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Just Finished My First Replay and a Few More Random Thoughts - AncientCityIndian - 08-27-2017

Grades:  (DL, B)    (LB, B+)  (DB A-)  (OL  C for pass blocking, B for run blocking),  (QB  B  for Chryst,  C for Burns, B+ for Costello),  (RB  A)

(WR  A-),  (TE  A),  (Special teams  A)

Possibly because we played vanilla schemes, we put zero pressure on the QB.  Our turnovers were primarily due to their mistakes and not our impetus. We rolled with their line flow on D and some defenders did not stay home and that`s why we were vulnerable to the misdirection jet sweeps.

The OL was a mixed bag.  Herbig was great but Hamilton and Fanaika seemed a little slow off the blocks and made mistakes.  Wilson was singularly unimpressive.  The new guys held their own.  Burkett and Bright did a pretty good job.

The tight end group was pretty damned impressive.  Schultz was not needed very much but showed his pass catching and running skills.  Smith is remarkable for his ability to get open and make the catch, minus one good DB strip.  Parkinson is just a force with his hands, height and speed.  Even Harrington had his moments. 

Stewart uses his body to create space to catch the ball to make up for separation deficiencies.  Irwin is what he is and is remarkable for his ability to split a seam, find an open spot, sit and move the chains when necessary. Wedington really can separate, has great hands and can intuitively run after the catch.  He plays with an attitude.  Extremely impressive for a first game.

Love is exceptional but Scarlett really impressed me as he never did before.  Maybe he was playing at 80% last year after the surgery.

The D Backs were pretty good although some of the second liners let a few Rice guys get between them and the sideline in the 4th quarter.

No complaints about the linebacking except the OLB`s were out of position on misdirection.  The ILB`s filled the gaps pretty well and the DL`s push was all right but we were not playing a great OL.  Robinson looked pretty good with the back up guys.

Special teams were very proficient.  Alamar does an incredible job. 

My caveat is that there are too many unknowns still because the D was not allowed to blitz and we will need to do that effectively to stop Darnold, Falk and Browning.  We will see.  We also need to see if our pass blocking will improve against the better defensive teams.  Chryst`s slow release and inability to go through his progressions quickly compounds the problem.  Costello does not have that problem and looks like he has a very high potential ceiling.  He is an athlete.

I guess to sum up my concerns I will say we are a talented team, extremely talented at some positions but we need to really improve over the next two weeks with our pass blocking and Chryst`s slow release issues, whatever the cause.  I am in the camp that wants a national championship badly and will only be happy with a playoff contender.  We have won more FBS games this decade than every team except Alabama yet we are the only one in the top 7 in that category never to make it to the big dance.  I know the coaches and players share my opinion strongly but will not talk about it much.  This team has the potential and talent to do it.  A little luck and freedom from injuries and we will be strong contenders.




Re: Just Finished My First Replay and a Few More Random Thoughts - martyup - 08-27-2017

I noticed from early in the game that Costello was very active on the sideline as a cheerleader and motivator.  He was high-fiving players coming off the field and generally firing up his teammates.  That's a good sign.  He is engaged and has good rapport with his teammates. 

Re: Just Finished My First Replay and a Few More Random Thoughts - stupac2 - 08-27-2017

Not sure how you can give special teams an A when there were multiple kickoffs out of bounds.

Re: Just Finished My First Replay and a Few More Random Thoughts - oman - 08-27-2017

Yes, very excited about Costello.

Re: Just Finished My First Replay and a Few More Random Thoughts - JohnR34231 - 08-27-2017

(08-27-2017, 12:03 PM)oman link Wrote:Yes, very excited about Costello.

Yeah, it will be interesting to see if we get to see much more of him this year (particularly outside of garbage time).

