Mountaineer Football

[scatman77]

I have been a long-time member of this forum going way back to the SI/CNN site. I've seen a lot of Mountaineer football since I began my matriculation back in the fall of 1973. I've been involved with athletic programs from that time to the present with 34+ years (this is #35) in high school athletics; most of it at the 4A level. I've worked for 9 different head football coaches and I've seen a lot of good and bad. As for this new site, after last night I've not read a single thread concerning the game so what I'm about to say is not tainted with anyone's opinion but my own.
1. Players play, coaches coach. Both work together for the common good. Not a single one of them tried to screw up during the game. Could better decisions have been made? Probably, but I'm not the professional making them so I trust the ones in charge to do it. They have my support; he who is not for us is against us.
2. Spit happens. A & T kept our offense bottled up with superb if not timely and lucky punting. To those of you in The 212 who kept yelling "throw the ball" from our own 2 yard line, get a grip. You don't do that unless Superman is at the helm and he's now a Panther. If we had thrown it and it was dropped or intercepted you'd have been screaming for us to run it.
3. I have confidence that Scott will get this straightened out. Years past, Jerry Moore was in the hot seat calling the shots and Scott was filling his headphones with suggestions. Now Scott is in that hot seat listening to suggestions. Two games do not form a measuring stick for that, IMO. I guarantee he's experiencing some Maalox Moments so we need to cut him and the staff some slack.
4. Say what you want but our offense misses Sean Price
5. The defense was fantastic last night. The KO return and the pick 6 was not on them. Granted it's a team effort but if not for those 2 scores the screaming/yelling/wrist slashing/back-biting/finger-pointing would not be happening.
6. Punting was great except for the lineman who got the pigskin enema; that one was not pretty.

I know this is too long and many will rip me a new one. So be it. One thing of which you can rest assured: come September 28 we will be in The 212 yelling/stomping/clapping for the Mountaineers! My signature says it all. Y'all be good and have a great week!

[Lhardware]

Well said!

[AppSt94]

I did not watch or listen to the game and like you, I have not seen very much information to go on as to the play on the field. Based on you extensive experience, I have a serious question. Do you thinks hat some of the lackluster play can be attributed to motivation? With no playoffs or bowl game on the horizon can this be a situation of young people not seeing the forest for the trees. Coaches can supply the incentive but the players have to believe it. I'm not saying that ,if this is the case, it is everyone, but you are only as strong as your weakest link. I hope this is not the case, but these are young people. Your thoughts.

[JCline0429]

I have been a long-time member of this forum going way back to the SI/CNN site. I've seen a lot of Mountaineer football since I began my matriculation back in the fall of 1973. I've been involved with athletic programs from that time to the present with 34+ years (this is #35) in high school athletics; most of it at the 4A level. I've worked for 9 different head football coaches and I've seen a lot of good and bad. As for this new site, after last night I've not read a single thread concerning the game so what I'm about to say is not tainted with anyone's opinion but my own.
1. Players play, coaches coach. Both work together for the common good. Not a single one of them tried to screw up during the game. Could better decisions have been made? Probably, but I'm not the professional making them so I trust the ones in charge to do it. They have my support; he who is not for us is against us.
2. Spit happens. A & T kept our offense bottled up with superb if not timely and lucky punting. To those of you in The 212 who kept yelling "throw the ball" from our own 2 yard line, get a grip. You don't do that unless Superman is at the helm and he's now a Panther. If we had thrown it and it was dropped or intercepted you'd have been screaming for us to run it.
3. I have confidence that Scott will get this straightened out. Years past, Jerry Moore was in the hot seat calling the shots and Scott was filling his headphones with suggestions. Now Scott is in that hot seat listening to suggestions. Two games do not form a measuring stick for that, IMO. I guarantee he's experiencing some Maalox Moments so we need to cut him and the staff some slack.
4. Say what you want but our offense misses Sean Price
5. The defense was fantastic last night. The KO return and the pick 6 was not on them. Granted it's a team effort but if not for those 2 scores the screaming/yelling/wrist slashing/back-biting/finger-pointing would not be happening.
6. Punting was great except for the lineman who got the pigskin enema; that one was not pretty.

I know this is too long and many will rip me a new one. So be it. One thing of which you can rest assured: come September 28 we will be in The 212 yelling/stomping/clapping for the Mountaineers! My signature says it all. Y'all be good and have a great week!

