The View From Section 241 -- Navy

[Carl Spackler]

BL - you mention that Thomas can't be left out of the game plan for such long stretches of the game... I'm not sure it's intentional or just trying to find right combo of playmakers. They ran 63 plays yesterday (31 Rushing/32 passing w/ 19 completions). Of the 31 recorded rushing attempts, 16 were Shirreffs (Some may have been designed but still not good).

Jim Fuller had the following stats in one of his articles (the one Beals).
Arkeel Newsome 11 targets (5 catches for 51 yards)
Noel Thomas 9 targets (5 catches for 78 yards and almost came down with the pass on a flea flicker on first series)
Tyraiq Beals 8 targets (6 catches for 63 yards, TD; 1 run for 15 yards with screen)
Tommy Myers 2 targets (1 catch for 6 yards, TD)
Alec Bloom 1 target (1 catch for 11 yards)
Hergy Mayala 1 target (catch wiped out due to a holding penalty)
Aaron McLean 1 target (1 catch for 10 yards)
Thomas Lucas 1 target (no catches)
Max DeLorenzo 1 target (no catches)

Can't figure out on the passing downs who was primary target at times and who was a result of coverage progressions or just not seen/lost in the masses. People are saying that the TE's are not getting enough looks and everyone wants Thomas to get more targets. Not sure where they come from? Less touches for Newsome, less for Beals, less rushing attempts - then the noise starts about no touches for DeLorenzo, Johnson, not keeping defense honest, etc...?

Not a criticism, just an observation w/ not necessarily an answer.

"Can't figure out who the primary target is on passing downs."

EXACTAMUNDO.

It seems apparent to me, that we're building an offensive system that makes it very hard for an opponent to identify what the key pieces are that they as a defense will need to take away. Perhaps, we've found an OC that we can hold on to for a few years, and actually build a coherent balanced offensive attack? Dare I hope? Because we went to one receiver a bunch in this game, doesn't mean we're going to do it any other time. Defensive game plans have to identify something they're going to work to take away, and force an offense to move away from something the offense likes to do. We have young players at multiple positions that present effective problems for defenses.

 

[Excalibur]

I figured that we would have to "outscore" Navy to win given the way they have been racking up points and big plays, and doubted our ability to do so. That's really how it played out. The defense did limit the big plays but needed to force Navy into a negative play or two to get them into 3rd and five or more from time to time. That never really happened until Navy was in command of the game.

There were some puzzling play calls, but those did not cause us to lose. I'm OK kicking the field goal on the first possession, but I'd probably kick it again next time as well. And the option call on third down was just strange. But playing "what if" doesn't really work as I thought Navy started to get conservative, even within the bounds of the triple option, by late in the 3rd quarter.

As for the yahoos questioning the staff at this point, here's what I've seen this year:

• They have improved the level of execution on offense and defense significantly since last year. They are not even in the same universe. It has a long way to go, particularly once the field gets short, but that is the next step.
  
• They have shown the ability to adjust from game to game (running Newsome more and scrapping Ron Jon given his struggles and the blocking), as well as within the game (spreading Missouri out late). They also appear to be scouting and game planning fairly well, particularly what they put together vs. Nova and Missouri.
  
• Recruiting looks solid, and the young skill players look like contributors.
• The energy among the players is way up.
  
• The puzzling play calls are a direct result, IMO, of our inability to finish drives and our kicking issues. The strangest decisions have come in situations where we needed 3 or more yards on a short field.
  
• They did not fix the kicking schemes in the first three weeks, but we did not have any incidents on Saturday. It's unclear if we've addressed the issue permanently -- we can judge that later.

We knew going in that we could be significantly better but still struggle to get wins given the difficult schedule, and that is how the season is shaping up. We've shown progress, but we can't plateau at this point, either. At the end of the year, I will judge the staff on the following:

• Have we claimed the winnable games on the remaining schedule? UCF appears to be terrible this year, so I would include that game, along with USF and Tulane, as the games where it is reasonable to expect that we either win or be in a position to win.
  
• Has the offense continued to develop so that we are able to finish drives with Touchdowns? As part of this, they will need to figure out a way to put the players in the best position to convert on those critical 3rd and 4th down plays inside the red zone.
  
• Can they fix the issues on special teams permanently? Specifically, can we eliminate breakdowns in blocking and develop some idea of what we want to do on punt returns?
• Can they reduce the number of strange personnel/play calling decisions? This has gotten better and should continue to do so.
  
• Can they keep up the level of recruiting as the season wears on?

