Regardless of what fans think, executing the run game on offense is easier than a successful passing game. Contain type defenses which we are playing so far exclusively encourage higher risk/reward plays by the offense, and also tend to lengthen the game in terms of possessions given incomplete passes etc. We've once again got a number of big interior lineman and a lot of quickness behind them which will make it hard for most teams on our schedule to run against us. You won't see it exclusively forever, but it's a sound strategy given our ability to score points. The four down linemen did improve their pressure as the game wore on given our multiple shifts. It's early, we'll see how it develops.

(09-11-2016 08:53 PM)Cataclysmo Wrote:  

(09-11-2016 08:39 PM)bearcatjim Wrote:  

(09-11-2016 06:38 PM)ucbandguy Wrote:  I remember sitting in the stands yesterday wondering where our pass rush was. Then it occurred to me that I did not remember seeing any linebackers or safeties blitzing. As I paid closer attention, the rush was always just 4 linemen against 6 blockers, as Purdue seemed to always keep someone in to help block. So perhaps it is not surprising that they had trouble finding open receivers with 7 in coverage. I specifically remember at least 4 passes into the stands (not just out of bounds.)

So my question is - is our D line rush a little better that I (we) have been giving it credit for?

I also remember several times that the the front 4 switched out entirely in the middle of a defensive series. I don't seem to remember much difference in results before / after the switch.

Count me as one who just doesn't agree with playing a contain pass rush. You can only get away with that against a guy who can't throw. A decent QB will carve you up. We are going to have to blitz and stunt to beat Houston. We just need to guess right more than Houston about how and when we do that. Sore shoulder or not, Ward will find an open guy with enough time.

I agree, but it worked, didnt it? The dude threw 5 picks, and 3 of them were just bad throws.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk

I hear ya but to me luck is not a strategy. Why not just drop 11 and rush none?

And honestly, I'm not convinced that it was really a contain strategy and not just a really poor pass rush by the front four. Hope I'm wrong and we show some new stuff Thursday.

Did Minor beat out Ray for the Right Guard spot. And I noticed that Kinnard got a lot of time. Jaylin Minor has barely played?

(09-12-2016 05:53 AM)rosewater Wrote:  Did Minor beat out Ray for the Right Guard spot. And I noticed that Kinnard got a lot of time. Jaylin Minor has barely played?

On the pregame, Tony Pike said K. Minor was playing because Ray was banged up.

(09-11-2016 11:36 PM)bearcatjim Wrote:  

(09-11-2016 08:53 PM)Cataclysmo Wrote:  

(09-11-2016 08:39 PM)bearcatjim Wrote:  

(09-11-2016 06:38 PM)ucbandguy Wrote:  I remember sitting in the stands yesterday wondering where our pass rush was. Then it occurred to me that I did not remember seeing any linebackers or safeties blitzing. As I paid closer attention, the rush was always just 4 linemen against 6 blockers, as Purdue seemed to always keep someone in to help block. So perhaps it is not surprising that they had trouble finding open receivers with 7 in coverage. I specifically remember at least 4 passes into the stands (not just out of bounds.)

So my question is - is our D line rush a little better that I (we) have been giving it credit for?

I also remember several times that the the front 4 switched out entirely in the middle of a defensive series. I don't seem to remember much difference in results before / after the switch.

Count me as one who just doesn't agree with playing a contain pass rush. You can only get away with that against a guy who can't throw. A decent QB will carve you up. We are going to have to blitz and stunt to beat Houston. We just need to guess right more than Houston about how and when we do that. Sore shoulder or not, Ward will find an open guy with enough time.

I agree, but it worked, didnt it? The dude threw 5 picks, and 3 of them were just bad throws.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk

I hear ya but to me luck is not a strategy. Why not just drop 11 and rush none?

And honestly, I'm not convinced that it was really a contain strategy and not just a really poor pass rush by the front four. Hope I'm wrong and we show some new stuff Thursday.

Honestly, we didn't really show a blitz package much the last two games. I expect to see it on Thursday.

Thursday is where you break out the stunts and exotic packages. Surprise them and get to that bad shoulder.

(09-12-2016 06:13 PM)Dannyboy Wrote:  Thursday is where you break out the stunts and exotic packages. Surprise them and get to that bad shoulder.

Exactly...

I want to see Ward hammered so hard he leaves the game....not permanently damaged, just the rest of the night.