I'm pleased to see our team making progress. But part of coaching is observing your team and making the right call at the right time in terms of personnel. I believe we're at a juncture now that presents a tricky call for our young coaches.
For the third straight game, Greg Moore has shown that he has an explosiveness at running back that our other two backs -- while talented in their own right -- can't match. On an offense that is limited by a QB who can't throw downfield effectively, we can't overlook the skills of a running back who puts pressure on the entire defense -- including the secondary -- and is a true big-play threat.
Dantonio said in the paper this morning that he expected Moore to get 15-20 carries. Well, he got 10 (and he gained a very nice 64 yards). If he got 20, I believe we would have gotten at least one more TD.
Glatthaar has done nothing wrong, and neither has Benton, but it is time for Moore to be just one prong in a three-man rotation. He needs to be our featured back because it will give us the best chance to win. I know they love Glatthaar's toughness -- I do too -- but they really need to see what Greg Moore can do now. This guy is showing every sign of being a Big East-caliber star in the making, and we can't afford to turn our back on that possibility right now.
Socko, I don't think Moore would have had a problem reaching his alotted 15 carries had we moved the chains in the 2nd half. I don't think we had any more than about 2 or 3 first downs in the 2nd half. Twice we went 3 and out, I believe.
I agree, Moore is looking like the best. I can't argue with rotating, though, since it is working. Maybe rotate, then stay with the hot one an extra few series is how I'd approach it.
Our offense in the second half was lame. It was uncreative, and conservative. In the first half, Grutza spread the ball around to Poland, Ross, and Jackson. We had a vertical passing game going. In the second half, we threw to only one receiver (Jackson), and we got in a horizontal and short passing game.
The defense saved the day for us. A big challenge for the UC offense is keeping all of our skilled players involved in the game. Poland is a very capable receiver who needs more passes thrown his way. Celek has disappeared for all intensive purposes. Ross and other receivers should be involved.
I don't know if the lack of passes to these receivers is due to play calling or Grutza locking onto Jackson, and only Jackson.
Even if Grutza has difficulty in the vertical passing game, we have to show it other teams. If we don't the defense will stack the box against us, which is what Syracuse did to us yesterday.
I would have preferred that Moore get a few more carries yesterday, but my main complaint is the UC passing game, or the lack of a passing game.
I am very unimpressed with Treadwell.
But this was a very important win for us today.
LEt's support the Bearcats next Wednesday night against West Virginia
Here's the crux of my argument, Waco: This offense can't afford to get off schedule with a poor first down play. Grutza's inability to throw any distance down the field makes 2nd-and-long a nightmare down for us.
We punted on all five of our possessions in the second half yesterday. Look at the first down plays that preceded the fourth down punts in the second half from yesterday:
C 1-10 C46 GLATTHAAR, B. rush left for loss of 4 yards to the CIN42 (GREGORY, Steve).
C 1-10 C38 Moore, Greg rush reverse for 6 yards to the CIN44 (DAVIS, Dowayne).
C 1-10 C46 Grutza, Dustin screen pass complete to JACKSON,Earnest for loss of 1 yard to
the CIN45 (GREGORY, Steve).
C 1-10 C47 Benton, Butler rush for 1 yard to the CIN48 (HARRIS, Tommy).
C 1-10 C50 GLATTHAAR, B. rush for loss of 1 yard to the CIN49 (SMITH, Anthony).
When we start a series with a running play with Glatthaar and there's not much there, we're in trouble. And with Bradley, it seems like he either gets into the secondary and gets 5-plus, or he's tackled near the line (because of his lack of elusiveness) for not much. Benton's a little more elusive, but I think Moore is by far the best bet to get us 3-4 yards when there's not much available from his line.
If anything, I'd play Moore on 1st and 3rd downs, and bring Glatthaar in on 2nd and medium. That's when I think he would be most efffective in causing defenses to respect both his running power and the short passing game of UC, making both so much more effective.
Socko Wiethe Wrote:If anything, I'd play Moore on 1st and 3rd downs, and bring Glatthaar in on 2nd and medium. That's when I think he would be most efffective in causing defenses to respect both his running power and the short passing game of UC, making both so much more effective.
My problem with your plan: If a RB is going to be shuttled into and out of a game based on the down, then there is no chance of his developing a rhythm.