The play that continually was discussed after the game was the 4th and 3 play that ultimately gave Purdue the opportunity to win that they capitalized on. Iowa ran a very basic shallow FB flat route off of motion that targeted Zach Derby. The play design makes the guy covering Derby wade through 2 underneath routes and he did it perfection on that play and made a square wrap up tackle. The issue here is JVB didn’t look inside where CJF had created separation. Derby was going to be one on one with a safety and that’s not a big advantage situation for Iowa. When you’re in crucial situations where the game hangs in the balance you want your best athletes involved in the play. You want Davis, Bullock, Martin-Manley or Fiedorowicz to be the guy who you target there. My take on the play was that JVB didn’t target the right guy, but the play-call really should have provided a better route combination and match-up to give you the best chance of converting.
On another play, JVB was ripped for missing a receiver on the go route. He correctly read single coverage at the line, the go route went, except the receive fell down at the line of scrimmage. That's not on him, or the play calling either. Not sure what HGF said about this one. I'll read through his brief again.
It's spot on, but to blame the not converting on the play call is a stretch. I watched the play several times, JVB didn't look down field after a first glance.
I'm reading you HGF, my comments are more about what I've seen posted here on HN, and what I heard in the stadium.
The go route where Smith slipped was a TD I thought. I'm not an expert, but it did look like JVB picked this up at the line to me.
Where I was shocked was your observations about o line play. I surely thought JVB was pressured and rushed quite a lot on Saturday.
Unlike Eddie P, I do use binos, and I key in on the line, and on the QB calling signals. Right after the snap I don't use binos, but I miss seeing all 12 defenders pre-snap. Knowing when to bino in, and when to put away is an art.
No wonder we can't score any stinking points!
Where I was shocked was your observations about o line play. I surely thought JVB was pressured and rushed quite a lot on Saturday.
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My bad. Although on one play they only had 10.
The one thing I'd like to hear you say, is that GD has called the games closer the KoK recently, and gone away from his offense. It sure seems like he is adjusted to talent, and lack of to me.
Earlier this season it was really a horizontal game, mostly designed I thought to open up the run. As of late, it seems to me to be more of our old offense. For obvious reasons.