Do we simply FORCE a pitch and punish Thomas?

[UNCGridironFanatic]

Given our Tampa 2 and the fairly formulaic reads/responsibilities vs the triple option, coupled w/ the fact that our DEs aren't All Americans by any measure, I'm wondering....should we simply instruct the DEs to nail QB Thomas every single time he comes down the line and force the pitch? One, it makes it easier on the pitch side LB, the safety, and play-side corners in that their reads are eliminated...take the thinking out and go play....so to speak?

Shoot holes in the thought, or support it?? And why, if not?

 

[WoadBlue]

That's an interesting thought.

The first problem is that if our DTs get pushed off the ball, the GT FB, who is some Capital Letter or other, will get the handoff.

I like the idea of hitting Thomas every play, just because

 

[Hark_The_Sound_2010]

I like the idea in theory. Take the decision making out of it, which should make it easier on the D. Plus, punishing the QB is never a bad tactic (legally, of course). Although the DEs need to make sure they do their job. If the DE gets blown off the ball, misses the tackle, or gets his tackle broken and the LB is locked on the pitch man, Thomas is getting 15+ yards on that play - and taking it to the house if the secondary doesn't get him.

 

[Archer2]

I'd take my defensive game plan from the Blue Devils. IIRC they held Tech to less than 200 yards rushing. I don't think we have the horse on the DL to manhandle Tech like ND did but our staff has been shown exactly what to do. Can they translate that to our players? Will they try to?

 

[Tom79]

As I understand the defense under Chiz, he gives the kids a couple of things to key off and that's it and then tells 'em to go make plays. So yeah, knock the GT QB into next week every time he turns toward the corner.

 

[Tru Blu Tar Heel]

Yep, let the LB's make all the tackles after pitch and let the DE's go headhunting (legally) on Mr. Thomas. A person can only be hit so many times before they start to shy away from it.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

Yep, let the LB's make all the tackles after pitch and let the DE's go headhunting (legally) on Mr. Thomas. A person can only be hit so many times before they start to shy away from it.

In the Notre Dame game, a lot of the time it was actually the LB's who occupied the blockers which allowed the DB's to come through the holes and make plays. Our DB's are going to HAVE to tackle well in this game. Donnie Miles need to be a missile like he's been all season, and fly in there and make plays like #16 Cash did for Duke last week.

Fed and Schoettmer both stressed this week that the main thing ND and Duke did was simply shed their blockers and outwork GT's OLine to get to the ball carrier.

As for the OP though, I say take away the dive and make Thomas pitch. I like our chances much more on the periphery than I do up the middle. GT doesn't have the speed (Synjyn Days, for example) they did last year and I like the closing speed of our DB's.

All in all though, I'm terrified they're going to average 6 yards a carry and just have their way with us. I mean, Delaware did it last week.

 

[Tru Blu Tar Heel]

In the Notre Dame game, a lot of the time it was actually the LB's who occupied the blockers which allowed the DB's to come through the holes and make plays. Our DB's are going to HAVE to tackle well in this game. Donnie Miles need to be a missile like he's been all season, and fly in there and make plays like #16 Cash did for Duke last week.

Fed and Schoettmer both stressed this week that the main thing ND and Duke did was simply shed their blockers and outwork GT's OLine to get to the ball carrier.

As for the OP though, I say take away the dive and make Thomas pitch. I like our chances much more on the periphery than I do up the middle. GT doesn't have the speed (Synjyn Days, for example) they did last year and I like the closing speed of our DB's.

All in all though, I'm terrified they're going to average 6 yards a carry and just have their way with us. I mean, Delaware did it last week.

Either way, make Thomas pitch it and for goodness sakes, please funnel the pitch man back to the middle of the field. If you let them outside, it's going to be a LONG day for the Heels.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

Either way, make Thomas pitch it and for goodness sakes, please funnel the pitch man back to the middle of the field. If you let them outside, it's going to be a LONG day for the Heels.

Which requires our DBs shedding their receivers' barely-legal "I fell down while blocking" blocks on the outside

 

[SeaHawk98]

We need to punish someone considering GT and there dirty blocking. Everyone is all about protecting players from concussions, but what about awful leg injuries that occur because of GTs style of blocking. That is the only reason they have been successful. Make that crap illegal and Paul Johnson is done as a coach.

 

[Tom79]

What '11 and Blu said.... "barely legal"

 

[WoadBlue]

GT fans go ballistic whenever anybody notices any potential harm in the way GT blocks. They, no more than Paul Johnson, will ever change. I say that if we know a GT DL player has ever had a knee issue, we should plan to cut block him all day long.

PJ needs a piece of his own medicine crammed down his throat.

 

[UNCGridironFanatic]

Sadly, Woad's thoughts are about the only way to get PJ to knock the cut/chop blocking off....the rules' officials for some reason, won't ban it.

