TCU Wrapup
Well it was another rainy weekend in Clemson and another close loss as the Tigers went down to TCU 14-10. Just as I predicted before the season, we were one big special teams play away from the victory. The defense put up a great effort and if it wasn't for a fluke reception we may have held the offensive "powerhouse" to just 7 points. Unfortunately the offense didn't help out any and here are a few of the problems I think we continue to show on that side of the ball:
1) Receiving – we can’t catch and we can’t run routes. Ford, our best receiver, dropped a sure first down on the first drive of the game that foreshadowed things to come. He would have had an easier time catching it if he had just run a crisp route, but still, he should have caught it.
2) Rushing – our running plays develop too slowly and our runningbacks hesitate to hit the hole. This may work out from time to time for a big play but whenever the D stiffens up (red zone, 3rd and short, etc) it results in no gain.
3) Game Management – Our defense was one fluke catch away from a shutout when we decided to go for it on 4th down. Makes no sense, especially when we can’t run worth shit. Punt the damn ball and play D. Also, let’s not even mention the last minute of the game.
4) Quarterback – While Parker did a great job and made some great throws in bad conditions, he also showed a tendency to drift to the right side of the field. I’m glad that he steps up in the pocket and looks downfield instead of drifting out the back, but after that he should either throw the ball or tuck and run. Drifting to the right takes away half of the receivers and turns 2nd and 5 or less into 2nd and 10. The one exception would be a desperation situation like our second to last possession.
These problems stem from an inexperienced offensive coaching staff. I still think our biggest mistake as a program was not hiring an experienced offensive coordinator. I'm sure Napier is a good buddy and a great guy, but that doesn't mean he should have been hired as OC when we have such an inexperienced head coach. The vacuum on that side of the ball is clearly evident.
That being said, here are a few things I think we should do in order to improve the offense:
1) Route Running drills - After practice conditioning for receivers should be route running drills. They should have to run them perfectly or get back in line and run them again. This should progress through at least 10 different routes, 3 times each.
2) Ball Catching drills - Texas Tech uses tennis balls. Jerry Rice used bricks. Either way, let's come up with some catching drills that will get our guys to focus on the damn ball. Running better routes will make catching easier, but catching drills will attack the problem directly. Also we should institute practice rules like they do in the pro's, where if you drop a pass you pay a penalty. In college, that penalty can be several things: gassers, more study time, extra weights time, stadium steps, etc.
3) Running Play Construction - Our coaches need to go back to the drawing board when it comes to most of our running plays, and some passing plays need to be re-considered for inclusion. For running plays, I love the fact that we're using the fullback more often, but we need to get the RB to the hole much faster and this involves where the RBs line up, where they take the handoff, and their run progression. In case this isn't it already, our RBs should be coached on the following run progression: 1) take the handoff, 2) hit the hole, 3) make one cut (if needed), 4) run your landmarks (hash, numbers, sideline). This should be reinforced in the film room by showing how plays have opened up in actual games only to be shut down before the ball is advanced, and it should be reinforced in practice by using the non-contact periods to practice timing.
4) Pass Play Construction - We completely neglect the quick-hitting upfield passing game. We have the fastest receiver in the nation (Ford) and yet he's only caught one quick slant in his career (last year vs Nebraska.) The success of that one play should have shown the coaches something they should incorporate in the gameplan each week. We need to include the plays that get the ball upfield and get it upfield fast. Screens have been used sparingly this year and that trend should continue. The tight end has been used sparingly this year and that trend should be reversed. We have a young quarterback with receivers that are letting him down: make the tight end the second receiver in the progression, he presents an easy target for the QB and he attacks the middle of the coverage, usually a weak spot.
5) Quarterback Progression - We need to get Kyle Parker to make a decision after he's stepped up into the pocket: run or pass. He is doing a great job of making his drops, scanning the field, then stepping up into the pocket (instead of drifting out of the back.) Now we need him to either deliver the ball or to pick up a quick 5 yards if nobody is in front of him. I love his ability to keep the play alive, but we need to keep drives alive and our current habit of having the QB slide out to the right side is just not getting it done.
I'm sure there's more but that's all I can think of right now. Overall I think we have a good team and we have a lot to be excited about. We should drum a terrible Maryland team this week and use our off week to whip our offense into shape. Considering the weakness of our schedule coming up (with the possible exception of Miami, although I think VT showed how weak they are when faced with a good defense) we are in position to win our division and face VT in the conference championship. There is no reason this team shouldn't be able to accomplish this, it just depends on our offensive coaching staff.
1) Receiving – we can’t catch and we can’t run routes. Ford, our best receiver, dropped a sure first down on the first drive of the game that foreshadowed things to come. He would have had an easier time catching it if he had just run a crisp route, but still, he should have caught it.
