Archived Topic

My main beef is Anae vs. JJ

by Mars · 9/17/2010

Mars

9/17/2010, 2:12:06 AM

I don't think Nelson or Heaps is the main issue on the team. I don't think it was the main offensive problem vs. Air Force. I was more upset by a different issue- The use and misuse (in my opinion) of JJ DiLuigi.

My premise starts something like this:

1- JJ is the most important player on the team this year.

2- DiLuigi is more important to BYU this year than Unga was to the team last year.

Here is my thought about how the Washington game played out:

Medium Riley, Medium Jake, Medium JJ. Not bad. Could have been a little better.

And here is my thought about how the Air Force game played out:

1st Quarter- Medium Riley, Medium Jake, Heavy JJ. Very good. Close to optimum actually.

2nd Quarter- Medium Riley, Light Jake, Light JJ. Not very good.

2nd Half- Heavy Riley, Light JJ (plus poor Stephensen kicking). Awful.

To be honest, the 2nd quarter wasn't much better than the 3rd and the 4th. Why? Because they were all missing a heavy dose of JJ, the main player that matters when it comes to scoring.

-Yes, in my opinion right now Riley is playing better at QB than Jake. I've said this multiple times.

-And yes, in my opinion right now, the team is better, more efficient, and more balanced with Jake than it is with Riley. It also helps build a better future a little faster. I think I may have stated this opinion already as well.

But if I had to make a choice between Light Riley and Heavy JJ (no Jake), and Heavy Jake and Light JJ (no Nelson), which do you think I would choose? The first, every time!

Supporting Stats:

-In the first 8 minutes at Air Force, JJ gained 92 yards on 5 touches. http://www.ksl.com/?nid=498&sid=12400981" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

-In the last 52 minutes at Air Force, JJ gained 36 yards on 5 touches (still more than 7 yards per once they stacked the box, but only about 1/6th of the touches for JJ).

-BYU had 183 yards in the 1st Quarter against Air Force. http://twitter.com/zachbloxham/status/24233630749" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

-BYU gained 123 yards in the last 3 quarters against Air Force (an average of 41 yards per quarter, or less than 1/4th of the first quarter's stats).

-BYU had 44 passing yards in the 1st Quarter against Air Force.

-BYU had 44 passing yards in the last 3 quarters against Air Force (or about 15 passing yards per quarter, 1/3rd of the first quarter's stats).

-BYU, 14 points in the 1st Quarter against Air Force (a scoring clip that could win us any game on the schedule this year). http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/boxscore?gid=201009110087" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

-BYU, 0 points in the last 3 quarters against Air Force.

-BYU's last nine possessions at Air Force resulted in either punts or turnovers. http://www.ksl.com/?nid=498&sid=12400981" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Final Conclusion:

It doesn't matter which QB is playing,and it doesn't matter how many times JJ fumbles (not including kick/punt returns)- Those don't change the fact that he is still the heart and soul of our offense and our #1 attacker.

-DiLuigi against Air Force: 7 rushes for 103 yards and a TD (14.7 yards per carry!). Also, 3 receptions (tied for most on the team) for 25 yards (2nd most). He had 13 rushes for 69 yards against Washington (5.6 yards per carry), back when Anae was still running him up the middle like her was Harvey Unga (his first three carries went for 1, 2, and 3 yards). He also led the team against Washington with 83 receiving yards and 1 TD on just 4 receptions.

-The rest of the team against Air Force: 27 rushes for 118 yards (4.3 yards per carry, less than a third of JJ's average). Other RBs had 8 rushes for 20 yards against Washington (2.5 yards per carry).

All those in favor, please make it manifest.

SpiffCoug

9/17/2010, 2:16:55 AM

My name is Kitic77 and I approve of this post.

JJ must play regardless of fumbles. This might be THE lesson from the AF game for the offense to learn.

JJ + lots of touches = a highly successful offense.

JJ + fumbles + fumbles = a good offense

JJ + 0 touches = a poor offense

BoiseBYU

9/17/2010, 2:18:51 AM

Benching JJ for a fumble is like shooting the nose to spite the face

stuckinbig10country

9/17/2010, 2:20:19 AM

Does it matter as long as the only one opposed is brother Anae?

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Guest

9/17/2010, 2:23:48 AM

Mars I completely agree with your post, and your stats really back up what you're saying.

We absolutely NEED JJ this year if we want to have any hope to win.

During the game thread, the second JJ fumbled I was calling to get him in on the next play and running again, because I didn't want that sick feeling of fumbling sitting with him. Sadly, they almost completely forgot about him until late in the game and then he looked hesitant.

Lets get him the ball early and often.

beauso79

9/17/2010, 3:10:55 AM

What if "Juice" is better than JJ and doesn't fumble??

snoscythe

9/17/2010, 3:16:44 AM

I'm not so sure JJ was benched for his fumble. I think it was how he reacted that got his number called less. After his fumble, he seemed to play a lot more cautiously which in turn led to him being less effective, which led to his number getting called less.

