rewatched some of the early games and had a few observations.

the defense is turning the corner. our d has controlled long stretches of each game so far. they are still giving up points and having some trouble when the qb scrambles but our front seven is emerging as a serious force. considering that 2 of our most physical interior guys (dt elijah jones and mlb jaylen coleman) haven't played, we've not just held our own, but outplayed at times good offensive talent. jordan martin is the cb of the future. hester is monster (until he wears down late) and murdock (although occasionally caught standing too tall) is aggressive filling the gaps. i think this d can lead us to wins over everyone on the schedule except ball st, navy and niu (we need offensive and special teams big plays there).

owens early play is a bit better at second glance but i think his skills are misunderstood. i thought he was inaccurate but looking at the replays a lot of his incompletions are understandable. everyone, other than russel has dropped too many balls (especially olack and reedy). against florida several of owens "poor" throws were actually on target but the florida db was able to get physical and keep the receiver from making a clean break out of their route. owens tends to throw high too much, but reedy is a really little target. secondly, owens is not a guy who uses his feet well. i think race influences the perception here as owens is black and fast, but actually doesn't move effectively to avoid pressure or make plays w his feet. a typical owens run is a 3 yard scramble on 4th and 6. woodside had more feel for the scramble and read option than TO usually does. owens is best in the pocket if not rushed or on designed passes where he is moving. he needs to use the middle of the field more where he is generally accurate and our spread style creates some openings.

the short yardage and red zone schemes and play calling by candle have been suspect at times. why on crucial short yardage plays are we looking for guys who seldom touch it. a big missouri goal line play was run zach rosenbaugher, the ridiculous 4th down trick play vs florida, etc... we are not using russell around the goal line where his hands and size are an asset, flu is finally getting more touches inside the 20, and if we need a wrinkle, let's use macon as the running qb or wildcat in short yardage-he's good at that.

overall, while i'm disappointed to be 1-2. i actually feel better in retrospect seeing how close we are to being 2-1 with (what should have been) a 17-13 type loss to florida. i think we handle cmu and set up a huge game at ball st. that may be the key contest of the season along w niu at home.

go rockets!

Good analysis Pono....I'm still not sold on our OC. I figured that last years red zone problems were a result of having a 1st year OC. We're seeing the same type of calls this year...I wonder if Campbell has considered getting more involved in the play calling?

I really like our D line...we actually have some depth. Hester has been a beast at times...he will be scary if he continues to develop over the next few years.

IMO our own mistakes are keeping this team from being special. The Florida loss was expected, but it could have been closer. The D battled admirably. We gave away the game to Misouri, we outplayed them on the road and had every opportunity to win that game by 10, but we gave it away with too many mistakes. The D played well enough to win, but the O misfired on so many cylinders. It was nice to get a home win with EW, but its hard to get a guage on how tough they were. I think I read the #3 FCS team, Townson beat up on Conneciticut and they're former Big East members, so maybe it was a quality win over the #2 team.

What I don't get is that our O is supposed to be this dynamic all over the field spread offense and we throw the ball downfield only a couple times per game. Thank God we have Flu running and catching. I'm no offensive genius, but we throw the ball 30 yards laterally to gain three. We do this 2-3 times per posession, plus the obvious inside handoff to Flu and there's our offense. Do we spend all game lulling the opposing D into not throwing down field and then we wait for the one opportunity and we toss it to Reedy for an 80 yd TD? Where are the tight ends? Have they caught a pass this season. With a big back like Flu, somtimes I just wish we'd line up with a lead blocker and just pound it for 5-6 yds. At this rate Flu is going to be so beat up, he'll not make it the whole season, he takes every hit head on, completly exposed. Am I wrong to be expecting our QB to have 300+ yards passing per game? Is it the system or are we just dropping too many balls?

Toss in 5-6 drops per game, too many false start penalites to mention and you have us figured out.

The D on the other hand has been plesantly suprising, it's fun to watch the D-line. It wasn't fun to watch the EW qb have all day to throw on their first two posessions, but we settled down and started pressuring him. Like the story in the Blah reported we are molding this D to be longer, leaner, faster and you can see the transformation from last season to this, and we need one more year. Bigger DB's, Safety's, etc.

We're gaining 3 yards on those screens now? That's an improvement over the last 3 years!

I was glad to see Logan finally make that strike to the TE. That will be a good play when they get it down.

In general, I just see so many situations with the offense where it seems like they try to fit a square peg in a round hole, from personnel to play calling.

