SoonerLou
ASFN Addict
Hello all,
Finally decided to post my feelings about a few things in regards to the team and come out of lurk mode. A lot of thoughts on Kyler... a couple nuggets on Kliff and Keim.
I really do think fans should be proud of how the team has played but the title indicates why the team hasn't won yet.
I've noticed (long time lurker again) a lot of hate towards Murray, then love and some still not sold. I think both doubters and lovers have fair points. Here is my observation since following Kyler's career dating back to A&M.
Kyler
His major flaw is physicality. People get so caught up in him being short when thats not the issue. Russell Wilson is only an inch taller, Brees just 2 inches. Those guys would have still been successful in the pros even if they were Kyler's height.
The issue for Kyler is he doesn't know to navigate through contact. Notice I said through and not around. He does a tremendous job of not taking kill shots. Not putting himself in harm's way, etc. etc.
What he doesn't do is take that punch in the mouth from a defender while taking a strike. Oh he's done it before but sometimes it will be reactionary. As if he tried to avoid the hit and still got hit.
The lack of physicality is why the team has started from behind the last two games and why he started so slow against Bama in the playoffs. He usually figures it out and gets comfortable but its something that he needs to be ready for when the game starts.
I've noticed complaints about his lack of running. Well the truth is Lincoln Riley had to really urge Kyler to run the football. I think his lack of scrambling is why they lost to Texas. Again started slow and would not cut up field.
I do think there is hope though. Jared Goff looked uncomfortable his first year and many others. I believe once Kyler truly feels that he has an NFL body he'll be ok. However, he's not the grown man that Russell Wilson (24 at the time) was entering the league. Also Cardinals fans even Kyler said himself that there really is no comparison with Russell Wilson. They have totally different games. Kyler went to A&M to be the next Johnny Manziel. However, the difference that Manziel/Wilson had is that they didn't carer about scrambling and being in harm's way to make plays.
How many plays have we seen Kyler try the Russell Wilson scramble drill? Not many right. Kyler will throw it away or kill the play (take the sack). He operates on efficiency not necessarily electricity (like Russ).
I think Kyler can and will be great. However, he's going to have to adjust and that brings me to Keim and Kliff..
Kliff
Kliff's system is really different from Lincoln Riley's system. Oklahoma almost had THREE 1,000 yard rushers last year. Kyler really only targeted two wrs and his other options were TE's. Kliff's lack of balance isn't surprising. Kliff's red zone struggles aren't surprising. He's having to adjust to not having the width he had in college. Riley made sure Murray was a real threat and that the running game was a real threat in the red zone. They became very physical when they needed.
The problem with the air raid is that some coaches answer to answer thing...is more tempo. When in reality you need to adjust tempo situationally. Those last two drives should have been about the running game. Its a tired defense....use Kyler legs. If you do not use Kyler's legs he becomes just like every other Tech QB. Suspect against all out blitzes and basically get the house thrown at them on critical plays.
I like Kliff...and hope he adjusts. However, (back to Manziel) his A&M success (which got him the Tech jo) was primarily just Manziel saving the play or at Tech it was Mahomes saving the play. Right now Kyler isn't saving the play for him. Thats not really Kyler though. You need to design some things to take advantage of his legs or identify to him what plays he needs to use his mobility.
Keim
Really fortunate he got Johnson in the 6th round. I watched two rookie wrs in Hardman and Metfcalfe ball out today. Kliff's lack of NFL experience had him sold that Andy could just seamlessly fit in as well. When in reality he was a project. Those two 4.3 SEC guys would be the speed threats to really make this offense go.
Keim didnt build the Oline or the WR core up with guys that fit the system. Sweezy is a brawler, but athletic enough for the running game. Couldn't find a healthy RT either. The play to Byrd on 4th down against an all out blitz should have been a TD. A wr with speed AND strength breaks that tackle and takes it into the endzone. With the lack of spacing in the red zone this is a team that needs big play strikes.
Look at Kansas City Keim. Their wrs are physical and fast. I'm not sure Crabtree at his age will be a great fit either.
Still hoping for the best. Sorry for the long post (TLDR) but I'm optimistic still. Just wanted share my observations.
