After some thoughts post Arky - I think I have some perspective to offer here...

Well, he is from NJ, so he's already pretty close!

 

Seeing way too much in the media about firing Napier. I don't know why everybody expects instant results across the board. You have to start with the basics and go from there. Anybody who actually follows this program in depth all the time knows that there has been improvement in so many areas and some things just take time. Next year will be better as we get more and more depth and elite recruits. The foundation had to be completley overhauled and that's doesn't happen overnight. "Fans" that constantly turn on the program and are inpatient are the worst enemy.

 

The future is going to be bright, but I think the most glaring problems are a result of quality depth.

Throughout this game, the guys making plays were all the young guys Napier has brought in.

During the game, the announcers were complimentary of how many freshman were performing like Wilson, Castell and Kelby Collins. Conversely, I saw a lack of effort and giving up on plays from upperclassmen who ended up being Mullen holdovers when I looked up roster numbers since their names weren't on the back.

The issues that are most concerning for me, are OL and lack of physicality in the trenches. Makes me concerned for the S&C program again because we look like the McElwain era. I understand why he was brought in during the transition, but I don't think Hocke is the answer.

Special teams and Offense are things than I feel can be shored up with off-season hires and proper attention given to them.

 

Please get me Phil Trautwein

 

As a plethora of posters have already pointed out, next year's team may be better, but the record may not reflect it. Have you seen our schedule?

 

SEC schedule is going to be a beast but the OOC is looking better, UCF has turned back into what they always were and Miami still seems to be in limbo.

 

I agree with everything you wrote. Think the issue with fans is not necessarily losing games, it’s what we see or how we lose games that is frustrating. Eventually we want to see us win games we should win, and be close or competitive in games we are not favored to win. We don’t make teams work for the win. Most of the time it’s self inflicted or players not in position, clock management, or sloppy special teams. I choose to practice patience with Napier, and work on my golf game when things aren’t going our way on Saturday.

 

And it appears we are right there in the same boat with them....so toss-up?

 

I read the entire post and was thinking, I can agree with the majority of this. It was well thought out and well presented. Then the poster said, "I still think we're going to spoil someone's season", and it all went out the window.

This is a team sport. The team on the field and the team on the sidelines. This team, the 11 on the field at any given moment, and the team on the sidelines, the coaches, is not going to beat the three remaining teams on our schedule. Not being negative, just realistic. The poor in-game decision making by this staff is mounting. Throw in a very young roster and you have a recipe for L's. No way in hell we win a single game left. Just reality.

 

Awww, c'mon. It was a very well-written and thoughtful post. I greatly appreciate it as do others.

 

This. Watch out though, I got roasted for a similar reply (not by matattack).

 

We beat FSU in 97 when they were #1 and then they beat us in 98 with Marcus Outzen. It’s a rivalry game and they have everything to lose. It could happen!

 

That 97' team was years ahead of this team, and it had Spurrier as a coach. Not even close.

 

Great post. Thanks Mak

 

WTF? You feeling ok Clay?

 

You are overflowing with optimism. The ACC isn't going to let their bell cow go down at FL Field in 3 weeks. You can expect a plethora of phantom flags and calls (and non-calls for obvious penalties by FSU) against the Gators that aren't reviewable.

 

Whether we paid attention at the time or not, we did get a glimpse of how inadequate or OL would be after playing Oregon State in the bowl game last year. It became more obvious this year when we could only manage 3.2 yards per carry and 111 yards rushing against Charlotte. A MAJOR overhaul of the OL is needed this offseason.

 

Dude, paragraphs are your friend

 

RE: STs, we obviously have some ST coaching blunders, but overall, the numbers aren't too shabby as our STs are ranked 30th nationally and 4th in the SEC through 9 games this year.