Seventh worst in sacks: Article by Lagesse

tazclone · Sep 30, 2015

Good article by Lagesse. I think he needs to mention Sam needs to get rid of the ball quicker as number four but other than that he is spot on.

http://amestrib.com/sports/football-how-does-isu-fix-its-pass-protection-problems

Rewatched the Toledo game last night.

QB

Sam needs to anticipate a little more. He does miss some openings on timing routes, I rarely say it but he needs to take more chances.
The critiques of Sam staring down WRs is a little unwarranted. Most of the time, Sam makes the appropriate pre snap read and focuses on what the defense is giving him.
Sam still needs to put more air under his mid/long passes. The miss to Wesley and another one to Lazard(got bailed out by PI) were the same thing we have always seen from him.
He needs to run out of the zone read but I have to think he is coached not to and that is why Lanning came in and is exactly what Lanning did.
He made a lot of plays with his feet and some big third down plays to keep drives alive.

WR

They need to create separation. They just have to get better. Wesley and Daley are doing it, Montgomery was better this game than last.
Bundrage and Lazard should get their arses handed to them for their AWFUL blocking attempts. Some of the most pathetic blocking I have seen from WRs in a long time particularly on WR screens.
Lazard is lucky that the Montgomery TD didn't get called back. He grabbed jersey on the pursuing DB numerous times. It was a good no call but with that crew...yikes.
Bundrage has disappeared. He isn't seeing the best corner, he isn't getting open and he isn't blocking. Get out of the funk or get Wesley/Epps more touches.

RB

Warren and Thomas both ran more decisive and it showed. There is a big difference between How they ran last week versus the first two weeks. Some of that is the defense they faced but they just ran better
I prefer a feature back with some rest given versus rotating. Their is a feel and that takes a little time to get and I think Warren found it.

OL

Burton adds a lot to the run game. That is obvious. He struggles in pass protection. Not sure if that is the knee or not but he gets knocked back pretty easily.
Other than his false start penalties and 2nd OT, I thought Dagel had as good a game I have seen him play in a while. Good in pass protection, Great in the run game.
Lalk looked a lot better than the Iowa game. Looks like they decided to quit trying to pull him as I think I only saw him pull one time. There were times when he just buried guys. Much better in pass protection
Oni/Taiese, they had nice games both got to the second level well, pass protected well.
Campos had a bad game. Whether it was pass protection, the holding(he got beat bad) on Sam's 17 yard first down run, the false starts, and whiffs in the run game. It was just not a good game for him. I wish they would leave him at one position.
Philbert. Had a nice game and I continue to wonder why he doesn't see more snaps and Campos and Dagel split time at RT. It must be his second level run blocking as I didn't see him do that much of it. He is the best OT we have in pass protection.
There were some phantom penalties. Oni had a false start called on him, Philbert had a hold and I rewound and rewatched both those numerous times and didn't see either. Just really crazy.

DL

Thomas continues to step up his game and I could see him overtaking Taylor soon
I wish Pierson would see more snaps but I imagine his size is limiting him in the 3-4 a little. He is disruptive in all facets
So much better with Tucker in the game

LBs

They play aggressive which gets them out of position a little bit and is ssomehting I would expect them to get fixed in the bye week. This isn't the only game it has happened

DBs

Peavey is great in coverage but really need to tackle better int he run game. He gave up some big plays with poor tackling
Tribune is who he is...solid but he got lucky that Russel couldn't catch the ball a couple times.
Cotton really played well in the run game and made some big hits/tackles but he continues to get picked on in pass coverage. Sometimes he has great coverage and simply can't make a play on the ball other times he just gets beat. Floyd will be welcomed back.
Cotton-Moya had a good game.

CyLyte · Sep 30, 2015