The Good...and Not So Good (Maryland)

[ru-baby]

Almost all good this week. Some specifics can be gleaned.

GOOD

1. Strong and Duff-Wow. Feels like we have two mini Kenny Britts (with Strong moving towards full Britt) on the field at once. Amazing weapons and a few more developing years of this tandem could be unprecedented. Wonder if the decommit qb is rethinking pulling that trigger. If both could highpoiont a little bit it could be lights out for bds.
2. The Dremel AND Miller at the same time effect. Have been stating since game one it didnt't need to be either Miller OR Dremel. Since USC, Miller's productictivity has gone through the roof and it's no coincidence that it occurred when Dremel was on the filed a whole lot more. There was one Miller catch yesterday where Dremel ran a great route nearby and drew interest, allowing Miller to have a cushion to be open for the catch. Miller is an excellent route runner and these diversions have changed the pass game. Kudos for using them both.
3. Pre game prep AND Game day coaching. All well done. Kudos appropriately due. Playing two lbs primarily with more dbs instead of going to lb weak links was the right move.
4. AK. Not sure why he doesn't get more credit. He is not just a servicable qb but has shown himself to be a weapon. His play from USC on has been nothing we've seen at qb since Teel.
5. KM. What more can be said. Will repeat that it will be some years before we see this level of rb again. He''s now earned approriate Ray Rice comparsions.
6. OL. With all the injuries and shuffling, just a great job pass blocking and solid on the run.
7. DL. Made the plays that had to be made and have improved. Lewis had first impact game and good for him. Hamilton has been solid for weeks. Young guys coming on.
8. Longerbeam. Made the plays that mattered and is a game changer. Without him the pass game of the opposition would be different.
9. Probably missing others as so much was good including focus and intensity

NOT SO GOOD:

Really nitpicking to discuss the not so good on this day.

1. The run up to the line by AK and rb as if it's a changed play...for a handoff to occur every time. From UCLA on it's been clear that the D is keying on the run and they have all been 2-3 yards or sometimes less. It's not deception if you never throw off of it.
2. Using Dremel in motion to block the back side on runs. This has happened a lot in recent week. He just doesn't have the size to make that block and a few of these have been blown up for that reason. Why not Duff or a TE? It's head scratching.
3. Execution has masked repetitive play calling. Many who watch RU can call the play in advance. It was a problem during the losing streak and the execution has addressed that in the last few weeks (and using Dremel AND Miller-kudos for that), but just a little more motion, some misdirection would make the O much more difficult to defend and not require the execution to be so exact. We have seen Duff, Miller and Strong make great plays. Would be nice to see them wide open because of confusion or misdirection rather than always having to win the one on one. (Will give KC the Strong Minnn td but can argue it was just a bad read by the LB taking a different route, but credit him on that one).
4. Readiness at snap. Sure I wasnt the only one to notice the D looking to the sidelines as the ball was released to snap. Maryland inexplicably appeared to intentionally wait for RU to get into their stance. Recall Wisky and UCLA did not. Locksey has always had talent but his coaching and attention to detail have always been suspect and Maryland could have taken advantage but did not. Thus is something a good OC will see and needs to bea ddressed.

All in all a well played and well coached game.

 

[RUPete]

Good post. I enjoy reading these. And good point about the LBs/extra DBs.

 

[ashokan]

Almost all good this week. Some specifics can be gleaned.

.

1. Miller is an excellent route runner and these diversions have changed the pass game. His play from USC on has been nothing we've seen at qb since Teel.

Mongo injury + TE injuries etc forced the RU offensive brain trust to be aggressive instead of plodding.
Multiple receiver sets were one way passing game got away from the endless sideline safety passes.

Rutgers Football offense shows much-needed creativity in win against Minnesota

The Scarlet Knights showed different offensive sets against Minnesota.

www.onthebanks.com

1. KM. What more can be said. Will repeat that it will be some years before we see this level of rb again. He''s now earned approriate Ray Rice comparsions

Rice in three years had 4926 yds and 49 TDs.
As of today, Mongo has 2967 and 26 TDs (four years).
Mongo is a great back but not Rice level and thats not a put-down .
Rice is one of best cfb backs this millennium
I think Pacheco might have even been better than KM with the recent lines.
Its sorry that Pacheco got stuck at RU when running and passing were so lame

 

[ru-baby]

Rice was on his own level. What is never discussed is that if Rice returned for his last year he had a more than fairt shot to be the all time rushing leader. That should sink in.

Plays the full time and he is likley the all time time leader. A Rutgers rb.

