Up Next...UNC

[Black Saturday]

South Carolina also changed OCs. Their entire blocking scheme changed completely (as did their o line coach). So players recruited for one scheme and coaching style are playing a completely different scheme and coach.

I get most see that as excuses for us, but perhaps it really does play a role? Kind of wild other teams also have to deal with that too, right?

But, if our lines (both sides) don't play any better than they did on Saturday, we won't be in the game after half.

I'm confident that changes though. O line looked pedestrian but we didn't show anything either. I'm hopeful the line looks better with better play calling (vanilla was on purpose though). D line looked much better once we showed pressure from the backers. It seemed like a bulb went off in the second half for the young guys that took over. That's only going to help make the first stringers even better.

We may have just played one of the weaker teams on our schedule,
Some of that dialed up pressure seemed to be related to us figuring out how to take away the quick passes. Once they had to look further downfield, we seemed to meet a lot in the backfield.

Don't play our corners 10 yards off the ball. I'll swear we are allergic to manning up with our schemes.

Honest question... Would you rather make a team get 3-4 yards a time with the quick throws that are more susceptible to mistakes and turnovers or constantly get beat deep and have no chance of defending anything?

The defense we run is predicated on not allowing the big play. Keep everything in front, confuse the QB, and bring exotic blitzes (Sloan probably won't call any until week 5 or 6 just due to the complexity) to cause havoc.

Personally, I'd rather make teams work for it as that makes it more prone to mistakes -- not to mention the fatigue on the lines this causes (which causes more mistakes). But that is what makes football such a great sport -- there isn't a right answer (well, outside of score more points than the other team). Every scheme has infinite number of ways to beat it. Likewise, every scheme has infinite number of ways to counter the beat too. I do agree we have to at least show press occasionally though.

Last year we didn't have the horses to play press coverage. We've all been told we do this year so we'll see if it happens. But some of our best corners in this scheme (Gibbs, Duck, Hayes, Charles, etc) also weren't the best man press guys. Difference is they had pressure from the front 7 so they could be loose and react. They couldn't do that last year. This year is yet to be seen but I expect the pressures to come in slowly as the season progresses.

My thinking is we were worried about Gaither,

After 10 times of the screen being successful, I'd prefer to try to stop it, before they did it successfully 20 more times, We were playing one of the weaker teams on our schedule.

Pop test for our D this week in Chapel Hill from the Master QB that can make all the throws. We'll see what poison is best for us to take.

[fjblair]

If we start the game like we have been starting games it will be ugly. The energy and urgency has to be there right out of the gate.

[Black Saturday]

If we start the game like we have been starting games it will be ugly. The energy and urgency has to be there right out of the gate.

Right or Aguilar will have to set an attempt record to try to keep us in the game.

[T-Dog]

It's early and we'll know more on Wednesday, but prepare your ponchos for Saturday on the hill.

[Saint3333]

The pressure wasn’t there until depth kicked in. Pressure on the QB was an issue last year and I’m hopeful we correct that in the coming weeks.

[AppStateNews]

The pressure wasn’t there until depth kicked in. Pressure on the QB was an issue last year and I’m hopeful we correct that in the coming weeks.

I just got done rewatching.. the pressure started when blitzes were called. For some reason, blitzes were not called much when the 1s were in. When the 2s and 3s came in, the play calling changed and pressure was called.

I'm wondering if that was by design and we are going to show different looks next week. I've heard from more than one person Sloan has some tweaks he worked on in the spring with the blitz packages, so maybe that's what we were holding back on? I guess we'll find out on Saturday...

[biggie]

Seems we may have to have a good set quick/short routes for our WRs given their pass rush. Unless we can run the ball well and keep them at home for a moment with play action. But that wouldn't seem likely given the running holes vs GW.

If I read it right USC had -2 yards rushing

Yes reduced for the sacks being included

[teller]

That's fair. I agree 2019 had better individual talent but I think we have more depth this year.

It especially seems like we do on defense in a few spots. I looked at the numbers on PFF and they got us credited with 19 offensive players and 28 defensive players who played.

We played 10 DBs, 6 DL, and 12 LBs. That seemed like a solid number for this game. On offense we had 2 QBs, 7 WRs, 2 TEs, 6 OL, and 2 RBs. I was hoping to see 2-3 more OL, 1-2 more RBs, and another TE but overall we did see a lot. If we had Marshall, Castle, and McKnight able to play I feel like they all would have seen the field as well.

Why did we run Noel 24 times with all the backs we have and risk injury against GW even after the game was decided? Did we need the "practice" or is it just dumb? I think our RBs 2-3-4 are capable of offering relief.

Why did we play 10 yards off the receivers all game long and allow the bubble screen to be completed, and not bring any pressure until later in the game? Were we afraid of Gaither?

Needed adjustments continue to be slow in my opinion.

Happy our backup QB can see the field and throw the ball in a shoebox.

Kind of agree with Nate. Once he got his 100 and the game was secure I expected to see some other guys. Wonder if some are in a dog house or dinged up from practice.

Has to be injuries. There’s absolutely no reason Marshall and Roberts shouldn’t have been in that game late to save Noel and Haywood.

Unleash Kanye and let that MAN eat!!

[Black Saturday]

Seems we may have to have a good set quick/short routes for our WRs given their pass rush. Unless we can run the ball well and keep them at home for a moment with play action. But that wouldn't seem likely given the running holes vs GW.

