Post by smurph on Oct 10, 2009 16:34:20 GMT -5
Well it was our best game of the season - a near perfect first half.
1. Coaching - B-plus - I can never give our coaching an A until we stop being the worst KO coverage team in the country. It was a little better the last 2 kickoffs. Otherwise, I loved the coaching. The offensive game plan was excellent. We knew they would try to stop the run. We showed them a lot of new plays, first play, the swing pass went for a TD. Lots of WR screens, lots of short/medium passes. Three shots down the field. They didn't connect but kept the defense honest. We scored twice on the frist play of a drive and once on the first play of the 4th quarter - good coaching. The densive plan was good as well, although I certaily expected Syracuse to test our secondary more.
2. Quarterback - A-plus close to a perfect game. I'm hoping that bad game at Auburn was a learning experience for JB. We got to see Geno Smith and I'm glad they played him with the starters for one series. I would like to see him add 10 pounds, but I like what I see. He has a nice delivery.
3. RBs - A-minus - The game plan was to throw the ball, but Noel averaged his usual 7 yds per carry, and I love Tavon Austin. He also needs to gain 10 pounds.
4. Receivers - A-minus - I thought the receivers ran excellent routes. Downfield blocking also very good. Jock Sanders is one of our best players. He is very alert. He covered the Devine fumble.
5. Offensive line - A - this was their best game. Pass blocking pretty solid and opened up some holes when we did run the ball. Looks like they are coming together although the competition gets tougher later in the season.
6. Run defense - A - They were winningmost of the battles in the trenches. Cuse eventually abandoned the run.
7. Pass defense - B - There are still some holes out there. Paulus does't have a strong arm. I am still worried when we play a good passing team.
8. Special teams - B- 2 punts almost blocked, horrible KO coverage, otherwise pretty good. Big punt return by Hogan.
POG's - Offensive line, Jarrett Brown, Pat Leazear, Nate Sowers, Josh Taylor, Bradley Starks, Jock Sanders, Kent Richardson (should be starting)
1. Coaching - B-plus - I can never give our coaching an A until we stop being the worst KO coverage team in the country. It was a little better the last 2 kickoffs. Otherwise, I loved the coaching. The offensive game plan was excellent. We knew they would try to stop the run. We showed them a lot of new plays, first play, the swing pass went for a TD. Lots of WR screens, lots of short/medium passes. Three shots down the field. They didn't connect but kept the defense honest. We scored twice on the frist play of a drive and once on the first play of the 4th quarter - good coaching. The densive plan was good as well, although I certaily expected Syracuse to test our secondary more.
2. Quarterback - A-plus close to a perfect game. I'm hoping that bad game at Auburn was a learning experience for JB. We got to see Geno Smith and I'm glad they played him with the starters for one series. I would like to see him add 10 pounds, but I like what I see. He has a nice delivery.
3. RBs - A-minus - The game plan was to throw the ball, but Noel averaged his usual 7 yds per carry, and I love Tavon Austin. He also needs to gain 10 pounds.
4. Receivers - A-minus - I thought the receivers ran excellent routes. Downfield blocking also very good. Jock Sanders is one of our best players. He is very alert. He covered the Devine fumble.
5. Offensive line - A - this was their best game. Pass blocking pretty solid and opened up some holes when we did run the ball. Looks like they are coming together although the competition gets tougher later in the season.
6. Run defense - A - They were winningmost of the battles in the trenches. Cuse eventually abandoned the run.
7. Pass defense - B - There are still some holes out there. Paulus does't have a strong arm. I am still worried when we play a good passing team.
8. Special teams - B- 2 punts almost blocked, horrible KO coverage, otherwise pretty good. Big punt return by Hogan.
POG's - Offensive line, Jarrett Brown, Pat Leazear, Nate Sowers, Josh Taylor, Bradley Starks, Jock Sanders, Kent Richardson (should be starting)
I am pleasantly surprised with how Jeff Mullen has within a year turned this offense into a two-prong behemoth, capable of winning by the run AND the pass. I look forward to seeing WVU using the Marshall and UConn games to work out the remaining bugs in this new system, and be prepared for the difficult part of the remaining schedule (not that UConn is any pushover--they could have been undefeated at this point, with a little luck). I don't worry about Casteel's coaching--nobody does a better job of making on-field and half time adjustments than this great coach. May the Mounties finish 11-1, and play VATECH (who is afraid to play us anymore) in a BCS Bowl, and let us beat the crap out of them!!! Final ranking: #3 in the country!!! Not bad for a team that entered the season disrespected and unranked! GO MOUNTAINEERS!