Our WRs are not good

[PMWinSTP]

It has less to do with Athan being mobile and more to do with him having the arm talent to actually spray the ball around. Tanner needs 5 seconds of a clean pocket to set his feet

Both are important.

 

[short ornery norwegian]

Speed kills. The Gophers' WR's just don't have top-end speed that allows them to get separation from a DB. Look at the difference between the Gophers' WR's and Williams of Illinois.

That means the routes have to be run very precisely and the QB has to deliver the ball to the perfect location on time. In other words, no margin for error. With Bateman, Morgan could just chuck it up and say "go make a play." even with CrAB, he could make a 'riskier' throw. with the current crop of WR's, not so much.

at this point, I would be fine with giving some of the younger guys a shot. Hoskins is supposed to be pretty fast. so teach him a couple of routes and give him a try. can't be any worse that what we're getting out of the current group.

but for the off-season, my #1 priority would be finding a WR in the portal who can really run.

 

[Gophergrandpa]

The biggest issue with our offense is the WRs. When they play competent defenses they can’t get open. I’m tired of hearing how talented Dylan Wright is, he’s not a good WR. Mike Brown Stephens has been horrific the last two games. Daniel Jackson has looked the most competent, but he’s stilll average at best. None of these guys are capable of getting separation against good DBs. Until this changes, it doesn’t matter who the OC is or who the QB is. We are seeing the same thing we saw last season.

Because our WRs can’t get separation, they can be played man-to-man with ease. And pressed at the line. Because defenses can play us man to man, they can afford to bring an extra guy to the line and sometimes blitz, with a low probability of being burned. This puts extra pressure on an OL that also isn’t great. Formula to beat our offense out there. Really need our defense to step up with 3 and outs and/or turnovers.

 

[Gophergrandpa]

Speed kills. The Gophers' WR's just don't have top-end speed that allows them to get separation from a DB. Look at the difference between the Gophers' WR's and Williams of Illinois.

That means the routes have to be run very precisely and the QB has to deliver the ball to the perfect location on time. In other words, no margin for error. With Bateman, Morgan could just chuck it up and say "go make a play." even with CrAB, he could make a 'riskier' throw. with the current crop of WR's, not so much.

at this point, I would be fine with giving some of the younger guys a shot. Hoskins is supposed to be pretty fast. so teach him a couple of routes and give him a try. can't be any worse that what we're getting out of the current group.

but for the off-season, my #1 priority would be finding a WR in the portal who can really run.

Bateman always seemed to get separation and Tyler Johnson was great at “climbing the ladder” to high-point contested balls. Both these traits are missing in our current WRs. I would think Dylan W would be a monster, high-pointing contested throws, but the staff or Tanner doesn’t give him many chances to do that … perhaps for a reason.

 

[denguegopher]

Wright does beat his man often enough to lead the team in PI flags drawn. He has not seen the ball enough to make a judgment on his value. Morgan rarely looks his way.

You might have a point. And I think that was Wright who was interferred with on a slant pass (unfortunately no call).

 

[UpAndUnder43]

His good games coincide with good offensive line play giving him enough time to look past the first option. He has immediately had guys in is face way too much the last two weeks. No one can look past their 1st option with that type of pressure.

The OL has been an issue. No doubt.

 

[Dakota2]

Speed kills. The Gophers' WR's just don't have top-end speed that allows them to get separation from a DB. Look at the difference between the Gophers' WR's and Williams of Illinois.

That means the routes have to be run very precisely and the QB has to deliver the ball to the perfect location on time. In other words, no margin for error. With Bateman, Morgan could just chuck it up and say "go make a play." even with CrAB, he could make a 'riskier' throw. with the current crop of WR's, not so much.

at this point, I would be fine with giving some of the younger guys a shot. Hoskins is supposed to be pretty fast. so teach him a couple of routes and give him a try. can't be any worse that what we're getting out of the current group.

but for the off-season, my #1 priority would be finding a WR in the portal who can really run.

Williams, like a number of BIG receivers, is really fast. But that is not the only element in his success. The receiver needs to get to a feint point, where he tries to get the defender to move the wrong direction, then he turns on the speed after his break. That all requires that the QB has time to wait for the route to develop.

Whether our receivers are fast enough or not, our line is not giving the QB enough time for guys to get a little separation.

Adam Thielen is not fast. He is a great receiver because he gets his defender leaning the wrong direction. If he was playing for the Gophers today you would say, correctly, that he didn't get open very much.

 

[Dakota2]

Bateman always seemed to get separation and Tyler Johnson was great at “climbing the ladder” to high-point contested balls. Both these traits are missing in our current WRs. I would think Dylan W would be a monster, high-pointing contested throws, but the staff or Tanner doesn’t give him many chances to do that … perhaps for a reason.

