[d4cohn]

<p>I re-watched the game for the defensive series (since that was the best part of yesterday's game :) ),</p><p>and here are my thoughts:</p><p><br></p><p>1) DWP, Mike Williams, Swann and Schaffer were the MVP's on defense in my opinion</p><p><br></p><p>They say everything starts up front, and it really was true yesterday. From the pass rush leading to</p><p>the first INT and both fumbles, the DL held their position, physically pushed blockers back (like DWP</p><p>did on one play, pushing his blocker at least 5 yards backward), and had great agility to side step</p><p>blockers (Gabe Reid and Swann with pure agility were able to "go small" and squeeze past the OL;</p><p>Reid's play directly&nbsp;led to the first INT).</p><p><br></p><p>Yes, with our mistakes on offense/special teams, Northwestern was in the game, but given the way their OL couldn't get any push,</p><p>they weren't going to have much of a chance. All the credit to the DL + Toohill + Reid&nbsp;for a spectacular game yesterday.</p><p><br></p><p>2) Miezan was fantastic yesterday; he spied their QB very well, provided strong run support, and rushed the passer well</p><p>with his big QB hit that saved a TD at the end of the first half. IMO, he should be starting.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>I am a bit more neutral on the rest of the ILB play as compared to winflop; in particular, #2 (who starts ahead of Miezan)</p><p>seemed like he was caught a bit flat-footed on some plays (one was bailed out by Adebo's spectacular pick, but if Adebo</p><p>misses on that ball, with #2 out of position, that is 6). #2 also had to take a PI call when he was beat in coverage on a route.</p><p><br></p><p>3) Screen pass coverage was honestly poor yesterday, and the problem at least to me on tape, was that it appeared to be a combination</p><p>of things rather than one player out of position (which is a bit more concerning). Fortunately, Hunter Johnson airmailed more screen passes than he completed, but #4, #25 and #10 with an overaggressive pass rush on at least two of three instances (I presume that was by design, but if not leaving the RB in the flat all alone was a bad idea) was not great. A much better QB (say Herbert in three weeks) could have toasted us for at least 1 TD on the play where #25 left the RB uncovered. (that was the one instance where our guy wasn't rushing the passer, but ended up doubling a receiver with safety support instead of picking up the RB).</p><p></p>

[d4cohn]

<p>I re-watched the game for the defensive series (since that was the best part of yesterday's game :) ),</p><p>and here are my thoughts:</p><p><br></p><p>1) DWP, Mike Williams, Swann and Schaffer were the MVP's on defense in my opinion</p><p><br></p><p>They say everything starts up front, and it really was true yesterday. From the pass rush leading to</p><p>the first INT and both fumbles, the DL held their position, physically pushed blockers back (like DWP</p><p>did on one play, pushing his blocker at least 5 yards backward), and had great agility to side step</p><p>blockers (Gabe Reid and Swann with pure agility were able to "go small" and squeeze past the OL;</p><p>Reid's play directly&nbsp;led to the first INT).</p><p><br></p><p>Yes, with our mistakes on offense/special teams, Northwestern was in the game, but given the way their OL couldn't get any push,</p><p>they weren't going to have much of a chance. All the credit to the DL + Toohill + Reid&nbsp;for a spectacular game yesterday.</p><p><br></p><p>2) Miezan was fantastic yesterday; he spied their QB very well, provided strong run support, and rushed the passer well</p><p>with his big QB hit that saved a TD at the end of the first half. IMO, he should be starting.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>I am a bit more neutral on the rest of the ILB play as compared to winflop; in particular, #2 (who starts ahead of Miezan)</p><p>seemed like he was caught a bit flat-footed on some plays (one was bailed out by Adebo's spectacular pick, but if Adebo</p><p>misses on that ball, with #2 out of position, that is 6). #2 also had to take a PI call when he was beat in coverage on a route.</p><p><br></p><p>3) Screen pass coverage was honestly poor yesterday, and the problem at least to me on tape, was that it appeared to be a combination</p><p>of things rather than one player out of position (which is a bit more concerning). Fortunately, Hunter Johnson airmailed more screen passes than he completed, but #4, #25 and #10 with an overaggressive pass rush on at least two of three instances (I presume that was by design, but if not leaving the RB in the flat all alone was a bad idea) was not great. A much better QB (say Herbert in three weeks) could have toasted us for at least 1 TD on the play where #25 left the RB uncovered. (that was the one instance where our guy wasn't rushing the passer, but ended up doubling a receiver with safety support instead of picking up the RB).</p><p></p>