The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

[MDaniels]

We make references to Coach Moore, Satt, Drink still. I see people making observations about differences on and off the field. Let’s try and not be so sensitive.

Not to mention Coaches Brown, Woods, Brakefield and Wo........... No! I just can't type that one in!

[AppState89]

If what Coach DLo said is true, they did many more reps in training camp, repetition helps if done correctly.

I heard that too. 900 more reps that last year. It showed Friday night.

[AppState89]

All great points! Here are a few others that I noticed:

Good:

• Creative/imaginative play calling

• Capable RB receiving out of the backfield

• Two TEs who are solid blockers & capable possession receivers

(Sorta) Bad?

• App’s blitz packages weren’t effective in creating pressure than the standard front-four look (this can be fixed)

Ugly:

• Sun Belt officiating...but y’all already knew that

Special Mention - Kyle Arnholt: App fans gave this kid all kinds of grief last season (me included) and he deserved a lot of it. But Arnholt looked like a different player on Friday night. Just goes to show what can happen when a hungry player who wants to develop is paired with a solid coaching staff.

Glad you put a "capable RB 'RECEIVING' out of the backfield. It's been a long time since we've had a RB that can catch like that.

Also on Kyle. I been telling people, with the NFL coaches we have now, I was hoping they would be able to pull something out of these kids that was there the past few years, but they (kids) didn't know it was in them. Kyle Arnholt looked like a totally different player Friday night.

[JTApps1]

All great points! Here are a few others that I noticed:

Good:

• Creative/imaginative play calling

• Capable RB receiving out of the backfield

• Two TEs who are solid blockers & capable possession receivers

(Sorta) Bad?

• App’s blitz packages weren’t effective in creating pressure than the standard front-four look (this can be fixed)

Ugly:

• Sun Belt officiating...but y’all already knew that

Special Mention - Kyle Arnholt: App fans gave this kid all kinds of grief last season (me included) and he deserved a lot of it. But Arnholt looked like a different player on Friday night. Just goes to show what can happen when a hungry player who wants to develop is paired with a solid coaching staff.

Glad you put a "capable RB 'RECEIVING' out of the backfield. It's been a long time since we've had a RB that can catch like that.

Also on Kyle. I been telling people, with the NFL coaches we have now, I was hoping they would be able to pull something out of these kids that was there the past few years, but they (kids) didn't know it was in them. Kyle Arnholt looked like a totally different player Friday night.

Arnholt and Stroman both looked improved last week. I hope it continues.

[subwayjimmy]

Both APP and Charlotte Community College programs

Sorry, but this is hilarious to me. Charlotte College became UNC Charlotte two years before App St Teachers College became Appalachian State University.

[hapapp]

We make references to Coach Moore, Satt, Drink still. I see people making observations about differences on and off the field. Let’s try and not be so sensitive.

Observations are fine, noticeable improvements lend to proper analysis. People are free, obviously, to express their views as they please, as am I. I just wish folks would point to the positives from the change without constantly demeaning the previous staff. I think most of that is self-evident.

[Saint3333]

Hap which comment in this thread did you find most offensive?

I'm just not seeing anything over the top here.

[Gonzo]

I'm not trying to besmirch the Clark regime, per se, but even looking outside of the massive improvements we've clearly made after replacing them reveal just how unfit those guys really were. Joey Dimes had an outstanding debut at Rocky Top. Scot with one T's Lil Sammy Bull dogs got absolutely dominated (letting up 34 points) byWest Georgia, who was D2 in 2023.

We were all rooting for "A Mountaineer" throughout the rocky Clark era. I suspect that some of the folks who get super sensitive about Clark bashing are the same who seemed to despise Drink and now Dowell simply because they were/are "outsiders." It makes a little sense because we had Jerry Moore from the year I was born until two years after I graduated and replaced him with a very successful Satterfield. Ultimately, there really isn't a CFB blue blood who exclusively employs their own alumni and those who were members of a pervious staffs as head coaches. That's completely unrealistic. No one does that.

I hope we keep winning (duh), beyond the obvious, because our fans need to become less tribal and embracing of change.

Lastly, again, I'm not a Clark basher, but some of the pressers he gave re: Joey last year, and now the interview excerpt I read when he spoke to some Vol media, really got under my skin. I recall one of my favorite Clark moments was when he went up to the podium during Chase Brice's interview after a tough loss and angrily defended him, saying how hard he works etc. During Joey's time Clark seemed to blame Joey specifically. Now that he's coaching in Florida he gets a call for some insight heading into the Vol's first game and he says something like Joey is boom or bust, etc. Even if that's true, which it probably is, you just don't say that. I feel like he never liked Joey. It was unprofessional. If Joey continues to play well at Tennessee it's going to make him seem more and more like an unprofessional cry baby unwilling to admit his own failures in my eyes.

[Bigdaddyg1]

I’ll bet that if you took a survey of every player on our roster virtually none of them (except maybe the couple of Watauga guys we probably have) grew up App State fans. With the new era of college football and our revolving door it absolutely makes no sense to even worry anymore about having an “App guy” as coach. Why on earth does that matter? App alumni want a winning and successful program. Those days of hiring “one of our own” are gone.

[hapapp]

Hap which comment in this thread did you find most offensive?

I'm just not seeing anything over the top here.

To be fair, there was nothing really offensive about the comment that brought my reaction, just a reference to the last five years where it was just a relief to get a win. Not really over the top but just seemed an unnecessary dink. While the last five years weren't as productive as the five prior, its not like we didn't have some big moments. I'm ecstatic that we have DLo and if the first game is an indication of what lies ahead, we are in good hands. And for the record, I thought it was time to move on. We did and I'm grateful we did.

[Saint3333]

Thanks Hap. Sometimes one’s perspective may be accurate and reflect the majority of the fanbase yet borderline aggravating based upon an unintended interpretation of what is written.