OT: Van Hiles analysis makes me wonder: why is playing QB so difficult?

[gamecockcat]

I followed, somewhat, the Titans game yesterday and Levis had a big game. However, he also badly misread the defense that resulted in a pick-6. That has been the knock on him all year - not reading the defense. He has a Master's in Finance from UK. He's no dummy by any stretch. He's played QB presumably for 10+ years. How is reading a defense still that difficult?

The Van Hiles thread makes the same points. Pre-snap our motion man is followed by a CB. According to VH, that means TX is in man coverage with only one safety back (and the play bears out his conclusion). Does BV not see that and recognize it? If not, why in god's name not? He, too, has played football for umpteen years. He's sat in on film study with Stetson Bennett and Carson Beck and the UGa coaching staff. He's studied film with Bush this year. How can he not see what is obvious (at least to VH)? One of the main purposes of putting a receiver in motion is to get the defense to show their hand, is it not? Then, once you understand the basic defense that TX is playing, VH points out where BV should have anticipated throwing the ball once it's snapped - either to the middle on a skinny post or the out pattern, both of which were open. BV had time, had a good play called for the defense and had not 1, but 2 guys open if he just makes the correct read and throws the GD ball. Neither throw would have been that difficult to execute nor would either have required a 25-yard pass. Just guessing that the longest throw would have been around 15 yards (skinny post receiver had plenty of daylight to run, btw).

Judging from his interviews, Brock is no dummy, either. Where is the disconnect? Levis certainly had problems getting to ball to the right receiver (other than Wandale who was ALWAYS the right receiver, imo), Leary had several games where he wouldn't find the easy pitch-and-catch on multiple occasions. Why is it so difficult for a player who has played QB for years to understand the mental aspect of playing the position?

 

[Irish Beck]

While I do think BVG struggles reading both pre- and post-snap defense, I think we do very little to get our QB settled with how long it takes to get a play call in for some reason.

We have to average something like 12 seconds or less to get to the line and start lining up, which can take time on it's own. Then he has just a few seconds to look at what he's up against and get the ball snapped.

After spending all summer talking about increasing tempo, we really haven't done much in that regard.

 

[YardCat]

While I do think BVG struggles reading both pre- and post-snap defense, I think we do very little to get our QB settled with how long it takes to get a play call in for some reason.

We have to average something like 12 seconds or less to get to the line and start lining up, which can take time on it's own. Then he has just a few seconds to look at what he's up against and get the ball snapped.

After spending all summer talking about increasing tempo, we really haven't done much in that regard.

I believe that the late information to Brook is so the coaches can see what personnel changes the other team has made. I don’t think that Brock has the authority to change the play, if he does then he isn’t good at reading defenses, because I don’t remember him changing any plays.

 

[littlecreek]

Part of the problem is the revolving door of offensive coordinators. The quarterback has to know what every player is supposed to do and when there's a new offense to learn every year or two he has to "think" about what to do rather than "react". I know that from coaching middle school, the 6th graders are having to think about what to do while the 8th graders who are in their 3rd year are reacting to what to do. Kentucky's players are all like first year players on offense while our defensive coordinator has had some continuity so our defense is reacting and that's why the defense is usually better. Stoops has did the same thing as Curry did changing OCs. He should have brought in the same type of offense coach so there wouldn't have been so much new stuff to learn all of the time.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

Because QB has to make split second reads while people are trying to kill him.

Plus those reads look WAAAAAY different at field level. Thats something noone ever discusses. You have tons of giant guys blocking your view while trying to kill you. All while you're reading defenders 20/30/40 yards downfield.

That on field pov is entirely different.

 

[gamecockcat]

Because QB has to make split second reads while people are trying to kill him.

Plus those reads look WAAAAAY different at field level. Thats something noone ever discusses. You have tons of giant guys blocking your view while trying to kill you. All while you're reading defenders 20/30/40 yards downfield.

That on field pov is entirely different.

