Going to start with some quick thoughts, a few of you had some really solid questions that made me think a bit.
I was really pleased with the defense. After re-watching, they balled out, and obviously they weren’t perfect, but they did more than enough to win that game. Tim DeRuyter is a mastermind, and he has his group rolling right now. I’m sure he isn’t satisfied with it, but it is impressive how they’ve been able to get going after losing so much.
The offensive line wasn’t horrid, they had some really bad moments, which I guess has kind of been something to grow accustomed to. I thought that your tackles were a bit better than last week, and they once again did a pretty good job creating holes for Tahj Brooks.
Speaking of Tahj, he was once again really good. You’re going to need to lean on him, in my opinion, especially now with the likeliness that you’re going to have to abandon the QB run with Shough likely out for quite a while.
Don’t want to get into everything I’m thinking about offensively, because that’s the majority of what y’all asked, so let’s jump into it.
@AusTech: What is our identity on offense? Everything feels disjointed and players are often not in position to make the plays they need to for us to move the ball. The uptempo pace seems to be more of a hinderance than a help as well.
I do not think you have one unless you count “wanting to go fast with tempo” as one. It is extremely frustrating because, whether it’s because of your lack of a star or a OC issue, you don’t have anything you’re hanging your hat on. You ran a lot of screen-ish stuff to the boundary last year and it seems like a decent amount of that has gone away, at least it did yesterday. Something needs to change, whether it is a shift in philosophy or a higher level of execution. From outside the building, to an uneducated football mind, it seems like they are just throwing stuff at the wall. I’m sure that’s not the case, but that’s how it feels right now.
@cuseiler: What would explain the coaches misreading this team to the extent they have appeared to? Not being jerky, but statements about this team beating the bowl team by 2 TDS and the pass rush improving etc. It seems shocking. @4RunnerRaider Is it more concerning to y’all that, given that this coaching staff spent all offseason with this team and told anyone who would listen that they would be able to get to compete for a Big 12 championship, either 1.) lied to the fan base or 2.) is just that bad at talent evaluation
This is extremely frustrating in retrospect. I think that a lot of the pieces that they were talking big about are somewhat legitimate. Linton is probably going to get a look at the next level, as is Cole etc. I just think they were betting on bigger jumps from some of these guys, and they’ve got some of it. I think that it all circles back to a lack of direction on offense, whether that’s due to the personnel you have causing play calling challenges or just ignorance from the offensive staff. You’re honestly a few plays from 3-1 (I’m chalking up WVU as a loss no matter what, since you played a really awful game) but that is what teams who lose say. Got a long road to go, still.
@TechRx: What was behind the decision to throw to the endzone 4 plays in a row when we had 1st and 10 from their 11 yard line, given the success we were having with our running game?
I was surprised at this too, especially the fade to Nehemiah. It is a bit understandable if what Level said on the radio broadcast about Brooks being a bit dinged up in that moment was true, but yea, it was questionable for sure. I’m super intrigued by the Kittley press conference tomorrow.
@MJ Red Raider: Not why but how has Tech WR core regressed so bad? We used to beat people with 2 star slot receivers, what the hell has happened?
I do wonder if it was more of the quarterbacks not giving their receivers a chance in this one. I only graded the film on Jerand Bradley last night (this may extrapalate to other WRs or not) but he was targeted ten times for three catches with five or six throws that were not catchable (depends on how you’re classifying the underthrow where they didn’t look at it). It is evident that you don’t have a dude there. I have been underwhelmed by McCray and it is frustrating that Price has had such rough injury luck over the past two seasons. Would’ve thought he would have a bigger contribution.
@DukeSilver11: We might need to consider getting Pierre back on the edge. His play at LB isn’t necessarily an issue, but he made more of an impact last year and I think our young dudes inside can hold up. Is there a shot they’ll consider the move? Defensively we’re light years ahead of the offense in terms of being a problem for opponents from a height/weight/speed standpoint. It does absolutely suck to lose, there’s no way around that, but in 2-3 years we’re going to be geared up to go on an Oklahoma State-like run for the foreseeable future.
My only worry if you do something to this effect is that you get even thinner at MLB, a group that is playing extremely well. Yes, Ben Roberts has played really well, but I don’t know if I would be comfortable playing Ty Matthews and Miquel Dingle that much at this point. Honestly, they may want to red-shirt some guys at that position if this train keeps going off the rails.
@jmaclean: Is there any thought to giving some snaps to the younger OT, Buchanan or Keeler?
I’m sure there’s been some thought, Joey kind of eluded to wanting to create competition there last Monday. I think that you would want to give those guys some reps, especially Buchanan, for the future. He’ll probably be a starting tackle in a year’s time, so it could be important.
@carterforsale: Will our 1-3 start (and presumed more losses this season) cause decommitments?
No.
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TreeLine Vacation Rentals – Broken Bow, OK
Craig Crawford (@crawfordTT)
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I was really pleased with the defense. After re-watching, they balled out, and obviously they weren’t perfect, but they did more than enough to win that game. Tim DeRuyter is a mastermind, and he has his group rolling right now. I’m sure he isn’t satisfied with it, but it is impressive how they’ve been able to get going after losing so much.
