Grades: Week 4 vs Jaguars

[Superman]

 

Good job old man, but I hope you never take another meaningful snap for the Colts again. 

 

Week 3 grades

Defense, C+: 79 plays, 431 yards, 21 first downs (15 passing, 5 rushing, 1 from penalty), 7/18 on third down, 1/3 in the red zone, 0 turnovers, 13 points allowed (luckily); active and scrappy defense, even if not technically sound

Defensive front: Not as good up front as the previous three games. Yeldon knows how to get low and fall forward, and he did some damage. The DL and backers were just a little bit out of position often, which led to more runs of 5-10 yards, even when there weren't holes to run through, and eventually the big gain for 36, which I thought was going to be the back-breaker. We lost the edge too often, which is something that started last week, and we lost contain on Bortles, including a poorly played read option, where Newsome got fooled and McNary was unable to scrape over and get the stop. The ILBs were active against the run, and McNary did a decent job filling in, but some of those runs were the result of poor reads and poor tackling. The pass rush struggled to get home, but did an okay job of moving the QB off his spot. Blitzes from ILBs and safeties were pretty good. There were a handful of really good pass rushes from the interior, which is encouraging. The interior guys were very disruptive altogether, and did a good job of batting some balls, which gave the cover guys chances to get some turnovers, even though they didn't convert. Just clean up some fits. C+, keep penetrating, but need to square up and close off running lanes

Pass defense: Three things stressing the pass defense are the mismatches across the middle (Jackson can't cover), the injuries to the DBs, and the less than stellar pass rush. I feel like I've been grading on a curve all year, but these issues pre-date 2015. There was some poor technique in this one, though, particularly by Butler, who repeatedly got beat inside and out (12 targets, 10 catches, 134 yards, 1 TD; 45% of the passing yards allowed), and didn't tackle well either. That off man play when we had the Jags at the 1 was awful, and Butler made it worse with a bad angle. Vontae had an awful penalty (why grab?), and just like 2013 and 2014, when they ran slots and TEs across the middle against our zone or to the outside against man, our ILBs were helpless. Jackson had an active game, and I've seen him play worse in coverage, but that's not really an endorsement. Back end coverage was good. Geathers did a good job. Some nice hits in front of the short area zones. In all, Bortles had to work hard for his 298 yards (6 yards/attempt), but there were too many breakdowns, especially those that yielded first down yardage. C, sloppy coverage and missed opportunities on batted balls

Defensive coaching: Mostly a good game, but two things were pretty bad. First was the off man at the 1 yard line, and I understand having depth to the defense, but we have to be able to man up across the middle and keep the safeties at a reasonable depth. Not having good coverage across the middle makes us sacrifice some things, and that's what happened there. The other is the poor play on the read option, which is what Bortles started doing against us when he made his debut last year. McNary was here then, and should know how to scrape/exchange, but everyone was caught off guard. Maybe not a coaching issue, but they should have handled those two plays better. Then again, the Jags ran 79 official plays, and only scored 13 total points. They punted 8 times; we played a 40 year old backup and only punted 6 times. So the defense deserves some credit, and so does Manusky for patching this together to the extent he has so far. B-

Offense, C+: 74 plays, 326 yards, 22 first downs (14 passing, 3 rushing, 5 from penalty), 7/15 on third down, 1/4 in the red zone, 2 turnovers, 16 points; reasonable production from a backup QB, and we should have had another TD if not for Gore's fumble

QB: Obviously a lower bar for Hasselbeck, but he did a fine job. He got rid of the ball quickly (he made his attempt in 2.5 seconds or less 72% of his snaps), and he beat the blitz (8/14, 1 TD). He doesn't have any ability to escape, and his deep ball is inconsistent (2/9 on passes 20 yards or deeper), but he made some decisive throws all game long, including the throw to Fleener to start off the final drive. He was active and lively, and he played a gutsy game. Just enough playmaking, and he was plagued by 3 drops. Against bad to mediocre teams, he'll hang in just fine. I'm happy with how he played. B, this is what I'd hope for from a backup QB, no matter how old he is

Backs / receivers / tight ends: C+
Running game: First game all year where there just wasn't anywhere to run. Maybe that's because we stopped holding... But Gore seemed tentative, I thought he missed some reads, and he was slow to get around the corner. Then the fumble. And Robinson fumbled too, although he had nowhere to run. Dorsett's end around didn't really work, and was probably run to the wrong side of the field. Gore was able to get some nice carries late in the game, and then the big one on the game winning drive. They tried to establish the run, but it just wasn't happening, but at least we got some nice gains at the end. C-, stop fumbling, and get to the edge

