Guesses as to what is being worked on at practice?

[ImperialOrange]

My guesses based on past statements from HCDM and just because they seem like glaring areas to improve vs personnel at our disposal...

Sheild protection on punts (per Marrone last season), generating pressure from the front 4 and/or disguising/delay blitz looks on D (per opponents knowing our defenses presnap last year), corners jumping short routes with safeties playing over the top w/ LB's dropping into middle coverage (fast LB's, Safeties w/ cover skills, aggresive corners), and deep passes with both timing and double moves on routes (obvious for many reasons).

Anyone else care to guess or debunk any of my guesses? Would prefer a serious convo rather then continued p*ssing matches here please.

 

[MCuse44]

has to be offense related. freeze option. mobile QB work.

 

[ImperialOrange]

has to be offense related. freeze option. mobile QB work.

You think mainly Nassib running this or more focused for the backup QB's to give them a few series per game?

 

[OttoForLife]

Has to be some type of non-Nassib QB wrinkle/package.

 

[MCuse44]

I think it will be a minor miracle if we make a bowl this year. So if you cant win now, you need to focus on the future. Time for dougie to get his full offense installed. I think that's what hes doing.

How that relates to nassib. Not sure. Best player plays.

 

[Orangepace]

I think it will be a minor miracle if we make a bowl this year. ...How that relates to nassib. Not sure. Best player plays.

I disagree and think we're goign to be better than people think around here. I think we're likely to get to 6-6 and hopeful for something better. I don't feel like the BE is all that tough this year and we have some young talent that hopefully improves year over year. We played alot of freshman and transfers on defense last year, so I think other than the front 4 (and I know that's paramount to a strong defense) there will be a great deal of improvement. I'm actually really excited about our LB corps. I do agree however, if Nassib isn't the guy to take us to teh next level, we need to get the backups PT in order to push the learning curve forward. Nassib wasn't terrible last year in teh short game.. he needs to develop touch.

 

[ImperialOrange]

I disagree and think we're goign to be better than people think around here. I think we're likely to get to 6-6 and hopeful for something better. I don't feel like the BE is all that tough this year and we have some young talent that hopefully improves year over year. We played alot of freshman and transfers on defense last year, so I think other than the front 4 (and I know that's paramount to a strong defense) there will be a great deal of improvement. I'm actually really excited about our LB corps. I do agree however, if Nassib isn't the guy to take us to teh next level, we need to get the backups PT in order to push the learning curve forward. Nassib wasn't terrible last year in teh short game.. he needs to develop touch.

That's about where I'm at at this point. The BE is never brutal, we just haven't yet figured out how to turn a majority of close BE games into wins. That was the difference between 2010 and 2011. Hopefully we wont be playing for close games this year and try to win games early as well as late.

The middle of our defensive line should be the best since ????. Curious if we'll try any 3-4 sets on defense being that DE is a ?, we have DT's that could move outside, and LB has quite a few capable bodies to rotate in.

 

[All4SU]

I disagree and think we're goign to be better than people think around here. I think we're likely to get to 6-6 and hopeful for something better. I don't feel like the BE is all that tough this year and we have some young talent that hopefully improves year over year. We played alot of freshman and transfers on defense last year, so I think other than the front 4 (and I know that's paramount to a strong defense) there will be a great deal of improvement. I'm actually really excited about our LB corps. I do agree however, if Nassib isn't the guy to take us to teh next level, we need to get the backups PT in order to push the learning curve forward. Nassib wasn't terrible last year in teh short game.. he needs to develop touch.

I like your optimism. I'm really hoping that 2011 was HCDM's 1986 -- that hump year that Coach Mac had with 5? straight losses to close the season. Don't get me wrong, I'm not expecting a Sugar Bowl type season this year. But I am very hopeful that we take two steps forward for another 8-5 or 9-4 type season. I don't think it's impossible.

