Pilchard
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- May 3, 2011
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The preseason insider take on WF was ass backwards (I bought into it and was dead wrong). Everyone's (including Clawson's) biggest concern was the DL specifically and generally the defense. The defense has been good; if not very good. Possibly the best defense since Clawson arrived. While the DL isn't Clemson 2016; the DL is solid all around. WF has better depth; many thought Chase Jones was WF top defensive player, and he hasn't even played yet. Year 2 with a good DC has led to improvement. With this defense, last year's WF team wins 9 or 10 regular season games.
Heading into the season. the one aspect of 2023 WF football which there was the most confidence in was the passing attack. Mitch reportedly out-performed all past WF QBs in practice metrics (note that the QB can't get hit in practice), the WR corps is elite, and the offensive line was supposedly as good as, if not better than in 2022. Nope.
Deacs are running the ball OK, but the passing attack is a mess. It's a combo of factors, but the parlay of Griffis' indecisiveness, the OL getting pushed back and/or beat (more on this below)and opposing DCs justifiably maximizing pressure, aka "bringing the house" on almost every snap (Elon did this starting in the 2nd Quarter and every opposing DC, but Vandy, has followed the pressure WF script -- this will continue for the rest of the season). Griffis is tough, but he's getting crushed every game, and it has taken its toll. On the one hand, he's got to avoid throwing picks, and the other hand, he's got to get rid of the ball more quickly. This has devolved into brain lock as he can't just play fast and easy because he's afraid to make the crushing mistake. Also, while Sam wasn't huge, he was taller than Griffis, and WF's scheme depends on the QB taking very short drops and throwing among the trees, seems like Griffis just lacks the size for that to work. The one thing that seems to work with Griffis is roll to his right and throw.
Went back and watched the tape on plays when Griffis was pressured and/or sacked, and its really telling. Almost every play, Jurgens has stonewalled his man (it's almost comical as the defender opposite Jurgens is so far away from the rest of the DL that are closing in on Mitch); Gordon generally has held off his man, but Gulbin and especially Clapp and Russell are almost helpless as their opposing defender breaks free to terrorize the QB. I know that WF's scheme depends on leaving the OL on an island and does not typically leave a TE into block, but our right tackle needs help -lots of it. Also, I know people go nuts when Claibourne get critiqued for pass blocking, but he again struggled in that area on Saturday. It's real.
Clawson has authored in-season adjustments with success before, and changes are needed; with the plug and play offense malfunctioning, they will need to find fixes fast; without the TOs, WF could have won yesterday's game 20-17; that hasn't been WF's style of football in recent seasons, but it may need to be WF football in 2023. Can WF win 9-6 in OT again?
FWIW, I know that many if not all are clamoring for a QB change. Would just say that it would be pretty rough for any new QB to have his first start at Death Valley. Then again, if Mitch does start against Clemson in two weeks, and he continues to hold onto the ball, and WF continues with the same blocking schemes, there is a really good chance that Kern will be taking plenty of snaps at Clemson anyway.
Heading into the season. the one aspect of 2023 WF football which there was the most confidence in was the passing attack. Mitch reportedly out-performed all past WF QBs in practice metrics (note that the QB can't get hit in practice), the WR corps is elite, and the offensive line was supposedly as good as, if not better than in 2022. Nope.
Deacs are running the ball OK, but the passing attack is a mess. It's a combo of factors, but the parlay of Griffis' indecisiveness, the OL getting pushed back and/or beat (more on this below)and opposing DCs justifiably maximizing pressure, aka "bringing the house" on almost every snap (Elon did this starting in the 2nd Quarter and every opposing DC, but Vandy, has followed the pressure WF script -- this will continue for the rest of the season). Griffis is tough, but he's getting crushed every game, and it has taken its toll. On the one hand, he's got to avoid throwing picks, and the other hand, he's got to get rid of the ball more quickly. This has devolved into brain lock as he can't just play fast and easy because he's afraid to make the crushing mistake. Also, while Sam wasn't huge, he was taller than Griffis, and WF's scheme depends on the QB taking very short drops and throwing among the trees, seems like Griffis just lacks the size for that to work. The one thing that seems to work with Griffis is roll to his right and throw.
Went back and watched the tape on plays when Griffis was pressured and/or sacked, and its really telling. Almost every play, Jurgens has stonewalled his man (it's almost comical as the defender opposite Jurgens is so far away from the rest of the DL that are closing in on Mitch); Gordon generally has held off his man, but Gulbin and especially Clapp and Russell are almost helpless as their opposing defender breaks free to terrorize the QB. I know that WF's scheme depends on leaving the OL on an island and does not typically leave a TE into block, but our right tackle needs help -lots of it. Also, I know people go nuts when Claibourne get critiqued for pass blocking, but he again struggled in that area on Saturday. It's real.
Clawson has authored in-season adjustments with success before, and changes are needed; with the plug and play offense malfunctioning, they will need to find fixes fast; without the TOs, WF could have won yesterday's game 20-17; that hasn't been WF's style of football in recent seasons, but it may need to be WF football in 2023. Can WF win 9-6 in OT again?
FWIW, I know that many if not all are clamoring for a QB change. Would just say that it would be pretty rough for any new QB to have his first start at Death Valley. Then again, if Mitch does start against Clemson in two weeks, and he continues to hold onto the ball, and WF continues with the same blocking schemes, there is a really good chance that Kern will be taking plenty of snaps at Clemson anyway.
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