(09-01-2019 06:45 PM)2Buck Wrote:  Ok, it appears this is going to drag on.

Disclaimer: This is not a condemnation of Ben, he's a good guy, bleeds purple, etc, etc. I don't enjoy having to go to great lengths to hammer on negative things about people I don't think should be hammered on (totally fine taking the time for people that do deserve it). My whole point of this original comment was reading coverage and decision-making, especially under pressure, are areas that could really use improvement.

Exhibit 1: At release of the ball, Ben is inside the hash mark, the ball's basic trajectory is along the hash mark, and as you can see the DB #4 is just inside the hash mark squared up and facing Ben- merely feet away from where the ball was targeted.



Exhibit 2: As the ball travels, Dylan is crossing the goal line while #4 is straddling the goal line, but it becomes too late for him to make a play on the ball as he begins to turn his body and commits to playing Dylan.



Exhibit 3: As the ball approaches, Dylan is the deepest player in the endzone. The guy covering him is diving for the ball and #4 is now squared up on Dylan and doesn't seem to even be looking at the ball anymore.



Exhibit 4: I have no idea what DB # 4 was thinking, apparently waiting for the ball to reach Dylan and rip it out? Regardless, he ignores the ball and seems to swipe at Dylan's empty arms having lost sight of the ball and not realizing it never reached him. At no point was #4 behind Dylan. He was originally well-positioned between Dylan and the ball.

If #4 had simply tracked the ball an scampered along the goal line it would have been an INT with no JMU players much outside the hash mark to stop him.



Exhibit 5: Either Ben limited his focus to the right of the hash mark (which was the path of his throw) since he didn't see the DB within a few feet of his path, or he just didn't think the DB could make a play. Either way I see that as a mistake by not scanning to read what defenders might be in the path of the throw or the receiver. One of only a few, he did well otherwise. Others may continue to disagree but you can't sit there and just make things up to support your argument.

That also means the slot left receiver was WIDE OPEN. That safety had committed to Stapleton, the left corner was covering the left flanker coming up the sideline (his hips are turned outward) and the other safety had come up to cover the curl route.

Bad decision.