I wonder who will start at QB Saturday. I'm thinking they'll start Woodside and only insert TO if necessary. Depends on TO's progress, though, I guess.

(09-20-2013 08:55 AM)emanoh Wrote:  Am I wrong to be expecting our QB to have 300+ yards passing per game?

Probably. That's a lot of yards and only the BSU QB is hitting that number. BSU, of course, doesn't have a David Fluellen in the stable of running backs they have. I'd be happy with a higher percentage of completions with some downfield. Everyone thought TO would be throwing those huge strikes to Reedy and it didn't happen in Games 1 and 2. Woodside had the one to the TE (I LOVED seeing the TE active again) and the beauty to Reedy for 81. Red zone continues to plague us. I like the idea of using Russell and the tight ends around the end zone- we use to use that TE drag route (and sometimes bring Page in the middle in similar fashion) to good effect on short yardage near the goal line.

Great review pono. I share your enthusiasm about the Rockets defense. Watching them in person in the first two games and seeing their play against EWU, they continue to improve and they played well out of the gate. If the secondary keeps improving this defensive team is going to be special. I read in the CMU pre-game analysis, that the Rockets defense is tied for first in the MAC in total defense.

(09-20-2013 11:43 AM)NewMex RocketFan Wrote:  Great review pono. I share your enthusiasm about the Rockets defense. Watching them in person in the first two games and seeing their play against EWU, they continue to improve and they played well out of the gate. If the secondary keeps improving this defensive team is going to be special. I read in the CMU pre-game analysis, that the Rockets defense is tied for first in the MAC in total defense.

Considering the quality of our first three opponents, that's a good sign.

(09-20-2013 12:33 PM)tolfbfan Wrote:  

(09-20-2013 11:43 AM)NewMex RocketFan Wrote:  Great review pono. I share your enthusiasm about the Rockets defense. Watching them in person in the first two games and seeing their play against EWU, they continue to improve and they played well out of the gate. If the secondary keeps improving this defensive team is going to be special. I read in the CMU pre-game analysis, that the Rockets defense is tied for first in the MAC in total defense.

Considering the quality of our first three opponents, that's a good sign.

Check! That's why I put it in my analysis.

I'm wondering how we get all these posters saying "great" analysis without at least some questioning of this statement.

(09-19-2013 10:18 PM)pono Wrote:  i think race influences the perception here as owens is black and fast, but actually doesn't move effectively to avoid pressure or make plays w his feet.

By "here" are you saying "you" or are you saying "this board?" Because if it's "this board" I'd certainly like you to find even one post supporting the contention.

While I respect the honesty, I kind of feel that as a member of "here" that I'm being accused of something. A little clarification would be nice.

(09-20-2013 09:42 AM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  

(09-20-2013 08:55 AM)emanoh Wrote:  Am I wrong to be expecting our QB to have 300+ yards passing per game?

Probably. That's a lot of yards and only the BSU QB is hitting that number. BSU, of course, doesn't have a David Fluellen in the stable of running backs they have. I'd be happy with a higher percentage of completions with some downfield. Everyone thought TO would be throwing those huge strikes to Reedy and it didn't happen in Games 1 and 2. Woodside had the one to the TE (I LOVED seeing the TE active again) and the beauty to Reedy for 81. Red zone continues to plague us. I like the idea of using Russell and the tight ends around the end zone- we use to use that TE drag route (and sometimes bring Page in the middle in similar fashion) to good effect on short yardage near the goal line.

TO had to play against real defenses.

(09-20-2013 02:58 PM)eastisbest Wrote:  I'm wondering how we get all these posters saying "great" analysis without at least some questioning of this statement.

(09-19-2013 10:18 PM)pono Wrote:  i think race influences the perception here as owens is black and fast, but actually doesn't move effectively to avoid pressure or make plays w his feet.

By "here" are you saying "you" or are you saying "this board?" Because if it's "this board" I'd certainly like you to find even one post supporting the contention.

While I respect the honesty, I kind of feel that as a member of "here" that I'm being accused of something. A little clarification would be nice.

Only two commented on the quality of analysis but, yeah, it seemed odd to me. Not the race part but that anyone thought Owens was fast. To me he seems average at best. He had a painfully slow first step early on ( comparisons with storks pop into my head) but got a lot quicker. He has long strides but no particular burst- he gains
yards when things are open but he's no Michael Vick or the UM QB of a year or two ago in the speed department.

As for the race thing it hadn't occured to me that people would automatically assume he was fast due to being black. Leftwich was absolutely ponderous but I didn't hear many Marshall fans complainig or expressing surprise.

