Players crying in the locker room

[anomander]

Franklin mentioned this in the post game press conference. Obviously i'm not happy their crying, but it does give me hope and shows that they care just as much as we do. There are times when I think the die hards care more then some of the players, but this tells me this team still will have some fight.

I want to be mad. I'm sure frustrated enough, but you can see the young talent out there (and surprisingly the offensive talent is the most exciting). These really feel like games we are losing due to youth, and will use to our benefit down the road once we learn to win. That's the key we have to learn to win. Personally I am kind of torn. I really don't think Shafer is a good game manager, and really question his and his staff's ability to game plan, but the kids play their hearts out for him, and that's half the battle right there. I think Shafer's strength is building a strong team chemistry. You can tell the guys genuinely care for one another.

As for next year I think this team has shown enough for Shafer to be brought back, but next year has to be a big year, not just white knuckling a 6 win season.

I'm just so frustrated right now. It's always next year. This really feels like neext year, but i'm sure i've felt the same before. This is just tough. It's not like we are losing close ones to Clemson, FSU, and the upper-echelon of the ACC we're getting beat by UVA, USF, and Pitt. Why can Narduzzi come to Pitt and you can immediately tell they are a completely different team from last year. One that not only believes, but are extremely well coached. No matter our young talent, I just don't get the same feeling, and this is year 3 for Shafer.

Well there's my no point, rambling rant for the night. No will to post about the same things for the rest of the evening.

Goodnight

 

[Crusty]

Wonder whether it was players on O or D or both.

There is no crying in football, oh wait that's baseball. Never mind.

 

[Orangello]

Hang in there brother. We are all in the same boat. We love this program and want to see success so badly.

 

[djorange1989]

Our team is filled with young kids who get worn down late in games. They are playing a lot and they have only been in our S&C program for a short time. It hurts like hell to lose this way for a 2nd straight week but it is clear the potential is there. Like Dawg said they have to learn to win. Last year there was no light at the end of the tunnel. Now I believe there is. And it isn't an oncoming train that I am seeing!

 

[RF2044]

Franklin mentioned this in the post game press conference. Obviously i'm not happy their crying, but it does give me hope and shows that they care just as much as we do. There are times when I think the die hards care more then some of the players, but this tells me this team still will have some fight.

I want to be mad. I'm sure frustrated enough, but you can see the young talent out there (and surprisingly the offensive talent is the most exciting). These really feel like games we are losing due to youth, and will use to our benefit down the road once we learn to win. That's the key we have to learn to win. Personally I am kind of torn. I really don't think Shafer is a good game manager, and really question his and his staff's ability to game plan, but the kids play their hearts out for him, and that's half the battle right there. I think Shafer's strength is building a strong team chemistry. You can tell the guys genuinely care for one another.

As for next year I think this team has shown enough for Shafer to be brought back, but next year has to be a big year, not just white knuckling a 6 win season.

I'm just so frustrated right now. It's always next year. This really feels like neext year, but i'm sure i've felt the same before. This is just tough. It's not like we are losing close ones to Clemson, FSU, and the upper-echelon of the ACC we're getting beat by UVA, USF, and Pitt. Why can Narduzzi come to Pitt and you can immediately tell they are a completely different team from last year. One that not only believes, but are extremely well coached. No matter our young talent, I just don't get the same feeling, and this is year 3 for Shafer.

Well there's my no point, rambling rant for the night. No will to post about the same things for the rest of the evening.

Goodnight

Great post. Agree with almost all of this.

 

[SoBeCuse]

Our team is filled with young kids who get worn down late in games. They are playing a lot and they have only been in our S&C program for a short time. It hurts like hell to lose this way for a 2nd straight week but it is clear the potential is there. Like Dawg said they have to learn to win. Last year there was no light at the end of the tunnel. Now I believe there is. And it isn't an oncoming train that I am seeing!

Good points. Ones I and probably others have overlooked. When a young D is on the field too long, especially in fourth quarters it is like you say. They aren't OSU or Alabama incoming man-child frosh/youngsters. They need to get stronger. Progress is being made but these close losses are a tough pill to swallow.

 

[texasorange]

I think my belief in HCSS is gone. I love his fire, I love his commitment, I love his honesty & bluntness. But you are what you are as the Big Tuna has said. Right now he is a loser and time is running out.

