one of the problems with many of the recent and beyond Pitt teams is that the defense just doesn't produce turnovers especially when it comes to picks. I realize that interceptions don't always occur unless the line is pressuring the QB , In fact the last time we had a defender intercept more than three passes in a year was in 2012 when Jason Hendricks had six. That was one of the years Aaron Donald created havoc with enemy QB'S and backs. Since than the team leaders have had just three or less even though we have had a number of backs move on to the league since. Especially this year while we wait for the offense to come around we need the defense to turn around the possession and field position as well. I am hoping that Ford and Hamlin from the safety spots and our corners could start to reverse that trend beginning with this week.Its time.
Interceptions
- Thread starter poconopanther
- Start date
No surprise to me when you look at how our defensive backs play. They're not even watching the ball 90% of the time. Someone (was it Hamlin?) was fooled into committing a pass interference penalty because the receiver made a motion that looked like he was getting ready to receive the ball, so he tackled him.
Seems like, in college, the teams who like to sit back in zones and give the QB more difficult reads (while actually looking at where the ball is going) would create more interceptions. Never know when you'll get someone wearing #8 and scrambling right who decides to throw back against his body into 3+ defenders. We decide to make it easy and let quarterbacks now where they favorable matchup will be before the ball is even snapped.
Seems like, in college, the teams who like to sit back in zones and give the QB more difficult reads (while actually looking at where the ball is going) would create more interceptions. Never know when you'll get someone wearing #8 and scrambling right who decides to throw back against his body into 3+ defenders. We decide to make it easy and let quarterbacks now where they favorable matchup will be before the ball is even snapped.
Lack of speed, and quickness ( two necessary but different attributes for a DB) at the DB position forces DB's to be in defensive positions ( facing the receiver) rather than making reads on the QB and ball.
Have we had that, though? Lewis, Maddox, and Mathis can all fly. And, by all accounts, Jackson and Pinnock are pretty darn good college corners. Just seems like it's more of a coaching thing. They've seemingly wanted guys to turn and find the ball... they just aren't doing that, for some reason.
When I watched the game on replay, the announcers commented that Hamlin was beaten by the receiver and was smart to tackle him for a 15 yard penalty instead of giving up a sure touchdown.
I saw that, too, on the highlights, but I didn't really think he was beaten that badly. It seemed like he could have made a play on the ball. I don't know.
We have plenty of speed and quickness. Jackson has both and Mathis is an elite athlete. Mathis is a legit 4.4 guy with a 40 inch vertical. Some guys are ball hawks and read the ball better. I think Ford will pick off his share as he has a nose for the ball.
Because they are out of position for some reason otherwise they'd be intercepting and knocking balls down.
If they have the necessary speed and quickness something else is missing but lets see how we fair wk 2 against MAC talent.
We should see an interception or two.
He committed a pass interference penalty because if he hadn't the other two choices were to pray that their receiver caught drop-itis from one of our guys or watch the guy score a touchdown. That dude was running past him like he was standing still.
That play is exactly why the NFL won't change pass interference to a 15 yard penalty like in college. Why "reward" the DB for tackling the receiver after he gets clearly beaten on a play?
The DB is "rewarded" in either case, though, since he has prevented the touchdown. It is just a matter of how great the penalty will be, 15 yards vs spot of the foul.
Like I said, from my vantage point, I just didn't think he was beaten badly enough to warrant it. I know people are quick to compliment DBs when they do that in the same way that they compliment quarterbacks when they conservatively throw it away, because it's a concession that goes against what they are typically trying to do, but a touchdown is certainly no guarantee with a moderately accurate college quarterback at the helm.
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