After reading a number of threads, a thought came in to my head about AA's play...

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

For a very long time, it has been known and well documented that Shoop is incredibly bright about his football knowledge and schemes. He seems to be able to draw up a million different types of formations and plays for 'what should happen' against certain fronts. However, when the game starts, what should happen and what does happen are two totally different things.

What got me thinking is that, to me, it appears that same kind of thought process could be having an effect on the QB's under his watch. He may be coaching them too much in to the 'what should happen' instead of 'what could happen' leading to poor execution from the QB and poor reads. Etling was awful at getting off his first read and AA seems to be trending to the same issue (as evident from the first throw and other plays too numerous to mention). AA seems to be operating on the facet of what SHOULD happen instead of reading the defense and reacting to what is ACTUALLY happening on the field.

Anyone else feel that could be an issuse? Essentially becoming too much of a 'student' of the game instead of a 'player'?

 

[boiler_pride]

AA's biggest issue is the big mistakes. He has been careless with the ball, and too adventurous at times. I think every fan base puts too much importance in "player development." I think it was Painter who said something like "We tell them what they need to work on, but it's up to them to actually work on it and improve."

I actually feel for AA - he actually did well for most of the game but his mistake-prone side reared its ugly head at the worst times: Start of the game (INT), end of first half when we could have driven for a score (fumble), and obviously at the end of the game.

He doesn't progress through reads like a pro, but that's common for like 90% of college QBs.

I'll go against the grain and say Appleby will settle and will have a decent season. I see a little bit of Joey Elliott. Look at this first game as a senior for a comparison: http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/joey-elliott-1/gamelog/

 

[Dandelion1972]

AA's biggest issue is the big mistakes. He has been careless with the ball, and too adventurous at times. I think every fan base puts too much importance in "player development." I think it was Painter who said something like "We tell them what they need to work on, but it's up to them to actually work on it and improve."

I actually feel for AA - he actually did well for most of the game but his mistake-prone side reared its ugly head at the worst times: Start of the game (INT), end of first half when we could have driven for a score (fumble), and obviously at the end of the game.

He doesn't progress through reads like a pro, but that's common for like 90% of college QBs.

I'll go against the grain and say Appleby will settle and will have a decent season. I see a little bit of Joey Elliott. Look at this first game as a senior for a comparison: http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/joey-elliott-1/gamelog/

It's nice to read a thoughtful response, instead of the knee-jerk reaction that most of us have. Austin works his tail off!

 

[BoilerBulldog]

For a very long time, it has been known and well documented that Shoop is incredibly bright about his football knowledge and schemes. He seems to be able to draw up a million different types of formations and plays for 'what should happen' against certain fronts. However, when the game starts, what should happen and what does happen are two totally different things.

What got me thinking is that, to me, it appears that same kind of thought process could be having an effect on the QB's under his watch. He may be coaching them too much in to the 'what should happen' instead of 'what could happen' leading to poor execution from the QB and poor reads. Etling was awful at getting off his first read and AA seems to be trending to the same issue (as evident from the first throw and other plays too numerous to mention). AA seems to be operating on the facet of what SHOULD happen instead of reading the defense and reacting to what is ACTUALLY happening on the field.

Anyone else feel that could be an issuse? Essentially becoming too much of a 'student' of the game instead of a 'player'?

Solid take and one I agree with. I think AA showed signs of improvement but his mental lapses and read progression still were disappointing. In theory, both should improve with real game experience. The question is how much and how quickly. I still think he's our best bet for this year.

 

[PA Boilermakers]

For a very long time, it has been known and well documented that Shoop is incredibly bright about his football knowledge and schemes. He seems to be able to draw up a million different types of formations and plays for 'what should happen' against certain fronts. However, when the game starts, what should happen and what does happen are two totally different things.

What got me thinking is that, to me, it appears that same kind of thought process could be having an effect on the QB's under his watch. He may be coaching them too much in to the 'what should happen' instead of 'what could happen' leading to poor execution from the QB and poor reads. Etling was awful at getting off his first read and AA seems to be trending to the same issue (as evident from the first throw and other plays too numerous to mention). AA seems to be operating on the facet of what SHOULD happen instead of reading the defense and reacting to what is ACTUALLY happening on the field.

Anyone else feel that could be an issuse? Essentially becoming too much of a 'student' of the game instead of a 'player'?

I absolutely agree though I also think that he would benefit with some more aggressive play calling. If I was a DC facing Purdue, I'd tell my players to expect nearly every pass to be with 10 yards of the line of scrimmage. For Austin or any other quarterback, that puts a lot of defenders into that area. I'd like us to start off Saturday with a play action pass going to a WR or TE streaking down the middle of the field... completing some throws down the field would back the defense off.

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

I absolutely agree though I also think that he would benefit with some more aggressive play calling. If I was a DC facing Purdue, I'd tell my players to expect nearly every pass to be with 10 yards of the line of scrimmage. For Austin or any other quarterback, that puts a lot of defenders into that area. I'd like us to start off Saturday with a play action pass going to a WR or TE streaking down the middle of the field... completing some throws down the field would back the defense off.

