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The Daily OrangeFB | McCullough: Logic lacking in Robinson's coaching moves
By Andy McCullough
Posted: 9/29/08, 12:55 AM EST Section: Sports
Why didn't Robinson call more run blitzes to disrupt Pitt's ground attack? Time and again, the Panthers pounded the front seven of the Orange, churning out 220 yards behind LeSean McCoy and LaRod Stephens-Howling. Time and again, Syracuse used the same tame defensive schemes, reacting instead of attacking. Why didn't he at least try something different?
"There were some times we just played a lot of base defense, where it was just like trying to make plays," said Nick Santiago, a senior defensive tackle, who, like Brinkley, has put up with this for four years now. "But I think that we just got to start bringing the heat more as far as blitzing and stuff like that."
Why no blitzing? "When teams are in two tight ends and two backs, easier said than done," Robinson said. "It sounds real good, but, hey, it's feast or famine."
So Syracuse chose to take what was given: a steady diet of power running from the Panthers.
And, of course, there was the punt in the first quarter. The punt when Syracuse led 14-3, had a 4th-and-1 at the Panthers' 38 and a full wind of momentum whipping at its back. That punt.
It happened first in the game, but it's saved for last here, because, really, it was the coup de grace of nonsensical.
Why not go for it?
"We had the lead," Robinson said. "We had the lead right there … That's desperate. That's desperate, in my mind. No. You play smart football. You punt it down there and you're supposed to stop them."
Pitt drove down for a field goal after the punt, and the Orange missed an opportunity. Robinson insisted afterward that his team needed more than a yard, maybe even two, to get that first down. Of course, Robinson said the ball was around the Pitt 45, and that was seven yards off.
But calling it "desperate?" It is easy to second-guess. But it's also easy to gain a yard. Pittsburgh's Dave Wannstedt, a coach in hot water himself after an opening loss and a few slow starts, certainly appreciated getting the football back.
And when Pitt faced a key fourth down - 4th-and-inches from its own 32, trailing by eight in the third quarter - it went for it. And got it. And tied the game four plays later.
One man might see that situation as desperate. Another might see it as necessary. Sometimes, things can be both. Sometimes, desperation is a good thing.
Because other people in the Syracuse athletic department make decisions, too. Robinson's choices on Saturday might have been enough to force a move.
At this point, that would make sense.
Andy McCullough is the enterprise editor of The Daily Orange, where his columns appear occasionally. You can reach him at ramccull@syr.edu
"There were some times we just played a lot of base defense, where it was just like trying to make plays," said Nick Santiago, a senior defensive tackle, who, like Brinkley, has put up with this for four years now. "But I think that we just got to start bringing the heat more as far as blitzing and stuff like that."
Why no blitzing? "When teams are in two tight ends and two backs, easier said than done," Robinson said. "It sounds real good, but, hey, it's feast or famine."
So Syracuse chose to take what was given: a steady diet of power running from the Panthers.
And, of course, there was the punt in the first quarter. The punt when Syracuse led 14-3, had a 4th-and-1 at the Panthers' 38 and a full wind of momentum whipping at its back. That punt.
It happened first in the game, but it's saved for last here, because, really, it was the coup de grace of nonsensical.
Why not go for it?
"We had the lead," Robinson said. "We had the lead right there … That's desperate. That's desperate, in my mind. No. You play smart football. You punt it down there and you're supposed to stop them."
Pitt drove down for a field goal after the punt, and the Orange missed an opportunity. Robinson insisted afterward that his team needed more than a yard, maybe even two, to get that first down. Of course, Robinson said the ball was around the Pitt 45, and that was seven yards off.
But calling it "desperate?" It is easy to second-guess. But it's also easy to gain a yard. Pittsburgh's Dave Wannstedt, a coach in hot water himself after an opening loss and a few slow starts, certainly appreciated getting the football back.
And when Pitt faced a key fourth down - 4th-and-inches from its own 32, trailing by eight in the third quarter - it went for it. And got it. And tied the game four plays later.
One man might see that situation as desperate. Another might see it as necessary. Sometimes, things can be both. Sometimes, desperation is a good thing.
Because other people in the Syracuse athletic department make decisions, too. Robinson's choices on Saturday might have been enough to force a move.
At this point, that would make sense.
Andy McCullough is the enterprise editor of The Daily Orange, where his columns appear occasionally. You can reach him at ramccull@syr.edu
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