3 thoughts

[CU44SE]

1- In my opinion the game was lost in the first quarter. Moved the ball down the field but no points d/t fumble on a misscomunicated read option play inside virginia territory, a punt from Virginias 38 (4th and 14) d/t a holding call, turnover on downs on the goal line (3rd and 1), and lastly a missed 48 yard field goal. We got over the 50 yard line on our first four possessions and didn't come away with any points. Meanwhile, Virginia had 3 three and outs in between those possessions and a fumble which we returned for a TD on the following possession. This is where the game was lost, we left virginia in the game and gave them life. Virginia has one win, playing at home; if you jump on them early like we had the opportunity to do, the fans get restless and everyone becomes disgruntled. Virginia survived and in the end were able to pull one out.

2- A play that I believe represents the entire year occurred during the first overtime. 3rd and 6 from the 36 yard line, Virginia QB rolls right, theoretically taking away any throw to his left and only leaving one side of the field to throw too. The underneath route was covered by linebackers, two guys rushing the QB and forcing him to make a deep throw. He throws the ball in the air to his deep WR running a post into double coverage (whiter and whigham). Unexplainably Whitner takes two or three steps forward as their WR is running the post to his side of the field. The underneath routes were already accounted for (I believe he was moving up because he thought the QB was going to run but that was also covered.) Whigham also unexpectedly jumps in front of the WR and trails in coverage. You would think a man running into double coverage would be in our favor, however both kids play it poorly and he beats us deep. If we play that correctly, its 4th and 6 from the 36 yard line. Not saying that play lost us the game, because they still could have successfully converted 4th and 6 but its a microcosm of the way our secondary has played this year and in years past. Something needs to change here.

3- I think most of you will remember last year that I was one of the biggest voices calling for Shafers head. However, My tune has changed and although I do not believe he is a good game day coach, he is getting it done on the recruiting trail. All of our playmakers are either sophomores or freshman. As much as these games have killed me, we are getting closer and closer to his "real" recruits being seniors where I think we will be a very talented bunch. Not sure if Shafer will be able to put it all together at that point but at this point, it will only hurt more if he is fired and we lose the incoming recruits. I am all for giving him another year, maybe even two years. We know what he is by now; he will not win games on gamedays, but he will provide us with the talent that we have been lacking in years past. I do believe that coaching changes need to be made after the season though. I think Reed and Adams must go. The secondary play has been poor the last several years and the offensive line continues to struggle. I just strongly believe that changes need to be made in these two areas in the offseason.

 

[anglerman]

1- In my opinion the game was lost in the first quarter. Moved the ball down the field but no points d/t fumble on a misscomunicated read option play inside virginia territory, a punt from Virginias 38 (4th and 14) d/t a holding call, turnover on downs on the goal line (3rd and 1), and lastly a missed 48 yard field goal. We got over the 50 yard line on our first four possessions and didn't come away with any points. Meanwhile, Virginia had 3 three and outs in between those possessions and a fumble which we returned for a TD on the following possession. This is where the game was lost, we left virginia in the game and gave them life. Virginia has one win, playing at home; if you jump on them early like we had the opportunity to do, the fans get restless and everyone becomes disgruntled. Virginia survived and in the end were able to pull one out.

2- A play that I believe represents the entire year occurred during the first overtime. 3rd and 6 from the 36 yard line, Virginia QB rolls right, theoretically taking away any throw to his left and only leaving one side of the field to throw too. The underneath route was covered by linebackers, two guys rushing the QB and forcing him to make a deep throw. He throws the ball in the air to his deep WR running a post into double coverage (whiter and whigham). Unexplainably Whitner takes two or three steps forward as their WR is running the post to his side of the field. The underneath routes were already accounted for (I believe he was moving up because he thought the QB was going to run but that was also covered.) Whigham also unexpectedly jumps in front of the WR and trails in coverage. You would think a man running into double coverage would be in our favor, however both kids play it poorly and he beats us deep. If we play that correctly, its 4th and 6 from the 36 yard line. Not saying that play lost us the game, because they still could have successfully converted 4th and 6 but its a microcosm of the way our secondary has played this year and in years past. Something needs to change here.

