1. First thing that stands out to me again is the play of Rosier. I am really, REALLY trying to temper expectations here. These are the 2 worst defenses we'll play all year. So I'm doing my best to take his play with a glacier of salt. I'm trying to examine his play by what HE is doing, rather than who he's doing it against. Meaning, the decisions he's making. The accuracy. The arm strength. The mobility. The things that will translate against most opponents. And I've been blown away thus far. The 3rd and 18 throw to Harley really sticks out to me. That's a glimpse of his true ability. Running away from sub-par athletes, hitting bubbles, the short throws to Herndon...all good, but not noteworthy. But he dropped a DIME to Mullins that was dropped. He threw another strike to Harley that was dropped. And then the 3rd and 18 throw, on a line to the sideline for a first down. We're not going to see that much cushion against good teams, but that was an impressive throw even against air and frankly one that I was very concerned he couldn't make. If you don't think he's been the bright spot of the team through 2 weeks, you're wrong.
2. Walton looks much better than last year, and last year he looked much better than 2015. Clearly improved, clearly a leader, clearly a MAN running the ball, clearly motivated, hungry, and one of the best backs in the country. Very eager to see what he does against Duke, FSU, VT, GT, and ND. But he couldn't look better so far. His combo of strength, wiggle, and aggression is impressive.
3. Not very concerned about the defense. It was evident there was a lot of rust in the first half. Missed tackles, guys out of position, confusion, at least 2-3 clear busted coverages. The type of stuff you'd expect to see after taking 11 days off in the middle of a season. Guys were clearly not in shape. So, yes, the 290 yards of offense they put up in the first half is unacceptable. But after the half, they got 130 yards. This team finished 7th in the country last year in total offense. 5th in yards per play. Miami held them to 130 yards in a half. So, first half...can't happen. But the 2nd half, they really scored 7 points. The other TD came on a drive that started at the Miami 9. I am not hitting the panic button yet.
4. When Richards gets back, and if Rosier can keep this up, this is going to be a SCARY offense. I just don't see how you can defend everything. With Harley/Cager on one side, Richards on the other, Thomas/Berrios in the slot, an NFL TE in Herndon in the middle, and an NFL back like Walton with a really emerging backup in Homer....what the hell do you take away? Drop an extra safety into the box to limit Walton? Good luck covering those 4 kids in cover 0 or cover 1. Play a single high Safety or cover 2 taking away the speed on the outside? Have fun with a backer and nickel on 8/4/23 in the middle of the field and with Walton/Rosier in the zone read game with 6 in the box. If the OL can just hold their own, and Rosier can continue to facilitate....wow this can be a REALLY good offense. Richards IMO is the best player on this offense. This thing is going to pop once he's back at full speed.
5. I love Trajan Bandy. Such a dog. I think he's playing 80% of the snaps by the end of the season, either at Nickel, corner, and/or Safety. Not afraid, tough as nails, plays bigger than his size. All the things we saw and heard at the HS level.
6. Won't pile on Delaney. We've all seen, read, and heard everything. He needs to be better. Much better.
7. All in all, a rather expected outcome. I just don't get the "sky is falling" people. This was a VERY rusty team coming off literally unprecedented circumstances playing a very motivated bunch who usually plays up to its competition....we didn't wake up until the half, and won by 22. Did you REALLY expect much more than that? Just don't see how people can be mad. The line was 13 and we won by 22. Did you expect 44-3 after taking 2 weeks off?
8. I started a thread on this last week, but I stand by that Woodside will be the best pure passer we'll see all season. He actually missed a few throws he usually makes, but he was damn good most of the game. And again, they had 1 real drive after the half. Aside from that, not much. 130 yards in a half vs a team who averaged 517 a game last year is not awful.
2. Walton looks much better than last year, and last year he looked much better than 2015. Clearly improved, clearly a leader, clearly a MAN running the ball, clearly motivated, hungry, and one of the best backs in the country. Very eager to see what he does against Duke, FSU, VT, GT, and ND. But he couldn't look better so far. His combo of strength, wiggle, and aggression is impressive.
3. Not very concerned about the defense. It was evident there was a lot of rust in the first half. Missed tackles, guys out of position, confusion, at least 2-3 clear busted coverages. The type of stuff you'd expect to see after taking 11 days off in the middle of a season. Guys were clearly not in shape. So, yes, the 290 yards of offense they put up in the first half is unacceptable. But after the half, they got 130 yards. This team finished 7th in the country last year in total offense. 5th in yards per play. Miami held them to 130 yards in a half. So, first half...can't happen. But the 2nd half, they really scored 7 points. The other TD came on a drive that started at the Miami 9. I am not hitting the panic button yet.
4. When Richards gets back, and if Rosier can keep this up, this is going to be a SCARY offense. I just don't see how you can defend everything. With Harley/Cager on one side, Richards on the other, Thomas/Berrios in the slot, an NFL TE in Herndon in the middle, and an NFL back like Walton with a really emerging backup in Homer....what the hell do you take away? Drop an extra safety into the box to limit Walton? Good luck covering those 4 kids in cover 0 or cover 1. Play a single high Safety or cover 2 taking away the speed on the outside? Have fun with a backer and nickel on 8/4/23 in the middle of the field and with Walton/Rosier in the zone read game with 6 in the box. If the OL can just hold their own, and Rosier can continue to facilitate....wow this can be a REALLY good offense. Richards IMO is the best player on this offense. This thing is going to pop once he's back at full speed.
5. I love Trajan Bandy. Such a dog. I think he's playing 80% of the snaps by the end of the season, either at Nickel, corner, and/or Safety. Not afraid, tough as nails, plays bigger than his size. All the things we saw and heard at the HS level.
6. Won't pile on Delaney. We've all seen, read, and heard everything. He needs to be better. Much better.
7. All in all, a rather expected outcome. I just don't get the "sky is falling" people. This was a VERY rusty team coming off literally unprecedented circumstances playing a very motivated bunch who usually plays up to its competition....we didn't wake up until the half, and won by 22. Did you REALLY expect much more than that? Just don't see how people can be mad. The line was 13 and we won by 22. Did you expect 44-3 after taking 2 weeks off?
8. I started a thread on this last week, but I stand by that Woodside will be the best pure passer we'll see all season. He actually missed a few throws he usually makes, but he was damn good most of the game. And again, they had 1 real drive after the half. Aside from that, not much. 130 yards in a half vs a team who averaged 517 a game last year is not awful.