Yes Pacheco had a worse surrounding cats, but Monagai has had a clearly better collge career. Will be hard to beat Pacheco's pro career so far though.

 

[BossNJ]

Almost all good this week. Some specifics can be gleaned.

GOOD

1. Strong and Duff-Wow. Feels like we have two mini Kenny Britts (with Strong moving towards full Britt) on the field at once. Amazing weapons and a few more developing years of this tandem could be unprecedented. Wonder if the decommit qb is rethinking pulling that trigger. If both could highpoiont a little bit it could be lights out for bds.
2. The Dremel AND Miller at the same time effect. Have been stating since game one it didnt't need to be either Miller OR Dremel. Since USC, Miller's productictivity has gone through the roof and it's no coincidence that it occurred when Dremel was on the filed a whole lot more. There was one Miller catch yesterday where Dremel ran a great route nearby and drew interest, allowing Miller to have a cushion to be open for the catch. Miller is an excellent route runner and these diversions have changed the pass game. Kudos for using them both.
3. Pre game prep AND Game day coaching. All well done. Kudos appropriately due. Playing two lbs primarily with more dbs instead of going to lb weak links was the right move.
4. AK. Not sure why he doesn't get more credit. He is not just a servicable qb but has shown himself to be a weapon. His play from USC on has been nothing we've seen at qb since Teel.
5. KM. What more can be said. Will repeat that it will be some years before we see this level of rb again. He''s now earned approriate Ray Rice comparsions.
6. OL. With all the injuries and shuffling, just a great job pass blocking and solid on the run.
7. DL. Made the plays that had to be made and have improved. Lewis had first impact game and good for him. Hamilton has been solid for weeks. Young guys coming on.
8. Longerbeam. Made the plays that mattered and is a game changer. Without him the pass game of the opposition would be different.
9. Probably missing others as so much was good including focus and intensity

NOT SO GOOD:

Really nitpicking to discuss the not so good on this day.

1. The run up to the line by AK and rb as if it's a changed play...for a handoff to occur every time. From UCLA on it's been clear that the D is keying on the run and they have all been 2-3 yards or sometimes less. It's not deception if you never throw off of it.
2. Using Dremel in motion to block the back side on runs. This has happened a lot in recent week. He just doesn't have the size to make that block and a few of these have been blown up for that reason. Why not Duff or a TE? It's head scratching.
3. Execution has masked repetitive play calling. Many who watch RU can call the play in advance. It was a problem during the losing streak and the execution has addressed that in the last few weeks (and using Dremel AND Miller-kudos for that), but just a little more motion, some misdirection would make the O much more difficult to defend and not require the execution to be so exact. We have seen Duff, Miller and Strong make great plays. Would be nice to see them wide open because of confusion or misdirection rather than always having to win the one on one. (Will give KC the Strong Minnn td but can argue it was just a bad read by the LB taking a different route, but credit him on that one).
4. Readiness at snap. Sure I wasnt the only one to notice the D looking to the sidelines as the ball was released to snap. Maryland inexplicably appeared to intentionally wait for RU to get into their stance. Recall Wisky and UCLA did not. Locksey has always had talent but his coaching and attention to detail have always been suspect and Maryland could have taken advantage but did not. Thus is something a good OC will see and needs to bea ddressed.

All in all a well played and well coached game.

I would add Mascoe has been a godsend as a first year starter at CB. And he’ll only get better. He’s already next year’s lock down corner.

 

[ScarletNut]

You forgot the monster game Shaq Loyal had vs Md.

 

[cubuffsdoug]

The one thing I disagree with the staff is being all in on the run game and not invested in the passing game until it was necessary. I think it cost the team a game or two by being one-dimensional. Now, Rutgers exploits both and teams are having trouble defending the offense. I don't think we lose the UCLA or the Nebraska games if we had this approach all along.

 

[BossNJ]

The one thing I disagree with the staff is being all in on the run game and not invested in the passing game until it was necessary. I think it cost the team a game or two by being one-dimensional. Now, Rutgers exploits both and teams are having trouble defending the offense. I don't think we lose the UCLA or the Nebraska games if we had this approach all along.

Some of us have been saying that for weeks and were called naysayers and anti-Schiano.

 

[ru-baby]

You forgot the monster game Shaq Loyal had vs Md.

Agree. Loyal not only had a high number of tackles, but also made a number of open field tackles that were needed. Excellent game.

And Thompson's interception also deserves special note.

 

[Rokodesh]

The one thing I disagree with the staff is being all in on the run game and not invested in the passing game until it was necessary. I think it cost the team a game or two by being one-dimensional. Now, Rutgers exploits both and teams are having trouble defending the offense. I don't think we lose the UCLA or the Nebraska games if we had this approach all along.

