Tag: comparison

LSU vs ULM: Tigers vs Warhawks in the “Tale of the Tape”

Breaking down the LSU-ULM game in the tale of the tape.

Not sure if you have heard but the LSU Tigers have an opportunity to get their fifth win of the season. This one comes against in-state rivals the ULM Warhawks, I used the term rivals very loosely. These teams have met on the football field just three times since 2003. The Tigers have won each time by a combined 131-7 margin. The Warhawks’ lone touchdown came in the fourth quarter of the first-ever matchup.

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There has been a false narrative that the LSU Tigers have nothing to play for in the final two games after losing five of the last six games. They still have a bowl game on the table, they just have to get through ULM and Texas A&M. If they can find a way to win both, they will get to a bowl game. Why is playing in a lower-tier bowl game important?

It might not be the sexy bowl matchups that were being dreamed of heading into the season but it isn’t just the game itself. With a bowl game, you get extra practice days. More time for the younger players on the team to get reps, especially if we see some players who might be NFL draft prospects opting out. While Ed Orgeron won’t be back, it remains to be seen if some of the staff are holdovers. Their evaluations will be critical for the next head coach of the LSU Tigers.

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With all that being said, we preview the Tigers-Warhawks game in this week’s tale of the tape.

How do LSU and Alabama stack up statistically

This game features the No. 2 scoring offense facing the No. 85 scoring defense. It could get ugly quickly.

With just one day until the LSU Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide kick off their annual SEC matchup, we dive into the numbers for each group.

As we have noted, this game doesn’t have the luster it did just two years ago. Last season it was clear that the Tigers weren’t going to be able to muster up enough of a fight to make it close. LSU lost that matchup by 38 points. Going into this one, Alabama is favored by four touchdowns.

The laundry list of injuries on the Tigers side seems a mile long, they need a monster effort to win this game. How do these teams stack up?

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First, we look at LSU when they have the ball. 

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Chiefs HC Andy Reid likens Titans RB Derrick Henry to Browns legend Marion Motley

#Chiefs HC Andy Reid compared #Titans RB Derrick Henry to football’s version of the atomic bomb — #Browns legend Marion Motley.

Kansas City Chiefs HC Andy Reid has spent a lot of time around the game of football. Asked to draw on his experience on Friday, Reid came up with an apt comparison for Tennessee Titans RB Derrick Henry, but he had to delve deep into the NFL history books to do it.

“Yeah, Marion Motley,” Reid said with a chuckle. “That was a good answer, wasn’t it?”

For those unfamiliar with the name, Motley was one of the NFL’s first African-American players in the modern era. He broke the color barrier alongside Cleveland Browns’ teammate Bill Willis in 1946. He began his career as a two-way player, but he eventually found his home at the fullback position in Cleveland.

Motley looked like an offensive lineman carrying the ball and not just because he wore the No. 76 either. His size and speed, relative to the time the game was being played, were as impressive as they come. He even managed some home-run plays like Henry has become known for.

Motley put together a highly decorated career in Cleveland, twice leading his league in rushing in 1948 and 1950. He became a two-time First-Team All-Pro and was voted to the Pro Bowl once during his career. He finished his career with a 5.7 yard per attempt average, edging out former Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles for third-place in NFL history if you include pre-merger statistics. He’d later be named to the NFL’s 1940’s All-Decade Team, 75th Anniversary Team and 100th Anniversary Team.

The biggest similarity between guys like Motley and Henry is that defenses don’t want to tackle either of them. Their size and ability to break tackle attempts are just uncanny. If Reid’s comparison wasn’t flattering enough, he had more praise for Henry afterward.

“He’s a heck of a football player,” Reid said of Henry. “To do what he is doing right now and for us to be able to witness that is something special. He’s a big man that keeps himself in great condition, that just doesn’t happen, it’s a year-round process to make sure you get that done. And then I think he’s a good kid on top of all that and he goes out and plays hard. I think he does a nice job, handles himself right.”

Fending off Henry will be a tough task for the Chiefs’ defense in Week 7. Reid knows that he’s going to get his yards on the ground. The key for Kansas City will simply be staying disciplined and limiting the damage.

