Maddox gotta sit....put anybody in his place...

[jgdPittfan]

Game after game, Maddox gets burned.....can't believe he has not been benched....
heck, try Whitehead there, or Briggs or Henderson or Motley or Lewis....this seems like a no brainer...

 

[Pghfan]

We were warned by Sparta fans, this is the downside with duzz's system.. As much as a CB can shine in this system, obviously they can be exposed.. You can't have it both ways, you cant have an aggressive, stop the run at all costs, system that highlights strong CB play without having a down side.. Maddox was asked to play single coverage on a very good WR, without inside safety help, this is what happens.. If there were no downside, everyone would do it..

I like Maddox, think he is our best option. Going forward, I think we will see bigger, more physical Cbs in this system. Look at msu's CBs the last few years, most seem to be 6' or taller, around the 200+ range.. I just think this is a growing pain of the system, not surprising, Sparta fans came over and said this is exactly what will happen til you get the players he wants in the system..

 

[pittzap]

He gets a lot of balls thrown his way because of his size.

We have gotten no pressure on the QB the past few games, so I will put some of the blame on the dline. Hard to cover someone for so long.

 

[H2P-2007]

I actually think Maddox has been our best corner, but he is small so gets beat by big receivers even when he is in position.

I think the bigger issue is that Narduzzi's defensive scheme wins by getting pressure on the QB, which gives the corners little support. I dont have a problem with this philosophy, but right now our D-line and LBs arent getting to the QB. Corners are gonna get beat in those circumstances. MSU fans warned us of these growing pains, but if the results come, then they will have been worth it.

 

[Pittx9]

I think he's been really bad lately, but this isn't even possible. We don't have enough cornerbacks to bench both starters, and there is no reasonable person who would bench Maddox and keep playing Pitts. Narduzzi himself would call you a moron if you even mentioned that to him.

 

[VAPITTALUM]

I think he's been really bad lately, but this isn't even possible. We don't have enough cornerbacks to bench both starters, and there is no reasonable person who would bench Maddox and keep playing Pitts. Narduzzi himself would call you a moron if you even mentioned that to him.

There's a direct correlation between how the secondary has looked in the past few games with the play of the DL. It's no surprise that the secondary looked great up until the GT game, while the team was in the Top 5 for sacks/game.

However, as the DL has regressed in terms of creating pressure on the QB, the secondary has also taken a hit. This was especially apparent in the Syracuse, UNC, and ND games where the QB had plenty of time (5 seconds in a lot of cases) to find the receiver downfield. 5 seconds may not seem like a lot of time, but it's an eternity when trying to cover a receiver without committing a penalty for holding for PI.

 

[Pittx9]

There's a direct correlation between how the secondary has looked in the past few games with the play of the DL. It's no surprise that the secondary looked great up until the GT game, while the team was in the Top 5 for sacks/game.

Also very true. I mean no defending the secondary, they're bad. But you have to pressure the QB to give them a chance, especially when they're not so good to begin with. But Maddox even looked great last year after the Duke game, where he looked terrible against a tall receiver. So while you're absolutely correct, I'm still somewhat baffled about Maddox.

 

[vegasgreed]

he's our best corner by default when you have pitts as the other corner. maddox has been bad for a few weeks in a row, it just wasn't notre dame.

I actually think Maddox has been our best corner, but he is small so gets beat by big receivers even when he is in position.

I think the bigger issue is that Narduzzi's defensive scheme wins by getting pressure on the QB, which gives the corners little support. I dont have a problem with this philosophy, but right now our D-line and LBs arent getting to the QB. Corners are gonna get beat in those circumstances. MSU fans warned us of these growing pains, but if the results come, then they will have been worth it.

 

[Jeffburgh]

He is a gamey, tough and quick. He is also is a sophomore starting for his first year in a system that is very challenging for CBs.

CBs get beat up a lot earlier in their careers, it is a learning process, again, especially with a new scheme that is really different from what they played last year. And, the last two games were against very talented teams in peak years.

You KEEP playing him because he will learn and gain the edge from experience to be a better player.

 

[thebadby2]

We were warned by Sparta fans, this is the downside with duzz's system.. As much as a CB can shine in this system, obviously they can be exposed.. You can't have it both ways, you cant have an aggressive, stop the run at all costs, system that highlights strong CB play without having a down side.. Maddox was asked to play single coverage on a very good WR, without inside safety help, this is what happens.. If there were no downside, everyone would do it..

I like Maddox, think he is our best option. Going forward, I think we will see bigger, more physical Cbs in this system. Look at msu's CBs the last few years, most seem to be 6' or taller, around the 200+ range.. I just think this is a growing pain of the system, not surprising, Sparta fans came over and said this is exactly what will happen til you get the players he wants in the system..

You nailed it. Other than the references to "Sparta".

You look at Doozi's best units, they had tall, rangy corners who were able to slow the WRs down at the LOS and stay with them downfield. The key to playing press coverage is what you do at the LOS--you have to get a good jam on that WR, delay his release and change his ability to get into his route. Maddox is a tough little bastard but he is neither big enough nor strong enough for many of these big outside WRs we are seeing. What has been particularly disappointing is that he is having trouble running with them too. I thought he was supposed to be a rocket.

I do think he has been thrown into the fire at Pitt and we will reap the rewards of that in the next two years. He has had some struggles but has had some good moments too. Lots of good football ahead of that kid.

 

[TIGER-PAUL]

The line (actually both) have gotten knocked down a peg the last 2 games exposing the trying hard but smurf-like db's.
They have to get that back up or the last games might be similar to last year's finishes on d.

 

[vegasgreed]

jeff

he started games last year as well.

