re: Coach Caskey’s Clicker w/ Rohan Davey

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The problem is most of Daniels runs come off of scrambles. Some go for bigger plays but a lot of them are stopped at the line, behind it or turn into throw aways. His ypc on designed runs is more consistent and actually very good. On early down calls instead of HB dive or the inconsistency passing the ball use Daniels legs to get us in favorable situations. First down all season hasn’t been very good.

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I agree. I think TBob asked the question regarding running more spread option or simply more designed running plays for Daniels—he’s basically a mercenary who’s only here for a year, why not run him as much as possible if it’s advantageous. If he gets hurt, cross that bridge when you get there, but give yourself—and Daniels—the best chance for success each game. If that’s 10 designed runs per game, go for it.

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Really interesting to hear some of Rohan’s comments on JD

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It is. But he learned how to watch film in the NFL under Belichek. As fondly as we remember Ro, he didn’t win the starting job here until his Senior year, and as great as he was, he only completed 59% of his passes that year with 18 TDs and 10 picks.

I love watching Hester and Flynn and all these professional film watchers break down film. But how does Daniels compare to his peers as far as watching film, understanding what defenses are doing, and taking that to the field?

He is obviously not a great passing QB, but I think it’s a bit unfair to expect him to see as a 21-year-old college QB on the field in real time what almost 40-year-old former NFL players are seeing on film afterwards and saying what he should have done. I may be wrong, but I don’t think many current college QBs process info in real time like we expect Daniels to.

But I actually don’t think Daniels’ biggest problem is seeing and processing information. I think it’s trusting what he sees and being able to pull the trigger. He either doesn’t trust his eyes or his arm. Likely both.

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the 2nd, the long fake crossing route on 3rd and one was even called bad by Rohan

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I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad play design. Rohan talked about what those routes should look like, but that design is trying to take advantage of the leverage the corner is playing with. It’s essentially designed for the corner to think “they’re doing this” but we really do something else. You’re in an alignment that’s run heavy, but once you get out the route you’re throwing the corner another look that he’s not expecting.

But with all that said, while I don’t think the design is bad, I’m not a fan of the playcall. If you have a second and one, or even a third and one where you’re expecting it to be four down territory, I would like that call a lot more. Come back and try and pound it to pick up the first on fourth down.

I would also argue that’s a design that could allow Daniels to make a throw to a spot and let Malik go get it, but we know he won’t do that.

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agree. I think TBob asked the question regarding running more spread option or simply more designed running plays for Daniels—he’s basically a mercenary who’s only here for a year, why not run him as much as possible if it’s advantageous. If he gets hurt, cross that bridge when you get there, but give yourself—and Daniels—the best chance for success each game. If that’s 10 designed runs per game, go for it.

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This is my biggest issue with Denbrock. Almost every play should be run off a zone read look with Daniels running or making the defense react to him maybe running
He should be running at least 12-15 designed runs a game

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I'm about half way through it but so far I would say this confirms my thoughts on Denbrock not being the issue. There are things that could be better, but for the most part the designs are good. Execution is terrible, and it's never at the shoulders of just one player. There's consistently too many missed assignments from the OL, to the receivers, to the QB, etc etc.

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Agreed. You see the OL miss on some stunts. Boutte fell down on that 4th down play because he ran too close to the OL and likely makes the first easily if he executes better. Daniels bails outside too often instead of stepping up into decent pockets and either misses or negates positive plays. we are leaving a LOT of yards on the field because all the small problems add up.

For all of the negatives, one of the most frustrating things about Daniels is how we get these flashes of what he COULD be if he had any consistency and some more awareness of the little things that Rohan pointed out. He has talent and he’s capable of throwing a good ball. He just can’t be counted on to see the routes and deliver those throws consistently throughout a game.

I would love to see film of how Daniels looks in practice. Does he tear it up in a controlled setting when he knows what to do and where to attack, or is it similar to what we see on game day?

It was illuminating and what Rohan is saying makes a lot of sense. Still, Nussmeier scares me because he is prone to slinging it and affecting ints. I like Daniels running ability vs Nussmeier. Still think that you have a better overall shot at winning with Daniels.

JD is clearly the problem with the offense

There are several different film study videos of this game. Most show and confirm the same issues, JD is not seeing open guys, not throwing the ball when he does see them on many plays, and choosing to run too often when all he needs to do is step up in the pocket or simply slide left or right.

H's more confident in his legs than his arm. The offense is producing quite a bit of open guys to throw to but for whatever reason JD is hesitating and not attempting the pass OR letting it go too late. His accuracy is somewhat bad as well. He may just have no timing with his receivers and that may also explain why his ball placement is so off.