Utah's offense struggles in scrimmage as defense dominates
by JazzyUte on Aug 16, 2011 4:33 PM MDT
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PrintJordan Wynn and the Utah offense had arguably their worst day of camp today as the defense dominated Tuesday morning's scrimmage.
Utah's offensive line played a major role in those struggles today, as the defense had 11 sacks and kept both Wynn and Jon Hays scrambling for most of the morning.
Both Wynn and Hays finished the day minus-45 yards and minus-37 yards rushing respectively.
The lack of depth on the offensive line showed, though Whittingham was quick to note that the injuries don't excuse to the porous play.
He also wasn't satisfied with Wynn's play, calling his completing 9-of-16 passes and throwing a touchdown overall average.
Tauni Vakapuna continued surging up the depth charts, performing the best of Utah's potential running backs today.
He finished with 48 yards on eight carries. Langi, who started camp as one of the favorites, though has faded a bit over the month, had only eight yards on seven carries.
John White sat out the scrimmage with a sore hip.
Utah holds their third scrimmage Saturday and hopefully there is improvement across the board. Whittingham said after Tuesday's scrimmage that the offense and placekicking are not where they need to be - though praised the defense.
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I think Utah's going to have a really good defense
but I’m still really worried about the offense. The O-line needs to get it’s stuff together.
Sounds like placekicking is still a major concern. I was hoping this Nick Marsh kid would end up being half as good as Sakoda, but so far he hasn’t shown much. What has been a strength for this team over the past few years is suddenly becoming a weakness that could very well cost us some games.
Dolphins and sharks are natural enemies. Dolphins are like, "Quit eating us," and sharks are like, "Stop smiling all the time, you morons."
Sort-of-daily sort-of-funny sort-of-thoughts at danoftheday.com
0-4 FGs in scrimmage
KSL reported that Marsh went 0-4 in FG attempts, I’m assuming, in the scrimmage. Coach Whitt was quoted as saying, “Placekicking is our Achilles heel right now and we need to get that resolved.”
That’s rough given the state of the offensive line woes and is something that could really haunt the Utes in close games.
by UteinBrooklyn on Aug 16, 2011 7:25 PM MDT up reply actions
Agree on the kicking game, needs work!
Does anyone know where to get an updated depth chart?
Here is the old August 8th depth chart link
http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/utah/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2011-12/misc_non_event/fbaug8.pdf
ask and you shall recieve!
http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/utah/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2011-12/misc_non_event/fbaug15.pdf
No longer tweeting due to an overload of spam. please check out my blog sometime @ bigbenstechnicalfoul.blogspot.com for my thoughts on sports, religion, politics, family life and a host of other random stuff.
by BigBenSportsGuy on Aug 17, 2011 8:05 AM MDT up reply actions
Thanks so MUCH!
How do you find the link? Do you have to be a media guy?
no worries.
just check below. Someone else posted specific instructions on how to find it.
Want to see someone really get their brain twisted up? Try explaining the Monty Hall problem to them....
by BigBenSportsGuy on Aug 18, 2011 7:59 AM MDT up reply actions
Honestly Not that worried
It seems every year we have that one scrimmage where the Defense just totally kicks the offenses trash. And it’s usually the 2nd one.
Not that I don’t think there is cause for concern with our offense, as it obviously needs work. Just that I’m kind of used to this song and dance.
Not worried either...
Third scrimmage should tell us more.
I am happy Whitt seems more satisfied with the secondary. That was my big worry heading into this season.
This defense
Is shaping up to be one of the best in Whit’s tenure at Utah. And that is saying a lot.
if history is any indicator
the third scrimmage is to get the 3’s and 4’s some reps. Almost never do the top guys play in the third scrimmage. Its mostly to give the coaches one last look to see who can potentially play should a couple of injuries happen.
Anyone who has established themselves will be out, again, if history is any indicator.
No longer tweeting due to an overload of spam. please check out my blog sometime @ bigbenstechnicalfoul.blogspot.com for my thoughts on sports, religion, politics, family life and a host of other random stuff.
by BigBenSportsGuy on Aug 17, 2011 8:08 AM MDT up reply actions
Not Worried
I’d be more worried if there weren’t some problems. If things were just “average” with everyone doing ok, but nothing bad, that raises flags to me in asking, “What’s NOT being seen?”
A few problems now means you identify weaknesses earlier so they can be fixed. Whit & Co. will get it worked out.
If anyone found my snowboarding gloves after storming the field following the 2004 TDS game, I want them back!
Cautiously optimistic...
Given that there are ~5 O-linemen currently sitting it out due to injuries, I’m not shocked that the deep defense is whipping up the O-line. I actually think that Wynn’s and especially Hays’ completion percentage is a pretty good considering that they were probably scrambling outside of the pocket for most of their throws. I’ve never had much faith in Marsh’s kicking at all, except for when he just blasts a kickoff. Let’s hope Peterson steps ups.
Run Game
I am NOT surprised how are secondary has been progressing during 2/days. From what I had read, McGill and Eric Rowe were pretty solid. If Mo Lee can be a shut down corner, I’ll feel even better.
Nice to see Fakahafua emerge as a DE will seem action this year. As a former MVP and all state receiver, this guy could play on Sundays if he keeps working hard.
However, I am surprised with the ineffectiveness of Langi and Thretton. I thought Langi could be our man with combination of speed, smarts and power. At 5’9" John White seems on the small side to be a feature back in the Pac-12, but Barry Sanders was only 5’8". I would love to see John get his chance and have a productive junior season.