 

[Carl Spackler]

Everyone within earshot in my section said exactly the same thing. If you want to surprise a team, don't give them a look that makes them feel comfortable.

Honestly, if you could swap two plays -- going for it when we kicked, and kicking it when we went for it -- our chances of winning the game would have gone up substantially. Throw in a stop with 2 seconds left in the half and we're right there.

But winning the game requires you to stop the other team, and you got the sense that Navy could have kept that 3rd down conversion streak going as long as they wanted. That was a very, very talented team with very, very good athletes at a lot of positions. Even when they had to pass on that first half TD, their WR got up like Calvin Johnson and just snatched the ball away from everybody, because he could.

I'm expecting them to do a number on Notre Dame in two weeks and the rest of the country may be surprised. We won't.

The streak over Army is going to last at least one more year.

 

[businesslawyer]

Everyone within earshot in my section said exactly the same thing. If you want to surprise a team, don't give them a look that makes them feel comfortable.

Honestly, if you could swap two plays -- going for it when we kicked, and kicking it when we went for it -- our chances of winning the game would have gone up substantially. Throw in a stop with 2 seconds left in the half and we're right there.

But winning the game requires you to stop the other team, and you got the sense that Navy could have kept that 3rd down conversion streak going as long as they wanted. That was a very, very talented team with very, very good athletes at a lot of positions. Even when they had to pass on that first half TD, their WR got up like Calvin Johnson and just snatched the ball away from everybody, because he could.

I'm expecting them to do a number on Notre Dame in two weeks and the rest of the country may be surprised. We won't.

The third down play didn't work because Thor neither moved the much smaller DE backwards nor turned him inside. When he moved free off Knappe's right shoulder, what would have been a 2 on 1 likely to get us a first down became a 2 on 2 that was going nowhere.

Sometimes, as much as fans hate this, it really has more to do with execution than play calling.

 

[HistoryMajor]

I figured that we would have to "outscore" Navy to win given the way they have been racking up points and big plays, and doubted our ability to do so. That's really how it played out. The defense did limit the big plays but needed to force Navy into a negative play or two to get them into 3rd and five or more from time to time. That never really happened until Navy was in command of the game.

There were some puzzling play calls, but those did not cause us to lose. I'm OK kicking the field goal on the first possession, but I'd probably kick it again next time as well. And the option call on third down was just strange. But playing "what if" doesn't really work as I thought Navy started to get conservative, even within the bounds of the triple option, by late in the 3rd quarter.

As for the yahoos questioning the staff at this point, here's what I've seen this year:

• They have improved the level of execution on offense and defense significantly since last year. They are not even in the same universe. It has a long way to go, particularly once the field gets short, but that is the next step.
  
• They have shown the ability to adjust from game to game (running Newsome more and scrapping Ron Jon given his struggles and the blocking), as well as within the game (spreading Missouri out late). They also appear to be scouting and game planning fairly well, particularly what they put together vs. Nova and Missouri.
  
• Recruiting looks solid, and the young skill players look like contributors.
• The energy among the players is way up.
  
• The puzzling play calls are a direct result, IMO, of our inability to finish drives and our kicking issues. The strangest decisions have come in situations where we needed 3 or more yards on a short field.
  
• They did not fix the kicking schemes in the first three weeks, but we did not have any incidents on Saturday. It's unclear if we've addressed the issue permanently -- we can judge that later.

We knew going in that we could be significantly better but still struggle to get wins given the difficult schedule, and that is how the season is shaping up. We've shown progress, but we can't plateau at this point, either. At the end of the year, I will judge the staff on the following:

• Have we claimed the winnable games on the remaining schedule? UCF appears to be terrible this year, so I would include that game, along with USF and Tulane, as the games where it is reasonable to expect that we either win or be in a position to win.
  
• Has the offense continued to develop so that we are able to finish drives with Touchdowns? As part of this, they will need to figure out a way to put the players in the best position to convert on those critical 3rd and 4th down plays inside the red zone.
  
• Can they fix the issues on special teams permanently? Specifically, can we eliminate breakdowns in blocking and develop some idea of what we want to do on punt returns?
• Can they reduce the number of strange personnel/play calling decisions? This has gotten better and should continue to do so.
  
• Can they keep up the level of recruiting as the season wears on?

Can't like this enough. Would like to add we need MAJOR improvement in both KO and punt returns - especially punts. While it may not be text book perfect, given the personnel we have and their demonstrated performance, perhaps we need to have 2 players back fielding punts. Seems to me that is preferable to not catching punts and having them roll for an extra 10 to 15 yards.

