We Don't Suck - the Counter Thread

[AppOrange]

Would love to hear some of the positives that some of you saw on Saturday. I read the first 15 or so in the "We Suck" thread and had to bail. I am sure as the posts grew, some made some very good comments/rebuttals, but I just couldn't read though it. I've been to a ton of games in the last 20 years and here is what struck me:

1. The intentionality to make the game day experience the best it could be. The additional video boards, added seats, pom-poms, concessions, etc. The preparation was very good.

2. The line to get in was very long, but moved very fast once the gates opened. Plenty of folks to scan tickets, this was a good showing. Fans should also be credited for getting there early.

3. I watched the game last night on replay and it was incredible to see the game in HD, field graphics, camera angels, etc. from KBS. Was very proud of how the country saw us Saturday (minus some of the play).

4. Finally, I saw a P5, ranked team, READY to play us. Over the years, regardless of how we did in these games, there always seemed to be a lack of intensity by our opponent, thinking this was just another game to get a W. This game seemed different, from the opposing players, coaches and even the pundits. The respect I saw here was different than at any other time. Wish we would have showed a bit better, but it is what it is. We are still moving forward at a very rapid pace and I am proud of the direction we are going as a program.

See anything else that you made you proud that I missed?

[appbio91]

Minus one play stout run defense and hard ass play by our O line. Great job!

[Yosef84]

I definitely feel that Miami's schedule was a huge part of our problem Saturday. We caught their best shot because we were the ONLY game on their radar. The two previous games were against a bad FCS team in. According to an article I read, Miami played 12 different OLs in that game in order to evaluate players. They used this game like the NFL uses pre-season games (which is appropriate) which explains why they didn't run up huge stats. They simply weren't trying to. FAU was their first game with actual starters identified at many positions and it took them a while to settle in before taking control. They were sloppy and probably looking past this game. App was the game that was getting media attention and they don't play Georgia Tech for two weeks. They had something to prove and were laser focused on this game. Kaaya had something to prove also after a sloppy game last week.

App defended the run well (after the first play of the game) and on offense, we were able to run well. Once Lamb settled down, we finally connected with some passes but plenty of work to do there.

If this game had been scheduled two weeks later, the media would have figured out that Miami is a legit team and predictions would have been different. We feel worse about this game than we should because our expectations were unreasonably high (myself included). We all under-estimated them because they really hadn't played anybody but I think they will do well in the ACC.

[S.Lewis15]

Running game could consistently move the ball against both P5 teams we've played this year.

We got blown out by Clemson last year too and still finished 11-2. Nothing but G5 and sun belt games the rest of the year. The future is bright

[appaneer1984]

We certainly don't suck, but our guys (coaches included) didn't show up for this game. It took far too long to get defensive plays, our defensive guys (especially #48) slowly jogged off the field instead of sprinting to avoid illegal substitution penalties. The same old run up the middle can only work so many times before it doesn't. Miami routinely ran the same screen pass play and we could never figure that shit out...same thing happened last week against ODU, they ran the same play over and over again and our guys couldn't figure it out. I thought we were just coasting in 2nd half of ODU, but it appears we are weaker than we thought.

[EastHallApp]

We ran the ball pretty well, even after Cox's injury.

We saw occasional flashes of potential from receivers like Letman and Hopkins.

[MtnDevil95]

I agree with much of what DJ offered in the Black & Gold Podcast. As a fan base, I think we all tend to get caught up in the hype and hope and our expectations grow faster than reality. Based on what I saw at The Rock on Saturday, I will not be surprised if Miami finds it's way into the Top 10 before the season is over, and has a date with Louisville or Clemson for the ACC Championship.

In spite of some of the mistakes, and how well Richt and company exploited the weaknesses (in ability to handle a hurry up offense, smaller inexperienced cornerbacks, etc.), App was a fingernail catch by an amazing athlete away from a 3rd and 10 stop that would have held momentum and possibly given the offense what it needed to cut the Miami lead to one score. Seriously, that's impressive.

The screen pass in the first half worked for a couple of reasons, none of which add up to this App State team "sucking." Does the Defensive coaching staff need to work on in game adjustments? Certainly, and clearly there is an issue handling a well executed hurry up offense. These are things that can, and I believe will be corrected as the season moves forward. The coaching staff and the players did not meet the challenge of this game. They have to get better. Secondly, and perhaps most telling, the Miami receivers are just bigger, stronger and faster than the App secondary. If your receiver is 6 inches taller, 40 pounds heavier and 2 steps faster than the defensive secondary, you'd have to be a moron not to set up a screen pass that isolates your bigger athlete one-on-one with the smaller guy. That's just physics, and not about being good or bad.

