What's the converse of a silver lining?

[Consigliere]

First of all, what follows is simply a logic discussion and NOT something I would have preferred to see, but...


I was all in on the rationale that the defense collapse was a factor of a lack of depth and front line players having to play hurt and at less than 100%. Then I wondered why is this not a function of a failure on the part of the coaching staff to develop that depth. Talent + Development + Opportunity should = Results. I can somewhat accept the problems at safety. Talent really wasn't there, but I'm not as willing to give them a pass at LB. The percent of snap counts that PB and Zaire played as quoted in Bailey's column this morning seemed staggering. The staff HAD to know this would take a toll late in the season. Did bringing in Valdez limit the opportunity for younger players to develop? Could Henderson, Cullen and (to a lesser degree) Armstrong have been better prepared to take on a greater role if they were given more snaps early in the season?

Then I looked at the schedule and tried to envision where this might have been a good strategy. From halftime against CMU through halftime against Wake every snap was critical. Every game was a close and competitive contest. I remember the old Boeheim quote "I'd rather play John Wallace at 75% than anyone else at 100%" and can understand the perception that Franklin and Bennett had to take virtually every snap. Maybe a blowout loss or two in a game that we dropped by one score might have provided an opportunity that would have produced benefits in the long run.

 

[Trueblue25]

I think football has more dimensions than college basketball.

I think we missed an opportunity this year to dive into our linebacker depth and give offenses/qb’s multiple different looks/packages to throw off game flow.

Wouldnt have mind seeing Shy and Troy in to gun the qb’s in the fsu and miami games. Especially in the miami game when the receivers seemingly bobbled more balls than not.

It was clear in the BC game that Zaire and Paris were hardly playing at 60%.


Just want to add in general, i think Jonathan Thomas improved a lot this year and hasnt gotten many shout outs. Good job and serviceable career

 

[jr4750]

Interesting theory. This was a very weird year. You would have thought games against LSU, FSU, Clemson were definite losses. Most of us felt good about Wake, BC, MTSU, etc, as being likely wins, given they were at home, and against teams where we compete annually. I think there should have been more grooming done, but, I also definitely wanted to see us in a bowl game. I am most upset that yet another injury to Dungey killed the season. The fact that this is year 5 where our starting QB didn't finish the year, and we have not been able to win games in November is huge. I for one am very curious what the staff will do at QB going forward. How can you not start ED, but, he simply can't take you through the year. Not sure what needs to change, whether its playing youth earlier or not, but in simple terms, inexperience has cost us several games we could have won.

A kid like Armstrong should have been given reps at MLB. He's talented enough. I realize taking #4 off the field was big, but he played at less than 70% for many weeks as a result.

 

[Orangello]

Poor tackling, poor angles, inability to read offensive sets and adjust, players constantly out of position on defense, confusion during substitutions and on and on. These are on the defensive coaches starting with Ward. This is not going to fix itself magically. Our defensive players do not appear to be improving from year to year or throughout the course of a season. What Babers does with his defensive staff this off season will tell me a lot.

 

[TheCusian]

First of all, what follows is simply a logic discussion and NOT something I would have preferred to see, but...


I was all in on the rationale that the defense collapse was a factor of a lack of depth and front line players having to play hurt and at less than 100%. Then I wondered why is this not a function of a failure on the part of the coaching staff to develop that depth. Talent + Development + Opportunity should = Results. I can somewhat accept the problems at safety. Talent really wasn't there, but I'm not as willing to give them a pass at LB. The percent of snap counts that PB and Zaire played as quoted in Bailey's column this morning seemed staggering. The staff HAD to know this would take a toll late in the season. Did bringing in Valdez limit the opportunity for younger players to develop? Could Henderson, Cullen and (to a lesser degree) Armstrong have been better prepared to take on a greater role if they were given more snaps early in the season?

Then I looked at the schedule and tried to envision where this might have been a good strategy. From halftime against CMU through halftime against Wake every snap was critical. Every game was a close and competitive contest. I remember the old Boeheim quote "I'd rather play John Wallace at 75% than anyone else at 100%" and can understand the perception that Franklin and Bennett had to take virtually every snap. Maybe a blowout loss or two in a game that we dropped by one score might have provided an opportunity that would have produced benefits in the long run.

I think the staff likes some of our RS players - but decided it was best to get them right in the weight room and in the classroom 1st. Richardson at LB, Iffy at CB/S, DeVito at QB, etc.

If Babers (he's in it for the longhaul) and Wildhack (he's given Babers the green light to build it) are looking big picture - you can plan on not needing to put guys out there before they are really ready, even if they fit better.

 

[Consigliere]

I think the staff likes some of our RS players - but decided it was best to get them right in the weight room and in the classroom 1st. Richardson at LB, Iffy at CB/S, DeVito at QB, etc.

If Babers (he's in it for the longhaul) and Wildhack (he's given Babers the green light to build it) are looking big picture - you can plan on not needing to put guys out there before they are really ready, even if they fit better.

