UNCC

[EastHallApp]

Drink is working Zac to stay in the pocket....Zac is better when he move around.....

I worry a bit about this. You've seen it for decades in the NFL: Coaches take a QB whose biggest strength is his mobility and try to force him to stay in the pocket for whatever reason. It sometimes takes away a big part of what made the player effective.

Reserving judgment for now because obviously Drink knows what he's doing. But I hope he's not trying to turn ZT into Ryan Finley.

[MAD Doctor]

Agreed. Zac’s mobility was a major asset last season. It made the opponents’ entire defense play differently and Zac looked confident, even in his first game starting at Penn State. Hope Drink keeps it in the holster as a designed play rather than just run for your life when protection breaks down.
With that said, Coach Drink knows what he’s doing and his record of success is reassuring.

[BeauFoster]

I'm hoping that Drink was using the ETSU game as a bit of a "trial by fire" - in other words, see how ZT fares as a pocket only passer, then cuts him loose later in the season. The ETSU game could also have been called in such a way as to force ZT to get some reps in the pocket to help raise his comfort level there.

[NattyBumppo'sRevenge]

I'm worried about Charlotte's red zone offense. Out of all the times they were in the red zone in last year's game, they only failed to score once.

[NattyBumppo'sRevenge]

I'm hoping that Drink was using the ETSU game as a bit of a "trial by fire" - in other words, see how ZT fares as a pocket only passer, then cuts him loose later in the season. The ETSU game could also have been called in such a way as to force ZT to get some reps in the pocket to help raise his comfort level there.

Agreed, I thoroughly enjoyed the designed 62 yard QB run last year and hope to see a few more while he's at App.

[TomA415]

Yeah he had a really nice 20+ yard run against ETSU. No doubt his wheels are one of his biggest assets.

[AppFan11]

I do believe this is a much bigger issue than is/has been discussed. Mike (I think) from 247 had a publically available article that discussed this “problem .” Essentially saying that Zac is an instinctual player and what you are doing is having to go against your instincts and stay in the pocket. I remember him saying at the SunBelt Media days, that it wasn’t easy and would take him awhile to learn. It’s not that hard to understand, the more you have think about it (staying in the pocket) the more it takes away from all the other things he needs to do. I’m guessing that to accommodate this, he will throw balls earlier than he would when he was free to roam around. I’d expect to see his completion rate to go down. I also think he’ll have happy feet too. Maybe I’m wrong but I’d say he’ll be adjusting for several games.

[Appstate88]

Drink has said performance over preference. With that in mind, hope he realizes ZT needs to do what he does best with his legs and arm and not just his arm.

[AppGrad78]

I fall into the "let Zac be Zac" camp. But I'm also reminded of what our team looked like last season when Thomas wasn't running the offense. This isn't meant as a slap on Jacob Huesman or Jackson Gibbs, because both played well in limited time on Saturday. But we jeopardize a very promising season every time Thomas tries to make something from nothing.

[Saint3333]

I'm in the it was one game versus ETSU camp.

[EastHallApp]

I fall into the "let Zac be Zac" camp. But I'm also reminded of what our team looked like last season when Thomas wasn't running the offense. This isn't meant as a slap on Jacob Huesman or Jackson Gibbs, because both played well in limited time on Saturday. But we jeopardize a very promising season every time Thomas tries to make something from nothing.

That's true, and Zac of course did get hurt while scrambling last season. But I wonder how many QB injuries happen when scrambling versus standing in the pocket taking a hit as a stationary target. I'm not really sure one is safer than the other. Maybe better off just telling him to slide or get out of bounds when he runs.

[MAD Doctor]

And working on patience in the pocket isn’t ideal if your left tackle is injured or day to day.

[BooneGoon14]

I understand the concern with ZT's style of play and Drink's preference. However, if Drink were determined to hold ZT entirely in the pocket why would he have went out of his way to recruit a dual-threat QB from California (DBG)? An FCS opponent is a great opportunity to see what does and does not work with ZT compared to what he (Drink) is accustomed to. Hopefully we will see the playbook open up a little more this week against better competition.

[yosef69]

Spread now -22.5. Some interesting movement

[Rekdiver]

Np one betting on App. Forcing people to bet on Charlotte

[AtlAppMan]

From Bang the Book:

Last year, Appalachian State thrashed off Charlotte 45-9 as 14-point road favorites, and I expect to see more of the same on this one. The Mountaineers rely on their tough defense that was among the best in the country last season, so they should easily shut down the 49ers’ offense and cover the spread. Appalachian State is 13-3-2 ATS in its last 18 outings when listed as a fave of 22.5 points or more.

https://www.bangthebook.com/college-football-best-bets/

This is what the folks think in the betting world.

[Mjohn1988]

Spread now -22.5. Some interesting movement

Yep, just trying to even the money out and take the juice

[ASU3432Mi]

I thought Coach took his foot off the gas last week. Need to hammer down on the 49ers.

[appchicago]

I got my tickets through an App booster - so I'll be invading your side.

It's all our side, baby!

[TheMoody1]

I got my tickets through an App booster - so I'll be invading your side.

It's all our side, baby!

Gotta love that High School perspective.