If I read it right USC had -2 yards rushing

Yes reduced for the sacks being included

However it is sliced it is damn impressive

[AppSt94]

A question asked out of curiosity for some but why the call to see Kanye? I mean do disrespect to the young man but we have other backs, more experienced backs on tue roster that have justifiable reasons for getting touches. “Feeding him” takes away from those that have proven that they can handle the workload. I’m all for getting him in when we can, I just don’t see the reason to force him in over guys like Noel, Marshall and Castle. And again no disrespect to the young man, but it’s apparent that Haywood earned his touches with his efforts in camp and practice. Giving Kanye 5-10 touches a game takes away from 5-10 touches from Noel.

[BambooRdApp]

A question asked out of curiosity for some but why the call to see Kanye? I mean do disrespect to the young man but we have other backs, more experienced backs on tue roster that have justifiable reasons for getting touches. “Feeding him” takes away from those that have proven that they can handle the workload. I’m all for getting him in when we can, I just don’t see the reason to force him in over guys like Noel, Marshall and Castle. And again no disrespect to the young man, but it’s apparent that Haywood earned his touches with his efforts in camp and practice. Giving Kanye 5-10 touches a game takes away from 5-10 touches from Noel.

I agree. Coach decision to put best players on field. Unless their offensive philosophy changed, Kanye's high school used to run like a triple option. If not that exactly, very run heavy. They probably threw the ball less than 10 times a game if still coaching philosophy as years ago. This would also mean he did not also have to pick up pass blocking schemes or catch passes very often. He will probably be a great back..just may need some time to develop.

[Saint3333]

A question asked out of curiosity for some but why the call to see Kanye? I mean do disrespect to the young man but we have other backs, more experienced backs on tue roster that have justifiable reasons for getting touches. “Feeding him” takes away from those that have proven that they can handle the workload. I’m all for getting him in when we can, I just don’t see the reason to force him in over guys like Noel, Marshall and Castle. And again no disrespect to the young man, but it’s apparent that Haywood earned his touches with his efforts in camp and practice. Giving Kanye 5-10 touches a game takes away from 5-10 touches from Noel.

I think you meant to say Marshall, not Castle, as he's out for at least half of the season.

RB is our offense is tough and depth will be needed Kayne will get some touches as the games mount. Noel never gets enough credit on here or in the media for how good he is.

[AppSt94]

A question asked out of curiosity for some but why the call to see Kanye? I mean do disrespect to the young man but we have other backs, more experienced backs on tue roster that have justifiable reasons for getting touches. “Feeding him” takes away from those that have proven that they can handle the workload. I’m all for getting him in when we can, I just don’t see the reason to force him in over guys like Noel, Marshall and Castle. And again no disrespect to the young man, but it’s apparent that Haywood earned his touches with his efforts in camp and practice. Giving Kanye 5-10 touches a game takes away from 5-10 touches from Noel.

I think you meant to say Marshall, not Castle, as he's out for at least half of the season.

RB is our offense is tough and depth will be needed Kayne will get some touches as the games mount. Noel never gets enough credit on here or in the media for how good he is.

I include Marshall, but I included Castle as I was referencing guys that had been here for awhile and have earned the playing time and have proven results. That was my point to include. I agree that he will get touches as the season wears on. We ran it less than 40 times on Saturday which is odd. My guess is that was due to the clock changes.

[Black Saturday]

I agree he is important, but Noel carried 24 of those times and some of those after the game was decided which as per usual our staff being slow to react and make necessary in game adjusments.

Let's see if we can play 10 yards off UNC receivers all game long, and forget about blitzing.

[311neers]

I agree he is important, but Noel carried 24 of those times and some of those after the game was decided which as per usual our staff being slow to react and make necessary in game adjusments.

Let's see if we can play 10 yards off UNC receivers all game long, and forget about blitzing.

Bingo. It’s more of a “hey let’s not burn an oft-injured RB” type thing. We only have 3 healthy backs right now, can’t afford to ding up/risk injury of a starter in Noel up 21 against Gwebb in the 4th with UNC/WYO/ECU looming. Let him rest, get him out of the game. That’s pretty much it, not about who’s earned it. KR and any of our RB’s are more than capable of toting the rock 2-5 times to end a game.

[AppStateNews]

Goodness... Last year, we have two RBs that split the carries evenly and it's "OMG just play one! Let them get hot!"

Now we had two that got a 2/3, 1/3 split and they are playing one guy too much.

And it's the same people complaining for both. You can't make this up. If this isn't evidence the fans on this board won't ever be happy, I don't know what is.

[Bigdaddyg1]

I think what a lot of us hated last year was what appeared to be a running back rotation that was predetermined. We had one guy do great for a series, seemed hot then he was out for 3 series. Nobody really wanted to see 6 backs carry the ball 5 times each but it was curious why our stud (supposedly) freshman back got zero carries in the game.

[311neers]

Goodness... Last year, we have two RBs that split the carries evenly and it's "OMG just play one! Let them get hot!"

Now we had two that got a 2/3, 1/3 split and they are playing one guy too much.

And it's the same people complaining for both. You can't make this up. If this isn't evidence the fans on this board won't ever be happy, I don't know what is.

Hahahaha I had this exact thing typed out, and I agree, we moaned and groaned to use a hot hand. We had 5-6 backs last year whereas we only have 3 healthy at the moment. We (well, some might be) aren’t saying to feed KR or Marshall when healthy, just lessen the load to Noel after we’re up big and he’s gotten 18-20 carries. Game was over at that point. We need Noel for the long haul, not up 21 against GW.

[AppSt94]

Here’s the thing about the questions that fans have. They are often looking for answers to the wrong questions. Instead of asking why are the coaches not seeing what I want to see and not playing the guys I feel they should be playing? The real question should be, what am I not seeing what the coaches are?

[Parks&RecAPP]

What happened to the aggressive, attacking offense that became the norm? We will never return to the top with a conservative, flat offense.