Getting Beat on Long Passes

[BRKnightsFan]

How many times against Indiana did the Rutgers defensive backs get beat on a long pass, where they were basically right there stride for stride with the receiver, never once looked back to see the incoming ball (or even realize it was incoming), and allowed the receiver to catch it unchallenged? It seemed like it happened a dozen times or so. This seems to be a weekly occurrence. Where are the defensive coaches on this issue? At no point did I see any adjustment on this during the course of the game. We basically allowed Indiana to throw at will.

 

[RU#1fan]

Turn around .
Turn frick'n around.
Don't want hear that crap that we will be getting burned for a long gain on that Pass if the CB turns around.
We already are getting burned for 30 yards on the play by not looking for the ball.
Yikes... 400 Yards passing yesterday by Indiana. Yeah , this strategy is working.

 

[Scarlet Haze]

That is exactly why we lost yesterday. I almost every instance the defender was right there and could easily have batted the ball away or intercepted it. Instead it was like having someone follow you a foot or so away but wont interfere in your ability to catch the ball. That needs to be resolved and soon. Without those big plays, and a lot were on 3rd and long, they don't score and we win.

 

[rurichdog]

If we're going to get roasted on every deep ball, just tackle the WR beyond 15 yards.

 

[iReC89]

The good news is the receivers were well covered. If the turning around part gets fixed we might be in good shape down the road.

 

[zappaa]

Nothing more than receivers adjusting to the ball in the air, a skill our receivers don't have

 

[RU4Real]

Here's the thing... If you have no ability to cover, then you HAVE to blitz. There's simply no excuse - NONE - for allowing the QB 15 seconds to set up, with no pressure. All that does is give the receivers time to get open. Play man and send everybody else.

 

[zappaa]

Here's the thing... If you have no ability to cover, then you HAVE to blitz. There's simply no excuse - NONE - for allowing the QB 15 seconds to set up, with no pressure. All that does is give the receivers time to get open. Play man and send everybody else.

Unexplainable...IMO
Every bad thing that can happen is reduced by the fact the QB's decision making is sped up.

 

[RU4Real]

Unexplainable...IMO
Every bad thing that can happen is reduced by the fact the QB's decision making is sped up.

If I was running our defense, given the personnel and talent level, I'd be blitzing on every down. Mix up the blitz schemes, definitely - but send somebody every time the ball is snapped.

 

[knights1212]

It was a disgrace. I have seen this all season long. Our defenders on the long pass just run with a guy and seem to NEVER look for the ball. Just about every one of those completions should have been knocked away. We should have had this corrected weeks ago. It seemed as if our two corner players got toasted all day long.

 

[RU-05]

Nothing more than receivers adjusting to the ball in the air, a skill our receivers don't have

This was my thought as well, yes I would like to see us defend better, but have to give Indy WR's credit, they seemingly caught every single one those balls.

 

[RU-05]

Here's the thing... If you have no ability to cover, then you HAVE to blitz. There's simply no excuse - NONE - for allowing the QB 15 seconds to set up, with no pressure. All that does is give the receivers time to get open. Play man and send everybody else.

When did Turay get into the game? I didn't notice him until the sack, but then I noticed him a couple times after.

 

[Plum Street]

Schiano's db's beget turned around either . I think they were actually taught to not turn around .

 

[RU#1fan]

When did Turay get into the game? I didn't notice him until the sack, but then I noticed him a couple times after.

Huge mistake this year.
For the 1st time this year an Indiana QB completes 70 % of his passes and goes for 420 yards.
RU will never win these games.

 

[RU-05]

Huge mistake this year.
For the 1st time this year an Indiana QB completes 70 % of his passes and goes for 420 yards.
RU will never win these games.

What's the mistake?

As far as winning the game yesterday? We were lucky to be close.

 

[peachdoc58]

To me the frustrating thing being beat like that constantly was the fact that we never switched it up and played zone. Indiana passes down field were legitimately free yards yesterday. No idea why Indiana even bothered running the ball yesterday.

 

[RU#1fan]

The mistake is CBs not turning their heads to see where the ball is .
This mistake is on the staff ...... In the majority of the long completions by Indiana our Defender was right there and tight in coverage. Turn to see the ball and make an effort to interrupt the pass and you have incompletion or better.
This is why RU lost the game ( that and nearly 25 straight minutes without a 1st down in the 2nd Half ... 7 straight 3 and Out).
You credit Indiana WRs for being successful for making adjustments to the Ball. They were able to do this because our Defenders did not play the ball (Mistake: did not turn their head to find the ball.).

 

[RUJMM78]

This problem with the defensive backs is just another indication of the lack of player development.The lack of a pass rush is a talent issue along with the decision on the part of the coaching staff not to blitz.

 

[Jabanero]

Both Wharton & Austin have started nearly every game this & last season at corner.
Their coverage is generally adequate but neither turn, or swat the arms of the WR, or the ball as they watch a catch.
These two will continue to start this season, and probably next, let's COACH THEM UP!!