We lost UCLA because the defense couldn't stop anyone.

I wouldn't blame the offense for that game. Let's just be happy they have gotten healthier and playing much better.

 

[cubuffsdoug]

We lost UCLA because the defense couldn't stop anyone.

I wouldn't blame the offense for that game. Let's just be happy they have gotten healthier and playing much better.

The game was decided in the first half. Twice in the first half, we had the ball at mid-field, and both times, we punted. UCLA hadn't shown at the time they could stop us on short-yardage plays. Instead, we played conservatively because of little faith in the offense. Against Maryland, we went three times for it on 4th down and converted all three. Yes, the defense could have been better, but the offense was weak because the staff treated it as such.

 

[robjknight]

Almost all good this week. Some specifics can be gleaned.

GOOD

1. Strong and Duff-Wow. Feels like we have two mini Kenny Britts (with Strong moving towards full Britt) on the field at once. Amazing weapons and a few more developing years of this tandem could be unprecedented. Wonder if the decommit qb is rethinking pulling that trigger. If both could highpoiont a little bit it could be lights out for bds.
2. The Dremel AND Miller at the same time effect. Have been stating since game one it didnt't need to be either Miller OR Dremel. Since USC, Miller's productictivity has gone through the roof and it's no coincidence that it occurred when Dremel was on the filed a whole lot more. There was one Miller catch yesterday where Dremel ran a great route nearby and drew interest, allowing Miller to have a cushion to be open for the catch. Miller is an excellent route runner and these diversions have changed the pass game. Kudos for using them both.
3. Pre game prep AND Game day coaching. All well done. Kudos appropriately due. Playing two lbs primarily with more dbs instead of going to lb weak links was the right move.
4. AK. Not sure why he doesn't get more credit. He is not just a servicable qb but has shown himself to be a weapon. His play from USC on has been nothing we've seen at qb since Teel.
5. KM. What more can be said. Will repeat that it will be some years before we see this level of rb again. He''s now earned approriate Ray Rice comparsions.
6. OL. With all the injuries and shuffling, just a great job pass blocking and solid on the run.
7. DL. Made the plays that had to be made and have improved. Lewis had first impact game and good for him. Hamilton has been solid for weeks. Young guys coming on.
8. Longerbeam. Made the plays that mattered and is a game changer. Without him the pass game of the opposition would be different.
9. Probably missing others as so much was good including focus and intensity

NOT SO GOOD:

Really nitpicking to discuss the not so good on this day.

1. The run up to the line by AK and rb as if it's a changed play...for a handoff to occur every time. From UCLA on it's been clear that the D is keying on the run and they have all been 2-3 yards or sometimes less. It's not deception if you never throw off of it.
2. Using Dremel in motion to block the back side on runs. This has happened a lot in recent week. He just doesn't have the size to make that block and a few of these have been blown up for that reason. Why not Duff or a TE? It's head scratching.
3. Execution has masked repetitive play calling. Many who watch RU can call the play in advance. It was a problem during the losing streak and the execution has addressed that in the last few weeks (and using Dremel AND Miller-kudos for that), but just a little more motion, some misdirection would make the O much more difficult to defend and not require the execution to be so exact. We have seen Duff, Miller and Strong make great plays. Would be nice to see them wide open because of confusion or misdirection rather than always having to win the one on one. (Will give KC the Strong Minnn td but can argue it was just a bad read by the LB taking a different route, but credit him on that one).
4. Readiness at snap. Sure I wasnt the only one to notice the D looking to the sidelines as the ball was released to snap. Maryland inexplicably appeared to intentionally wait for RU to get into their stance. Recall Wisky and UCLA did not. Locksey has always had talent but his coaching and attention to detail have always been suspect and Maryland could have taken advantage but did not. Thus is something a good OC will see and needs to bea ddressed.

All in all a well played and well coached game.

We have been doing well on penalties all year. Saturday was our worse game for penalties. The hold on the long KM run was not necessary otherwise KM would be around 140 yards for the game.
The long TD throw by KM to Miller was the gem of the game. With 4 good receivers in the field it’s hard for them to focus on Miller.

 

[robjknight]

We have been doing well on penalties all year. Saturday was our worse game for penalties. The hold on the long KM run was not necessary otherwise KM would be around 140 yards for the game.
The long TD throw by KM to Miller was the gem of the game. With 4 good receivers in the field it’s hard for them to focus on Miller.

Should say throw by AK