Corico Hawkins (Long breakdown)

Jul 27, 2012, 3:01 AM

Call this a rant, analysis, critique, whatever. I've noticed the past year that Corico Hawkins hasn't really been what most people say he is. I have the Auburn and Maryland games dvr'd, and went back to break down his play. One sidenote, I played Mike LB in college, so I tend to watch that position more, and consider myself a pretty good judge of film breakdown. Anyway, the first thing I noticed was that he is out of position on almost EVERY play. He's exactly what you don't want in a Mike LB, serviceable. He can fill the position, knows the plays, but isn't going to make any of them. Now don't get me wrong, he's made some, but those don't make up for the ones he gives up. The main problem: No man's land. I don't understand how the coaches let him get away with this, because he's basically rendering himself useless. No man's land is basically getting washed up in the line of scrimmage on pass plays where you aren't providing any pressure, and you aren't deep enough to cover or even be a body in the way. You basically take yourself out of the play. You either blitz, FULL SPEED, or drop back in coverage. He runs up like he's blitzing, and for whatever reason just reads. But he's just right behind the DL. Anyway, the second thing is that he doesn't play downhill AT ALL. He "catches" tackles, and frequently over runs them. He pursues decently, but doesn't break down to tackle very well at all. This results in more yardage after contact, missed, and broken tackles. The one reason I believe he played over Anthony last year is because of the calls and assignments. Anthony was obviously learning on the fly. Corico knew what his assignment was, you can tell, but just failed to deliver. I just wanted to post my analysis for everyone, because we're all excited about all these different people, but I gotta say I'm more excited about Anthony starting over Hawkins. He had more potential last year, and if you pay close enough attention, you'll see Hawkins was a major factor in most of the inside yards given up.

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at times of Corico's play---so many plays ran right through his position because he was seldom ready for the snap (it seemed) and incessantly seemed unsure of where he was supposed to be.

Then, I began to hear that the entire linebacking crew (which, lets face it, was horrible much of the time last season) never understood its assignments--a critical judgement of the Coordinators sets being too complicated.

The Orange Bowl was the ultimate case in point. They ran the same (sweep-type) play over and over again and our linebackers were out of position to stop it over and over again even though Tiger fans in the stands were yelling what the mountaineers were getting ready to do.

But now we have a new DC.

So, I want to retract at least some of my criticism of Corico--he was far from the only LB with issues--until I see him perform in Venables new defenses. Maybe all of us will get a better idea of why the coaches think he's the man for the job.

ALL of our LB's and corners need to learn to tackle better, IMO

Corico Hawkins (Long breakdown)

Thank you!!

Re: Corico Hawkins (Long breakdown)

I agree. I hope BV can get to him cause he misses tackles constantly***

Tony Steward, anyone?

IMO,the LB's will florish under BV.Our LB's have been

Last name is Wright now. He changed it

Steele.***

Re: Corico Hawkins (Long breakdown)

Speaking of LBs...

Just to play devil's advocate...

Re: Just to play devil's advocate...

I couldn't disagree with you more, actually....

I, too, thought the same thing and was very critical

Re: I, too, thought the same thing and was very critical

Re: I, too, thought the same thing and was very critical

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