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WRs play against Colorado - Printable Version

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WRs play against Colorado - Griffins78 - 10-09-2011

As expected, AL went to wideouts a lot more in this game against Colorado's embattled defensive backfield. That included our TEs split out, or FB and running backs split out and although he didn't catch a pass, our QB was split out too. Lots of different looks.

Griff Whalen finally showed up in a big way. He looked like the receiver he was promising to be from last year and he and AL seemed to be connected - on the same page the way we hoped the two roommates would be. I hope this combination continues to develop as a legitimate threat.

I love Chris Owusu but he just doesn't appear to be the same player that he used to be. There have been a couple of times now that Owusu appears to be open or breaking free deep but AL decides to go to a check down or other option. I hope it isn't true but it seems like AL may not consider Owusu as sure a bet in a critical situation deep or over the middle. However, he has gone to Owusu many times in the flat in critical situations generally with great success. It seems like they are both trying to build their confidence together by hitting an easy pass and catch and then letting Owusu run with the ball. I think they are still working on getting the groove back to take their shots down the field hopefully later in the season. Really want to see this connection open up.

We've been looking for Montgomery to get more opportunities and work more into the lineup but when he had his closeup moment last night, he dropped a perfectly thrown ball on a middle screen - kinda like a shuttle pass but over the top of the DL. Would have gone for a first down on third and perhaps a lot further because he had blockers in front of him.

Corey Gatewood has been getting more time and he got his hand on the ball on an end around and a nice post for a first down. It looked like he almost dropped it but didn't and held on for a nice play. He was sent deep a few times too - though no pass but hopefully he can become a deep threat and help stretch the defense. Hope to see more.

Jamal-Rashad Patterson had a very nice catch of a Nottingham pass in the 4th Qtr. Looked like a streak route that he had to stop and jump over the defender to catch the ball. Nice.

Hope this kick starts our WRs stepping up to a bigger role in the offense going forward.


Re: WRs play against Colorado - washingtonismoney - 10-09-2011

I mean, that Montgomery play is why he's being brought along slowly rather than rushed. It looked to me his timing/route-running was not up to snuff. Kudos to him for getting his number called in an important situation; clearly he's showing stuff to the staff. Hopefully he doesn't get down and keeps working hard.

Our other true freshmen do not appear to be continuing to make a brobdingnagian impact. Jordan Richards in on special teams but is getting much less PT at safety. I didn't see Vaughters much; he finally started playing with the backups. Wonder what's up there.

Re: WRs play against Colorado - Red_Banded_Hat - 10-09-2011

Owusu had 1 good game vs Duke and now Whalen vs CO, but the WRs have been disappointing.  It seems we had several years of highly recruited players there who never developed, whether from bad luck, nagging injuries, over-rating or under-coaching, I can't say.
That said, I'm willing to wait on Montgomery.  We have a complex offense, which I'd expect time to pick up.  But if we could just get one WR who can get open on the fly or post and reliably catch the ball deep...

Re: WRs play against Colorado - Farm93 - 10-09-2011

WR development is where our complex playbook probably is a negative.

The more recent WRs were 4 star recruits, but the playbook is complicated.  It is not enough to just run fast, they must know the route called in the huddle and at least two others that Luck might elect to call as an audible.  It is a lot to learn.  So I think it is too early to declare the 1st and 2nd year players disappointing.  The playbook and the audibles probably combine to keep the kids that expect to just stretch the defense with fly routes off the field.
 


Re: WRs play against Colorado - Griffins78 - 10-09-2011

I'd like to propose another potential factor. To me, it seemed early in the season that AL wasn't quite ON with his passing and timing with his receivers. Perhaps game speed is slightly different from practice and it has taken a few games for AL to start to get the timing right with his receivers - meaning both the receivers and AL and to get on the same page with adjustments. There haven't been many deep passes.

Luck looked better and more in sync with his receivers last night than in any previous game this year. Perhaps now they will be more comfortable taking shots downfield as they've built up their confidence and timing.

Re: WRs play against Colorado - cardfan09 - 10-11-2011

Why the heck isn't Drew Terrell involved in more passing plays?  We need a reliable possession receiver, and he seems like the best candidate.

Really happy for Whalen, but I'm skeptical that he'll be able to get open against non-war-ravaged secondaries, given how completely he's been blanketed in the four games prior to Colorado.