I can’t be the only person who’s frustrated watching opponents consistently throw to open receivers while ours are always blanketed. Our inability to create separation is maddening at times.
This isn’t a new issue either. It’s been a problem for years now, dating back to the last few seasons of HCBS’s tenure. IMHO we haven’t had a solid route runner since Tyler Lockett. I’ve lost count of the number of lazy routes I’ve seen on instant replay. And mind you, I’m not privy to game tape, so I’d certainly welcome insights from anyone who’s able to break down game film and offer detailed analysis.
As an example of my frustration, I’ll point out one play in particular from Saturday. As I recall it was in the second half and was a third and medium. We had two receivers near the right boundary who each ran short routes then stopped virtually in front of the DBs covering them. Obviously, neither of them were viable targets for Skylar.
Now I’ll admit I’m no football savant, but even I understand that a stationary receiver is exponentially easier to cover than one who’s moving. Yes, against zone coverage it makes sense to find a hole between zones and “sit down.” But that isn’t the case in far too many instances. On this particular play, our receivers basically ran up to the DBs in coverage and attached themselves to their sides. Correct me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t that defeat the purpose of effective route running?
And it’s not as if we aren’t able to create separation on occasion, as there were two exceptional examples of this in the game. The long completion to Malik Knowles was a result of him stressing the defense with his movement. Likewise, the reception by Sammy Wheeler was a direct result of his movement.
And that raises another source of my butt chappedness. Why in the world do we insist on running a passing game which includes throwing to stationary receivers so often? Once again, I’ll freely admit that I’m no Andy Reed, but even I know you significantly decrease the yards after catch opportunities when you throw to a stationary receiver. The defense has time to react and rally to the catch point. How many times do we throw to a stationary receiver who ran a 5-yard route on a 3rd & 8 only to be tackled 2 yards short of the sticks? It’s almost become a K-State tradition.
OK, I’ve vented enough here. But I’d really love to hear from anyone who’s able to dissect game film and offer more complete analysis. Am I completely off base with my frustration?
This isn’t a new issue either. It’s been a problem for years now, dating back to the last few seasons of HCBS’s tenure. IMHO we haven’t had a solid route runner since Tyler Lockett. I’ve lost count of the number of lazy routes I’ve seen on instant replay. And mind you, I’m not privy to game tape, so I’d certainly welcome insights from anyone who’s able to break down game film and offer detailed analysis.
As an example of my frustration, I’ll point out one play in particular from Saturday. As I recall it was in the second half and was a third and medium. We had two receivers near the right boundary who each ran short routes then stopped virtually in front of the DBs covering them. Obviously, neither of them were viable targets for Skylar.
Now I’ll admit I’m no football savant, but even I understand that a stationary receiver is exponentially easier to cover than one who’s moving. Yes, against zone coverage it makes sense to find a hole between zones and “sit down.” But that isn’t the case in far too many instances. On this particular play, our receivers basically ran up to the DBs in coverage and attached themselves to their sides. Correct me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t that defeat the purpose of effective route running?
And it’s not as if we aren’t able to create separation on occasion, as there were two exceptional examples of this in the game. The long completion to Malik Knowles was a result of him stressing the defense with his movement. Likewise, the reception by Sammy Wheeler was a direct result of his movement.
And that raises another source of my butt chappedness. Why in the world do we insist on running a passing game which includes throwing to stationary receivers so often? Once again, I’ll freely admit that I’m no Andy Reed, but even I know you significantly decrease the yards after catch opportunities when you throw to a stationary receiver. The defense has time to react and rally to the catch point. How many times do we throw to a stationary receiver who ran a 5-yard route on a 3rd & 8 only to be tackled 2 yards short of the sticks? It’s almost become a K-State tradition.
OK, I’ve vented enough here. But I’d really love to hear from anyone who’s able to dissect game film and offer more complete analysis. Am I completely off base with my frustration?