 

[UNCGridironFanatic]

We need to punish someone considering GT and there dirty blocking. Everyone is all about protecting players from concussions, but what about awful leg injuries that occur because of GTs style of blocking. That is the only reason they have been successful. Make that crap illegal and Paul Johnson is done as a coach.

Heckuva good point. All we hear about is concussions, then teams like GT/Navy/Air Force/Army, etc. ruin guys' entire careers/lives by rendering one (or both) of their legs useless for the rest of their lives. Think about it...we are tossing guys for making ANY contact (deliberate or not) in the head area, an area protected by the most technologically advanced piece of equipment in the game, the modern helmet (and I am ALL FOR the protective steps)....meanwhile, the unprotected lower leg or barely protected (by a thin foam pad) knee is fair game for some 300 lb. fat @ss OL from Georgia Tech to "fall into" (almost as if he was TAUGHT!) on a cut/chop block. No problem there, says college football.

Ridiculous.

 

[uncboy10]

I have a feeling Chizik is gonna have something for PJ

 

[WoadBlue]

I have a feeling Chizik is gonna have something for PJ

So will Warren. Remember, he was an assistant at his alma mater Air Force for about a decade. He has a lifetime of going against the triple option in practice. He should have helpful tips that no other UNC coach has had.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

So will Warren. Remember, he was an assistant at his alma mater Air Force for about a decade. He has a lifetime of going against the triple option in practice. He should have helpful tips that no other UNC coach has had.

There's an interview on Premium where Chizik talks about exactly this you guys should come on in, the water is fine!

 

[UNCGridironFanatic]

Hard for me to fathom the stupidity of Fedora's decision-making process on what info to release, and what to be tight-lipped about. On the one hand, injury status is completely verboten (that's forbidden, for the intellectually-challenged, Larry), but we'll announce w/ impunity anything beforehand that, if kept under wraps, might actually help us in a game. For instance, we have a coach on staff w/ lots of Triple O experience....well, for gosh's sakes, don't announce that!! While GT's coaches may know Warren, we don't know that...don't give them anything that might cause them to prepare new wrinkles to counteract an opposing coach being well-versed in your system and tendencies. 2nd example- we apparently have a Silent Cadence package in the offense. I don't know; that might have been pretty surprising to GT, maybe a couple drives' worth (and 2 scores in this game is no small issue....if we can stay in it, this could be a who gets it last kind of game)....well, forget that possible advantage, as we've blabbed that out there.

Mind-boggling the sheer stupidity....

 

[UNC_Blue]

Hard for me to fathom the stupidity of Fedora's decision-making process on what info to release, and what to be tight-lipped about. On the one hand, injury status is completely verboten (that's forbidden, for the intellectually-challenged, Larry), but we'll announce w/ impunity anything beforehand that, if kept under wraps, might actually help us in a game. For instance, we have a coach on staff w/ lots of Triple O experience....well, for gosh's sakes, don't announce that!! While GT's coaches may know Warren, we don't know that...don't give them anything that might cause them to prepare new wrinkles to counteract an opposing coach being well-versed in your system and tendencies. 2nd example- we apparently have a Silent Cadence package in the offense. I don't know; that might have been pretty surprising to GT, maybe a couple drives' worth (and 2 scores in this game is no small issue....if we can stay in it, this could be a who gets it last kind of game)....well, forget that possible advantage, as we've blabbed that out there.

Mind-boggling the sheer stupidity....

Mind-boggling the sheer scope and array of things that some people will bitch about...

 

[HeelFan58]

Yes , we need to force the pitch especially in the rain.

 

[nolegeorge]

Assignment football all the way ... I think the weather hampers the GT offense ..... UNC gets the GT monkey off its back ... 30 UNC - 28 GT

 

[UNC71-00]

GTs offense is predicated on establishing the dive. Take that away and make them beat you with something else- i would much rather see the QB trying to pitch the ball while running down the line than FB dive all at 6 yards a pop.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

Lol dude @UNCGridironFanatic , there is zero percent chance GT didn't know about Warren being on staff.

We get it....you don't like Fedora and think he's an incompetent dumbass. Put it in your sig instead of posting it ad nauseam.

 

[UNCGridironFanatic]

Of course they knew Warren was on staff...duh. What they may not have bothered to piece together was how extensive his option experience was/is in his history....of course, they didn't even have to make the effort. We broadcast it to the whole world, of which they are a part.

Posting about Fedora's ineptitude is a release of sorts. Since I love Tar Heel Football, I'm forced to deal w/ Fedora's presence. A sig/tag line just wouldn't be as cathartic!

 

[TarHeelNation11]

Of course they knew Warren was on staff...duh. What they may not have bothered to piece together was how extensive his option experience was/is in his history....of course, they didn't even have to make the effort. We broadcast it to the whole world, of which they are a part.

Warren has faced Paul Johnson like 5+ times. Pretty sure PJ isn't oblivious.

A sig/tag line just wouldn't be as cathartic!