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Cris Carter sees a lot of Drew Brees in Dolphins rookie Tua Tagovailoa

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagoviloa received a lofty comparison from Hall of Fame wideout Cris Carter: New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees

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Cris Carter has seen a lot of football. Inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame back in 2013, the all-time great wide receiver knows what to look for at quarterback. And in evaluating Miami Dolphins rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, recently named the team’s starter, he’s come up with his personal player comparison: New Orleans Saints living legend Drew Brees.

“There are certain people that are born for certain things,” Carter said on The Rich Eisen Show. “And this kid is meant to be — Drew Brees was meant to lead an NFL team, right? You know Drew. This dude, ‘is a dude’s dude.’ And Tua is the same way. He’s funny, he’s charismatic. Guys on the team love him. He’s got special, special arm talent.”

Brees is going to join Carter in the Hall of Fame someday, so it says a lot of Tagovailoa’s prospects that he’s drawing this sort of talk before starting his first NFL game. But both quarterbacks are known for their poise in the pocket and deadly accuracy, as well as their leadership qualities.

They also aren’t working with the greatest physical gifts (Tagovailoa weighed in at just 6-foot-0, 217 pounds at this year’s NFL Combine) and have recovered from career-threatening injuries, like Brees’ infamous rotator cuff tear with the Chargers and Tagovailoa’s dislocated hip at Alabama. They’re each resilient.

Brees was a sophomore at Purdue the year Tagovailoa was born. The biggest difference between the two of them, besides age, might be that Tagovailoa throws left-handed. On paper, anyway. We’ll know for sure once Tagovailoa has put together his own body of work in this league. But with veteran backup Ryan Fitzpatrick playing so well to start the year, it says a lot about what Tagovailoa has shown in practice to give the Dolphins coaches confidence that he’s ready to take the wheel.

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2021 NFL Draft: Texas QB Sam Ehlinger draws comparison to Buffalo Bills passer

The NFL Draft outlook for Texas Longhorns quarterback Sam Ehlinger is all over the road. However Emory Hunt compared him to a Buffalo QB.

Prior to the bowl game in 2019, Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger submitted paperwork to the NFL Advisory Board. Some speculated that he might declare early and head to the NFL Draft. It wasn’t an unusual occurrence for a college player to submit paperwork. Some want to see where they stand as a draft prospect before making their decision to head to the NFL Draft or finish their college career.

Many felt that the Texas quarterback needed his senior year to develop and increase his odds of being a higher draft pick. Ehlinger decided to return to Longhorns for another year much like offensive tackle Samuel Cosmi. While Cosmi is viewed as a first-round selection, there are mix bag of reviews on Ehlinger. One team reportedly had a second-round grade on him. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler said that it could be a similar situation to Sooners quarterback Jalen Hurts.

One of the comparisons that has been tossed around is Ehlinger’s comparison to former UGA Bulldog Jake Fromm. However, according NFL Draft analyst Emory Hunt it is another Buffalo Bills passer that he compares Sam to. He was recently on Ross Tucker’s College Draft podcast to explain it.

This season will be huge for Sam Ehlinger and his draft stock. If he can improve on his throwing rhythm and the deep ball accuracy then the sky is the limit for the Austin native. If this was a situation several years ago, Ehlinger is likely a quarterback that would be overlooked or viewed as a late-round quarterback. However with the evolution of the game he may just find himself drafted on day two.

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Chiefs RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire reminds Andy Reid of a young Eric Bieniemy

A new comparison for Clyde Edwards-Helaire from Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid.

Kansas City Chiefs first-round draft pick, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, is looking like the guy at the running back position for 2020 now that Damien Williams opted out of the season.

There has been a lot of high praise for Edwards-Helaire’s work ethic since he joined the team this past March. The coaching staff has finally got some time to work with him and he’s getting rave reviews. In a recent interview with 610 Sports Radio’s Bob Fescoe, Chiefs HC Andy Reid revealed a new comparison for the rookie running back. It’s one that fans in Kansas City should be a bit familiar with too.

