* There is no more joking “is it basketball season yet”. It really is basketball season for the Wolfpack.
* In 2001, Maryland threw oranges on the field at the end of the game at Carter-Finley. Today, they threw statues of Mother Teresa, Gandhi and Bono on the field to celebrate their bid to the bowl that used to be the Humanitarian Bowl.
* Coach O’Brien should probably take some heat after this game. That ‘effort’ was pitiful today.
* Another Evans INT near/in the red zone changes the complection of the game.
* Will Justin Burke transfer?
* Can anyone PLEASE beat out Daniel Evans next year? There is little to no reason to have much excitement regarding the 2008 season if NC State cannot improve upon the quarterback position.
* Nice round of applause for Marcus Stone on senior day at the stadium
* Despite the embarassment of today, a 5-7 / 3-5 record that included wins over ECU and UNC-CH was about as good as could be expected heading into this season. I’ll take it.
Note to Mike Glennon: “The job is all yours”
I could compete at QB and I’m 4′8″ and crippled… But hey, I can read a defense.
Note to Russel Wilson: See Chase Daniel and Todd Reesing.
A QB that can throw and scramble might be just what we need. Question is he’s also doing baseball, but then see Dennis Dixon. Wilson’ll get a shot next year if he works hard in the off season.
It was worth listening all the way to the end just to hear the ref say that the flag was for “giving him the business”. I would be crying instead of laughing if it weren’t for that.
Let’s get to work on those recruits. Going to need all the help we can get.
I’m also 99% certain I’ve heard that official say “giving him the business” in a game before too… Good stuff. Reminds me of the scene in that old football movie where Scott Bakula plays an old as heck QB at some small Texas school.
Is Burke thinking about transferring? Hell, he should know there will be plenty of opportunities in the future. just look at what the guys ahead of him have done.
Worst performance since the Thursday night Clemson game a few years back. Once Daniel threw the interception, the game was over.
We were already in the truck leaving…he definitely said “giving him the business.”
Could have been worse. Fridge started running into the middle of the line by the end of the 3rd. They could’ve scored 50 if they’d wanted.
This game really turned on the fact that our O was completely unproductive. The D, which was very strong early, got a lot of pressure, faded and then fell apart all together. I don’t put too much of this on Daniel b/c he is what he is. The coaches know and choose him b/c they think he gives us the best chance to win. That is a sad statement, of course, but no less true for being sad. I sincerely hope that Wilson or Glennon can be at least a league average QB next year.
As for the season, was a nice comeback in the 2nd half, made things interesting at least. Also, won the 2 biggest games of the year; UNC and ECU. A bowl game would, frankly, have been more than we deserved after that 1st half. TOB and Co are going to be just fine, in time. I think we bowl next year but do a lame one (i.e. anything < Atlanta) with 6-7 wins. A real team is still 2-3 years away, if we can close on some OL recruits.
Alright Coach Lowe, let’s tighten up those sails and make some headway. Bball is officially here.
“Let’s get to work on those recruits. Going to need all the help we can get.”
At the game today, and saw a bunch of recruits looking completely bored.
(#50) McCuller played really awful. I felt bad for him because it was really awful. Everyone else played shitty, except for, you guessed it Bradley f-ing Pierson!
“Can ANYONE beat Evans out next year”
Daniel graduates will this spring and use the NCAA loop hole to attend grad school and play out his football career somewhere else. Wait, it’s coming to me….uuuuhhhh….. yes, that’s it. Charlie Weiss takes him and he’s the starting QB for the fighting Irish next season.
Well, for ND that MIGHT actually be an upgrade.
As long as the ACC continues to schedule a game against a non-rival on Thanksgiving weekend, as is the case with Maryland every other year since ‘01, our final game crowd will be like it was today.
I know there are better days ahead, but it will take ten years of 8 win seasons to forget about that pile of shit we endured today. I knew Maryland would give us a tough time, but we QUIT in the second quarter. Disgusting.
Was that a TOB-coached game, or a MOC-coached game?
For those of us who couldn’t stand to watch this atrocity, could we please get an explanation to this “giving him his business”? I couldn’t stand to watch this crap because I hate losing to Maryland just as bad as I do UNC. It wouldn’t surprise me anything that Ron Cherry said but I can’t figure out what exactly went down according to the above comments.
