SonicHawk
Well-known member
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- Aug 22, 2012
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Sam in the win -- 22/33 2 TD, 2 INT, 295 Yards
How scoring works: Up to 3 points available each passing play. 3 is exceptional, -3 is braindead. 0 is a neutral. 35 passing plays, so scoring (updated to match my grading curve):
Below 18: F
19 - 20: D
21 - 25: C
26 - 29: B
30+: A
1st Quarter
14:18 | 2nd & 9 | SEA 36 || 3 yards to Kupp — Kupp in motion, designed pass to him. Good to see Kupp involved early. +1, fine
13:39 | 3rd & 6 | SEA 39 || 15 yards to JSN — Empty backfield, man D. Sam just stares down JSN as he hits his spot in stride. Genuinely have no idea what the safety is doing and JSN just gets tripped up. +2, good timing.
11:16 | 3rd & 10| PIT 33 || 12 yards to JSN — Empty backfield, Sam once again stares down JSN and fires to an inexplicably open JSN. MLB just stares at Sam and makes no movement towards JSN. Pitt sucks. +1, I could make this throw.
10:34 | 1st & 10| PIT 21 || TROY HORTON TOUCHDOWN — This Pitt defense is remarkably bad. They play so much man defense yet get beat every single play. Their safety has the IQ of a fencepost, but he breaks to cover JSN (since JSN has gassed the CB), leaving Horton even further wide open since he absolutely GASSED Ramsey. +3, Nothing particularly impressive but I likey TDs.
04:41 | 1st & 10| SEA 29 || INT, intended for Kupp — Really interesting interception. Ramsey is man on Kupp, Kupp stutters and breaks for the sideline and Ramsey loses his footing. At this moment, Darnold begins throwing. Unfortunately, Darnold significantly underthrows this and Ramsey does an incredible job of quickly recovering and snagging it in front of Kupp. -2, Certainly not the wrong throwing decision, but can't leave it short here.
1:31 | 2nd & 11| SEA 29 || 17 Yards to Kupp — Horton goes into motion and runs a wheel, he's wide open next to the sideline but Darnold goes with his first read in Kupp. There are 3 Stealers defenders around Kupp and yet Kupp catches and moves without anyone touching him. +0, I think a better defensive team maybe even has a chance to pick this one.
0:57 | 1st & 10| SEA 46 || 24 Yards to Arroyo — I genuinely can't imagine what the safeties and d'backs rooms are doing right now. The Stealers are double covering Dareke Young (lol) deep leaving 30 yards of green completely untouched with multiple Hawk receivers just existing freely. Arroyo very much lumbers. +1, is this cheating?
2nd Quarter
15:00 | 2nd & 14 | PIT 34 || 2 yards to JSN — More college plays. Pitt is in zone and reacts slowly but JSN is only able to get 2. +0, no points for zzz.
14:19 | 3rd & 12 | PIT 32 || 11 yards to Horton — This is an easy first down if he A) looks off the safety for a half second or B) leads Horton. The pass ends up a little behind a wide open Horton. +1, It wasn't that off target but couldve been better.
13:02 | 1st & 10 | PIT 19 || Inc intended for Arroyo — A timing play that Darnold is behind on. The ball should be in the air before Arroyo turns around. Doesn't matter too much because the corner doesn't bite on Horton diving in and is there to make the play on Arroyo. +0, no points.
12:16 | 3rd & 8| PIT 17 || Inc — Darnold stares down JSN but Ramsey has excellent position on his route, Darnold escapes the pocket and gets into open space. JSN eventually turns around and comes back to the ball, but goes towards the middle of the field instead of following Darnold to the outside (where he could've been thrown) Darnold throws it away. +1, a few negatives and a few positives but overall good decision making by Darnold.
9:22 | 1st & 10 | SEA 42 || -8 yard sack — Pressure comes up the middle quickly, nothing you can do. +0.
8:39 | 2nd & 18 | SEA 34 || 4 yards to JSN — A real short out route to try to get the ball to your playmaker. +0, ok.