 

[RUsince52]

Nothing more than receivers adjusting to the ball in the air, a skill our receivers don't have

Maybe sometimes, but when they don't catch it, we get flagged. Some of those passes were thrown to a spot long before the receiver arrived and we had it covered except for looking for the ball. If you're getting beat deep because guys are just running by the db, that's a separate issue.
Maybe we're seeing things that the coaches aren't on game day. The CS should be able to figure out a better way.

 

[Underdogs88]

You do realize your actually not supposed to turn around when your behind the receiver. If you turn around and don't break up the pass, instead of tackling the receiver, the receiver has a TD.

 

[ngrant]

Cioffi could have helped., He blew one tackle and was never seen again. He might be the fastest dude on the team. He ran down Peppers twice. Hester is still hurt.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

- half the teams in the nation play this way. We've been over this a million times. As you get more experienced, you get better at it. Remember our DB groups of the past decade? When they were young, not-so-good, but then they got very, very good, and they all were taught and played this style.

- IU's receivers are good. A couple very good. They MADE THE PLAYS by actually jumping, going over-the-top, and snatching balls. Watch a replay of the game and you'll see a huge, huge, HUGE difference between their WR's and ours. The disparity out there yesterday was head-shaking (though not shocking).

- we need more talent. Period.

 

[LotusAggressor]

Nick Saban on pass defense:


“Let me explain it to you this way: There’s two positions you can be in when you’re defending a receiver. You’re either ‘in-phase’ with him or you’re ‘out-of-phase’ with him. Now, . . . ‘in-phase’ means that you’re pretty much even with the guy [as he runs straight downfield], but if you can see the guy’s number nearest [to] you, you’re in-phase when you’re covering him down the field. So when he gets through the move area — the move area defined being 14 to 18 yards down the field where the guy’s going to break a route in or out — we play a lot of closed coverage, [i.e.] we’re in bump-and-run a lot; we’re in that position with the guy when he gets in the move area. Now, if you’re in-phase with him when he gets into the move area, you should be become the receiver and look for the ball. That’s what you should do, and then the ball has to go through you."


“If you’re in the out-of phase position, which means you can’t see his near number, you can’t be even with him, then you have to play the guy’s eyes and hands for the ball because you’re not in position and if the quarterback throws it correctly [on a fade type pass] you’re not going to be able to get to the ball — you’re behind him too far."

No team that defends the pass with any effectiveness has DBs that never play the ball when they're running stride for stride with the receiver.

 

[rucoe89]

How many times against Indiana did the Rutgers defensive backs get beat on a long pass, where they were basically right there stride for stride with the receiver, never once looked back to see the incoming ball (or even realize it was incoming), and allowed the receiver to catch it unchallenged? It seemed like it happened a dozen times or so. This seems to be a weekly occurrence. Where are the defensive coaches on this issue? At no point did I see any adjustment on this during the course of the game. We basically allowed Indiana to throw at will.

*sigh*. Don't bother going there. The "coaches" on this board will try to rip you.

 

[RU#1fan]

- half the teams in the nation play this way. We've been over this a million times. As you get more experienced, you get better at it. Remember our DB groups of the past decade? When they were young, not-so-good, but then they got very, very good, and they all were taught and played this style.

- IU's receivers are good. A couple very good. They MADE THE PLAYS by actually jumping, going over-the-top, and snatching balls. Watch a replay of the game and you'll see a huge, huge, HUGE difference between their WR's and ours. The disparity out there yesterday was head-shaking (though not shocking).

- we need more talent. Period.

Fact is the Indiana QB completed 70% of his passes for the 1st time this season. And threw for over 420 yards. We are getting beat anyway by not turning around to play the ball.
The difference with this year's CB's are covering much tighter than previous year' s CBs.
Hats off to Wharton and Austin. Just need to "finish the play and touch the ball".

 

[mildone]

- half the teams in the nation play this way. We've been over this a million times. As you get more experienced, you get better at it. Remember our DB groups of the past decade? When they were young, not-so-good, but then they got very, very good, and they all were taught and played this style.

- IU's receivers are good. A couple very good. They MADE THE PLAYS by actually jumping, going over-the-top, and snatching balls. Watch a replay of the game and you'll see a huge, huge, HUGE difference between their WR's and ours. The disparity out there yesterday was head-shaking (though not shocking).

- we need more talent. Period.

I agree w/everything but the "period". We need more talent, yes. And that's the biggest thing.

But I also think that Ash & Crew are doing a better job of coaching up the players than the past staff did (based in part on observation and in part on what I'm hearing, second-hand, from players). And that experience along with multiple years in an improved S&C program will help our current players while we're going about getting more talented.

So it's more talent plus more time being coached by this new and improved staff.

