Just something I noticed

Donate To GopherHole
Z

zambam

Active member
Joined
Aug 26, 2011
Messages
3,762
Reaction score
0
Points
36
Kirkwood and Bennet seemed to be the only 2 players that were actually into this game, like intensity wise. Anyone else notice that?
 

Just something I noticed... The team moves the ball and seems to have purpose with Max and Kirkwood. Q is a slow thinker whos first thought is to pull it down and run. Life is a blur to him and all his yards are on busted plays. The delayed hand offs between the guards do not show much imagination and do not work with our line. If the Defensive Ends can contain this whole season looks different. On both offense and defense its a game of creating angles.
 

zambam said:
Kirkwood and Bennet seemed to be the only 2 players that were actually into this game, like intensity wise. Anyone else notice that?
Click to expand...

This is the most overused cliche in football. Players never look intense and into the game when they are confused and are being physically dominated and outplayed by their opponents.
 

Go4Broke said:
This is the most overused cliche in football. Players never look intense and into the game when they are confused and are being physically dominated and outplayed by their opponents.
Click to expand...

True, but I think we've been playing with a lack of intensity all year. Whether that's because they are thinking too much and not used to the systems yet or because they don't want it enough is the question. I hope it's the former.
 

What surprised me was how flat the Gophers were against New Mexico State - from the opening kickoff on. Our running backs did show desire and intensity last night and the offense perks up when Shortell is in there, but overall it was only in the Miami game that the Gophers played fast and tough the entire game.
 


What I was saying was like on the kickoff to start the second half they were the ones that made the play, they were the ones jumping around out on the field, presumably yelling, they looked like they WANTED to make the play.
 

zambam said:
What I was saying was like on the kickoff to start the second half they were the ones that made the play, they were the ones jumping around out on the field, presumably yelling, they looked like they WANTED to make the play.
Click to expand...

I agree with you ZB. In particular Kirkwood seemed to be exhibiting some leadership qualities by getting after his teamates to play better. I thought it was telling when Mason asked, "How often do you see a team's top two running backs playing on special teams?". That in itself indicates the lack of depth on this team.
 

Duane Bennett is playing like a true senior. A team is as good as its seniors, and there just aren't enough
of them on this squad right now. Contributing seniors are few this season.

He's rubbing off on Kirkwood. I said during the game that if we had a few more Bennetts, we would win 7-8 games.
The senior class is simply not there this year.
 

givetheballtodarrell said:
Just something I noticed... The team moves the ball and seems to have purpose with Max and Kirkwood. Q is a slow thinker whos first thought is to pull it down and run. Life is a blur to him and all his yards are on busted plays. The delayed hand offs between the guards do not show much imagination and do not work with our line. If the Defensive Ends can contain this whole season looks different. On both offense and defense its a game of creating angles.
Click to expand...

You are basing this off of 1 drive.
There were no issues the first drive of the game and no problems when Gray ran for 170 yards the week before. In my opinion Shortell didn't light it up when he was in. He threw an easy pass to Lair but other than that did nothing to great. If Gray can complete the easy pass there would be no comparison, but until that we are left with 2 subpar QBs.
 



I don't believe Gray running for 170 is something to be excite about. The offense did not dictate the game, Gray could not see the receivers on the break, and gave up on the pay to quickly. At that point he runs for his life on the cut back.
Exciting, sure. But not a quick thinking field general who can throw on a rope accuratly.
 

givetheballtodarrell said:
I don't believe Gray running for 170 is something to be excite about. The offense did not dictate the game, Gray could not see the receivers on the break, and gave up on the pay to quickly. At that point he runs for his life on the cut back.
Exciting, sure. But not a quick thinking field general who can throw on a rope accuratly.
Click to expand...
I know what your saying and agree with you to a certain extent. At the same time, in that game and even a couple of times in the NDSU game just having the ball in Gray's hands running the ballis a good thing, I just wish he was an average passer and we wouldn't be having this conversation. There is definately a QB controversy right now, and I think both QBs have a chance to be decent, but they both need experience in my opinion.
 

