Last edited by Diehard Ute; 10-09-2017 at 01:40 PM.
Whittingham in his press conference today talked about that situation. Apparently Harry Handley was the heir-apparent to Chase Dominguez last year, Kyle claimed he was doing a great job, but of course got hurt. Because they were counting on Handley they didn't have a scholarship for a long snapper. They 'had another guy' on the team who was apparently great, but because he didn't have a scholarship and it looked like Handley would play he transferred. The next guy in line broke his arm and so Alex stepped up because he had been practicing it.
Whittingham mentioned it is hard to have a guy playing on offense and then doing the long snaps because they don't get to warm up, but said they were 'working around the clock' this week to fix the problem. Then he said that Alex was going to do 'short snaps' and Handley would do 'long snaps' going forward.
Actually, it's only this year that I've really insisted it's true. I probably brought it up last year/this offseason as a possibility, but wasn't sure. But seeing how the game is called between the 20s, and then when it's goal-to-go -- I would've had no reason to say what I've said about Kyle until this year anyway.
This year, we're 112th in TD percentage in the red zone
Last year, 115th
2015: 65th
2014: 78th
2013: 51st
2012: 38th (Ironically enough, this was the rare shining statistic in what was otherwise our worst offensive team ever under Kyle)
2011: 98th
At best, we've been an average team in this regard. Typically, we're well below average, and it's two years running we're among the nation's worst.
I believe Kyle, if not all/most coaches, have more final say on decisions than most. For me, it's not that big of a leap from deciding to go for it on 4th down to taking over playcalling near the goal line. For the money we're paying Kyle, he has that right to have absolute authority on gameday in key situations. We all just want results, and when it comes to TDs in the red zone, we ain't seeing it by a long shot.
This was a weird loss because the usual suspects (OC, play calling) weren't being trotted out like they have in the past. Having our backup QB in there, plus some uncharacteristic breakdowns in special teams -- this loss felt much different than previous losses. Also, Stanford was favored, and Utah actually covered the spread. I can't really find a parallel since we've been in the Pac-12.
So, I think we've all noticed that the TE position is dead in the new offense. We also seem to go with an empty backfield an awful lot. I'm not sure what aspects of an offensive system can be adjusted real time, but something has to be done in that situation to protect the QB.
"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."
--Antoine de Saint-Exupery
"Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold."
--Yeats
“True, we [lawyers] build no bridges. We raise no towers. We construct no engines. We paint no pictures - unless as amateurs for our own principal amusement. There is little of all that we do which the eye of man can see. But we smooth out difficulties; we relieve stress; we correct mistakes; we take up other men's burdens and by our efforts we make possible the peaceful life of men in a peaceful state.”
--John W. Davis, founder of Davis Polk & Wardwell
We've been using a TE in the backfield on some short yardage plays. I remember one play against Arizona that should've gone for huge yardage, but Moss just wasn't fast enough to get through the hole, and a UA defender clipped him at the ankles. I'm also going to be paying attention to formations and motion more. I get lulled into the game, and it's rare that something sticks out. I'm gonna pay more attention to that this week.
I remember a couple of interviews with Taylor where he said he wanted the TE to be able to line up in the backfield, on the end of the line or split out. I haven’t payed attention to the formations enough, but I imagine it’s no happening like he described it much.
I still wonder how much the injuries to both our TE’s affected things. They basically missed all of call camp.
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I would say we have 2-3 plays per game in which we have a TE in the backfield, minimum. I can't remember one that didn't come in short-yardage or goal-to-go.
That said, when your base offense isn't based on a heavy formation, it's tough to go to one when you need it. Meanwhile, Stanford rolls out their 3 TE sets in their sleep.
Diehard, Uteopia, Socal - and anyone else with more football knowledge than me,
The tight end issue is driving me nuts. Can not being well for camp still be affecting using them? Is it quarterbacks who simply have their preferences and may not be very good looking at the short and intermediate middle routes normally reserved for tight ends? Is it Taylor's offense emphasizing boundary to boundary reads which basically eliminates one side of the field because the quarterback is looking left to right or right to left and taught to get the ball out quick?
