Not Many Balls on the Ground

[Boomergump]

That was my favorite piece of news the other night. It was my greatest worry coming into this season. Discuss.

 

[DrJacket]

I was struck by that, too. My immediate reaction was to simply hope that it carries over to the season. But, it's a fantastic indicator.

My next reaction was to ponder something like, "Yeah...but under 'live fire' will that hold up?" Our practices are pretty "live" in that regard. We specifically practice takeaways. The defense is instructed to slap at the ball, even between plays when a guy is just walking back to the huddle. And, we practice hard in order to have guys ready for game conditions.

So, time will tell. But, I'm encouraged.

 

[Lexjacket]

CPJ does not share the positives unless he really means it. That bodes well.

 

[gtg936g]

That is the most surprising comment to me as well. I may be wrong, but CPJ would probably not say that if it were not true of the second string guys as well. I think that shows that the team is focused more than anything else. JeT has a lot to do with this, it also means he is making the correct decisions of when to pitch. The ball is usually out during the mesh, or a pitch when a block is missed or a read is incorrect.

 

[COJacket]

I was struck by that, too. My immediate reaction was to simply hope that it carries over to the season. But, it's a fantastic indicator.

My next reaction was to ponder something like, "Yeah...but under 'live fire' will that hold up?" Our practices are pretty "live" in that regard. We specifically practice takeaways. The defense is instructed to slap at the ball, even between plays when a guy is just walking back to the huddle. And, we practice hard in order to have guys ready for game conditions.

So, time will tell. But, I'm encouraged.

And our defense knows how to slap balls away. Good sign

 

[00Burdell]

Underclassmen fumble. I will continue to worry about this throughout the season.

Not trying to be negative but that is my observation.

 

[redmule]

The saying years ago about how to stop the Wishbone (or TO) was to wait until they dropped the ball and then pick it, meaning there was a high risk for fumbling. Fortunately that has not been a huge problem for us since CPJ has been here. It seems to me that 1) if you are a fumbler, he doesn't recruit you 2) if you are recruited and start to be a fumbler you won't see the field as a running back for CPJ 3) his practice regimen has something in it that helps stop fumbling and 4) the precision with which he demands the TO be run as far as placement and footwork must reduce fumbling.

Given how we pass (in frequency and methodology), if we don't put the ball on the ground much, then most games we will win the turnover battle.

 

[deeeznutz]

That is the most surprising comment to me as well. I may be wrong, but CPJ would probably not say that if it were not true of the second string guys as well. I think that shows that the team is focused more than anything else. JeT has a lot to do with this, it also means he is making the correct decisions of when to pitch. The ball is usually out during the mesh, or a pitch when a block is missed or a read is incorrect.

This is exactly how I'm reading it. I bet with his experience and growth in this offense JT is getting the ball out to guys in better positions where they aren't being hit right as they receive it, whether in the mesh or on the pitch.

 

[InsideLB]

Two risks for fumbles are systemic (mesh, pitch), and individual (hold it high and tight).

Justin of course reduces systemic risk with reads and experience. The new BB's could increase systemic risk by reading the wrong mesh point, particularly if defenses are jumping around and attempting to confuse our pre-snap reads. How Skov and Marcus squared handle this is yet to be seen. I feel confident though....guess it's a combination of two pretty mature guys in Skov and Allen, and a guy who just seems to play fast in Marshall, with JT and Coach Cooke to bring them along.

On the pitch, JT is probably able to see when it's risky and just eat the ball/live to fight again.

Other than that I guess the backs are just well-coached or good at holding onto the thing. Some guys aren't. I do recall seeing MM holding it high and tight on his video. And I'd think Justin is getting better at not fumbling as well....which he did remarkably little of as a first time starter last year.

 

[Skeptic]

The saying years ago about how to stop the Wishbone (or TO) was to wait until they dropped the ball and then pick it, meaning there was a high risk for fumbling. Fortunately that has not been a huge problem for us since CPJ has been here. It seems to me that 1) if you are a fumbler, he doesn't recruit you 2) if you are recruited and start to be a fumbler you won't see the field as a running back for CPJ 3) his practice regimen has something in it that helps stop fumbling and 4) the precision with which he demands the TO be run as far as placement and footwork must reduce fumbling.

Given how we pass (in frequency and methodology), if we don't put the ball on the ground much, then most games we will win the turnover battle.

My bet is that if you fumble you'll never see your family again.

 

[Buzz Saw]

 

[alaguy]

Underclassmen fumble. I will continue to worry about this throughout the season.

Not trying to be negative but that is my observation.

I agree.The things most likely to stop a fine season are
1-injuries to key guys
2- fumbles at wrong time
3-run backs on ints (would be more important except we don't pass much but young guys do run wrong routes)
4-breakdowns on DEf at wrong times

 

[Boomergump]

What this tells me is that JT is DECISIVE in his reads. So many times, hesitation or indecision kills you. I don't even know precisely how a MESH gets executed, in terms of the physical communication between BB and QB, but I know this, whatever the method is, if it is wishy washy or unclear, there will ultimately be balls on the ground. The same holds true for pitches to a certain extent. With all that said, unfortunately Burdell is right. For the entire history of our game, underclassmen tend to fumble more that the experienced players. Keep your fingers crossed.

 

[Eastman]

In the Ugag game a mesh with Laskey went wrong and he came within a hair of fumbling. Had we lost a fumble then, the chances are small that we come out victorious. I would think that his extensive experience may have kept that fumble from occurring. Hopefully when fumbles are lost this year they will not be at critical times.

 

[chewybaka]

My bet is that if you fumble you'll never see your family again.

Skeptic...

I like your style...

We are all about ready to spontaneously combust in anticipation for this season to begin!

 

[Skeptic]

Skeptic...

I like your style...

We are all about ready to spontaneously combust in anticipation for this season to begin!

I am getting the jitters pretty fiercely. Had to buy Fox Sports South to see the game on Direct TV but I didn't want to sit in front of a computer screen for ESPN3. My wife is threatening to divorce me so there is an upside to it.

 

[4shotB]

In the Ugag game a mesh with Laskey went wrong and he came within a hair of fumbling. Had we lost a fumble then, the chances are small that we come out victorious. I would think that his extensive experience may have kept that fumble from occurring. Hopefully when fumbles are lost this year they will not be at critical times.

I know exactly the play to which you are referring. it was not experience that made the difference there, it was karma. or luck. or good mojo. I just know that Tech wins this game the Saturday after my wife, nieces and sister in law put together a Thanksgiving meal in which absolutely none of the dishes are over/under cooked. Last year the meal was perfect...ergo, no fumble. you may think I'm a mystic but bro, I got the data. Your probably wondering why I don't just cater the whole d$@* thing so we could win every year but somehow, the thought of a store bought Thanksgiving dinner just doesn't seem right. I know my momma and grandmammas, may God rest their souls, didn't raise me to eat a store bought turkey dinner. I simply refuse....no matter how many times Tech has to lose this stupid game. I will let you know the Friday after Turkey Day who is winning this year's game. My system is infallible.