Graham still adjusting to new coaching staff, addresses line issues
A contribution to the slow start could be the lack of familiarity for Sun Devil coach Todd Graham and not having everyone on the same page.
(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The writing is on the wall and it’s clear that Arizona State football is not clicking on the same page.
The Sun Devils’ season has not started the way many had hoped after a sluggish win over New Mexico State and a loss to a non-Power Five school in San Diego State.
A contribution to the slow start could be the lack of familiarity for Sun Devils coach Todd Graham and not having everyone on the same page.
“That’s been the biggest challenge I’ll be real honest with you,” Graham told Doug & Wolf on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station on Friday. “When I came here I ran two-thirds of the team. I coached the special teams and ran the defense. Coach (Mike) Norvell never worked for anybody but me so we were pretty much on the same page.”
Norvell left ASU at the end of the 2015 season and although the team had a sub-par year going 6-7, the Sun Devil’s record with Norvell on staff was 34-19. The team is 6-8 since his departure.
Graham has dealt with a lot of turnover on his coaching staff and started the season again with a new offensive and defensive coordinator.
Phil Bennett came aboard from Baylor to take over the defense and Billy Napier arrived from Alabama assuming the offensive coordinator role.
“These guys are very knowledgeable and come from championship programs,” Graham said. “The key to win and to be successful at Arizona State is specific to Arizona State because of the personnel. That’s the good thing I really believe that we have the personnel. We just got to get what we’re executing and that’s getting everybody on the same page and we are working hard to do that.”
The Sun Devils’ below average play starts with the line on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball.
The players up front have not been able to slow down the run, allowing 5.9 yards a rush attempt to opposing teams leaving the defense ranked 119th in the nation. Granted the team did give up a 95-yard run to Rashaad Penny against San Diego State on Sept. 9. Negate that run and the defense gives up 4.7 yards, ranking 104th in the country.
The offensive line has not done much better. ASU averages 1.7 yards on the ground per carry, ranking 127th in the nation. In last week’s loss to SDSU, the running game only mustered 44 yards.
“That’s the biggest thing offensively is eliminating the negatives and being able to establish a run game,” Graham said. “Those are things we’re focusing the most on.”
Related
Cutter Boley standing out in QB competition as ASU leaves Valley for Camp T
Why did ASU have a nursery rhymes playlist on repeat at Monday’s practice?
Biggest threats to Texas Tech’s Big 12 title defense include BYU, Arizona and a dark horse
Jordyn Tyson shows off moves at Saints training camp
ASU working to be ‘most connected team in college football’ as QB competition plays out
CJ Fite returns with expanded leadership role as ‘cornerstone’ of ASU defense
Comments
7 Comments
I don't put a whole lot of credence in stealing signals making the difference between winning and losing games. I do put credence into the entire coaching staff and players on both sides of the ball on every college football team in the nation being actively involved in trying to steal signals on game day. I know when I was on the sidelines as a player, I was always looking for clues. As a coach, I had too many other responsibilities to give it even a second thought. But I would still have my players offering input when they thought they saw something.
However, it's film study is a much more proven method for figuring out what opponents are going to do. I thought the interaction between Helfrich and CTG, the colored wrist bands CTG wore on the sidelines was largely for publicity/ show.
CTG has lots of faults, but one place he really excels, at breaking down defenses, knowing how to game his defense to get his team off the field on 3rd down. He took a rash of s..t for calling defensive timeouts on 3rd down his first couple years here, yet he was ridiculously successful after those timeouts at either getting a turnover or getting off the field.
I think we're agreed that CTG hasn't been very good at buying the groceries or making the meal.
But i backed the reasons why... remember how graham was on the sidelines with his colored wrist bands? He was acting like a monkey out there always trying to yell out the play to his Defense last second.. he was getting the stolen play sent to him. Now hes not. And since he was exposed his demeanor is calm on the sideline. The cameras on tv hardly show him anymore. He was exposed. He was winning when Bo G was stealing signs. Thats the only way you can win with mediocre players, which is what he had during that.
Exactly hes had a lot of 4 star guys who either are on the sideline or if they are playing they are not being developed.. pretty clear to see. Theres no way they struck out on every 4 star guy.