I dont think Shafer has done a very good job at

[IthacaBarrel]

all this year but given the injuries, can you really expect anything more than 4-6 wins. 6 being a miracle in my opinion. 4-5 being reasonable and obviously 3 being really not very good. NC ST game really the one that got away.

Like I said, I am not apologizing for any of it just looking at the injuries, what a disaster

 

[MaxwellCuse]

We should have beaten Maryland as well. Not happy with 3-7 (probably soon to be 9), but the injuries have been a factor. Scott Shafer will be history IMO if we accumulate injuries to the 2-deep at the same rate next year as we experienced this fall.

 

[xc84]

all this year but given the injuries, can you really expect anything more than 4-6 wins. 6 being a miracle in my opinion. 4-5 being reasonable and obviously 3 being really not very good. NC ST game really the one that got away.

Like I said, I am not apologizing for any of it just looking at the injuries, what a disaster

I think Duke and to some extent Clemson results also were affected considerably. While I agree our offense wasn't great to begin with, we really didn't need much more offense to win those games. We just needed something and got nothing. Injuries are part of the game but they also can't be ignored when they decimate the starting roster.

 

[TexanMark]

Call me crazy..but I think we win this week.

 

[Scooch]

all this year but given the injuries, can you really expect anything more than 4-6 wins. 6 being a miracle in my opinion. 4-5 being reasonable and obviously 3 being really not very good. NC ST game really the one that got away. Like I said, I am not apologizing for any of it just looking at the injuries, what a disaster

The injuries buy him a mulligan.

No excuses next year.

 

[OrangeinBoston]

all this year but given the injuries, can you really expect anything more than 4-6 wins. 6 being a miracle in my opinion. 4-5 being reasonable and obviously 3 being really not very good. NC ST game really the one that got away.

Like I said, I am not apologizing for any of it just looking at the injuries, what a disaster

Yes, it has been a disaster. And, he should realize that throwing up another dog like this one, 2015 will be his farewell tour. So, Shafer has alot of rethinking to do once signing date is past:

1. Is Lester really the OC next year? If not, lots to do to find a new one.
2. Totally rethink the offense. Just because Oregon can run the offense they do, means absolutely nothing in the context of SU. You need an offense that works given the contraints of the personnel you have.
3. Rethink strength & conditioning. Maybe, just maybe all the injuries are coincidental, or maybe not. Maybe a different off-season program ensures better health during the season?
4. Rethink practice philosophy. It seems alot of players got hurt in practice. Why? What to do differently?
5. Is it time for a special teams coach? If so, who?
6. Is the OL coach getting it done? If not, find a new one.
7. Is Fort Drum time well spent?

 

[GoSU96]

all this year but given the injuries, can you really expect anything more than 4-6 wins. 6 being a miracle in my opinion. 4-5 being reasonable and obviously 3 being really not very good. NC ST game really the one that got away.

Like I said, I am not apologizing for any of it just looking at the injuries, what a disaster

Umd and NCst should have been wins.

 

[Scooch]

Umd and NCst should have been wins.

Yep.

But Nova should have been a loss.

Every year we have a few games that could go either way. 2012 would've looked different if not for the last second win at USF.

3-9 sucks no matter the circumstances.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

The injuries buy him a mulligan.

No excuses next year.

That's where I'm at.

 

[TheCusian]

Yep. But Nova should have been a loss. Every year we have a few games that could go either way. 2012 would've looked different if not for the last second win at USF. 3-9 sucks no matter the circumstances.

3-9 also hides potential (young players) and good things (top 30 defense). There are good things happening with the program - but losing puts the spotlight on what's wrong. Just like 2012 will be remembered as a good year - despite some awful coaching, penalties, and losses.

Usually the truth is somewhere in the middle.

We could really use a win this week.

 

[Millhouse]

all this year but given the injuries, can you really expect anything more than 4-6 wins. 6 being a miracle in my opinion. 4-5 being reasonable and obviously 3 being really not very good. NC ST game really the one that got away.

Like I said, I am not apologizing for any of it just looking at the injuries, what a disaster

i don't grade him on wins and losses this year. the really dumb stuff that revealed a lot about him might not have made much difference this year. but i think it still exposes him as not being up to the job.

FSU was the only hint of chicken salad during this mess

 

[TheCusian]

i don't grade him on wins and losses this year. the really dumb stuff that revealed a lot about him might not have made much difference this year. but i think it still exposes him as not being up to the job.