That's undoubtedly true. However, the defense signaling they're in man coverage happens before the chaos begins and, generally, our QB is in the shotgun so he should have no problem seeing that movement. From what VH says, once the QB recognizes the defense, that should allow the QB to narrow down all the different potential options of the called play to just one or two reads/areas, shouldn't it? On the video play that was analyzed, there was only two guys to look at, the other 3 weren't going to be in the area of weakness of the defense.

I can appreciate it's difficult. Hell, half the NFL QBs seem like they can't read a defense very well, either. But, after playing a position for a decade or more, why is it still difficult? Especially at the college level, defenses aren't as complicated as the NFL, don't run as much combo coverage, etc. Yes, the play calls are different depending on the OC. The language is different. But, defense playing man coverage should be a trigger for 'if / then' in the QBs mind. If, after reading the defense, he only needs to concentrate on 1/3 to maybe 1/2 the field, wouldn't that allow him to make decisions quicker? Boley doesn't seem to have the same hesitation and problems reading the defense and knowing where to go with the ball.

 

[Footballschool]

It’s not easy, but it’s the difference in winning and losing. Size, speed, arm strength can’t compensate for this

 

[maroon79]

He for sure should be at minimum the safeties coach

Now I’m done

For now

 

[bigblueinsanity]

That's undoubtedly true. However, the defense signaling they're in man coverage happens before the chaos begins and, generally, our QB is in the shotgun so he should have no problem seeing that movement. From what VH says, once the QB recognizes the defense, that should allow the QB to narrow down all the different potential options of the called play to just one or two reads/areas, shouldn't it? On the video play that was analyzed, there was only two guys to look at, the other 3 weren't going to be in the area of weakness of the defense.

I can appreciate it's difficult. Hell, half the NFL QBs seem like they can't read a defense very well, either. But, after playing a position for a decade or more, why is it still difficult? Especially at the college level, defenses aren't as complicated as the NFL, don't run as much combo coverage, etc. Yes, the play calls are different depending on the OC. The language is different. But, defense playing man coverage should be a trigger for 'if / then' in the QBs mind. If, after reading the defense, he only needs to concentrate on 1/3 to maybe 1/2 the field, wouldn't that allow him to make decisions quicker? Boley doesn't seem to have the same hesitation and problems reading the defense and knowing where to go with the ball.

I love van but imo he oversimplifies qb play. If its man, you still have to account for safety/lb alignment and post snap movement in addition to any pressure/simulated pressure. You also have to watch for in/out pass offs/brackets, etc.

If its zone, it could be scores of variations which you won't know till you see their post snap drops.

All in the blink of an eye while people are trying to kill you, hoping your playcall has a beater for whatever theyre doing, all while the defense is trying to take away what you like to do.

Jmo but mesh is the perfect concept as long as wrs recognize it and sit. Another great one is go/clear, curl or post, and wheel all to the same side.

All that said i definitely think bush and scang made it too tough on qbs. Scang because he wanted levis to grow. Bush because i really think he didn't properly eval brock. As the year went, we started the one side read but brock just kept losing confidence.

 

[LordEggForgotHisPassword]

While I do think BVG struggles reading both pre- and post-snap defense, I think we do very little to get our QB settled with how long it takes to get a play call in for some reason.

We have to average something like 12 seconds or less to get to the line and start lining up, which can take time on it's own. Then he has just a few seconds to look at what he's up against and get the ball snapped.

After spending all summer talking about increasing tempo, we really haven't done much in that regard.

This is real and has been for some time. I don't get it. Get the play in. I think boley was getting exasperated with that as well if on field motions indicate anything.

 

[JrandoUK]

While I do think BVG struggles reading both pre- and post-snap defense, I think we do very little to get our QB settled with how long it takes to get a play call in for some reason.

We have to average something like 12 seconds or less to get to the line and start lining up, which can take time on it's own. Then he has just a few seconds to look at what he's up against and get the ball snapped.

After spending all summer talking about increasing tempo, we really haven't done much in that regard.

