Comments on: Narrow victory shows Tech’s vulnerability http://www.redraiders.com/2008/10/12/narrow-victory-shows-techs-vulnerability/ Texas Tech University Sports presented by the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal Sat, 20 Mar 2010 12:22:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Joe B. Clendenin http://www.redraiders.com/2008/10/12/narrow-victory-shows-techs-vulnerability/comment-page-1/#comment-6165 Joe B. Clendenin Mon, 13 Oct 2008 20:54:12 +0000 http://www.redraiders.com/?p=2601#comment-6165 Some very astute and informed comments from Tech fans all around the counrty. Tech,like the Texas Rangers baseball team and their historical lack of pitching continues to struggle defensively. We've recognized this for years, but nothing has changed (at least in the Leach era). Speed on defense and not heft is the answer as several contributors have recognized. Recruiting defensive players at Tech is like pulling teeth and until that changes we're going to be slinging the ball all over West Texas, but can't stop gran-ma! Interestingly, I note that almost everbody, hopefully not the team, is looking ahead to the Kansas game and totally overlooking the Aggies. Better watch out, better not cry. These guys had rather beat Tech than Notre Dame on New Year's day! You just can't assume anything at the Big 12 level. Remember, we were a 201/2 favorite over Nebraska....at home. Does this week's line sound familiar?? Joe B. It is interesting to note that of most if not all of Some very astute and informed comments from Tech fans all around the counrty. Tech,like the Texas Rangers baseball team and their historical lack of pitching continues to struggle defensively. We’ve recognized this for years, but nothing has changed (at least in the Leach era). Speed on defense and not heft is the answer as several contributors have recognized. Recruiting defensive players at Tech is like pulling teeth and until that changes we’re going to be slinging the ball all over West Texas, but can’t stop gran-ma!

Interestingly, I note that almost everbody, hopefully not the team, is looking ahead to the Kansas game and totally overlooking the Aggies. Better watch out, better not cry. These guys had rather beat Tech than Notre Dame on New Year’s day! You just can’t assume anything at the Big 12 level. Remember, we were a 201/2 favorite over Nebraska….at home. Does this week’s line sound familiar??

Joe B.

It is interesting to note that of most if not all of

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]]> By: Dan Puckett http://www.redraiders.com/2008/10/12/narrow-victory-shows-techs-vulnerability/comment-page-1/#comment-6160 Dan Puckett Mon, 13 Oct 2008 19:05:47 +0000 http://www.redraiders.com/?p=2601#comment-6160 The only problem with Don's analogy is he left out the three 8 minute drives Nebraska had that all went for touchdowns. They had their way with our conservative and predicatable defense and if Nebraska can do that, Lord help our squad when they line up against Oklahoma State, UT or OU. Oh my! As for going for it on 4th and 4? They had to! Given the defensive coaches unwillingness to change anything, Nebraska WAS going to score a touchdown once they got the ball back. So, the decision was, do you punt and give it to them with 3:30 or so to play and make them go 60-70 yards and use up the WHOLE clock? Or do you go for it? If you go for it you might get it. If you don't, at least they score faster on the shorter field and you get the ball back with some time left on the clock. Easy decision there Raider fans. Finally, an assist MUST go to the Nebraska coaching staff. In overtime they elect to show off Ganz's passing ability and I can't for the life of me figure out why. I fully expected a steady diet of run plays mixed with a conservative pass or two until they scored. Count me as one that would rather be good than lucky. Dan P. The only problem with Don’s analogy is he left out the three 8 minute drives Nebraska had that all went for touchdowns.

They had their way with our conservative and predicatable defense and if Nebraska can do that, Lord help our squad when they line up against Oklahoma State, UT or OU. Oh my!

As for going for it on 4th and 4? They had to!

Given the defensive coaches unwillingness to change anything, Nebraska WAS going to score a touchdown once they got the ball back.

So, the decision was, do you punt and give it to them with 3:30 or so to play and make them go 60-70 yards and use up the WHOLE clock?

Or do you go for it? If you go for it you might get it. If you don’t, at least they score faster on the shorter field and you get the ball back with some time left on the clock.

Easy decision there Raider fans.

Finally, an assist MUST go to the Nebraska coaching staff. In overtime they elect to show off Ganz’s passing ability and I can’t for the life of me figure out why. I fully expected a steady diet of run plays mixed with a conservative pass or two until they scored.