 

[FastEddie]

Can't like this enough. Would like to add we need MAJOR improvement in both KO and punt returns - especially punts. While it may not be text book perfect, given the personnel we have and their demonstrated performance, perhaps we need to have 2 players back fielding punts. Seems to me that is preferable to not catching punts and having them roll for an extra 10 to 15 yards.

I'm starting to wonder if Lemelle has been instructed to either fair catch the punts or just get out of the way because I can't remember the last time a punt was returned. If he is not being coached to do this, then he is either not interested in or too uncomfortable to be back returning punts. I think this has cost the team quite a few yards this season so far.

 

[Tdaley]

I like someone to ask Diaco about his punt returning strategy. It appears that we are not even trying to return punts. Lemelle is sent out there just to catch the ball. There does not seem to any attempt by the rest of the punt return team to set up a return. Maybe Diaco doesn't think we have a legitimate punt returner on the roster so he is not taking any chances. Its very strange to watch it on the field.

 

[Nostical]

On 4th and 6 we had a guy wide open for a big gain and Bryant just missed him on an easy throw.

That wasn't on Shirreffs. DiLorenzo did not run the route expected. Coming off the field Shirreffs said to him "What were you doing"?
As for the kick on fourth down during first drive--completely disagree with the call. We were driving--it was our time to show Navy they couldn't stop us either. Those who feel we made progress but lost to a better team aren't being realistic. Navy was very good but our offense lost this winnable game for us.

 

[Duncan Idaho]

That wasn't on Shirreffs. DiLorenzo did not run the route expected. Coming off the field Shirreffs said to him "What were you doing"?
As for the kick on fourth down during first drive--completely disagree with the call. We were driving--it was our time to show Navy they couldn't stop us either. Those who feel we made progress but lost to a better team aren't being realistic. Navy was very good but our offense lost this winnable game for us.

Its why Navy was the better team.

 

[Excalibur]

That wasn't on Shirreffs. DiLorenzo did not run the route expected. Coming off the field Shirreffs said to him "What were you doing"?
As for the kick on fourth down during first drive--completely disagree with the call. We were driving--it was our time to show Navy they couldn't stop us either. Those who feel we made progress but lost to a better team aren't being realistic. Navy was very good but our offense lost this winnable game for us.

Even if we go for it and make it the first time and kick the field goal the second time, the result is not going be different unless you assume a touchdown, which, given our ability in the red zone this year, is not a particularly safe assumption.

I'm puzzled by the "winnable" comments. Yes, it was possible that, if everything that we did wrong didn't happen, that we win the game. But just looking at the margin of victory is foolish. Navy clearly altered their defensive and offensive approaches when they felt the game was in hand. My eyes tell me that, even if we played an A+ game, Navy wins 8 out of ten times.

 

[Carl Spackler]

Even if we go for it and make it the first time and kick the field goal the second time, the result is not going be different unless you assume a touchdown, which, given our ability in the red zone this year, is not a particularly safe assumption.

I'm puzzled by the "winnable" comments. Yes, it was possible that, if everything that we did wrong didn't happen, that we win the game. But just looking at the margin of victory is foolish. Navy clearly altered their defensive and offensive approaches when they felt the game was in hand. My eyes tell me that, even if we played an A+ game, Navy wins 8 out of ten times.

An A+ game of 200 level football, isn't going to win that game. What's got me stoked about things is that through 4 games this season, I have gained an understanding, my own perception, of the vision Diaco has for the program and how he's getting there.

The projected 400 level play of the game, if we get there, I would stack up as a winner more than a loser against anyone. He's got a recruiting plan that's working and you can see the payoff of the off field cleanup of issues and approach from social, academic, phydical fitness, etc.

It's clearly not an overnight process, and last season sucked baboon ass. This season is a great breath of fresh air so far, and I'm not going to let losses, or questionable coaching calls and poor player execution, to stink it up, while we've still got plenty to go in this season.

I expect everybody coaches and players to identify mistakes, get them corrected, and to give BYU a run, and come out with a win.

Here's a hint. If we're defending a last second play for the win - watch for the hail mary and knock it down.

 

[1999.2004.2011]

As long as Reynolds stays healthy the rest of the season, Navy could win 10 games and possibly the AAC. That is a senior laden, well coached team with a Heisman finalist type quarterback - no seriously.

I think our defense played well for the most part. I know everyone will point to the box score and say that we couldn't stop them on 3rd down or we gave up three touchdown drives to start the game, but that was absolutely on Navy's offensive execution. They didn't dig themselves in a hole with any sort of stupid penalties, and Reynolds really is special at the qb position in that option offense.