That said, I think how JJ reacted was the coaches' fault, either Reynolds or Anae. Instead of supporting him and getting his confidence back up, they undermined it. I'd rather have a balls-to-the-wall DiLuigi who breaks big runs and fumbles once every two games than have a tentative, ineffective JJ who never puts it on the ground. He's only going to be successful if he's daring and confident, and I think the way his fumble was handled stripped him of those qualities at AFA.

BigCougsFan

9/17/2010, 3:23:33 AM

beauso79 wrote:
What if "Juice" is better than JJ and doesn't fumble??

AMEN BROTHA!

A couple people on our team has fumble-itis! I brought his up about JJ when I first got on CC, and I was kinda crucified on it. Oh well... GO COUGARS!

kfilly20

9/17/2010, 4:45:43 AM

beauso79 wrote:
What if "Juice" is better than JJ and doesn't fumble??

I think we need to remember all the other things running backs do other than running the football. Mainly picking up blitzes. This is crucial, and generally it takes a little bit of time for players to pick it up. I'm assuming this is why Juice isn't getting more run.

Miguel

9/17/2010, 5:05:32 AM

snoscythe wrote:
I'm not so sure JJ was benched for his fumble. I think it was how he reacted that got his number called less. After his fumble, he seemed to play a lot more cautiously which in turn led to him being less effective, which led to his number getting called less.

That said, I think how JJ reacted was the coaches' fault, either Reynolds or Anae. Instead of supporting him and getting his confidence back up, they undermined it. I'd rather have a balls-to-the-wall DiLuigi who breaks big runs and fumbles once every two games than have a tentative, ineffective JJ who never puts it on the ground. He's only going to be successful if he's daring and confident, and I think the way his fumble was handled stripped him of those qualities at AFA.

Bingo. Each player has their own personality and I don't think it's too much to ask coaches to figure out how to treat their best players. JJ with confidence is our biggest offensive weapon this year and next. Get him back in the game, rebuild his confidence. So he fumbles once in a while? That will hurt, but what will hurt more is if we lose him completely to his self-doubts.

Brayden Green

9/17/2010, 5:43:12 AM

Juice is not better than JJ. Not currently. I expect him to contend for the "title" someday.

A huge part of our offense is (should be - our offense is recently a lot of things it isn't) the half back out, or quick pass. Juice dropped pass after pass, when JJ is everything you want in a pass catching back. Think Harvey, and add about 5 steps in the 40.

pjmuli

9/17/2010, 7:17:12 AM

BlueIsBetter wrote:
Juice is not better than JJ. Not currently. I expect him to contend for the "title" someday.

A huge part of our offense is (should be - our offense is recently a lot of things it isn't) the half back out, or quick pass. Juice dropped pass after pass, when JJ is everything you want in a pass catching back. Think Harvey, and add about 5 steps in the 40.

I completely agree with this thread and think this post is accurate.

I also take this opportunity to again question why Kayira is used as much as he is.

Wickchad

9/17/2010, 12:53:20 PM

BlueIsBetter wrote:
Juice is not better than JJ. Not currently. I expect him to contend for the "title" someday.

A huge part of our offense is (should be - our offense is recently a lot of things it isn't) the half back out, or quick pass. Juice dropped pass after pass, when JJ is everything you want in a pass catching back. Think Harvey, and add about 5 steps in the 40.

I have no confidence in JJ catching the ball in traffic. If he is wide open he will catch it. If there is a defender on his hip his hands turn to bricks. If he feels footsteps coming at him from the opposite direction he gets alligator arms.

CAFB_04-12

9/17/2010, 1:01:15 PM

Well thought out post. I'd like to see Riley and JJ as split backs myself.

bball

9/17/2010, 4:27:40 PM

Frankly, I love DiLugi, he has a lot to offer, he's quick, good hands, runs well. What disappoints me about JJ, Chambers, Ashworth, and a few other Juniors on the team, is they are not playing like Juniors, not like experienced, talented players--that's my disappointment. If a freshmen fumbles, you kind of expect it, but not from Juniors and seniors. My hope is that these "star" juniors on the team will step up, lead by example, not fumble, catch balls, and make plays. There is ample talent on this team to play with anybody...if the team elders play like they can and should.

kiwibacon

9/17/2010, 4:29:30 PM

Hamburger is my main "beef"...I kid, I kid.

Mars

9/17/2010, 8:28:54 PM

pjmuli wrote:
I completely agree with this thread and think this post is accurate.

I also take this opportunity to again question why Kayira is used as much as he is.

So far this season:

JJ DiLuigi: 20 Carries for 172 Yards (8.5 Yards per Carry)

Riley Nelson: 28 Carries for 140 Yards (5.0 Yards per Carry)

Bryan Kariya: 15 Carries for 43 Yards (2.8 Yards per Carry)

Jake Heaps: 1 Carry for 6 Yards (6.0 Yards per Carry)

Joshua "Juice" Quezada: 0 Carries

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/boxscore?gid=201009040088" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/boxscore?gid=201009110087" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If I had my druthers, the RB carry numbers would look something more like THIS so far:

DiLuigi- 34

Nelson- 10

Kariya- 6

Heaps- 2

Quezada- 4

Hague- 4

Mendenhall- 2

Foote- 2

Folsom- 2

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