Re: Just Finished My First Replay and a Few More Random Thoughts - BostonCard - 08-27-2017

Special teams had a muffed punt (not lost) and a kickoff out of bounds.  Good coverage on the kickoff returns, but our own returns (mostly punts) were meh.  On the plus, Toner was perfect with 2 field goals and 8(!) PAT's.  I'd have given the unit as a whole a B+/A-.  Ultimately it's hard to tell how much was due to us and how much due to Rice just being overmatched.

BC

Re: Just Finished My First Replay and a Few More Random Thoughts - needle - 08-27-2017

Wilson had a great block down field after pulling on the long Scarlett run. I think he might start.


It's at the 2:25 Mark here.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BtTEdy8XyT4

Re: Just Finished My First Replay and a Few More Random Thoughts - AncientCityIndian - 08-27-2017

Regarding special teams, I agree they were not perfect but just always consistently good. They rarely hurt us.  In addition to what was noted in this thread, Tyler took a fair catch on the first punt when he should have caught it and run 15-20 yards.  My point was that they never had one decent kick return, we made all our PAT and FG attempts and our blocking, execution and coverages were pretty good.  Tyler had a few decent returns on punts.  I`m not bothered as much as some by the placement of the ball on the 35 yard line occasionally but it obviously is not ideal. 

As a team, I would give us an A- for the game.  An impressive win against a team that will be better at the end of the year as their players respond to new coaches and new coaching schemes.  I would give Shaw an A for the play calling and I have been among his chief critics in that regard for years.  His best play calling game since the first half of the Rose Bowl vs. Iowa.  That type of balanced attack that forces a D to defend the entire field is just the recipe to give us a good chance to defeat our best opponents.

I am sorry I sounded so negative about Wilson.  I`m not and he could become a starter eventually.  I just was referring to his several missed blocks in the game  that caused us major problems that were obvious on replay.  Next game, he may be impeccable!  And just because Costello is more decisive and has a quicker release than Chryst does not necessarily mean he is making the right decision.  The proof will always be in the success of the play and the culmination of a successful drive with a touchdown.

Re: Just Finished My First Replay and a Few More Random Thoughts - BostonCard - 08-27-2017

(08-27-2017, 01:54 PM)AncientCityIndian link Wrote:Regarding special teams, I agree they were not perfect but just always consistently good. They rarely hurt us.  In addition to what was noted in this thread, Tyler took a fair catch on the first punt when he should have caught it and run 15-20 yards.  My point was that they never had one decent kick return, we made all our PAT and FG attempts and our blocking, execution and coverages were pretty good.  Tyler had a few decent returns on punts.  I`m not bothered as much as some by the placement of the ball on the 35 yard line occasionally but it obviously is not ideal. 

As a team, I would give us an A- for the game.  An impressive win against a team that will be better at the end of the year as their players respond to new coaches and new coaching schemes.  I would give Shaw an A for the play calling and I have been among his chief critics in that regard for years.  His best play calling game since the first half of the Rose Bowl vs. Iowa.  That type of balanced attack that forces a D to defend the entire field is just the recipe to give us a good chance to defeat our best opponents.

I am sorry I sounded so negative about Wilson.  I`m not and he could become a starter eventually.  I just was referring to his several missed blocks in the game  that caused us major problems that were obvious on replay.  Next game, he may be impeccable!  And just because Costello is more decisive and has a quicker release than Chryst does not necessarily means he is making the right decision.  The proof will always be in the success of the play and the culmination of a successful drive with a touchdown.

Don't get me wrong, the special teams weren't bad.  It's just that it seems that the two units you gave A's to (running backs and tight ends) truly had excellent games and deserved the grade.  Special teams weren't bad, but "consistently good" sounds like a B to B+, not an A.  But that's nitpicking.  I think your analysis was very on point.  A- for the game sounds right.  WE played an overmatched team, and we played up to the billing.  Not perfect, but pretty damned good.

BC

Re: Just Finished My First Replay and a Few More Random Thoughts - Phogge - 08-27-2017

If you were watching at the Tradewinds explains a lot.