 

[bnoro]

I think it will be a minor miracle if we make a bowl this year. So if you cant win now, you need to focus on the future. Time for dougie to get his full offense installed. I think that's what hes doing.

How that relates to nassib. Not sure. Best player plays.

Nassib will be the starter and get almost all, if not all of the snaps.

Has to be some type of non-Nassib QB wrinkle/package.

There isn't

has to be offense related. freeze option. mobile QB work.

Not running a freeze option.

 

[MCuse44]

I hope your right. We finish with 8 straight games. 6 on the road. seems like a grinder of a year.

I disagree and think we're goign to be better than people think around here. I think we're likely to get to 6-6 and hopeful for something better. I don't feel like the BE is all that tough this year and we have some young talent that hopefully improves year over year. We played alot of freshman and transfers on defense last year, so I think other than the front 4 (and I know that's paramount to a strong defense) there will be a great deal of improvement. I'm actually really excited about our LB corps. I do agree however, if Nassib isn't the guy to take us to teh next level, we need to get the backups PT in order to push the learning curve forward. Nassib wasn't terrible last year in teh short game.. he needs to develop touch.

 

[Cramz]

Quick kick tryouts.

 

[IthacaBarrel]

My guesses based on past statements from HCDM and just because they seem like glaring areas to improve vs personnel at our disposal...

Sheild protection on punts (per Marrone last season), generating pressure from the front 4 and/or disguising/delay blitz looks on D (per opponents knowing our defenses presnap last year), corners jumping short routes with safeties playing over the top w/ LB's dropping into middle coverage (fast LB's, Safeties w/ cover skills, aggresive corners), and deep passes with both timing and double moves on routes (obvious for many reasons).

Anyone else care to guess or debunk any of my guesses? Would prefer a serious convo rather then continued p*ssing matches here please.

Thinking the same, while I expect to see a package for one of the young qb's, I think the changes on O will be a bit more of Nassib running which will try and set up some bigger pass plays. Really hoping that Smith can be the battering ram we need, I can see why he takes some big hits though, it tall and obviously runs high. Looks a lot like one of those UCF backs that O'Leay had a few years ago that went to Detroit.

I think you are spot on. As I have said, it's great that Marrone is finally loooking at things a bit different, we shall see come September. Healthy Gulley will be outstanding as well.

Take it FWIW, have heard that Sales is in the best shape he has ever been in, which is great for him. Which would mean he is probably actually on par with the rest of the team.

 

[Toga]

Proper cup placement. And you guys said he didn't care about athletic supporters.

 

[memcorsu]

Bottom line "TEAM CHEMISTRY". DM lost 'em last year and he will be darned if that happens again. If your not going to buy in then a youngster is going to get your position, thus every position is wide open. The only ego allowed on this team after last year is going to be us against them. I would suggest the reason that the practices are closed is because they are really getting after it right now and there are probably some young men that have some bruised egos. It is one thing to call someone out when it is in-house in the office with a closed door, it is another to do it with everyone watching. If you watch the DM clip he seems to really understand this.

 

[IthacaBarrel]

Bottom line "TEAM CHEMISTRY". DM lost 'em last year and he will be darned if that happens again. If your not going to buy in then a youngster is going to get your position, thus every position is wide open. The only ego allowed on this team after last year is going to be us against them. I would suggest the reason that the practices are closed is because they are really getting after it right now and there are probably some young men that have some bruised egos. It is one thing to call someone out when it is in-house in the office with a closed door, it is another to do it with everyone watching. If you watch the DM clip he seems to really understand this.

This is certainly happening and Mr Henderson is peeling some ass for sure

 

[syr02esq]

I would like to see the swinging gate return on extra point attempts.

 

[ImperialOrange]

Thinking the same, while I expect to see a package for one of the young qb's, I think the changes on O will be a bit more of Nassib running which will try and set up some bigger pass plays. Really hoping that Smith can be the battering ram we need, I can see why he takes some big hits though, it tall and obviously runs high. Looks a lot like one of those UCF backs that O'Leay had a few years ago that went to Detroit.

