Spring Practice

[App91]

In the words of that great coach Ned Yoast, "run it up, Herman, Leave no Doubt"!

[EastHallApp]

Good stuff about stats and what not. There are a bunch of unrealistic dudes on this board who won’t be content unless we win every game 50-0, go unbeaten and win the NC. Look back at the “fire Ted” threads. We beat UNCC by, I believe about 20 which equates to about 3 scores yet guys wanted him fired. People hated that perceived “go in the shell” style that Drink apparently employed. I seem to recall Satt taking his foot off the gas on more than one occasion. I for one would rather be a leader in wins rather than stats- although winning both is great. Nobody ever says, “yeah we went 8-4 but damnit we lead the league in offense!”

I’ve said many times that the teams we were play also recruit, practice, coach, game plan and attempt to win just like we do.

On the Saban philosophy:
When we started winning NCs in FCS our offensive numbers went way up vs past when we got to playoffs and never won it. Typically the teams that had good defense and great offenses won it. I discussed this many times back then that most years, the I-AA/FCS champ was able to put up big numbers, i.e. GaSo and Marshall, etc. So for App to win we had to have a prolific offense. This is consistent with Saban's comments as well.

On the "just be happy we won" philosophy:
I believe you can evaluate a team's offense, defense and special teams independently, i.e. the UNCC game mentioned above. In the UNCC game, I liked the offense but didn't like the defensive performance that day. You can be happy we won and unhappy with how we won. I want to see positive progression throughout the season.

I also believe really good teams should overwhelm mid to weak teams, and if you don't, you probably aren't one of the best. That is also going to have an impact on our national rankings, NY6 and premier bowl prospects (whether you like it or not). That is a logical point of view. I want App to be relevant on a national level so therefore we have to buy into that philosophy.

Agree with this. If my team is playing in the national championship game, then I just want to win however possible. If it's earlier in the season, you want to win but you also want to see the team playing at a level that will enable it to continue winning. If the team is just scraping by and struggling in important areas, eventually that usually catches up with you, as it did in 2017 and last year.

[AppStateNews]

Just because the saying is defense wins championships doesn't mean a good offense isn't required as well. Both are required to win a championship. You will be hard pressed to find a national champion in todays football that has a stellar offense but terrible defense.

Going back a couple of years and their total offensive and defensive rankings:

Year - Champion - Offense - Defense
2020 - Alabama - 2 - 13
2019 - LSU - 1 - 33
2018 - Clemson - 4 - 1
2017 - Alabama - 15 - 1
2016 - Clemson - 14 - 10
2015 - Alabama - 30 - 2
2014 - Ohio State - 5 - 26
2013 - Florida State - 2 - 1
2012 - Alabama - 12 - 1
2011 - Alabama - 20 - 1

So, of the last 10 college champions, the WORST defense was 33rd. Half of them were number 1. Likewise, the worst offense was 30th.

The only years the offense was ranked higher than the defense have been the last two -- and likely the reasoning behind Saban's point. The game is changing and a top tier offense is also needed.

[Appstate88]

Article from Ethan on three defensive mountaineers.

https://journalnow.com/sports/college/a ... 4d5dbc7cff

[BeauFoster]

Are any other QBs getting time with the 1s, or is Chase the presumed man for that job (as of time spent on the field at the moment)?

[Appstate88]

Are any other QBs getting time with the 1s, or is Chase the presumed man for that job (as of time spent on the field at the moment)?

Tanner Wilson - QB2
Navy Shuler - QB3
DC Tabscott - QB4

[Appstate88]

Spring Practice in the books. Time to hit the weights. HBC comments and recap.

[Appsolutely]

“A big point of emphasis this year is to really open up our offense and throw the ball more downfield-to not let teams dictate to us what we’re going to do, but we dictate to them...”
Great news...good move by Coach Clark to utilize the strength of his personnel

[AtlAppMan]

“A big point of emphasis this year is to really open up our offense and throw the ball more downfield-to not let teams dictate to us what we’re going to do, but we dictate to them...”
Great news...good move by Coach Clark to utilize the strength of his personnel

That is the philosophy I want our offense, and entire team, to take. Dictate the game to our opponent.

I really like that statement from Clark.

[BambooRdApp]

Not that we need to be the Oakland Raiders of the past, however, it would be nice to see using more of the field more, including middle of the field as well as deep throws. I believe the deep threat actually helps with the "back shoulder" passes 10 to 12 yards down field...if we were to use that more as well.

[AtlAppMan]

Throwing the ball downfield more also loosens up the running lanes by forcing the defenders to back up off the line.

[AppStateNews]

We will still use the run to open the passing game -- that is not going to change. What Clark is referring to is when other teams stack the box to stop the run, we will have the ability to take more shots down field. Last year, that was not the case (for reason discussed ad nauseam and do not need to be rehashed) and teams dictated what we did with the ball.

[Appsolutely]

Throwing the ball downfield more also loosens up the running lanes by forcing the defenders to back up off the line.

His statement gives me hope that when opposing teams load the box, we will make them pay...which then loosens things up for a more successful run game.

[Appstate88]

Throwing the ball downfield more also loosens up the running lanes by forcing the defenders to back up off the line.

His statement gives me hope that when opposing teams load the box, we will make them pay...which then loosens things up for a more successful run game.

Miami will certainly load the box and force us to take the downfield shots. Can we get open and can we win the contested ball?

[Stonewall]

If we are healthy I think the answer is yes. I’m more concerned about pass protection , at this point anyway.

[gsoappfan]

Throwing the ball downfield more also loosens up the running lanes by forcing the defenders to back up off the line.

His statement gives me hope that when opposing teams load the box, we will make them pay...which then loosens things up for a more successful run game.

Miami will certainly load the box and force us to take the downfield shots. Can we get open and can we win the contested ball?

Hennigan will be open!