Re: Just Finished My First Replay and a Few More Random Thoughts - fullmetal - 08-27-2017

Scarlett looks like a different player, but when your OL is blowing open holes against an outmatched front seven...yeah.  Still, good to see him flexing better than he looked last season.

I noted the Rice receptions in the second half along the sideline...Akina will probably have some words with his squad about that.

Re: Just Finished My First Replay and a Few More Random Thoughts - Bruce Wang - 08-27-2017

Anybody know where we can see Costello replays?  And please comedy duo routines or post-punk crooning.

Re: Just Finished My First Replay -- Costello - ADPATERSON - 08-27-2017

Could see Costello against:  The AZ schools, vs CalSucks, and ORST.

Several Pac12 QBs will play in NFL:  Certainly Darnold, Falk.  Likely Rosen, Browning.  Oregon... can't tell.
And, those QBs have drawn 4*+ Wideouts.  Speed and size, with hands. 
So, PASS RUSH will be the key in games against ranked teams.  Didn't see that against Rice.
WAST will be a VERY tough out with their monster O-Line and weapons.  Up there. 

After Sat, pressure on the Passers with the lineups we face is my new #1 concern.  Coach Anderson will have to blitz.
We may get into some track meet games where the run game won't be enough. 

Re: Just Finished My First Replay and a Few More Random Thoughts - socalstanfan1 - 08-28-2017

(08-27-2017, 12:06 PM)JPRI link Wrote:[quote author=oman link=topic=17242.msg198221#msg198221 date=1503860616]
Yes, very excited about Costello.

Yeah, it will be interesting to see if we get to see much more of him this year (particularly outside of garbage time).
[/quote]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and predict: unless injury presents and opportunity, we will only see Costello in garbage time.  Based on past experience and Shaw's general persona, I just cannot see him providing any opportunity for a QB controversy to emerge.  Shaw may not be as conservative as some (including me) often thing, but I do believe he values stability, and consistency as valuable for the overall team. If he suffers no injury, I think it would take several sub-par games in a row by Chryst before Shaw started bringing in Costello at a meaningful part of the game.  This certainly was the case last year, when it took a few sub-par games by Burns before a move was made, and even earlier when Hogan had to wait for a few sub-par performances by Nunes before he saw the field.

I'm not sure if that is good or not, but I do think it's in step with Shaw's past approach.

Re: Just Finished My First Replay and a Few More Random Thoughts - JohnR34231 - 08-28-2017

(08-28-2017, 12:36 AM)socalstanfan1 link Wrote:[quote author=JPRI link=topic=17242.msg198222#msg198222 date=1503860781]
[quote author=oman link=topic=17242.msg198221#msg198221 date=1503860616]
Yes, very excited about Costello.

Yeah, it will be interesting to see if we get to see much more of him this year (particularly outside of garbage time).
[/quote]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and predict: unless injury presents and opportunity, we will only see Costello in garbage time.  Based on past experience and Shaw's general persona, I just cannot see him providing any opportunity for a QB controversy to emerge.  Shaw may not be as conservative as some (including me) often thing, but I do believe he values stability, and consistency as valuable for the overall team. If he suffers no injury, I think it would take several sub-par games in a row by Chryst before Shaw started bringing in Costello at a meaningful part of the game.  This certainly was the case last year, when it took a few sub-par games by Burns before a move was made, and even earlier when Hogan had to wait for a few sub-par performances by Nunes before he saw the field.

I'm not sure if that is good or not, but I do think it's in step with Shaw's past approach.
[/quote]

You're probably right, but I recall us saying a few days ago that if/when Costello got in against Rice, it would only be to hand the ball off and there was no way Shaw would let him throw or direct a legitimate drive. So you never know.

