WR analysis

psychlone99

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Apr 6, 2006
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Where is it?! With all the hubbub over the opener, this is really all I'm interested in hearing, and it's nowhere to be found. Save me the superficial reaction.

Our receivers struggled to get open all day long against that man coverage. I want to hear an educated explanation why.

Seems there are at least three possible contributors: 1) Louisiana is that good, 2) poor effort by ISU receivers, 3) lack of athleticism by ISU receivers.

I hope it's one or the other, or a combination of 1 and 2, but I've heard no real analysis.
 

Hayes30

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Jun 20, 2011
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Where is it?! With all the hubbub over the opener, this is really all I'm interested in hearing, and it's nowhere to be found. Save me the superficial reaction.

Our receivers struggled to get open all day long against that man coverage. I want to hear an educated explanation why.

Seems there are at least three possible contributors: 1) Louisiana is that good, 2) poor effort by ISU receivers, 3) lack of athleticism by ISU receivers.

I hope it's one or the other, or a combination of 1 and 2, but I've heard no real analysis.
Louisiana was very fast in the DB unit
 

AuH2O

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Sep 7, 2013
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There can be a lot of factors, but generally our guys ha e always struggled to beat man coverage. They have always gotten worked at the LOS against press. Butler, Pettway and D. Jones were pretty good. Even Lazard struggled against it. They’ve never been good at getting release. I think our guys over the past couple of years are very good at reading zones, Kolar especially. Shaw and Milton seem to have a knack for it as well.
I see this as the main problem. Routes and timing are off from the snap because our WRs struggle to get off the LOS. Obviously athleticism, strength and the threat of top end speed are a big help, but there’s a lot of technique- reading the leverage, footwork and hand usage.

Last, you have to put your shifty slot guy in a position to feast on that with some option routes. Manning and MC have liked to invert formations and use big guys like Butler and Shaw in the slot, which creates some good opportunities vs the zone down the middle, but I think that limits a big weapon vs man.
 
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CyCloned

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Oct 18, 2006
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There can be a lot of factors, but generally our guys ha e always struggled to beat man coverage. They have always gotten worked at the LOS against press. Butler, Pettway and D. Jones were pretty good. Even Lazard struggled against it. They’ve never been good at getting release. I think our guys over the past couple of years are very good at reading zones, Kolar especially. Shaw and Milton seem to have a knack for it as well.
I see this as the main problem. Routes and timing are off from the snap because our WRs struggle to get off the LOS. Obviously athleticism, strength and the threat of top end speed are a big help, but there’s a lot of technique- reading the leverage, footwork and hand usage.

Last, you have to put your shifty slot guy in a position to feast on that with some option routes. Manning and MC have liked to invert formations and use big guys like Butler and Shaw in the slot, which creates some good opportunities vs the zone down the middle, but I think that limits a big weapon vs man.

I think a lot of the struggles ISU WRs have are directly related to how much manhandling officials are willing to let DBs get away with. In the case of the last game it was a lot. Guys just need to learn to fight through it.
 

Neptune78

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Aug 12, 2020
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......
Seems there are at least three possible contributors: 1) Louisiana is that good, 2) poor effort by ISU receivers, 3) lack of athleticism by ISU receivers.

I hope it's one or the other, or a combination of 1 and 2, but I've heard no real analysis.

I'd add two more-
--Pass placement. Purdy was throwing behind all day.
--Coaching. Route design and play calling.
 
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Billups06

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Apr 18, 2006
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I'd add two more-
--Pass placement. Purdy was throwing behind all day.
--Coaching. Route design and play calling.

That has been a recurring criticism on Purdy throughout his ISU career. Tends to hold the ball a touch longer than he should, while in the pocket, and increases difficulty of those throws. May be a product of play design? I love it when Purdy rolls out, much more difficult to defend.
 
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AuH2O

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Sep 7, 2013
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I think a lot of the struggles ISU WRs have are directly related to how much manhandling officials are willing to let DBs get away with. In the case of the last game it was a lot. Guys just need to learn to fight through it.
I think what people don't realize is that you can be as physical as you want anywhere on the field in college as long as the ball is Not yet in the air. There is no illegal contact. Only PI when the ball is in the air, or holding. I do think the officials let them play, which I’m fine with. Should’ve been a field day for bigger WRs and TEs, but they didn’t come through. Also, the games where physical play is being allowed are pretty good games to take lots of shots deep with your bigger guys in one on one battles. But that didn’t happen either.