There is a lot to unravel from Diaz’s press conference. Blaming the coaching staff is an easy out. The entire team bears responsibility for the loss. The coaching staff does bear some responsibility with the play calling. The Miami offensive line has been awful for most of the season.
Calling a screen deep in your own territory is questionable. The screen to which Diaz was referring to came on the first drive of the game for the Miami offense. N’Kosi Perry was sacked. Diaz wasn’t wrong that Perry had to get rid of the ball, but the pass rush came quickly. A safer, quicker developing play would have helped Perry.
I understand the frustration with a lot of canes fans today. There’s a lot to be upset with. But because a “walk on” played more snaps in a loss isn’t one of them. A loss is still a loss period and we have to find ways to get better as a TEAM period.
— Scott Patchan (@scott_patchan) October 19, 2019
Calling a screen with the nation’s worst offensive line protecting the QB was risky deep in your own territory. It is going to take too long to develop and puts a lot of pressure on the offensive line and Perry. The screen was called on third and eight. There are much safer plays to call from your own 11 with a young team.
Going back to the first part of Diaz’s statement has been an issue the Miami football team has struggled with all season. The Hurricanes offense has failed to convert in the RedZone and the atrocious field goal kicking has added to it. Entering Saturday’s game Miami was 108th nationally in RedZone offense.