Post Game Observations..........

[ErieIrish13]

IMO, Cierre and Jonas are a top 5 tandem.

1. Demps and Rainey
2. Richardson and Lacey
3. Ball and White
4. James and Barner
5. Wood and Gray.

 

[arrowryan]

IMO, Cierre and Jonas are a top 5 tandem.

1. Demps and Rainey
2. Richardson and Lacey
3. Ball and White
4. James and Barner
5. Wood and Gray.

IMO, Ball and White is the best 1-2 punch in the country.

 

[connor_in]

I have seen a couple people mention in, but one of the things I wondered about was the disappearance of Theo Riddick. I saw he was playing, but was he hurt or sick or something? He did not have a single reception and I don't recall him even being targeted. In a game in which the benches were cleared and almost everyone had a stat, it seems weird that a guy Kelly wants so bad to get the ball in the hands of didn't see it even come his way.

I don't mean to sound down or mean or anything, but when most things went so well, sometimes you notice the nitpicky stuff.

Also, I luv Floyd and all, but it seemed like some of the targets of him were a little forced. Especially some of the attempts in the end zone...It seemed to be Clausen throwing the fade to Michael but without the loft or touch.

That said...great game guys, keep improving and things are looking pretty good for the future

PS: ANyone else hoped to see Hendrix/Golson? I know, I know...being saved for a surprise look when we REALLY need it (USC-in front of all those potential recruits, Stanford-when we may need all the help we can get)

 

[Buster Bluth]

Turnovers

USF 5
Michigan. 5
MSU. 3
Pitt. 2
Purdue. 0

That is all...

That is what we call "improvement" and "coaching." Something Kelly's teams tend to see throughout the year. Notre Dame has the right man.

 

[domerfor life]

I thought it was a good all around game. Wood and Gray were awesome. Rees showed improvement last night. He could still use work on those fade routes and throwing on the move (I would rather him stay in the pocket). Overall tho, I liked what I saw out of him. The defense is playing great. I think at this point, we are who we are at LB (when it comes to pass coverage). I watched Manti exclusively on Saturday. That dude played a great game in space and spent a good deal of time in the QBs face. He's developing into a monster middle LB. Secondary played well and kept things in front of them. Harrison made a great tackle in space on a reverse. One thing tho......I'm just baffled that Gray is in his 5th yr of eligibility and still can't seem to get his head turned on the deep ball. The coverage is always there, but he continues to fail at playing the ball in the air. I can't figure that one out. The special teams is short bus special. I mean.....if it can't be shored up some kind of way, it's going to be difficult to beat USC and Stanford (especially). It's gotten to the point where it's just depressing. Nevertheless, I like where this team is headed. You can also make a case for Michael Floyd being the best WR in college fball. That guy just sucks the ball into his mitts.

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

I thought it was a good all around game. Wood and Gray were awesome. Rees showed improvement last night. He could still use work on those fade routes and throwing on the move (I would rather him stay in the pocket). Overall tho, I liked what I saw out of him. The defense is playing great. I think at this point, we are who we are at LB (when it comes to pass coverage). I watched Manti exclusively on Saturday. That dude played a great game in space and spent a good deal of time in the QBs face. He's developing into a monster middle LB. Secondary played well and kept things in front of them. Harrison made a great tackle in space on a reverse. One thing tho......I'm just baffled that Gray is in his 5th yr of eligibility and still can't seem to get his head turned on the deep ball. The coverage is always there, but he continues to fail at playing the ball in the air. I can't figure that one out. The special teams is short bus special. I mean.....if it can't be shored up some kind of way, it's going to be difficult to beat USC and Stanford (especially). It's gotten to the point where it's just depressing. Nevertheless, I like where this team is headed. You can also make a case for Michael Floyd being the best WR in college fball. That guy just sucks the ball into his mitts.

Excellent post.

I for one think corner is the most difficult position on the field. I think Gary Gray needs to trust his instinct....IMO think it is a cofidence issue.