App State is only 3 years growing into an FBS program. The most experience players on the team were largely recruited into an FCS program, and we expect them to run with the big boys recruited for competing with the NFL farm league better known as the SEC. The Miami game showed our players, our coaches, and us as fans, that we all have work to do. App State put on a world class event on Saturday, which was amazing to be a part of, and apparently played very well to a national TV audience. That's HUGE! The team may have gotten caught up in the hype and distractions and didn't execute their best game against a team that it would've taken a perfect game to win, or even keep tight.

There are many areas of that game to take as building blocks and bright spots going into conference play. Cox is more explosive, but our O-line is among the best in the nation and will create running lanes. Moore get more comfortable with each carry and is still the stud we all believed him to be. The passing game needs more time and experience, but is showing promise. And showed promise against a defense secondary of 4 and 5 star athletes, the likes of which they will not face again this season.

Have the wheels fallen off? No. Is there improvement to be made and work to be done? Yes, but that's why you practice football.

Now on to Akron and winning our first conference championship and second bowl!!!

[APPARJ]

This is a thread I can get behind!

Both DJ and Brownie mentioned this in our latest episode but I'll repeat it here: our progress at OL is very encouraging. App State can attract skill position players. That said, In order to win at the highest levels, you HAVE to control the line of scrimmage.

Since 9-1-2007, our OL has been overwhelmed or dominated in every P5 matchup until Clemson (we did show flashes vs Michigan '14).

With only 240 total yards, we didn't control Miami. But to me it was a far cry from UF '10, VT '11 and UGA '13. I'd say this Miami team is at the very least as good or better than those.

Being a good O-lineman takes more technique than almost any position. That's why even a 6'4" 305 lbs true freshman LT is a rare sight in college football.

It's not the sexy take but finding positives in our program always goes back to trusting the process Satt has set forth.

We took two steps forward with UT and one step back with Miami. But I'll take that every single day as a transitional FBS program that lost to Liberty less than 2 years ago.

It's GREAT to BE a MOUNTAINEER!

[HighlandsApp]

Love it! Awesome Game Day! Any Day in Boone is a GREAT Day!!!! #AppState

[appstate38]

Definitely Don't Suck.... Fans leaving early all the time!!! They SUCK! As far as the team... Still shows we have some improving to do before we can be recognized as a top 25 team. Can we play with anyone! Yes we can. This transformation was not going to take place over night but I believe this program is on schedule and even ahead of schedule to get there. The physical way we play upfront is what I look forward every time the Apps take the field both on offense and defense. Folks on here may not be the biggest fans of the play selection but I think the strategy is to deal the body blows and wear down the opposition so that the big plays can be there later in games. Look what is done for us the last 2 years. Still finding ways to run the ball and run it with power.

[ASU3432Mi]

Just beat Akron on the road, a decent MAC team; and we're back on track.

[NattyBumppo'sRevenge]

Law's goal line interception, Cox's 70 yard touchdown run before it got called back, Moore's emergence, run defense minus one play, Barrett Burns, the wasted guy at Portofinos trying to play the arcade game without any money put in it...wait, sorry, off topic. Tailgating atmosphere was awesome. When I was approaching the stadium from the Stadium Parking Lot, I was so proud of our fanbase, my eyes got a little watery.

[bigdaddyg]

Let me throw this out and maybe one of you guys with far more roster knowledge than me can answer. Two years ago Satt and staff apparently made the decision to go with some younger guys, made big roster moves and we turned our season around and then those guys helped us to an 11-2 record last year. Obviously expectations were through the roof this year. It's been said that you just don't know what you will get from 18-22 year old young men. That being said is it possible that we have better Dbacks or receivers standing on the sidelines in shorts than what we might have playing on Saturday? I'm certainly not talking about every single player in those positions. Again just a question. I'm prepared for the typical- if one of those guys was better he would be playing! Maybe not.

[EastHallApp]

Let me throw this out and maybe one of you guys with far more roster knowledge than me can answer. Two years ago Satt and staff apparently made the decision to go with some younger guys, made big roster moves and we turned our season around and then those guys helped us to an 11-2 record last year. Obviously expectations were through the roof this year. It's been said that you just don't know what you will get from 18-22 year old young men. That being said is it possible that we have better Dbacks or receivers standing on the sidelines in shorts than what we might have playing on Saturday? I'm certainly not talking about every single player in those positions. Again just a question. I'm prepared for the typical- if one of those guys was better he would be playing! Maybe not.