(09-20-2013 02:58 PM)eastisbest Wrote:  I'm wondering how we get all these posters saying "great" analysis without at least some questioning of this statement.

(09-19-2013 10:18 PM)pono Wrote:  i think race influences the perception here as owens is black and fast, but actually doesn't move effectively to avoid pressure or make plays w his feet.

By "here" are you saying "you" or are you saying "this board?" Because if it's "this board" I'd certainly like you to find even one post supporting the contention.

While I respect the honesty, I kind of feel that as a member of "here" that I'm being accused of something. A little clarification would be nice.

sure, east

I wasn't calling out anyone on the board in any specific way. i'm referring to the general perception of owens, by announcers, reporters, magazines, and some posters as a running threat or dangerous runner. in reality that's not his strength.

personally, i think we (as a nation) shy away from race too often or use code phrases and deflections for racial generalizations. meanwhile, in athletics it is extremely rare to have a player compared to someone of another race even if their games are very similar. i.e., i think eric page is like a young wes welker, but since he's half black no one would make the comparison.

(09-20-2013 07:51 PM)pono Wrote:  

(09-20-2013 02:58 PM)eastisbest Wrote:  I'm wondering how we get all these posters saying "great" analysis without at least some questioning of this statement.

(09-19-2013 10:18 PM)pono Wrote:  i think race influences the perception here as owens is black and fast, but actually doesn't move effectively to avoid pressure or make plays w his feet.

By "here" are you saying "you" or are you saying "this board?" Because if it's "this board" I'd certainly like you to find even one post supporting the contention.

While I respect the honesty, I kind of feel that as a member of "here" that I'm being accused of something. A little clarification would be nice.

sure, east

I wasn't calling out anyone on the board in any specific way. i'm referring to the general perception of owens, by announcers, reporters, magazines, and some posters as a running threat or dangerous runner. in reality that's not his strength.

personally, i think we (as a nation) shy away from race too often or use code phrases and deflections for racial generalizations. meanwhile, in athletics it is extremely rare to have a player compared to someone of another race even if their games are very similar. i.e., i think eric page is like a young wes welker, but since he's half black no one would make the comparison.

I can't argue with that because those type comparisons are fairly obviously done. I can't say I've seen any indication of that being the knee jerk analysis, "here."

Maybe it's just my lack of solid memory but for example, I don't recall any discussion about Owens being a better runner than Dantin. It was all about arm strength. MAYBE someone said Owens looked better in a suit and someone else might have expressed considerable jealousy of Dantin's hair. But other than that.....

(09-20-2013 08:20 PM)eastisbest Wrote:  

(09-20-2013 07:51 PM)pono Wrote:  

(09-20-2013 02:58 PM)eastisbest Wrote:  I'm wondering how we get all these posters saying "great" analysis without at least some questioning of this statement.

(09-19-2013 10:18 PM)pono Wrote:  i think race influences the perception here as owens is black and fast, but actually doesn't move effectively to avoid pressure or make plays w his feet.

By "here" are you saying "you" or are you saying "this board?" Because if it's "this board" I'd certainly like you to find even one post supporting the contention.

While I respect the honesty, I kind of feel that as a member of "here" that I'm being accused of something. A little clarification would be nice

sure, east

I wasn't calling out anyone on the board in any specific way. i'm referring to the general perception of owens, by announcers, reporters, magazines, and some posters as a running threat or dangerous runner. in reality that's not his strength.

personally, i think we (as a nation) shy away from race too often or use code phrases and deflections for racial generalizations. meanwhile, in athletics it is extremely rare to have a player compared to someone of another race even if their games are very similar. i.e., i think eric page is like a young wes welker, but since he's half black
no one would make the comparison.

I can't argue with that because those type comparisons are fairly obviously done. I can't say I've seen any indication of that being the knee jerk analysis, "here."
Maybe it's just my lack of solid memory but for example, I don't recall any discussion about Owens being a better runner than Dantin. It was all about arm strength. MAYBE someone said Owens looked better in a suit and someone else might have expressed considerable jealousy of Dantin's hair. But other than that.....

ANY hair would be good but, dam, Dantin's made Warren Zevon's werewolf jealous.

(09-20-2013 10:38 PM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  

(09-20-2013 08:20 PM)eastisbest Wrote:  

(09-20-2013 07:51 PM)pono Wrote:  

(09-20-2013 02:58 PM)eastisbest Wrote:  I'm wondering how we get all these posters saying "great" analysis without at least some questioning of this statement.