Wright is good at climbing the ladder for the catch. He has done it all three times he has had that type of target in two seasons.

 

[Dakota2]

You might have a point. And I think that was Wright who was interferred with on a slant pass (unfortunately no call).

Yes, that was Wright who didn't draw the flag on the slant. But he did get flagged for running over a defender who got in his route like a blocker. Of course, that one went against Wright.

 

[denguegopher]

Yes, that was Wright who didn't draw the flag on the slant. But he did get flagged for running over a defender who got in his route like a blocker. Of course, that one went against Wright.

Yes, that was a weak offensive PI call.

 

[Gophergrandpa]

Wright is good at climbing the ladder for the catch. He has done it all three times he has had that type of target in two seasons.

Then (I tend to agree, when Wright runs out his full route), if we are essentially game planning to throw contested balls—because our WRs don’t separate—we should make Wright the no.1 target more often. I like MBS, but he never high-points a contested ball, which is a big issue this year. I’ve seen BSF go up for several balls this year, too. In games where every throw looks to be man coverage and contested, why not make Wright and BSF the primary receivers? Use their physical advantages and their willingness to high-point a contested ball.

 

[Gophers7NatTitlesBadgers0]

Hey dummy, Morgan isn't a threat to keep the ball. That limits the RPO from keep, handoff, or pass to handoff or pass.

It's not nearly as deceptive or effective if you don't keep it.

This in a nutshell is the RPO. QB either hands it off to the RB or keeps it for a pass play.

 

[Mr. 131]

Wright will not be on the team next year. He will transfer. The coaches are done with him.

He is a me first ego guy that just wants balls thrown his way. He will be a star at some FCS school.

Watch him. He quits on routes. He can't get seperation. He goes 1/2 speed half the game.

Love the hot take! I will admit I didn't notice that, and I'm also not a great watcher of football beyond just having fun with it.
If your appraisal is accurate, it would be a no brainer to send him packing. I really tire of diva WR's at the No-Fun-League, but it's surprising that goes on at all levels of play.

 

[GophersInIowa]

Because our WRs can’t get separation, they can be played man-to-man with ease. And pressed at the line. Because defenses can play us man to man, they can afford to bring an extra guy to the line and sometimes blitz, with a low probability of being burned. This puts extra pressure on an OL that also isn’t great. Formula to beat our offense out there. Really need our defense to step up with 3 and outs and/or turnovers.

Yep, they haven't shown the ability to get separation consistently. So defenses are able to have their CBs play aggressively. The WRs are not winning those battles enough.

 

[FredCoxRocks]

Wright will not be on the team next year. He will transfer. The coaches are done with him.

He is a me first ego guy that just wants balls thrown his way. He will be a star at some FCS school.

Watch him. He quits on routes. He can't get seperation. He goes 1/2 speed half the game.

Hate to say it, but I have wondered the same thing. His lack of effort on AKs slightly overthrown ball revealed even more.

 

[Gophers_4life]

Yes, that was Wright who didn't draw the flag on the slant. But he did get flagged for running over a defender who got in his route like a blocker. Of course, that one went against Wright.

And that DB was already slipping/falling down, Wright simply ran through/over him like he wasn't there. Horrible call

 

[Gophers_4life]

https://247sports.com/college/minne...J-Fleck-Tanner-Morgan-injury-update-195659265

When you watch back the tape, what has to change at wide receiver? ​

Minnesota head coach PJ Fleck: "Yeah, two things. We got to be able to create separation, and then we got to be able to make the plays that present itself. It's simple. I mean, when we were able to catch the ball traffic and make plays, we're really good. Watch the Michigan State game, and we're able to do that same guys. We're making plays in traffic, contested catches, and playing big. But when we don't do that, that doesn't allow our offense to be balanced. And then we become one dimensional really quick.

We played one of the best defenses in the country. In fact, I think the number one defense in the country, and they are that good. And so when you get behind the sticks on them, it discourages you to be able to keep going with the pass game because we only had 19 plays in the first half. And you got an All American tailback back there, so you better be able to catch the ball when it's thrown to be able to move efficiently down the field.

It's the same thing when people play against our defense. If you take last game out of that, I don't think we played to the level of what we're capable of playing last week, but that's usually what we do to people. We get people behind the chains and and make you earn it in pass game and make some decisions that you normally wouldn't do to get you out of your game.

But when we don't execute, and remember, everything we've done has been more self inflicted all due respect to the people we play, but we've had opportunities that we didn't come up with. And I can think of four or five catches off the top of your head that in the last two games and have made the chances of us winning go down, and we've got to be able to overcome those things."

