InSight is back. Back again to recount a particularly elevated performance from Malik Rosier. The Miami Hurricanes had a blast off win vs the returning MAC champion Toledo Rockets. The senior signal caller had five total touchdowns. "Rosier's ride was "2 if by air and 3 if by ground." With the history lesson in the rear view, let's focus forward on the next edition of "From the Perch."
Rosier finished the game 13/23 for 205 yards passing and 80 yards on the ground. (Had a 10 yard per rush average) His dual threat ability definitely factored in the run game. (We will highlight later) But where Rosier proved very effective vs the Rockets was his passing ability on third downs.
The 2017 Achilles heal of the Canes apparently wore high tops as they were 7-15 on third down conversions Saturday. Miami's 46% is good for a respectable 34th nationally and vastly improved from the 126th spot they held a year prior.
On this third down attempt you will notice all eyes on the quarterback. This signals a zone which Rosier quickly identifies and throws a successful completion to Jeff Thomas on the switch route. Note that Rosier released the ball when Thomas was still in his break. The rhythm and the anticipation of the throw were in sync and the first down ensued. Thomas will garner cushion. And when teams give you cushion, the quarterback needs to take your "change" from underneath such cushion.
Another 3rd down attempt. Lawrence Cager is one on one at the bottom of the screen. Cb is playing press man coverage which is identified early and correctly. When Rosier decides to pull the trigger you'll see the video pause to see the WR/CB relationship. This is "NFL open." When a cornerback's head is turned away from you, the offense holds the advantage. Rosier once again anticipates this throw and throws a brilliant ball. Pressure down main street forces Rosier to fall away from the throw but off platforming strikes when coerced by the defense is impressive.
One more 3rd down completion to Cager. 11 set personnel with Cager at the X. Difficult to ascertain the whole route concept on the play but you will notice Rosier scans the whole field to find the open guy. Credit to the offensive line for the clean pocket and the 3.21 seconds of protection needed to complete the pass. Rosier will scan middle, right then over to his left. This completion was at a critical juncture of the game when Toledo was forging some momentum.
The next play shows an incomplete pass on an 88 concept (post, post) This concept will kill quarters coverage and Rosier absolutely picks the right read here. If he was able to step into this throw it is more than likely a TD. Now let us microscopically focus on the pressure. It is a simple stunt between the DT and DE. However I believe the refs missed a seldom called defensive holding call on the stunting defensive tackle. As he slants in front of the guard he will grab the shoulder of the LG thus opening the front door for the DE who is looping back inside.
In previous games Rosier has not been mechanically optimal on roll out passes especially to his left. (Harder on right handed QB's rolling left) You will see at the end of his roll out, he will really emphasize getting his hips square to the target. This allows him to get his release point up and in an ideal position. I disagreed with the telecast saying it was open early because the defender was in his face. Rosier extends and gift wraps a ball to Mallory who simply drops a pass he shouldn't have.
Now the tale of two bubbles. Miami is notorious for running an inside zone/bubble RPO. You will see one case where the receiver is led up field (Thomas) and one where the ball is lateral or behind the LOS. (Harley) That is the subtle ball placement needed to make this a 7 yard gain or a next to nothing gain. I often wish Miami would occasionally flex out the slot in attempt to make it an easier hitch based throw and spread the defense. (WR stacks)
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Jeff Thomas effect on the next clip. It is amazing how quickly how much ground Thomas will cover. He has a linebacker and safety bracketing him in coverage. Now ideally that would mean a 1v1 match-up would be somewhere else on the field but Thomas scorches both defenders on the seem. (mirrored dagger concepts) Rosier does a good job opening up center and not staring down the receiver. The safety made one false step and it was curtains.
Now dagger concepts are run vs "open and closed" looks. Open would be no one over the top inversely closed is when a safety is present over the top. Typically I would prefer my dagger concepts run with the option to run a dig vs closed defenses. (option route) But when the safety is flat like this case, I am 100% on board blowing by the safety and running the seem. All day.
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Rosier's legs and the dual threat aspect also played a big part in the win. Here you will see an example of a QB zone read Rosier correctly read when the DE crashed on the HB. Note Brevin Jordan in the H back role will counter step as if to go cross formation on a wham block. I think this was disrupting a defensive key because the flow of the defense was to crash inside including the backside LB. Jordan never was never able to reach on his defender after but the damage was done. Nice gain.
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Once you have to respect a quarterback's running ability this can happen. Back side will backer respects and stays on Rosier after the give to Dallas. The mike backer misfits a gap and the safety inexplicably runs behind him. (Get that boy a map) It is never good when two guys run into the same gap and Dallas cruises in for six. Ultimately the will backer could have stopped this play for minimal yards if he immediately crashed on the HB. The will pauses on Rosier just a little and that was all that was needed for the score.
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In closing, Rosier and the offense improved this week. Miami dominated the time of possession by more than 10 minutes. That was a direct result of grounding it out in the running game and being much more efficient on 3rd down. Rosier's efficacy in both those aspects was well documented as both a runner and a passer. Toledo's offense averaged 70 plays a game last year. Miami held them to just 59 on Saturday. I think we stumbled onto the game plan.
Objective. It is well documented that Rosier had some inaccuracies and struggles in previous weeks. But after a five touchdown performance and a review of the tape it is clear that Rosier put his team in a position to win. He was careful and conscientious with the football. He did not throw any interceptions nor did he have a pass that I recounted that was in danger of being picked off.
I saw some really good quarterbacking this week. Could it be possibly that Rosier plays better with a chip on his shoulder and needs the negative energy to engage? I really don't know that answer. But the Hurricanes need this version of Rosier more than most. Conference ball is right around the corner.