 

[jason_h537]

The good:
-Cierre WOOODDDDDDDDDD!!!!! and Jonas Gray destroyed Purdue all game
-The O-line manhandled an inferior opponent.
-Floyd was a beast, and TJ made some nice plays as well
-Front 7 once again dominated

The Bad
-Tommy Rees still forces throws but that's nitpicking
-Redzone offense stalled again

The Ugly
-Special Teams all around

 

[Kak7304]

http://twitter.com/ISDUpdate/statuses/120561733415870465

Kelly on Riddick: "He's extremely important," said Purdue doubled him yesterday, the reason for no touches

 

[Kak7304]

I thought it was a good all around game. Wood and Gray were awesome. Rees showed improvement last night. He could still use work on those fade routes and throwing on the move (I would rather him stay in the pocket). Overall tho, I liked what I saw out of him. The defense is playing great. I think at this point, we are who we are at LB (when it comes to pass coverage). I watched Manti exclusively on Saturday. That dude played a great game in space and spent a good deal of time in the QBs face. He's developing into a monster middle LB. Secondary played well and kept things in front of them. Harrison made a great tackle in space on a reverse. One thing tho......I'm just baffled that Gray is in his 5th yr of eligibility and still can't seem to get his head turned on the deep ball. The coverage is always there, but he continues to fail at playing the ball in the air. I can't figure that one out. The special teams is short bus special. I mean.....if it can't be shored up some kind of way, it's going to be difficult to beat USC and Stanford (especially). It's gotten to the point where it's just depressing. Nevertheless, I like where this team is headed. You can also make a case for Michael Floyd being the best WR in college fball. That guy just sucks the ball into his mitts.

I'm more surprised when he doesn't make a spectacular one-handed catch on a poorly thrown ball than when he does. He's that good.

 

[tadman95]

Really liked the first drive of the second half. Crisp, clean, efficient. Would have liked to have seen 5 or 6 or those in the first 6 or 7 drives, give the 2nd team more reps.

They are getting better but this was Purdue. The improvement is noticeable and appreciated. Still looking for the offensive possession where Floyd, Eifert, Jones, and Riddick all catch a pass and Wood/Gray pound the ball. Getting that kind of diversity and randomness will be hard to defend.

Atkinson III is going to be a stud.

Harrison and Teo are really good football players! Lynch and Williams are going to be. Tuitt, c'mon man........

Second team defense definitely needs more reps. and more depth. 2012 class is really needed.

If they keep improving, they will be a really good team. Don't think they are a top 25 yet. We need to crush a couple of teams.

 

[domerfor life]

Excellent post.

I for one think corner is the most difficult position on the field. I think Gary Gray needs to trust his instinct....IMO think it is a cofidence issue.

It definitely is. You're pretty much on an island. I thought he played great last yr (especially towards the end of the year). It has to be confidence. I think he struggled with this a little bit last yr, but not on this level. Read the receiver and then react. I hope he improves in this area or we'll see a lot of underthrown/jump balls thrown his way. The guy obviously has talent. The confidence just isn't there.

 

[domerfor life]

I'm more surprised when he doesn't make a spectacular one-handed catch on a poorly thrown ball than when he does. He's that good.

I also love the attitude once he catches the fball. Turn it up and then run somebody over. They've got to work on those fades. He wins that match-up 10 out of 10 times. Floyd is money and a 1st round pick.

 

[Riddickulous]

It definitely is. You're pretty much on an island. I thought he played great last yr (especially towards the end of the year). It has to be confidence. I think he struggled with this a little bit last yr, but not on this level. Read the receiver and then react. I hope he improves in this area or we'll see a lot of underthrown/jump balls thrown his way. The guy obviously has talent. The confidence just isn't there.

He has the receiver blanketed most of the time. Just can't locate the football.

 

[koonja]

He has the receiver blanketed most of the time. Just can't locate the football.

Word. He's always right on the receiver's hip.

 

[domerfor life]

Word. He's always right on the receiver's hip.

usually step-for-step. He could've had at least 2 INTs vs Michigan if he just locates the (poorly thrown) football. Here's hoping he finds a way to put it all together this week and over the bye week.

 

[DCirishfan]

It makes me sick to my stomach that this team is 3-2. I hate scUM so much...

Yep , it is tough.

 

[domerfor life]

Yep , it is tough.

30 secs man.....smh.....30 secs. I still can't believe that. Just a total meltdown. We protect the fball and that last TD is window dressing. Plus, they've got ONE player who can hurt you. ONE!!! That's the kind of loss that stays with you (as a fan). Opportunity lost.

 

[FLDomer]

Was anyone else hoping BK would give it to JG a couple more times just to get him a 100+ yard game?

