I want to know

[bigdaddyg]

There have been a few comments regarding the speed of the offense and the quick scores. I don't think this aspect of the game has been given enough thought in that the defense (especially in the 4th) barely had time to get a drink before they had to get back out there. It went both ways but our guys in particular had to be gassed to some degree. It was still a warm day and it's not like we are legit 2 deep especially in our secondary. While I believe we will have games where we can strike quickly we will need some 10 play 6:00 drives to allow the defense to rest.

[AppSt94]

I’ll add …not sure if anyone has said anything but our tight ends look the part gibbs and Pearson are big physical and fast. They were always in place .

Pearson is ridiculously underrated. He's always impressed me.

He is. I was impressed by Eli Wilson as well. Heady play to roll off the defender and maintain your balance to keep going.

[Howard Street Hooligan]

Hooligan this is my last attempt and if you can't explain your reasoning then I just guess you pay no attention to the facts ---

Here are the numbers ---
• Going into last year’s bowl game, App State ranked in the top 20 nationally in scoring defense (No. 16,
19.3 points), total defense (No. 18, 325.5 yards), pass efficiency defense (No. 12, 114.7), INTs (No. 10, 15),
defensive TDs (No. 6, four), red zone defense (No. 15, 73.7%) and rushing defense (No. 19, 118.8).

Please explain your definition of Declining compared to these numbers -

I absolutely don't want to hear about the bowl game - it was an irrelevant game after a disappointing loss in the SB championship game. You really think that if we played WKU during the regular season that would have happened?

you and I both know those stats are highly inflated. But yes, I do. How many GOOD offenses did we go against last year?

[appstate5]

Talking about quick scores, tired D. I talked to a heels fan yesterday that I work with and got the lame excuse that their flatlanders just weren't use to the high country and ran out of gas in the 4th floor. AND that's just one of the reasons I have never been a unc fan, their fans always make lame excuses when they lose or don't play well.

[bigdaddyg]

We have had solid defenses for the last couple of years but the stats and overall rankings are deceiving because you have to take into account the competition. I'm sure that there are other smaller schools who rank highly in certain parts of the game. Army for example is probably at or near the top of rushing yards per game because that's all they do. Are there adjusted statistical rankings that account for schedule strength?

[WASU 93]

There have been a few comments regarding the speed of the offense and the quick scores. I don't think this aspect of the game has been given enough thought in that the defense (especially in the 4th) barely had time to get a drink before they had to get back out there. It went both ways but our guys in particular had to be gassed to some degree. It was still a warm day and it's not like we are legit 2 deep especially in our secondary. While I believe we will have games where we can strike quickly we will need some 10 play 6:00 drives to allow the defense to rest.

And here's another point: I know everyone likes it when we come out in all black. But, on a bright sunny day, when the temperature on the turf (with all of those rubber pellets) is probably 95-100 degrees, we should take every advantage that we have. Make the visitors wear the dark colors. Yes, I love Black Saturday, However, no matter how hard you condition, game day is different. White jerseys or Gold with Light colored helmets are going to be cooler.

[Stonewall]

There have been a few comments regarding the speed of the offense and the quick scores. I don't think this aspect of the game has been given enough thought in that the defense (especially in the 4th) barely had time to get a drink before they had to get back out there. It went both ways but our guys in particular had to be gassed to some degree. It was still a warm day and it's not like we are legit 2 deep especially in our secondary. While I believe we will have games where we can strike quickly we will need some 10 play 6:00 drives to allow the defense to rest.

And here's another point: I know everyone likes it when we come out in all black. But, on a bright sunny day, when the temperature on the turf (with all of those rubber pellets) is probably 95-100 degrees, we should take every advantage that we have. Make the visitors wear the dark colors. Yes, I love Black Saturday, However, no matter how hard you condition, game day is different. White jerseys or Gold with Light colored helmets are going to be cooler.