I felt bad for the defense. When you can’t make a first down and your D is on the field constantly it was a forgone conclusion that they would wear out. I was hoping to see a new quarterback to start the 2nd half and still no change after two possessions without scoring. Someone in our QB corps needs to step up. DE has had his shot and was not able to get the job done. This was a terrible way for the seniors to go out especially after the turnaround at mid season. I know how Miami must have felt after the UVA loss. Overall, I give the coaching staff and players a -B on season. Better than expected but could have been a real nice surprise. Lots of work ahead - but I’m still optimistic.
Daniel Evans is a bad college QB. Today simply confirmed that fact.
Though this team exceeded my expectations for the season, this was not how it should have ended. Albeit, Maryland was a bit better than their record showed but to send off 18 (?) seniors with that performance was disheartening, to put it mildly. O’Brien and the staff should be HAMMERED by this blog and the posters because play-calling, substitutions, game-planning, all seemed inferior in preparation for an average Maryland squad. Of all the reasons not to want DE to be the QB, the most glaring is complete lack of 3rd down production. Even in three or four makeable third downs (of which I consider 5 yards or less to be “makeable”), Evans’ passes were short of the marker every time. The only one which passed the line was the one terribly thrown to Dunlap, and in which case, Dunlap tried flopping for a flag. Bad game, bad play, bad offense, a few dumb penalties. All of this has made for another rotten season, from which I sincerely hope that success will eventually come.
If the collective soul of the Wolfpack had half the heart and drive of Marcus Stone, a 37-0 loss to Maryland with a bowl bid on the line would be impossible.
i think the average 3rd down was like 9 yards, per LF. although who knows if that’s correct. couldn’t run the ball, again. DE shows his limitations when faced with certain passing downs. i hate to do it, but that damn Central Florida game should have been a win and we’re 6-6 instead.
Daniel Evans is a good guy and fine representative of the university. He’s had a solid mini-career at State and was a part of one the greatest finishes in State history. He helped beat UNC and thankfully, his timely picks did not hand the game to the Heels. But it’s self evident that Evans is lacking the required D-1 caliber QB traits (even decision-making has come into question) and poses absolutely no threat back in the pocket. TOB knows this and will make the expedient decision by handing the keys over next year. Beck, Burke, Wilson…someone, anyone has to take control of this squirt gun of an offense.
Hopefully, next year we’ll see Russell Wilson or Glennon. Going 5-7 w/ Evans starting at QB is a pretty good coaching job. Oh well - it was ugly today.
Exactly chop, I applaud TOB and staff given everything that went wrong. And hey, we beat Carolina. I’ll take a 5-7 first year.
I can’t stand losing to MD either after living in Northern VA for a couple of years. Trips to see State at Byrd stadium in college park were best described as an assault on your senses and ears.
Anyway, maybe the debacle is due to the old field. If it were flatter we could have performed better.
Let’s take what we got this year in football - 5-7 and move on to B-ball. We have alot of work to do there to get everything worked out. Need a killer instinct in all games but remains to be seen whether we’ll get it.
You guys are being a lot kinder than I am: Maryland Gives NC State “The Business”
From the coaching staff down to the waterboy on the sidelines, NC State grade for today’s game is a big red “F.”
That’s “F” as in failure: failure to finish the year with a winning record, failure to get to a bowl game, and failure to finish strong and set up positive inertia going into next year. It’s not losing, that happens. The story of the day today was the Wolfpack never bothered to show up — to a man. This was the worst game NC State has played in at least a decade — and perhaps since the Tom Reed years.
Need a killer instinct in all games but remains to be seen whether we’ll get it.
With all due respect, golfer (and I do admire your apparent optimism) NC State also needs:
Need a competent D1 level QB.
Need an effective O-line.
Need receivers that can catch.
Need DBacks that can run and tackle.
Need more linebackers.
Need to replace Demario.
Need a punter.
I could go on, butyou get the picture.
^How do you really feel? I think Ernest Jones at least showed up today… Everyone else must have been tailgating.
I am just going to write this one off to the Tryptophan.
