Just re-watched the 1st series (3 plays) for GT vs. Pitt.
Based on his movement, I presume that Pitt's instructions/strategy for Galambos was to read dive-first and continue to scrape to the outside to help on pitch-man. Problem? For whatever reason, including lack of lateral quickness, Galambos wasn't able to get to the outside after first waiting for dive-read. On the 1st play, he got hung up on a lineman's block and was too late getting to the outside, despite properly reading the direction of the flow/play. On the second play, Whitehead was either blitzing or read it immediately and was on the pitch-man in the backfield for a great play. On the third play/Rushing TD, Galambos took two steps to his right - as a result of the QB fooling him in misdirection - and then wasn't quick enough to get back to cover the pitch-man on the near-side for a huge play.
As we all know, the 2nd Half's option - w/ a nod to GT throwing for some reason - was defended much better. I'm wondering if one of the adjustments made was to simply take away Galambos' responsibility to first read dive and simply flow to the pitch man as soon as QB decides which side he's going to. If you continue watching the 1H, Galambos is repeatedly hung up in the middle while the edge isn't protected. I think they simply took a read off his responsibilities and allowed him to flow faster to edge.
Puts more responsibility on the DT's to wrap the dive. Seems like they were able to handle it.
Interesting stuff. I'd love to know specific adjustments the staff made.
SPII
Based on his movement, I presume that Pitt's instructions/strategy for Galambos was to read dive-first and continue to scrape to the outside to help on pitch-man. Problem? For whatever reason, including lack of lateral quickness, Galambos wasn't able to get to the outside after first waiting for dive-read. On the 1st play, he got hung up on a lineman's block and was too late getting to the outside, despite properly reading the direction of the flow/play. On the second play, Whitehead was either blitzing or read it immediately and was on the pitch-man in the backfield for a great play. On the third play/Rushing TD, Galambos took two steps to his right - as a result of the QB fooling him in misdirection - and then wasn't quick enough to get back to cover the pitch-man on the near-side for a huge play.
As we all know, the 2nd Half's option - w/ a nod to GT throwing for some reason - was defended much better. I'm wondering if one of the adjustments made was to simply take away Galambos' responsibility to first read dive and simply flow to the pitch man as soon as QB decides which side he's going to. If you continue watching the 1H, Galambos is repeatedly hung up in the middle while the edge isn't protected. I think they simply took a read off his responsibilities and allowed him to flow faster to edge.
Puts more responsibility on the DT's to wrap the dive. Seems like they were able to handle it.
Interesting stuff. I'd love to know specific adjustments the staff made.
SPII
