I was thinking back today to a stat that I heard Josh Conklin say when I heard him speak at a clinic in the off-season. He mentioned that in 2013, teams threw 122 fade routes against Michigan State. They completed 1. It was actually such a rediculous stat that I had to take a picture of the slide to make sure I was reading it right. I am not sure how many fades Pitt has given up this year (perhaps Chris or another stat junkie on this board could chime in on this) but it is certainly more than 1.
What I take from that is this scheme dares teams to throw fades. When a WR is basically clear of a safety after 15 yards and he is a guy they think will go up and get the ball, it would be silly not to throw it to him if the defense has shorter corners who are not the quickest of foot. This defense is predicated on having two great corners. Not two good ones, or even one great one. In 2013, MSU had two great corners and basically took the fade route away from its opponents playbook. I am not knocking Pitts, or even Maddox who may be able to be one of those guys, but CB in this defense has to be a very special player. Once HCPN gets a couple of those guys on the roster, it will have a tremendous impact on the overall defense, which is giving up long touchdowns in part because of secondary coverage issues. I have no doubt that they are selling the importance of this position to Hamlin, Coleman, etc. Pitt's D has been pretty good with the current roster, but it will continue to improve with more experience and more of the great recruits they are bringing in.
Hail to Pitt!!
What I take from that is this scheme dares teams to throw fades. When a WR is basically clear of a safety after 15 yards and he is a guy they think will go up and get the ball, it would be silly not to throw it to him if the defense has shorter corners who are not the quickest of foot. This defense is predicated on having two great corners. Not two good ones, or even one great one. In 2013, MSU had two great corners and basically took the fade route away from its opponents playbook. I am not knocking Pitts, or even Maddox who may be able to be one of those guys, but CB in this defense has to be a very special player. Once HCPN gets a couple of those guys on the roster, it will have a tremendous impact on the overall defense, which is giving up long touchdowns in part because of secondary coverage issues. I have no doubt that they are selling the importance of this position to Hamlin, Coleman, etc. Pitt's D has been pretty good with the current roster, but it will continue to improve with more experience and more of the great recruits they are bringing in.
Hail to Pitt!!