There was no energy, right from the run on to the field. Just flat. The crowd was big and ready, but never got into the game. Other than a few fleeting plays on defense in the first quarter we were out of it from the start.
Evans is a good kid who performed far above expectations. He was all we had when we had nothing and he played his heart out. We should not beat on him here or ever. We have just failed in QB recruitment - and the funny thing is that we have had some really good QB recruits. Just none that ever turned out to be good enough.
Personally, my game experience was redeemed when DAVID THOMPSON sat down about four seats away from us in Section 4!!! Just hanging out with some friends, graciously shaking hands and signing autographs. He looked great. Happy and relaxed. I am very lucky that 10 years from now that is what I will remember about this game - and not the worst play I have ever seen from this team (in the 12 years I have been going to games at least).
I respectfully disagree that there was no energy from the beginning of the game. The defense had very good energy on the first couple of Maryland possessions. Then, DE threw the interception as we were driving for the first score of the game and the defense took a turn for the worse.
^Exactly.
Better days are ahead. This was TOB’s first year and given the current talent level, we cannot expect the instant turn around that Sheridan provided. Pack fans be patient - although I know it is hard to do.
I thought TOB and Mr. Bible were thouroughly out-coached. It looked as if our offense was too predictable. As I’ve said all year, our team isn’t terrible, it’s just not that good. We have some personnel problems, but it’s the coaching staff’s responsobility to ensure we capitalize on our stregnths (i.e. running game). There’s no way we should have put up a donut today, especially on senior day. We can and should do better. It’s a sad way to for Marcus Stone to finish off his career.
BTW, it’s a shame to lose a great team player like Marcus Stone. I’m not just echoing what I’ve read on various blogs and newspaper stories, this is what I’ve witnessed. I remember when Daniel Evans replaced Marcus Stone at QB last season. Stone was relegated to the bench. Most players would have sulked, but not the Stone. Marcus Stone was always excited to see Daniel Evans succeed that season. It was amazing, everytime i saw Daniel Evans run to the sidelines after a TD throw, he was always enthusiastically greeted by Marcus Stone. Hopefully our basketball team can follow suit as it seems we actually have too much talent on one team. Did I really say that?
I wonder if TOB and his staff have really done everything that they could to win every game this year. The two biggest question marks in my mind were the UCF and the UMD games. Against UCF, the coaches were very slow to make changes in a game that we could have won. Against UMD, well…, I’m not even sure that they had a plan.
Was TOB trying to make sure that the bar for improvement next year was not too high? Had the team gone to a bowl this year, then there would be more pressure to go to a better bowl next year.
I once heard Terry Bowden say that his biggest mistake when he went to Auburn was going undefeated in his first season. He said that the better you do in your first year, the tougher it is to show improvement in your second year.
The energy was fine, both teams had everything to win/everything to lose, so the pressure was palpable.
Who gets most of the blame, IMO.
1) Coordinators: What an incredible risk they through out there playing #11 Audi Augustine, a RS frosh. We saw that UMd had given up alot of sacks so we put him in there to create the sense of a frantic pass rush. What we got was a collective shot below the belt when Turner faked a draw and ran around the right end for 40 plus yards. Augustine bit wildly for the fake. He did it again just plays later, and was benched for the remainder of the game.
Bible has to get a better hold on the personnel. We had more then just three receiver this year. Bowens’ game nose dived as soon as he started taking more kick offs, and Dunlop and Blackman should not play every down. Dunlop does not have the speed to earn any cushion. No DB in the ACC was every afraid of DUnlap running past him, and Blackman has some of the worst route running of any ACC starting WR. Thats okay, just don’t play them every f-ing down and expect DE or any other QB to make a different result out of the same personnel.
Burke transfering, I’m more concerned with some young WR’s transfering. Suppossedly James is going to attempt a comeback so that leaves us with him, Bowens, Williams, Davis, Spencer, George, Smith, Howard and in coming frosh Graham. If I were a WR returning I wouldn’t be too impressed with Bible’s personnel choices so far.
Last but not least 0-5 against Atlantic div opponnents. Blow outs to BC, Clemp, UMd, and second half cruises by FSU and WF. Rake over it you want about how we got on a mini run and beat UNC, but at the end of the day we light years behing the five schools we have to compete and overcome from here on out. If you can make this season seem rosy, don’t forget to spread the cheer to fellow teams like the Pack soccer teams, and all over non revenue teams. They fake good showings until the Divisision or conference games that matter occur as well.