Passing game: Indianapolis: Where good veteran receivers come for early retirement. AJ suddenly can't produce, and I feel like the missed deep play is a pass he was able to catch against Vontae last season, and from a backup QB. Hilton made big catches and had some nice yards after catch, but pulled up short on a go route that I think he could have grabbed. We got some production out of the screen passes for a change. Moncrief caught passes everywhere against everyone (4 different defenders), ran great routes, and finally got some work in the slot. Whalen even got involved. But what really paced the passing game was the strong play of Coby Fleener, who started the game making a play, and kept going through OT. He beat LBs and safeties all game, and the refs probably missed 3 pass interference calls against him. B, good production throughout, and good YAC

 

OL / blocking: The run blocking was worse than it's been, but it wasn't really that bad. I said earlier that I think Gore was a little off, and that's because there were lanes to run through, and the outside was sealed often. Hugh Thornton played a much better game with no penalties, and though he gave up both sacks, he was mostly strong all game, especially with his pulls. Mewhort and Reitz got settled in, and despite a couple penalties were both good. AC was good, and hopefully all the bad play is out of his system. Holmes was the worst lineman in the game, missing the looping stunts (good design, but he missed at least three of them), and got wrecked on on particular pass play, right back into MH's lap; but we're talking about maybe 5 plays. Ten total pressures on 50 dropbacks is hard to complain about. Gore and Tipton missed a couple of pickups. Doyle had a good game blocking. C+, gotta work on those stunts and create more room to run

 

Offensive coaching: Gameplan was better, or at least better executed. Still lacked some hots and crosses against pressure looks, but there were some rub routes, some screens, a few slants. Not enough play action, and again some head scratching play calls, like running an end around to the short side of the field, but maybe they saw something in the film to make them think that might work... As a macro observation, the Pats spread the field, nullifying the Jags pretty good front, and attacked their weak secondary, slaughtering them in the short passing game. We chose to use 6OL 12 times, a makeshift FB once (Parry), and even used Dorsett in the backfield a handful of times. I get why we do those things, especially with an older backup, but we have a good receiving corps and a QB who wants to hot potato the ball; why not make the Jags prove they can stop the spread instead of trying to run into their stout front? C

 

Special teams: AV finally got on the board with three FGs, including the game winner (and I was a little unsure, to be honest). Pat punted extremely well, but the coverage was outstanding even when he seemed to put it a little further than he should have. Our returns were typical. A-

 

Game management: Whoops on the timeout. There's no definitive proof that icing the kicker works or doesn't work, so it's probably best to just remove yourself from the equation as a coach so that you don't accidentally give him a practice kick. Maybe could have challenged the Gore fumble, but there wasn't really anything there. I like that the defense hung in there and made some stops at the end, and in general, the team looked ready to play, which isn't a given in a situation like yesterday's. If we drop to 1-3, with a possibility that Luck can't play Week 5, it could be really ugly. Meaningful win for this team, given all the variables. Just stop trying to ice the kicker. C+

 

Game ball: Matt Hasselbeck, when you have to play a backup, whether it's one week or one month, you hope that he can give you a chance to win. Don't turn the ball over, don't blow chances to make plays when they present themselves, and don't go completely cold for a quarter and a half, straining your teammates. MH put in a prototypical backup's day of work. Wasn't always pretty, but he did just what we needed. I get the feeling we could survive a month without Luck, if necessary, and if we have to go to Houston Thursday without him, we have a shot at getting the W. Because of the 40 year old backup. Good job.

 

Next up, the Texans. Never an easy game, but they might be on the ropes. Maybe a standing 8 count, and if we can take this game and go into the bye with three in a row, maybe we can get healthy and have a shot in Week 7. Not to mention setting the record for consecutive division wins (meaningless or not, still noteworthy).I get the feeling that the Texans are going to be a tough out, though. Need to play a clean game.

 

GO COLTS!!!

[DougDew]

Thanks for putting this together. Very accurate, IMO, as usual.

If we can get healthy in the secondary, we just need either Mathis, Newsome, or Cole to start getting some sacks and the D will be pretty good. Still will have problems covering the middle.

Holmes didn't recognize the DT stunts. He wasn't even close. By contrast, one play the Jags looped the DE and Mewhort immediately let AC have the DT and he slid back to his right and blocked the looping DE. The recognition was like night and day. Nice to see Thornton play a clean game.

