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Jay Johnson
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Pass incomplete, run for 4 yards, pass incomplete is Jay Johnson’s play call sheet.
Jay Johnson is not the issue and has been a bright spot on the staff.
520 Yards of offense and 31 points last night. The problem has been execution on the part of the players. We win that game last night if we don’t have >100 yards in penalties or fall on one of the numerous fumbles created in the second half.
520 Yards of offense and 31 points last night. The problem has been execution on the part of the players. We win that game last night if we don’t have >100 yards in penalties or fall on one of the numerous fumbles created in the second half.
I agree, but Johnson has plenty of head scratching moments from a playcalling perspective. The 4th quarter was one giant offensive cluster****, so I think it’s disingenuous to just look at total yards and points scored (31 is really not that good in CFB, btw) and say he wasn’t the problem. They were inexplicably throwing it up 10 points, snapping the ball with 15+ seconds on the play clock, throwing it on 3rd and 4 when you know you have two downs to get it, etc.
From a high level, Johnson was fine. It’s the intelligent situational football that has been lacking for him (and Tucker, tbh). It’s a first year coaching staff that is going through some growing pains and learning on the job. Is what it is, but doesn’t make last night easier to stomach
So much this on offense.
I was so pissed at one point when they got a first, and then went fast (and got a penalty).
I get going fast when you're getting to the line quickly to keep the d from changing. But get to the line fast, and then take your ****ing time snapping the ball when you're up 2 scores in the fourth.
It's not rocket science.
There were certainly a few head scratching moments, but my impression is that with the personnel we have on the o-line, misdirection and unpredictability is the tactic he’s using to get results.
A perfect example would be the new wrinkle that we saw last night. The buffs lined up in the same formation for the Fontenot outside runs, the short slants, and new last night was the addition of the QB runs from the same formation- which were very successful. The misdirection doesn’t work if you’re predictable in down and distance situations.
Montez performed well overall last night, but the few times Johnson relied on Steven to process what he was seeing in front of him, he did not excel (rushed passes, throwing behind the sticks instead of pushing it down field), and maybe that’s Johnson’s fault for not utilizing his personnel better.
Either way, I’m actually encouraged by what I saw last night. With both teams depleted by injuries, we went punch for punch with them.
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chitownbuff
Club Member
Gotta think if Stenstrom stays in the game, we run the ball more. Going to be angry over this game for a while. ****ity **** ****.
I didn't know Stenstrom could run like that. Just one play, but he moved pretty well.
Loved read option with lead H back lead blocking for QB and wildcat. Nice wrinkle.
Thought for sure we would see RPO off this scheme.
That’s what I hope we see a lot more of in remaining games plus next year with Lewis. Hard to defend.
Offense played really well last night and Johnson had some good moments, but they just couldn't finish. Couldn't finish drives wthin the 5 without false starts. Couldn't get first downs when we needed them. Couldn't finish the game.
Johnson left a little something to be desired when we seemingly ditched the running game when it was working so well, but I also like him being aggressive.
Ugh. This loss is gonna be hard to get over.
Johnson left a little something to be desired when we seemingly ditched the running game when it was working so well, but I also like him being aggressive.
Ugh. This loss is gonna be hard to get over.
Everybody involved better get over it and learn from it, or we won't win another game.
SeanMSan
Well-Known Member
it appears if he would have tapped the brakes on that last defender, he could have possibly taken it to the house. That right there should have shown the coaches that running it was working out fantastic, and to keep doing it
Imagine if we'd have played 4
I think there are some great points being made here, but I still can't help but feel like some of the things we're talking about here - throwing deep into triple coverage, checking down to throwing short of the sticks - are on Montez, and really only happened after he got his bell rung.
That doesn't explain the choices to call passing plays instead of running plays, but I think some of the criticisms of Johnson are misplaced.
The more I think about it, Montez coming back in was a mistake. Not saying that the result wouldn't have been the same with Stenstrom, but it seems to me that Montez was a shell of himself in the fourth and it killed the offense.
That doesn't explain the choices to call passing plays instead of running plays, but I think some of the criticisms of Johnson are misplaced.
The more I think about it, Montez coming back in was a mistake. Not saying that the result wouldn't have been the same with Stenstrom, but it seems to me that Montez was a shell of himself in the fourth and it killed the offense.
When Montez throws deep to a receiver who is smothered by a DB who he doesn't have a physical edge on, that's a poor decision. He has to check down. There were guys open every single time.
Montez is like my young dog at feeding time. He can't hide his absolute excitement to throw that bomb, and loses patience at key times in the game and refused to take what the defense is giving him. **** it, it is who he is.
That didn't happen in the first three quarters on Friday night. For those 3 quarters, we had good Montez, and we had USC on the ropes. He gets clocked, slams his head, he's a completely different QB, and and the offense was crap the rest of the game. Seems to me that the link is obvious.
I'm not taking the coaches off the hook, for the exact same reason that I am taking Montez off the hook - I don't think he should have been out there.