7:55 | 3rd & 14| SEA 38 || 13 yards to KW — Nothing develops downfield as there are 4 backs covering 2 receivers who are for some ungodly reason right next to eachother. The pocket collapses and KW ducks underneath and Sam finds him throwing on his backfoot the wrong direction. +2, Sam does a good job keeping it alive and finding something here.
6:13 | 1st & 10 | SEA 38 || 14 yards to JSN — Missed opportunity to let it fly to Arroyo for a bigger gain but JSN gets open after Arroyo goes by and Sam hits him on the run +2, nice pitch and catch.
3:41 | 4th & 1 | SEA 48 || INT — Play action with Pitt going all out doesn't work. I'm sure Sam wishes he had this flailing toss back but unfortunately it's tipped. -1, I don't have a great answer for what he should've done here, he's mobile but not that mobile.
1:04 | 1st & 10 | SEA 27 || 17 yards to Kupp — One of the few times I've seen Darnold go through a progression. I'm real surprised he doesn't go to Horton who is 10 yards deeper than Kupp and has the safety turned to the wrong side. Still Kupp is able to gain only about 10 yards less than what Horton would have. +1, totally acceptable.
0:40 | 1st & 10 | SEA 44 || INC to Horton — Short pass to Horton. It's a good ball but it's late. When Horton gets to his spot Darnold is staring at him but doesn't throw the ball. The safety, who is 7 yards back at this point starts moving towards Horton. The ball is not released until the safety is only 4 yards away and is able to deliver a solid smack as the ball arrives. -1, You can't stare down a guy who's just standing there.
0:37 | 2nd & 10 | SEA 44 || 4 yards to JSN — Once again the ball is late on nearly the same issue as the last play. He had plenty of time in the pocket and multiple ditch routes nearby. -1, these types of balls get picked or knocked out all the time.
0:32 | 3rd & 6 | SEA 48 || INC to JSN — Cross gets embarrassed and Sam throws it away. Kupp beats his guy here, which should have been obvious based on the bodily position of the back who was covering him who was leaning to the sideline when Kupp cuts in. +0, Not negative but I wish Darnold was able to put together that Kupp would have been open.
2nd Half, 3rd Quarter
9:25 | 2nd & 11 | SEA 43 || 7 yards to Arroyo — Way better timing on this. Darnold starts throwing before Arroyo turns and allows the ball to get there into tight coverage. +2, Makeup points?
8:46 | 3rd & 4 | 50 || 17 yards to Kupp — Kupp beats his man and Darnold leads him perfectly. +2, good shit.
8:05 | 1st & 10 | PIT 33 || 16 yards to Arroyo — Another play with excellent timing. Darnold hits Kupp (first read) right when he’s exactly in between 4 defenders. +1, no issues, just not spectacular.
6:14 | 1st & 7 | PIT 7 || TD AJ BARNER — Barner settles into a blindspot in the zone as the linebacker takes a step in the wrong direction. Would have liked to see the ball to Barner’s left a little bit to give him a bit more space to catch but Barner keeps his eyes on the ball even though the LB gets there. +2, TD!
3:29 | 2nd & 10 | SEA 20 || INC to Horton — JSN and Horton are basically on go routes. LB breaks through on a delayed blitz and Darnold basically throws it away. I wish he gave Horton a chance and threw it towards the sideline. +0, not sure that’s the best attempt there.
3:22 | 3rd & 10 | SEA 20 || INC to Kupp — we have 7 in for protection in an empty backfield but 3 Stealers crash to the middle after one another and breakthrough. Darnold escapes the pocket, gets tripped up and shoves a ball towards Kupp +1, almost worked.
1:33 | 1st & 10 | SEA 9 || 7 yards to Kupp — 2 backs with Darnold, once again Darnold gets the ball out quick to Kupp (his body was actually facing towards Arroyo, but he whips it across his body to get to Kupp) +2, good timing, maybe a fake?
0:21 | 1st & 10 | SEA 19 || INC to Kupp — Pitt blitz gets there quick and Darnold panics. Same type of play that was picked earlier. I think you’d rather either take the sack or try to duck the less agile rusher. +0, gamespeed makes this hard
0:17 | 2nd & 10 | SEA 19 || 9 yards to JSN — Designed quick pass to your playmaker. +1, no issues.
