SIAP: My Issue with Hamler: over-reliance

[nittanyfan333]

SORRY IF ALREADY POSTED, I’VE BEEN TRAVELING THE LAST WEEK SO IM ON MY PHONE WITHOUT THE SEARCH FUNCTION



Let me first say that the kid is 1-1A with #11 (wow.... feels weird typing that and NOT referring to Lavar) as the most gifted athlete on the team, and should easily be MVP of the O and in the talks for at least the Biletnikoff if not the Maxwell and Walter Camp awards. His explosive play and missibility (is that even a word??) capabilities are second to none.

HOWEVER

If there’s something I’ve noticed this year with his bestie being the QB it’s that cliff seems very over-reliant on KJ. Case in point the “fades” to him last week. That close to the end zone going immediately his way (1 step and throw) tells me cliff already decided he was going that way regardless. Just doesn’t sound like smart football to me. IMO, he should have said “I WANT to go to KJ but he’s got a giant CB on him, so I’ll look his way to see if he can cross up the CB (first read) and if not, I’m not going there”

Instead, he forced it there. Just sounds an awful lot like over-reliance to me.

I tend to think this is cliff being young and immature. The more he grows the more he’ll realize that you need to use ALL of your weapons. I’d be interested to know how much he spread it around after KJ went out of the game. I’ll almost be willing to bet that with KJ in the game, hippenhammer doesn’t get a pass let alone a catch (to include KJ “resting” between plays or series)

However it could also be in part about KJ’s mentality. Love the kid but he’s got a touch of the typical diva WR complex. Kid is cocky (which I like) but it might be to the detriment of a younger QB who’s trying to establish his own leadership of the team. Cliff might not quite know how to deal with a personality like that just yet.

Its going to be very interesting to see what happens next year if KJ goes pro. I’d be willing to bet that the O will actually be better without KJ in there, not from a talent standpoint, but because it’ll force cliff to progress through his reads and spread the ball around. I mean imagine you have a group of 4-5 friends, and you’re all good friends but two of them are VERY tight and close. At a certain point, you’ll feel like the third wheel which can cause friction. That’s how I kind of see the WRs right now. Close group, but cliff and KJ are obviously the tightest and I wonder if it’s starting to put some slight tension in the group.

Just some ramblings from a fan who’s stranded at Stuttgart airport after a flight cancellation and subsequent delays.... by all means tear my thoughts to shreds

 

[rudedude]

K.J. wants the ball & Clifford does appear to look towards him a little too much, most likely because he is a threat to house it almost every time he touches the ball. That being said, it is detrimental to Clifford’s development if he does not also begin to look towards secondary receivers. We were at the Minnesota game last weekend and, on some drives, Journey Brown was wide open in the flat one on one with an LB and, if passed the ball, may have had an even bigger impact on the game. The scheme of big gain plays can be ok, if and when they work, but that cannot be your total offensive philosophy because it can lead to too many three and outs. IMO, our first down plays have been bad most of the year and we always are ‘behind the sticks’ too much and need too much yardage to gain on third downs. We should be attacking the edges with our run game more.

 

[nittanyfan333]

IMO, our first down plays have been bad most of the year and we always are ‘behind the sticks’ too much and need too much yardage to gain on third downs.

I think you’re spot on with this. It’s almost as if CJF and Rahne are trying to force the game too much, and not just taking what the D gives them. Almost as if they’re hanging their hats on the “big play O” title, and not willing to stray from that label. Who do you look to when you NEED to keep up the image of a big play O??? KJ. And to your point, they don’t even give other people like Dotson (who is very capable) or journey a chance to make those big plays.

 

[olelion]

It was very revealing that PSU pretty much went to the ground game after the Hamler injury.. On one hand it was good to see them demonstrate an ability to run. On the other hand, was it a lack of confidence in the other receivers?. I don't know.

Another reveal was that debacle of letting a receiver get beyond the secondary when trying to seal the game. I have to think that if the wrong D was called, it's coaching. I also believe if a player was out of position before the snap, coaching should have recognized it, corrected it, or called a timeout.

 

[rudedude]

Looks to me like our D backs are too concerned with looking into the backfield instead of knowing who to cover. We blitzed on Indiana’s first TD to an uncovered WR and that was Reid’s responsibility. Perhaps it’s a scheme issue with how we blitz.