I think you are spot on. As I have said, it's great that Marrone is finally loooking at things a bit different, we shall see come September. Healthy Gulley will be outstanding as well.

Take it FWIW, have heard that Sales is in the best shape he has ever been in, which is great for him. Which would mean he is probably actually on par with the rest of the team.

Marrone and co have recruited a versatile group of offensive players and they are hopefully seasoned enough at this point to be used to compliment one another.

Smith (from the Zapruder locker room pic) appears to have slimmed down and may be are most well rounded RB if he addressed his pad level issue once through the line. Gulley is speed, speed, speed and I'm very curious to see AAM when he comes back as our power option. 3 distinctly different runners but all could compliment each other nicely. Would be nice to see 2 RB sets that don't involve a FB and even get some of the Frosh RB's involved early as well. IF the oline can get it done, we should be able to move the ball more regularly.

Sales coming back in shape is great and hopefully Alec can make a full recovery by preseason as a nice 1-2 (1.5-1.5?) punch. After that we have West as a big possession WR and a bunch of young "go get it" WR's now entering their 2nd and 3rd years in the program. With ?'s at TE we may see a few more multi (hopefully spread!) WR sets.

I'm going to guess Nassib and co have spent quite a bit of time in the offseason working on their timing and trust issues. Hopefully Nassib doesn't press to make all perfect throws and our WR's have a chance to make plays as a result.

I'm much more interested in preseason play than I am in Spring ball aside from seeing how players have physically progressed at this point.

We finally are getting to a point of enough skilled veteran depth, mixed with young intriguing Freshman, that we should expect some serious progression regardless of opponents.

 

[jr4750]

Marrone and co have recruited a versatile group of offensive players and they are hopefully seasoned enough at this point to be used to compliment one another.

Smith (from the Zapruder locker room pic) appears to have slimmed down and may be are most well rounded RB if he addressed his pad level issue once through the line. Gulley is speed, speed, speed and I'm very curious to see AAM when he comes back as our power option. 3 distinctly different runners but all could compliment each other nicely. Would be nice to see 2 RB sets that don't involve a FB and even get some of the Frosh RB's involved early as well. IF the oline can get it done, we should be able to move the ball more regularly.

Sales coming back in shape is great and hopefully Alec can make a full recovery by preseason as a nice 1-2 (1.5-1.5?) punch. After that we have West as a big possession WR and a bunch of young "go get it" WR's now entering their 2nd and 3rd years in the program. With ?'s at TE we may see a few more multi (hopefully spread!) WR sets.

I'm going to guess Nassib and co have spent quite a bit of time in the offseason working on their timing and trust issues. Hopefully Nassib doesn't press to make all perfect throws and our WR's have a chance to make plays as a result.

I'm much more interested in preseason play than I am in Spring ball aside from seeing how players have physically progressed at this point.

We finally are getting to a point of enough skilled veteran depth, mixed with young intriguing Freshman, that we should expect some serious progression regardless of opponents.

Very well said... Offensively, the reluctance by either the coaching staff and/or Nassib to tuck and run on broken plays cost us dearly. 2 and 7's that could turn into 3 and 3's become 3rd and longs. Hopefully, we can get a jump on the year and win early. I think that first game against NW is huge! They will have a bunch of new players and be in a unfamiliar environment. Taking that one and perhaps MN, in addition to SB, would really set us up for a nice little run. DM has to be thinking 6-6 at the worst! I much more confident it will be that or better than us totally laying down and missing another postseason. Mizzou and USC are what they are. No one else scares me, baring injuries to key players, we should compete all year.

 

[SU2NASA]

BUBBLE SCREENS!

 

[SU2NASA]

I'm not expecting a Sugar Bowl type season this year.

I am.