As for UConn, two or three years ago we lose that game 45-0. I know its a disappointment to lose this game (as with any game), but this team is headed in the right direction. Offensively we moved the ball down the field and were able to get the ball into the hands of our playmakers. Heading 2,000 miles west on a short week to face a talented team who just got smacked by Michigan isn't the most ideal situation, but this team has a fighting chance the rest of the way. There are no moral victories, but it seems like Diaco is starting to turn this thing around. Lets hope this keeps going and we can try to get bowl eligible this season

 

[Dooley]

Navy is such an efficient offense because of what they do on 1st down. Their gameplan was simple on the opening drive: batter down our DL front with FB runs right up the middle. Their big dude would get 4-8 yards on 1st down and that makes stopping their offense nearly impossible. Once they established the power run, they started mixing some QB keeps and pitch plays that would also net them at least 4-8 yards on every 1st down play. It wasn't until the 2nd half that we started getting some penetration and stopping their 1st downs to 0-1 yards and ultimately getting some stops. I don't know how much credit belongs to the halftime adjustments made or if Navy took their foot off the gas a bit, but Navy's 1st down plays were the story of the game.

I LOVED the effort and I LOVED the fight until the very end. After most of the stadium had emptied and the game was very well decided, our D got a stop on turnover on downs with a minute or two left in the game. The players left the field fired up an the coaching staff were all off the sideline to greet them as they came off the field. Learning to play 60 minutes. Learning to finish games. Learning to win. Give me a team that competes for 60 minutes in every game like they did on Saturday and I'll be a very happy man and very encouraged going into next season.

 

[UConn9604]

As long as Reynolds stays healthy the rest of the season, Navy could win 10 games and possibly the AAC. That is a senior laden, well coached team with a Heisman finalist type quarterback - no seriously.

The rest of their schedule, sans Notre Dame or maybe Air Force, is not very strong.

Would YOU want to be sitting on stage against a 10-2/11-1 (or even 11-2/12-1?) Keenan Reynolds in New York assuming he continues at this torrid pace? I think with a decent showing against Notre Dame, he becomes the front-runner.

 

[Excalibur]

The rest of their schedule, sans Notre Dame or maybe Air Force, is not very strong.

Air Force, UND, Memphis and Houston could potentially beat them, but I don't think all of them will do so . . .

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

That wasn't on Shirreffs. DiLorenzo did not run the route expected. Coming off the field Shirreffs said to him "What were you doing"?
As for the kick on fourth down during first drive--completely disagree with the call. We were driving--it was our time to show Navy they couldn't stop us either. Those who feel we made progress but lost to a better team aren't being realistic. Navy was very good but our offense lost this winnable game for us.

No offense Nostical you're a great fan, but after 4 games it might be time to admit that this team isn't as good as you proclaimed they'd be. Nothing wrong with that. They aren't as bad as I thought they'd be and are much further along in progress than I thought.

I'm starting to come around on Diaco because while he has still made some mistakes this year, it seems like he's learned a lot from last year.

The truth is always somewhere in between. We lost to a better team on Saturday, but we are still trending up.

 

[1999.2004.2011]

The rest of their schedule, sans Notre Dame or maybe Air Force, is not very strong.

Would YOU want to be sitting on stage against a 10-2/11-1 (or even 11-2/12-1?) Keenan Reynolds in New York assuming he continues at this torrid pace? I think with a decent showing against Notre Dame, he becomes the front-runner.

If Reynolds keeps this pace up, at most he will get an invite to NYC, but it would take a miracle for anyone to upend Fournette right now. I think the smart money goes on Fournette or Chubb, especially because these guys will have "Heisman" opportunities on national TV the rest of the year. Reynold's statement game would be against Notre Dame, but it doesn't help playing that in the middle of the year. Unfortunately, there is a ton of recency bias with the Heisman vote, as voters are going to key-in on the last couple of games.

 

[Palatine]

That wasn't on Shirreffs. DiLorenzo did not run the route expected. Coming off the field Shirreffs said to him "What were you doing"?
As for the kick on fourth down during first drive--completely disagree with the call. We were driving--it was our time to show Navy they couldn't stop us either. Those who feel we made progress but lost to a better team aren't being realistic. Navy was very good but our offense lost this winnable game for us.

He still missed an open receiver, bad route or not. That is when your QB has to step up and make a throw whether the receiver is where he wants or not. The pass wasn't even close, completely uncatchable.

 

[whaler11]

I personally love the supposition one decision in the first five minutes cost them the game.

As if it's a guarantee they get the first down, a guarantee they get the touchdown, a guarantee they get any points at all.

