You have to be so disciplined against the triple option. One mistake by A.J. Edds and the run goes for like 12 yards. He chose to go after Nesbitt when he needed to keep working the midpoint between the two...just got antsy.
There are a few things Bulaga could use to work on, regardless of whether Derrick Morgan is on him or not. Those hands get low, and stay there, his elbows are alright, but his hands are low man, low. He doesn't punch much, and as a result looks like defenders get into him a good deal and under his pads. He can get those hands low, and he doesn't drive people off his chest very well. He could get away with it if he could sit down better as he settles into that kickslide. You know, drop that butt and sit in his stance, but he can't do that. It's early, but that my take thus far. Right now he's not looking like a left tackle fit - maybe I'm wrong, but thus far he hasn't shown exceptionally well. He's had good moments too, don't get me wrong....he's made some nice second level blocks and looks like he can move well going forward, but he look somewhat limited.
When I saw him against Northwestern and Wisconsin, he tends to sit down and at times set up like he's hugging a tree. His elbows are wider than you'd like, but as you say the hands are low and for me the arms are incorrectly positioned.
Check that, also any run play where you have a TE blocking Morgan even on the backside, also dead in the water.
I think there's more to that one, but let's see if he adjusts, or how he chooses to adjust. If he continues to open those shoulders early it could get worse for Bulaga before the night is out. He's got to get off the ball better to have a chance. Say what you want about Jake Long, but he's quick as **** off the line and it saves his bacon a few times a season. Bulaga's not like that. Big guy, long armed etc, but not the same type of quick movement off the ball.
Most of these tackles when they're not doing it right, it's poor hand placement and letting guys into their body. On this third down Callaway showed a little of his limitations trying to kick slide deep enough to account for Derrick Morgan's speed off the snap, he turned his body too much and it was easy for Morgan to cut across him and threaten the play. Stanzi threw an...odd...ball.
His punch comes belly button high though. Consistently. And he leans too much, without ever getting his feet out from under him. Davis has feet issues going forwards and especially at the second level. Not the case with BB, but his issues are more critical. Clayborn yetagain. Sheds the first, gets rid of Dwyer and nails Nesbitt.
What a job A.J. Edds is consistently doing in riding these A-Backs and Tight Ends like a thong. Legal, but borderline immoral what he's doing to these guys.
Said that the page before. You stealing my stuff? Huh? Wanna take this outside? You walk first, that way I can finish your beer before we get outside.
That first down run, Bulaga looks great run blocking. Gets low and drives his man6 yards off the line. Good pop, uses the shoulders with balance and good knee bend.
Speaking of Edds curious what he was thinking on that one as he dropped back deeper and deeper reading the QB's eyes, almost like he was going to cover Bebe Thomas except Bebe already had coverage, and there's a back getting open for what should have been a first down but for shoddy route depth and a shoddy throw. Perchance less reliable in coverage as a pseudo slot CB?
I'm Borderland Wolf logged in as Dr Frankenboom. It's not intentional copying. More like positive reinforcement. You want tea? But indoors.
Agree with all of that on the technique front but still bad arm work. Needs to get his arms out quicker and then work his elbows up to knock the guy off balance. He did everything right except that and it's the difference between what ends up an OK block on the play side on a guy that ends up making first contact with the ball, and a key block on a much longer run if the RB doesn't get knocked off balance and delayed. What you probably don't notice on the other side because it's more away from the play is Kyle Callaway has a much tougher draw on Derrick Morgan and he has much better arm technique, lifting up and getting his elbows up to knock Derrick off balance, totally neutralizing a guy that should end up a top 10 pick.
I think this is where you and I differ in opinion in that Bulaga is clearly in control of that block and he could drive his guy to Tallahassee if he wanted to. There's no way #41 is getting back into that play.
I Bulaga comes out I can't put him ahead of Davis, Williams, Campbell, Okung etc. Charles Brown is somewhat iffy at the POA, but he can move better than Bulaga that's for sure.
I think we're talking about a different play. The one I'm talking about the guy he's blocking makes first contact on the ball up the middle about 5 or 6 yards beyond the LOS but the runner spins and dodges it a bit.
Derrick Morgan always seems to be so in control of where he's going even when he's not. He executes an outside spin against Bulaga, which Bryan can easily use to throw Morgan to the ground, but as he does it Morgan is able to cut inside rather than get blown by, and the angle is fine enough to actually threaten the pocket's integrity just a little. Always working to the QB. And boy does he ever jar a lineman backward. Callaway's biggest problem is lunging and waist bending against speed, he doesn't have confidence in his feet.
Although honestly, if you asked me Calloway looks like he gives more to work with in some areas than Bulaga. Bulaga is best when he can run block, but he can still hit and miss. He looks much better when he run blocks. If someone works with him, he could be a nice player, but his ceiling looks so high.
Ok everybody!! sing it!!! get down on it" get down on it, come on and get down on it, you really gotta get down on it, get down on it, get down on it" if you really want it!!!!! thought i would provide some intermission music for ya'll, courtesy of "kool and the gang" Bcs is a joke
Cord Howard is a late round guy for GT that may bear watching a bit as well at some stage tonight. Option lineman always make me wonder if you can get them out of diving at players all the time, that's the question along with pass pro skills when projecting them to the next level.
Hey guys just tuned into the game right before the half. I was surprised to see that GT had thrown the ball twice upto that point (if I heard that right). My question is if you are Thomas why do you come back to GT for another season? I mean what does he really have to gain?
A couple of plays now Edds didn't do so hot shedding blockers but just now he got a free shot into the backfield, took it, made the hit on the inside pitch guy and when he didn't have the ball he quickly turned around and hit the QB, basically ruining the play. Great job.
Wow. We're ******ed. This whole time we think it's Kyle Callaway but Callaway's not playing. Reiff is the guy.
