Another negative view from the outside

[TheCusian]

First, dismantle Rhode Island. No double overtime like Villanova. Then if statistics are correct as you improve more from the first game to the second, win the second game big and go on from there. They need to preach this to those kids. Kill or be killed kind of.

The difference between RI and Villanova is like the difference between FSU and Wake.

 

[Chip]

The difference between RI and Villanova is like the difference between FSU and Wake.

Yeah, URI is going to be more like the Wagner game. So, if nothing else, this team won't have that cloud hanging over their head that they needed some good fortune to beat an FCS team in overtime.

We get an opportunity to shut down the Wake talk right away.

Schedules get bashed often, but this one sets up very well for a team that could really use some positive flow to start a season.

 

[GoCuse08]

The difference between RI and Villanova is like the difference between FSU and Wake.

So RI is FSU and Villanova is Wake? Is RI really that much better than Villanova?

 

[TheCusian]

So RI is FSU and Villanova is Wake? Is RI really that much better than Villanova?

No - wrote that too quick. Villanova made the playoffs last year, RI won 1 or 2 games.

 

[Gooorange]

I think the negative pre-season press comes from writers with no more than a passing interest in SU's recent history. Fact is when you read Trudo's comments about the lack of understanding the O-line had of the famous bubble screen offense, it gives you a window into just how screwed up McD's offensive approach really was. I think the change to Lester's offense will be huge for the confidence of this team, especially the O-line (which is the 2nd most experienced in the ACC - based on article on ACC Blog). Gooorange!

 

[TheCusian]

I think the negative pre-season press comes from writers with no more than a passing interest in SU's recent history. Fact is when you read Trudo's comments about the lack of understanding the O-line had of the famous bubble screen offense, it gives you a window into just how screwed up McD's offensive approach really was. I think the change to Lester's offense will be huge for the confidence of this team, especially the O-line (which is the 2nd most experienced in the ACC - based on article on ACC Blog). Gooorange!

Yep. It's hard to remember - but last year was the first in a bunch that we didn't exceed the ESPN bloggers projections. We are routinely written off even when coming off a decent season. Throw in a stinker and the outlook looks worse.

I think we'll be 5-1 going into the second half of the season. We'd better be getting the same love as NC State got last year after winning their easy games.

 

[Rocco]

What I don't get is how one crappy team (WF) is "rebuilding" while the other crappy team (Cuse) is a "black hole".

And yet, the black hole smoked the rebuilding team last year.

Perception is a strange bird.

I can say one thing (and others will back me up here), that Shafer will be holding the knife to Clawson's throat this year and there will be no "taking it easy" in the 4th.

 

[NJCuse97]

On the other hand freshman running backs can start and star in college football. Perhaps Dontae will be such a RB for us? Still believe our main problem on offense will be at WR. If I'm the opposing D I double Ishmael until someone else proves they can beat you deep.

Cheers,
Neil

Agee with this on both the RB and receiver front. Unfortunately that puts more pressure back on Hunt.

 

[IthacaMatt]

I think the negative pre-season press comes from writers with no more than a passing interest in SU's recent history. Fact is when you read Trudo's comments about the lack of understanding the O-line had of the famous bubble screen offense, it gives you a window into just how screwed up McD's offensive approach really was. I think the change to Lester's offense will be huge for the confidence of this team, especially the O-line (which is the 2nd most experienced in the ACC - based on article on ACC Blog). Gooorange!

In college football, one of the most important things, especially early or with a young team, is to keep it simple. I'd rather have 10 or 15 plays that you can really execute than 50 or 60 plays where the players aren't sure what they're supposed to do.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Agee with this on both the RB and receiver front. Unfortunately that puts more pressure back on Hunt.

Not sure I get this thought, which seems to be catching on with the board. I look at our receivers and I see size and speed that we haven't had in years. It seems like everyone is forgetting we had injuries at WR, too, last year. And as far as underrating our RBs, a lot of you really liked the potential of these guys a couple seasons ago, and after a year of God-awful line-play, now they all stink? I think the whole season comes down to whether we can get even average offensive line play. If we can do that, the rest of it will flow.

 

[billsin01]

Yeah. I don't agree with his conclusion - but I do see how he could come to it. It's really hard for outsiders to see any good from that 3-9.

I honestly think this season will look more like the first Shafer season than it will the last one...

I'm not sure that will make me sleep any better tonight.

 

[billsin01]

Very superficial analysis. No mention of the depth of our injuries or the mid-season change in OC's. Sometimes I think half these writers simply retool other writers' work.

So wait, are you talking about the article posted in the original post? They mention both of those things almost word for word.

 

[Chip]

So RI is FSU and Villanova is Wake? Is RI really that much better than Villanova?

If this helps...Villanova was beating URI 45-0 after 3 quarters last year.

 

[billsin01]

Not sure I get this thought, which seems to be catching on with the board. I look at our receivers and I see size and speed that we haven't had in years. It seems like everyone is forgetting we had injuries at WR, too, last year. And as far as underrating our RBs, a lot of you really liked the potential of these guys a couple seasons ago, and after a year of God-awful line-play, now they all stink? I think the whole season comes down to whether we can get even average offensive line play. If we can do that, the rest of it will flow.

Yeah I kind of view this the exact opposite of what a lot of people do. My confidence level in Hunt is extremely low. I just think he's sort of a doofus -- and relax, I'm not talking about general intelligence but rather his actions. Ran into trouble with DM, punched the kid in a game, occasionally makes completely strange decisions. I don't know, I don't get a great vibe.