It also assumes if they get 7 there somehow Navy doesn't do what they want to do on offense all day.

If UConn gets 7 instead of 3 then the defense gets off the field. LOL.

 

[Excalibur]

He still missed an open receiver, bad route or not. That is when your QB has to step up and make a throw whether the receiver is where he wants or not. The pass wasn't even close, completely uncatchable.

So it's one guys fault even if it's the other guy's mistake?

Accountability without responsibility . . . sounds like a great arrangement.

 

[SubbaBub]

I personally love the supposition one decision in the first five minutes cost them the game.

As if it's a guarantee they get the first down, a guarantee they get the touchdown, a guarantee they get any points at all.

It also assumes if they get 7 there somehow Navy doesn't do what they want to do on offense all day.

If UConn gets 7 instead of 3 then the defense gets off the field. LOL.

It's the most obvious thing to point at but it isn't the only thing. I think the defensive scheme in the first half was terrible. Instead of forcing a decision by the QB and flying to the ball, we played one on one. It looked like scheme to me because everyone seemed to do it.

On Navy's last TD, half the defense is standing in the end zone as the ball carrier sweeps outside. I don't think every player blew it, so it has to be that they were told to string out the option instead of attacking the ball after the ball was committed. There are other examples.

You can get into player mistakes, but that doesn't get you anywhere as they will make them. My disgust comes from the preparation and in-game decisions by the staff. My fear is that Bob is just a great assistant coach and not a head guy. I'd like an answer on that question this season.

 

[whaler11]

It's the most obvious thing to point at but it isn't the only thing. I think the defensive scheme in the first half was terrible. Instead of forcing a decision by the QB and flying to the ball, we played one on one. It looked like scheme to me because everyone seemed to do it.

On Navy's last TD, half the defense is standing in the end zone as the ball carrier sweeps outside. I don't think every player blew it, so it has to be that they were told to string out the option instead of attacking the ball after the ball was committed. There are other examples.

You can get into player mistakes, but that doesn't get you anywhere as they will make them. My disgust comes from the preparation and in-game decisions by the staff. My fear is that Bob is just a great assistant coach and not a head guy. I'd like an answer on that question this season.

Um... Bob held Navy to 14 in 2011 and 10 in 2012 at Notre Dame... call me crazy but it may be that his defense doesn't have good enough players yet to beat a really good Navy team.

I guess that's too obvious for some people? Instead the result should have been different based on a hypothetical game they played in their heads - or UConn is better than Navy and only scheme held them
back. Navy is better. If they played tomorrow Navy would still be a solid favorite.

 

[Excalibur]

It's the most obvious thing to point at but it isn't the only thing. I think the defensive scheme in the first half was terrible. Instead of forcing a decision by the QB and flying to the ball, we played one on one. It looked like scheme to me because everyone seemed to do it.

ECU tried the "force the QB decision" strategy. That went well . . .

The scheme was correct, but guys need to win their individual blocking battles, particularly when the offensive execution is as precise as Navy's.

As for the last touchdown, I think you're making it up as you go at this point. I froze the screen and there is not a single defensive player in the end zone. Stewart moved to set the edge and got kicked out, and nobody stepped in to plug the hole. If anything, we had too many guys on the line of scrimmage.

 

[businesslawyer]

Um... Bob held Navy to 14 in 2011 and 10 in 2012 at Notre Dame... call me crazy but it may be that his defense doesn't have good enough players yet to beat a really good Navy team.

I guess that's too obvious for some people? Instead the result should have been different based on a hypothetical game they played in their heads - or UConn is better than Navy and only scheme held them
back. Navy is better. If they played tomorrow Navy would still be a solid favorite.

THIS. They execute the option as well as anyone we've seen in a generation. You can not stop them by "scheming" properly. No matter how many times you repeat it. The only way you can stop it is by individual defenders beating their blockers and making superior plays with talent. I had hoped Campennis and Myers and Fatukasi could have done that somewhat in the middle, but they couldn't.

Actually, my bad. The staff probably forgot to tell them it would be helpful if they flat out beat their blocker (like the Navy DE did when he stuffed the 3rd and 2 option leading to us going for it on 4th) and stuffed plays. We are so blessed that Subba got to hear that omission and share it with us.

 

[Tdaley]

We didn't stop the belly play to the fullbacks which made the job of our linebackers very tough. If we consistently stop the fullback run up the gut then are linebackers can key on the quarterback. Watch how many times our linebacker reads inside run and their quarterback still has the ball going wide. It wasn't game planning that was the problem it was execution by our players. The strength of our defense is the line but I don't think they played a great game.