We have tight ends in Handley and Siale who could basically "post-up" a linebacker or safety in the middle of the field and I just don't see those kinds of routes. It seems to me that the two passing priorities this offense should do is look for Carrington (nice adjustments in the second half Saturday to do that) and throw to the tight ends given their size and Handley's pass-catching ability.
I don't get it.
After watching tape of game after being there in person;
Right guard is a problem---Agasiva played first half. Stanford was running a basic stunt where D tackle goes to his right & DE loops behind him. Agasiva followed the DT leaving a huge gap. Or with no one directly over him he blocked down & blitzing LB ran through his gap. He was good on the run blocks.
Havili-Katoa played 2nd half & got completely run over early on when pass blocking--but on last drive was better. he was not as good on run blocks---partly why they did not do as well in 2nd half.
Several times there was a clean pocket & no one open immediately--at least Troy W did not throw it, & instead of hanging in there & stepping up into the pocket--he ran to the right. The Utes Right tackle had his man pushed that way so now Troy was under pressure & he also does not throw well on the run--did not work. Not sure if he can't see over the linemen or if he just gets nervous--but if he hangs in there someone will get open.
He was much better on this towards the end of the last drive.
Plus he missed several times where if he keeps the ball on run-option he had a huge hole---7:15 mark of 3rd quarter.
I was at U Ortho yesterday & word is Huntley may be back for ASU
I have seen a lot of comments that TW didnt see or throw to open receivers. I did not see that so much at the game; was it obvious on tv?
Hans Olsen had some good breakdowns on you tube of our RG problems, including the play you mention above. He also showed a play where the guard picked up the stunt a few plays later.
Last edited by concerned; 10-11-2017 at 02:06 PM.
Concerned,
I think you can see Hans' breakdowns on the 1280 The Zone site. I haven't looked at them for this week but he's posted the others there.
"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."
--Antoine de Saint-Exupery
"Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold."
--Yeats
“True, we [lawyers] build no bridges. We raise no towers. We construct no engines. We paint no pictures - unless as amateurs for our own principal amusement. There is little of all that we do which the eye of man can see. But we smooth out difficulties; we relieve stress; we correct mistakes; we take up other men's burdens and by our efforts we make possible the peaceful life of men in a peaceful state.”
--John W. Davis, founder of Davis Polk & Wardwell
"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."
--Antoine de Saint-Exupery
"Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold."
--Yeats
“True, we [lawyers] build no bridges. We raise no towers. We construct no engines. We paint no pictures - unless as amateurs for our own principal amusement. There is little of all that we do which the eye of man can see. But we smooth out difficulties; we relieve stress; we correct mistakes; we take up other men's burdens and by our efforts we make possible the peaceful life of men in a peaceful state.”
--John W. Davis, founder of Davis Polk & Wardwell
It is hard to do everything. I did see both Handley and Siale each involved in a couple of pass plays against Stanford. The one I watched from the start was a seam route to Handley that was well covered. I would guess that Taylor believes that his small quick guys are better matches against LBs. We ran more trips with a single receiver opposite against Stanford to make them make a choice. Either cover the single receiver man and have 4 covering 3 on the trips side or double the single side and play 3 v 3 on trips. It will be interesting to see how it evolves. Based on what we have seen so far, I wouldn't expect us to recruit many quality TEs
If he "may be" back for ASU, then he probably shouldn't be playing.
ASU is a freeroll for us as far as Huntley's health is concerned. If we lose to USC, we're not winning the South anyway, so why rush him?
OTOH, if we beat USC, you gotta figure we can beat ASU with a guy who had his best statistical game in league play against the Sun Devils.
Thanks Uteopia - I get caught up watching the ball so much on offense that I really haven't noticed what we're doing and personnel groups.