I like Flood's persona and really hope he can survive the current situation under investigation but if he and his staff do not change they will be gone sooner than later. They never seem to trust the talent they put on the field. Offensively and defensively the strategy is always to play it safe and be conservative. On one hand we are told Laviano beat out Rettig and played great during the spring and summer camp and he is allowed to throw to Caroo for big plays but only against a clearly inferior Norfolk State team. Against his first P5 opponent he doesn't throw any pass further than 20 yards down the field!!! Caroo and Patton were virtually non-factors and suddenly relatively short passes over the middle to tight ends are the focal point. The Fridge's gravitas was the only thing that allowed last season to not be plagued by the same conservative Flood BS...that gravitas is being sorely missed.
Defensively they are so afraid to ever trust their defensive backs to play man to man press coverage that they sit in a soft zone the entire game and allow the opponent to march down the field. During camp we hear how Austin and Wharton are playing well and they are the "new style" longer ornerback perfect for playing man to man coverage. If so why not occasionally trust them to play man and blitz the heck out of the opponent forces him to get rid of the ball quickly? Because they coach scared and play everything safe which by the way is not what modern "Rutgers Football" has been about. Attacking defensive pressure, down hill running and occasional big plays down the field!!! It's only been 2 games but they must play to win and not just to not lose!
Finally, this style of coaching and play will not entice top recruits to join the program. This play it safe mentality must stop!!!!
Defensively they are so afraid to ever trust their defensive backs to play man to man press coverage that they sit in a soft zone the entire game and allow the opponent to march down the field. During camp we hear how Austin and Wharton are playing well and they are the "new style" longer ornerback perfect for playing man to man coverage. If so why not occasionally trust them to play man and blitz the heck out of the opponent forces him to get rid of the ball quickly? Because they coach scared and play everything safe which by the way is not what modern "Rutgers Football" has been about. Attacking defensive pressure, down hill running and occasional big plays down the field!!! It's only been 2 games but they must play to win and not just to not lose!
Finally, this style of coaching and play will not entice top recruits to join the program. This play it safe mentality must stop!!!!
