Does Meyer check down?

**Angie** · 09-19-2006, 12:45 PM

Originally Posted by NEPatriotscy

Tom Brady is a master at checking the entire field and throwing to whatever receiver is open.

Tom Brady is blessed with an excellent squad of receivers and TE's, however. Bret probably has a little bit more trouble beyond Flynn and Blythe...

**St8Grad** · 09-19-2006, 12:50 PM

Meyer should just watch tape after tape of Peyton Manning. By far the best QB in the NFL. He knows where every receiver is at all times. In case you can't tell, I'm a Colts fan.

**BooneCy** · 09-19-2006, 01:13 PM

I don't think he has to watch tape, he knows he is not doing it. Someone has to force him to check down. So, either no one is working with him on it, or he is not executing it.

**St8Grad** · 09-19-2006, 01:20 PM

Originally Posted by BooneCy

I don't think he has to watch tape, he knows he is not doing it. Someone has to force him to check down. So, either no one is working with him on it, or he is not executing it.

Okay, the first step is recognizing that he does it (watching tape re-enforces this). Then he needs to address the issue in practice. Eventually it will become second nature. Somebody better be working with him on it, or we should fire that coach.

**threemuch** · 09-19-2006, 01:27 PM

Common problem in a quarterback who can run effectively. The running QB is a blessing and a curse.

Well, he's covered, guess I will tuck it and run!

**BooneCy** · 09-19-2006, 01:28 PM

Come on St8Grad, you don't think he knows he is not checking down? Even if he doesn't know the QB coach has to know. I think we are passed the realization that it happens. I'm questioning why they aren't doing anything about it.

**ISUFan22** · 09-19-2006, 02:12 PM

If Bret wants to play on Sundays...he'd better start working on this now.

**klerme** · 09-19-2006, 05:30 PM

I don't necessarily agree that he can't play on Sundays - just watch a replay of the Jacksonville/Pitt game and watch Byron Leftwich. He also locks onto receivers and he is pretty good. Also, as I will explain, watching their offense reminds me of watching ISU's - if only we could have their defense.

In reality, I think Bret does a better job checking down when he is on roll-outs. Last year there were several times when rolling out he would keep the play alive and then throw to his 2nd or 3rd receiver. This year, we haven't done that as much and our playcalling is limiting his options. In the UNLV game, I noticed the couple of times when Blythe was the intended primary receiver (usually on 1st down coming out after a change in possession) the play calls only had 2 receivers in the pattern and UNLV was doing a good job defending. Therefore, Bret made quick reads and instead of forcing a pass, ran. The other problem with our design is we ask Bret to read the entire field when checking from one receiver to another, as opposed to keeping focused on one area of the field and having the receivers at different depth levels. If you watch Toledo, UNLV and Iowa, they all do a better job at scheming the plays to help the QB make reads. I believe last year's stat by the OSU game was that 80% of Tate's throws were to the right side. This offensive scheme also works on Sundays if you have just watched Denver over the past few years (prior to this year) actually make Plummer into a decent QB. By flooding a side of the field, the QB can read the defense easier by noting the level of the DB and LB and make his throws accordingly. Our offensive design often forces Bret to read one side of the field for his initial read and then come back to the other side or middle of the field for his secondary read. That is a much more difficult task, especially when you realistically only have 2-4 seconds.

I would love to see Bret be more like Peyton Manning or Tom Brady, but realistically, he is not and we shouldn't expect it. What we should expect is continued improvement not only in his reading of the defense, but also in the coaching staff helping put the players in a position to do so. One thing I think would help is actually putting players in motion and using some misdirection. We have lost those two aspects of the offense over the past two years.

**ISUFan22** · 09-19-2006, 06:13 PM

I never said he can't played on Sundays. I've posted here a few times stating I think he'll eventually be a starter in the NFL.

Yet if he wants that to happen...he needs to improve his ability to read the field and find the best option to throw to.

**Kyle** · 09-19-2006, 06:28 PM

Originally Posted by klerme

By flooding a side of the field, the QB can read the defense easier by noting the level of the DB and LB and make his throws accordingly.

I can attest to this, seeing the whole field is quite difficult. Thus why all my flag football recievers are usually on the same side.

**Wesley** · 09-19-2006, 10:48 PM

That is why you have four receivers including the tight end running routes. It pretty much can tie up the whole backfield so you have single coverage on 6-4 guys. This is not rocket science. Against inferior teams, we have stepped back even though our running game is better this year. Maybe we need a real ex qb call the plays to start with. How about a dart board and then run it. That would make us unpredictable. Hey, our longest play is a 44 yarder and a 30 yarder in 3 games. Makes it real hard to score. And I would like to see a much improved punting game. My gosh, if we cannot punt better than 28 yards net in good weather, what will our punting game look like when it is a rock? 22 yards net?

**ISUFan22** · 09-19-2006, 10:54 PM

Originally Posted by Wesley

That is why you have four receivers including the tight end running routes. It pretty much can tie up the whole backfield so you have single coverage on 6-4 guys. This is not rocket science. Against inferior teams, we have stepped back even though our running game is better this year. Maybe we need a real ex qb call the plays to start with. How about a dart board and then run it. That would make us unpredictable. Hey, our longest play is a 44 yarder and a 30 yarder in 3 games. Makes it real hard to score. And I would like to see a much improved punting game. My gosh, if we cannot punt better than 28 yards net in good weather, what will our punting game look like when it is a rock? 22 yards net?

When in the last couple years as the Cyclone offensive line proved we can consistantly send 4-6 guys out on routes and give our QB enough time to throw the ball? Especially if we need to give him enough time to throw the ball down field.