2014 The Best APP Team?

[Black Saturday]

This comparison was spawned from another thread about Lamb breaking one of AEs freshman records and the WOW year that Cox had. The way the 2014 team finished the season against the level of competition, there is room for discussion that this version could be the best team that APP has yet fielded. However, the same can be said for the FCS National Championship talent laden 2007 team that beat Michigan. In less than a decade our football landscape has changed quite a bit as we now have 85 scholarships and play the majority of our schedule against the same. Which team would you choose?

[WataugaMan]

This comparison was spawned from another thread about Lamb breaking one of AEs freshman records and the WOW year that Cox had. The way the 2014 team finished the season against the level of competition, there is room for discussion that this version could be the best team that APP has yet fielded. However, the same can be said for the FCS National Championship talent laden 2007 team that beat Michigan. In less than a decade our football landscape has changed quite a bit as we now have 85 scholarships and play the majority of our schedule against the same. Which team would you chose?

To early to tell, give it another season.

[sixtoes9134]

We have the chance to have a special team the next couple years. Pray for good health for our boys.

[Deano]

In my mind the 2007 team was better than the current 2014 team, only because not only did that 2007 team have NFL talent but they had alot of heart, and that heart won many games. We didn't have alot of 2 and 3 star players, we have more of those now, so how were we so successful, it was the players heart and determination. Now our current 2014 team will continue to get better so the future looks bright, this team could end up breaking many more records.

[proasu89]

06 team > 07 team

[bigdaddyg]

In my mind the 2007 team was better than the current 2014 team, only because not only did that 2007 team have NFL talent but they had alot of heart, and that heart won many games. We didn't have alot of 2 and 3 star players, we have more of those now, so how were we so successful, it was the players heart and determination. Now our current 2014 team will continue to get better so the future looks bright, this team could end up breaking many more records.

You never know what you are going to get from 18-22 year old kids. I think that some of the star rankings are purely a guess at best. You have so many factors like the level of competition, drive by the kid, how he performs on a bigger stage with more pressure, etc. Many experts say that you can't guage a recruiting class in general for a few years. This team ended up pretty special but we can't overlook the first 6 games. That '07 team was solid from beginning to end. I recall reading that many believe that the '15 team can be really special. Hopefully this time next year we will have this same discussion and there will be no debate, especially if we are preparing for a major bowl after an 11-1 or even an undefeated season (think BIG).

[JTApps1]

06 team > 07 team

I agree with you on this one. Had our QB situation been worked out at the start of the season we may have gone 15-0 that year. The main difference between the team is how much better the defense was in 2006.

As for 2014, I think by the end of the year this team was as good as any in 2 aspects of the game. Satterfield even said during the last few weeks this team played the best football he has ever seen in his time at App. That a pretty strong statement considering all of the teams he has been involved with.

[Black Saturday]

Wikipedia has some good stats for comparison for the '07 - '06 teams.

Eleven '07 players went on to spend time in pro ball, 3 have been starters Quick, Irvin, DJ Smith, iirc. 2006 the defense was really good against the schedule. Both were outstanding, I still vote the bookend wins against the helmets in '07. Too bad we aren't able to compete for a national championship as it currently stands.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_Appal ... tball_team


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_Appal ... tball_team

[WVAPPeer]

I have to continue to go with 2007 - they did beat a #5 Michigan team that was full of NFL players several who came back just to win the national championship - they had been undefeated until the Ohio State game the year before --- They had a HUGE Bulls eye on them all season - got everyone's best game - found a way to win that JMU game and then overwhelmed the Blue Hens with their now Super Bowl winning QB --- I remember what I said to a couple of Delaware fans who were beside us at the motel when one said these guys are really good with Flacco and company - I said, "I'm not trying to be arrogant but our guys (APPS) have fought all year just to get to this game, they now have no pressure and they will not lose!!!"

[EastHallApp]

2007 is remembered for their first game and their last game. For those two, they were the best App team ever. For the 13 in between, 2006 was better.

[clayton]

I'd take every Armanti-led team and 2005 over the 2014 team. The 2006 team has an edge over the 2007 team. In 2006, we had a great offense and a great defense. In 2007, we had an exceptional offense with an average defense.

I see a lot of parallels between the 2004 team and the 2014 team (and it is possible 2015-2017 could be a lot like 2005-2007).

2004 and 2014 were both extremely young teams, but stacked with talent and potential. Both seasons were weird. Undefeated and home and winless on the road in 2004. Terrible for a month then unstoppable in 2014. There were calls for head coach changes.

[appgrad]

2007 is remembered for their first game and their last game. For those two, they were the best App team ever. For the 13 in between, 2006 was better.

I would say that when everyone was healthy on the '07 team, it was as good as it gets. There literally wasn't a team that could keep up with us.

They faced probably the toughest road to the title of any of the 3...a JMU team that had us beat, a Richmond team that won the National Title the very next year, and a Delaware team QB'd by a future Super Bowl MVP.

In terms of balance, I do agree that '06 was the best in that regard. Won the title with a mix of defense and offense, and won every playoff game by double digits.

[App91]

I have to continue to go with 2007 - they did beat a #5 Michigan team that was full of NFL players several who came back just to win the national championship - they had been undefeated until the Ohio State game the year before --- They had a HUGE Bulls eye on them all season - got everyone's best game - found a way to win that JMU game and then overwhelmed the Blue Hens with their now Super Bowl winning QB --- I remember what I said to a couple of Delaware fans who were beside us at the motel when one said these guys are really good with Flacco and company - I said, "I'm not trying to be arrogant but our guys (APPS) have fought all year just to get to this game, they now have no pressure and they will not lose!!!"

Remember a similar conversation with the UD radio guys in the hotel before the game. They said we have not seen a QB with an arm like Flacco. Told them they had never seen speed like we had. Guess I was right.

[MAD Doctor]

If we were just looking at the six game streak, it would be close; but we cant forget about those first six plus our glaring special team weaknesses. With that said, the '14 team will go down as a very special team for making a truly amazing turnaround and laying the groundwork for what could be a very special era in App State football. Is it August yet?

[AppinATL]

I think this team is deeper and more talent rich than that '07 team, just by by virtue of the recruits we're able to bring in now as an FBS program, but I think it's unfair to compare them that way. I do see similarities in the "intangibles" that are so important to putting teams over the top...work ethic, team chemistry, the real will to fight, etc. This bunch seems to have that as did that 2005-2007 crew. As many good players as we had after that run, I think the teams were lacking in these intangibles. There was a lot more of the "look at me, see what a great play I just made" foolishness in the years after '07.

With all the criticism and praise that has fallen on Satterfield and his staff this year, I haven't seen much mentioned about this. Big plays are followed by tossing the ball to the ref and heading back to the huddle like you've done it before. Sure theres a little celebrating and there should be. It's a game of emotion. But none of the over the top chest thumping over breaking up a pass after you have been getting torched the whole game garbage that we were seeing.

This change back to the classy days didn't just happen on its own. I like these kids and I like these coaches!