Thank goodness I was driving through Tenn. during the game, and all I could pick up on the radio was 3 different UT pre-game shows. Its better I just see the score and box, and move forward with the day (lights on the tree).
Wow, what a disappointing end to a struggle of a season. ECU & UNC were great wins, and allow us to talk to some smack in state (needing overtime to beat dook? that’s scary bad people.) But we’ve got a long way to go.
So on to basketball - where El Sid is determined to give me an early stroke. Go Pack.
Still would like to see a run down of the “giving him the business” call.
Actually “giving him the business” has been used multiple times by NFL referees. Ben Drieth, an NFL referee, in 1986 is the only documented case on the internet.
“We have a personal foul, on number 99 of the defense, after he tackled the quarterback, he’s giving him the business down there, that’s a 15-yard penalty.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Dreith
The run defense seemed fine when UMD ran out of standard running formations. In the second quarter, they started running out of spread formations which prevented us from stacking the box. I swear they must have averaged 8 yards a carry from those spread formations.
“I thought TOB and Mr. Bible were thouroughly out-coached.”
Coaching had nothing to do with that game today. And Audi Augustine was playing because Willie Young had turned his ankle and was getting taped up.
Two things I never want to see again: Daniel Evans throw a pass and Luke Lathan line up at center.
I’m good on the latter. Let’s get to work on the former.
This really sucks. A bowl game would have been good exposure……. only Wake and ECU get bowl games.
i wish i could comment on the coaching carousel thread, but it appears that the comments section is closed.
I want to agree with Noah’s comment in the carousel thread…it was hilarious. The Tarhole players acted as if they’d just won the national title today after escaping Dook. I thought it was so funny that I recorded the fiasco so that I can show it to my tarhole buddies when they come over to my house.
^”A bowl game would have been good exposure”
The team got exposed plenty today.
QB is but one problem with this team. Play along the OL and DL was supect all year. There is a talent issue in many areas that will take a couple of years of good recruiting and coaching to turn this program around.
On the “giving him the business” call: After a flag, the call went as follows: “Personal foul, number (I don’t remember who). He was giving him the business.” It went something like that. It was toward the end of the game. IIRC, it was someone on our OL. It actually managed to turn my sour frown upside down which was difficult because I was determined to sulk the rest of the evening. Fortunately for me, I could just go to bed as it was around midnight here and I didn’t have to think about the horrible game for the rest of the day.
It’s been a while since maryland has our numbers….. I think in the last 2 or 4 years the Terps have beat us badly.
Yesterday was bad, but I think we have to look to next year anyway. The Pack went from the bottom of the pre-season rankings to being (almost) bowl-eligible and several corrections need to be done for next year.
You have said everything that needs to improve, hopefully TOB and Lee Foul-er will listen
“I once heard Terry Bowden say that his biggest mistake when he went to Auburn was going undefeated in his first season. He said that the better you do in your first year, the tougher it is to show improvement in your second year.”
I don’t think we were in any danger of going undefeated.
“Was TOB trying to make sure that the bar for improvement next year was not too high? Had the team gone to a bowl this year, then there would be more pressure to go to a better bowl next year.”
I think they probably valued the extra practice time gained by playing in a bowl too much to consider something like that. If they are afraid that a 6-win regular season is setting the bar to high, then Toby ain’t the man for the job. I’ll give you that the UCF game may have been approached (by the coaching staff) with something bigger in mind than winning that one game, such as making the point to his team about what it was going to take to win over the long haul. I’m sure they would have loved a win, but they were more interested in establishing something long-term. I think this is why he made such comments after the game about not taking the job to win one game, but rather to be here 5-10 years. As for the game against the Tortoises, that one is beyond me. That was just plain bad.
I am flabbergasted at some of the comments.
Given what has happened this year (upteen knee surgeries to key players, three best offensive players lost, no Oline, no QB) I think 5 wins is almost heroic. When we were 1-5 and someone told you we would get 5 wins including UNC, ECU and a top ranked team you would have been thrilled.