“I think when you get to know him, he reminds me of Eric Bieniemy when Eric was young,” Reid said. “I had him in Philadelphia toward the end of his career there. But I competed against him, we all did, we all saw that from Missouri and Kansas when he played at Colorado. He’s wired that same way, where he’s mature for his age. He’s smart, he’s tough and he shows that — the veteran players see it and then he’s got skill. Those guys normally, barring injury, they normally work out for you OK. Now he’s lucky that he’s also got other guys who can play in that room and create competition. He’ll have to stay on top of his game. This is a demanding position in the best league there is in the world. He’ll have to adjust to that, but he sure is wired right to do that.”

Reid had Bieniemy for the last season of his NFL career in 1999. Bieniemy also played for the University of Colorado from 1987-1990. He remains the all-time leader in rushing yards (3,940) and rushing touchdowns (41) for the Buffaloes. He also coached there, serving as running backs coach from 2001-2002 and offensive coordinator from 2011-2012.

Reid was with the Missouri Tigers in 1990 as an offensive line coach when Colorado faced Missouri. Bieniemy rushed for 217 yards that game, breaking the rushing yards record that he still holds for the Buffaloes. Now, Bienemy is a Super Bowl-winning offensive coordinator in Kansas City.

Reid seems to compare Edwards-Helaire to a younger Bieneimy in a handful of areas. First, he spoke about his maturity, which is essential when you’re a rookie coming into the NFL. Edwards-Helaire clearly knows how to handle his business and treat the NFL like it’s a job, which it is. Next, Reid pointed out Edwards-Helaire’s smarts, toughness and skill. A blend of those three things is precisely what you need to have a long and fruitful NFL career.

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Alamo Bowl Comparison: Line of Scrimmage

Most games in college football are won at the line of scrimmage. Here is a comparison of Texas’ and Utah’s offensive and defensive lines:

Most games in college football are won and lost at the line of scrimmage. Having offensive lineman that can block and give time for plays to develop is just as crucial as getting pressure from your defensive line to disrupt what the other team is doing.

That will be no different for this year’s Alamo Bowl when Texas faces Utah. The Utes have some of the best units on the line of scrimmage in the country and have the opportunity to give the Longhorns some problems. Both units considered weaknesses for Texas, if they are not able to hold their ground, it could be a long night.

Here is a comparison of Texas’ and Utah’s offensive and defensive lines and how they matchup against each other:

Texas’ offensive line vs Utah’s defensive line

The second most sacked quarterback in the Big 12, Ehlinger has taken some shots from opponent defensive lines this season. The worst came against Oklahoma when the Sooners were able to record nine sacks from eight different players. The Longhorns offensive line has given up a lot but still has been above average throughout the season.

As for Utah’s pass rush, they have gotten to the quarterback 29 different times this season. Senior defensive end Bradlee Anae is second in the Pac 12 with 12.5 sacks after leading the conference last season. The run defense has also been excellent, only giving up 56 yards per game. After going quiet against a very good Oregon offensive line in the Pac 12 championship, the Utes will be looking for redemption.

Who has the advantage?

Utah’s defense was the best in the Pac 12 and it all started on the line of scrimmage. They have the advantage, but it is not like the Longhorns have gone against bad defensive lines all season. The offensive line for Texas should be prepared for whatever is thrown at them, but if mistakes are made, the Utes will capitalize quickly.

Quarterback Sam Ehlinger may have to do some scrambling throughout the game. Extending plays with his feet and running for a few first downs or finding receivers will be critical. Utah will more than likely have good pressure throughout the entire game, but if Ehlinger can be as clutch as we know he can be, Texas will be just fine.

Texas’ defensive line vs Utah’s offensive line

From a pass-rushing standpoint, the Longhorns have struggled this season, only having 22 sacks this season, the third-fewest in the conference. While the unit as a whole is young, it has still struggled this season, especially in the Big 12. With a defensive line led by senior Malcolm Roach, Texas has a tough test against the Utah offensive line.

The reason running back Zach Moss is having such success this season is because of space the Utah offensive line is giving him. A big, physical group led by left tackle Darrin Paulo, the Utes have one of the best offensive lines in the country. Only allowing 21 sacks this year, only one team in the Pac 12 gave up less. From a running perspective, they average 214 yards per game, the best in the conference. The offensive line has been the key to this success, giving Moss and quarterback Tyler Huntley the opportunity to make plays.

