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1) Discipline, we’ve been much better with penalties, and that’s with freshmen playing.
2) S & C, clearly several steps above TOB
3) Offense, we’re balanced in a way that we haven’t been in a long time
4) 4th quarter attitude, this team wants to win, and they’re learning howAll of those (If this lovefest continues w/ paki, we’ll need to start talking politics), with emphasis on 1, 2, and 4. 1 and 2 are closely linked, and buttress 4. As I mentioned post game, S&C staff is team MVP thus far. Three, IMHO, is more a product of the offense, the opponent, and how the game plays out, as opposed to just pure ‘coaching’ ability.
Plus:
Absence of prideful ego and stubbornness: Can see it in game strategy, in-game adjustments, and relationships with players and coaches. How often did we see TOB and staff stick to something that clearly wasn’t working because ‘they knew better’? They were going to stick with it, or go down with the ship trying to prove it. Think back to last Duke game and the way we telegraphed our defense almost every play. If TOB did make adjustments, it was usually only at halftime. Think back to the D adjustments to a 4-2 that were finally made (late into the season, against UVA) that maximized the effectiveness our personnel, only to go away from it later and move personnel because it wasn’t ‘their’ defense and what they wanted to do. I think prideful stubbornness was TOBs #1 failure as a coach (I referenced this in the recent thread discussing Wilson’s departure). It played a role in almost all of his shortcomings. The stark contrast makes it easy to see.
Chemistry/team building/unity: DD and staff also do not insinuate blame to players. There appears to be a organic cultivation of ‘team’, leadership, and accountability. There appears to be an emphasis on carrots, and a use of sticks when needed, not the other way around. The Jarvis Byrd situation is a good example of this. When RW and Irving were here, it was more of ‘the coaches’ and ‘the players’, and RW and Irving more or less handled the players. When there was no one to take on their roles when they left, you saw the results. With DD and staff, it’s not “the coaches” and “the players”, it’s “the team”. Stop by and watch any practice, you’ll understand.
Game day dynamics: Watch the interaction between players and coaches, on the sideline as well as pre-snap with players on the field. There actually appears to be engaged communication, feedback and adjustments, as opposed to stoic ‘just do what we say’ attitude. I referenced this in the post-game thread, then actually heard DD reference it later in his press conference.
We have a team. Not a group of coaches and players.
From the results, I’m assuming the staff effectively conveys this to recruits.
And what Rick said, per the “low bar hurdle” comment. As far as I know, I’m the first to make such a statement, but I’m not really going that far out on a limb given our last 3 coaches.
Chemistry/team building/unity: DD and staff also do not insinuate blame to players. There appears to be a organic cultivation of ‘team’, leadership, and accountability.
Actually, there was a great example of that last year with the 4th and 15 fake punt.
All indications were that was a player going rogue, but DD just took the blame for it.
I like to add more, but you boys got it in hand. Besides, I’m not sure what the technical thing means unless it means scheming.
Offensively, this is what I was expecting to see from them last year. The guy went out in year one and found him a QB. O’Brien waited and quite frankly seemed to not understand that he already had one on hand,courtesy of Chuck.
In game…they schemed for pass v. ODU, and they got run. So..,they rolled the corners up.
Look,I have a great deal of respect for Wisco football. The moment the “Ol Coach” notified me that Wisco had called for an emergency meeting to buy out DD,I figured State was on to something.
I’m all in for the next 3yrs;regardless of win totals from now til Nov.
Yep. Rolled up the corners and let ’em go at it for more 1-on-1, and had the safeties lean more towards run support. You’d think an adjustment like that was obvious, simple, basic stuff… right? Yeah, it is. Would not have been so for the former regime.
By far one of the best threads I’ve read on here in a long time. Several good points being made about obvious and subtle improvements with the team/culture. S&C vs. our last two opponents was obvious; especially if you remember all the cramping that GSU had (assuming SOME of it was genuine). One penalty last Saturday was impressive with such a young team — and the penalty was even on Crisp if I recall. I really like that we have an offense that responds to the opposing defense and calls plays accordingly. Brissett has exceeded my expectations. Last week he was [what?] 21-29 with no INTs and three badly dropped balls. Shad is running hard and completely changed the GSU game when he started breaking tackles. Bo Hines – nuf said. Defense needs work but they are so young that I wouldn’t be surprised to see marked improvement from week to week. Overall, I’m impressed with what DD is doing to improve our entire program. GO PACK!
Obviously some of you were either up early…..or did not go to bed. Since everyone is expressing their sentiments (which might not be those of the owner’s of this site nor the majority of the users….here goes)
First….how many of your remember the UNC v. ODU game last year. The final score was UNC 80 – ODU 20. Read the attached….my SIL commented on it prior to our game.
http://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/11/unc-old-dominion-80-20
The final quarter was 10 minutes and a RUNNING clock. I do NOT remember such since 1960 when our sophomore Intramural Team played the 5 Sophomore Starters from the BB team. It was so bad that the coach (who grinned when he let the Varsity Starters PLAY on that team) came over and told the time keeper to NOT stop it. I fouled out….but we had 6 “players?” on the floor and the Refs were told NOT to count. THAT is how bad the ODU v UNC game was.
NOW, is this the SAME ODU team from last year? I do NOT think so, but it does cause me to ponder….
Next….the Black Uni’s. I was also wondering how LONG it would take for Darth to make the scene. I watched ODU’s march and commented to my wife and our group that the Sinister and Macho (BAAAADDDDDDD) image that our Black’s were supposed to connote obviously went over the heads of the lads in White. There WERE times when our Defense reminded me of the Ewok’s…..and we did NOT have their numbers to even it out.
My DW of 49 years also (NOT a Student….by any stretch of the imagination….of the game) commented….I thought our defense was supposed to be better, especially in Black and feeling like they had swallowed the entire vial of Viagra….In other words, we looked like we had EDS….Effeminate Defense Syndrome…. BUT….to their credit, they hung in there.
I always felt, even more so than last week, that we would pull it out….just needed to get motivated…..and did not know HOW many points we had to be DOWN to do that.
The execution of the offense was pretty good….all in all. Kudo’s to the coaches for the discipline on the penalties. I watched the Akron Zip’s give PSU a first down on TWO consecutive Off-Side penalties….right after Chuck got in their face and told them to “Get off the LINE quicker”. I guess he forgot “AFTER the snap”. SO, even with the Military Precision of Tobey, we STILL had penalties.
Finally….I watched the frivolities after the game. Seems to me like they were GLAD and also wanted to share their emotions with the fans. I watched as the fans leaned over the East side wall and every member of the team reached up and gave a “low 5” to any fan with his hand extended….and the LAST ONE was the guy in the Red Shirt and Black Hat….Coach DD himself was the LAST ONE in the line. I think that type of intensity and enthusiasm will eventually put more wins in the season than losses.
FWIW….Tommy Bowden on the ACC Blitz predicted a Bowler for us….now he did so last year….so his calls are not exactly “spot on”.
Came away a bit relieved…..and also feeling that each week it WILL get better. Problematico!…will we improve enough to not let some Thug-Alete Team pound us into oblivion PRIOR to our 2nd half spiritual awakening? Time is gonna answer that little riddle….
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