I have wondered about the difference....I hope we are in gold this weekend .

[Bootsy]

I'm glad Mack and the kids had fun celebrating after the win over GAST in Atlanta today.
For some reason, I doubt folks in Chapel Hill will have much to celebrate until basketball season starts.

Again.

[bigdaddyg]

Didn't want to start a new topic for this question. I know stadium seating and expansion ideas are not new but as I looked at a posted picture of KBS (with the temp seats gone) I really wanted to get opinions on real expansion ideas. How relisitic would it be to add a third deck on the east side? I know nothing is cheap but could that be done without taking years to do? We definitely could not have that section shut down for a year and lose the seats we have now. If we want to preserve the bill and not close it in with seats could this expansion idea work?

[goapps93]

Didn't want to start a new topic for this question. I know stadium seating and expansion ideas are not new but as I looked at a posted picture of KBS (with the temp seats gone) I really wanted to get opinions on real expansion ideas. How relisitic would it be to add a third deck on the east side? I know nothing is cheap but could that be done without taking years to do? We definitely could not have that section shut down for a year and lose the seats we have now. If we want to preserve the bill and not close it in with seats could this expansion idea work?

I think the first consideration should be the east and west lower levels. They are crumbling away. And the west upper level isn’t far behind. I’m also afraid a complete stadium rebuild around the Ricks Center and NEZ will be necessary.

[appgrad95&97]

Will it ever be okay to ask about coaching?

Reading other threads, looks like the answer was, in 22 days.

[GSUwasGump’sFallbackSchool]

Coaching will lead us to mediocrity. The same issues that have plagued this team since Coach Clark took over continue to show there ugly heads.

-Lose the “middle 8” minutes
-RB rotations
-Playing down to opponents
-Taking the foot off the gas

Since ECU last yet have we played somebody and just tore them apart without a shred of doubt?

[AppSt94]

Coaching will lead us to mediocrity. The same issues that have plagued this team since Coach Clark took over continue to show there ugly heads.

-Lose the “middle 8” minutes
-RB rotations
-Playing down to opponents
-Taking the foot off the gas

Since ECU last yet have we played somebody and just tore them apart without a shred of doubt?

-Lose the “middle 8” minutes - At this point, I would quit talking about it. It’s an issue and a fundamental need, but the more it gets talked about, the more pressure it creates to win it.
-RB rotations - What’s your issue with the RB rotation?
-Playing down to opponents - legit concern
-Taking the foot off the gas - again legit concern, but one of those things that is subjective. We looked to be in control, until we weren’t. Then it becomes difficult to get it back.

[GSUwasGump’sFallbackSchool]

Coaching will lead us to mediocrity. The same issues that have plagued this team since Coach Clark took over continue to show there ugly heads.

-Lose the “middle 8” minutes
-RB rotations
-Playing down to opponents
-Taking the foot off the gas

Since ECU last yet have we played somebody and just tore them apart without a shred of doubt?

-Lose the “middle 8” minutes - At this point, I would quit talking about it. It’s an issue and a fundamental need, but the more it gets talked about, the more pressure it creates to win it.
-RB rotations - What’s your issue with the RB rotation?
-Playing down to opponents - legit concern
-Taking the foot off the gas - again legit concern, but one of those things that is subjective. We looked to be in control, until we weren’t. Then it becomes difficult to get it back.

As a fan base, I know we talk about the middle 8 probably too much, but it’s hard to ignore when it’s been so painfully obvious for years now. If we score on them the first drive in the 3rd it would’ve been a crushing blow. Chase missed a wide open throw, then Barbay decided to run another no-gainer up the middle on 4th and 2.