McKnight was throwing his hands up in the air a ton all game, particularly after run plays. Not saying he doesn't play hard, just an observation. I hope he gets things going soon as he has a ton of talent.
 

Someone should do a breakdown on the drives Shortell has been in the game include the drives where he splits time with gray (dont include drives from the miami game....2 plays).


Numbers I want (my guess in parentheses):
Drives (10)
TDs (2)
Field goals (1)
First downs (9)
3 and outs (4)
Turnovers (2)
Defensive touchdowns (1)
 



Curseislifted33 said:
McKnight was throwing his hands up in the air a ton all game, particularly after run plays. Not saying he doesn't play hard, just an observation. I hope he gets things going soon as he has a ton of talent.
Click to expand...
I'll say it. He is lazy. He hurts his qb's big time with his laziness. He has stopped on routes many times already this year. I've noticed it more when gray is in the game. He had that huge drop for max against nmsu.

All the potential in the world, hopefully he figures it out.
 

Throw in his crappy attitude and he becomes a cancer. Hope the coaches nip this quick or tell him to find some pine if he doesn't. Also didn't come back on the ball on the last play at USC. I don't think his talent level is as high as some others on here. We just have little skill position talent/experience to compare him against.
 

common fan

Rosemountian said:
I'll say it. He is lazy. He hurts his qb's big time with his laziness. He has stopped on routes many times already this year. I've noticed it more when gray is in the game. He had that huge drop for max against nmsu.

All the potential in the world, hopefully he figures it out.
Click to expand...

You would throw your hands up a ton if you were running routes as if you were on a track team. How many times can one be overthrown? Granted the human nature of showing frustration after three years on a team that does not maximize opportunities should never happen, he should show no emotion and keep playing. What amazes me is the fact that over those very same three years the public perception of McKnight having an "attitude" or being a cancer to the team was absent. He wil shape it up because he has an opportunity to be something that NO ONE thought he could be. An NFL RECEIVER. It is so easy to issue critisim when our fans are in pain about the game but what about the player. Public scrutiny by false analyst is overrated. Half of the people who speak have never played the sport.
 

MNfootballfan said:
You are basing this off of 1 drive.
There were no issues the first drive of the game and no problems when Gray ran for 170 yards the week before. In my opinion Shortell didn't light it up when he was in. He threw an easy pass to Lair but other than that did nothing to great. If Gray can complete the easy pass there would be no comparison, but until that we are left with 2 subpar QBs.
Click to expand...

I think it has more to do with the defensive sets the Gophers see when Shortell and Gray are in the game. If Gray is in they are stacking against the run and challenging teams to beat them deep, they are gambling Gray won't have the presence or time to complete a play down field. When shortell is in the game the defense is playing a more normal set which is opening up the running game more. I also think that is the main reason you go with Shortell, the offense is harder to defend than when Gray is in. If Gray could develop the ability to go down field it would change everything.
 

LongTimeGopher said:
Throw in his crappy attitude and he becomes a cancer. Hope the coaches nip this quick or tell him to find some pine if he doesn't. Also didn't come back on the ball on the last play at USC. I don't think his talent level is as high as some others on here. We just have little skill position talent/experience to compare him against.
Click to expand...
.

He has not been a model citizen out there but frustration is expected at times. Seems as if frustration has been replaced with a crappy attitude. I'm not sure if you noticed the pre-season expectations for McKnight because if you did, you would lighten up a bit . With all due respect,the kid happens to come from a program that thrives on success. Its kind of tough to be out there and the qb can't get close to hitting the target 95% of he time. Suggestion for the QB, throw the ball in a place that gives the receiver the opportunity to make a play. Could the USC corner have been in a better position and possibly made a heads up play? No.. not to the overly critical fan.. Mcknight drops a td vs. NM. Did he have 9 catches and a TD? Give me and yourselves a break. Some players get frustrated because they want to win and be successful.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.



Top Bottom