We're already starting a true freshman at corner, so I'm not sure why we'd be sitting another one if the staff thought he could help. We do have a better DB sitting in a community college classroom somewhere I think, but nothing to be done about that.

At WR, we were led to expect that Jalen Virgil would be involved and it hasn't happened so far; not sure why that is. But, if one of those guys was better than the starters, he would be playing.

[apptastic]

At least we did not get absolutely throttled by a in-conference foe. I still am amazed at Louisville's performance against Florida State.

Considering our coaches were obviously not prepared for the Miami game, the outcome could have been a lot worse! If we can keep playing top 25 teams a couple of times each season, hopefully we eventually elevate our coaching, recruiting and performance to that level.

Miami was nearly flawless in our game. With their height, speed, size, skill, and coaching advantages we had to execute perfectly AND get a lot of breaks. This game should provide plenty of education and film study for App which will only help us as we move to conference play.

[AppSt94]

I don't know if anyone noticed the new polls today but Miami leaped up 10 spots in one and 6 in another. Some voters out there must think it was an impressive win against a quality team. Anyone else see it that way?

[App91]

the concern is it also provides the perfect blueprint to beat us. Have been saying all along that the cushion given by the db's is way too much. Also, i remember doing well at UTK with the jet sweeps, screens, etc. Was it just me or was this not part of the game plan? Could have been that we tried and they stopped us like they stopped everything else.

[bigdaddyg]

Let me throw this out and maybe one of you guys with far more roster knowledge than me can answer. Two years ago Satt and staff apparently made the decision to go with some younger guys, made big roster moves and we turned our season around and then those guys helped us to an 11-2 record last year. Obviously expectations were through the roof this year. It's been said that you just don't know what you will get from 18-22 year old young men. That being said is it possible that we have better Dbacks or receivers standing on the sidelines in shorts than what we might have playing on Saturday? I'm certainly not talking about every single player in those positions. Again just a question. I'm prepared for the typical- if one of those guys was better he would be playing! Maybe not.

We're already starting a true freshman at corner, so I'm not sure why we'd be sitting another one if the staff thought he could help. We do have a better DB sitting in a community college classroom somewhere I think, but nothing to be done about that.

At WR, we were led to expect that Jalen Virgil would be involved and it hasn't happened so far; not sure why that is. But, if one of those guys was better than the starters, he would be playing.

Thanks for twice saying that if one of those guys were better... I made sure to add that at the end. At any rate I appreciate your take. Perhaps the answer is a resounding no. I believe we took a big hit in the defensive backfield with the suspension. Duck has a chance to be a good one but yeah, he's a true freshman.

I honestly believe Akron will really show us where we are at.

[EastHallApp]

Let me throw this out and maybe one of you guys with far more roster knowledge than me can answer. Two years ago Satt and staff apparently made the decision to go with some younger guys, made big roster moves and we turned our season around and then those guys helped us to an 11-2 record last year. Obviously expectations were through the roof this year. It's been said that you just don't know what you will get from 18-22 year old young men. That being said is it possible that we have better Dbacks or receivers standing on the sidelines in shorts than what we might have playing on Saturday? I'm certainly not talking about every single player in those positions. Again just a question. I'm prepared for the typical- if one of those guys was better he would be playing! Maybe not.

We're already starting a true freshman at corner, so I'm not sure why we'd be sitting another one if the staff thought he could help. We do have a better DB sitting in a community college classroom somewhere I think, but nothing to be done about that.

At WR, we were led to expect that Jalen Virgil would be involved and it hasn't happened so far; not sure why that is. But, if one of those guys was better than the starters, he would be playing.

Thanks for twice saying that if one of those guys were better... I made sure to add that at the end. At any rate I appreciate your take. Perhaps the answer is a resounding no. I believe we took a big hit in the defensive backfield with the suspension. Duck has a chance to be a good one but yeah, he's a true freshman.

I honestly believe Akron will really show us where we are at.

That line was a joke - hence the wink.

[AppSt94]

the concern is it also provides the perfect blueprint to beat us. Have been saying all along that the cushion given by the db's is way too much. Also, i remember doing well at UTK with the jet sweeps, screens, etc. Was it just me or was this not part of the game plan? Could have been that we tried and they stopped us like they stopped everything else.

I think that any loss by any team provides a blueprint on how to beat them. That being said, having the personnel to replicate the previous teams gameplan is not a guarantee.