Describe them without talking about punts. Go.

 

[Millhouse]

Describe them without talking about punts. Go.

Technically, the fake punt wasn't a punt so THERE

 

[NineOneSeven]

3-9 also hides potential (young players) and good things (top 30 defense). There are good things happening with the program - but losing puts the spotlight on what's wrong. Just like 2012 will be remembered as a good year - despite some awful coaching, penalties, and losses.

Usually the truth is somewhere in the middle.

We could really use a win this week.

Hence why... winning is all that matters to the general public, ie the casual fans who get ripped weekly for not attending the games.

 

[Millhouse]

Describe them without talking about punts. Go.

having no idea what he wants to do on offense. making lester anything but interim. lack of composure. needing to get booed into a riskless hail mary attempt

 

[Chip]

Describe them without talking about punts. Go.

Clock Mgmt at the end of the first half of games? Two indecisive train wrecks come to mind instantly.

 

[NKR1978]

Yep.

But Nova should have been a loss.

Every year we have a few games that could go either way. 2012 would've looked different if not for the last second win at USF.

3-9 sucks no matter the circumstances.

And we were healthy for Nova. there's no excuse for this season. He'll obviously get another one but I really don't see 6 wins on next year's schedule. The rest of the ACC is moving ahead of us and we have Coach "It's just football not ISIS" leading the charge.

And you know, that stupid punt at the 37 against NCSU and the fake punt against Duke tell me all I care to know. He coaches not to lose and ends up losing anyway.

 

[Millhouse]

Clock Mgmt at the end of the first half of games? Two indecisive train wrecks come to mind instantly.

not talking about punts is like that old mrs lincoln joke

 

[xc84]

Umd and NCst should have been wins.

I think Duke was our most winnable of those three (with starters back). Duke was very unimpressive but with absolutely no offense on our side, it didn't matter much. Remember, this game was tied going into the 4th.

 

[TheCusian]

having no idea what he wants to do on offense. making lester anything but interim. lack of composure. needing to get booed into a riskless hail mary attempt

I can't defend his decision to let McDonald install what we saw in those first bunch of games. But he did attempt to rectify it.

You and I disagree on the interim label for Lester. I think he deserves an offseason and a game with his starting Oline and QB. But I see your points on it...

I don't give a rip about lack of composure. It was one penalty and a FUDABO.

I don't think he got booed into the Hail Mary attempt. He waited so their would be no time left for Duke. Also - doesn't add up to be "not up to the job"

 

[TheCusian]

Clock Mgmt at the end of the first half of games? Two indecisive train wrecks come to mind instantly.

Fair point. Esp on the Louisville game.

But I put that on McDonald - word was that he froze after that completion to West. But it was bad leading up to that.

I don't think those two moments point to complete incompetence, either.

 

[TheCusian]

I just think it's funny that people proudly pound the "we're too conservative - punting too much" card when we have a top 30 defense who is as adept at forcing TO's than our 100+ rated offense is at scoring points.

 

[Millhouse]

I just think it's funny that people proudly pound the "we're too conservative - punting too much" card when we have a top 30 defense who is as adept at forcing TO's than our 100+ rated offense is at scoring points.

turning the ball over hoping you can force a turnover is stupid

18 turnovers to 62 punts

 

[TheCusian]

turning the ball over hoping you can force a turnover is stupid 18 turnovers to 62 punts

Maybe. But I can't blame the guy. He's watching his 4th stringer get destroyed behind a line that is 30% of what it was. Or just watching Hunt overthrow a covered WR 3 yards behind the line (if you prefer early season).

The defense held a very proficient Duke Offense to dismal numbers.

He may always play it conservatively - but when your offense is as putrid as our has been - I don't see how you can justify what you're advocating.

 

[Millhouse]

Maybe. But I can't blame the guy. He's watching his 4th stringer get destroyed behind a line that is 30% of what it was. Or just watching Hunt overthrow a covered WR 3 yards behind the line (if you prefer early season).

The defense held a very proficient Duke Offense to dismal numbers.

He may always play it conservatively - but when your offense is as putrid as our has been - I don't see how you can justify what you're advocating.

putrid offenses score more than great defenses.

if you have a sh!tty offense that can't get 10 yards in 3 plays and a defense that's good at stopping other teams, give your offense a 4th play and if that fails, no big deal, your defense can get the ball back