But RBs to me are the easiest position to recruit. You find a solid guy, open some holes for him and you can pile up some yardage. I'm not as sold on WR until I see a bit more of them, but I'd agree the potential is there.

But any way you slice it, QB, offensive line and offensive coordinator drive the bus for most teams and for us, right now, that's a bit scary.

 

[Crusty]

So wait, are you talking about the article posted in the original post? They mention both of those things almost word for word.

He makes only passing reference to the worst level of injuries in memory. "(granted, with help from injuries)"

 

[billsin01]

He makes only passing reference to the worst level of injuries in memory. "(granted, with help from injuries)"

Fair point, but injuries are going to happen. They'll happen this year as well -- not likely to the same degree, but we'll still deal with some tough injuries. And our OC situation is more settled but still far from anything a preseason prognosticator could classify as a strength.

 

[NJCuse97]

Not sure I get this thought, which seems to be catching on with the board. I look at our receivers and I see size and speed that we haven't had in years. It seems like everyone is forgetting we had injuries at WR, too, last year. And as far as underrating our RBs, a lot of you really liked the potential of these guys a couple seasons ago, and after a year of God-awful line-play, now they all stink? I think the whole season comes down to whether we can get even average offensive line play. If we can do that, the rest of it will flow.

I think the RBs are OK. I have thought that last year and the year before except for big Jerome. I am including Erve in the H-back group. I am very optomistic about Dante Strickland. I think the receivers need more experience and as such that gives us one solid target. He will get extra attention, especially if the run game isn't working. I think it will, but if not, separation will be key. Hunt will need better accuracy, and historically that hasn't been a strength for him.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

I think the negative pre-season press comes from writers with no more than a passing interest in SU's recent history. Fact is when you read Trudo's comments about the lack of understanding the O-line had of the famous bubble screen offense, it gives you a window into just how screwed up McD's offensive approach really was. I think the change to Lester's offense will be huge for the confidence of this team, especially the O-line (which is the 2nd most experienced in the ACC - based on article on ACC Blog). Gooorange!

Some things don't add up though. We had times last season when we moved the ball very well. McDonald didn't work out, and after he got dump trucked we didn't see the screens nearly as much. I guess we can attribute the rest of how crappy things were to the QB and OL injuries, but if we're not calling those plays, the concepts remained confusing?

I don't know. I read a lot of excuses. It was McDonald's fault. Then he wasn't around, so it was the injuries. People question the talent. Now we're back to McDonald blasting us back to the stone age. That's fine, we're all looking for answers, but there was some positive stuff that happened early in the season. Hopefully we build on that and the coaches and players show it on the field. We're running out of boogeymen.

 

[BKCuse]

As much as I hate to read this I would have the same impression if I didn't know the in/outs of why everything went wrong last year.

The only solution to this perception is winning games and until that happens this sort of article will continue to be written.

 

[NJCuse97]

Yeah I kind of view this the exact opposite of what a lot of people do. My confidence level in Hunt is extremely low. I just think he's sort of a doofus -- and relax, I'm not talking about general intelligence but rather his actions. Ran into trouble with DM, punched the kid in a game, occasionally makes completely strange decisions. I don't know, I don't get a great vibe.

But RBs to me are the easiest position to recruit. You find a solid guy, open some holes for him and you can pile up some yardage. I'm not as sold on WR until I see a bit more of them, but I'd agree the potential is there.

But any way you slice it, QB, offensive line and offensive coordinator drive the bus for most teams and for us, right now, that's a bit scary.

Thank you. I feel better about Lester than I did McD. How can you not? I also like Strickland. Not sure of the line, but poor line play can negate the run. Focus is back on QB and ours has been very up and down (more down if you ask me).

 

[TheCusian]

I'm not sure that will make me sleep any better tonight.

From 3-9 to 7-6? Addazzio is riding that wave to a playoff birth, baby!

 

[TheCusian]

Some things don't add up though. We had times last season when we moved the ball very well. McDonald didn't work out, and after he got dump trucked we didn't see the screens nearly as much. I guess we can attribute the rest of how crappy things were to the QB and OL injuries, but if we're not calling those plays, the concepts remained confusing? I don't know. I read a lot of excuses. It was McDonald's fault. Then he wasn't around, so it was the injuries. People question the talent. Now we're back to McDonald blasting us back to the stone age. That's fine, we're all looking for answers, but there was some positive stuff that happened early in the season. Hopefully we build on that and the coaches and players show it on the field. We're running out of boogeymen.

Or the most plausible answer IS the answer. McDonald -> Injuries is what happened. If you want to throw in Lester running someone else's system or playing a freshman QB or all of it at the same time - I mean c'mon.

It's not some mystery to be solved. It's really those things. Any other team and you'd see it. Over. Thinking. It.

 

[syr02esq]

The thing that scares me is that unless Hunt has a monster year, I think our offense will really struggle. Our backs are average, at best. Don't think they would start for 80% of the teams in the league. I like where the recruiting is going. But we really need 6 wins this year.

I agree 110%. I don't think we have the personnel to play this "power" game. I see our O against the front 7 of our opponents and I cringe.

 

[SUalldway]

Very superficial analysis. No mention of the depth of our injuries or the mid-season change in OC's. Sometimes I think half these writers simply retool other writers' work.

ESPN = superficial

 

[SUFaninNJ]

I don't think Hunt needs a "monster year" for SU to be successful. He made a bowl game without having a monster year (or starting the first few games) before. I know that you can't predict injuries (or baseball, Suzyn), but I would have to bet that we won't see a repeat of last year's injuries again this year. I think Hunt will be ok. My concern is with the offensive line. We'll see if rearranging the O-line coaching and healthy players make for decent line play.