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Topic: Things we need to focus on (Real Talk Edition)

Topic: Things we need to focus on (Real Talk Edition)

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allen
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Member Since: 1/24/2006
Post Count: 4,630

Status: Offline

Things we need to focus on (Real Talk Edition)

Posted: 2/14/2018 9:01:13 AM

QB
Last year, Nathan Rourke had a great year. He has a lot of drive and determination. He was exceptional at making his reads and he was a dynamo in the open field.
Negatives
Rourke had some ball control issues
He also locked on to receivers at times and he threw a couple of balls up for grabs.
Positives
Rourke is accurate
He has great feet
He makes great reads in RPO situations
Quinton Maxwell is a great talent, but he cannot keep his nerves in check. He needs to be challenged by Keszei. Maxwell has a great arm and he is a great athlete, but so is Keszei, Keszei looks more accurate.
Running Back
AJ came back and had a great year. He made opposing defenses focus on our running game. He usually made the first guy miss and always fell forward.
Ross was used liked Daz Patterson was, he did a great job in goal line situations because of his vision and low center of gravity. He ended up banging up his shoulder and his ankle. His goal should be to gain 7 pounds and increase his speed. He needs to be our home run hitter. He needs to be a 4.4 guy in pads with his previous track times. Maleek Irons needs to get back in football shape. He needs to try to run a little bit lower. He needs to use his size and speed when he is on the field.
Wide Receivers
We have one of the best and most accomplished wide receiver coaches in the country. We have to get more out of Odom. We need Ball to return to form and we need take a hard look at Buckner. We have to recruit this position better. I am still stunned by last years pro day, our receivers ran like tight ends. We actually throw the ball now, we deserve have some 4.4 and 4.5 guys. Hooks and Darfnell are here, but they look like 4.6 and 4.7 guys. Why am I harping on speed. Last year we had corners running underneath our receivers and making plays on the ball. We gave Nathan Rourke very small windows to throw in and we watched opposing wide receivers get great separation against us. We have Papi, he needs to gain weight and actually work out of the slot. We had to split him out and throw deep balls outside the hash mark. We need to keep throwing him deep balls but we also need to let him work underneath, he will not be split out in the NFL. We need to get him in one one situations and let him make plays in the open field. I was hoping that Harris could be the deep threat if Odom decides not to show up, but he is gone.
Offensive Line
The linemen need to continue to improve their agility. They are very intelligent and almost never blow assignments. Some will get NFL looks, so they need to be ready. Prueh's will be tough to replace, but we have recruited well. We need to solidify that position early on.
Kicking
Zervos needs to improve his accuracy and his kickoffs. Some days he can make a 55 yarders and on others, he is short from 48. He needs to continue to get better. he should be an All-MAC guy this year. Importantly, we need to win the field position battle
Tim Albin and the offensive staff need to watch every game from last year and identify strengths and weaknesses. They also need to start game planning for who they will coach against.

Defensive Line
Evans needs to have a great year. We need to have another defensive end step up. I like both of the JUCO guys, I think that they will play inside. Both would also be great defensive ends on first and second down or running downs. Last years class will need to step up. I think Caesar and Coleman will play a lot and be good. Robbins is gone, but he did not play to his potential last year. Germano and Scott (Great hire) need to have these guys ready.
Linebackers
We lost a lot last year but we added two potential all-mac guys. TJ Robinson is very explosive and looks like a 4.6 guy, he should be given the opportunity to win a starting position Keye Thompson benches 405 (per the signing day reception) pounds and he looked like Ray Lewis on his highlight tape. He should have a playbook and video's in hand. Thompson needs to get a serious look. Croutch, Conner and Dorsa were solid last. Let all of these kids get first team reps in practice and scrimmages to see what they can do.
Defensive backs
Whoah Nellie
Javon Hagan needs to lead this unit. He accelerates well, he has a knack for finding and stripping the ball. However, tight ends beat us all years and our defensive backfield gave up way too many explosive plays. Hagan has NFL aspirations as he should, he needs to persevere and lock down tight ends and make open field tackles. You can play not to get hurt, but that usually leads to you getting beat (the number 6 safety in this years draft is projected to go in the 5th round this year). Kylan Nelson has played corner and safety throughout his career. He needs to make more plays on the ball and tackle better as well. Jalen Fox will probably start, he needs to work on his technique and get a step faster. There really needs to be an open competition for all of these positions. Brooks has solid speed and tackles ok for a 160 pound guy. Birchette looks like he moves very well and finds the ball. He should get a look. Hudson looked decent at times. We need to see what Floyd and Drake can do. The coaching was awful at times, we had at least 12 blown coverages and the technique was awful. We seemed to face guard and try to punch the ball out at the last minute. That is a last resort strategy. We got away with like 10 pi's. I just watched some of our games on youtube. Our db's had the speed to run with wide receivers but didn't get their head around. That needs to be a focal point in practice, forget the boxing gloves, turn and burn baby. We cannot finish in the bottom 50 for the third straight year.
Coaching
Burrow needs to be held accountable, we had way too many 40 plus games against bad teams and we gave way too many offensive players gold jacket's. Albin actually passed Burrow. We need to see a much better defense in 2018.

Nobody despises to lose more than I do. That's got me into trouble over the years, but it also made a man of mediocre ability into a pretty good coach. Woody Hayes

Deciduous Forest Cat
General User

Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Ohio
Post Count: 4,306

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RE: Things we need to focus on (Real Talk Edition)

Posted: 2/14/2018 9:17:38 AM

What about Cherry at wideout next year? If Ball comes back healthy I expect the freshmen will redshirt with Papi, Odom, Cherry and Ball all ready to go.

Or maybe I'm just going based on that highlight reel catch last spring.

allen
General User

Member Since: 1/24/2006
Post Count: 4,630

Status: Offline

RE: Things we need to focus on (Real Talk Edition)

Posted: 2/14/2018 9:46:54 AM

Deciduous Forest Cat wrote:

I think Cherry can make some noise.

Nobody despises to lose more than I do. That's got me into trouble over the years, but it also made a man of mediocre ability into a pretty good coach. Woody Hayes

Mark Lembright '85
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Member Since: 8/22/2010
Location: Highland Heights, OH
Post Count: 2,447

Status: Offline

RE: Things we need to focus on (Real Talk Edition)

Posted: 2/14/2018 12:42:07 PM

allen wrote:

Deciduous Forest Cat wrote:

I think Cherry can make some noise.

That's what she said!

Sorry, I've always wanted to use that retort.....

allen
General User

Member Since: 1/24/2006
Post Count: 4,630

Status: Offline

RE: Things we need to focus on (Real Talk Edition)

Posted: 2/14/2018 1:35:53 PM

Mark Lembright '85 wrote:

allen wrote:

Deciduous Forest Cat wrote:

I think Cherry can make some noise.

That's what she said!

Sorry, I've always wanted to use that retort.....

Lol

Nobody despises to lose more than I do. That's got me into trouble over the years, but it also made a man of mediocre ability into a pretty good coach. Woody Hayes

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