Hard to speed things up and play with tempo when we switch personal groupings in and out every play! Let the same damn guys play together for the whole series and go fast 🏈🏈💙💙💪💪

 

[yoshukai]

I followed, somewhat, the Titans game yesterday and Levis had a big game. However, he also badly misread the defense that resulted in a pick-6. That has been the knock on him all year - not reading the defense. He has a Master's in Finance from UK. He's no dummy by any stretch. He's played QB presumably for 10+ years. How is reading a defense still that difficult?

The Van Hiles thread makes the same points. Pre-snap our motion man is followed by a CB. According to VH, that means TX is in man coverage with only one safety back (and the play bears out his conclusion). Does BV not see that and recognize it? If not, why in god's name not? He, too, has played football for umpteen years. He's sat in on film study with Stetson Bennett and Carson Beck and the UGa coaching staff. He's studied film with Bush this year. How can he not see what is obvious (at least to VH)? One of the main purposes of putting a receiver in motion is to get the defense to show their hand, is it not? Then, once you understand the basic defense that TX is playing, VH points out where BV should have anticipated throwing the ball once it's snapped - either to the middle on a skinny post or the out pattern, both of which were open. BV had time, had a good play called for the defense and had not 1, but 2 guys open if he just makes the correct read and throws the GD ball. Neither throw would have been that difficult to execute nor would either have required a 25-yard pass. Just guessing that the longest throw would have been around 15 yards (skinny post receiver had plenty of daylight to run, btw).

Judging from his interviews, Brock is no dummy, either. Where is the disconnect? Levis certainly had problems getting to ball to the right receiver (other than Wandale who was ALWAYS the right receiver, imo), Leary had several games where he wouldn't find the easy pitch-and-catch on multiple occasions. Why is it so difficult for a player who has played QB for years to understand the mental aspect of playing the position?

Deer in headlights syndrome?

 

[yoshukai]

Hard to speed things up and play with tempo when we switch personal groupings in and out every play! Let the same damn guys play together for the whole series and go fast 🏈🏈💙💙💪💪

This ! We substitute too damn much .

 

[bigblueinsanity]

Hard to speed things up and play with tempo when we switch personal groupings in and out every play! Let the same damn guys play together for the whole series and go fast 🏈🏈💙💙💪💪

At least we're no longer constantly rotating in a qb who cant throw the ball. Baby steps lol.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

Back to the original premise of playing qb being easy. Here is another van clip that illustrates some of the things i mentioned. Simulated pressure/zone blitz after completely disguising their presnap.

Yet cutter navigated it beautifully, accounted for the free man, and delivered s strike with an anticipation throw. That is high level stuff vs what many think is the best secondary in the nation. Much to look forward to with this young man at qb.

This is also another example of how a QB is part of the protection and why brock and levis made the OL look worse than they are. Both guys physically talented but not able to anticipate throws. They waited till the receiver was open, which is too late.

 

[NoDef]

Hard to speed things up and play with tempo when we switch personal groupings in and out every play! Let the same damn guys play together for the whole series and go fast 🏈🏈💙💙💪💪

Speeding things up might make Stoops defense have to play a few more snaps. The tempo talk just needs to go away. It is always pre-season talk that never happens. Killing the clock is always going to be a staple of a Stoops team.

 

[gamecockcat]

Back to the original premise of playing qb being easy. Here is another van clip that illustrates some of the things i mentioned. Simulated pressure/zone blitz after completely disguising their presnap.

Yet cutter navigated it beautifully, accounted for the free man, and delivered s strike with an anticipation throw. That is high level stuff vs what many think is the best secondary in the nation. Much to look forward to with this young man at qb.

This is also another example of how a QB is part of the protection and why brock and levis made the OL look worse than they are. Both guys physically talented but not able to anticipate throws. They waited till the receiver was open, which is too late.

