The CheckerBoard

Why is it that the offense can seemingly get the play calls in pretty good and the defense can't? I take it in quote above that Dooley was saying it didn't "dawn" on them they were having problems "until late"? Is that fairly accurate?

I think Dooley was basically saying they weren't getting gashed until late. They weren't breaking off these big runs and getting to the edge for long runs and so forth until late. (Although the short touchdown run in the first half should have been cause for alarm, considering he would have gone 80 yards instead of 3 if they hadn't been on the 3 yard line to begin with.) But once those gashes started happening, they hit so quickly in such a short amount of time that there was a 21 point turn around before we could get it fixed. Not sure how valid that is, but I think it's what he was saying.

On the other thing, that secondary has some complex coverage schemes where the check to another scheme or a disguised coverage technique have to be communicated quickly and accurately, and everyone has to be on the same page. When they are still trying to get in synch on what the check is, and the ball is snapped before they get it settled, well, we all saw what happened. I hate to say it, but Teague should have been jumping the hot route from the beginning, b/c that's what that play is designed for, and the quarterback did exactly what we wanted him to, threw right at the blitzing defender to the guy he had left uncovered. Only he wasn't supposed to be uncovered. He was supposed to look uncovered for a moment, then get the route jumped and go for a touchdown the other way. Teague just screwed up. And a touchdown + a torn ACL for Randolph was the end result...

Teague may practice like a starter but he certainly doesn't play like one. If you look at the replays, he's getting beat like a drum on the last 20 pts. they scored. Please give the freshman or anyone with the speed and modicum of ability play the next 3 or 4 games and see if the secondary improves. If Bray can't or won't learn to read defenses FAST the give the others a chance, including dropping redshirt on our number 3 QB !

I agree. The thing is, we do have speed in Bonner and Gray. They're just not ready yet. I suspect Bonner is closer, but Gray is still a bit raw. The coaches raved about Gray's speed, that's why they wanted him so badly. If i remember correctly, he's only been playing football a couple years now.