Granted this was a dissapointing end but the turn around in the middle of the year was very impressive.
And how can anyone determine how good the coaches are based on this year? How can anyone criticize them? At least give them two years to get some players in.
I think it was a masterful coaching job all year. I also thought the energy was fine until the stupid INT (another floated ball giving the defense the chance to make a play). Even then, the defense held, only to have the offense totally wipe out any momentum.
You must understand that this team was held together with duct tape and chicken wire. The talent situation (as far as football ability, not track and weightroom ability) was dire, and the mental aspect arguably worse. It didn’t take much for the house of cards to come crashing down, as it surely did yesterday.
Tom O’Brien is a proven winner. I will not question him one iota. Anything he gives us the first 2 years is pure gravy. Wolfpack fans got a lot of damned gravy this year, IMHO. Thanks, TOB.
^agreed.. I predicted we would win 4 games and we got 5… I love this coaching staff and you really have to hand it to Archer with what he got from the d this year with nothing really proven behind a few Dline guys.
Next year will probably be a struggle for bowl eligibility as well with either another frustrating ending or maybe that trip to Boise and the extra practices. Not to leave out Bible, as he had a great game plan for each game given our obvious limitations. But our obvious limitations we way too much to overcome.
Q’s for next season…..
Who is the QB?
Are Baker and Brown really better than Eugene?
Which freshman will see big minutes?
With injuries to 2 incoming LB recruits, Who is going to play LB?
Who is going to fill DMo’s shoes?
Can we end our season with someone besides Maryland?
For those still interested in “the business” here is the clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAMtCCezpfU (it’s on PackPride’s Web Run section if the link doesn’t work.
Makes me smile every time. I love the comment by Gary Hahn (sp?) at the beginning of the game when Ron Cherry made some call and all you heard was echo. It was something along the lines of, “There’s the familiar echoey voice of Ron Cherry. After all these years of officiating no one’s taught him how to use a mic.”
Think about this - we were 3-0 when Evans played a solid game. We were 2-7 when our QBs struggled. Our OL struggled again today, but I really think that our team almost fell into the “what’s the point” trap after that first INT.
If there’s one thing I fault TOB, Inc w/ today - it’s not pulling Evans and getting in Beck or even Burke. Granted - they haven’t performed any better than Evans w/ the exception of Beck’s 2nd half “tease” - but the game was slipping away so quickly I think it required drastic measures. Then again, I don’t think TOB and Dana are “drastic” guys. (At the midway point, I wanted Russell Wilson, but they used the off-week effectively and put in an offense that allowed us to beat ECU, UVa, Miami and UNC.)
Good point on Wilson’s off-season. I am/was hoping to see him play in the spring game, so I can see w/ my own 2 eyes him play. I’ve spoken w/ someone who has seen him practice and he’s been impressed.
“Given what has happened this year (upteen knee surgeries to key players, three best offensive players lost, no Oline, no QB) I think 5 wins is almost heroic. When we were 1-5 and someone told you we would get 5 wins including UNC, ECU and a top ranked team you would have been thrilled.”
Absolutely. I think I said last week that win or lose (against UMD), I was pretty pleased with the season and was proud of this team. Considering our struggles early on, I was pretty worried we wouldn’t win another game after Wofford.
For the comment about receivers, we rotate our top 4 pretty equally nd we use at least 6 during a game. I’m not sure what you are looking at.
Secondly, when you are not able to run, any offense looks predictible.
Then people are again on this anti=Evans kick. I’ve seen Beck and Evans is better. We haven’t seen Burke or Wilson, but like every team after a loss the most popular player is the back up QB. When will fans realize that they don’t really know football.
And if you could play QB from the stands or from the TV, anyone could read a defense. But I bet if you were on the field you would sing a different tune.
“Then people are again on this anti=Evans kick. I’ve seen Beck and Evans is better.”
I agree 100%.
“We haven’t seen Burke or Wilson, but like every team after a loss the most popular player is the back up QB. ”
Actually, I’ve seen Burke play. I saw him in the spring game, and he started very slow, but ended the game playing better. Still, Evans was clearly better. When I saw Burke vs. Clemson (or Louisville, I forget which), he completed his first 2 passes, then he threw one right to a defender.