Re: Just Finished My First Replay and a Few More Random Thoughts - Mick - 08-28-2017

(08-28-2017, 01:29 AM)JPRI link Wrote:[quote author=socalstanfan1 link=topic=17242.msg198275#msg198275 date=1503905792]
[quote author=JPRI link=topic=17242.msg198222#msg198222 date=1503860781]
[quote author=oman link=topic=17242.msg198221#msg198221 date=1503860616]
Yes, very excited about Costello.

Yeah, it will be interesting to see if we get to see much more of him this year (particularly outside of garbage time).
[/quote]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and predict: unless injury presents and opportunity, we will only see Costello in garbage time.  Based on past experience and Shaw's general persona, I just cannot see him providing any opportunity for a QB controversy to emerge.  Shaw may not be as conservative as some (including me) often thing, but I do believe he values stability, and consistency as valuable for the overall team. If he suffers no injury, I think it would take several sub-par games in a row by Chryst before Shaw started bringing in Costello at a meaningful part of the game.  This certainly was the case last year, when it took a few sub-par games by Burns before a move was made, and even earlier when Hogan had to wait for a few sub-par performances by Nunes before he saw the field.

I'm not sure if that is good or not, but I do think it's in step with Shaw's past approach.
[/quote]

You're probably right, but I recall us saying a few days ago that if/when Costello got in against Rice, it would only be to hand the ball off and there was no way Shaw would let him throw or direct a legitimate drive. So you never know.
[/quote]


I think Coach Shaw's playing the odds.  You have a not-particularly-mobile quarterback, who is heavy, coming off an ACL injury just six months after surgery with porous pass protection at the same time. 

I think the odds are pretty darned good we'll see Costello again this season.

Re: Just Finished My First Replay and a Few More Random Thoughts - washingtonismoney - 08-28-2017

We all remember the Hogan situation in 2012, which in retrospect was a smart way to ease a talented QB into playing time. That was facilitated, however, by Hogan's big mobility advantage relative to Nunes. (Though, just for posterity, I'll note that Nunes's run against SC that year was one of my most favorite QB runs ever.)

Anyway, Costello and Chryst seem to have similar mobility -- in fact, if anything, a healthy Chryst is a better runner. So if Shaw perceives Costello to be the better long-term prospect, I wonder how and if he'd ease Costello into gameplay.

Re: Just Finished My First Replay and a Few More Random Thoughts - CTcard - 08-28-2017

(08-28-2017, 08:33 AM)washingtonismoney link Wrote:Anyway, Costello and Chryst seem to have similar mobility -- in fact, if anything, a healthy Chryst is a better runner. So if Shaw perceives Costello to be the better long-term prospect, I wonder how and if he'd ease Costello into gameplay.

Interesting point.

I have heard that the staff views Costello as a better long term prospect. (Perhaps they view Mills as even better longterm but given his injury a non-issue for the moment.) But, the one red zone package we saw was a wildcat-ish/Hogan early 2012-ish play for Burns. (Burns ran for 8 yards to the Rice 1 yard line on the drive that put us up 35-0.)

I suspect that Costello is simply going to be the backup for this year, barring trouble.

Re: Just Finished My First Replay and a Few More Random Thoughts - oman - 08-28-2017

Costello had an energy that came across the screen. 

He "looked" like he was thinking faster.

When we come up against a team with a good defense, that may matter. 

Re: Just Finished My First Replay and a Few More Random Thoughts - qwerty49 - 08-28-2017

(08-27-2017, 11:12 AM)AncientCityIndian link Wrote:Chryst`s slow release and inability to go through his progressions quickly compounds the problem.  Costello does not have that problem and looks like he has a very high potential ceiling. 

I totally agree with with all of your assessments, but this is the one that bothers me the most.  Chryst just looks so much slower back there compared to Costello.  And several times he threw into multiple coverage with little chance of a completion.  Off the limited plays we saw, there's no question which of the two has the faster release and better arm. 

I just hope that Costello continues to get good game experience.