Farniok had problems, but let's not pretend he's the only one. The LT didn't pick up his corner blitz which arrived at the same time either, and if we really want to point fingers that's probably the wrong protection call from Jurgens/Martinez. I don't know exactly what they're supposed to do there, but even if Farniok magically blocks both of his guys Martinez is getting crushed from the blindside. Not as bad as a few plays at Michigan, but that's the entire line.
For the second bolded part, not gonna happen. I guess that depends on what you mean by "be okay with," but an intentional grind it out drive just isn't part of this offense - even in the 4 minute offense we tried to take a shot.
I'm also curious if anyone who knows more about line play knows what you do with that simulated pressure? You have to respect the possibility of all 7 guys coming - should we have been protecting outside-in so Martinez could go outside the pocket? Do the Guards need to bail out wide to pick up the blitz once their responsibilties drop? Or does Martinez just need to treat it like a draw? I'm sure there are other possibilities as well, I just have a hard time believing there wasn't some way to handle that.
I agree with everything you're saying. TBH, I'm not even sure we would task either tackle with sliding out in front of a corner blitz.
Traditionally, with mesh, the RB stays home and chips/helps the tackle to his side with any possible blitzers - in this case, the corner screaming in on his side. If none come, or after a few counts, he'll slip out into the flat for a check-down. Leach likes to go 20 personnel at times specifically for corner blitzes.
The QB's first read is usually the wideout on a corner. If he sees grass, he'll let it fly. Most coverages immediately account for this, so the next read is the meshing receivers running option routes. If they read zone, they cross and settle. If they're being chased, they rub shoulders and angle downfield. Very often, one or both are open against most coverages. The final read is the RB check-down.
CU was creative with their 2-down look, but RB Middle Screens and WR Tunnel Screens dissuade a lot of blitzing like we saw on this play. Even just throwing 4 and dropping the three LB's as deep as they did would have trouble stopping a middle screen for a first down. I remember Pelini's awesome '09 defense getting burnt more than once on tunnel screens against Leach because he sent a blitz. Pinkle destroyed us in '08 with Maclin on tunnel screens.
What I mean by grind-it-out is that we need to use mesh and screens and get the 4-5+ yards a play to move the ball down the field, and less of the deep Y-Cross that requires AM to go through a 4 route progression. Be okay with the check-downs more, but not the balls thrown the width of the field to a sideline bubble screen. Those are good at times, but dangerous when they jump it. Give him some quick throws and reads, and throw the deep stuff less often. If we have the ball, they can't score.