View embedded media

I didn't mean to insinuate that playing QB was easy - far from it. What I am confused about is how a kid plays QB for multiple years and STILL can't read a defense. Obviously, Boley made the right read and a great throw for a big play. That play was set up by him understanding, at least to some extent, what the defense was showing and which receiver(s) should be open with what he saw pre-snap. It didn't look like Levis did that very often. Probably a little better than Will, but Leary didn't always read the field well. Brock is just hopeless, evidently, and my main question is 'Why?'. He's played the position for a long time. He's been coached at the HS level. I'm assuming his tenure at UGa was spent in the film room with coaches and other QBs dissecting film - what reads to look for, what reads to make, where to look at the snap after reading the defense, etc. I'm assuming that same learning/training process has continued at UK and he's still not getting it? Again, the kid is far from being dumb. So, why is he not getting it?

 

[Chad Rock]

I followed, somewhat, the Titans game yesterday and Levis had a big game. However, he also badly misread the defense that resulted in a pick-6. That has been the knock on him all year - not reading the defense. He has a Master's in Finance from UK. He's no dummy by any stretch. He's played QB presumably for 10+ years. How is reading a defense still that difficult?

The Van Hiles thread makes the same points. Pre-snap our motion man is followed by a CB. According to VH, that means TX is in man coverage with only one safety back (and the play bears out his conclusion). Does BV not see that and recognize it? If not, why in god's name not? He, too, has played football for umpteen years. He's sat in on film study with Stetson Bennett and Carson Beck and the UGa coaching staff. He's studied film with Bush this year. How can he not see what is obvious (at least to VH)? One of the main purposes of putting a receiver in motion is to get the defense to show their hand, is it not? Then, once you understand the basic defense that TX is playing, VH points out where BV should have anticipated throwing the ball once it's snapped - either to the middle on a skinny post or the out pattern, both of which were open. BV had time, had a good play called for the defense and had not 1, but 2 guys open if he just makes the correct read and throws the GD ball. Neither throw would have been that difficult to execute nor would either have required a 25-yard pass. Just guessing that the longest throw would have been around 15 yards (skinny post receiver had plenty of daylight to run, btw).

Judging from his interviews, Brock is no dummy, either. Where is the disconnect? Levis certainly had problems getting to ball to the right receiver (other than Wandale who was ALWAYS the right receiver, imo), Leary had several games where he wouldn't find the easy pitch-and-catch on multiple occasions. Why is it so difficult for a player who has played QB for years to understand the mental aspect of playing the position?

I watched Van's video and in BV's defense, we obviously snapped that play with no LG as a UT defender immediately busted through like the GDMF Koolaid man coming through a wall. Maybe BV wanted to live to play the next snap...

 

[The-Hack]

Boley doesn't seem to have the same hesitation

There is a quick snappy decision and throw, that is obvious to anyone.

And his accuracy on throws of less than 20 yards looks good.

Boley has that talent to make the game look foolishly easy, when it isn’t.

It has been refreshing to see QB make ten throws successively, each that look like they are going where they are needed. Even Levis struggled with slants and outlet passes.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

I didn't mean to insinuate that playing QB was easy - far from it. What I am confused about is how a kid plays QB for multiple years and STILL can't read a defense. Obviously, Boley made the right read and a great throw for a big play. That play was set up by him understanding, at least to some extent, what the defense was showing and which receiver(s) should be open with what he saw pre-snap. It didn't look like Levis did that very often. Probably a little better than Will, but Leary didn't always read the field well. Brock is just hopeless, evidently, and my main question is 'Why?'. He's played the position for a long time. He's been coached at the HS level. I'm assuming his tenure at UGa was spent in the film room with coaches and other QBs dissecting film - what reads to look for, what reads to make, where to look at the snap after reading the defense, etc. I'm assuming that same learning/training process has continued at UK and he's still not getting it? Again, the kid is far from being dumb. So, why is he not getting it?

That particular play gave nothing away presnap. Boley instantly dissected a very complex coverage in an instant and threw someone open. Thats elite.

Leary got a bad rap on this board and with fans. He was very good but got little/no help from pass catchers. They constantly ran the wrong routes or the wrong depth, didn't sit vs zone, or dropped the ball at a historic rate.

 

[The-Hack]

They constantly ran the wrong routes or the wrong depth, didn't sit vs zone, or dropped the ball at a historic rate.

2023?!?

