I Feel Your Pain...

[mantonio]

Yes, it is disappointing to see these avoidable losses, but I am looking at this from an entirely different angle.

What I see is a young, talented quarterback whose future is leading this team to the top of the ACC.

What I see is a core of talented players who are capable of winning these types of games next season & beyond.

Tell me I'm not the only one who got a warm fuzzy when Long was marching his troops towards another score as we held the lead for the first time. I actually felt like this group of kids was turning the corner & coming of age right before our eyes. Then, the freshman roared out of our fearless leader once again, & the game was in jeopardy.

Even so, they STILL had a shot at the win right to the end!

I noticed the option play where the toss was swift & seemed unsettling for a split second, but as the back retrieved the flip, it all appeared so seamless & comfortable to the players. I see an athletic ability with this team that we haven't seen in awhile.

I am saying it right NOW!

This Syracuse team will be in the top 3 of the ACC before these freshmen leave campus...

 

[NineOneSeven]

Still turning that damn corner

 

[RICuse44]

It's a really long corner

 

[omg_cuse_rules]

The whole "turn the corner" thing is getting old. We've been going in circles

 

[mantonio]

The "talent" thing is highly overrated in major conference football. Nearly every team in the big conferences are close enough in skill to win on any given Saturday.

I believe the difference is not only coaching, but one or two skilled players who put that team over the top. Usually, it's the QB who makes the difference.

Case in point:
We seemingly had inferior talent when Marrone took over, but as soon as Nassib matured, we achieved winning bowl status. The talent really didn't change appreciably, but we won anyway.

The key is, find that one star who will tip the scales, & this team can win 8-10 games a year with this overall talent.

Maybe Long is the missing piece when he matures. I see something special in that kid!

 

[djorange1989]

Since 1999(post McNabb) we have had one good QB: Nassib. Period. That, more than any other reason is why we have struggled for so long. Obviously not the lone reason but certainly the biggest.

 

[mantonio]

Yes, Nassib was the most solid QB since McNabb. However, I still believe that Long has the potential to be much more dynamic & game changing than Nassib could ever be.

I would rate Long's potential somewhere closer to McNabb, but certainly not on his level.
Donovan was bigger, stronger, & quicker.

Since 1999(post McNabb) we have had one good QB: Nassib. Period. That, more than any other reason is why we have struggled for so long. Obviously not the lone reason but certainly the biggest.

 

[Orangello]

Sorry but the three turnovers, two of which led to NCSt scores, left me feeling cold and queasy. That and seeing my 180 lb QB get bounced backwards 5 yards trying to tackle a defensive end on his way to the end zone.

 

[mantonio]

I thought about that shove on Long. Was that player allowed to push him in the back?

It looked like an illegal contact by the NC Stater...

Sorry but the three turnovers, two of which led to NCSt scores, left me feeling cold and queasy. That and seeing my 180 lb QB get bounced backwards 5 yards trying to tackle a defensive end on his way to the end zone.