Watching the VT-OSU game, I think Purdue can have success given the amount of time they spent on one-on-one matchups on the outside and how much strict man-to-man they play on the outside.

However, VT runs a stacked 4-6 defense that gives them 8 to 9 men in the box while placing their CB's on an island. They have some great CB's but they showed some limits against OSU (I know, OSU has better athletes and QB's than Purdue, but showed limits none-the-less). Purdue WILL NOT be able to have success horizontally against VT and will be limited in the run game up the middle, which was an emphasis last week and in the off season.

I'll be very interested in seeing if Purdue comes out with a game plan against the Hokies that looks to establish something against the weakness of the 4-6 defense. Against the 4-6 defense, the QB needs to make smart and quick decisions to negate the heavy blitzing that comes from the 4-6 defense. Essentially what ended up exploiting the 4-6 defense was the west coast offense that allowed WR's to work one on one routes into the intermediate in one on one situations with lots of slants and outs. Appleby proved he can throw the slant well as he completed a number of them against Marshall.

To beat the Hokies, Purdue has the necessary personnel in a veteran offensive line to pick up the multiple blitzes along with what seems to be an emphasis on the short passing game. However, the need to beat the CB's over the top MUST be an emphasis in the gameplan as it allows players the WR's in the intermediate to really get favorable matchups against LB's and safeties. The buck stops with Appleby being able to make the smart and quick decisions, which up to this point he hasn't proven he can make.

 

[npb]

AA's biggest issue is the big mistakes. He has been careless with the ball, and too adventurous at times. I think every fan base puts too much importance in "player development." I think it was Painter who said something like "We tell them what they need to work on, but it's up to them to actually work on it and improve."

I actually feel for AA - he actually did well for most of the game but his mistake-prone side reared its ugly head at the worst times: Start of the game (INT), end of first half when we could have driven for a score (fumble), and obviously at the end of the game.

He doesn't progress through reads like a pro, but that's common for like 90% of college QBs.

I'll go against the grain and say Appleby will settle and will have a decent season. I see a little bit of Joey Elliott. Look at this first game as a senior for a comparison: http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/joey-elliott-1/gamelog/

I agree....through sheer determination AA will prove himself. The ISU game will give evidence to that fact and it is too premature to write him off. Norm

 

[Inspector100]

Watching the VT-OSU game, I think Purdue can have success given the amount of time they spent on one-on-one matchups on the outside and how much strict man-to-man they play on the outside.

However, VT runs a stacked 4-6 defense that gives them 8 to 9 men in the box while placing their CB's on an island. They have some great CB's but they showed some limits against OSU (I know, OSU has better athletes and QB's than Purdue, but showed limits none-the-less). Purdue WILL NOT be able to have success horizontally against VT and will be limited in the run game up the middle, which was an emphasis last week and in the off season.

I'll be very interested in seeing if Purdue comes out with a game plan against the Hokies that looks to establish something against the weakness of the 4-6 defense. Against the 4-6 defense, the QB needs to make smart and quick decisions to negate the heavy blitzing that comes from the 4-6 defense. Essentially what ended up exploiting the 4-6 defense was the west coast offense that allowed WR's to work one on one routes into the intermediate in one on one situations with lots of slants and outs. Appleby proved he can throw the slant well as he completed a number of them against Marshall.

To beat the Hokies, Purdue has the necessary personnel in a veteran offensive line to pick up the multiple blitzes along with what seems to be an emphasis on the short passing game. However, the need to beat the CB's over the top MUST be an emphasis in the gameplan as it allows players the WR's in the intermediate to really get favorable matchups against LB's and safeties. The buck stops with Appleby being able to make the smart and quick decisions, which up to this point he hasn't proven he can make.

I like this analysis till you get to the part about the blitzing from the defense. I am not convinced our line and backs can block it well enough for the QB to execute his play. Just my opinion and I am willing to eat crow the following Sunday.

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

I like this analysis till you get to the part about the blitzing from the defense. I am not convinced our line and backs can block it well enough for the QB to execute his play. Just my opinion and I am willing to eat crow the following Sunday.

I can appreciate that but what I said they have the personnel in a veteran offensive line and we as fans have been told of the better overall package Jones and Knox provide as RB's, which include blitz pickup. I would assume this would be a help and from the first game, I would say I agree as I don't remember multiple times of Appleby being rushed in to throws or really having lots of pressure his way. He was sacked twice but I don't believe it was due to poor blitz pickup.

However, I do believe Purdue may struggle at times with the VT defensive blitz scheme and we will truly see how much the OL has grown in the past 12 months!

 

[Inspector100]

Thanks for your reply. As I watched, I felt that AA was rushed on a third of his throws in the second half. Most of those were in the fourth quarter. Defenders were getting to him and hit his arm or made him move and short step the throw. Our line did not protect as well as the Patriots. Fair or not, that is how I measure it. And I don't recall safeties and LB's in our backfield. I thought it was only Marshall D-line players

Additionally, I have noticed you post on several threads here. And I like and agree with your feel for the way we played. Your choice of words fits mine.