Larramore has been quite vocal on Speed and I don't think we've seen anything to cause us to disagree with his assessment. The DB's look confused too often. Sure they're backups but that's not an excuse at this point in the year. I can't comment on Young anymore. Too tired.
KG You are on it. I want to address something about the statement about so called "Playmakers", or lack of talent. Guys I love this game. I played it until my injury and a serious heart condition (side note.... Pray for your brother. The news I received this week was not good. I played my high school and semi pro time with high blood pressure. when I made it to the league with Bills, things got rough and then when I went to the Panther my health started to decline more. Outwardly it looks like I can still play but the specialist just informed me that I have 5 years left with his old ticker. So I am going to do all I can to pour whatever passion I have into educating young men in this sport I love). Now don't hold back on your boy if you don't agree with my opinion. Let me have it!!!!! lol. that being said guys lack of talent is not the issue here it is a lack of development. We are so caught up in the star rating system. We have not gotten this player or we need a break out player on offense. Guys the talent is there. The players just don't fit the current system. Let me explain. Vad is NOT an option QB. Place him in the Diamond, spread, or a shot gun formation and you may see a change. The short pass was there all night against Clemson. Godhigh was a recipient of a couple. Many has asked for JT. He is an pure athlete. I think he can really play but JT has been put in games when either the OL has been worn down, they are backed up deep on their end of the field or he is in a situation were they are in a far behind and need big plays to make a comeback. Bottom line, they are young and need coaching. If we are going to stick to our current game plan then we are in trouble for the next couple of years. PJ has to plan for a game and stop being so stubborn and open up to input on how to incorporate his plan with other options. If you don't have the talent to execute what you would like then you as a coach need to make an adjustment. Just ask Will Muschamp. 2012 He had the # 3 recruiting class and 2013 the #4 class but this year they will not see a bowl game. Is it lack of talent or lack of development? Let's take Wisconsin since we complain about 3 star athletes. Look at the info below:
2012 QB Bart Houston 3 star
not on depth chart
Joel Stave 2 star (starter)
2012 Vince Biegel 4 star (2nd on depth chart)
Playing behind Brendan Kelly 3 star
and Ethan Armstrong 2 star
2012 Vonte Jackson 4 star ( He is not on depth chart)
James White 3 star
Melvin Gordon 4 star
2012 Dan Voltz 4 star (not on depth chart) playing behind
Ryan Groy 3 star
Ray Ball 3 star
Kyle Constigan 2 star
Zac Mattias 3 star
As you can see, the four star players are not the ones contributing or dominating the game. There are fewer 4 star recruits that join a team and make an immediate impact. than we think. What benefits them is player development. Let's look at the UCF team.
2012
(13) - 3 Stars
(4) - 2 stars
1 player not ranked
2013
(11)- 3 Stars
(8)- 2 Stars
Ranked 17 Key Wins (Penn State, Louisville,) Lost to South Carolina by 3
Now let's look at the DB's. None of them have shown improvement. Jamea is playing all out because of his previous experience. DJ White is a great athlete and has a very high football IQ but was placed in a few tough situations during the Clemson game. The lack of development of the corners has caused major problems. Come on guys you have the corners playing out of place, during short yardage situations you have them either bailing out or playing 10-12 yards deep. A receiver just needs to make a quick slant off the line and most of the time it is a completion. When a corner is slower than a receiver you provide him with deep assistance from a safety. Watch the game again and each time the safety is seen running over to assist but each time he is late. Why?
I like speed but he is not the guy to coach the DB's. The play of these guys should increase. They are not. Some have argued I was wrong during the earlier part of the season and I respect that but let's put personal feelings aside and look completely at FOOTBALL! I was at the facility one evening to talk to a young man and his parents who was considering accepting an offer from GT. I slid over to the practice field and saw Griffin and Speed working a little extra after practice. Speed was teaching Griffin a technique cover a receiver. The technique was awful. Griffin or any corner would get burned. Here is what he was teaching him. As the receiver is running towards you back pedal and when he cuts off his route jump back (yeah jump back) with your legs spread apart then run towards the receiver to cut off the pass. Griffin looked ridiculous. I thought what in the world is he doing. After a game I saw Griffin and DJ Whites dads. They were waiting for their sons to exit the stadium. Griffin came out and his dad greeted him and said how does it feel? You first game in at corner. He said it was good. I got 4 plays and was hoping for more but this is just the start. I heard Mr. Griffin ask his son "I saw Coach Speed talking to you before you went in the game, what did he say?" Mr. Griffins son responded, he told me they were trying to pitch a shut out. That's it. Mr. Griffin had a weird look on his face. I walked away thinking dang what a way to coach. Speed is a better linebacker coach but you know with Roof coming in, he was not going to coach the LB's or safety's so what was left. The corners. Also notice that Speed was taken out of the box.
QB development. If Coach J will open up the offense to incorporate more plays that could be executed out of spread option, or maybe some different formations, which I think he has the knowledge to do so, you will see that the offense will be more effective because defenses would be less aggressive to stop the option and have to adjust for the other setups that the offense will show.
Special Teams play has not been great. Guys here is what you need to watch. On multiple occasions this year I have seen the kick go in one direction and the players run to another spot. I think this is an easy fix. Kicker just needs more experience . Better communication is really necessary here. Also the players need to become head hunters. When I was with Buffalo we called these guys special for a reason. As far as returns. It has been decent until the Clemson game. I think the guys just had a bad game. Our special teams are young guys who will get better. Alabama averages 25.6 yards a return, Florida State averages 24.8 and GT averages 21.5 per game.
Offensive line - I hear everyone talking about removing Sewak. I am not getting into that debate but what I am going to point out is this. Have you noticed that opposing D linemen are making the adjustment for the cut block. They are either going high like VT , using their hands and side stepping the block or pushing our young men to the turf with a stiff arm. Teams are getting better each year. Either we work more on the cut block or we make some adjustments with the blocking scheme.
ERIC forgive me brother not trying to seem like a know it all. YOU ARE THE MAN! and I have respect for your craft. Just sharing my thoughts.