Great post. Unfortunately it will fall on some deaf ears.

[scatman77]

I did not watch or listen to the game and like you, I have not seen very much information to go on as to the play on the field. Based on you extensive experience, I have a serious question. Do you thinks hat some of the lackluster play can be attributed to motivation? With no playoffs or bowl game on the horizon can this be a situation of young people not seeing the forest for the trees. Coaches can supply the incentive but the players have to believe it. I'm not saying that ,if this is the case, it is everyone, but you are only as strong as your weakest link. I hope this is not the case, but these are young people. Your thoughts.

I replied once but apparently it didn't take; I'll try it again.

I don't see a motivation or young player/team issue as much as a) NC A & T was not a bad ball club and b) I don't think JLJ was completely over the Montana shoulder injury. His throws were under-thrown and picked or uncatchable, more often than not. I hope he heals quickly and can return to form which should not be construed as a slam against Kameron Bryant. He did a great job coming in under the circumstances.

I will say that without any post-season play to look forward to I can see that motivation might be an issue. The main thing now is to finish 10-2 and win the SoCon again! Use whatever is available as motivation.

[Lhardware]

It the post game program Brownie mentioned how much we miss Shawn Elliot. It's evident we have no one with his enthusiasm and drive to keep the guys pumped up. Shawn was a great mentor and role model. We need to clone him.

[AppSt94]

I did not watch or listen to the game and like you, I have not seen very much information to go on as to the play on the field. Based on you extensive experience, I have a serious question. Do you thinks hat some of the lackluster play can be attributed to motivation? With no playoffs or bowl game on the horizon can this be a situation of young people not seeing the forest for the trees. Coaches can supply the incentive but the players have to believe it. I'm not saying that ,if this is the case, it is everyone, but you are only as strong as your weakest link. I hope this is not the case, but these are young people. Your thoughts.

I replied once but apparently it didn't take; I'll try it again.

I don't see a motivation or young player/team issue as much as a) NC A & T was not a bad ball club and b) I don't think JLJ was completely over the Montana shoulder injury. His throws were under-thrown and picked or uncatchable, more often than not. I hope he heals quickly and can return to form which should not be construed as a slam against Kameron Bryant. He did a great job coming in under the circumstances.

I will say that without any post-season play to look forward to I can see that motivation might be an issue. The main thing now is to finish 10-2 and win the SoCon again! Use whatever is available as motivation.

Thanks for the response. Boy I hope your right about the motivation.

[scatman77]

It the post game program Brownie mentioned how much we miss Shawn Elliot. It's evident we have no one with his enthusiasm and drive to keep the guys pumped up. Shawn was a great mentor and role model. We need to clone him.

That is true Shawn brought enthusiasm, drive, and a certain attitude to our "O" line play. I've only met Coach Ledford once but he impressed me with his attitude as well. He exuded confidence and a discipline about him that reminded me of William "Buck" Buchanan who was our line coach way back with Coach Brakefield. He didn't have the Elliott personality either but his linemen would block a cinder block wall for him, and that's the impression I get from Ledford.

What we all need to realize is that Elliott is gone and not coming back. We also have to accept the fact that we're going to get better as the season progresses. Remember: no TD's vs Montana to 3 vs A & T.

[Gonzo]

I have been a long-time member of this forum going way back to the SI/CNN site. I've seen a lot of Mountaineer football since I began my matriculation back in the fall of 1973. I've been involved with athletic programs from that time to the present with 34+ years (this is #35) in high school athletics; most of it at the 4A level. I've worked for 9 different head football coaches and I've seen a lot of good and bad. As for this new site, after last night I've not read a single thread concerning the game so what I'm about to say is not tainted with anyone's opinion but my own.
1. Players play, coaches coach. Both work together for the common good. Not a single one of them tried to screw up during the game. Could better decisions have been made? Probably, but I'm not the professional making them so I trust the ones in charge to do it. They have my support; he who is not for us is against us.
2. Spit happens. A & T kept our offense bottled up with superb if not timely and lucky punting. To those of you in The 212 who kept yelling "throw the ball" from our own 2 yard line, get a grip. You don't do that unless Superman is at the helm and he's now a Panther. If we had thrown it and it was dropped or intercepted you'd have been screaming for us to run it.
3. I have confidence that Scott will get this straightened out. Years past, Jerry Moore was in the hot seat calling the shots and Scott was filling his headphones with suggestions. Now Scott is in that hot seat listening to suggestions. Two games do not form a measuring stick for that, IMO. I guarantee he's experiencing some Maalox Moments so we need to cut him and the staff some slack.
4. Say what you want but our offense misses Sean Price
5. The defense was fantastic last night. The KO return and the pick 6 was not on them. Granted it's a team effort but if not for those 2 scores the screaming/yelling/wrist slashing/back-biting/finger-pointing would not be happening.
6. Punting was great except for the lineman who got the pigskin enema; that one was not pretty.