However, there are times when you’ve gotten every ounce of good football you’re going to get from someone, and you know exactly what they are capable of - we knew that w/ Evans. I didn’t have a problem w/ Evans starting yesterday or playing the entire game vs. Wake. He’d earned that opportunity. However, after the first half yesterday, it was obvious we needed some kind of spark. I would have preferred to see Burke or Beck - it probably didn’t make a damn bit of difference - and perhaps our staff thought that he alone earned the opportunity. That’s their right and their perogative - but I wasn’t going to come back for the second half to see a mirror of what I’d seen in the first.
On Wilson -have you seen him practice at NC State? I haven’t. But I know someone who has - and he thought he looked good. I freely admit that I haven’t seen him practice either. After we started out strong vs. ECU and played great against UVA, there was no sense burning Wilson’s redshirt at that point in the season. Still, I hope that he can win the job in the offseason, because I’ve seen enough of Evans and Beck to realize that we’ll never be an exceptional football team w/ either of them throwing the ball. Especially in Evans case, I don’t dislike him and I admire his heart. However, his skillsets are too limited and his confidence is too shaky. Simply put, he’s a good QB when things are going well for us and our D is stopping the opposition. There may come a time when our team can have an Evans type at QB - and we can go 8-4, maybe 9-3. We’re not there yet and we won’t be there next year.
I give the staff credit, Evans and other players credit…They developed gameplans and the players executed well enough in the second half of the season to give us wins in 4 of 6 games.
“When will fans realize that they don’t really know football. And if you could play QB from the stands or from the TV, anyone could read a defense. But I bet if you were on the field you would sing a different tune.”
These kind of comments don’t add much to anything. I guess you can’t comment on the problems of your house if you haven’t been a general contractor. If you’ve got a good counter argument - throw it out there.
What was the ref’s name??? Wally Cleaver??
Has anyone found a link to the “giving him the business” on Youtube or anything? I was rolling in my car listening to that. Mark Thomas (99.9 The Fan) said the press box was really quiet, but when he came out and said, “Personal foul on ___, 15 yards, he was giving him the business” the whole press box just erupted. I’ve got to see or at least hear that again!
I noticed last night that Auburn had 3 true freshman on the OL. Not comparing our talent to Auburn’s but I believe we currently have the talent/resources and the type of coaching staff to make quick/wholesale changes that produce good results. The focus in the offseason needs to be in the trenches and of course, QB (to Noah’s point this entails DE is not behind center).
^OK sorry about that…I missed PackerinRussia’s link!!
“the whole press box just erupted.”
The crowd too. Later that drive there was a “Busi–ness” chant in the stands.
“the whole press box just erupted.”
The crowd too. Later that drive there was a “Busi–ness” chant in the stands.
I’m really concerned that Russell will not be able to do both baseball and football in the spring. I’m afraid that this will send the wrong message to our staff and he’ll once again be behind the 8-ball w/ his competition for the starting job. Evans will continue to be OK in practice but won’t be able to duplicate the results on the field.
Selfishly, I’m also hoping to see how Wilson compares to our existing crop of QBs.
Oh well, it was a very disappointing ending to a tough football season. Not mention that TOB’s bowl streak officially ended as of yesterday. BUT, we did beat ALMOST everyone in our neck of the woods while ending up with a better W/L record than some people around here were expecting before the season started.
I hope TOB has put this season in proper perspective eventhough his last effort for 2007 pretty much wiped out every one of the subtle break throughs that I THOUGHT I was beginning to recognize in the team. Either way, we just need to stay optimistic, straightening out a whole football program will take time. I hope the coach was/is prepared for the long haul.
“I’ve seen Beck and Evans is better.”
That’s not really saying much. It’s true…but it doesn’t really get us anywhere.
i get it… i’ll be TOB won’t be asking for an extension after today’s game… i thought i saw fowler meeting with the team on sat. morning:)
Red, his Bowl streak ended but that ‘aint all. He is off probation in my book. 9 to 12 months is all you get the real world, and these people who say “you need to give atleast 2 or 3 years” are full of it.
He is willing to admit he walked into a place with great facilities this and that, so that means that he needs to readily admit he is now responsible for the personnel left over. Enough with the “dead wood” horse crap, it should have ended at STATE 0 VISITOR 37 4th 0:00.
