MOUNTAIN MEN vs. MINUTEMEN!!!!!

[The Rock]

Everyone keeps saying we haven’t had our 2 best receivers since game 1. Of the returning receivers, Meadors was probably the one that had the most receptions, but Evans is unproven at that spot. He was a RB last year, and had just transitioned to WR. He can be an explosive player, but to say he was 1 of our 2 best WRs is a stretch, especially with the emergence of hennigan, Virgil, and Williams at times. In my opinion, that group has far exceeded what we have lost with Meadors and Evans. Lewis has proven to be a much more versatile target than from previous years. The WR group is one of the few bright spots on this team.
Where we are hurting as a unit is the offensive line. I know we have some youth and players in new roles, but Taylor was abused yesterday in the first half, and even when we had 2 healthy backs, we were not opening any lanes for our ground game.i know we lost several OL recruits late, but does anyone know how many are redshirting this year? We need to have a great recruiting year at the OL position this year to try and shore up that unit.

[hapapp]

Sometimes you have to readjust your expectations in light of current circumstances. We aren't playing very well right now and there are a multitude of reasons, most addressed in this thread. Winning a conference title at this point would be a big deal because that assumes we win out and that's far from certain. In many ways, our season restarts next week in Monroe.

[The Rock]

I think the OL is the route cause of the offensive woes. More specifically the run blocking. Young receivers do not help the situation.

But we only lost 2 OL starters and have 2 seniors on the line

Yes, but we have a Sophomore, Freshman, and a junior starting at guard that played center his first two years.

What happend to our big Kent State transfer? Has he played at all?

[AppSt94]

I think the OL is the route cause of the offensive woes. More specifically the run blocking. Young receivers do not help the situation.

But we only lost 2 OL starters and have 2 seniors on the line

Yes, but we have a Sophomore, Freshman, and a junior starting at guard that played center his first two years.

What happend to our big Kent State transfer? Has he played at all?

He is Johnsons back up at Left Tackle I beleive.

[WataugaMan]

I believe most of us saw this one coming weeks ago. Like App91 said, "I hope this will light a fire in some asses and we will come to play for 4 QUARTERS from now on", if not, look for another repeat before season end.

[appbio91]

When we lost to WF I said it was season defining. I believe I was right. We have injuries and that is certainly hurting us. But we are just not playing well. Our schedule sucks, we don't get to play the best in the SBC so Wake was our chance to make it mean something. We win 6 and go to the same bowl is how we are playing. As bad as the color was last night they were right, we are playing guys that should have red shirts on so I am not too upset. Let's win out and get a SBC "championship". Next year we get a real Championship.

[AppSt94]

You realize that next year may provide more growth opportunities than this year? We are replacing the right side of the OL and oh yeah, a four year starter at QB.

[app97]

I think the OL is the route cause of the offensive woes. More specifically the run blocking. Young receivers do not help the situation.

But we only lost 2 OL starters and have 2 seniors on the line

Yes, but we have a Sophomore, Freshman, and a junior starting at guard that played center his first two years.

What happend to our big Kent State transfer? Has he played at all?

I’ve only seen him play on PATs, I believe. Don’t teams normally put their best lineman on the QB’s blind side? We have our most experienced and best blockers on the right side. I’m sure there’s more to it than what I know. Someone with more football knowledge will have to explain the rationale

[AppSt94]

I think the OL is the route cause of the offensive woes. More specifically the run blocking. Young receivers do not help the situation.

But we only lost 2 OL starters and have 2 seniors on the line

Yes, but we have a Sophomore, Freshman, and a junior starting at guard that played center his first two years.

What happend to our big Kent State transfer? Has he played at all?

I’ve only seen him play on PATs, I believe. Don’t teams normally put their best lineman on the QB’s blind side? We have our most experienced and best blockers on the right side. I’m sure there’s more to it than what I know. Someone with more football knowledge will have to explain the rationale

Going from the right side to the left isn't as easy as going the opposite way. The only reason that I can give for starting Johnson over McCauley is that the talent level isn't much different between them. If you have a young guy that is just as good as the older guy, you play the young guy because there is more time for them to develop.

[AppStateNews]

And to add, I don't necessarily think it's a regression by Johnson. I think it's more of the talent at guard next to him isn't nearly what we had last year. This isn't a knock on the current left guards -- more of a realization we were spoiled the previous 3 years there.

[AppSt94]

And to add, I don't necessarily think it's a regression by Johnson. I think it's more of the talent at guard next to him isn't nearly what we had last year. This isn't a knock on the current left guards -- more of a realization we were spoiled the previous 3 years there.

Well if I remember correctly, you are a coach so I trust you if you don't beleive Johnson is regressing. I didn't really think about the guard spot causing him difficulties but it makes sense. The unforunate downside to this is that he has quickly developed a reputation as someone that holds a lot and the refs probably watch him more closely than others.

[WVAPPeer]

As to the right side of the line vs the left side - Yes, the LT is very important for a right-handed passing QB - however we are a run-team first and we are a run to the right team first and have been for several years - we are not a classic drop back passing offense so the LT for those reasons isn't as important as it is to teams who run a pass-first offense - We have a true freshman center and haven't had a lot of consistency at LG with Edge-Campbell being banged up from game to game ---

[Stonewall]

Here's hoping for an early Christmas haul , December 20 of "Big Uglies". Looks like we've had a spot or two open up , no reason not to be able to bring in some quality O line prospects.

[SpeedkingATL]

App has been living on the edge almost the entire season and against UMass the other team made the decisive play to win. App is an impossible team to figure out this year as their tendencies change from game to game. They just need to pull it together for the stretch run as they have 4 important conference games ahead and I would venture that all are as good as UMass except GS and they will have a "nothing to lose" attitude when they come to Boone.
Go Apps!