My issues with the rotations is 2 fold.
1) Cam and Nate are arguably the best running backs in the conference, and anytime one of them is not on the field we’re inarguably a worse team. They may have been dinged up this week, but both were capable of playing, and they had Noel in the game ******* blocking in the 4th but given no handoffs.
2) We don’t allow any of the guys to gain momentum. Swapping Chop out for Marshall every series allows no one to gain confidence, and periodically giving Castle drives is asinine. There’s no reason we should’ve had our 5th string RB in a game that we were trying to put away. Honestly this was as damning as anything with Barbay’s last performance.

[Stonewall]

Thinking about RB injuries , two years in a row.Is our S&C program where it needs to be or is it just misfortune?

[WASU 93]

Coaching will lead us to mediocrity. The same issues that have plagued this team since Coach Clark took over continue to show there ugly heads.

-Lose the “middle 8” minutes
-RB rotations
-Playing down to opponents
-Taking the foot off the gas

Since ECU last yet have we played somebody and just tore them apart without a shred of doubt?

-Lose the “middle 8” minutes - At this point, I would quit talking about it. It’s an issue and a fundamental need, but the more it gets talked about, the more pressure it creates to win it.
-RB rotations - What’s your issue with the RB rotation?
-Playing down to opponents - legit concern
-Taking the foot off the gas - again legit concern, but one of those things that is subjective. We looked to be in control, until we weren’t. Then it becomes difficult to get it back.

I think these are legitimate concerns:
--Satt was a master at the middle 8 minutes. We need to get better here
--I don't know how injuries play into this. However, we are rotating so much now, that we are missing the opportunity to "ride the hot hand". Peoples had 4 straight carries on our first TD drive (A 2-yard TD run by Peoples). Beyond that, Marshall had one stretch on the drive that bridged the 3rd and 4th quarters. 3 yard run on first down, 4 yard run on second down, stopped for no gain on third down. I do think having a main back for a period of time, may help them build some momentum.
--We were kind of Jeckyl and Hyde on this one---
On the first drive of the second half. (first off, if Brice puts a little more air on the second down pass to Kaedin Robinson, we go up 35-10 and I don't think we look back, the play was there). However, we go Passive Agressive and pass up the 42 yard FG attempt to go for it on 4th and 2, then run it up the middle. No motion, no misdirection, just plunge into the middle and hope we get a push.
Then, we go Aggressive/Passive on the drive that bridged the 3rd/4th. They had just scored to make it 28-17. Brice hits Horn for a big 20-Yard completion on 3rd and 8 to the 47. We gain 7 yards with two rushes. We run the ball on 3rd down (which usually means we are going for it on 4th down). Then, we line up, try to draw them off side, take the delay of game and punt. They go 92 yards in 5 plays and we're in trouble.

I would question our play calling in this game. We're struggling to run the ball, don't have Noel available (I assume) to outrun defenders to the corner, and run jet sweep action, but never run a jet sweep.
We also didn't really let Brice to get in rhythm...

First Drive of game--Brice hits Davis for a big 34 yard pass to their 31 yard line--Next play, gimmicky wildcat with Castle which goes for no gain. We don't have a positive offensive play, take a penalty and punt.
First Drive of 2nd Half--19 yard pass to Robinson, followed by a two yard run.....then 18 yard pass to Robinson, followed by a 5 yard run
The quarter bridge drive--aforementioned 20 yard pass to Horn, followed by three straight runs

Even on our TD drives, which were obviously successful, any completion over 10 yards was followed by a running play.

NEVER A CHANCE TO PICK UP BACK TO BACK CHUNK PLAYS IN THE PASSING GAME AND GAS THEIR SECONDARY

Finally, at the end of the game, on plays where the clock is stopped, we line up in formation and run a play. There's no motion, shifts, etc. And I know Chase needed the extra protection, but we're never in a 4 or 5 receiver, or spread set. The opposing defense knows which three receivers are capable of running 15 yard+ patterns from the time we line up.

Our goals are still in front of us, but these are areas of improvement.

[Stonewall]

Maybe we got out-coached.

[Longrifle28]

Coaching will lead us to mediocrity. The same issues that have plagued this team since Coach Clark took over continue to show there ugly heads.