Another head-scratcher.

Had our receivers played all season as they did against Louisville and Clemson, and had Coen leaned heavier on the best tailback we have ever had (as he did versus Louisville and Clemson) that would have been a ten win season.

Mid-season, our receivers couldn’t catch a cold. They go to Louisville look like NFL receivers and our offense won the game.

 

[gamecockcat]

That particular play gave nothing away presnap. Boley instantly dissected a very complex coverage in an instant and threw someone open. Thats elite.

Leary got a bad rap on this board and with fans. He was very good but got little/no help from pass catchers. They constantly ran the wrong routes or the wrong depth, didn't sit vs zone, or dropped the ball at a historic rate.

Agreed it was a difficult coverage. VH analysis makes it seem really obvious, which I'm positive it isn't. But, the left side was 3-on-3, so it stands to reason that that side was playing man coverage. The right side could have been a number of coverages but at least you can narrow it down somewhat, according to VH analysis.

The rush came from an unexpected area and the coverage on the right side was unusual. But, Boley correctly knew to look left at the man coverage as the slot receiver should be open. Hit him perfectly in stride for a big play.

Presumably Brock has as much or more experience than Boley but I'd bet a lot of money he doesn't make the same read, hesitates and takes the sack. I just don't understand why, after all the years playing the position, it still seems to confound so many QBs, including Brock. If my job was a financial analyst and I worked with regression analysis for 10 years, shouldn't I be pretty good at it and be able to fairly accurately predict the results prior to running the analysis?

 

[bigblueinsanity]

Presumably Brock has as much or more experience than Boley but I'd bet a lot of money he doesn't make the same read, hesitates and takes the sack. I just don't understand why, after all the years playing the position, it still seems to confound so many QBs, including Brock. If my job was a financial analyst and I worked with regression analysis for 10 years, shouldn't I be pretty good at it and be able to fairly accurately predict the results prior to running the analysis?

Oh its definitely a sack or negative play if its brock or many other qbs.

Imo you answered your own question. Its such a hard position that failure is the standard and success is the exception. Maybe even the rare exception.

 

[Lost In FL]

Back to the original premise of playing qb being easy. Here is another van clip that illustrates some of the things i mentioned. Simulated pressure/zone blitz after completely disguising their presnap.

Yet cutter navigated it beautifully, accounted for the free man, and delivered s strike with an anticipation throw. That is high level stuff vs what many think is the best secondary in the nation. Much to look forward to with this young man at qb.

This is also another example of how a QB is part of the protection and why brock and levis made the OL look worse than they are. Both guys physically talented but not able to anticipate throws. They waited till the receiver was open, which is too late.

View embedded media

called back for holding ...

 

[gamecockcat]

Well, of course it was.

 

[Lost In FL]

a UT defender immediately busted through like the GDMF Koolaid man coming through a wall

Instant classic...LMAO

 

[bigblueinsanity]

called back for holding ...

Has nothing to do with the outstanding QB play. Also iirc it was an extremely weak holding call.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

Because QB has to make split second reads while people are trying to kill him.

Plus those reads look WAAAAAY different at field level. Thats something noone ever discusses. You have tons of giant guys blocking your view while trying to kill you. All while you're reading defenders 20/30/40 yards downfield.

That on field pov is entirely different.

This right here, reading defenses, hitting a curve ball, thecgamecwinningv3vis easy from the recliner.

 

[The-Hack]

This right here, reading defenses, hitting a curve ball, thecgamecwinningv3vis easy from the recliner.

So true.

The plays from Boley that stand out to me were against inferior competition, but were impressive, none-the-less. A Murray State D-Lineman busted through cleanly, and stood between Boley and his outlet/shallow flat receiver. Boley side-armed a little flick pass, right passed the D-lineman, and a “blown-up” play netted a few positive yards.

He seems to instinctively know the right escape route to extend a passing play, or gain a few yards on the ground. Some just seem able to do this under fire, and some not.

Really, (to me) his most impressive plays have generally been drive-extending plays, where he has had to make quick decisions when sh!t wasn’t exactly as it was drawn up on the blackboard.