Who has the advantage?

The defensive line has been a weakness for Texas this season while Utah’s offensive line has been one of their strengths. The Utes have the advantage going into the game as it is one of their strengths against one of Texas’ weaknesses, but the Longhorns have an opportunity to flip that.

The matchup between the Longhorns defensive line and the Ute offensive line will be one of the most critical in this game. If Texas is able to get constant pressure, it will disrupt everything Utah has planned offensively. Limiting Moss and forcing Huntley into some early throws would give the Longhorns a great chance to win.

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Alamo Bowl Quarterback Comparison

This year’s Alamo Bowl has the chance to be high scoring with Tyler Huntley and Sam Ehlinger. Here is the QB comparison between UT and Utah.

This year’s Alamo Bowl has the chance to be an offensive shootout with quarterbacks Tyler Huntley and Sam Ehlinger under center. With Texas scoring 35 points a game and Utah scoring 34 points a game, both quarterbacks are accustomed to scoring.

When looking at the two, they have similar traits that make it an interesting matchup. Each player has been starting for three seasons and has been vital to their team’s success. The offenses run through their quarterbacks and if they are struggling, more than likely their team is going to have a bad day.

Here is the quarterback comparison between Texas and Utah:

Tyler Huntley: 73.7 completion percentage, 2,966 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, four touchdowns, 88 rushing attempts, 257 rushing yards, five touchdowns

Sam Ehlinger: 65.1 completion percentage, 3,462 passing yards, 29 touchdowns, nine interceptions, 152 rushing attempts, 590 rushing yards, nine touchdowns

Similarities

Both Huntley and Ehlinger are mobile quarterbacks who have the ability to make plays on their feet. While Ehlinger has the better rushing stats on the season, Huntley is a threat when running the read-option with star running back Zach Moss. Letting Huntley carry the ball is dangerous, as he has the ability to make people miss. As for Ehlinger, he has the ability to power over defenders. We saw it in the Sugar Bowl last season and throughout the year this year. Both have the ability to make big plays in the air, but their work running the ball will be key.

Differences

Of the two, Huntley is the more accurate quarterback. Both having their highest completion percentage of their careers, Huntley has slightly better than Ehlinger throughout this season. Completing 75% or better of his throws in seven out of 13 games this season, Huntley has been the most accurate quarterback in the Pac 12 this season and is only behind Joe Burrow on a national level. It will be crucial for Texas to get some pass breakups and not give Huntley time to find receivers. If they do, he is going to hit them all day for big gains.

Which team has the QB advantage?

While they are similar, Huntley is the better quarterback in this game. One of the most accurate quarterbacks in college football mixed with his lack of interceptions this season makes him reliable game in and game out. Having one of the top backs in the country in Zach Moss helps take the pressure off him as well. Ehlinger is more important to the Longhorns than Huntley is to the Utes, but Huntley’s accuracy and ability to use his feet makes him dangerous.

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Jason Garret, Doug Pederson and the tale of 2 NFC East coaches

Great NFL teams are largely built in the image of their head coach and their quarterback. The Eagles aren’t great this year but have still played big games with a championship pedigree. The team takes the shape of its head coach, Doug Pederson, its …

Great NFL teams are largely built in the image of their head coach and their quarterback. The Eagles aren’t great this year but have still played big games with a championship pedigree. The team takes the shape of its head coach, Doug Pederson, its quarterback, Carson Wentz, and the city of Philadelphia. They remain a resilient, all or nothing, hard-nose in-your-face, physical team despite injuries and their backs being against a wall. This is Philadelphia’s third consecutive season making a run at the playoffs despite key injuries at key positions.

Pivoting to The Cowboys, they are unfortunately the identity of Coach Jason Garrett. This would be great if he was a special coach; however, Garrett is just a good competent NFL head coach. Good enough to retain his job, but not quite the guy who can galvanize his club to lead them to Super Bowl heights.

Doesn’t that familiar, just like most Cowboy teams? Good enough to remain relevant, but never Super Bowl caliber.

