Observations 5 games in (long)

[appvette]

Agreed, and now my (maybe slightly premature) thoughts are that we could very easily lose him to a buyout by a P5 earlier than we would like. But, trust DG, unless he’s gone soon too.

It's the tragic double-edged sword of being a successful G5 program...my thoughts exactly. If we run the table with Drinkwitz and beat S.Car, you bet that guy will be getting offers he can't refuse.

Every time we have a coach hired away, the position becomes more desirable and, theoretically, better coaches show interest. Obviously, each hire has a risk of a "miss" too.

[CoffeyHall08]

That's odd. On the chat last night, one or two were talking about the play calling being too vanilla.

I guess everyone has their take. The playcalling definitely hit a lull last night, but I don't think it's a reflection on the creativity of the playcalling overall. It's been pretty diverse and effective for the most part.

As for the fumblerooskie, obviously some people liked the call and some didn't. I liked the idea, just not the timing. 2nd and 2 near mid-field in a tight game? Just get the first down. Save the antics for a more appropriate situation.

[Rick83]

I like the playcalling in any game we win. I remember pointing this out before when Satt was getting so much criticism on this board for his play calling. There's a strategy that we as fans don't know about. A certain play might be called several times and not work at all, and might not be expected to work, but it's setting up another play at a crucial time later in the game.

I suspect feeding Evans the ball, even though the box was stacked, over and over again was the reason UL totally bought the fake hand-off on the last TD by Zac. Zac could have speed-walked into the end zone and made it. Don't know if that was the plan but it sure worked out that way. It was glorious and I laughed out loud as I was pumping the air with clenched fists during my victory dance.

[appstatealum]

It looked like Drink got a little nervous after those first few drives (with short fields, mind you) where UL was getting great pressure and they tipped a few balls that could've easily gone the other way. I'm guessing he decided to minimize the risk, take the air out of the ball and play the ball control game. Both had their risks, but he chose the right one I guess. ULs LBs were playing pretty well.

[NattyBumppo'sRevenge]

From a defensive perspective, I appreciate that our players aren't looking to the sideline for a playcall while the other team is snapping the ball.

[NattyBumppo'sRevenge]

It looked like Drink got a little nervous after those first few drives (with short fields, mind you) where UL was getting great pressure and they tipped a few balls that could've easily gone the other way. I'm guessing he decided to minimize the risk, take the air out of the ball and play the ball control game. Both had their risks, but he chose the right one I guess. ULs LBs were playing pretty well.

This makes a lot of sense. There were a few near pics early on and he probably got uncomfortable with UL's defensive scheme and the original plan. Good for him for adjusting the game plan mid game and pulling off the W.

[bigdaddyg]

Us "coaches" all think it is easy. Just throw the bomb or run the jet sweep or the double reverse double pass statue of liberty play. Obviously it isn't that simple. Just win baby.

[kornegaylw]

Also blaming Satt's clock management at Penn State is a reach. It's not his fault they couldn't tackle Jalin Moore on that TD run. And while I also hoped it would work out to drain the clock more, after what happened vs. Tennessee and Wake, perhaps we could excuse him for not wanting to trust the game to his kicker.

All good points. Clock management wasn't the only reason for the PSU loss for sure...but it was definitely a situation where, had he slowed down a tad, we would have put ourselves into a better situation to win.

Very true on the kicking game...Rubino was pretty frustrating at times.

I say these 2 things all the time....

1. Rubino was the worst best thing to happen to AppSt football. His ineptitude to make chip shots kept Satterfield in Boone longer which helped develop the program. Had he made those FGs against Tenn & Wake Forest Satt would have left for another job sooner that he did.
2. You can't tell Jalin not to score a TD on that last drive at Penn State.

[App4that]

From a defensive perspective, I appreciate that our players aren't looking to the sideline for a playcall while the other team is snapping the ball.

This. There were many concerns when we converted to the 3-4 under Woody, and this was my primary one. I get having fresh legs and a quick rotation, but we used to look unprepared and often got caught with too many men on the field. I can't remember a specific situation where it really hurt us [intentionally not mentioning Miami here], and far be it from me to call the much-lauded defense of the past few years into question. Just didn't leave a good feeling.

I know not all are sold on the current defensive schemes, but our guys definitely look ready when the ball is snapped.

[BeauFoster]

From a defensive perspective, I appreciate that our players aren't looking to the sideline for a playcall while the other team is snapping the ball.

This. There were many concerns when we converted to the 3-4 under Woody, and this was my primary one. I get having fresh legs and a quick rotation, but we used to look unprepared and often got caught with too many men on the field. I can't remember a specific situation where it really hurt us [intentionally not mentioning Miami here], and far be it from me to call the much-lauded defense of the past few years into question. Just didn't leave a good feeling.

I know not all are sold on the current defensive schemes, but our guys definitely look ready when the ball is snapped.

I'm going to bring up the Florida A&M game from decades ago, just to induce some shutters from all those in attendance that day.

[appst89]

From a defensive perspective, I appreciate that our players aren't looking to the sideline for a playcall while the other team is snapping the ball.

This. There were many concerns when we converted to the 3-4 under Woody, and this was my primary one. I get having fresh legs and a quick rotation, but we used to look unprepared and often got caught with too many men on the field. I can't remember a specific situation where it really hurt us [intentionally not mentioning Miami here], and far be it from me to call the much-lauded defense of the past few years into question. Just didn't leave a good feeling.

