Defense?

[bigdaddyg]

When we were suffering through the first half of last year it was commonly accepted that we were playing with several FCS level players. The decision was made to bring on some of the younger (and obviously better) kids. Evidently that was the right decision. Is it remotely possible that some of the kids who were redshirted (or those who might not be quite ready strength wise) will be even better than some of the guys who play now? Even remotely possible? If that is the case and if the coaching staff has that feeling they certainly would not say it publicly. How many times has a red shirt come off during the last couple of seasons (other than Meadors)? That second half was certainly tough to watch. I will buy the notion that our boys were gassed although didn't we have about an 18-12 minute TOP in the first half? How did we hold them down in the first half, limit them to 12 minutes of possession, go rest in the locker room and come out in third gassed? Just asking.

[EastHallApp]

I think we have our DL waiting in the wings. Got into the game very early last night and had a chance to see 3 redshirted DL. Papenham DE. Favoroso DE and Barrett NT all walk by. Huge!!! Those three look the part and hopefully the DEs will be able to fill in next year to make up for loss of Blair. But at 6'6 225,6'3 240 and 6'3 305. Plus a year in the weight room. The future looks bright for those 3!

Add in Taylor and Johnson on the OL as depth and I see great things on the OL and DL in the not so distant future. I see 2017 WFU in Boone as the timeline for App to peak with our lines and skill guys coming of age!

Agreed, I like them all as prospects. But as you say, it might be a couple years on the DEs - no way you replace someone like Blair with a RS freshman and don't expect to see a dropoff. Hopefully Tee Sims will be 100% by next year too.

[AppDawg]

Lost the Swagger. Arm tackles and the "highlight hit" have replaced squaring a guy up and putting him on his back.

We have crossed that fine line between Swagger and Cockiness. I think FTC has gone to their head.

Not attacking you, just a general statement as many fans make this statement but I don't think this holds any water. None of us knows these kids mindsets. I think the tempo is one of the more obvious things we're struggling with. Last night seemed they were thinking more than just reacting and playing.

Tempo definitely is a huge factor. While the Offence contributed greatly to the outcome of last nights game, the defense couldn't stop stAte until they got inside our 15 yard line. Thank goodness they at least stopped them then and held them to 4 field goals, or else we all would be having a very different conversation. At the end of the day, I grade the Defense last night a C. Arguably, the D gave up 26 points and kept the game just close enough for us to mount a comeback, the O just kept shooting itself in the foot and getting manhandled. A grade "B" would have been if they stayed home on their assignments/minded the gaps and tackled fundamentally. This would have created some key 3rd down stops to allow us to flip the field on them. An "A" would have been a continuation of the 1st half performance throughout the 2nd half.

Alas, The 30 point threshold streak continues...

[T-Dog]

Ark State's OC said on Friday that we were trying to steal signals and that's why they ran tempo in the second half.

[ASU84]

They ran up tempo because we had a hard time being ready for it.

[bcoach]

Both are probably true.

[AppinVA]

They ran up tempo because we had a hard time being ready for it.

Zombie Defense. Who knew?

[Yosef84]

Trying to "steal signals" sounds pretty bogus to me. I think it boils down to the fact we have been calling in our D from the sideline after the other team gets set and they simply didn't want to allow us time to make adjustments.

[Yosef10]

Trying to "steal signals" sounds pretty bogus to me. I think it boils down to the fact we have been calling in our D from the sideline after the other team gets set and they simply didn't want to allow us time to make adjustments.

Stealing signs, especially in today's game with all the boards on the sidelines, is pretty commonplace. Just look at the PAC12 coaches bitching about ASU stealing signs throughout the year.

[bigdaddyg]

Uh, what exactly is the problem with a team stealing signs? If your signs are that basic maybe you want to change them. I see absolutely nothing wrong with it.