Improving on the little things

[javadoc]

Java, the one thing I've noticed on our fair catching of punts is that a lot of times it's just one gunner breaking free to cause the fair catch while no other defenders are near the returner. I'd like to see us try something the Giants have been doing more of recently. Having an "up back" on returns. Station a guy between the line of scrimmage and the returner. He can watch for fakes and then once he is sure that the ball is punted, drift back, lead block for the returner and hopefully pick off the gunner.

All for it, if it helps. Maybe Gregory is aware of this wrinkle and can add it to our play design.

 

[Crusty]

Only going to address #3. Didn't Desir make a fair catch on a lot of punts because they were well covered and he would have been crushed as he caught it?

Estime's return against Minnesota was great but the punter out-kicked the coverage, and the announcers said that at the time, if I recall.

On kickoffs, the recent rule change has tilted the calculus in favor of taking a touchback. Kicks are going into the end zone, and you had better have a superstar back there who can get the ball at least to the 25, or you lose on balance. Not sure if we can scheme or coach that with the return team, in general. If we don't have a Qadry Ismail back there, I'm fine with taking the touchback. Could Estime be that guy?

Agreed, but my issue is with punts. I wonder we try to block the punt rather than falling back t block more often. Don't know, just wondering.

 

[Louie and Bouie]

Under GROB we took an offensive timeout after the second half kickoff before we even ran a play. First and only time I'd ever seen that. I thought I was seeing things. I'm glad I've suppressed most of the other stuff from that reign of terror.

Sorry for off topic but the discussion about use of timeouts brought that horrid memory back.

 

[BomberOrange]

Off the top of my head, I can't recall a game where a timeout may have saved us. For me, it's more about the principle of it all. You may need those 2 or 3 timeouts on a final defensive possession to stop the clock and eventually get the ball back. Or you may need them to help you get down the field for a final drive. I'd rather see us hold onto them than take 1 after our first play from scrimmage to open up the half.

No I agree to a point and to take one that early is pretty bad. But (and especially in the first half) if you need to take one I am ok with it.

 

[OnlyOrange]

I fear that 2015 will be another let down for 'Cuse fans. I don't think SU will have the horses or coaching staff to compete in the ACC for a while. Syracuse needs to hire a big time coach and build a stadium on par with other ACC venues to attract the top recruits. The 49k seat Loud House just isn't appealing to these kids that expect to play in front of 85k+ at a home game. Joining the ACC puts Syracuse in a position to not only compete with other ACC schools for recruits, but SEC schools as well.

 

[SUFan44]

I fear that 2015 will be another let down for 'Cuse fans. I don't think SU will have the horses or coaching staff to compete in the ACC for a while. Syracuse needs to hire a big time coach and build a stadium on par with other ACC venues to attract the top recruits. The 49k seat Loud House just isn't appealing to these kids that expect to play in front of 85k+ at a home game. Joining the ACC puts Syracuse in a position to not only compete with other ACC schools for recruits, but SEC schools as well.

Fourth post, one on the lax board that appears as if you know a lot about the new goalie transfer. Then negative nancy about football. What gives?

 

[CU44SE]

Under GROB we took an offensive timeout after the second half kickoff before we even ran a play. First and only time I'd ever seen that. I thought I was seeing things. I'm glad I've suppressed most of the other stuff from that reign of terror.

Sorry for off topic but the discussion about use of timeouts brought that horrid memory back.

I am more then positive this happened last year as well. Cannot think of the game off the top of my head but it was a home game, either the nova game or maryland game.

 

[Domedog84]

I fear that 2015 will be another let down for 'Cuse fans. I don't think SU will have the horses or coaching staff to compete in the ACC for a while. Syracuse needs to hire a big time coach and build a stadium on par with other ACC venues to attract the top recruits. The 49k seat Loud House just isn't appealing to these kids that expect to play in front of 85k+ at a home game. Joining the ACC puts Syracuse in a position to not only compete with other ACC schools for recruits, but SEC schools as well.

So we hire a big name coach and suddenly twice as many fans will pack a new stadium? I don't get that line of thinking. The dome needs some upgrades, which it seems are coming, but we just need to win. Get to bowls on the regular and fans will once again fill the dome. I get saying that kids do not want to play in front of half empty stadiums, but there are plenty of great venues for fans and players that aren't 85k and get rocking when filled, the Dome can be one.