 

[Gopherchase]

I’d let 22 and 5 sit and watch neither have played hard enough or performed well enough to have earned the PT. Problem is that the cupboard is pretty bare after the injury to 7 and the recruiting misses and transfers in that room. No real help on the horizon from our ‘23 recruit list. Unless Hoskins, et al really turn into ballers next year is going to be a repeat of this year and last; and maybe even worse. Even if the younger guys turn out to be OK, they are all short and slight not that those type kids can’t win with but it’s concerning.

I’d throw the ball to 88 10-12 times a game plus this Geers kid is supposed to be a baller get him out there some more in the two tight sets and let’s use the big boys way more.

 

[Gophers_4life]

Only problem with that is that we need WR who can block Big Ten DB's on non-passing plays.

If you start sending in smaller/faster guys only on passing plays, then it becomes easier to guess what you're running.


I have no idea what kind of effort/performance Wright, MBS, and Co. are putting in on (run) blocking, don't usually watch that.

 

[Gophers_4life]

I mean, we still could've easily won the damn Purdue game. Shot both our feet off, that one. And they easily could've beaten Penn St.

So I'm hopeful for this week.


I think Illinois is on another level right now. Will be very interesting to see if they can keep it rolling and when they play Michigan what the final score is.

 

[hungan1]

Speed kills. The Gophers' WR's just don't have top-end speed that allows them to get separation from a DB. Look at the difference between the Gophers' WR's and Williams of Illinois.

That means the routes have to be run very precisely and the QB has to deliver the ball to the perfect location on time. In other words, no margin for error. With Bateman, Morgan could just chuck it up and say "go make a play." even with CrAB, he could make a 'riskier' throw. with the current crop of WR's, not so much.

at this point, I would be fine with giving some of the younger guys a shot. Hoskins is supposed to be pretty fast. so teach him a couple of routes and give him a try. can't be any worse that what we're getting out of the current group.

but for the off-season, my #1 priority would be finding a WR in the portal who can really run.

In 2019, Tanner Morgan released the ball much faster to the talented WRs. He had more weapons. He had help in improving his throwing motion. What happened to "It's all in the hips?" He worked with Rob Williams from Vancouver, BC in the latest rage at the time.

Gophers’ Tanner Morgan, Cowboys’ Dak Prescott early adopters of new throwing motion

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott became a meme with his pregame hip exercises before he played the Vikings on Sunday Night Football. His gyrations looked like dance moves, so the internet ra…

www.twincities.com

Did he retrogress to bad throwing mechanics? Of course, he doesn't have Rashod Bateman's deep thread and Tyler Johnson's short and middle game.

With Chris Autman Bell out for the season, the WR Room has exposed the Gophers' vulnerabilities. There isn't a lot of synchronicity with Wider receivers. It's literally split seconds between a great play and a bad one. Dylan Wright is not showing the promise that he brought with him.

It takes time to gel. Tanner Morgan's clock is running out. They have to keep fighting for the wins. They will get better even in defeat.

Doesn't Kristen Hoskins have a 4.38 40? Tanner Morgan, Athan Kaliakmanis, and Cole Kramer better get busy putting in reps in the Sunday practices with the WR Corps.

 

[swelna]

In 2019, Tanner Morgan released the ball much faster to the talented WRs. He had more weapons. He had help in improving his throwing motion. What happened to "It's all in the hips?" He worked with Rob Williams from Vancouver, BC in the latest rage at the time.

Gophers’ Tanner Morgan, Cowboys’ Dak Prescott early adopters of new throwing motion

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott became a meme with his pregame hip exercises before he played the Vikings on Sunday Night Football. His gyrations looked like dance moves, so the internet ra…

www.twincities.com

Did he retrogress to bad throwing mechanics? Of course, he doesn't have Rashod Bateman's deep thread and Tyler Johnson's short and middle game.

With Chris Autman Bell out for the season, the WR Room has exposed the Gophers' vulnerabilities. There isn't a lot of synchronicity with Wider receivers. It's literally split seconds between a great play and a bad one. Dylan Wright is not showing the promise that he brought with him.

It takes time to gel. Tanner Morgan's clock is running out. They have to keep fighting for the wins. They will get better even in defeat.

Doesn't Kristen Hoskins have a 4.38 40? Tanner Morgan, Athan Kaliakmanis, and Cole Kramer better get busy putting in reps in the Sunday practices with the WR Corps.

I think this is the big thing. They are stacking the box and defending the slant, leaving the deep coverage as man on man. Since we don't have the threat deep at WR, they don't need to adjust. If we got some deep throws going, I think the slants would open back up as they would have to move to zone more to get more help deep.

 

[Panthadad2]

I think this is the big thing. They are stacking the box and defending the slant, leaving the deep coverage as man on man. Since we don't have the threat deep at WR, they don't need to adjust. If we got some deep throws going, I think the slants would open back up as they would have to move to zone more to get more help deep.