3- I think most of you will remember last year that I was one of the biggest voices calling for Shafers head. However, My tune has changed and although I do not believe he is a good game day coach, he is getting it done on the recruiting trail. All of our playmakers are either sophomores or freshman. As much as these games have killed me, we are getting closer and closer to his "real" recruits being seniors where I think we will be a very talented bunch. Not sure if Shafer will be able to put it all together at that point but at this point, it will only hurt more if he is fired and we lose the incoming recruits. I am all for giving him another year, maybe even two years. We know what he is by now; he will not win games on gamedays, but he will provide us with the talent that we have been lacking in years past. I do believe that coaching changes need to be made after the season though. I think Reed and Adams must go. The secondary play has been poor the last several years and the offensive line continues to struggle. I just strongly believe that changes need to be made in these two areas in the offseason.

I completely agree with everything you said. This is a good evaluation. Adams just does not seem adequate and is not getting the job done.

 

[Vorony]

3- I think most of you will remember last year that I was one of the biggest voices calling for Shafers head. However, My tune has changed and although I do not believe he is a good game day coach, he is getting it done on the recruiting trail. All of our playmakers are either sophomores or freshman. As much as these games have killed me, we are getting closer and closer to his "real" recruits being seniors where I think we will be a very talented bunch. Not sure if Shafer will be able to put it all together at that point but at this point, it will only hurt more if he is fired and we lose the incoming recruits. I am all for giving him another year, maybe even two years. We know what he is by now; he will not win games on gamedays, but he will provide us with the talent that we have been lacking in years past. I do believe that coaching changes need to be made after the season though. I think Reed and Adams must go. The secondary play has been poor the last several years and the offensive line continues to struggle. I just strongly believe that changes need to be made in these two areas in the offseason.

But what's the point of having all of this talent if "he will not win games on gamedays"? The talent is absolutely better than in years past, but we're still pretty much dead last in recruiting rankings in the Atlantic division. Guys at Boise State, Toledo, Bowling Green, etc. are getting the same level recruits as we are (maybe even lower rated), but they're winning with them. They're beating P5 teams that we either struggle against or flat out lose to. To me, that comes down to coaching. It should be inherently obvious to everyone that it's coaching. Shafer isn't getting it done. I wanted him to be that guy, but he's not.

 

[TheCusian]

But what's the point of having all of this talent if "he will not win games on gamedays"? The talent is absolutely better than in years past, but we're still pretty much dead last in recruiting rankings in the Atlantic division. Guys at Boise State, Toledo, Bowling Green, etc. are getting the same level recruits as we are (maybe even lower rated), but they're winning with them. They're beating P5 teams that we either struggle against or flat out lose to. To me, that comes down to coaching. It should be inherently obvious to everyone that it's coaching. Shafer isn't getting it done. I wanted him to be that guy, but he's not.

That was the case - but there are fewer and fewer guys with just non P5 offers. We are beating out peer programs for more kids since we joined the ACC.

 

[RICuse44]

But what's the point of having all of this talent if "he will not win games on gamedays"? The talent is absolutely better than in years past, but we're still pretty much dead last in recruiting rankings in the Atlantic division. Guys at Boise State, Toledo, Bowling Green, etc. are getting the same level recruits as we are (maybe even lower rated), but they're winning with them. They're beating P5 teams that we either struggle against or flat out lose to. To me, that comes down to coaching. It should be inherently obvious to everyone that it's coaching. Shafer isn't getting it done. I wanted him to be that guy, but he's not.

I think it's one thing to play well against good competition for one week. In my opinion the difference between the ACC and the big east/non P5 is the level of play week to week. It may not be the sec but it's definitely a step up.

 

[CU44SE]

But what's the point of having all of this talent if "he will not win games on gamedays"? The talent is absolutely better than in years past, but we're still pretty much dead last in recruiting rankings in the Atlantic division. Guys at Boise State, Toledo, Bowling Green, etc. are getting the same level recruits as we are (maybe even lower rated), but they're winning with them. They're beating P5 teams that we either struggle against or flat out lose to. To me, that comes down to coaching. It should be inherently obvious to everyone that it's coaching. Shafer isn't getting it done. I wanted him to be that guy, but he's not.

It's tough, but I'm hoping that with experience the players will perform even better but your right. He will continuously get out coached on game days and therefore we will lose to lesser opponents more often then we should. Their is a reason that in the past two years our wins are against central Michigan x2 (one in overtime), Rhode Island, wake forest x 2, and Villanova in overtime. Not a who's who list, that's for sure.