4th Quarter
15:00 | 3rd & 1 | SEA 28 || 13 yards to Kupp — Darnold goes through his progression and eventually finds Kupp. The only thing I wish was that he had his body ready to throw. His extended set and then windup gives the safety a chance to meet Kupp at the ball. +2, get ready to throw but overall solid.
12:58 | 2nd & 7 | PIT 36 || INC to no one — Fake toss results in 3 pitt defenders running at Darnold. Unfortunately he only seems to be reacting to 2 and not the one on his blindside (come on Abe, hold the edge). A tenth of a second earlier and this is a fumble and hard to blame blindside when there are two other defenders coming. +0
12:52 | 3rd & 7 | PIT 36 || INC to JSN — I don’t have a good explanation for where Darnold was throwing here. Maybe the pressure shortened his arm angle and he couldn’t get the angle he wanted after he started his throwing motion +0, benefit of doubt.
6:33 | 3rd & 9 | SEA 28 || 19 yards to AJ Barner — One of the most pivotal plays of the game. Zabel let’s Patrick Queen (LB) run right through, Darnold spins out the sack rolls out and tosses a little drop into Barner’s hands. +3, game changing
5:54 | 1st & 10 | SEA 47 || 43 yards to JSN — JSN gets one on one with Ramsey and gets a half step on him and Darnold throws it to where only JSN can get to. +2, good throw.
4:29 | 2nd & 10 | PIT 10 || -9 yard sack — No one open, free runner to Darnold +1, what ya gonna do.
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FINAL STATS
29 Points | B+
Summary: No braindead plays today. Second half was a lot better. Probably an “A-” 2nd half. The times where he gets to go through his progression were pretty good, he just needs to get the ball out quicker to shorter routes – we’re talking .25 seconds quicker, which means feet better set when he goes through that progression. Not a ton of negativity in general.
It was good to see Kupp heavily involved and even Horton. Wouldn’t mind seeing more TE work, but this offensive line still isn’t great.
How scoring works: Up to 3 points available each passing play. 3 is exceptional, -3 is braindead. 0 is a neutral. 35 passing plays, so scoring (updated to match my grading curve):
Below 18: F
19 - 20: D
21 - 25: C
26 - 29: B
30+: A
1st Quarter
14:18 | 2nd & 9 | SEA 36 || 3 yards to Kupp — Kupp in motion, designed pass to him. Good to see Kupp involved early. +1, fine
13:39 | 3rd & 6 | SEA 39 || 15 yards to JSN — Empty backfield, man D. Sam just stares down JSN as he hits his spot in stride. Genuinely have no idea what the safety is doing and JSN just gets tripped up. +2, good timing.
11:16 | 3rd & 10| PIT 33 || 12 yards to JSN — Empty backfield, Sam once again stares down JSN and fires to an inexplicably open JSN. MLB just stares at Sam and makes no movement towards JSN. Pitt sucks. +1, I could make this throw.
10:34 | 1st & 10| PIT 21 || TROY HORTON TOUCHDOWN — This Pitt defense is remarkably bad. They play so much man defense yet get beat every single play. Their safety has the IQ of a fencepost, but he breaks to cover JSN (since JSN has gassed the CB), leaving Horton even further wide open since he absolutely GASSED Ramsey. +3, Nothing particularly impressive but I likey TDs.
04:41 | 1st & 10| SEA 29 || INT, intended for Kupp — Really interesting interception. Ramsey is man on Kupp, Kupp stutters and breaks for the sideline and Ramsey loses his footing. At this moment, Darnold begins throwing. Unfortunately, Darnold significantly underthrows this and Ramsey does an incredible job of quickly recovering and snagging it in front of Kupp. -2, Certainly not the wrong throwing decision, but can't leave it short here.
1:31 | 2nd & 11| SEA 29 || 17 Yards to Kupp — Horton goes into motion and runs a wheel, he's wide open next to the sideline but Darnold goes with his first read in Kupp. There are 3 Stealers defenders around Kupp and yet Kupp catches and moves without anyone touching him. +0, I think a better defensive team maybe even has a chance to pick this one.