The Cowboys’ urgency, or lack-thereof, feels like Garrett. Where is the dog in the 2019 Cowboys? Those moments where the team flexes a by-any-means-necessary attitude to win a game regardless of the odds. To find that attitude it isn’t hard to notice, Garrett doesn’t have that trait in him on gamedays. Therefore, the Cowboys don’t possess it.

The lack of fight is the only justification for Dallas abandoning the run so quickly. On an injured shoulder, Prescott threw the ball 44 times. The ideology feels strategic: exploit a weak secondary, but the numbers of rush carries are still way off. 15 carries should be closer to 25-30. Ezekiel Elliott wears down defenses.

When evaluating Pederson, he took notice how Dallas’ defense struggled against the athleticism of quarterbacks, Mitch Trubisky and Josh Allen. Both games the Cowboys were beat decisively.  Against the Rams, Dallas’ defense dominated the Rams’ offense, largely due to Jared’s Goff lack of mobility. The game wasn’t close.

Pederson developed a game plan around Wentz’s mobility. Along with the screen game (another weakness of Dallas’ defense), he incorporated timely quarterback options and bootleg play actions to optimize Wentz’s athleticism. Dallas made no adjustment to defend Philadelphia’s game plan.

In the third quarter, Pederson made another timely adjustment. At the goal-line, he ran running back, Miles Sanders, twice on second and third down to score the touchdown. Earlier in the second quarter, he called two pass plays on third and forth and one. The well-defended coverage by the Cowboys forced a turnover on downs. Pederson learning from his earlier mistake shows a coach who controls the pulse of his team.

Ignore the score, the Cowboys were out-coached, out-schemed, and physically dominated during Sunday’s game. Let’s not forget Philadelphia missed two fields. On short fields, Dallas then scored six of the team’s nine points because those missed Eagles’ attempts.

Time of possession, total yards, first downs, and third down efficiency all considerably favored the Eagles. Great coaches rise to the moment and win the big games. Dallas scored no touchdowns and that isn’t good enough. As America’s most valuable franchise, the Cowboys need a special head coach to ascend to new heights.

Despite being a decent head coach, Garrett is likely gone after this season. He will likely land on his feet to coach again, if he chooses so, but his tenure in Dallas has come to an end.

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Can Kenny Golladay develop into the Lions’ next Calvin Johnson?

Could Detroit Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay be the team’s next Calvin Johnson? The numbers suggest he has the potential to do so.

Don’t call him Babytron because he wants to earn his own nickname. However, it is hard to ignore the parallels between Detroit Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay and Megatron himself, Calvin Johnson.

When Johnson decided to abruptly retire following the 2015 season, it left the Detroit Lions fan base starving for another All-Pro wide receiver that could simply jump higher, run faster and break tackles the same way that Johnson did for the better part of nine seasons.

Two years later, the Lions took Golladay out of Northern Illinois in the 3rd round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Have the Lions in fact found their next All-Pro wide receiver? Let’s take a look.

Tale of The Tape

Through the first 35 games of their careers:

  • Johnson had 145 receptions for 2368 yards with 16 touchdowns
  • Golladay sits at 136 receptions for 2337 yards and 16 touchdowns

As it stands, Golladay is on pace to finish his third season with 67 catches, 1238 yards, and 14 trips to the end zone. After this season is over, barring any setbacks and Golladay maintaining his pace, here is where he could potentially stack up against Johnson:

  • Johnson: 193 receptions, 3071 yards, 21 touchdowns in 45 games
  • Golladay: 165 receptions, 2778 yards, 24 touchdowns in 42 games

It is important to note that Johnson became the Lions second receiving option behind Roy Williams in the second game of his 2007 rookie season, while Golladay was largely the third option behind Golden Tate and Marvin Jones Jr. during his first year and a half in the league.

Is Golladay the next superstar in Detroit?

While the wound may still feel fresh to Lions fans, and it may seem a bit much to look into the future, given the current state of the franchise, Golladay does possess the physical attributes, skill set, and production values to be compared to Johnson.

It’s possible Golladay could even pass Johnson on the all-time lists in the Lions franchise — especially if he can stay on the field more than Johnson was able to in the latter part of his career.

Ultimately time will tell, but this tale of the tape should give Lions fans a beacon of hope that they have another superstar to pair with Matthew Stafford.