Post Game Observations (ASU '14)...

[BigIrish]

That's the first thing you usually want your QB to do, but when he does stick with it and step up, the pocket collapses faster than any I've seen. I can't remember what game it was, but you could tell Golson was making an effort to stick in it and step up, and he wasn't getting rewarded for it. He'd step up and a half of a second later, be on the ground or falling forward to the LOS.

Edit: WTH. Why am I incapable of quoting people?

I agree that the pocket is collapsing quickly, but I'm not sure I ever saw him committed to stepping up in the pocket instead of trying to escape out the back door. Moreover, stepping up in the pocket doesn't buy a QB an additional 3-4 seconds. Stepping up in the pocket is an acknowledgement that the pocket is beginning to collapse, and QB is allowing the pocket to collapse behind him. An effective pocket passer will step up to buy the split second he needs to either deliver a pass to an open receiver, throw it away, or take off running. In the occasional times that I've noticed Golson trying to step into the pocket, it's as if he's still looking for a receiver or trying to decide what to do, and that's not good.

To me, the issue is symptomatic of a larger trend that I see in Golson. He doesn't seem to be content to avoid taking a loss of yardage by throwing it away or diving forward. He seems to always be trying to make the spectacular play, trying to keep the play alive at all costs. Being a good pocket passer means having a fundamental understanding that the pocket is always going to break down at some point, and that you'd better have decided what you plan to do by the time that happens.

Seriously - how often do we see Golson throw it away versus former quarterbacks like Quinn, Clausen and even Rees? I think Golson has placed a burden on himself that if he can't find an open receiver, it's his job to try and net positive yardage running the ball. He needs to get better at going through his progessions, but he also needs to learn how to simply throw it away when there's nothing there.

 

[wizards8507]

Seriously - how often do we see Golson throw it away versus former quarterbacks like Quinn, Clausen and even Rees? I think Golson has placed a burden on himself that if he can't find an open receiver, it's his job to try and net positive yardage running the ball. He needs to get better at going through his progessions, but he also needs to learn how to simply throw it away when there's nothing there.

I mentioned this in the game day thread, but the most annoying Golson tendancy to me is when he's rolling out trying to find an open receiver or running lane, and there's nothing there so he steps out of bounds for a loss. Just toss the ball ten yards out of bounds and lose the down but keep the distance.

 

[Luckylucci]

I agree that the pocket is collapsing quickly, but I'm not sure I ever saw him committed to stepping up in the pocket instead of trying to escape out the back door. Moreover, stepping up in the pocket doesn't buy a QB an additional 3-4 seconds. Stepping up in the pocket is an acknowledgement that the pocket is beginning to collapse, and QB is allowing the pocket to collapse behind him. An effective pocket passer will step up to buy the split second he needs to either deliver a pass to an open receiver, throw it away, or take off running. In the occasional times that I've noticed Golson trying to step into the pocket, it's as if he's still looking for a receiver or trying to decide what to do, and that's not good.

To me, the issue is symptomatic of a larger trend that I see in Golson. He doesn't seem to be content to avoid taking a loss of yardage by throwing it away or diving forward. He seems to always be trying to make the spectacular play, trying to keep the play alive at all costs. Being a good pocket passer means having a fundamental understanding that the pocket is always going to break down at some point, and that you'd better have decided what you plan to do by the time that happens.

Seriously - how often do we see Golson throw it away versus former quarterbacks like Quinn, Clausen and even Rees? I think Golson has placed a burden on himself that if he can't find an open receiver, it's his job to try and net positive yardage running the ball. He needs to get better at going through his progessions, but he also needs to learn how to simply throw it away when there's nothing there.

I think this is a very good point.

 

[koonja]

FYI it was the UNC game where I thought it was obvious he tried to step up but was swarmed immediately.

 

[ickythump1225]

Say what you want about the INTs. Those haven't been exclusively Golson's fault. The fumbles, though, are completely on him and his lack of ball security. All the purple-faced coaching in the world hasn't helped him remember to tuck the ball. It's maddening. I know he wants to make a play, but signs of growth include things like tucking the ball, throwing it away, etc. The kid makes a ton of plays. But unfortunately we have to live and die w/ Golson's insane play-making ability which is joined hand-in-hand with his turnovers.

I'm more concerned with the fumbles because they always come from Golson's poor ball security. At least half of the interceptions he's thrown this season (if not more) were either flukey or just plain not his fault. The fumbles though...man he needs to clean that up.