-Lose the “middle 8” minutes
-RB rotations
-Playing down to opponents
-Taking the foot off the gas

Since ECU last yet have we played somebody and just tore them apart without a shred of doubt?

-Lose the “middle 8” minutes - At this point, I would quit talking about it. It’s an issue and a fundamental need, but the more it gets talked about, the more pressure it creates to win it.
-RB rotations - What’s your issue with the RB rotation?
-Playing down to opponents - legit concern
-Taking the foot off the gas - again legit concern, but one of those things that is subjective. We looked to be in control, until we weren’t. Then it becomes difficult to get it back.

I think these are legitimate concerns:
--Satt was a master at the middle 8 minutes. We need to get better here
--I don't know how injuries play into this. However, we are rotating so much now, that we are missing the opportunity to "ride the hot hand". Peoples had 4 straight carries on our first TD drive (A 2-yard TD run by Peoples). Beyond that, Marshall had one stretch on the drive that bridged the 3rd and 4th quarters. 3 yard run on first down, 4 yard run on second down, stopped for no gain on third down. I do think having a main back for a period of time, may help them build some momentum.
--We were kind of Jeckyl and Hyde on this one---
On the first drive of the second half. (first off, if Brice puts a little more air on the second down pass to Kaedin Robinson, we go up 35-10 and I don't think we look back, the play was there). However, we go Passive Agressive and pass up the 42 yard FG attempt to go for it on 4th and 2, then run it up the middle. No motion, no misdirection, just plunge into the middle and hope we get a push.
Then, we go Aggressive/Passive on the drive that bridged the 3rd/4th. They had just scored to make it 28-17. Brice hits Horn for a big 20-Yard completion on 3rd and 8 to the 47. We gain 7 yards with two rushes. We run the ball on 3rd down (which usually means we are going for it on 4th down). Then, we line up, try to draw them off side, take the delay of game and punt. They go 92 yards in 5 plays and we're in trouble.

I would question our play calling in this game. We're struggling to run the ball, don't have Noel available (I assume) to outrun defenders to the corner, and run jet sweep action, but never run a jet sweep.
We also didn't really let Brice to get in rhythm...

First Drive of game--Brice hits Davis for a big 34 yard pass to their 31 yard line--Next play, gimmicky wildcat with Castle which goes for no gain. We don't have a positive offensive play, take a penalty and punt.
First Drive of 2nd Half--19 yard pass to Robinson, followed by a two yard run.....then 18 yard pass to Robinson, followed by a 5 yard run
The quarter bridge drive--aforementioned 20 yard pass to Horn, followed by three straight runs

Even on our TD drives, which were obviously successful, any completion over 10 yards was followed by a running play.

NEVER A CHANCE TO PICK UP BACK TO BACK CHUNK PLAYS IN THE PASSING GAME AND GAS THEIR SECONDARY

Finally, at the end of the game, on plays where the clock is stopped, we line up in formation and run a play. There's no motion, shifts, etc. And I know Chase needed the extra protection, but we're never in a 4 or 5 receiver, or spread set. The opposing defense knows which three receivers are capable of running 15 yard+ patterns from the time we line up.

Our goals are still in front of us, but these are areas of improvement.

This all day and twice on Sundays...

[AppSt94]

Coaching will lead us to mediocrity. The same issues that have plagued this team since Coach Clark took over continue to show there ugly heads.

-Lose the “middle 8” minutes
-RB rotations
-Playing down to opponents
-Taking the foot off the gas

Since ECU last yet have we played somebody and just tore them apart without a shred of doubt?

-Lose the “middle 8” minutes - At this point, I would quit talking about it. It’s an issue and a fundamental need, but the more it gets talked about, the more pressure it creates to win it.
-RB rotations - What’s your issue with the RB rotation?
-Playing down to opponents - legit concern
-Taking the foot off the gas - again legit concern, but one of those things that is subjective. We looked to be in control, until we weren’t. Then it becomes difficult to get it back.