He passed a strict Concussion Protocol test. He wouldn't be out there if he was loopy. Montez has done this many times. He get's a giant boner and he can't harness self-control. He certainly hasn't been hit in the head everytime this happens.
It seems to happen under 2 conditions:
1) games he thinks we will win, and I think he wants to showcase that cannon and is not interested in what the D is giving him, he wants it all.
2) games that are on the line and he loses his head, he wants to go for the throat.
I think there's different motivations in those 2 conditions, but the same result.
CULifer
Well-Known Member
Maybe we see some play action pass to exploit UCLA's ****ty passing defense. We have the run game to set it up.
GuySmiley
Don't Drink the Kool-Aid
I think Johnson has shown he can coach well in stretches; but does not seem to grasp the complete game portion. The wrinkle you described was spot on. Had to do it over again, was run those plays when SM was out. They are low % turnover plays, the blocking scheme was not all that complex, thus perhaps less penalties. On that 3rd and 4, why not Viska in the wildcat? Then do it again or an inside run. SC was gassed . . . why not run it down their throat?
I want to know who called those long balls at the end of the game. Cause they were exactly what we didn't need, and the coverage was there on 2/3 of them. If Montez is trying to play hero ball, goddamit. If Jay is going for the kill shot, I get it, but you can't keep going to that well when we were running so... well.
I liked what I saw in the USC game and I hope CU continues down that path because that is probably the type of offense we will have as long as Jay Johnson is here. I can only drool at the thought of Sefo Liufau with all of those zone reads. I believe Montez is capable of that but my biggest concern is those hits to his head. If he gets hit in the head, just put Stenstrom in there and be over it.
I also haven't heard about QB Lytle...is he done for the season?
I also haven't heard about QB Lytle...is he done for the season?
ahoelsken
Well-Known Member
Johnson's pretty low on the list of issues with this program right now. Frankly, the entire offensive coaching staff has done a good job this year. Kap's made a ton of progress with the offensive line, but there's not exactly a boatload of talent there. Chev's been the best recruiter on staff since he's been here, and I'd like to see him stay as long as we can keep him. We've got a good stable of young running backs, and I think Hagan's a better recruiter than we give him credit for (he led the effort to get Jaren Mangham here). The TE group isn't where Mel probably wants it, but I think Passarello and Fauria Jr. are positive steps in that respect.....and I think Pupunu is going to be a critical part of re-establishing this program as factor in Hawaii/Poly recruiting.
Defensively? We're a mess. I've said this before-lack of depth only excuses so much. Tucker really didn't even try to take his scheme and meld it to the talent we had when he got here, and that's gotta change this offseason. Summers deserves to be a one and done DC here-he's calling the second worst defense in the power 5 to Boston College. Outside of Trujillo's performance against USC, the cornerbacks have flat stunk. We have ZERO pass rush-13 sacks on the season (that's good for T-97th in the country). We've got a 29 year old kid coaching OLBs in Michalowski, and we were questioning Brumbaugh as a recruiter before this season started.
GuySmiley
Don't Drink the Kool-Aid
I think your analysis is pretty good. The offensive staff just needs to learn to win consistently rather that reach for perfection. The running game has been better than I ever imagined. Should have ran the ball more v. SC and UoA. I have to think in year 2, MT will be more "hands on" with the defense. MT went all-in for his scheme, and Summers is doing his best with the talent he inherited. Unless, they internally grade out terrible as coaches, they get an extra year, but much scrutiny will be on their recruiting and the improvement within the scheme. I think with such a young DLine our DB's would have struggled anyways, injuries or not. I don't think that they get beat over the top anymore than other CU defenses in the past. It is the middle field slant that goes for 40+ yards that has killed them over and over, and that is the LBs and playing more zone coverage. We have no OLB's for this scheme, hence Taylor is playing OLB and Perry is the Star. With an older DLine, the pass rush should be better next year. Also, the defensive depth chart will change quite a bit. I think some of the RS Frosh will be bigger and ready to play.
If it is about scheme, I think that is MT and I support it. If CU wants to reach for conference championships or contending yearly in the PAC-12 South, this type of scheme is needed to set CU apart. This is what Utah is doing.
GuySmiley
Don't Drink the Kool-Aid
That is funny. My grandfather was instrumental in securing additional land for Tucson's campus. My dad and uncle graduated from there. It is and always has been UoA (or U of A)--this is a slam on ASU. We were likely to face the belt or a tirade of expletives for calling them AU or UA. ASU did not deserve that much respect.
somebody
Well-Known Member
Typical little brother comment, lambs say the same about CU.
GuySmiley
Don't Drink the Kool-Aid
Although losing to Air Force was disappointing, that should be the In-State rivalry (one built on respect). I'm actually watching some of Air Force's games. The one thing I will miss is "it sucks to be a CSU ram, I say it sucks to be a CSU ram..." Little brother is always the 2nd choice school for the in-staters. Just like ASU.