Armstrong at QB

[Landlord]

You can not blame all this on Tommy. Beck's playing calling was terrible, based on the fact that Bell & Turner were on the bench. There was a lack of WR speed, which is a real concern in the future. This team was able to go one on one & double team Westercamp, while blitzing on almost every down. You have to call plays that fit your personnel.

Not that we couldn't have done things differently but there were several plays that led to a wide open receiver 10-15 yards downfield but the pass was off. That is absolutely on the quarterback when he has room and time to throw.

Tommysmlove affair with the deep ball needs to die down a bit. Not saying give up on it entirely, but he goes deep quite a bit. Checking down to Ameer is obviously a problem for Tommy according to anybody close to the situation. He has to be more willing to do that. Also, some of those short routes are there and need to be an option for him. Idmlike to see us exploit opposing linebackers more like they do to us. heck, sometimes Ameer isn't covered at all. Still, losing two of our top WR's did contribute to some missed throws.

He throws a mostly great deep ball, he just needs to figure out more calculated times to do it. I think he threw bombs on two consecutive 3rd and 6/7 downs, killing the series, but then he comes back and throws that deep one to Jordan that would have been a top 10 play if not for the penalty.

 

[True2tRA]

You can not blame all this on Tommy. Beck's playing calling was terrible, based on the fact that Bell & Turner were on the bench. There was a lack of WR speed, which is a real concern in the future. This team was able to go one on one & double team Westercamp, while blitzing on almost every down. You have to call plays that fit your personnel.

Not that we couldn't have done things differently but there were several plays that led to a wide open receiver 10-15 yards downfield but the pass was off. That is absolutely on the quarterback when he has room and time to throw.

Tommysmlove affair with the deep ball needs to die down a bit. Not saying give up on it entirely, but he goes deep quite a bit. Checking down to Ameer is obviously a problem for Tommy according to anybody close to the situation. He has to be more willing to do that. Also, some of those short routes are there and need to be an option for him. Idmlike to see us exploit opposing linebackers more like they do to us. heck, sometimes Ameer isn't covered at all. Still, losing two of our top WR's did contribute to some missed throws.

He throws a mostly great deep ball, he just needs to figure out more calculated times to do it. I think he threw bombs on two consecutive 3rd and 6/7 downs, killing the series, but then he comes back and throws that deep one to Jordan that would have been a top 10 play if not for the penalty.

Just have to remember, he's young. This game ought to be more of a lesson to him than anything he could be coached on. FAU showed a bit of what he's capable of but so did McNeese St. It showed he's capable of destroying this teams chances with one bad throw. He may not be so loose with things from now on and focus a bit more on executing the finer points of the offense. I still can't put that game on Beck or Tommy. We had no rhythm and neither of those two helped each other establish any. It seems to be a big deal for Beck to get that rhythm.

 

[lo country]

He's a young QB. Lacks experience and at times decides where he will throw prior to snapping the ball. He also reverted back to some old habits.

You know how to fix a lot of this? Better play calling. Teaching the QB (Martinez how to hire a QB coach). Actually use the TE and FB. Realize TA is currently not capable of 65% completion rates. Realize that sometimes the check down should be the primary read. Use PA as our main passing threat. Use draws and traps to negate the rush. Move the pocket. use the jet sweep, the wide receiver screen. Chip block and allow the TE to release (goes back to actually using the TE). The list goes on and on and on. Let TA make hay on the zone read and option.

Sadly, IMO, we are again seeing the round peg jammed into the square hole by an OC who refuses to adjust to the strengths of the team. Some of Bo's comments at the presser would seem to be he realizes this. Beck has a plan that appears to run contrary to Bo's (at times) as well as panic at the first sign of adversity and goes all air raid.

 

[True2tRA]

When you have an offensive line struggling against a heavy and aggressive opposing defensive front the TE can be highly effective. Big target, typically shorter high percentage routes

Or how about a screen play?

 

[Dagerow]

Yes, Tommy has a very strong arm and can run, but:

1. He is bad under pressure. He almost always will throw the ball to who ever he is looking at, even if he is covered, when the pressure comes. Almost never throws it away or extends the play by moving around the pocket (other then designed roll outs).

2. Routinely doesn't hit the receiver where he can run with it. Not only are the 10 yard misses hurting us, the plays where the receiver has to stretch, jump, extend, etc to catch it are very problematic, especially when he has very little pressure. How many time did a receiver basically have to catch the ball at their feet during the last game?

3. Almost always calls an option when he audibles, and it rarely works. I believe he thinks he can always get the yards from the option, but the problem is that he's calling the audible when it's not there. Ie he needs to audible to other things as well.

4. Needs to have more short passes to Abdullah. Requiring a defense to cover Abdullah out of the back field would help open up the rest of the field.

 

[beanman]

When you have an offensive line struggling against a heavy and aggressive opposing defensive front the TE can be highly effective. Big target, typically shorter high percentage routes

Or how about a screen play?

Hey we lost that frickin' game. Don't post that evil stuff.

 

[TheSker]

we haven't had consistent play on the offensive line since barney has been the coach

John Garrison is OL coach

We havent had consistent offensive line play since 2001.

Fact.

Did I disagree with that?

 

[Bowfin]

When you have an offensive line struggling against a heavy and aggressive opposing defensive front the TE can be highly effective. Big target, typically shorter high percentage routes

We can only throw to the Tight End five times a year, and we've already wasted two of those in the McNeese State game. At this rate, we'll have them all used up before we even get to conference play... </sarcasm>

 

[admo]

Not a bad thread. From reading through it, the points that people and coaches are saying regarding Tommy's struggles so far:

Footwork, locking onto receivers, decisions, predetermined throws, handling pressure, occasional gun slinging, and not enough air on the deep passes for receivers to make the catch consistently.

He has played 3 or 4 full games with some experience in 9.

Sounds like most of those things can be corrected, if he is willing. It's going to take more reps and games. But the talent and toughness is there.

 

[Cougar74]

Not utilizing a tight end in the pass game is ridiculous. I watch the Denver Broncos use Thomas size and ability to great success it was laughable that on some plays the colts secondary didn't offer help in the secondary . Shoot McNeil and Reed all they did was create mismatches and catch touchdowns.

Size like speed is an innate quality. When guys like turner, reily and bell hampered our are out the fly vertical game is difficult. The husker have size with Burtch's, carter and Allen should capitalize on that.

Fly's are hard to complete you need a good look off or pump Play action and a safety bite or misstep to complete. Not efficient if used a focal point to remove defenders from the box. A tight end or full back is better suited IMO.

 

[Minnesota_husker]

we haven't had consistent play on the offensive line since barney has been the coach

John Garrison is OL coach

We havent had consistent offensive line play since 2001.

Fact.

That would actually be an opinion... a correct one.. but still an opinion.

 

[Count 'Bility]

Its a fact damn it.

 

[Stumpy1]

Its a fact damn it.

The fact it's an opinion is a fact

 

[Count 'Bility]

Name me one season since 2001 that our oline play could be logically deemed as "consistent".

Im taking this way to serious aint I?

 

[Danimal]

Again, NU won 3 MNC's with QB's barely above 50%.

A completely different offensive system. Making that comparison is totally irrelevant.

This

Our scheme is supposed to be rather run-oriented but still balanced, at least to where we should be able to pass consistently when teams stack up to stop the run. Part certainly goes on Beck's playcalling but Thommi was gripping Saturday and just not making the necessary plays.