 

[gamecockcat]

This right here, reading defenses, hitting a curve ball, thecgamecwinningv3vis easy from the recliner.

I get it. I do. But BV has played a lot of football at QB. Hitting a curve ball or knocking down the 3 is physical. Brock is physically capable of executing the same plays. He's just not mentally processing the data quickly or accurately enough. Big difference in my mind. And it still befuddles me that QBs, in general, and BV, in particular, don't grasp the mental part after all the reps and study and coaching any better.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

I get it. I do. But BV has played a lot of football at QB. Hitting a curve ball or knocking down the 3 is physical. Brock is physically capable of executing the same plays. He's just not mentally processing the data quickly or accurately enough. Big difference in my mind. And it still befuddles me that QBs, in general, and BV, in particular, don't grasp the mental part after all the reps and study and coaching any better.

I can't argue with what you are saying because I think the same thing. But when he transferred in expectations for him were through the roof because he was a former 5* from UGA. I watched him play in high school and his limited amount at UGA. Without a doubt he was great in HS, but the competition was not great. He has had a private QB coach for years, yet still has a hitch in his release. UK fans should know this, all 5* are great college players, UGA has gotten a few who haven't lived up to their billing, just like UK and everyone else who has signed them. But I thought he would do well too.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

I can't argue with what you are saying because I think the same thing. But when he transferred in expectations for him were through the roof because he was a former 5* from UGA. I watched him play in high school and his limited amount at UGA. Without a doubt he was great in HS, but the competition was not great. He has had a private QB coach for years, yet still has a hitch in his release. UK fans should know this, all 5* are great college players, UGA has gotten a few who haven't lived up to their billing, just like UK and everyone else who has signed them. But I thought he would do well too.

Jmo but i think Brock is a young man that's physically injured but also torn between people pulling him in different directions.

I say that because he started pretty well. He was confident in what he did, moved in the pocket well, went through progressions, and generally played the position pretty well from a mental aspect.

Then after the bye something changed. UK has a bad history of touted guys going home for the bye and coming back a mental mess. Im guessing his dad and qb coach started and have other plans for Brock. That has him torn because he truly wants to do whats best for the team.

Thats jmo. I guess the bye week stuff gets every team to a degree, but seems like its really caused stoops problems. Idk how you fix that unless you just keep everyone on campus and host just the family.

 

[warrior_SW]

Hard to speed things up and play with tempo when we switch personal groupings in and out every play! Let the same damn guys play together for the whole series and go fast 🏈🏈💙💙💪💪

This effing kills me. We seriously sub every play. It’s nonsense.

 

[Girthang]

Quarterback is a tough position to play, no doubt. It's even tougher in the SEC than anywhere else. Still another level once you get to the league. I'm going to address a few different things that people have brought up here, and I apologize if they've already been covered. I have limited time right now.

Love VH's breakdowns. Why this guy doesn't have a money-making channel and/or someone putting him on a payroll for it makes no sense to me. Maybe he does and I just don't know about it.

Playing QB in the SEC is like playing in Chicago ON THE interstate or LSD in rush hour traffic. Some people are built for it. Some are not. If you're going to be pass heavy, as so many here want us to be, you better have stellar OL play AND a smart QB (and preferably one that doesn't bail on the pocket too quickly, because they are great at running the ball).

*********SEE BELOW

You have speed all over the D. Tall DEs that can cover TEs. Safeties and corners that can get to you from press coverage on the outside WR in under 3 seconds. The example @bigblueinsanity linked is a perfect example of the absolute chaos that ensues, and how a pre-snap read doesn't mean sht once the ball is snapped.

Boley was fkd before that ball was snapped.

Part of it was due to the formation. I get that that formation is the bread and butter of our current O, but dang. Part of it is the offensive play calling in general, with our lack of using the middle of the field (and hot reads) to complete passes.

CB made a great choice and got rid of the ball fairly quickly and on target to Maclin mostly in stride. Huge play, and one we haven't seen much the past 2 seasons+.