0:57 | 1st & 10| SEA 46 || 24 Yards to Arroyo — I genuinely can't imagine what the safeties and d'backs rooms are doing right now. The Stealers are double covering Dareke Young (lol) deep leaving 30 yards of green completely untouched with multiple Hawk receivers just existing freely. Arroyo very much lumbers. +1, is this cheating?
2nd Quarter
15:00 | 2nd & 14 | PIT 34 || 2 yards to JSN — More college plays. Pitt is in zone and reacts slowly but JSN is only able to get 2. +0, no points for zzz.
14:19 | 3rd & 12 | PIT 32 || 11 yards to Horton — This is an easy first down if he A) looks off the safety for a half second or B) leads Horton. The pass ends up a little behind a wide open Horton. +1, It wasn't that off target but couldve been better.
13:02 | 1st & 10 | PIT 19 || Inc intended for Arroyo — A timing play that Darnold is behind on. The ball should be in the air before Arroyo turns around. Doesn't matter too much because the corner doesn't bite on Horton diving in and is there to make the play on Arroyo. +0, no points.
12:16 | 3rd & 8| PIT 17 || Inc — Darnold stares down JSN but Ramsey has excellent position on his route, Darnold escapes the pocket and gets into open space. JSN eventually turns around and comes back to the ball, but goes towards the middle of the field instead of following Darnold to the outside (where he could've been thrown) Darnold throws it away. +1, a few negatives and a few positives but overall good decision making by Darnold.
9:22 | 1st & 10 | SEA 42 || -8 yard sack — Pressure comes up the middle quickly, nothing you can do. +0.
8:39 | 2nd & 18 | SEA 34 || 4 yards to JSN — A real short out route to try to get the ball to your playmaker. +0, ok.
7:55 | 3rd & 14| SEA 38 || 13 yards to KW — Nothing develops downfield as there are 4 backs covering 2 receivers who are for some ungodly reason right next to eachother. The pocket collapses and KW ducks underneath and Sam finds him throwing on his backfoot the wrong direction. +2, Sam does a good job keeping it alive and finding something here.
6:13 | 1st & 10 | SEA 38 || 14 yards to JSN — Missed opportunity to let it fly to Arroyo for a bigger gain but JSN gets open after Arroyo goes by and Sam hits him on the run +2, nice pitch and catch.
3:41 | 4th & 1 | SEA 48 || INT — Play action with Pitt going all out doesn't work. I'm sure Sam wishes he had this flailing toss back but unfortunately it's tipped. -1, I don't have a great answer for what he should've done here, he's mobile but not that mobile.
1:04 | 1st & 10 | SEA 27 || 17 yards to Kupp — One of the few times I've seen Darnold go through a progression. I'm real surprised he doesn't go to Horton who is 10 yards deeper than Kupp and has the safety turned to the wrong side. Still Kupp is able to gain only about 10 yards less than what Horton would have. +1, totally acceptable.
0:40 | 1st & 10 | SEA 44 || INC to Horton — Short pass to Horton. It's a good ball but it's late. When Horton gets to his spot Darnold is staring at him but doesn't throw the ball. The safety, who is 7 yards back at this point starts moving towards Horton. The ball is not released until the safety is only 4 yards away and is able to deliver a solid smack as the ball arrives. -1, You can't stare down a guy who's just standing there.
0:37 | 2nd & 10 | SEA 44 || 4 yards to JSN — Once again the ball is late on nearly the same issue as the last play. He had plenty of time in the pocket and multiple ditch routes nearby. -1, these types of balls get picked or knocked out all the time.
0:32 | 3rd & 6 | SEA 48 || INC to JSN — Cross gets embarrassed and Sam throws it away. Kupp beats his guy here, which should have been obvious based on the bodily position of the back who was covering him who was leaning to the sideline when Kupp cuts in. +0, Not negative but I wish Darnold was able to put together that Kupp would have been open.