I know this is too long and many will rip me a new one. So be it. One thing of which you can rest assured: come September 28 we will be in The 212 yelling/stomping/clapping for the Mountaineers! My signature says it all. Y'all be good and have a great week!

Please post more often.

[firemoose]

I have been a long-time member of this forum going way back to the SI/CNN site. I've seen a lot of Mountaineer football since I began my matriculation back in the fall of 1973. I've been involved with athletic programs from that time to the present with 34+ years (this is #35) in high school athletics; most of it at the 4A level. I've worked for 9 different head football coaches and I've seen a lot of good and bad. As for this new site, after last night I've not read a single thread concerning the game so what I'm about to say is not tainted with anyone's opinion but my own.
1. Players play, coaches coach. Both work together for the common good. Not a single one of them tried to screw up during the game. Could better decisions have been made? Probably, but I'm not the professional making them so I trust the ones in charge to do it. They have my support; he who is not for us is against us.
2. Spit happens. A & T kept our offense bottled up with superb if not timely and lucky punting. To those of you in The 212 who kept yelling "throw the ball" from our own 2 yard line, get a grip. You don't do that unless Superman is at the helm and he's now a Panther. If we had thrown it and it was dropped or intercepted you'd have been screaming for us to run it.
3. I have confidence that Scott will get this straightened out. Years past, Jerry Moore was in the hot seat calling the shots and Scott was filling his headphones with suggestions. Now Scott is in that hot seat listening to suggestions. Two games do not form a measuring stick for that, IMO. I guarantee he's experiencing some Maalox Moments so we need to cut him and the staff some slack.
4. Say what you want but our offense misses Sean Price
5. The defense was fantastic last night. The KO return and the pick 6 was not on them. Granted it's a team effort but if not for those 2 scores the screaming/yelling/wrist slashing/back-biting/finger-pointing would not be happening.
6. Punting was great except for the lineman who got the pigskin enema; that one was not pretty.

I know this is too long and many will rip me a new one. So be it. One thing of which you can rest assured: come September 28 we will be in The 212 yelling/stomping/clapping for the Mountaineers! My signature says it all. Y'all be good and have a great week!

Thanks scat for the post. I've been around App even longer, although I'm younger (started as a baby) , and been involved in athletics just as long. I've tried in the past two weeks both here and MI but to little affect. But while I may give up posting in anything but the recruiting threads on here I will NEVER give up on our Mountaineers. There will never be a post from me like those I've read in the past two weeks. I was bleeding Black and Gold when I was born and my urn will be Black and Gold with a Block A on one side and Yosef on the other when I die. And That's The Way It Is.

Go Apps!!!!!

[T-Dog]

I would think with Mark Ivey and Nic Cardwell on the coaching staff that motivation wouldn't be an issue.

[huskie3]

Hey SCAT, where are you in the 212? I am in row J 15 & 16 just behind one of those screamers.

[scatman77]

Hey SCAT, where are you in the 212? I am in row J 15 & 16 just behind one of those screamers.

Row H, 9 and 10. I was following my first home game tradition and wearing the old #78 jersey last Saturday.

[kgblade]

It's about perspective. Your post would be much more relevant had we lost to say Samford or Wofford. We lost to a 43 scolly A&T at home and couldn't move the ball until times of absolute desperation. That, I believe, is the concern of people like myself who have been watching a steady decline in performance and quality of players and, without a doubt, absence of quality coaching particularly along the interior line for a number of consecutive years.
I do support the notion of hanging in there and supporting the program through thick and thin. But, I believe great fan bases demand great performances and are not apathetic about obvious failures. Ours, I believe, is a great fan base and will demand success. That's something to be proud of, IMO.