 

[TheCusian]

Franklin mentioned this in the post game press conference. Obviously i'm not happy their crying, but it does give me hope and shows that they care just as much as we do. There are times when I think the die hards care more then some of the players, but this tells me this team still will have some fight. I want to be mad. I'm sure frustrated enough, but you can see the young talent out there (and surprisingly the offensive talent is the most exciting). These really feel like games we are losing due to youth, and will use to our benefit down the road once we learn to win. That's the key we have to learn to win. Personally I am kind of torn. I really don't think Shafer is a good game manager, and really question his and his staff's ability to game plan, but the kids play their hearts out for him, and that's half the battle right there. I think Shafer's strength is building a strong team chemistry. You can tell the guys genuinely care for one another. As for next year I think this team has shown enough for Shafer to be brought back, but next year has to be a big year, not just white knuckling a 6 win season. I'm just so frustrated right now. It's always next year. This really feels like neext year, but i'm sure i've felt the same before. This is just tough. It's not like we are losing close ones to Clemson, FSU, and the upper-echelon of the ACC we're getting beat by UVA, USF, and Pitt. Why can Narduzzi come to Pitt and you can immediately tell they are a completely different team from last year. One that not only believes, but are extremely well coached. No matter our young talent, I just don't get the same feeling, and this is year 3 for Shafer. Well there's my no point, rambling rant for the night. No will to post about the same things for the rest of the evening. Goodnight

I hated losing this game. But after last week people were saying that we wouldn't win another game. That UVa and USF sucked and we lost, so how could we compete with Pitt?

Well we did. And the players know they are close too.

 

[jgeorge322]

Only thing ill say is "its year 3 is a cliche". Cant evaluate that way. Each situation has its own merits and pitfalls. Need to make an opinion on both the obejective (stats) and the subjective. I see this thing being turned around with shaf and crew and more time.

 

[jekelish]

Only thing ill say is "its year 3 is a cliche". Cant evaluate that way. Each situation has its own merits and pitfalls. Need to make an opinion on both the obejective (stats) and the subjective. I see this thing being turned around with shaf and crew and more time.

I'll go the other way with the year 3 thing...it's ONLY year 3. We had a pretty empty cupboard, mainly on offense, when Shafer took over, and had to overcome a terrible OC hire from that first year. Last year's freshman were really the first actual class for Shafer, and he started stocking up on some talent. 4 of our 5 most talented offensive playmakers are either true freshmen or true sophomores. It just feels awfully unfair to judge a guy whose hand picked players are still barely old enough to vote. I've always thought a football coach should get 4 years before you can really tell what he is. A coach needs to get his own systems installed, and his own players to run them. Shafer's own players are only, at most, a year and a half into his systems - and the offensive players are only 7 games into the system that looks like it might mostly work.

 

[OrangeTarheel]

I hate it for the players, I didn't see any quit out there. Maybe that's how we remember this season - lots of losses but no quit.

 

[Cusefan78]

I hate it for the players, I didn't see any quit out there. Maybe that's how we remember this season - lots of losses but no quit.

Even last year the players never gave up. Shafer has these kids wanting to turn the corner. They are so close but are way too young to stay with these teams that are playing juniors and seniors.

 

[Crusty]

Literally a couple of plays or calls away from being 5-2. That is how close this team is. For a team this young that is very good. What 10 points margin vs 2 top 25 teams? Come on folks, a little perspective - this team of 18 and 19-year-old kids is really close.

 

[SWC75]

One of the sillier things is to think that there are fans in the stands who care more than the players or coaches do. It's our hobby. It's their LIFE.

 

[MaxwellCuse]

One of the sillier things is to think that there are fans in the stands who care more than the players or coaches do. It's our hobby. It's their LIFE.

And for those fans in the stands who believe it is their life, would it be imprudent to suggest that they get a real one?

(I'm sure I'll regret posting this!)

 

[TexanMark]

And for those fans in the stands who believe it is their life, would it be imprudent to suggest that they get a real one?

(I'm sure I'll regret posting this!)

Geez...now half the register users just left to rake leaves. Thanks Buzz.

 

[anomander]

One of the sillier things is to think that there are fans in the stands who care more than the players or coaches do. It's our hobby. It's their LIFE.

Sorry but a good amount of the players care more about themselves then about the team. 5 years from graduation you really think everyone of the kids on this current team will still live and die with each win and loss week in and week out like some (i guess) of us do. Sorry but you're wrong on this. I could give you a few examples of some kids on this team who care more about themselves, but i'm not calling anyone out.

And for those fans in the stands who believe it is their life, would it be imprudent to suggest that they get a real one?

(I'm sure I'll regret posting this!)

And that exact thinking is why 25k people were in the stands yesterday. Not saying you're wrong, but in a lot of places football is part of their culture.

 

[RICuse44]

Franklin mentioned this in the post game press conference. Obviously i'm not happy their crying, but it does give me hope and shows that they care just as much as we do. There are times when I think the die hards care more then some of the players, but this tells me this team still will have some fight.