It would be easier on the rest of those though, 71 excluded

 

[UNCGridironFanatic]

Make no mistake; NOBODY on this board WANTS Larry Fedora to succeed more than me. Him establishing a powerhouse at UNC would be awesome. No doubt he'd gain a ton of attention if he WON big; he does some unique things. He'd be good copy...IF he won.

But, yes, I think he is a BUFFOON. An intellectually limited individual, w/ a bit of a prickish countenance, as well. Not a good combo.

 

[TarHeelMark]

This game is shaping up to be a HUGE make-or-break game for Fedora, IMO.

Beat GT on the road, break that horrendous streak in ATL, start the conference 1-0, (4-1 overall) and remove some of that vomitous after-taste from the SCar debacle, it would go a looooooong way to getting Heels fans excited for the rest of the season, with thoughts of division titles and ACC championship game dancing in our heads.

Lose... and well, it just feels like same 'ol, same 'ol, with the expectations of another 7-6 season.

 

[UNC71-00]

Preach it Grid.

 

[UNCGridironFanatic]

Full disclosure: Results would change my opinion on Fed; I'm not rigid and married to my thoughts (SOME people are, eh?).

If he beats PJ, Cut, and Beamer this year, wins 9 reg. season games, and avoids any in-game mental freezes ala Miami '13 and/or SCar'15, then I will recant my position that he is a ConfUSA coach woefully under-skilled to coach at the P5 level. He will have earned the respect of all.

 

[WoadBlue]

This game is shaping up to be a HUGE make-or-break game for Fedora, IMO.

Beat GT on the road, break that horrendous streak in ATL, start the conference 1-0, (4-1 overall) and remove some of that vomitous after-taste from the SCar debacle, it would go a looooooong way to getting Heels fans excited for the rest of the season, with thoughts of division titles and ACC championship game dancing in our heads.

Lose... and well, it just feels like same 'ol, same 'ol, with the expectations of another 7-6 season.

Yep

That about sums the situation.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

This game is shaping up to be a HUGE make-or-break game for Fedora, IMO.

Beat GT on the road, break that horrendous streak in ATL, start the conference 1-0, (4-1 overall) and remove some of that vomitous after-taste from the SCar debacle, it would go a looooooong way to getting Heels fans excited for the rest of the season, with thoughts of division titles and ACC championship game dancing in our heads.

Lose... and well, it just feels like same 'ol, same 'ol, with the expectations of another 7-6 season.

I agree it's an important game. But from an attendance standpoint, man even if we beat Tech, I still feel like there will only be 50,000 at best at the Wake game. :/

 

[UNC71-00]

I agree it's an important game. But from an attendance standpoint, man even if we beat Tech, I still feel like there will only be 50,000 at best at the Wake game. :/

How many students?

 

[TarHeelNation11]

How many students?

I don't know why you're griping. Ordinarily, the student section is the strongest part of the crowd (i.e. they actually cheer). All that being said, not enough.

 

[UNC71-00]

I don't know why you're griping. Ordinarily, the student section is the strongest part of the crowd (i.e. they actually cheer). All that being said, not enough.

At Carolina games?

My observations have been they arrive late, cheer a little, get more drunk, sing Sweet Caroline, leave at half and thats that.

There are several problems with attendence, but the easiest to fix is getting more students there. Next up is the Blue Zone and how to get those guys out of the bar and into their seats. After that, I would focus on reduced upper deck ticket prices or run specials (family of 4 for 60, includes coke, popcorn or hotdog and ticket). And finally I would come up with some way for people to be able to tailgate at tents in the area in front of library where TH town used to be.

Bottom line is that no one can depend on the team to provide an enjoyable experience, so need to come up with incentives or other draws.

 

[UNC71-00]

I don't know why you're griping. Ordinarily, the student section is the strongest part of the crowd (i.e. they actually cheer). All that being said, not enough.

And Im griping because you seem to think people should put out the effort you do to make it to a game. Fact is that others dont enjoy the game from the stands as much as you do. Why does that piss you off that they dont?

 

[TarHeelNation11]

And Im griping because you seem to think people should put out the effort you do to make it to a game. Fact is that others dont enjoy the game from the stands as much as you do. Why does that piss you off that they dont?

Because i'm 26 going on 60.

 

[UNC71-00]

Because i'm 26 going on 60.

Valid point.

 

[Archer2]

This game is shaping up to be a HUGE make-or-break game for Fedora, IMO.

Beat GT on the road, break that horrendous streak in ATL, start the conference 1-0, (4-1 overall) and remove some of that vomitous after-taste from the SCar debacle, it would go a looooooong way to getting Heels fans excited for the rest of the season, with thoughts of division titles and ACC championship game dancing in our heads.

Lose... and well, it just feels like same 'ol, same 'ol, with the expectations of another 7-6 season.

I agree it's an important game. But from an attendance standpoint, man even if we beat Tech, I still feel like there will only be 50,000 at best at the Wake game. :/

I agree, huge game for the team and the fans alike. It's been a while since we started the season 4-1. A win in wet 'Lanta against the preseason division champs would do wonders for the team's confidence.