Deep throws won't happen for MN against a good defense. Morgan doesn't have the arm and the only wide receiver seemingly capable of catching the underthrown deep 50/50 ball is Wright, but he has consistency issues. Purdue and Illinois set the template for beating the Gophs. Every team from here on out will do the same. Ciarrocca needs to find a way out of this.

 

[swelna]

Deep throws won't happen for MN against a good defense. Morgan doesn't have the arm and the only wide receiver seemingly capable of catching the underthrown deep 50/50 ball is Wright, but he has consistency issues. Purdue and Illinois set the template for beating the Gophs. Every team from here on out will do the same. Ciarrocca needs to find a way out of this.

Yeah, if deep throws don't work then he needs to find something to pull the defense away from the slant passes that Morgan can execute well.

I would've expected BSF to have more catches by now, seems like he could give some defenses a headache...

 

[hungan1]

I think this is the big thing. They are stacking the box and defending the slant, leaving the deep coverage as man on man. Since we don't have the threat deep at WR, they don't need to adjust. If we got some deep throws going, I think the slants would open back up as they would have to move to zone more to get more help deep.

Bielema figured that out last year after he watched the BGSU debacle. They killed two birds with one stone.

The Gopher Offense needs to be creative in breaking up the logjam. Instead of inward slants, why not do a double outward slant to attack the edges? Utilize the taller TEs where only they can catch the ball on the edges.

They have not been able to adjust their offensive scheme against Purdue or Illinois. Otherwise, RPO will join RUTM in the boneyard.

We hope that it won't be a long afternoon in Happy Valley.

 

[Jack jones]

Wright will not be on the team next year. He will transfer. The coaches are done with him.

He is a me first ego guy that just wants balls thrown his way. He will be a star at some FCS school.

Watch him. He quits on routes. He can't get seperation. He goes 1/2 speed half the game.

Glad to see someone feels the same way.

 

[Some guy]

Bielema figured that out last year after he watched the BGSU debacle. They killed two birds with one stone.

The Gopher Offense needs to be creative in breaking up the logjam. Instead of inward slants, why not do a double outward slant to attack the edges? Utilize the taller TEs where only they can catch the ball on the edges.

They have not been able to adjust their offensive scheme against Purdue or Illinois. Otherwise, RPO will join RUTM in the boneyard.

We hope that it won't be a long afternoon in Happy Valley.

Illinois played almost exclusively man to man.
I haven’t watched the bowling green game in a year but if I remember correctly they were almost exclusively zone

So to say he copied bowling green is just false I think. They didn’t play it the same at all

 

[Gophers_4life]

I think this is the big thing. They are stacking the box and defending the slant, leaving the deep coverage as man on man. Since we don't have the threat deep at WR, they don't need to adjust. If we got some deep throws going, I think the slants would open back up as they would have to move to zone more to get more help deep.

Well, that's not good because Tanner doesn't have an arm for deep throws. Maybe he did enough in 2019 and Bateman could just go win. But we don't have that.

Yeah ... it seems like it really is that simple to stop MN right now: just stop the zone runs and stop the slants. That's all we have. Which is what the RPO is packaged together as.

If you can't do those, then you have to adjust and run different things. Run power plays (guards/OL pulling around). Run drop-back 5-step drop passes, with different routes than we normally have done.


Do something different.

Or don't, and watch teams just run the Illinois playbook against us.

 

[Gophers_4life]

Deep throws won't happen for MN against a good defense. Morgan doesn't have the arm and the only wide receiver seemingly capable of catching the underthrown deep 50/50 ball is Wright, but he has consistency issues. Purdue and Illinois set the template for beating the Gophs. Every team from here on out will do the same. Ciarrocca needs to find a way out of this.

Yep. This

I think we have to change things up (see above post), if we want a chance.

Zone run + slant quick throws isn't going to work. They figured it out.


Crazy thing is Mo will still get his 100+ yards and a decent average, because basically what will happen is he'll find a way, through sheer extreme ability, to break a couple long ones. That skews and covers up all the other attempts that don't do much.

Defenses against us can afford to give up a couple big plays leading to TDs, because they know they can stop us enough the rest of the drives.

 

[Gophers_4life]

Illinois played almost exclusively man to man.
I haven’t watched the bowling green game in a year but if I remember correctly they were almost exclusively zone

So to say he copied bowling green is just false I think. They didn’t play it the same at all

The overall results certainly were similar

Regardless how you do it ... if you can prevent us (enough) from running our zone runs + quick slants philosophy, we're cooked.


Personally, I am not a fan of zone runs. I think they're weak. I like power runs with a lot of OL pulling around and straight-up double-teams on the DL, myself.


But it's a whole philosophy of trying to put the defense in a run-pass conflict, that we've committed to. Not sure how easily we'll be able to switch up, as needed.