^vt, I didn’t go to the game but even before watching it on TV, I couldn’t get excited about it at all. I don’t know why that was, but either way, I expected the team to represent better than that cluster %*#@ we all witnessed from wherever we watched it.
TOB needs to work some magic in the upcoming off season and figure out how to give this program some stability and continuity from week to week. In reality though, I’d say it’s still too early in his tenure to start placing any expectations on him, but we’re fans, and that kind of pressure is why he gets paid the big $$$’s. But, if there isn’t some very noticeable improvement in execution and basic football technique in evidence early next season, I’m pretty sure TOB will begin to notice at least a slight chill in the air.
If you want the difference between Evans and Beck, its where they throw INTs. Beck throws them in a crowd of three defenders on an ill-advised pass. Evans throws them in the flats to avoid a hit, and gives up pick sixes.
When Evans throws an out the WR has to wait on the ball, when Beck throws it he has to defend himself. Where Beck needs to improve is touch passing, which is the one strength I’ll give Evans. I was thrilled when he was celebrated on Senior Day, proud of a young man who out-performed his ability, but happy we may actually threaten a defense over 10 yards from the LOS.
My only question is: how did that penalty for “giving him the business” not make ESPN SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays of the Day? That’s just classic. A game that bad, you have to look for the gems. After all, it’s entertainment, folks, and that was the only entertaining thing I witnessed all game.
My only question is: how did that penalty for “giving him the business” not make ESPN SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays of the Day? That’s just classic. A game that bad, you have to look for the gems. After all, it’s entertainment, folks, and that was the only entertaining thing I witnessed all game.
Another difference b/t Evans and Beck: in the games I’ve seen, Evans never steps into a throw. At best he stands upright. If a defender is coming towards him, you can bet he’ll throw it fading away rather than step into the throw. This causes the ball to take an hour to get to the receiver/tight end/DB. Unless he throws a perfectly timed ball (which he was able to do often during the winning streak) or the receiver is wide open, then it is ripe for the picking. I wish someone would just teach him to step into his throws.
There were a couple of throws Beck made when he came in that DE just can’t make, those ones in the middle of the field that need alot of zip and to hit the receiver in-stride. Of course anything more than 40yrds with accuracy/velocity is out of the question. I really like DE, and he’s provided some amazing moments but Chris Turner outplayed him. That kid is gonna be good
PackerInRussia, exactly right
I was at the game.
We were looking good until Evans threw the interception. Once down by 10 and playing from behind, we had no answer.
The team came out strong and energetic to start the second half. For example, both Bowens and Stone fought for extra yards after completions.
“As long as the ACC continues to schedule a game against a non-rival on Thanksgiving weekend, as is the case with Maryland every other year since ‘01, our final game crowd will be like it was today.”
Can we stop the criticism of our fans? I and thousands of other fans rearranged holiday plans and cut short time with family to fill up that stadium on Saturday and witness that garbage of a performance. The stadium was full and loud until our team’s failure to show up became evident. I stayed until the 4th quarter, a decision I frankly regretted.
We have the greatest fans in the world, who continue to sell out the stadium despite the pathetic home record the last three years. Show me a fan base in the nation that shows up in greater numbers for fewer wins than ours.
“When will fans realize that they don’t really know football. And if you could play QB from the stands or from the TV, anyone could read a defense. But I bet if you were on the field you would sing a different tune.”
These kind of comments don’t add much to anything. I guess you can’t comment on the problems of your house if you haven’t been a general contractor. If you’ve got a good counter argument - throw it out there.
My comment was directed to answer the statement that “I’m 4′8″ and i can read a defense better that him”.
I wish the comments were not so personal.
For example, I feel with a consistent OL coach, our OL will be better. In fact, I think it improved this year. To read posts, no one gets any better and the coaches are stupid. Can we have a conversation without calling individuals out?
I was at the game and the fans were pretty good until the 3rd Q (faint praise). How can you look at yourself seriously as a fan when you walk out on your team before the game is over? Very disrespectful to the players and coaches, particularly on senior day. People are always quick to claim the team doesn’t show effort at times, but the lack of effort by many fans is epedemic.