For a QB, getting the ball out quickly, even if its less than 50% of the time, is a good thing.

[Andrew Luck fan club]

You said it all. Colts need to play clean to beat Houston at Houston.

[crazycolt1]

As always Superman, a well thought out assessment. To the point with no sugar coat.

[ColtRider]

What can I say? A masterful assessment as usual. Thanks, MOS!

[Gavin]

I thought the 2nd second sack given up by Thornton(4th quarter) was because nobody got open so Matt held onto the ball longer instead of scrambling, The first he got beat however. Davis's get off gave him problems a couple times for sure, I think Thornton played him poorly though technique wise one of those times not getting his hands up quick enough but instead giving him space to accelerate and pick up momentum to get around him

[Smash Mouth]

I worry that both the offense and defense earned a C+ underscoring that the Colts were more lucky than good on Sunday.  Over the course of 16 games, I will take it anyway it comes.

 

The one thing that sticks out in my mind is that the OL really needs the right plays to be called and a complimentary passing and running game.  They are not stout enough to impose their will.  So I guess I'm ok with the C+ and if Holmes picks up Clemons on the 2nd and 3rd of those stunts then maybe the grade is B-/B.

 

Here's to hoping that Pep learned something from his game plan for Hasselbeck - it could actually work for Luck too.  I thought Pep's passing offense was based upon West Coast principles - dink, dunk, slants, 3 steps, quick throws - then hit down field?  Wake up Pep!

[Smonroe]

I worry that both the offense and defense earned a C+ underscoring that the Colts were more lucky than good on Sunday.  Over the course of 16 games, I will take it anyway it comes.

 

The one thing that sticks out in my mind is that the OL really needs the right plays to be called and a complimentary passing and running game.  They are not stout enough to impose their will.  So I guess I'm ok with the C+ and if Holmes picks up Clemons on the 2nd and 3rd of those stunts then maybe the grade is B-/B.

 

Here's to hoping that Pep learned something from his game plan for Hasselbeck - it could actually work for Luck too.  I thought Pep's passing offense was based upon West Coast principles - dink, dunk, slants, 3 steps, quick throws - then hit down field?  Wake up Pep!

 

I think everyone echo's that hope.  Not all on Pep though, Luck has to buy into it and take the check down too.  And just throw the ball away sometimes instead of trying to force the play.

 

I wonder, if Luck starts Thursday, that they'll all agree that it's the best way to protect him?  Seems obvious to the rest of us.

[Superman]

I worry that both the offense and defense earned a C+ underscoring that the Colts were more lucky than good on Sunday.  Over the course of 16 games, I will take it anyway it comes.

 

The one thing that sticks out in my mind is that the OL really needs the right plays to be called and a complimentary passing and running game.  They are not stout enough to impose their will.  So I guess I'm ok with the C+ and if Holmes picks up Clemons on the 2nd and 3rd of those stunts then maybe the grade is B-/B.

 

Here's to hoping that Pep learned something from his game plan for Hasselbeck - it could actually work for Luck too.  I thought Pep's passing offense was based upon West Coast principles - dink, dunk, slants, 3 steps, quick throws - then hit down field?  Wake up Pep!

 

No question they were more lucky than good. But that's not based on my grades. Three missed game winning FG kicks kind of says it all. Like you said, I'll take it, especially with our injuries.

 

I'm fine with the OL needing the right plays to be called. The playcalling is technically the easiest thing to fix or adjust. If your players aren't executing, that's a big fix. If you have injuries, that's a big fix. Adjusting the playcalling is simple.

 

As for the stunts, those failures were a significant part of my grade, you're right.

[Superman]

I thought the 2nd second sack given up by Thornton(4th quarter) was because nobody got open so Matt held onto the ball longer instead of scrambling, The first he got beat however. Davis's get off gave him problems a couple times for sure, I think Thornton played him poorly though technique wise one of those times not getting his hands up quick enough but instead giving him space to accelerate and pick up momentum to get around him

 

Yeah MH held the ball a little longer than he wanted to, but Thornton got beat as the rusher came back across him. Not the worst play in the world, but again, goes back to hands technique. Overall, his hands were up faster and his arms were in tighter all game long. He did get away with one borderline hold, which was worse than the two early holds against him last week. But when you get your hands up quickly, you attract less attention to yourself than if the ref sees you swinging your arms in as you engage with the blocker. 

 

He was also better balanced on the majority of his pass block plays.