Count me as one that would rather be good than lucky.

Dan P.

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]]> By: dsc in Big D looking for Tech D http://www.redraiders.com/2008/10/12/narrow-victory-shows-techs-vulnerability/comment-page-1/#comment-6159 dsc in Big D looking for Tech D Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:55:39 +0000 http://www.redraiders.com/?p=2601#comment-6159 Bonner, You are right on. Expectations are high. To keep winning adjustments need to be made. I do appreciate wins and that is what TTU must do at Kyle Field and not look forward to Kansas as many in this blog have done. Go Tech!!! Beat the "Wrecking Who" Bonner,

You are right on. Expectations are high. To keep winning adjustments need to be made. I do appreciate wins and that is what TTU must do at Kyle Field and not look forward to Kansas as many in this blog have done. Go Tech!!! Beat the “Wrecking Who”

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]]> By: Darin http://www.redraiders.com/2008/10/12/narrow-victory-shows-techs-vulnerability/comment-page-1/#comment-6155 Darin Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:39:18 +0000 http://www.redraiders.com/?p=2601#comment-6155 There are some good points mentioned, but overall I think you have to look at the pass defense/lack of consistant pass rush. Go back and watch the K-State film. Freeman had about 2 incomplete passes the first half....but just couldn't hit a receiver at all starting the 2nd half, but it wasn't because the receivers weren't open. It was bad passes and dropped balls. Unfortunately for K-State, their defense is BAD (see 500+ yds given up to ULALA). In the Nebraska game...more of the same. Ganz was 36/44....where's the pass defense? I think the game plan must be to leave the underneath open in some kind of "prevent" defense. But I saw SO MANY receivers during the game Sat. just running a route and sitting in a "HOLE" in the zone. We are going to get "picked apart" by Texas, Oklahoma AND OSU (not to mention KU) if we don't get some speed in the LB area AND a different coverage scheme. We've got a LONG way to go before that KU game in two weeks. There are some good points mentioned, but overall I think you have to look at the pass defense/lack of consistant pass rush. Go back and watch the K-State film. Freeman had about 2 incomplete passes the first half….but just couldn’t hit a receiver at all starting the 2nd half, but it wasn’t because the receivers weren’t open. It was bad passes and dropped balls. Unfortunately for K-State, their defense is BAD (see 500+ yds given up to ULALA).

In the Nebraska game…more of the same. Ganz was 36/44….where’s the pass defense? I think the game plan must be to leave the underneath open in some kind of “prevent” defense. But I saw SO MANY receivers during the game Sat. just running a route and sitting in a “HOLE” in the zone. We are going to get “picked apart” by Texas, Oklahoma AND OSU (not to mention KU) if we don’t get some speed in the LB area AND a different coverage scheme.

We’ve got a LONG way to go before that KU game in two weeks.

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]]> By: Ralph http://www.redraiders.com/2008/10/12/narrow-victory-shows-techs-vulnerability/comment-page-1/#comment-6151 Ralph Mon, 13 Oct 2008 16:51:34 +0000 http://www.redraiders.com/?p=2601#comment-6151 I agree with most of what Bryant Bonner says on those points about the defense, especially with this coaching staff's obsession with size over speed.. no no!!! It should be the other way, like BB states above. The premium on speed MUST be placed over size, particularly at the LB position. For years now under Leach/Lyle/McNeill, these LBs have been so slow and unable to get or create pressure. Look at TCU's D! THAT is what we need. Speed at the LB pos. They not only neutralized us before, but can do so against most spread teams. We need this in place so badly! I did not think our front four got good pressure at all most of the day, and only when we feigned bliltz or actually brought the LBs up to the line and did blitz did we get pressure. Blake Collier is one of the fastest LBs we have, and he is hurt, but when healthy, should be in there! And I agree with moving McBath to LB to help get speed, as the guy can hit and tackle. Marlon Williams is an invisible man when it comes to most competition, though he did do well against KSU. But if the competition is anything at all, he's nowhere to be found!! I agree with most of what Bryant Bonner says on those points about the defense, especially with this coaching staff’s obsession with size over speed.. no no!!! It should be the other way, like BB states above.
The premium on speed MUST be placed over size, particularly at the LB position. For years now under Leach/Lyle/McNeill, these LBs have been so slow and unable to get or create pressure.