As a fan base, I know we talk about the middle 8 probably too much, but it’s hard to ignore when it’s been so painfully obvious for years now. If we score on them the first drive in the 3rd it would’ve been a crushing blow. Chase missed a wide open throw, then Barbay decided to run another no-gainer up the middle on 4th and 2.

My issues with the rotations is 2 fold.
1) Cam and Nate are arguably the best running backs in the conference, and anytime one of them is not on the field we’re inarguably a worse team. They may have been dinged up this week, but both were capable of playing, and they had Noel in the game ******* blocking in the 4th but given no handoffs.
2) We don’t allow any of the guys to gain momentum. Swapping Chop out for Marshall every series allows no one to gain confidence, and periodically giving Castle drives is asinine. There’s no reason we should’ve had our 5th string RB in a game that we were trying to put away. Honestly this was as damning as anything with Barbay’s last performance.

Perhaps I needed to clarify my thoughts better about the middle 8 minutes. I meant that the team needs to quit talking about it. The coaches do, but they, as a group, need to work on it and not put pressure on the players as they need to play fast and loose.

As for the RBs. What I am seeing in terms of rotation is alarming. I try to avoid the word “concern”. I am taking a huge risk in typing this out, but I am starting to question the toughness and commitment of Noel and Peoples. Are they injured or hurt? They seem to be game time decisions and disappear during games. I have to speculate whether the coaches feel that they can rely on them. Them not being out there for critical junctures has me wondering.

[yosef69]

Coaching will lead us to mediocrity. The same issues that have plagued this team since Coach Clark took over continue to show there ugly heads.

-Lose the “middle 8” minutes
-RB rotations
-Playing down to opponents
-Taking the foot off the gas

Since ECU last yet have we played somebody and just tore them apart without a shred of doubt?

-Lose the “middle 8” minutes - At this point, I would quit talking about it. It’s an issue and a fundamental need, but the more it gets talked about, the more pressure it creates to win it.
-RB rotations - What’s your issue with the RB rotation?
-Playing down to opponents - legit concern
-Taking the foot off the gas - again legit concern, but one of those things that is subjective. We looked to be in control, until we weren’t. Then it becomes difficult to get it back.

As a fan base, I know we talk about the middle 8 probably too much, but it’s hard to ignore when it’s been so painfully obvious for years now. If we score on them the first drive in the 3rd it would’ve been a crushing blow. Chase missed a wide open throw, then Barbay decided to run another no-gainer up the middle on 4th and 2.

My issues with the rotations is 2 fold.
1) Cam and Nate are arguably the best running backs in the conference, and anytime one of them is not on the field we’re inarguably a worse team. They may have been dinged up this week, but both were capable of playing, and they had Noel in the game ******* blocking in the 4th but given no handoffs.
2) We don’t allow any of the guys to gain momentum. Swapping Chop out for Marshall every series allows no one to gain confidence, and periodically giving Castle drives is asinine. There’s no reason we should’ve had our 5th string RB in a game that we were trying to put away. Honestly this was as damning as anything with Barbay’s last performance.

Perhaps I needed to clarify my thoughts better about the middle 8 minutes. I meant that the team needs to quit talking about it. The coaches do, but they, as a group, need to work on it and not put pressure on the players as they need to play fast and loose.

As for the RBs. What I am seeing in terms of rotation is alarming. I try to avoid the word “concern”. I am taking a huge risk in typing this out, but I am starting to question the toughness and commitment of Noel and Peoples. Are they injured or hurt? They seem to be game time decisions and disappear during games. I have to speculate whether the coaches feel that they can rely on them.

Maybe the three yards and a cloud of dust approach is not good for the health of RBs? Especially when the pass is working. At some point it’s okay to get away from the run if it’s not there.