We have watched Stanfurd successfully complete lob passes to their tall, strong Tight Ends and Wide Receivers all season long. Last Saturday their best receiver was out with an injury so their second string Tight End caught four, count'em 4 touchdown passes in the first half.
Other teams have tall receivers but nobody consistently hits the Jump Ball pass like Stanfraud, how do they do it? They do have multiple big receivers in the game at the same time and I assume they scheme to get one on one coverage and their QB then finds the match up he likes and goes there with the ball.
This is much more difficult to accomplish then is generally thought. Cal has a 6'7" Tight End and a 6'4" Wide Receiver but hasn't completed a single pass this way all season. It takes great size, strength and skill from the receivers and a QB that is adept at making the throw with the right touch.
So how does Stanfurd do this seemingly with ease while other College teams struggle and you rarely see this in the pro's? And most importantly what does Cal need to do to combat this challenge?
I do believe one of the keys is to hit the Stanfurd offense in the Mouth so to speak and make them know they will have to fight for every inch. I see Stanfurd receivers in lots of wrestling matches for the ball but less often see them getting drilled the moment the ball arrives.
It also seems that Costello has all day to find the guy he wants in the Red Zone so well timed and executed blitzes may force mistakes and well disguised coverages can help as well..
Keeping my fingers crossed that our D has some good answers on Saturday.
Go Bears!
Other teams have tall receivers but nobody consistently hits the Jump Ball pass like Stanfraud, how do they do it? They do have multiple big receivers in the game at the same time and I assume they scheme to get one on one coverage and their QB then finds the match up he likes and goes there with the ball.
This is much more difficult to accomplish then is generally thought. Cal has a 6'7" Tight End and a 6'4" Wide Receiver but hasn't completed a single pass this way all season. It takes great size, strength and skill from the receivers and a QB that is adept at making the throw with the right touch.
So how does Stanfurd do this seemingly with ease while other College teams struggle and you rarely see this in the pro's? And most importantly what does Cal need to do to combat this challenge?
I do believe one of the keys is to hit the Stanfurd offense in the Mouth so to speak and make them know they will have to fight for every inch. I see Stanfurd receivers in lots of wrestling matches for the ball but less often see them getting drilled the moment the ball arrives.
It also seems that Costello has all day to find the guy he wants in the Red Zone so well timed and executed blitzes may force mistakes and well disguised coverages can help as well..
Keeping my fingers crossed that our D has some good answers on Saturday.
Go Bears!