Last week, I critiqued the debut of Daniel Faalele as our starting right tackle. This week, we'll look at both Big Dan and his neighbor on the line, fellow freshman Blaise Andries.
I couldn't watch the game live, but have been making my way through the tape. I'm currently through with the first half. My general impressions of the game can be found here: http://www.forums.gopherhole.com/bo...-The-rockford-file-Notes-on-the-Nebraska-game
For the first half, I graded Faalele at 86% on 14 runs, and 93% on 29 passes.
Andries scored 100% on the runs, and 90% on passes.
• Faalele had a couple burps in the run game. On one run, he went into pass protection mode. He was uncovered but failed to engage anyone, and the guy he was likely supposed to get stuffed the play for a 1-yard gain. On a later run he was tasked with getting to the second level and getting a LB, but did not look good at all in space.
• Twice on pass plays, Big Dan was beaten to the outside. On one, he was forced to hold, although he wasn't flagged. As I mentioned last week, Faalele has a quick first step, and he does a damn good job of opening up and getting in position to stop the outside rush. But he tends to stop moving his feet once contact is made, allowing the defender to turn the corner.
• I have little doubt these mistakes will diminish as Faalele's experience increases. He looks good.
• Andries look strong against the run. On the option, he was tasked with getting to the second level and picking off the MLB, who was playing fairly deep, and Andries got the job done. He was very effective in double-teaming with C Jared Weyler. (When the second guy to hit you is 6-foot-5, 315 lbs., life sucks.)
• Andries had some trouble in the passing game. On one play, he was nearly 10 yards downfield before the pass was thrown, even though he wasn't flagged for it. He also got beat inside once, forcing QB Zack Annexstad to get rid of the ball in about two seconds. Fortunately, ZA connected with Rashod Bateman on a back-shoulder throw for a nice gain despite getting planted by Andries' guy. Gotta wonder if this is the play where ZA got hurt.
• On another pass Andries was driven into the backfield, allowing ZA no room to step up. This was on the second play where the Gophers lined up WR Tyler Johnson in the backfield. As mentioned in my other thread, Johnson is a matchup nightmare coming out of the backfield. He was open, but ZA had to rush the throw and it was incomplete. ZA had about 2.87 seconds before he had to get rid of the ball, which is a fairly decent amount of time, but that was barely enough for Johnson to release to the outside, turn upfield and lose the LB.
All in all, a decent first half by our subjects.
JTG
I couldn't watch the game live, but have been making my way through the tape. I'm currently through with the first half. My general impressions of the game can be found here: http://www.forums.gopherhole.com/bo...-The-rockford-file-Notes-on-the-Nebraska-game
For the first half, I graded Faalele at 86% on 14 runs, and 93% on 29 passes.
Andries scored 100% on the runs, and 90% on passes.
• Faalele had a couple burps in the run game. On one run, he went into pass protection mode. He was uncovered but failed to engage anyone, and the guy he was likely supposed to get stuffed the play for a 1-yard gain. On a later run he was tasked with getting to the second level and getting a LB, but did not look good at all in space.
• Twice on pass plays, Big Dan was beaten to the outside. On one, he was forced to hold, although he wasn't flagged. As I mentioned last week, Faalele has a quick first step, and he does a damn good job of opening up and getting in position to stop the outside rush. But he tends to stop moving his feet once contact is made, allowing the defender to turn the corner.
• I have little doubt these mistakes will diminish as Faalele's experience increases. He looks good.
• Andries look strong against the run. On the option, he was tasked with getting to the second level and picking off the MLB, who was playing fairly deep, and Andries got the job done. He was very effective in double-teaming with C Jared Weyler. (When the second guy to hit you is 6-foot-5, 315 lbs., life sucks.)
• Andries had some trouble in the passing game. On one play, he was nearly 10 yards downfield before the pass was thrown, even though he wasn't flagged for it. He also got beat inside once, forcing QB Zack Annexstad to get rid of the ball in about two seconds. Fortunately, ZA connected with Rashod Bateman on a back-shoulder throw for a nice gain despite getting planted by Andries' guy. Gotta wonder if this is the play where ZA got hurt.
• On another pass Andries was driven into the backfield, allowing ZA no room to step up. This was on the second play where the Gophers lined up WR Tyler Johnson in the backfield. As mentioned in my other thread, Johnson is a matchup nightmare coming out of the backfield. He was open, but ZA had to rush the throw and it was incomplete. ZA had about 2.87 seconds before he had to get rid of the ball, which is a fairly decent amount of time, but that was barely enough for Johnson to release to the outside, turn upfield and lose the LB.
All in all, a decent first half by our subjects.
JTG