The Youth Movement

[App95]

Just looked over some stats for this season and there is something that really stands out. Freshmen and Sophmores are leading the way in many aspects of the game:

Top two tacklers: Freshman/Sophmore
Defensive POTW: Freshman
Lone Interception: Sophmore
All three touchdowns: Freshmen
Special Teams POTW: Freshman
Most Productive QB: Sophmore

When Scott says this is a young team he means it. The fact that these young players are carrying this team right now will likely lead to more near term growing pains. But if you are a long term thinker like mysef, you have to be exited about the future of App football.

[AppState89]

Like I said in another post....Dean Smith and Coach K didn't start out well either...

We have freshman and sophs leading the way so far, that looks good for the future....

Go Apps!!!!!!!!!

[AppinATL]

I'm with you guys. All the knee-jerk reactions are shallow and foolish.

[ASUGoose]

b

Just looked over some stats for this season and there is something that really stands out. Freshmen and Sophmores are leading the way in many aspects of the game:

Top two tacklers: Freshman/Sophmore
Defensive POTW: Freshman
Lone Interception: Sophmore
All three touchdowns: Freshmen
Special Teams POTW: Freshman
Most Productive QB: Sophmore

When Scott says this is a young team he means it. The fact that these young players are carrying this team right now will likely lead to more near term growing pains. But if you are a long term thinker like mysef, you have to be exited about the future of App football.

Amen brother!

[Saint3333]

2004 we started a young of underclassmen. They made a ton of mistakes, but the next year they did pretty well.

[AppState89]

2004 we started a young of underclassmen. They made a ton of mistakes, but the next year they did pretty well.

They sure did....very very well at that....

[GoApps70]

Don't we still have Acey, who is a walk on at center?
Have a bunch of walk on beaten out our recruited O linemen?
From reading other threads and boards, they seem to paint an entirely different
picture.
Maybe they are just talking O line though.

[wilsonappman]

A good many of the recruited O-Line guys are red shirting. It gives them the opportunity to get bigger and stronger and learn the system. Not to mention the fact that we don't want to burn a red shirt during our transition year when playoffs are not even an option. We better get used to it as well. As we make this move into Division 1A, red shirting will become more and more prevelent.

[WataugaMan]

A good many of the recruited O-Line guys are red shirting. It gives them the opportunity to get bigger and stronger and learn the system. Not to mention the fact that we don't want to burn a red shirt during our transition year when playoffs are not even an option. We better get used to it as well. As we make this move into Division 1A, red shirting will become more and more prevelent.

Georgia aside, all remaining teams scheduled are at the FCS level. Therefore, in theory, we should be able to match up in the trenches fairly well with these teams. However, to date this has not been the case. Did I state, "in theory"? And, to be fair, a more confident and mobile QB would help as well. Can't hold those blocks forever ya know.

[Appsolutely]

"...a more confident and mobile QB would help as well."

This, along with special teams, has been the problem, so far. Fix those two problems and we will be fine...

I have all the respect in the world for JLJ, but I don't see how you can continue to go with him unless/until he can play with confidence.

[MAD Doctor]

Sounds like we have a lot of similarities to the state's pro team:

* Capable and proven QB not playing up to expectations.

* Major Offensive line issues resulting in a weak running game.

* A solid, improved defense, that is spending too much time on the field because of the offense.

* Subject to getting burned by special teams.

* Fans bolting early to beat traffic.

* Armanti Edwards jerseys, but no Armanti Edwards.

* We're the most loved team in Charlotte
(Sorry, couldn't resist)

[AppGrad78]

I'm not ready to lay the blame for our lack of a running game on our offensive line.

For our offense to be effective, it needs a running threat from the quarterback. We become way too one dimensional when our quarterback can't threaten to break off a 20-yard run in the read-option.

Jamal, unfortunately, still seems bothered by his knee injury, the result of which has left us with a running game that is struggling, even out of the pistol.

Kam, in my opinion, is the best running quarterback we've had since Armanti. As soon as he forces defenses to respect his running, the rest of our ground game will take shape.

[JCline0429]

I'm not ready to lay the blame for our lack of a running game on our offensive line.