I want to be mad. I'm sure frustrated enough, but you can see the young talent out there (and surprisingly the offensive talent is the most exciting). These really feel like games we are losing due to youth, and will use to our benefit down the road once we learn to win. That's the key we have to learn to win. Personally I am kind of torn. I really don't think Shafer is a good game manager, and really question his and his staff's ability to game plan, but the kids play their hearts out for him, and that's half the battle right there. I think Shafer's strength is building a strong team chemistry. You can tell the guys genuinely care for one another.

As for next year I think this team has shown enough for Shafer to be brought back, but next year has to be a big year, not just white knuckling a 6 win season.

I'm just so frustrated right now. It's always next year. This really feels like neext year, but i'm sure i've felt the same before. This is just tough. It's not like we are losing close ones to Clemson, FSU, and the upper-echelon of the ACC we're getting beat by UVA, USF, and Pitt. Why can Narduzzi come to Pitt and you can immediately tell they are a completely different team from last year. One that not only believes, but are extremely well coached. No matter our young talent, I just don't get the same feeling, and this is year 3 for Shafer.

Well there's my no point, rambling rant for the night. No will to post about the same things for the rest of the evening.

Goodnight

welcome back man. you've been in a dark place since the end of last season and i see why. i have a big pitcher of orange kool aid waiting for you.

i think the big difference is that there is actual hope for next year. every skill player is back on offense. all defensive starters yesterday except for donnie simmons will be back.

i agree that there are some questions re game management. but i also have some questions on tom coughlin's game management. we need to nail down this details. we're not losing these game because of lack of effort or lack of talent. we are losing because of lack of experience. we do have bonehead mistakes- so does everyone. we do not though get penalized much which i attribute to coaching.

 

[anomander]

welcome back man. you've been in a dark place since the end of last season and i see why. i have a big pitcher of orange kool aid waiting for you.

Ya man I hate being negative, but it's frustrating, and just gets hard to defend sometimes. At least now we see some glimmers of hope.

 

[Full_Rebar]

The empty cupboard Marrone left included Jerome Smith, PTG, West, Trudo, Hickey, Foy, Robinson, and Palmer.

Shafer and his hand-picked OC went with Allen/Edouard/Long when it came to getting a QB for the system. When do we start to put some accountability on Shafer and the current coaches?

 

[PAcuse]

The empty cupboard Marrone left included Jerome Smith, PTG, West, Trudo, Hickey, Foy, Robinson, and Palmer.

Shafer and his hand-picked OC went with Allen/Edouard/Long when it came to getting a QB for the system. When do we start to put some accountability on Shafer and the current coaches?

The new OC has gotten us Dungey and two damn good incoming Freshman QB's. Edouard didn't qualify, we did take a reach on him. Long is out because of concussion, not sure how you pin that on coaches. Allen was a mistake for sure.

 

[jgeorge322]

The empty cupboard Marrone left included Jerome Smith, PTG, West, Trudo, Hickey, Foy, Robinson, and Palmer.

Shafer and his hand-picked OC went with Allen/Edouard/Long when it came to getting a QB for the system. When do we start to put some accountability on Shafer and the current coaches?

Uhm, he went 7-5 year 1 with losing a lot (you know you play 11 players on each side of ball right?) and first year in acc. He made mistake w gmac and allen was a low risk move (and we made a bowl). Shaf made the changes needed.

 

[SWC75]

Sorry but a good amount of the players care more about themselves then about the team. 5 years from graduation you really think everyone of the kids on this current team will still live and die with each win and loss week in and week out like some (i guess) of us do. Sorry but you're wrong on this. I could give you a few examples of some kids on this team who care more about themselves, but i'm not calling anyone out.
And that exact thinking is why 25k people were in the stands yesterday. Not saying you're wrong, but in a lot of places football is part of their culture.

Five years after they left the program is not the measure. The measure is right now when they are on the field trying to win games to make THEIR dreams come true. We are rooting for them to get their wish so we can come along for the ride.

 

[jekelish]

One of the sillier things is to think that there are fans in the stands who care more than the players or coaches do. It's our hobby. It's their LIFE.

I think people would be surprised if they learned of the thought processes of some of the kids on the team, and the things they say in private. I know of one kid in particular who people would be stunned if they heard about some of his actions behind the scenes.

 

[TheCusian]

The empty cupboard Marrone left included Jerome Smith, PTG, West, Trudo, Hickey, Foy, Robinson, and Palmer. Shafer and his hand-picked OC went with Allen/Edouard/Long when it came to getting a QB for the system. When do we start to put some accountability on Shafer and the current coaches?

Agreed. I'd say: 1. That's why McDonald is no longer employed here. 2. And his hire reflects poorly on Shafer. I'd take that into account when I evaluate the job he's done. No question.