I have witnessed, felt, and discussed several positive things the last two weeks which is very deserved. I have seen a lack in things we can improve in which isn't bad but is necessary. I think we all know this canes team is really good and can be special. I am just curious and want to give an opportunity to critique and point out stuff that need improvement its still a long season. I will start this by saying our defense seems to be better than our offense which might be contrivertial, but I think we need to get better at hitting shots down field bc I feel we have missed a lot. Also I think our oline could get better at making some bigger holes for the run. Again I’m not complaining or saying we’re bad just looking for everyone’s thoughts on things that can improve because everything has been super super positive and I want to see us get better.
GO CANES
You think the OL could be better at run blocking and the WRs need to be better at winning contested balls downfield?
Well, I think you’re correct. On both counts, to varying degrees.
OL has not been impressive on inside runs, which is a problem when your HC insists on proving his manhood through the performance of inside runs. No counters, few stretch plays, just big man move big man ball man run over big man first down do again.
Great coaches make winning easier, not harder. Mario has made a lot of things a whole lot easier, but this one area continues to confound me. (Also, I know we were down multiple starters. It shows that we don’t have “8 starters” on the line. Which is fine, few teams do.)
Downfield passing is very difficult without coverage busts or a combo of elite accuracy and high end skill sets at WR. I do not see an elite WR on this team from a traits-that-translate-to-deep-balls perspective, able to win contested catches consistently OR make Cam’s life a bit easier by creating separation downfield. It’s hard to do, and it hasn’t developed — yet. I also don’t think this team needs to blow the top off to be highly efficient, which seems to be more Mario/Dawson’s ethos. Lethal efficiency, not 2-3 play drives. It’s more sustainable, it wins more games (typically).
I’m less concerned about the latter than the former. If I had skill points to spend, I’m spending them all in Run Blocking, atm.
Good thread, OP. Good news is we will still win a ton of games, even with some flaws.
