Game Notes: Tyler Eifert

vs Michigan (2011)

• Couldn't square up on block.
• Nice catch, went down to the ground to haul in the pass.
• Beat on another block.
• Nice chip on lineman, then did a nice job of advancing and blocking the LB.
• Effective cut block.
• Had a great block on DE, driving him back several yards.
• Nice catch, having to turn his body around and then extend for catch.  However, he was out of bounds because of the poor pass.
• Another decent block on LB, allowing first-down run.
• Mediocre blocking on back-to-back plays.
• Overwhelmed on 3rd-down, tackled for loss.  Really wouldn't have mattered as basically the entire offensive line was beaten.
• Caught on another poor bass, turning shoulders to bring in the pass that was behind him.
• Great down block, pancaked defender.  However, the play was nullified on an holding penalty.
• Couldn't hold block on a quick screen pass, defender got around him to tackle WR.
• First down catch, went up to get it over the middle.

Summary:  For the most part, Eifert had a solid performance.  Notre Dame was really trying to get Michael Floyd the ball, so Eifert wasn't used that much in the passing game.  However, he did make a couple of really nice catches and off the top of my head, I didn't see him not get to a pass that was intended for him.  Eifert wasn't all that consistent blocking.  He showed glimpses of being a great blocking TE by using his strength and not allowing the ends to get good angles on their rushes.

Game Notes: Manti Te'o

vs Michigan (2011)

• Great start to the game with back-to-back tackles.  On the first he fought off a block and then pursued QB Denard Robinson down the LOS.
• Fights off another block.
• Excellent job at covering TE over the middle of the field.  Defended TE like a basketball player, wouldn't let TE get good position.  Te'o's coverage on the play helped force an INT.
• Flows to ball well, goes low on RB for tackle.
• Shadowed QB well, prevented him from running.
• Got sucked in on read option, allowing a big run.
• Juked out by Robinson by goal-line, barely got a hand on him.
• Again, couldn't get arms fully around Robinson, allowing for extra yardage.
• Did a great job of meeting Robinson at first-down line, but Michigan barely got the first down.
• Followed Robinson who was running to his right, got sucked in and RB slipped out of the backfield for a TD.

Summary:  The first thing that stood out to me of Te'o's game was how athletic he is.  He really has a great burst and the strength to fight off blocks to get the tackle.  Not once did I see Te'o get handled by a block or turned around, he did a great job of getting off the blocks.  I've seen some people criticize his pass coverage of tight ends, but I thought he did a good job dropping into coverage.  He is known as a "tackling machine", but he was juked out by Robinson on a couple plays.  Overall, it was a nice game by Te'o.