 

[connect the dots]

Dear Everett Golson

Dear Everett Golson

As armchair quarterbacks, have we some advise for you.

one - Step up in the pocket, stop trying to escape out the back door.
two - When the pocket breaks down, you better have a plan.
three - Stop trying to make the spectacular play, toss the ball out of bounds.
four - You are no Harry Houdini, hold on to the ball as you go down.
five - Bad things happen when you are on the field, like tipped balls.
six - Next year is next year, do something now!
seven - What is it going to take for Zaire to get some playing time?
eight - Throwing you under the bus might be our only option.
nine - Had you worn sunglasses, you probably would have thrown one less interception.
ten - The middle of the field is open, I'm guessing your height might be a problem.
eleven - I told my wife last night that you turn the ball over way too much.
twelve - You need to throw the ball up the middle to Koyack.
thirteen - It bears repeating Golson, you are responsible.
fourteen - You run when you should throw, and you throw when you should run.
fifteen - The middle of the field is open, I'm guessing your line might be the problem.

Hope this helps as you and the team prepare for Northwestern.

 

[kmoose]

As armchair quarterbacks, have we some advise for you.

one - Step up in the pocket, stop trying to escape out the back door.
two - When the pocket breaks down, you better have a plan.
three - Stop trying to make the spectacular play, toss the ball out of bounds.
four - You are no Harry Houdini, hold on to the ball as you go down.
five - Bad things happen when you are on the field, like tipped balls.
six - Next year is next year, do something now!
seven - What is it going to take for Zaire to get some playing time?
eight - Throwing you under the bus might be our only option.
nine - Had you worn sunglasses, you probably would have thrown one less interception.
ten - The middle of the field is open, I'm guessing your height might be a problem.
eleven - I told my wife last night that you turn the ball over way too much.
twelve - You need to throw the ball up the middle to Koyack.
thirteen - It bears repeating Golson, you are responsible.
fourteen - You run when you should throw, and you throw when you should run.
fifteen - The middle of the field is open, I'm guessing your line might be the problem.

Hope this helps as you and the team prepare for Northwestern.

Let's not get overly dramatic here. People are frustrated, and most people notice different little things that they feel are key. And let's face it; none of us are coaches, or even in a position to talk to Golson, let alone give him any advice or critique, so it's likely that the venting people are doing here would not be their same stance, if their financial livelihood stood in the balance.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

As armchair quarterbacks, have we some advise for you.



one - Step up in the pocket, stop trying to escape out the back door.

two - When the pocket breaks down, you better have a plan.

three - Stop trying to make the spectacular play, toss the ball out of bounds.

four - You are no Harry Houdini, hold on to the ball as you go down.

five - Bad things happen when you are on the field, like tipped balls.

six - Next year is next year, do something now!

seven - What is it going to take for Zaire to get some playing time?

eight - Throwing you under the bus might be our only option.

nine - Had you worn sunglasses, you probably would have thrown one less interception.

ten - The middle of the field is open, I'm guessing your height might be a problem.

eleven - I told my wife last night that you turn the ball over way too much.

twelve - You need to throw the ball up the middle to Koyack.

thirteen - It bears repeating Golson, you are responsible.

fourteen - You run when you should throw, and you throw when you should run.

fifteen - The middle of the field is open, I'm guessing your line might be the problem.



Hope this helps as you and the team prepare for Northwestern.

You are the biggest troll I know.


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[stlnd01]

A lot of the reason that Golson has been running for his life is because he has failed to identify who the unblocked guy will be. When the defenders outnumber the blockers, it is on the QB, and the QB only, to account for which guy is going to be unblocked, and do what is necessary to nullify him. One of the things that I heard, in Kelly's post game presser, is that the interception on the first drive of the second half should have been a running play. Golson has the ability to run or pass on almost every play, just like Rees used to, and he utterly failed to check into the right play on that down.

Yup. Say what you will about Checkdown Tommy, but he changed the play at the line a lot more than Golson appears to. There were also a few plays in the first half where Golson clearly failed to account for the unblocked guy come at him (usually off the weakside edge). This was better in the second half thanks to Cam staying in to block and some moving of the pocket. But we shouldn't need a blocking back or rollout on every passing play.

Another thing about Golson: His reluctance to take a sack, coupled with his escape-ability, means that when he does get sacked it tends to be ugly. That fumble when he put the ball on the ground like it was his hand is a prime example. Another time late he spun away from defenders, ran back upfield, and lost about 15, which is a lot different than the two he would have lost had he just stepped up and taken the initial sack. That'll improve with experience. Or, maybe, it won't.

Another thing about Golson: He is the only reason we came back and had a chance to win that game. He makes plays like no one we've had in a long time. Kinda goes both ways with that guy. The good news is the bad stuff is all fixable and teachable. We should know by the Louisville game if he's learning, because they'll come at him with all the same stuff.

 

[BGIF]

...

Another thing about Golson: His reluctance to take a sack, coupled with his escape-ability, means that when he does get sacked it tends to be ugly. That fumble when he put the ball on the ground like it was his hand is a prime example. Another time late he spun away from defenders, ran back upfield, and lost about 15, which is a lot different than the two he would have lost had he just stepped up and taken the initial sack. ...

