NebraskaJacket
Varsity Lurker
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2012
- Messages
- 425
Of course this year we've all seen DeAndre emerge as one of best (THE best imo) WR's in the ACC in the traditional sense of the position. Speed, strength, size, hands, everything. But what I love so much about him is something that doesn't show up in the stat sheet: BLOCKING. I've been watching him block intently over the course of the year and have honestly been blown away not only by his consistency and technique, but also his effort! This kid knows he's our best receiver but blocks like he's a walk on trying to impress CPJ. Great to see one of our best players set such a good example for the young guys!
I've attached a few stills from the UVA game to illustrate a couple of my points. If I had the time I'd go back to some of the earlier games when we had more possessions to really show him blowing people out of plays with his blocking. Anyways....
Touchdown on our first possession
UVA is lined up in a traditional 4-3 defense. Smelter is assigned on this option to his side to pick up the safety. Great adjustment by CPJ to send Smelter to the safety with the CB playing inside technique btw
Ball is snapped. UVA defensive assignments are highlighted in blue
Dive is taken away. JT onto his next read. Notice Smelter positioning his body for the block; solid base, shoulders square. Perfect technique
JT makes proper read pitching the ball. All blocks are made on assignment and Smelter ANNIHILATES the only defender with a chance to make a play. Touchdown jackets
Near long touchdown by Snoddy
Great read by JT and good play call by CPJ opening a lane here for Snoddy. Notice Smelter on the outside stalking his man
Shoestring away from a TD here. Smelter is still LOCKED into his assignment 25 yards down the field! If he breaks that one tackle the CB has no chance of catching Snoddy even if he gets off DeAndre's block. Outstanding effort by Smelter
Examples of the effort Smelter gives that is often unnoticed on TV
This is what I love out of DeAndre. The play only went for 1 yard, yet he is 15 yards down the field and actually ended up getting his man on the ground with a cut block. He doesn't know what's going on behind him, and eventually Days will have a play where he springs through and be led for an additional 20+ yards with that last block on the outside by Smelter.
Here again is a play most WR's half ass with their block, but not Smelter. Backside and he is still busting in to get in perfect position and take his man out of the play. What is huge here is that CBs get so used to him coming full speed to block even backside that he is able to get open on those deep play action calls in man-to-man. LOVE IT
Goal Line TE: ARE YOU SERIOUS?!
He actually lined up at TE a few plays including on the goal line. What a pass catching weapon he would be, but he surely can't block down there, right?
Think again. He's already locked up 3 yards deep in the endzone by the time Days gets to the line of scrimmage. This was the scoring play in the 3rd Q.
You the man DeAndre keep it up!!
I've attached a few stills from the UVA game to illustrate a couple of my points. If I had the time I'd go back to some of the earlier games when we had more possessions to really show him blowing people out of plays with his blocking. Anyways....
Touchdown on our first possession
UVA is lined up in a traditional 4-3 defense. Smelter is assigned on this option to his side to pick up the safety. Great adjustment by CPJ to send Smelter to the safety with the CB playing inside technique btw
Ball is snapped. UVA defensive assignments are highlighted in blue
Dive is taken away. JT onto his next read. Notice Smelter positioning his body for the block; solid base, shoulders square. Perfect technique
JT makes proper read pitching the ball. All blocks are made on assignment and Smelter ANNIHILATES the only defender with a chance to make a play. Touchdown jackets
Near long touchdown by Snoddy
Great read by JT and good play call by CPJ opening a lane here for Snoddy. Notice Smelter on the outside stalking his man
Shoestring away from a TD here. Smelter is still LOCKED into his assignment 25 yards down the field! If he breaks that one tackle the CB has no chance of catching Snoddy even if he gets off DeAndre's block. Outstanding effort by Smelter
Examples of the effort Smelter gives that is often unnoticed on TV
This is what I love out of DeAndre. The play only went for 1 yard, yet he is 15 yards down the field and actually ended up getting his man on the ground with a cut block. He doesn't know what's going on behind him, and eventually Days will have a play where he springs through and be led for an additional 20+ yards with that last block on the outside by Smelter.
Here again is a play most WR's half ass with their block, but not Smelter. Backside and he is still busting in to get in perfect position and take his man out of the play. What is huge here is that CBs get so used to him coming full speed to block even backside that he is able to get open on those deep play action calls in man-to-man. LOVE IT
Goal Line TE: ARE YOU SERIOUS?!
He actually lined up at TE a few plays including on the goal line. What a pass catching weapon he would be, but he surely can't block down there, right?
Think again. He's already locked up 3 yards deep in the endzone by the time Days gets to the line of scrimmage. This was the scoring play in the 3rd Q.
You the man DeAndre keep it up!!