I know not all are sold on the current defensive schemes, but our guys definitely look ready when the ball is snapped.

I'm going to bring up the Florida A&M game from decades ago, just to induce some shutters from all those in attendance that day.

Now I'm going to have to start drinking.

[nomadb]

It seems pretty clear to me that Drink, smartly, plays ball control offense when we are ahead, even by only a FG and plays more aggressive when the game is tied or we are behind.

As far as fans saying the play calling is "vanilla"....I don't think anything bugs me worse. "Flashy", or "Rocky Road" if we are sticking to ice cream flavors, doesn't mean it's going to work and it's not always what you need to do to win. If you can get 3 or 4 on the ground and eat clock, that's sometimes the best call. Strategy goes beyond scoring as many points as possible

[Black Saturday]

From a defensive perspective, I appreciate that our players aren't looking to the sideline for a playcall while the other team is snapping the ball.

This. There were many concerns when we converted to the 3-4 under Woody, and this was my primary one. I get having fresh legs and a quick rotation, but we used to look unprepared and often got caught with too many men on the field. I can't remember a specific situation where it really hurt us [intentionally not mentioning Miami here], and far be it from me to call the much-lauded defense of the past few years into question. Just didn't leave a good feeling.

I know not all are sold on the current defensive schemes, but our guys definitely look ready when the ball is snapped.

I'm going to bring up the Florida A&M game from decades ago, just to induce some shutters from all those in attendance that day.

Now I'm going to have to start drinking.

I think The Rattlers just scored again?

How about the Villanova game just a decade ago, when we got our asses handed to us at The Rock. We dang sure weren't ready that day.

[Black Saturday]

Maybe this link will work for the FAMU game? Click on the box score.

http://www.famuathletics.com/fls/25300/ ... M_ID=25300

[BeauFoster]

From a defensive perspective, I appreciate that our players aren't looking to the sideline for a playcall while the other team is snapping the ball.

This. There were many concerns when we converted to the 3-4 under Woody, and this was my primary one. I get having fresh legs and a quick rotation, but we used to look unprepared and often got caught with too many men on the field. I can't remember a specific situation where it really hurt us [intentionally not mentioning Miami here], and far be it from me to call the much-lauded defense of the past few years into question. Just didn't leave a good feeling.

I know not all are sold on the current defensive schemes, but our guys definitely look ready when the ball is snapped.

I'm going to bring up the Florida A&M game from decades ago, just to induce some shutters from all those in attendance that day.

Now I'm going to have to start drinking.

I drank a lot of Segrams 7 that day. Still hate both that and the Rattlers.

[HighPointApp]

How about the Villanova game just a decade ago, when we got our asses handed to us at The Rock. We dang sure weren't ready that day.
[/quote]

That game was beyond ugly. We were curb stomped that game.

[GreatAppSt]

I'm going to bring up the Florida A&M game from decades ago, just to induce some shutters from all those in attendance that day.

Thanks a lot Beau, now I have this to remember going into my three day weekend. SMH

[appstate77]

From a defensive perspective, I appreciate that our players aren't looking to the sideline for a playcall while the other team is snapping the ball.

This. There were many concerns when we converted to the 3-4 under Woody, and this was my primary one. I get having fresh legs and a quick rotation, but we used to look unprepared and often got caught with too many men on the field. I can't remember a specific situation where it really hurt us [intentionally not mentioning Miami here], and far be it from me to call the much-lauded defense of the past few years into question. Just didn't leave a good feeling.

I know not all are sold on the current defensive schemes, but our guys definitely look ready when the ball is snapped.

I'm going to bring up the Florida A&M game from decades ago, just to induce some shutters from all those in attendance that day.

I was at both the mentioned games. A&Ms Dline taunted us all game and Villanova's stud player with the funky name made us look like a middle school team.

[BeauFoster]

From a defensive perspective, I appreciate that our players aren't looking to the sideline for a playcall while the other team is snapping the ball.

This. There were many concerns when we converted to the 3-4 under Woody, and this was my primary one. I get having fresh legs and a quick rotation, but we used to look unprepared and often got caught with too many men on the field. I can't remember a specific situation where it really hurt us [intentionally not mentioning Miami here], and far be it from me to call the much-lauded defense of the past few years into question. Just didn't leave a good feeling.

I know not all are sold on the current defensive schemes, but our guys definitely look ready when the ball is snapped.

I'm going to bring up the Florida A&M game from decades ago, just to induce some shutters from all those in attendance that day.

I was at both the mentioned games. A&Ms Dline taunted us all game and Villanova's stud player with the funky name made us look like a middle school team.

Cezur gave us a seizure that night...

[appst89]

From a defensive perspective, I appreciate that our players aren't looking to the sideline for a playcall while the other team is snapping the ball.

This. There were many concerns when we converted to the 3-4 under Woody, and this was my primary one. I get having fresh legs and a quick rotation, but we used to look unprepared and often got caught with too many men on the field. I can't remember a specific situation where it really hurt us [intentionally not mentioning Miami here], and far be it from me to call the much-lauded defense of the past few years into question. Just didn't leave a good feeling.

I know not all are sold on the current defensive schemes, but our guys definitely look ready when the ball is snapped.

I'm going to bring up the Florida A&M game from decades ago, just to induce some shutters from all those in attendance that day.

Now I'm going to have to start drinking.

I think The Rattlers just scored again?

How about the Villanova game just a decade ago, when we got our asses handed to us at The Rock. We dang sure weren't ready that day.

Now drinking doesn't seem quite enough.