The offensive line wasn’t horrid, they had some really bad moments, which I guess has kind of been something to grow accustomed to. I thought that your tackles were a bit better than last week, and they once again did a pretty good job creating holes for Tahj Brooks.
Speaking of Tahj, he was once again really good. You’re going to need to lean on him, in my opinion, especially now with the likeliness that you’re going to have to abandon the QB run with Shough likely out for quite a while.
Don’t want to get into everything I’m thinking about offensively, because that’s the majority of what y’all asked, so let’s jump into it.
@AusTech: What is our identity on offense? Everything feels disjointed and players are often not in position to make the plays they need to for us to move the ball. The uptempo pace seems to be more of a hinderance than a help as well.
I do not think you have one unless you count “wanting to go fast with tempo” as one. It is extremely frustrating because, whether it’s because of your lack of a star or a OC issue, you don’t have anything you’re hanging your hat on. You ran a lot of screen-ish stuff to the boundary last year and it seems like a decent amount of that has gone away, at least it did yesterday. Something needs to change, whether it is a shift in philosophy or a higher level of execution. From outside the building, to an uneducated football mind, it seems like they are just throwing stuff at the wall. I’m sure that’s not the case, but that’s how it feels right now.
@cuseiler: What would explain the coaches misreading this team to the extent they have appeared to? Not being jerky, but statements about this team beating the bowl team by 2 TDS and the pass rush improving etc. It seems shocking. @4RunnerRaider Is it more concerning to y’all that, given that this coaching staff spent all offseason with this team and told anyone who would listen that they would be able to get to compete for a Big 12 championship, either 1.) lied to the fan base or 2.) is just that bad at talent evaluation
This is extremely frustrating in retrospect. I think that a lot of the pieces that they were talking big about are somewhat legitimate. Linton is probably going to get a look at the next level, as is Cole etc. I just think they were betting on bigger jumps from some of these guys, and they’ve got some of it. I think that it all circles back to a lack of direction on offense, whether that’s due to the personnel you have causing play calling challenges or just ignorance from the offensive staff. You’re honestly a few plays from 3-1 (I’m chalking up WVU as a loss no matter what, since you played a really awful game) but that is what teams who lose say. Got a long road to go, still.
@TechRx: What was behind the decision to throw to the endzone 4 plays in a row when we had 1st and 10 from their 11 yard line, given the success we were having with our running game?
I was surprised at this too, especially the fade to Nehemiah. It is a bit understandable if what Level said on the radio broadcast about Brooks being a bit dinged up in that moment was true, but yea, it was questionable for sure. I’m super intrigued by the Kittley press conference tomorrow.
@MJ Red Raider: Not why but how has Tech WR core regressed so bad? We used to beat people with 2 star slot receivers, what the hell has happened?
I do wonder if it was more of the quarterbacks not giving their receivers a chance in this one. I only graded the film on Jerand Bradley last night (this may extrapalate to other WRs or not) but he was targeted ten times for three catches with five or six throws that were not catchable (depends on how you’re classifying the underthrow where they didn’t look at it). It is evident that you don’t have a dude there. I have been underwhelmed by McCray and it is frustrating that Price has had such rough injury luck over the past two seasons. Would’ve thought he would have a bigger contribution.
@DukeSilver11: We might need to consider getting Pierre back on the edge. His play at LB isn’t necessarily an issue, but he made more of an impact last year and I think our young dudes inside can hold up. Is there a shot they’ll consider the move? Defensively we’re light years ahead of the offense in terms of being a problem for opponents from a height/weight/speed standpoint. It does absolutely suck to lose, there’s no way around that, but in 2-3 years we’re going to be geared up to go on an Oklahoma State-like run for the foreseeable future.
My only worry if you do something to this effect is that you get even thinner at MLB, a group that is playing extremely well. Yes, Ben Roberts has played really well, but I don’t know if I would be comfortable playing Ty Matthews and Miquel Dingle that much at this point. Honestly, they may want to red-shirt some guys at that position if this train keeps going off the rails.
@jmaclean: Is there any thought to giving some snaps to the younger OT, Buchanan or Keeler?
I’m sure there’s been some thought, Joey kind of eluded to wanting to create competition there last Monday. I think that you would want to give those guys some reps, especially Buchanan, for the future. He’ll probably be a starting tackle in a year’s time, so it could be important.
@carterforsale: Will our 1-3 start (and presumed more losses this season) cause decommitments?
No.
Be sure to book with TreeLine Vacation Rentals if you are in need of a Broken Bow, Oklahoma cabin rental. All Red Raiders get a $200.00 discount (enter code RRS) and direct booking with no additional fees.
TreeLine Vacation Rentals – Broken Bow, OK
Craig Crawford (@crawfordTT)
214-228-0892
TreeLine Owner craig@vacationtreeline.com
TreeLine can also build, sell & manage investment properties in Broken Bow -- one of the best investment opportunities in the nation right now!