2) Rushing – our running plays develop too slowly and our runningbacks hesitate to hit the hole. This may work out from time to time for a big play but whenever the D stiffens up (red zone, 3rd and short, etc) it results in no gain.
3) Game Management – Our defense was one fluke catch away from a shutout when we decided to go for it on 4th down. Makes no sense, especially when we can’t run worth shit. Punt the damn ball and play D. Also, let’s not even mention the last minute of the game.
4) Quarterback – While Parker did a great job and made some great throws in bad conditions, he also showed a tendency to drift to the right side of the field. I’m glad that he steps up in the pocket and looks downfield instead of drifting out the back, but after that he should either throw the ball or tuck and run. Drifting to the right takes away half of the receivers and turns 2nd and 5 or less into 2nd and 10. The one exception would be a desperation situation like our second to last possession.
These problems stem from an inexperienced offensive coaching staff. I still think our biggest mistake as a program was not hiring an experienced offensive coordinator. I'm sure Napier is a good buddy and a great guy, but that doesn't mean he should have been hired as OC when we have such an inexperienced head coach. The vacuum on that side of the ball is clearly evident.
That being said, here are a few things I think we should do in order to improve the offense:
1) Route Running drills - After practice conditioning for receivers should be route running drills. They should have to run them perfectly or get back in line and run them again. This should progress through at least 10 different routes, 3 times each.
2) Ball Catching drills - Texas Tech uses tennis balls. Jerry Rice used bricks. Either way, let's come up with some catching drills that will get our guys to focus on the damn ball. Running better routes will make catching easier, but catching drills will attack the problem directly. Also we should institute practice rules like they do in the pro's, where if you drop a pass you pay a penalty. In college, that penalty can be several things: gassers, more study time, extra weights time, stadium steps, etc.
3) Running Play Construction - Our coaches need to go back to the drawing board when it comes to most of our running plays, and some passing plays need to be re-considered for inclusion. For running plays, I love the fact that we're using the fullback more often, but we need to get the RB to the hole much faster and this involves where the RBs line up, where they take the handoff, and their run progression. In case this isn't it already, our RBs should be coached on the following run progression: 1) take the handoff, 2) hit the hole, 3) make one cut (if needed), 4) run your landmarks (hash, numbers, sideline). This should be reinforced in the film room by showing how plays have opened up in actual games only to be shut down before the ball is advanced, and it should be reinforced in practice by using the non-contact periods to practice timing.
4) Pass Play Construction - We completely neglect the quick-hitting upfield passing game. We have the fastest receiver in the nation (Ford) and yet he's only caught one quick slant in his career (last year vs Nebraska.) The success of that one play should have shown the coaches something they should incorporate in the gameplan each week. We need to include the plays that get the ball upfield and get it upfield fast. Screens have been used sparingly this year and that trend should continue. The tight end has been used sparingly this year and that trend should be reversed. We have a young quarterback with receivers that are letting him down: make the tight end the second receiver in the progression, he presents an easy target for the QB and he attacks the middle of the coverage, usually a weak spot.
5) Quarterback Progression - We need to get Kyle Parker to make a decision after he's stepped up into the pocket: run or pass. He is doing a great job of making his drops, scanning the field, then stepping up into the pocket (instead of drifting out of the back.) Now we need him to either deliver the ball or to pick up a quick 5 yards if nobody is in front of him. I love his ability to keep the play alive, but we need to keep drives alive and our current habit of having the QB slide out to the right side is just not getting it done.
I'm sure there's more but that's all I can think of right now. Overall I think we have a good team and we have a lot to be excited about. We should drum a terrible Maryland team this week and use our off week to whip our offense into shape. Considering the weakness of our schedule coming up (with the possible exception of Miami, although I think VT showed how weak they are when faced with a good defense) we are in position to win our division and face VT in the conference championship. There is no reason this team shouldn't be able to accomplish this, it just depends on our offensive coaching staff.
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Nice review. I agree with your diagnosis of what is ailing this team, as well as your suggestions for fixing those problems.
I feel like almost all of those suggestions for improvement could be accomplished with two moves: 1Replace Napier with an experienced OC (This would fix the play design issues as well as the QB problems, since Napier is also the QB coach if I'm not mistaken) 2 Fire Jeff Scott and get a damn WR coach who knows what the hell he is doing.
Posted by
Thad |
October 1, 2009 8:50 AM
We always have problems with position coaches. Jeff scott was some scout team place kick holder. What the hell does ne know about WRs? It is apparent when you watch these guys on the field. They run poor routes and look clueless on how to catch a ball while running. We just take what coaches we have and place them in open positions. Get a good OC, get a good WR coach. Those two solutions would help our team a great deal.
My word verification was rable, seems pretty apropriate for my rambling.
Posted by
Joe |
October 1, 2009 1:11 PM
My sentiments exactly, Joe.
Posted by
Thad |
October 1, 2009 1:43 PM
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