 

[83wuzme]

Outside of Dotson, we haven’t seen anything from the other WR’s to suggest they should be targeted significantly. People are saying this is due to the scheme, but when you have receivers who can’t get separation, can’t contest catches and can’t run good routes with any consistency, that takes a lot off the table as far as scheme. We rarely use the middle of the field even when it is there for the taking.

 

[ram2020]

K.J. wants the ball & Clifford does appear to look towards him a little too much, most likely because he is a threat to house it almost every time he touches the ball. That being said, it is detrimental to Clifford’s development if he does not also begin to look towards secondary receivers. We were at the Minnesota game last weekend and, on some drives, Journey Brown was wide open in the flat one on one with an LB and, if passed the ball, may have had an even bigger impact on the game. The scheme of big gain plays can be ok, if and when they work, but that cannot be your total offensive philosophy because it can lead to too many three and outs. IMO, our first down plays have been bad most of the year and we always are ‘behind the sticks’ too much and need too much yardage to gain on third downs. We should be attacking the edges with our run game more.

Really well said. 1st down is typically a throw away play. Run inside for 1 yard or a big bomb that never had a chance. Now its second and 10 and it feels like the walls a shrinking in. You know they want to go to kj or pat now, but so does the defense. It's a bit of a mess.

 

[PS4814]

Whoa whoa whoa whoa stop the clock! I’ve said the same thing the last two weeks, that Clifford is forcing the ball to KJ and was denigrated by multiple folks. Now all of a sudden ya’ll are on board? Ya’ll are a bunch of hypocrites I tell ya what.

 

[ftlpsu]

Whoa whoa whoa whoa stop the clock! I’ve said the same thing the last two weeks, that Clifford is forcing the ball to KJ and was denigrated by multiple folks. Now all of a sudden ya’ll are on board? Ya’ll are a bunch of hypocrites I tell ya what.

Or slow learners

 

[mn78psu83]

Whoa whoa whoa whoa stop the clock! I’ve said the same thing the last two weeks, that Clifford is forcing the ball to KJ and was denigrated by multiple folks. Now all of a sudden ya’ll are on board? Ya’ll are a bunch of hypocrites I tell ya what.

You're THE MAN!

 

[BBrown]

I think you’re spot on with this. It’s almost as if CJF and Rahne are trying to force the game too much, and not just taking what the D gives them. Almost as if they’re hanging their hats on the “big play O” title, and not willing to stray from that label. Who do you look to when you NEED to keep up the image of a big play O??? KJ. And to your point, they don’t even give other people like Dotson (who is very capable) or journey a chance to make those big plays.

I have a different point of view. I think Rahne is designing plays for Hammler and he is probably the #1 option (no problem with that) but its also Sean's responsibility to go through his progressions.
Add to that that Sean may be going some of the things Trace went through and not being able to trust his WR's.

 

[BBrown]

It was very revealing that PSU pretty much went to the ground game after the Hamler injury.. On one hand it was good to see them demonstrate an ability to run. On the other hand, was it a lack of confidence in the other receivers?. I don't know.

Another reveal was that debacle of letting a receiver get beyond the secondary when trying to seal the game. I have to think that if the wrong D was called, it's coaching. I also believe if a player was out of position before the snap, coaching should have recognized it, corrected it, or called a timeout.

And this is where the Rahne and Limegrove haters need to recognize the job that they did and are doing. Its not easy to just morph into a power running team when thats not really your game.
Great job by them. As for Pry, Smith and Banks. not so much.

 

[royboy]

And this is where the Rahne and Limegrove haters need to recognize the job that they did and are doing. Its not easy to just morph into a power running team when thats not really your game.
Great job by them. As for Pry, Smith and Banks. not so much.

Agree; the 2 Tight End plays have been key. Helped in run and pass blocking. **Unsung hero -- Bowers; he's blocked and made key catches, including 3 TDs.

**corrected name

 

[snider]

Agree; the 2 Tight End plays have been key. Helped in run and pass blocking. Unsung hero -- Dalton; he's blocked and made key catches, including 3 TDs.

Dalton?

