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To be honest, I had one of these segments planned for last game as well, but after I reviewed the replay and started to write, I decided I wasn't going to publish something that derogatory towards the players in question. It was a really bad game and I decided to leave it as that.
Fortunately, this week, the guys I decided to watch had very good games and the team results were good too.
First up #94 Saint-Amour. It has been really fun watching him progress over the years. Observing a full game of one single player reveals a lot. Frenchy is a pretty high energy player who has developed a little bit of a burst and hand fighting skills. He got more than his share of attention from the VT O-Line, but he still had a pretty effective game. His speed and agility creates problems for the opposing offense. However, he might be a little light in the pants for this defensive alignment. He is our best DL at this juncture, IMHO. Ideally, I think he should be outside as a LB in the 3-4 with some more weighty physical players lined up inside the OTs. We don't have that luxury it seems. I like him in the pass rush and I like him in pursuit/chase mode. I fear when physical offenses decide to run right at him.
Next up, the BBs Jordan Mason and Jerry Howard. First of all, let me give both of them a standing O for their blocking. We changed up our blocking scheme for this game to facilitate the QB sweep, which had a major role to play in our game plan. Traditionally, when running most of our option offense, many OLs will release to the second level in pursuit of the MLB or safety while certain DLs are left unblocked. This has had marginal success in recent games, as it can be difficult to get the MLB on the ground for the big guys in space. Thursday, we released far fewer OLs to the second level, while doubling some DTs and picking up the gap blitzes at the point of attack instead. It was very physical and devastating as it prevented the dreaded penetration that VT had enjoyed over the years. The BBs instead were tasked with leading the QB sweeps with a load responsibility, picking up the MLB. I can't say enough about how effective both of them were. They punished the LB corps of VT and did so reliably. Having a QB sweep like that adds another blocker and our BBs are athletic enough not to get outmaneuvered in space. #23 of VT had enough by the time the game was over. He got his lunch money stolen (not just the pail) and his butt knocked in the dirt repeatedly. Our HC/OC was on the ready, when VT started firing their DTs to the outside in anticipation the QB sweep, with the midline option, primarily in the second half. By my count, Tobias didn't miss a single read on the interior and our BBs reaped the YPC rewards when their DTs ran outside. If they stayed home, Oliver kept the ball got obscene yards himself between the tackles. It was masterful and calculated to perfection. It was a great game plan and our BBs both answered the call. Pass blocking may yet to be adequately judged, but in the run blocking department, both #24 and #15 have earned their stripes.
As a side note, TO may not be ready to run the whole option offense, but right now, he is ready to run the midline. I think we will find that the triple will be soooo much more effective with the QB sweep, midline, and toss sweeps packages already well oiled. Leaving guys unblocked is way more effective when it doesn't happen every play.
Fortunately, this week, the guys I decided to watch had very good games and the team results were good too.
First up #94 Saint-Amour. It has been really fun watching him progress over the years. Observing a full game of one single player reveals a lot. Frenchy is a pretty high energy player who has developed a little bit of a burst and hand fighting skills. He got more than his share of attention from the VT O-Line, but he still had a pretty effective game. His speed and agility creates problems for the opposing offense. However, he might be a little light in the pants for this defensive alignment. He is our best DL at this juncture, IMHO. Ideally, I think he should be outside as a LB in the 3-4 with some more weighty physical players lined up inside the OTs. We don't have that luxury it seems. I like him in the pass rush and I like him in pursuit/chase mode. I fear when physical offenses decide to run right at him.
Next up, the BBs Jordan Mason and Jerry Howard. First of all, let me give both of them a standing O for their blocking. We changed up our blocking scheme for this game to facilitate the QB sweep, which had a major role to play in our game plan. Traditionally, when running most of our option offense, many OLs will release to the second level in pursuit of the MLB or safety while certain DLs are left unblocked. This has had marginal success in recent games, as it can be difficult to get the MLB on the ground for the big guys in space. Thursday, we released far fewer OLs to the second level, while doubling some DTs and picking up the gap blitzes at the point of attack instead. It was very physical and devastating as it prevented the dreaded penetration that VT had enjoyed over the years. The BBs instead were tasked with leading the QB sweeps with a load responsibility, picking up the MLB. I can't say enough about how effective both of them were. They punished the LB corps of VT and did so reliably. Having a QB sweep like that adds another blocker and our BBs are athletic enough not to get outmaneuvered in space. #23 of VT had enough by the time the game was over. He got his lunch money stolen (not just the pail) and his butt knocked in the dirt repeatedly. Our HC/OC was on the ready, when VT started firing their DTs to the outside in anticipation the QB sweep, with the midline option, primarily in the second half. By my count, Tobias didn't miss a single read on the interior and our BBs reaped the YPC rewards when their DTs ran outside. If they stayed home, Oliver kept the ball got obscene yards himself between the tackles. It was masterful and calculated to perfection. It was a great game plan and our BBs both answered the call. Pass blocking may yet to be adequately judged, but in the run blocking department, both #24 and #15 have earned their stripes.
As a side note, TO may not be ready to run the whole option offense, but right now, he is ready to run the midline. I think we will find that the triple will be soooo much more effective with the QB sweep, midline, and toss sweeps packages already well oiled. Leaving guys unblocked is way more effective when it doesn't happen every play.