Look at TCU’s D! THAT is what we need. Speed at the LB pos. They not only neutralized us before, but can do so against most spread teams. We need this in place so badly!

I did not think our front four got good pressure at all most of the day, and only when we feigned bliltz or actually brought the LBs up to the line and did blitz did we get pressure.

Blake Collier is one of the fastest LBs we have, and he is hurt, but when healthy, should be in there! And I agree with moving McBath to LB to help get speed, as the guy can hit and tackle. Marlon Williams is an invisible man when it comes to most competition, though he did do well against KSU. But if the competition is anything at all, he’s nowhere to be found!!

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]]> By: Ralph http://www.redraiders.com/2008/10/12/narrow-victory-shows-techs-vulnerability/comment-page-1/#comment-6150 Ralph Mon, 13 Oct 2008 16:37:18 +0000 http://www.redraiders.com/?p=2601#comment-6150 You're dead on with this assessment. However, that so-called gamble should have been a sure thing on that 4th and 4. The offense did their part, drawing Nebraska offsides for a "free play," but the officials chose to be stupid as usual, and didn't see it or didn't call it. It was definitely offsides, and shouldn't have had to come to Graham and Crabtree heroics like that. Moreso though, this defense has to be fixed. No adjustments made after half, despite getting torched repeatedly by an "Average Joe Ganz," which he really is. We made him look like Joe Montana though! We have to bring more pressure!! When we applied it, he threw a rare incomplete pass or the NU line held and was flagged appropriately! You’re dead on with this assessment. However, that so-called gamble should have been a sure thing on that 4th and 4. The offense did their part, drawing Nebraska offsides for a “free play,” but the officials chose to be stupid as usual, and didn’t see it or didn’t call it. It was definitely offsides, and shouldn’t have had to come to Graham and Crabtree heroics like that.

Moreso though, this defense has to be fixed. No adjustments made after half, despite getting torched repeatedly by an “Average Joe Ganz,” which he really is. We made him look like Joe Montana though! We have to bring more pressure!! When we applied it, he threw a rare incomplete pass or the NU line held and was flagged appropriately!

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]]> By: Joe http://www.redraiders.com/2008/10/12/narrow-victory-shows-techs-vulnerability/comment-page-1/#comment-6146 Joe Mon, 13 Oct 2008 16:07:31 +0000 http://www.redraiders.com/?p=2601#comment-6146 Everyone has known for years that the key to beating Tech is to keep the offense off the field. No surprise there. Everyone has known for years that the key to beating Tech is to keep the offense off the field. No surprise there.

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]]> By: Gus Mitchem http://www.redraiders.com/2008/10/12/narrow-victory-shows-techs-vulnerability/comment-page-1/#comment-6143 Gus Mitchem Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:08:03 +0000 http://www.redraiders.com/?p=2601#comment-6143 ....... And after the other three upsets showed the value of any win, things are not so bad. ……. And after the other three upsets showed the value of any win, things are not so bad.

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]]> By: Gus Mitchem http://www.redraiders.com/2008/10/12/narrow-victory-shows-techs-vulnerability/comment-page-1/#comment-6142 Gus Mitchem Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:06:48 +0000 http://www.redraiders.com/?p=2601#comment-6142 Don Great article but maybe you are not suprised by the extensive handoffs. I know Graham makes some of these calls but it seemend that we have reversed roles with Nebraska. Tech is trying to run the ball and then throw the deep pass and Nebraska is completing short passes all day. Don
Great article but maybe you are not suprised by the extensive handoffs. I know Graham makes some of these calls but it seemend that we have reversed roles with Nebraska. Tech is trying to run the ball and then throw the deep pass and Nebraska is completing short passes all day.

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]]> By: Britton Sr. http://www.redraiders.com/2008/10/12/narrow-victory-shows-techs-vulnerability/comment-page-1/#comment-6139 Britton Sr. Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:45:21 +0000 http://www.redraiders.com/?p=2601#comment-6139 A few minor correction for the English Teacher. (Know instead of now) (Them instead of Thim) personel on the K.O. Team vs last year. "Guns Up" Go Raiders. A few minor correction for the English Teacher.
(Know instead of now)
(Them instead of Thim)
personel on the K.O. Team vs last year.
“Guns Up” Go Raiders.

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