It was 4th and 10. Taking the initial sack loses the ball on downs.

 

[Guest]

Didn't read the whole thread, but will after posting my thoughts.

The turnovers are killer and unfortunately finally came back to bite the team. They are not all Golson's fault, but partly they are. He needs to settle down and learn to take what is there. You cannot win on athletic talent alone; it helps to understand the flow of the game. If a play is not there, throw it away.

I also question some of the play calls against the blitz, and in particular ASU's DEs. They were batting balls and getting in the way of the screen game, so you have to adjust and Kelly didn't until it was too late. The first drive had excellent play calls with quick slants and mixed in the run more which countered the aggressive defense.

For some reason, Kelly went away from the run after the first series and started playing trips more. I don't understand that. You have to pound the ball to soften up the defense that blitzes a lot. Then you go over the top where the LBs get sucked in and usually one safety is rushing. That will give you big plays that you need to keep that defense honest. You need the extra blocker to stay in, then you flex that blocker out at times for quick plays in the flat that the rusher has vacated. Those plays give you 5-7 yards and put pressure on the defense to stop you on second or third and short.

The defense honestly played better than I expected given all of the underclassmen starting. I think BVG is doing a good job and the talent is excellent. Next year should be a really solid group with depth everywhere. ND should be able to defend any type of offense next year. If Golson learns his lessons and is more patient, next season could be 'the year' we have been waiting for.

 

[blackirish]

1. Don't run the score up on God's team, and then thank your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, after the game. Todd Graham is a tool!

2. Turnovers, turnovers, turnovers......... wow, ASU got the benefit of every possible bounce and break, in the first half. It was just too big of a hole to dig out of.

3. ND had more first downs, more passing yards, more total yards, and more TOP than Arizona State. If a couple of plays turn out differently, we are probably an Ohio State win from being back in the top 5 this week.

4. There was absolutely no quit in this team. I am pissed about the loss, but still am proud of those kids for not quitting. Almost got the greatest comeback in ND history.

5. Brian Kelly is the guy to lead this team. He's not perfect, but he is the right guy.

6. Golson got pretty seriously rattled. He had happy feet and was throwing falling away, for most of the second quarter. That was the first time I have seen him look that shaken.

7. This team can still finish a very respectable 9-3, and play in a New Year's Day bowl game, where they can maybe end up playing one of those "imposing" SEC teams. Beat the #3 or 4 SEC team in a New Year's Day bowl, to get to 10 wins, and the arrow will most definitely be pointing up.

are you kidding me ? Hell I think they actually let up and went into a lull in the 3rd & 4th Qtr. ( which helped us get back in the game) because had they kept thier intensity up they might of drop 70 on us. The way you stop people from running the score up on you is stop them in the 1st place.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

SBNation's Bill Connolly just published his CFB Study Hall on the ND v. ASU game.

 

[kmoose]

are you kidding me ? Hell I think they actually let up and went into a lull in the 3rd & 4th Qtr. ( which helped us get back in the game) because had they kept thier intensity up they might of drop 70 on us. The way you stop people from running the score up on you is stop them in the 1st place.

A classy coach would have just kicked a FG, if he really felt that he needed to run the clock out. Running a naked bootleg (misdirection) is running the score up. He was playing to voters there.

 

[koonja]

I don't have zero problem with ASU wanting to score at the end and therefore running the play they did. Style points count and beating ND more easily than FSU did might help their cause.

 

[ickythump1225]

I don't have zero problem with ASU wanting to score at the end and therefore running the play they did. Style points count and beating ND more easily than FSU did might help their cause.

It was a classless douchey thing to do and I hope that one day we are on the opposite end of equation.

 

[koonja]

It was a classless douchey thing to do and I hope that one day we are on the opposite end of equation.

It also made the game look like a blowout. 24 points is a big difference, and while I'm sure the committee watched the game to see that it was really turnovers, when they look back for their final rankings and see the 24 point difference, it will be hard to ignore and could help ASU's cause.

It's one of the most impressive wins so far against a top 10 team IMO. I hope we're on the opposite end of it someday too, lol.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

A classy coach would have just kicked a FG, if he really felt that he needed to run the clock out. Running a naked bootleg (misdirection) is running the score up. He was playing to voters there.

Totally agree. And then he went off the field and thanked Jesus. I thought it was in bad taste and I told the TV that I thought so.

 

[IrishLax]

If Kelly had called a naked bootleg for Golson on 4th down with 40 seconds left while we were up 17 and the opponent wasn't using their timeouts he would've been absolutely crucified. There are coaches with "class" in how they coach the game on the field, like Snyder, Bob Stoops, Strong, etc. that you'd never see do something like that. And then there are the assholes of football like Mora, Graham, Harbaugh, etc. who will pull punk moves like this because they have emotional/personality issues or an inferiority complex or (insert reason here).

