No disrespect to Book but he has been consistent with certain negative aspects about his play all season. He absolutely cannot handle being pressured!
At the 1st sign of pressure, he tucks the ball and runs around every single time. As if that isn't enough, it seems like he allows the previous play to affect his throwing mechanics on the following play by not stepping into his throws and delivering easily.
Most of time, teams would show him the blitz early yet it seemed like Book either didn't check to the short hot routes or didn't have any hot routes to check too?
Unfortunately, Randy Moss type receivers are not a dime a dozen! Most 6'4 college receivers are not going to run a 4.3 smh.
However, 6'4 receivers should be counted on to win 1 on 1 jump balls and physical routes like slants.
Book has shown the ability to throw that back shoulder pass however he only attempted it once or twice this time smh.
It was a known commodity that Clemson's secondary was their weakest unit and it was obvious that they could not stick Boykin!
Yet, despite mostly good things happening every time Boykin got an opportunity he didn't not get enough of those chances.
Book has got to develop the mentality that he must give his playmakers a chance especially with obvious mismatches (6'4 vs 6 ft or less).
Hate to compare Book to Lawrence but the differences were obviously apparent.
On a couple big plays, #8 had decent coverage however Lawrence gave his athletic wr a chance to make plays and that is what he did.
He didn't do anything special outside of throwing the ball up in 1 on 1 coverage smh.
When Lawrence wasn't being pressured, he made easy throws by simply being strong in the pocket and delivering regardless of late d line heat (btw why did ND stop applying pressure when Love left the game?)
Sorry, but I'm not buying the bs about ND receivers were not getting open because they are not athletic enough.
I will definitely agree that their routes require too much time to develop and it seems other teams had better success throwing against Clemson with shorter routes.
Syracuse QB was getting the ball out of there instead holding out for 9 routes.
Why didn't ND dial up more than a couple screens to Dexter or more slants to the receivers? Those routes were open all day.
Dexter should have gotten no less than 25 touches (air or ground).
Loved Gilman's play however he can't be an NFL safety getting beat so easily on fly routes.
Any chance ND wins a recruiting battle for a top tier qb anytime soon?
Kelly and staff have to do a much better job with adjusting.
Happy New Years!