*****GAME THREAD: #7 TEXAS LONGHORNS vs. IOWA STATE CYCLONES*****

[Baron]

Those slants that have been so difficult to defend are about cutting in front of the cornerback.
If the corner plays tight, slant and go is open.
Linebacker could drop on the slant, but then that opens the run.
If corner tackles properly you have a 6 to 10 yard gain.
Can the other team go all the way down the field without making a mistake 4 to 5 times ?
Odds are against it

Whether the DB's play up or off they just couldn't stop the slant consistently. I don't remember seeing PK drop a LB into the throwing lane. That should have disrupted the throw since it needs to be quick with little or no arc. Force the QB to put touch on it in that situation and it gets broken up or picked. And with the way the DL was playing I wouldn't have worried very much about the OLB's run responsibilities. My two cents.

 

[Baron]

I agree with what you are saying. The only other issue is what Rod Babers talks about which is the CB playing inside or outside leverage. If the CB lines up shading the receiver to the inside it makes those slants more difficult to complete. But I guess that makes the outside routes harder to cover and it's more difficult to get a safety over there to help out if the receiver jukes the CB like Worthy often does along the sidelines.

Wouldn't you have to play a safety over the top of that? Leaving the middle vulnerable to a post from the slot.

 

[Coot]

Wouldn't you have to play a safety over the top of that? Leaving the middle vulnerable to a post from the slot.

Yes, that makes sense. Maybe that's why the CB's are playing outside leverage and the slants are easier to complete. Because that is less risky by forcing everything inside where there is help.

 

[Drb522]

Whether the DB's play up or off they just couldn't stop the slant consistently. I don't remember seeing PK drop a LB into the throwing lane. That should have disrupted the throw since it needs to be quick with little or no arc. Force the QB to put touch on it in that situation and it gets broken up or picked. And with the way the DL was playing I wouldn't have worried very much about the OLB's run responsibilities. My two cents.

Most of the slants are uncontested due to cushion.

 

[Baron]

Most of the slants are uncontested due to cushion.

I specifically looked for that on the replay and it seemed 40-60 up and off.

 

[Drb522]

I specifically looked for that on the replay and it seemed 40-60 up and off.

There’s absolutely no reason to be 8-10 yds off on 3rd and 5 or less

 

[Baron]

There’s absolutely no reason to be 8-10 yds off on 3rd and 5 or less

You're not reading everything I said.

 

[Eastexhorn]

You're not reading everything I said.

That happens a lot.

 

[BWilk55]

Again, imagine if our defense could get off the field after a 3rd and 3 with. 9 yard cushion. Allowing the defense to play pitch/catch in that situation has been my only concern with the defense honestly.

We have the best 3rd down defense in the nation...There are certain plays that appear frustrating but I am not going to question those results.

 

[Drb522]

You're not reading everything I said.

I did and I understand it. The issue with the olb dropping is the ball is out to the outside receiver on the underneath slant before he can even make a play. Just pull the cb’s up to 4-5 yds and give them an opportunity to at least contest the throw. Even with a pretty good 3rd down defense it could be better.

 

[BWilk55]

That’s where we should be playing our more athletically gifted safeties.

Who are "our more athletically gifted safeties"?

 

[DBut82]

Who are "our more athletically gifted safeties"?

i.e. not Taffe lol

 

[tejasrulz]

Who are "our more athletically gifted safeties"?

 

[tejasrulz]

i.e. not Taffe lol

You mean the guy who has 1/4 of the team's interceptions (tied for the lead) and leads all DBs with total tackles?

 

[Wayne]

You mean the guy who has 1/4 of the team's interceptions (tied for the lead) and leads all DBs with total tackles?

He also leads in getting burned on deep passes.

He’s good against the run and plays that are in front of him. But not so much if they try to take the top off.

 

[DBut82]

You mean the guy who has 1/4 of the team's interceptions (tied for the lead) and leads all DBs with total tackles?

Yes, him...

 

[BWilk55]

i.e. not Taffe lol

I do agree that Taffe doesn't makes the list of "athletically gifted safeties". I am curious who is on @Drb522's list.

 

[North Texas Golfer]

I do agree that Taffe doesn't makes the list of "athletically gifted safeties". I am curious who is on @Drb522's list.

That brings me back to my 9th grade football when I intercepted those 3 passes.

I was about as "athletic gifted" as 4'11' 90 pound causcasian was going to get. Still remember my coach telling me, "Son, you may be small but you make up for it by being slow".

 

[Drb522]

Who are "our more athletically gifted safeties"?

I’d say Williams is more athletic than Taafe

 

[Drb522]

Yes, that makes sense. Maybe that's why the CB's are playing outside leverage and the slants are easier to complete. Because that is less risky by forcing everything inside where there is help.

Yes, force them to take the quick slant AND the first down on 3rd and short. That’ll show them.