[NU Sports] Which team are we?

[Jonathan Hodges]

Regarding Sutton, I don't think he is "out of sync" at all.  In the last 2
games (the only games in which he has touched the ball following his
injury), he has rushed 35 times for 188 yards (5.4 yds/carry) with 1 TD.
During the 4th quarter of both of those games he has been handed the ball
only 2 times and rushed for 1 yard.  Meanwhile, CJ has been sacked 6 times
during the 4th quarter of the past 2 games and gone 5-15 for 48 yds and 3
INTs - a lot of which can be attributed to dropped balls (at least 2 at
Purdue) and a lot of pressure (especially against Iowa).

In any case, NU has been able to get down the field - they ended 11 drives
in Iowa territory on Saturday, but scored only 3 times.  The fact is that
the offense has not been able to finish off drives (especially late in the
game) nor has the team been able to finish games.

In my opinion, the defense did almost exactly what they needed to do - stop
the run, holding Iowa's 2 RBs to a combined 89 yards, while racking up 6
sacks and a fumble recovery on the day.  Sure the pass defense was lacking,
but given Iowa's poor passing game for most of the year it was the best
strategy to contain the run and dare them to throw (Christiansen was less
than 52% on passing coming into the day).  In any case they put NU in a
position to win and the offense failed to finish it off.

The main 2 issues I see with the offense are:
1. Offensive line breakdowns leading to tons of pressure on CJ late.  This
is the one thing that has led to NU's downfall this year - the OL breaks
down, the pressure gets to CJ, and he's sacked or is forced into making bad
throws (incompletions or interceptions).  This is exactly what has happened
against Michigan, Purdue, and Iowa late in the game.
2. Offensive play calling mix.  Sure, you have to pass when you're behind
and trying to make up ground quickly.  Sure, NU's offense this year is
predicated on the pass.  But, things still have to get mixed up.  Perfect
example: the flea flicker that ended in an interception.  Iowa's defense
knew NU was going to try to pass, and they forced CJ to throw it into
coverage because nobody was open.  Sutton had room to run on the play.

The 'Cats, particularly the offense, need to learn how to finish a game -
sure they won 2 straight OT games earlier in the year plus a last minute
comeback, but in 3 of NU's games the 'Cats had the lead in the 4th with the
football, and in the Duke loss NU had it inside the 15 twice with a chance
to pull ahead.

Jonathan

On 11/4/07, mlinhardt at netzero.net <mlinhardt at netzero.net> wrote:
>
> In regards to offense are we:
> The team that scored again and again vs. MSU and put together 2 nice
> drives to start the game vs. Iowa or are we the team which can't score or
> even move the ball in the 4th quarter in any of our 4 losses.
>
> In regards to CJ is he:
> The one who picks apart a defense distributing the ball equally and
> effectively to whomever is open or the quarterback that in the 4th quarter
> can't complete simple passes to people in purple.
>
> In regards to defense are we:
> The team that shut down or controlled Michigan, Purdue, and Iowa for 2-3
> quarters or are we the very easy to exploit with dink passes or if we are
> concentrating on the run a team that is easy to get behind for the long
> pass.
>
> I like our team a lot as I think it has great upside.  I just wish we were
> more consistent.
>
> A thought on Tyrell.  It seems that Tyrell is a distraction to
> McGee.  With him in it almost seems like McGee redesigns the offense to
> feature him.  In the MSU and Minny game we flowed to the working play.  Vs.
> Purdue and Iowa I think we forced too many runs and screens that just didn't
> work so he could touch the ball.  He is definitely a very good player, but
> it seems like he is a bit out of sync.
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-- 
Jonathan W. Hodges
1237 Emerson St Apt 2
Evanston, IL  60201-3577
(847) 736-2449
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