Post Game Observations

[Te'o4Heisman]

My best guess for this alignment is the 2-gap responsibilities of the DL in our defense. Nix's job is to play two gaps and control the line of scrimmage rather than penetrate one gap and get into the backfield. Lining up off the ball allows him to read the backfield while engaging the OL. With the 2-gap system, penetrating through one would create a running lane for the offense to exploit.

I agree with this assessment, and also think of it like a hammer. If you held a hammer 2 inches away from a wall and tried to strike the wall you can only generate so much force. With Louis, he is an athletic 330 lbs. Give him that extra half yard to generate momentum, and it is like swinging that same hammer from 10 inches away instead of 2. When somebody is as big and as strong as Louis, losing ground upon contact just is not going to happen to often, so you do not have to worry so much about giving up that initial 1/2 yard, because the added momentum will allow him to take that extra yard back and then some. He has a strong initial punch, but he doesnt have the luxury of punching or ripping to one side because of his 2 gap responsibility. His job is to generate as much force as possible, and drive his man straight back to clog up that middle. Tuitt actually lost center contain on one of the bigger runs by Sunseri when he tucked it and ran because of the good coverage downfield. Even on pass plays, we want our NG to collapse the center of the pocket without losing contain in the middle.

 

[irishtrain]

After we flame broiled Gray for the usf fumble (me included) we now tip our hat to the rascal-Jonas you Erick Pennick looking son of a gun-Nice. Now he has a great memory for his hard work and he is a great teammate as you could see in the locker room after the game. Man would I like to see these guys get the feel of how good they really could be.