YES!!! I was screaming to put him in.... well not screaming but internally hoping

 

[FLDomer]

I almost feel bad for Ricardo Allen. He was getting punked all over the field. My two favorites were Floyd telling him he was smaller with a smile on his face and Cierre jumping clear over him.

can anyone find a pic of Floyd tellin Allen he is Wee Man? I need that as my wallpaper!

 

[Old Man Mike]

On Gary Gray, I've been amazed at how many folks won't give him props even in a game where he makes an interception and teams with Robert to hold a pass-happy offense to minimal yards per play. Coach has said [yesterday] that in HIS opinion, Gary has had only one bad day on his watch. I'm thankful that Kelly is the coach and none of us have a say in it.

On topic: both lines were monsters. Kelly also praised both Cierre and Jonas for great blitz pick-up, as do I. The bad guys never got Tommy down. Also, kudos to Aaron for hanging in there for all the extra duty he had when EJ went down. He still fought them every play.

My only real constant concern, and it is small against normal teams but worrisome against some superior "speed teams", is that our linebackers still don't seem to be helpful on pass defense nor really close fast enough in space [except Te'o on blitzes]. We still need the LB speed to raise this D to Terminator status regardless of competition.

 

[JughedJones]

can anyone find a pic of Floyd tellin Allen he is Wee Man? I need that as my wallpaper!

It's gotta be out there, they showed that over and over and over.

I want it as my wallpaper too.

 

[Dizzyphil]

Very happy to see that time management was much better. I believe that correction allowed Rees more time on the line which made him more comfortable and not rush which could have led to some of the turnovers. I also agree our blocking on punt returns is not up to par. Every returner so far this year has had someone right up in thier face when fielding the punt.

Diz

 

[koonja]

IMO, Ball and White is the best 1-2 punch in the country.

Cierre is ranked #10 in the nation in total yards with 584, 5.7 yard average, and 5TDs.

Jonas is ranked # 80 with 326 yards but a whopping 8.2 yards per carry, and 2 TDs.

Ball is ranked #20th (tied for) with 511 yards, 5.5 average and 13 TDs.

White is ranked #75 with 329 yards, 5.9 yard average and 3 TDs.

Pretty comparable but all things considered, I'd take Cierre and Jonas. Jonas is a better 2 (if we can even call him this) than White.

 

[JeremyND07]

I scanned this thread but did not find anything about our total lack of a punt return game. I know the blocking is bad but Goodman seems like he is just back there to make a safe catch. I am shocked that this is the best we have to offer.

I am loving the 2 headed monster of Gray and Woods! This is a fun team to watch!

 

[tko]

I scanned this thread but did not find anything about our total lack of a punt return game. I know the blocking is bad but Goodman seems like he is just back there to make a safe catch. I am shocked that this is the best we have to offer.

I am loving the 2 headed monster of Gray and Woods! This is a fun team to watch!

there has to be a better alternative in the punt return game. i hold my breath every time a team punts to us.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

there has to be a better alternative in the punt return game. i hold my breath every time a team punts to us.

Not even Percy Harvin could put together a decent return behind our atrocious punt blocking. Until the blocking improves, the return man is pretty much irrelevant.

 

[NewEnglandGuy]

Not even Percy Harvin could put together a decent return behind our atrocious punt blocking. Until the blocking improves, the return man is pretty much irrelevant.

Agreed. With 5 or 6 guys shooting the gaps to tap the 3 defenders on the second line in front of the punter while letting everyone on the line of scrimmage basically sprint free without altering their path...smh.

With Prosise bringing back another punt for a TD this past weekend, I hope we have it figured it out by next year for him or another young talent to be productive.

 

[Riddickulous]

Cierre is ranked #10 in the nation in total yards with 584, 5.7 yard average, and 5TDs.

Jonas is ranked # 80 with 326 yards but a whopping 8.2 yards per carry, and 2 TDs.

Ball is ranked #20th (tied for) with 511 yards, 5.5 average and 13 TDs.

White is ranked #75 with 329 yards, 5.9 yard average and 3 TDs.

Pretty comparable but all things considered, I'd take Cierre and Jonas. Jonas is a better 2 (if we can even call him this) than White.

Ball and White also play behind a better offensive line. There's another factor in Wood/Gray's favor.

 

[koonja]

Ball and White also play behind a better offensive line. There's another factor in Wood/Gray's favor.

I was going to point that out but I was afraid people would assume I was bashing on our O-line

 

[Riddickulous]

I was going to point that out but I was afraid people would assume I was bashing on our O-line

We have a solid line, but Wisconsin's is just tremendous.