So, I know we have ALOT of fans on here that are not going to like what I'm about to say, but there was a lot of suck to go around and we quite frankly sucked in all areas yesterday.
From the kick off fumble right out of the gate giving ND an easy score was demoralizing and extremely frustrating to say the least. Especially from a graduate student that played for ND to not be focused for this game. He still hasn't really showed anything most of the year with all the easy catch and drops he has had. He alone has been punters best friend with all the easy 3rd catches he's mishandled.
Then you had the line that just couldn't keep people from storming in rushing both QBs on throws.
The absolute head scratching play calling on three failed tries up the middle on a 2nd and 1. When do you not realize that this line is porous and going up the middle on ND is not the way to go.
Then you look at the WRs that don't run good routes at all and you had some WR/TE stopping in the middle of a route and almost get Muskett picked. By the way the INT on AC was all Fields for not running straight across the route but instead he slanted behind the defender that got the pick. You can't cut across and then slant behind a defender; it's an INT all day. Also the tipped ball that was an INT, we have WRs and TEs that are weak on boxing out defenders and have brick hands. Neville was driving me crazy with not getting to the sticks to be stopped short of first down. You got to get to the sticks when you cut across the field. Also if you go back and watch over all instant replays you see whether it's AC or Muskett scrambling to pass, you have half the WR corp not even looking with their backs turned down field, and the other half dancing beside the defender instead of hustling to get some space the QBs can work with.
Then the RB fumble is obvious in scoring range.
QB observations: AC: He hustles but he takes chances of throwing to a spot on the field anticipating the WR/TE is going to be there. The problem like said above, Fields cuts behind the defender crossing and AC throws it right to the Defender. AC will have problems with his style of passing cause he has weak route runners and witnessed several stopped running crossing the field with both AC and Muskett that could have been more picks.
Muskett: I think Muskett last night showed hands down that he was decisive when he took off on both TD runs. Also his style of quick throws like Aaron Rogers quick pass to WR/TE is best suited with WR/TE that have a hard time getting space once the defenders are up on them. As seen last night he would quick flip it to guys before the defender was up on him, where as AC waits too long and forces the throw when the WR/TE is blanketed. Also Muskett used the quick flip pass to WR/TEs out in open space when he was scrambling, to not allow the Defender to get up on him which was better suited for this game.
Now lets talk about D line and Secondary:
First, yet another boneheaded mistake for you to run up behind the QB after the ball is gone and forcefully push him down with the zebra standing there. How many times this year have we given away first downs and yards with boneheaded roughing the passer, hits to the head or late hits; just dumb, dumb, dumb hurting your team.
The secondary is horrible with not communicating and having sometimes three guys in secondary bunched up together guarding the same WR/TE and leaving two WR/TEs wide, and I mean wide open. Nobody is communicating and just running around like fire ants out there. How many end zone easy flips to wide open TEs and not one player even remotely in the area. Also what kind of tackling when you dive under the guys shoe strings and he just dives over for an easy TD? WHO IS TEACHING THESE GUYS? Are there anyone one teaching pursuit, tackling cause I'm still seeing bad angles, and shoulder tackling or diving under players feet.
The Coaching staff are just unfocused, undisciplined, and lacking in coaching, training, teaching to have guys three seasons in still unable to know how to wrap up on defense, tackle, or communicate to each other not to bunch up in one area.
Who is the strength and conditioning coach that still have the O line being pushed around like a turnstile still? Their technique coming out of their stance is horrible. Still standing straight up, no center of gravity, no slide ability, and look like bouncers at night club pushing people away to have them run right around and get the QBs. You might want to get Morgan Moses come teach OL especially both Tackles how to slide. Both sides of the OL are getting beat by smaller players every other play due to standing up flat footed trying to block with little to no slide with little center of gravity in mind.
Alright, I'm done and I said there would be ALOT of posters who will not like this post. It was done in being a fan and questioning what growth are we seeing both in players and coaches. Thank YOU!