 

[ImperialOrange]

Very well said... Offensively, the reluctance by either the coaching staff and/or Nassib to tuck and run on broken plays cost us dearly. 2 and 7's that could turn into 3 and 3's become 3rd and longs. Hopefully, we can get a jump on the year and win early. I think that first game against NW is huge! They will have a bunch of new players and be in a unfamiliar environment. Taking that one and perhaps MN, in addition to SB, would really set us up for a nice little run. DM has to be thinking 6-6 at the worst! I much more confident it will be that or better than us totally laying down and missing another postseason. Mizzou and USC are what they are. No one else scares me, baring injuries to key players, we should compete all year.

Agreed. It's all mental at this point. The guys have been in the system and they have been in the weight room long enough to compete. I'm not looking for moral victories at this and I'm sure the team isn't either. If the team gets their mind right, and play as a team, they should win more than they lose at this point. The talent and experience are there for the expectations to be raised.

 

[money3189]

Ashton Broyld. Enough said

 

[IthacaMatt]

I think it will be a minor miracle if we make a bowl this year. So if you cant win now, you need to focus on the future. Time for dougie to get his full offense installed. I think that's what hes doing.

How that relates to nassib. Not sure. Best player plays.

We MUST make a bowl this year, or Marrone will begin feeling the heat. This is year 4, after all. That's why letting the Rutgers game slip away last year was so awful. That game would have had us already in a bowl after WVU. I don't think the team would have fallen apart like they did if they were bowl eligible.

It's funny to look back at the Pasqualoni years and you see 2 games in particular as the keys to his demise - the Temple loss and the Rutgers loss. Of course the 50 point pastings to Va Tech and in that Bowl game were killers. But those couple What losses to perennial bottom dwellers who P had never lost to, was really really harmful to the program.

I'm kind of worried that last year's loss to Rutgers could turn out to be one of those key games in Marrone's tenure. We MUST make a bowl this year.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Nassib will be the starter and get almost all, if not all of the snaps.

There isn't

Not running a freeze option.

Well, the first year, Nassib was that change of pace QB. He needs to use Kinder or Broyld in that role this year, to see what they can do.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Marrone and co have recruited a versatile group of offensive players and they are hopefully seasoned enough at this point to be used to compliment one another.

Smith (from the Zapruder locker room pic) appears to have slimmed down and may be are most well rounded RB if he addressed his pad level issue once through the line. Gulley is speed, speed, speed and I'm very curious to see AAM when he comes back as our power option. 3 distinctly different runners but all could compliment each other nicely. Would be nice to see 2 RB sets that don't involve a FB and even get some of the Frosh RB's involved early as well. IF the oline can get it done, we should be able to move the ball more regularly.

Sales coming back in shape is great and hopefully Alec can make a full recovery by preseason as a nice 1-2 (1.5-1.5?) punch. After that we have West as a big possession WR and a bunch of young "go get it" WR's now entering their 2nd and 3rd years in the program. With ?'s at TE we may see a few more multi (hopefully spread!) WR sets.

I'm going to guess Nassib and co have spent quite a bit of time in the offseason working on their timing and trust issues. Hopefully Nassib doesn't press to make all perfect throws and our WR's have a chance to make plays as a result.

I'm much more interested in preseason play than I am in Spring ball aside from seeing how players have physically progressed at this point.

We finally are getting to a point of enough skilled veteran depth, mixed with young intriguing Freshman, that we should expect some serious progression regardless of opponents.

We can't do any of the wide open offense stuff if the line is not competent in pass protection, and if we can't count on them to get that one or two yard push in short yardage situations. Part of the reason we have been so conservative offensively is because our offensive line play has been just awful every year that Doug has been here - and that was supposed to be his strength. We've got 2 guys coaching the offensive line who are well regarded.

Although we have lost a lot of potential depth due to defections in precisely this spot over the past 3 years, this is the year they HAVE to produce. Without a decent offensive line, none of the rest of it - 3 or 4 wide outs, 2 actual running backs instead of a designated blocker, deep pass routes - NONE of that is possible if they don't finally get the O line right. Make or break year.