-Boley has a 2" height advantage over BV.
-He clearly thinks faster.
-He knows what a pocket is and how not to run INTO trouble that isn't there.
-He seems to read better than our previous 3 QBs.
-It's clearly taken time for him to get up to speed this season and he's GREATLY benefited by running this offense with the 2nd team since he got here.

Our older OL is struggling to adapt to what we are running now.
Our primary WRs and OL were not used to Boley running the offense, but are adjusting well finally.
Our OC still doesn't know what to do with our running game.

Texas had our offense playing defense instead of dictating play and tempo. That's the kind of defense I love to watch, but it's very difficult to play against. I don't see how they struggled in the Big 12 if this is the D they were running.

I think Leary and BV (even Levis at times) were too short and too trusting of their legs, even when they had better OL play. Anticipation of routes coming open is difficult when you can't see the field well, or when you're bailing early. Leary and BV are better outside of the pocket, but you have to run sprint outs rather than a slow-developing drop and run out.

You also have to have great OT play to do that, as well as great TE chip, leak, and route execution to slow that DE/OLB down on their rush. You dont get that from rotating TEs out every play. You don't get that when you are afraid to use the center of the field. You don't get that when you desperately need the TE to be an OT. It's also harder to do that when you have a corner on your TE instead of an OLB or DE.

We are doing some things as an offense that play to the advantage of the other team way too often, as VH points out in that clip of the throw to Maclin. We've packed the O line in on the goal line for inside runs and spread them out on pocket passing plays, making the OL job more difficult in both cases. Our splits are frustrating to watch with the plays called for them.

That's omething that you can still get production from against a mid-major rather than in the SEC.

Also, our linemen and other positions seem to be OK with not blocking anyone on a given play. I don't understand that. We were taught at a very early age that you FIND someone to pit a hat on (annihilate) on a play. If your defender backs off, FIND someone else to block, because there is definitely someone else running free. So many times a few of our receivers are looking at the runner instead of blocking for them, and then reaching at the last minute and drawing a flag. We don't engage and disengage well from that position.

Lastly, running east/west against SEC speed problematic and in many cases leaves a vast percentage of plays to easy to defend. You have to have your entire offense suited to gains in order to force your opponent to defend them, or they are wasted on game day, in practice, and in the minds of your athletes. Unless you're going uptempo and have your opponent on their heels, (a ways off the LOS), and/or fatigued, most of those sweeps are wasted downs.

The play where CB hit Maclin is a better type of motion that creates mismatches and advantages. I hope we get better with out play-calling to do that more often than we have.

********
THIS IS WHY I loved the inside zone scheme we ran with a mobile QB and some uptempo or varied tempo. They're ideally suited for each other AND you are recruiting an entirely different skill set/PHYSICALITY for your OL. When we switched out of that INTO a pocket passing scheme, we now have to recruit AGAINST THE SEC AND OTHER CONFERENCES JUGGERNAUTS for THE BEST OL for the schemes that the BEST FB PROGRAMS are running.

The schools that have taken our place at above the middle of the SEC have done exactly what we should have been doing. Instead of completely retooling, we should have been building defensive depth to be able to handle the reciprocal demands of an uptempo offense, and developing the OL from HS recruiting (and using NIL to keep em home).

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

Jmo but i think Brock is a young man that's physically injured but also torn between people pulling him in different directions.

I say that because he started pretty well. He was confident in what he did, moved in the pocket well, went through progressions, and generally played the position pretty well from a mental aspect.

Then after the bye something changed. UK has a bad history of touted guys going home for the bye and coming back a mental mess. Im guessing his dad and qb coach started and have other plans for Brock. That has him torn because he truly wants to do whats best for the team.

Thats jmo. I guess the bye week stuff gets every team to a degree, but seems like its really caused stoops problems. Idk how you fix that unless you just keep everyone on campus and host just the family.

Dad was an issue in Athens, not sure about the QB coach but letting BV continue with his release for years without correcting it makes you wonder about his credentials. But I guess all parents thing their child should be playing more.