FWIW
Kyle Gunther on 1280 the zone has said that from what he has gathered, Harvey Langi is having the same issues that Shakerin had as a freshman. Namely, he doesn’t have a clue about blocking. Both of these guys were unreal in high school, and were too talented to be used as just as a blocker. As such, he is getting dropped to the third team, which is putting him with an AWFUL o-line against a pretty good d-line and thus his stats look poor. Don’t worry. He will figure it out and he will be an all-time great at Utah before its all said and done.
No longer tweeting due to an overload of spam. please check out my blog sometime @ bigbenstechnicalfoul.blogspot.com for my thoughts on sports, religion, politics, family life and a host of other random stuff.
by BigBenSportsGuy on Aug 17, 2011 8:25 AM MDT up reply actions
True Freshmen
It’s the same issue that most highly touted true freshmen RB’s have.
Blitz pickup just isn’t as important at the high school level, and when you have that one stud, you don’t want to “waste” him on blocking.
That’s okay, Ever since we signed Langi, my hope has been to extend his time here, by having White step up. Here’s hoping for a Redshirt.
I think Langi will only improve...
Great talent there. I think it’s a good thing we’re not relying on a freshman, though. We’ve got a lot of talent at this position, though varied in experience.
I’m excited to see this position grow the most over the next few years.
Height
I really don’t think that height is a good way to determine if a running back will be good or not. There is this guy, LaMichael James ya might have heard of him, that is only 5’9"
I actually noticed that small, fast, elusive backs are becoming more popular.
by Braylen Matthews on Aug 17, 2011 12:21 AM MDT reply actions
Yup, scatbacks...
As Utah-UCLA noted, Sanders was on the small side and very effective. Those scatbacks are quick and more difficult to stop (if talented) due to their overall lack of size.
I’m excited to see what he does in the offense. White had a great JUCO career and hopefully it translates over to Utah!
The list is long
Emmitt Smith, Barry Sanders, Jacquizz Rogers, LaMichael James, Tony Dorsett, Marshall Faulk were all sub 6 foot running backs.
Barry was 5’9"
Small backs have always been successful. The Big bruiser (ala Dickerson, Stephen Jackson, Earl Cambell) are the outliers.
A lot of being a good running back
is getting underneath the tackle and pushing up; this allows you to tip your tackler over as you go down. You still get tackled, but you get an extra 2-3 yards out of it. It’s often the difference between a one yard run and a four yard run between the tackles (and keep in mind, 4 yards on 1st down is a ‘successful’ play). Being shorter makes it easier to get low.
Another benefit of being short as a running back is that your center of balance is lower, so you are harder to tip over with glancing blows and trip up with shoelace tackles. Again, this gives you yards after contact, which separates a great RB from a merely good one.
Barry Sanders, Emmit Smith, and Walter Payton (5-10) come to mind as incredibly successful short backs. Which isn’t to say that being big doesn’t also have its advantages, just that small size is much less of a drawback for a running back than for a safety, wide receiver, etc.
by Joseph Silverzweig on Aug 17, 2011 10:17 AM MDT up reply actions
Depth chart
Here is the August 8th Depth chart…how do you get an updated link?
http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/utah/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2011-12/misc_non_event/fbaug8.pdf
Here is how I did it...
1) http://www.utahutes.com/
2) Menu – Sports – Football
3) Submenu – Press Releases
4) Click the August 15, 2011 – Utes Enter Final Week of Preseason Camp link
5) Click the Aug. 15 Camp Notes link
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St Larry soon would be there. -Maji Man
Thanks!
Yeah, I appreciate it, because I want to know how to get it in the future.
Thanks so much!
Hey guys
I’m a long time reader of the BlockU blog (since 2007), but for some reason or another, haven’t joined until now. Is it just me, or is anyone scratching their heads as to why Luke Matthews is listed as a Fullback?? The guy is barely over 200 lbs/6 ft….any answers? Shouldn’t he stick with the WRs?
Whit Screwing With The Media
it’s actually because Matthews is being used as an H-Back in some plays, and while that’s not a Fullback, The H Back usually isn’t listed in the depth chart.
My money is on Asiata being the starting fullback come week 1.
Welcome to the blog!
Your question has been answered, so I won’t rehash what UnHoly said – but again, welcome and I hope you stay around!
Stop on by a game thread or two (the most active are when the Utes are on the road, since most of us are at RES during home games) when the season gets rolling!
Couple of observs
Utah’s winning paid off in recrruiting. Anderson and Scott were huge WR recruits that I was watching and sure enough, they are 1 and 2 at their positions in depth chart.
Also, don’t worry at this point. Heck, I bet our offense and defense outperforms the U of Miami for the nxt decade.
"Gentlemen, it is better to have died as a small boy than to fumble this football."--John Heisman
Ah.
I see. That makes much more sense. I’m not too worries about our D, but like everyone else, the offense does have its questions…other than Wynn, who is the leader that’s gonna step up in place of shaky or Jerome brooks? I’m thinking its JW4.
by Oregon Ute on Aug 17, 2011 10:33 PM MDT via mobile reply actions
Ah.
I see. That makes much more sense. I’m not too worries about our D, but like everyone else, the offense does have its questions…other than Wynn, who is the leader that’s gonna step up in place of shaky or Jerome brooks? I’m thinking its JW4.
by Oregon Ute on Aug 17, 2011 11:28 PM MDT via mobile reply actions
You can say that again.
=] Welcome.
by Joseph Silverzweig on Aug 18, 2011 9:50 AM MDT up reply actions
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