 

[Bluto]

If Kelly had called a naked bootleg for Golson on 4th down with 40 seconds left while we were up 17 and the opponent wasn't using their timeouts he would've been absolutely crucified. There are coaches with "class" in how they coach the game on the field, like Snyder, Bob Stoops, Strong, etc. that you'd never see do something like that. And then there are the assholes of football like Mora, Graham, Harbaugh, etc. who will pull punk moves like this because they have emotional/personality issues or an inferiority complex or (insert reason here).

On top of all that what if the play is a bust and Taylor Kelly gets crushed and goes down for the season and or his career? That's what makes that kind of unneeded bravado so stupid in my opinion.

 

[IrishLax]

On top of all that what if the play is a bust and Taylor Kelly gets crushed and goes down for the season and or his career? That's what makes that kind of unneeded bravado so stupid in my opinion.

Yeah, there's no reason the starters are even in the game up 17 with 40 seconds left, much less exposing your QB on a naked bootleg. Absurd on every level.

 

[DogDaysIrish]

Yeah, there's no reason the starters are even in the game up 17 with 40 seconds left, much less exposing your QB on a naked bootleg. Absurd on every level.

Their job is to stop them. They didn't.

That is all.

 

[Grahambo]

Their job is to stop them. They didn't.



That is all.

Glad it's that simple for you.

 

[stlnd01]

Whatever. Kelly rolled out and had a wide open path to the end zone. He took it. It wasn't like they were chucking it on deep routes trying to score. We should've stopped him and we didn't.

 

[IrishLax]

Their job is to stop them. They didn't.

That is all.

Doesn't even make sense relative to what you quoted.

Whatever. Kelly rolled out and had a wide open path to the end zone. He took it. It wasn't like they were chucking it on deep routes trying to score. We should've stopped him and we didn't.

Calling a naked bootleg for your just returned from injury QB in that situation is even worse than chucking it deep.

"ND should've stopped them" is irrelevant to whether Todd Graham was an idiot for leaving his starters in/trying to run up the score. Playing starters unnecessarily is how you end up with Wes Welker blowing out a knee on a meaningless play and derailing your post-season.

 

[stlnd01]

Doesn't even make sense relative to what you quoted.



Calling a naked bootleg for your just returned from injury QB in that situation is even worse than chucking it deep.

"ND should've stopped them" is irrelevant to whether Todd Graham was an idiot for leaving his starters in/trying to run up the score. Playing starters unnecessarily is how you end up with Wes Welker blowing out a knee on a meaningless play and derailing your post-season.

Oh, come on. Todd Graham may or may not be an idiot, and he may or may not have been risking injury to his players in that situation. But that's not our business. Maybe he should have just taken the field goal, but we shouldn't get all butthurt because we gave them the ball at the eight yard line and they ran it in on us. We're bigger than that, no?

 

[IrishLax]

Oh, come on. Todd Graham may or may not be an idiot, and he may or may not have been risking injury to his players in that situation. But that's not our business. Maybe he should have just taken the field goal, but we shouldn't get all butthurt because we gave them the ball at the eight yard line and they ran it in on us. We're bigger than that, no?

Huh?

I don't see anyone whining. I'll go back and check the game thread but I didn't see anyone flipping out then or acting especially "butthurt" either...

If your point is that somehow we're not allowed to comment on how dumb it is to expose your QB with a hurt foot on a play like that or that it's not "our business" to say that the media would've treated ND running up the score differently then I just don't even have a response to that. It's a non-starter.

 

[Irish#1]

It's over guys. At this point nothing anyone says is going to change the others mind or feelings. Let's go throttle Ara's old team.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

OFD's Larz just published his film breakdown of the ASU game:

Final Thoughts

So why did things go so wrong for the Irish? Skittish quarterback? Poor play calling? Good scheme by ASU? Good play by ASU defenders? Bad luck? The answer is yes. All of these elements played a role in the Irish defeat. ASU had a very good game plan and executed it. Overload to one side, play soft on the other side. The Irish figured it out. They started to throw to the blitz side instead of away from the blitz. This resulted in a number of big plays and helped get Notre Dame back in the game. Unfortunately, it was too little too late. Tough pill to swallow.

And OFD's Patrick Rigney just published his review of ND's ST against ASU. He argues that it was our best performance since the Michigan game. Too bad it was wasted on a 5-TO debacle.

 

[Bluto]

OFD's Larz just published his film breakdown of the ASU game:



And OFD's Patrick Rigney just published his review of ND's ST against ASU. He argues that it was our best performance since the Michigan game. Too bad it was wasted on a 5-TO debacle.

Loving the One Foot Down film breakdowns.