Finally decided to post my feelings about a few things in regards to the team and come out of lurk mode. A lot of thoughts on Kyler... a couple nuggets on Kliff and Keim.
I really do think fans should be proud of how the team has played but the title indicates why the team hasn't won yet.
I've noticed (long time lurker again) a lot of hate towards Murray, then love and some still not sold. I think both doubters and lovers have fair points. Here is my observation since following Kyler's career dating back to A&M.
Kyler
His major flaw is physicality. People get so caught up in him being short when thats not the issue. Russell Wilson is only an inch taller, Brees just 2 inches. Those guys would have still been successful in the pros even if they were Kyler's height.
The issue for Kyler is he doesn't know to navigate through contact. Notice I said through and not around. He does a tremendous job of not taking kill shots. Not putting himself in harm's way, etc. etc.
What he doesn't do is take that punch in the mouth from a defender while taking a strike. Oh he's done it before but sometimes it will be reactionary. As if he tried to avoid the hit and still got hit.
The lack of physicality is why the team has started from behind the last two games and why he started so slow against Bama in the playoffs. He usually figures it out and gets comfortable but its something that he needs to be ready for when the game starts.
I've noticed complaints about his lack of running. Well the truth is Lincoln Riley had to really urge Kyler to run the football. I think his lack of scrambling is why they lost to Texas. Again started slow and would not cut up field.
I do think there is hope though. Jared Goff looked uncomfortable his first year and many others. I believe once Kyler truly feels that he has an NFL body he'll be ok. However, he's not the grown man that Russell Wilson (24 at the time) was entering the league. Also Cardinals fans even Kyler said himself that there really is no comparison with Russell Wilson. They have totally different games. Kyler went to A&M to be the next Johnny Manziel. However, the difference that Manziel/Wilson had is that they didn't carer about scrambling and being in harm's way to make plays.
How many plays have we seen Kyler try the Russell Wilson scramble drill? Not many right. Kyler will throw it away or kill the play (take the sack). He operates on efficiency not necessarily electricity (like Russ).
I think Kyler can and will be great. However, he's going to have to adjust and that brings me to Keim and Kliff..
Kliff
Kliff's system is really different from Lincoln Riley's system. Oklahoma almost had THREE 1,000 yard rushers last year. Kyler really only targeted two wrs and his other options were TE's. Kliff's lack of balance isn't surprising. Kliff's red zone struggles aren't surprising. He's having to adjust to not having the width he had in college. Riley made sure Murray was a real threat and that the running game was a real threat in the red zone. They became very physical when they needed.
The problem with the air raid is that some coaches answer to answer thing...is more tempo. When in reality you need to adjust tempo situationally. Those last two drives should have been about the running game. Its a tired defense....use Kyler legs. If you do not use Kyler's legs he becomes just like every other Tech QB. Suspect against all out blitzes and basically get the house thrown at them on critical plays.
I like Kliff...and hope he adjusts. However, (back to Manziel) his A&M success (which got him the Tech jo) was primarily just Manziel saving the play or at Tech it was Mahomes saving the play. Right now Kyler isn't saving the play for him. Thats not really Kyler though. You need to design some things to take advantage of his legs or identify to him what plays he needs to use his mobility.
Keim
Really fortunate he got Johnson in the 6th round. I watched two rookie wrs in Hardman and Metfcalfe ball out today. Kliff's lack of NFL experience had him sold that Andy could just seamlessly fit in as well. When in reality he was a project. Those two 4.3 SEC guys would be the speed threats to really make this offense go.
Keim didnt build the Oline or the WR core up with guys that fit the system. Sweezy is a brawler, but athletic enough for the running game. Couldn't find a healthy RT either. The play to Byrd on 4th down against an all out blitz should have been a TD. A wr with speed AND strength breaks that tackle and takes it into the endzone. With the lack of spacing in the red zone this is a team that needs big play strikes.
Look at Kansas City Keim. Their wrs are physical and fast. I'm not sure Crabtree at his age will be a great fit either.
Still hoping for the best. Sorry for the long post (TLDR) but I'm optimistic still. Just wanted share my observations.
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