 

[fkkkjm]

Has anyone gotten the feeling Freiermuth gets frustrated at times with either teammates or coaches? He routinely seems to be telling other people where to line up, watch the clock, are you (offensive staff), not seeing what im seeing, etc.

I cant quite put my finger on it. My guess is that the kid really gets football and seems to be further along in football IQ than many. That makes me more nervous that he leaves. Unless everyone comes back next year ala Clemson a couple of years ago, he might think hes learned all he can here and be ready to bolt.....

 

[NittanyIllinois]

Agree; the 2 Tight End plays have been key. Helped in run and pass blocking. Unsung hero -- Dalton; he's blocked and made key catches, including 3 TDs.

I haven't watched many Boston College games this year. How's Dalton doing?



I assume you mean Bowers. And yes, he's been playing well.

 

[mn78psu83]

Dalton?

 

[bvillebaron]

Looks to me like our D backs are too concerned with looking into the backfield instead of knowing who to cover. We blitzed on Indiana’s first TD to an uncovered WR and that was Reid’s responsibility. Perhaps it’s a scheme issue with how we blitz.

Yeah I agree with that. Fields repeatedly did that against Minnesota which makes no sense whatsoever.

 

[lionville]

The explosive play philosophy is part of what is driving the ball to #1 since he's the most explosive offensive player on the team. What looks like #14's obsession with throwing to #1 is more like design of the offense IMO.

 

[83wuzme]

The explosive play philosophy is part of what is driving the ball to #1 since he's the most explosive offensive player on the team. What looks like #14's obsession with throwing to #1 is more like design of the offense IMO.

I would rather throw the ball to someone who can make explosive plays versus throwing the ball to someone who can’t make plays.

 

[lionville]

I would rather throw the ball to someone who can make explosive plays versus throwing the ball to someone who can’t make plays.

Good thought. What if he's not open, or in the game at all?

 

[83wuzme]

Good thought. What if he's not open, or in the game at all?

Friermuth, Dotson, Bowers and the backs are good receivers,
That’s about it right now.

 

[AWS1022]

Receivers still have to get open...my guess is that Hamler is the only one that gets even close to open consistently.

 

[drblue1977]

Receivers still have to get open...my guess is that Hamler is the only one that gets even close to open consistently.

Hey, if the pass patterns never help these receivers run to daylight, change the patterns. Can we get a 7 yard out or a button hook? I know, 9-1,..........but, RR, do you have a ..............thought? I know......you don't.

 

[MaconNitt]

Has anyone gotten the feeling Freiermuth gets frustrated at times with either teammates or coaches? He routinely seems to be telling other people where to line up, watch the clock, are you (offensive staff), not seeing what im seeing, etc.

I cant quite put my finger on it. My guess is that the kid really gets football and seems to be further along in football IQ than many. That makes me more nervous that he leaves. Unless everyone comes back next year ala Clemson a couple of years ago, he might think hes learned all he can here and be ready to bolt.....

Freiermuth CAN NOT declare for the draft. He is only a true sophomore. A player has to be 3 years out of high school to enter the draft. He could enter the portal or sit out a year though.

 

[PS4814]

Freiermuth CAN NOT declare for the draft. He is only a true sophomore. A player has to be 3 years out of high school to enter the draft. He could enter the portal or sit out a year though.

A family member was telling me that on eSiPN they said he could declare for the draft. I remember looking into this a week or so ago via his bio on the PSU roster page and confirmed that can't, but there still seems to be a story out there that he did a year after high school at a prep school so this is his 3rd year. I've no idea where that story came from, or where the evidence is, but it is being parroted by the geniuses on eSPiN.

 

[PSU.:.]

.

 

[AWS1022]

Hey, if the pass patterns never help these receivers run to daylight, change the patterns. Can we get a 7 yard out or a button hook? I know, 9-1,..........but, RR, do you have a ..............thought? I know......you don't.

Some receivers have a knack for getting open and others don’t regardless of the patterns. That’s why certain receivers lead the NFL every year.

 

[Texas Lion]

I've been thinking that all year. in fact I've screamed at the tv more than once during some of the blowouts to stop throwing to #1. I think as much as I love to watch #1 catch and run that we missed a lot of growth opportunities early on.