(09-19-2013 10:18 PM)pono Wrote:  i think race influences the perception here as owens is black and fast, but actually doesn't move effectively to avoid pressure or make plays w his feet.

By "here" are you saying "you" or are you saying "this board?" Because if it's "this board" I'd certainly like you to find even one post supporting the contention.

While I respect the honesty, I kind of feel that as a member of "here" that I'm being accused of something. A little clarification would be nice

sure, east

I wasn't calling out anyone on the board in any specific way. i'm referring to the general perception of owens, by announcers, reporters, magazines, and some posters as a running threat or dangerous runner. in reality that's not his strength.

personally, i think we (as a nation) shy away from race too often or use code phrases and deflections for racial generalizations. meanwhile, in athletics it is extremely rare to have a player compared to someone of another race even if their games are very similar. i.e., i think eric page is like a young wes welker, but since he's half black
no one would make the comparison.

I can't argue with that because those type comparisons are fairly obviously done. I can't say I've seen any indication of that being the knee jerk analysis, "here."
Maybe it's just my lack of solid memory but for example, I don't recall any discussion about Owens being a better runner than Dantin. It was all about arm strength. MAYBE someone said Owens looked better in a suit and someone else might have expressed considerable jealousy of Dantin's hair. But other than that.....

ANY hair would be good but, dam, Dantin's made Warren Zevon's werewolf jealous.

racist

When I think of immobile quarterbacks I am reminded of the Marshall game where Leftwhich played hurt and his oline literally picked him up and carried him downfield after every completion. That was just crazy! It will be interesting to see how we play against MAC competition.

Speaking of fast QBs who run, what happened to EWU's Vernon Adams? He faced a much improved Rockets defense. What the replay of the Eagles opener at Oregon State and then compare. Barring significant injuries, the UT defense is headed to be the best in years.

We were expected to lose at Florida? WTH?? the play calling was AWEFUL!!!!!!! pass, run, pass, punt... the routes were very sloppy... and then, in the pressure spot in the red zone... owens literally whipped the ball at the receiver three yards away... not to mention at florida there were guys open in the end zone... with the amount of talent on the offense... we should have SMOKED florida... but, it was just a pathetic (I blame the coach) display of amateurism...

(09-21-2013 11:05 AM)KingBob Wrote:  We were expected to lose at Florida? WTH?? the play calling was AWEFUL!!!!!!! pass, run, pass, punt... the routes were very sloppy... and then, in the pressure spot in the red zone... owens literally whipped the ball at the receiver three yards away... not to mention at florida there were guys open in the end zone... with the amount of talent on the offense... we should have SMOKED florida... but, it was just a pathetic (I blame the coach) display of amateurism...

I agree. Fire Coach Campbell. Maybe we can get Enos!!!

(09-20-2013 07:51 PM)pono Wrote:  

(09-20-2013 02:58 PM)eastisbest Wrote:  I'm wondering how we get all these posters saying "great" analysis without at least some questioning of this statement.

(09-19-2013 10:18 PM)pono Wrote:  i think race influences the perception here as owens is black and fast, but actually doesn't move effectively to avoid pressure or make plays w his feet.

By "here" are you saying "you" or are you saying "this board?" Because if it's "this board" I'd certainly like you to find even one post supporting the contention.

While I respect the honesty, I kind of feel that as a member of "here" that I'm being accused of something. A little clarification would be nice.

sure, east

I wasn't calling out anyone on the board in any specific way. i'm referring to the general perception of owens, by announcers, reporters, magazines, and some posters as a running threat or dangerous runner. in reality that's not his strength.

personally, i think we (as a nation) shy away from race too often or use code phrases and deflections for racial generalizations. meanwhile, in athletics it is extremely rare to have a player compared to someone of another race even if their games are very similar. i.e., i think eric page is like a young wes welker, but since he's half black no one would make the comparison.

I get what you are saying, pono. I don't personally ever think of Owens as a dual threat and I can easily see the comparison of Page/Welker except my thought is Page is slower than Welker. But I personally make assumptions when I see certain athletes in certain roles. For instance, Stanford had that white running back a few years ago that was really good but I couldn't envision him making it in the NFL. He just really seemed out of place to me. And watching the NIU - EIU game, the EIU team seems to be made up of an abnormally high amount of white skill players. It doesn't mean that you can't be a great skill player if you are white because there are examples like Welker but since he is a minority there, it becomes noticeable when you see someone like that white Stanford RB. It's kind of like back in the day when black people couldn't be considered to be QB and Randall Cunningham was an anomaly.