to get a "D" because of the punt block. I could have blocked that punt because of the way we lined up. In fact 2 WF players were in on that block, even though #50 got it. Without the goal line stand, it's a different ballgame.
I know #50 is very good, but he was able to pressure and get to Chase too much.
If Williams gets hurt, we're in trouble. Where is Kimble? What's wrong with him?
Both Ramsey and Patchan looked like they got dinged up - and we have to wait on the injury report update.
I love our defense, but realize that it has not been tested yet. Jones played great and the TD pass to Campanaro was absolutely perfect. The guy is only 176 pounds (program lists him as 166) and bigger receivers might prove troublesome - but what an attitude! All defenders have a great attitude.
We'll be there in LA Saturday to cheer on our team.
Go BC - beat the Trojans.
And I think everyone took notice of him telling the sideline reporter "that's on me."
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Yep, my wife specifically caught that. She said something like "Well, that's a big departure from Spaz, he would always just throw the kids under the bus, I like that. I like him. I like your new coach."
What's the word on the USC game getting picked up by a local affiliate so we can actually see the game here in Boston?
agree that the punt block alone should merit a D from the team. thank goodness for that goal line stand.
the Captain Kasim Edebali has been playing VERY strong football - he's been getting to the passer, always hustling, and has really been a welcome surprise. i'm happy for him and for all of the players on the D - last year's "approach" (if you want to even call it that) was so dismal and embarassing - this year we are letting our kids play and putting the pressure on the Offense, its a complete 180 degree switch. USC has been shuffling the QBs in and out and only scored 7 points against a team that went 3-9 last year. we can beat pressure them offensively and i think we can beat them.
Andre Williams is a true work horse. wake definitely got tired of bringing him down and he seemed to strengthen as the game went on. i really like how we use the play action, it seems like it really opens it up down field. Rettig doesn't have a cannon arm, but he knows the offense, seems to be very accurate, and can make plays on the run. moreover, i think the coaches have done a good job of maximizing his strengths in this system.
things to watch for:
a -- as BJK said, where is Kimble? Rouse hasn't done much as the backup RB, and dudeck seemed less involved last week. Kimble seems like the ideal 2nd back - when will he be healthy?
b -- who will emerge as our 2nd WR? Amidon is fantastic and will likely be an All-ACC performer again, but it would be nice to see someone else emerge.
c -- when will we start utilizing the TEs? they are on the field so often, eventually one of them will have to start making plays
It was nice to see us come out of an evenly-matched game with a convincing win. Altough with a few breaks going the wrong way this game would have been a lot closer, for the most part, we controlled play and made plays when they were needed.
I don't know how it looked on TV, but Rettig looked pretty weak (both physically and in overall performance) for the better part of the game from the live/game view. He also looked like he got hurt early and was laboring. HIs decision-making was off and he wasn't sharp. While our other options at WR may not be the best, it was absolutely clear that Rettig locks in and almost solely targets Amidon. That contributed to him holding the ball too long and taking at least one sack. Having said that, he made a great read on the dropped ball throw and a great throw to Spiffy for the TD.
It was nice to see us come out of an evenly-matched game with a convincing win. Altough with a few breaks going the wrong way this game would have been a lot closer, for the most part, we controlled play and made plays when they were needed.
I don't know how it looked on TV, but Rettig looked pretty weak (both physically and in overall performance) for the better part of the game from the live/game view. He also looked like he got hurt early and was laboring. HIs decision-making was off and he wasn't sharp. While our other options at WR may not be the best, it was absolutely clear that Rettig locks in and almost solely targets Amidon. That contributed to him holding the ball too long and taking at least one sack. Having said that, he made a great read on the dropped ball throw and a great throw to Spiffy for the TD.
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