 

[PittPoker]

Again Maddox is fine against mediocre competition but is below average against the top teams. It is what it is and you can't teach height.

 

[Pittx9]

Again Maddox is fine against mediocre competition but is below average against the top teams. It is what it is and you can't teach height.

You can't overlook how much of a problem height is. That last Fuller TD is easily an INT if Maddox is a little taller. For god's sake he's practically a midget and the catch was a tie, which almost always goes to the receiver.

I can't actually remember now, but was it not Pitts covering Switzer against UNC? See to me, that is a problem. Maddox would've had no problem with Switzer IMO. Switzer isn't even tall enough to ride the Thunderbolt and Maddox you can not deny has shut down receivers that aren't 6'3" or taller.

 

[VAPITTALUM]

You can't overlook how much of a problem height is. That last Fuller TD is easily an INT if Maddox is a little taller. For god's sake he's practically a midget and the catch was a tie, which almost always goes to the receiver.

I can't actually remember now, but was it not Pitts covering Switzer against UNC? See to me, that is a problem. Maddox would've had no problem with Switzer IMO. Switzer isn't even tall enough to ride the Thunderbolt and Maddox you can not deny has shut down receivers that aren't 6'3" or taller.

It was Amara who gave up on the play and allowed Switzer to run by him, when he thought Williams was going down after his face mask was grabbed.

 

[Pittx9]

It was Amara who gave up on the play and allowed Switzer to run by him, when he thought Williams was going down after his face mask was grabbed.

Yes I remember that play. But was Pitts covering him man-to-man for most of the game? That's what I couldn't really remember.

 

[thebadby2]

You can't overlook how much of a problem height is. That last Fuller TD is easily an INT if Maddox is a little taller. For god's sake he's practically a midget and the catch was a tie, which almost always goes to the receiver.

I can't actually remember now, but was it not Pitts covering Switzer against UNC? See to me, that is a problem. Maddox would've had no problem with Switzer IMO. Switzer isn't even tall enough to ride the Thunderbolt and Maddox you can not deny has shut down receivers that aren't 6'3" or taller.

Switzer is a slot receiver and ends up on a safety. On the play you're talking about, it was Amara who got caught flat footed in the middle of the field on the post route. I would also add that Switzer was the fastest, most elusive guy on the field as he is in most games, we don;t have anyone with the possible exception of Whitehead who could keep up with him on a deep route. The key was to not let him release so easily into it, and for the D line to get pressure on the QB. Let him run free off the LOS and give the QB time and you're gonna get scored on.

 

[Pittx9]

Switzer is a slot receiver and ends up on a safety. On the play you're talking about, it was Amara who got caught flat footed in the middle of the field on the post route. I would also add that Switzer was the fastest, most elusive guy on the field as he is in most games, we don;t have anyone with the possible exception of Whitehead who could keep up with him on a deep route. The key was to not let him release so easily into it, and for the D line to get pressure on the QB. Let him run free off the LOS and give the QB time and you're gonna get scored on.

See I think Maddox is fast enough or at least faster than our other options that he would've been better off covering Switzer, even if he was the slot receiver. Unless like you said they had Whitehead on him. Amara has regressed terribly this year, I had no confidence in him going up against Switzer.

 

[Jeffburgh]

Switzer is a slot receiver and ends up on a safety. On the play you're talking about, it was Amara who got caught flat footed in the middle of the field on the post route. I would also add that Switzer was the fastest, most elusive guy on the field as he is in most games, we don;t have anyone with the possible exception of Whitehead who could keep up with him on a deep route. The key was to not let him release so easily into it, and for the D line to get pressure on the QB. Let him run free off the LOS and give the QB time and you're gonna get scored on.

Right, I remember posting before the game when Mitchell and Webb were out, that the thought of Amara on Switzer was terrifying.

 

[Jeffburgh]

jeff

he started games last year as well.

I meant to say starting full time, and the additional rider being that was in a new, more aggressive system.

 

[Jeffburgh]

Again Maddox is fine against mediocre competition but is below average against the top teams. It is what it is and you can't teach height.

Right. Kid is height challenged obviously, and that will be exposed on good, taller WRs.
I do think, again with experience he will get better and be a good CB, not what everyone envisions, but they are just now TRYING to recruit those guys.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Yes I remember that play. But was Pitts covering him man-to-man for most of the game? That's what I couldn't really remember.

Pitts always plays on the short side of the field, Maddux always plays to the wide side of the field. Neither of them follows a particular receiver.

 

[Pittx9]

Pitts always plays on the short side of the field, Maddux always plays to the wide side of the field. Neither of them follows a particular receiver.

I don't know if I agree with that. We've ended up with some really bad mismatches. Pitts has a good bit of times gone up against the opponent's best receiver. That should never happen.

 

[thebadby2]

See I think Maddox is fast enough or at least faster than our other options that he would've been better off covering Switzer, even if he was the slot receiver. Unless like you said they had Whitehead on him. Amara has regressed terribly this year, I had no confidence in him going up against Switzer.

We have no third corner and you can;t put a safety on the outside receiver at the LOS, unless you go to a 5 DB package. Duzzi doesn't like to do that often, and we don;t have any CB depth. Plus if you go 5 DBs, you;re pulling a LB off the field and opening up some other stuff for the O. Every move has a counter move. I'm just saying, I don't think we lost the chess game so much as it was we had a breakdown by the safety on that one particular play and no pressure on the QB. You can get away with one of those misses but not both.

 

[thebadby2]

Pitts always plays on the short side of the field, Maddux always plays to the wide side of the field. Neither of them follows a particular receiver.

Right. Pitts is the boundary corner, Maddox is the field corner. The field corner is generally the better cover man. The boundary corner is typically the better tackler.