For our offense to be effective, it needs a running threat from the quarterback. We become way too one dimensional when our quarterback can't threaten to break off a 20-yard run in the read-option.

Jamal, unfortunately, still seems bothered by his knee injury, the result of which has left us with a running game that is struggling, even out of the pistol.

Kam, in my opinion, is the best running quarterback we've had since Armanti. As soon as he forces defenses to respect his running, the rest of our ground game will take shape.

Here's hoping you are right, Charlie. Will you be at Elon Saturday week?

[AppGrad78]

I'm not ready to lay the blame for our lack of a running game on our offensive line.

For our offense to be effective, it needs a running threat from the quarterback. We become way too one dimensional when our quarterback can't threaten to break off a 20-yard run in the read-option.

Jamal, unfortunately, still seems bothered by his knee injury, the result of which has left us with a running game that is struggling, even out of the pistol.

Kam, in my opinion, is the best running quarterback we've had since Armanti. As soon as he forces defenses to respect his running, the rest of our ground game will take shape.

Here's hoping you are right, Charlie. Will you be at Elon Saturday week?

Our crew will be there in full force. Hope to see you there.

[hapapp]

I'm not ready to lay the blame for our lack of a running game on our offensive line.

For our offense to be effective, it needs a running threat from the quarterback. We become way too one dimensional when our quarterback can't threaten to break off a 20-yard run in the read-option.

Jamal, unfortunately, still seems bothered by his knee injury, the result of which has left us with a running game that is struggling, even out of the pistol.

Kam, in my opinion, is the best running quarterback we've had since Armanti. As soon as he forces defenses to respect his running, the rest of our ground game will take shape.

Quite frankly, whether Jamal is fully recovered or will fully recover from his surgery, I'm not sure he will ever be as mobile as he was when he first won the job. He has never been the best runner to begin with. My guess is we will see both QBs used depending on circumstance and performance.

[App91]

Hap, its not like he is throwing well either. Does not seem to be stepping into the throws and timing is terrible. If he cannot run or throw, why would he see the field? Nothing good can be said about a 2 QB system.

[WataugaMan]

Hap, its not like he is throwing well either. Does not seem to be stepping into the throws and timing is terrible. If he cannot run or throw, why would he see the field? Nothing good can be said about a 2 QB system.

Basically - The goal, without saying, is to give the team the best chance to win. Who currently is "the best man" for that job.

[hapapp]

Hap, its not like he is throwing well either. Does not seem to be stepping into the throws and timing is terrible. If he cannot run or throw, why would he see the field? Nothing good can be said about a 2 QB system.

Not advocating we go that route, just saying what I think might happen. I think the staff is having a hard time bypassing JLJ because of the leadership he provides. Clearly, he is the team's leader.

I would love to see Kam get the chance to be the starter so we can see what he can do for an entire game.

[AppAttack]

I'm not ready to lay the blame for our lack of a running game on our offensive line.

For our offense to be effective, it needs a running threat from the quarterback. We become way too one dimensional when our quarterback can't threaten to break off a 20-yard run in the read-option.

Jamal, unfortunately, still seems bothered by his knee injury, the result of which has left us with a running game that is struggling, even out of the pistol.

Kam, in my opinion, is the best running quarterback we've had since Armanti. As soon as he forces defenses to respect his running, the rest of our ground game will take shape.

That's saying a lot if you think he's a better runner than Presley.

[AppGrad78]

I'm not ready to lay the blame for our lack of a running game on our offensive line.

For our offense to be effective, it needs a running threat from the quarterback. We become way too one dimensional when our quarterback can't threaten to break off a 20-yard run in the read-option.

Jamal, unfortunately, still seems bothered by his knee injury, the result of which has left us with a running game that is struggling, even out of the pistol.

Kam, in my opinion, is the best running quarterback we've had since Armanti. As soon as he forces defenses to respect his running, the rest of our ground game will take shape.

That's saying a lot if you think he's a better runner than Presley.

I seriously thought about adding Presley to the list. Perhaps I should have. I think Deandre was the fastest quarterback we've ever had. But he wasn't as elusive as Armanti was, nor did he occasionally lower his shoulder and plow through a runner like Armanti was known to do.