[SpeedkingATL]

Scatman, I think we also have to remember that this is Satterfield's first season as a head coach and he has a learning curve to master as well. It's quite different being the OC than being the HC. He too will get better with a little experience. It's no excuse but Broadway has proven he's a good head coach and has A&T on the upward climb.

I was disappointed in the teams performance but the booing seemed out of place at Kidd Brewer unless directed at The Stink or The Swag.

[appstate77]

Excellent Post!

I have and also work in sports. I have played and coached for nearly 40 years. Currently I make my living a chaplain for professional athletes.

I went to Burger King after the game and ran into several of our players, starters included and their families.

I found myself plying my trade with these kids. They were very disheartened. I sat and listened to our kids like I do my pro athletes and offering encouragement and support. A sports chaplain is not a proselytizer, but a listener and one who helps athletes get anything out of the way that might hurt their on field-court-track performance, and our kids had/have some stuff like that after the A T game.

Please be patient with our football team. They are hurting right now. They are scratching their heads and wondering "Why?" I told one of them "You guys are too good with too much talent. You WILL figure a way through this. Work hard, be patient, be a team. Don't let adversity divide you." I loved their answers. "Oh Yes Sir we will." (I love the manners. Parents raised these guys right!). While I was there JLJ came in, not to order but to encourage his teammates. They responded with high fives and fist pumps. One of the guys told me that in spite of his on field issues JLJ is a "great leader" Another said he was a "great guy."

I was encouraged. They are still together as a team. If experience teaches me anything it is that a sports team can solve problems IF they remain a team. If they fracture and "locker room problems" take over, you can stick a fork in them. This has not happened to The Mountaineers. As long as they remain a team, they will get through this. Remember the 07 NC team. They suffered through very tough times after the UM win, Injuries on the Oline, unending media attention, two SoCon losses. Yet they remained a team and won the NC again.

As long as the coaching staff can keep the team together and can remain together as a staff they will come out of this as a team we will remember. What I saw at Burger King gave me confidence as a professional and as a fan, that this team will survive this bump in the road.

We need to stick with them and remain behind them.

[PhillyApp1]

That is great to read. We do have good kids on the team. I think we all just want to see some anger/emotion that this poor play is unacceptable. I want to see some fight on the field in an encouraging way.

[Appmom3186]

I'm relatively new to this board and to the APP family but I love it! I don't miss games (except ONE!!) and I will never leave early, regardless of the score or the weather.... And I know, first hand, how dedicated this team is.... How hard they work and how much they love APP State! They are brothers! They encourage each other, support each other and kick each others asses when needed!!! They will overcome their issues and they will always have my unwavering support!! GO APPs!!

[Kgfish]

It the post game program Brownie mentioned how much we miss Shawn Elliot. It's evident we have no one with his enthusiasm and drive to keep the guys pumped up. Shawn was a great mentor and role model. We need to clone him.

That is true Shawn brought enthusiasm, drive, and a certain attitude to our "O" line play. I've only met Coach Ledford once but he impressed me with his attitude as well. He exuded confidence and a discipline about him that reminded me of William "Buck" Buchanan who was our line coach way back with Coach Brakefield. He didn't have the Elliott personality either but his linemen would block a cinder block wall for him, and that's the impression I get from Ledford.

What we all need to realize is that Elliott is gone and not coming back. We also have to accept the fact that we're going to get better as the season progresses. Remember: no TD's vs Montana to 3 vs A & T.

Was told by a former OL player closely involved with the program Ledford appears to be an excellent technician but lacks the fire in the belly attitude of most offensive line coaches. Scott can't be happy with the unit's performance and true freshmen beginning to seeing meaningful minutes would support it. Perhaps the staff needs to bring in several juco's to give those freshmen time to mature.

[JCline0429]

Scatman, I think we also have to remember that this is Satterfield's first season as a head coach and he has a learning curve to master as well. It's quite different being the OC than being the HC. He too will get better with a little experience. It's no excuse but Broadway has proven he's a good head coach and has A&T on the upward climb.

I was disappointed in the teams performance but the booing seemed out of place at Kidd Brewer unless directed at The Stink or The Swag.

"It's no excuse but Broadway has proven he's a good head coach and has A&T on the upward climb."

Thanks for saying what I've been saying for several days.