2nd Half, 3rd Quarter
9:25 | 2nd & 11 | SEA 43 || 7 yards to Arroyo — Way better timing on this. Darnold starts throwing before Arroyo turns and allows the ball to get there into tight coverage. +2, Makeup points?
8:46 | 3rd & 4 | 50 || 17 yards to Kupp — Kupp beats his man and Darnold leads him perfectly. +2, good shit.
8:05 | 1st & 10 | PIT 33 || 16 yards to Arroyo — Another play with excellent timing. Darnold hits Kupp (first read) right when he’s exactly in between 4 defenders. +1, no issues, just not spectacular.
6:14 | 1st & 7 | PIT 7 || TD AJ BARNER — Barner settles into a blindspot in the zone as the linebacker takes a step in the wrong direction. Would have liked to see the ball to Barner’s left a little bit to give him a bit more space to catch but Barner keeps his eyes on the ball even though the LB gets there. +2, TD!
3:29 | 2nd & 10 | SEA 20 || INC to Horton — JSN and Horton are basically on go routes. LB breaks through on a delayed blitz and Darnold basically throws it away. I wish he gave Horton a chance and threw it towards the sideline. +0, not sure that’s the best attempt there.
3:22 | 3rd & 10 | SEA 20 || INC to Kupp — we have 7 in for protection in an empty backfield but 3 Stealers crash to the middle after one another and breakthrough. Darnold escapes the pocket, gets tripped up and shoves a ball towards Kupp +1, almost worked.
1:33 | 1st & 10 | SEA 9 || 7 yards to Kupp — 2 backs with Darnold, once again Darnold gets the ball out quick to Kupp (his body was actually facing towards Arroyo, but he whips it across his body to get to Kupp) +2, good timing, maybe a fake?
0:21 | 1st & 10 | SEA 19 || INC to Kupp — Pitt blitz gets there quick and Darnold panics. Same type of play that was picked earlier. I think you’d rather either take the sack or try to duck the less agile rusher. +0, gamespeed makes this hard
0:17 | 2nd & 10 | SEA 19 || 9 yards to JSN — Designed quick pass to your playmaker. +1, no issues.
4th Quarter
15:00 | 3rd & 1 | SEA 28 || 13 yards to Kupp — Darnold goes through his progression and eventually finds Kupp. The only thing I wish was that he had his body ready to throw. His extended set and then windup gives the safety a chance to meet Kupp at the ball. +2, get ready to throw but overall solid.
12:58 | 2nd & 7 | PIT 36 || INC to no one — Fake toss results in 3 pitt defenders running at Darnold. Unfortunately he only seems to be reacting to 2 and not the one on his blindside (come on Abe, hold the edge). A tenth of a second earlier and this is a fumble and hard to blame blindside when there are two other defenders coming. +0
12:52 | 3rd & 7 | PIT 36 || INC to JSN — I don’t have a good explanation for where Darnold was throwing here. Maybe the pressure shortened his arm angle and he couldn’t get the angle he wanted after he started his throwing motion +0, benefit of doubt.
6:33 | 3rd & 9 | SEA 28 || 19 yards to AJ Barner — One of the most pivotal plays of the game. Zabel let’s Patrick Queen (LB) run right through, Darnold spins out the sack rolls out and tosses a little drop into Barner’s hands. +3, game changing
5:54 | 1st & 10 | SEA 47 || 43 yards to JSN — JSN gets one on one with Ramsey and gets a half step on him and Darnold throws it to where only JSN can get to. +2, good throw.
4:29 | 2nd & 10 | PIT 10 || -9 yard sack — No one open, free runner to Darnold +1, what ya gonna do.
————————————
FINAL STATS
29 Points | B+
Summary: No braindead plays today. Second half was a lot better. Probably an “A-” 2nd half. The times where he gets to go through his progression were pretty good, he just needs to get the ball out quicker to shorter routes – we’re talking .25 seconds quicker, which means feet better set when he goes through that progression. Not a ton of negativity in general.
It was good to see Kupp heavily involved and even Horton. Wouldn’t mind seeing more TE work, but this offensive line still isn’t great.