Yes, can certainly understand the RS players - and add Fagan to that group. Babers clearly loves his potential. That's why I did not include them in my OP. But as with other positions if the team suffers from a depth perception and a true freshman is ready to contribute it may have been worth the investment too.

 

[TheCusian]

Yes, can certainly understand the RS players - and add Fagan to that group. Babers clearly loves his potential. That's why I did not include them in my OP. But as with other positions if the team suffers from a depth perception and a true freshman is ready to contribute it may have been worth the investment too.

I think they thought they could get close to 6 wins with this team without burning a RS. They were close to being right.

No need to lose RS when the ceiling was somewhat low.

 

[gbo]

I got you fam.

 

[Orangello]

I think they thought they could get close to 6 wins with this team without burning a RS. They were close to being right.

No need to lose RS when the ceiling was somewhat low.

and yet they burned M. Pierre's RS for one or two series at RB until he fumbled, never to be seen again.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

and yet they burned M. Pierre's RS for one or two series at RB until he fumbled, never to be seen again.

He played every week on special teams.

 

[Newhouser]

First of all, what follows is simply a logic discussion and NOT something I would have preferred to see, but...


I was all in on the rationale that the defense collapse was a factor of a lack of depth and front line players having to play hurt and at less than 100%. Then I wondered why is this not a function of a failure on the part of the coaching staff to develop that depth. Talent + Development + Opportunity should = Results. I can somewhat accept the problems at safety. Talent really wasn't there, but I'm not as willing to give them a pass at LB. The percent of snap counts that PB and Zaire played as quoted in Bailey's column this morning seemed staggering. The staff HAD to know this would take a toll late in the season. Did bringing in Valdez limit the opportunity for younger players to develop? Could Henderson, Cullen and (to a lesser degree) Armstrong have been better prepared to take on a greater role if they were given more snaps early in the season?

Then I looked at the schedule and tried to envision where this might have been a good strategy. From halftime against CMU through halftime against Wake every snap was critical. Every game was a close and competitive contest. I remember the old Boeheim quote "I'd rather play John Wallace at 75% than anyone else at 100%" and can understand the perception that Franklin and Bennett had to take virtually every snap. Maybe a blowout loss or two in a game that we dropped by one score might have provided an opportunity that would have produced benefits in the long run.

Do they both play specials too? I know Franklin plays some.

 

[Orangello]

He played every week on special teams.

and did very little. I recall one tackle I think against FSU (but could be wrong). My comment was directed at the position he was recruited to play, RB. He was hyped as the next great thing at RB.

 

[TheCusian]

and did very little. I recall one tackle I think against FSU (but could be wrong). My comment was directed at the position he was recruited to play, RB. He was hyped as the next great thing at RB.

Clearly it's not a blanket "redshirt everyone" policy. That would be dumb. They thought he was ready, he fumbled on his 2nd carry. So it goes.

I also think FL kids come in more prepared to play.

 

[PhatOrange]

and did very little. I recall one tackle I think against FSU (but could be wrong). My comment was directed at the position he was recruited to play, RB. He was hyped as the next great thing at RB.

Only the fans hyped him - whats new. there were others on the recruiting board who tempered their expectations of him. He played every play on specials. That might not mean much to the average fan but it allows him to cut his teeth to the speed and physicality of the game and it also allows the coaches to not put a 1st teammer out there for even more snaps.

We also don't know what promises are made to these kids when they're being recruited (especially Florida kids). Fact though him burning his shirt is no big deal and has no bearing on anything. We've recruited 2 more backs and might not be done for the coming season. You're not gaining anything by redshirting him.

 

[reedny]

Interesting theory. This was a very weird year. You would have thought games against LSU, FSU, Clemson were definite losses. Most of us felt good about Wake, BC, MTSU, etc, as being likely wins, given they were at home, and against teams where we compete annually. I think there should have been more grooming done, but, I also definitely wanted to see us in a bowl game. I am most upset that yet another injury to Dungey killed the season. The fact that this is year 5 where our starting QB didn't finish the year, and we have not been able to win games in November is huge. I for one am very curious what the staff will do at QB going forward. How can you not start ED, but, he simply can't take you through the year. Not sure what needs to change, whether its playing youth earlier or not, but in simple terms, inexperience has cost us several games we could have won.

A kid like Armstrong should have been given reps at MLB. He's talented enough. I realize taking #4 off the field was big, but he played at less than 70% for many weeks as a result.

To me, it's all about how much talent you have on the field and on the bench. Babers offense is amazing and, while I'm not in love with the T-2 defense, let's face it, with decent players we stopped Clemson. For a period of time early, our Defense was playing well and we were masking our speed deficit effectively.

FF to November and, as usual, we lose our starting QB. Our defensive secondary is riddled with injuries, we're fielding second or third-line players and we're getting lit up. Speed has been an issue from the beginning ... as we saw against MTSU (mobile QB, fast WR and fast RB). But it becomes glaring when you lose what little talent you have to injuries.

I hope next year is a different story with Babers second recruiting class coming in.