 

[mildone]

Fact is the Indiana QB completed 70% of his passes for the 1st time this season. And threw for over 420 yards. We are getting beat anyway by not turning around to play the ball.
The difference with this year's CB's are covering much tighter than previous year' s CBs.
Hats off to Wharton and Austin. Just need to "finish the play and touch the ball".

They will get better and be in position to make plays on the ball more often over the course of the next couple seasons. I remember people bitching about both McCourty brothers for exactly the same thing (not turning around). But in their last seasons w/the team, they had improved to the point where they were able to turn sometimes and make plays on the ball.

Schiano and Ash seem to share the same philosophy of coaching DBs and both have had success doing it. So I think I trust their approach to the arm-chair coaches on this message board.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

Its not the lack of turning around.. it is a lack of pressure. Add pressure and the majority of those balls are not thrown accurately enough to complete. We have to find a way to get pressure... and sooner.

If the safeties cannot get over to help on those long balls, then blitz them once in awhile.

 

[zappaa]

Everyone knows you're taught to not look back for the ball, but you are not supposed to be in a full sprint with your back to the QB, you have to be in position to be able to get your head around, that happens because your body positioning allows it.
ANYTIME you're forced into a position where you're only play is to face guard, even if you're running neck and neck with the receiver…you're beat.

 

[rufeelinit]

Even with the lack of pressure what did we get three picks? I thought the DB's were in position to make plays and I thought the general rule was if you see the receiver is looking back for the ball you should be turning as well?

 

[zappaa]

Its not the lack of turning around.. it is a lack of pressure. Add pressure and the majority of those balls are not thrown accurately enough to complete. We have to find a way to get pressure... and sooner.

If the safeties cannot get over to help on those long balls, then blitz them once in awhile.

By blitzing, you allow corners to be in position to get their heads around.

 

[zappaa]

Even with the lack of pressure what did we get three picks? I thought the DB's were in position to make plays and I thought the general rule was if you see the receiver is looking back for the ball you should be turning as well?

You can't turn your head running full speed with your back to the QB…can't be done.

 

[RUsince52]

You can't turn your head running full speed with your back to the QB…can't be done.

Somehow the receiver is able to partial do it or they wouldn't be making the catch and yes putting pressure on the qb would certainly help.

 

[RUsince52]

Even with the lack of pressure what did we get three picks? I thought the DB's were in position to make plays and I thought the general rule was if you see the receiver is looking back for the ball you should be turning as well?

We had 2 picks, but not the kind where it requires the db to turn and look. Both passes were in front of the player (Lb & db) and they made the play because they saw it. These weren't the running stride for stride straight down the field type plays. Give the Indiana QB credit for hitting some tough passes, but he also had some guys wide open too. When a receiver leaves his feet and you don't react than something isn't right.
It might be the right technique, but bad execution. As a fan, can't tell the difference.

 

[zappaa]

Somehow the receiver is able to partial do it or they wouldn't be making the catch and yes putting pressure on the qb would certainly help.

Go out for a pass in your back yard, you're head will be around.

 

[rufeelinit]

We had 2 picks, but not the kind where it requires the db to turn and look. Both passes were in front of the player (Lb & db) and they made the play because they saw it. These weren't the running stride for stride straight down the field type plays. Give the Indiana QB credit for hitting some tough passes, but he also had some guys wide open too. When a receiver leaves his feet and you don't react than something isn't right.
It might be the right technique, but bad execution. As a fan, can't tell the difference.

Agree on the nature of the interceptions but they need to know where the ball is. I realize its much easier if the play is in front of you but you need to be playing the ball otherwise the guy either makes the grab or you get called for interference for going through the guy. Hey there is no question it was long day for the DB's and particularly Wharton. Not all their fault given the offensive woes and the lack of a pass rush. For the most part (other than OSU and Mich) I thought they had been handling press coverage fairly well.

 

[RUsince52]

Agree on the nature of the interceptions but they need to know where the ball is. I realize its much easier if the play is in front of you but you need to be playing the ball otherwise the guy either makes the grab or you get called for interference for going through the guy. Hey there is no question it was long day for the DB's and particularly Wharton. Not all their fault given the offensive woes and the lack of a pass rush. For the most part (other than OSU and Mich) I thought they had been handling press coverage fairly well.

Either it was part of the Indy game plan or they found a soft spot to exploit, but give them credit, it was working. The offensive 3 and outs didn't help except to give the DBs more practice.
It doesn't matter so much this year except to improve, but it might next season.

 

[miketd1]

We are going to live and die with man coverage.

It's honestly the foundation of Ash's defense.

Hey, I remember the McCourtey brothers getting burnt when they were underclassmen too. It's baptism by fire.

 

[cjfrmmd]

Cioffi could have helped., He blew one tackle and was never seen again. He might be the fastest dude on the team. He ran down Peppers twice. Hester is still hurt.

He hasn't been tackling well all season. He continuously lays down in front of ball carriers with no attempt to wrap up. The play you are referring to was pathetic. The hit was soft and he pretended that his arms didn't work.