I know hoping this is absolutely ridiculous considering it is after all Tech football, but there are two key problems that are going to lead us to a 7-5 season, if they arent changed.
The first is obviously that O'Cain and Stinespring are going to continue to coach the most incosistant offensive team fathomable. These two have gotten away with this for way too long, because in all past years we have had a good enough team to make up for some of the most outlandish play calls. What has happened here is thats not the case, and it sucks. We don't have a QB that specializes in broken plays, or an explosive running back to bust through the middle. These problems are the most clear on third down, and in the first quarter of every game and they have kept us from being able to compete with top tier teams. BUT I'll stop there because we all know about these issues with the O.C. and typically have the same opinions, but we also know that its pointless to argue it any further because its not going to change. We keep playing a "we'll get the next one", "That was a tough team", or a "We still have a chance in the ACC" mindset and Beamer never looks to fix his coaching staff to stop an ongoing issue. Bud is the only one that truly seems to learn from a loss.
The next change is actually more possible. CAN WE PLEASE BENCH BONNER, AND MOVE EXUM BACK TO SAFETY. We have taken one of our star players and made him just mediocore. I see there is a very simple fix to our secondary. We have Exum, and Jarret at safety, then put Kyle and (heaven forbid use our top recruit) Manning at corner, and maybe Bonner as the nickel back. I also really like Michael Cole too though. Another plus side to this is we can have that exact lineup next year with an extra year of experience plus the addition of Kendal.
But seriously do we realize that we have to open against Alabama next year... We will get absolutely rolled by the tide if we cant develop some creativity on offense, and get what seems to be a pretty good but young defense some experience
This is me secretly wanting 7-5 with hopes that it will bring the change necessary, so we can stop being the laughing stock of nationally recognized college football teams.
Comments
Yuuup
Everything you said.
Why do they need changes????? They are only 1 block away from being 5-0 and in the top 10. Frank and all his coaches say so, so it MUST be true.
to me the issue on offense is more about preparation
Whatever the coaches are doing, it's not getting these guys ready to play on game day. The play calling has been fine, it's the execution and focus and aggressiveness of the players that has been lacking.
Whether it's the OL maintaining a double team until he RB is getting tackled next to them by an unblocked LB, or WR's who dodge incoming defenders instead of blocking them, our team just doesn't seem to be prepared to execute consistently in the running game. Then mix in a QB who is having accuracy problems, and top it all off with a few receivers & TE's that drop plenty of easy catches when the ball happens to be on on target... that all adds up to an inconsistent offense that's going to struggle no matter what the play call is.
I also really really like the idea of Exum and Cole at safety with Jarret and Kyle at corner.
Manning
has gotten burned badly when he has been forced to step up. Clearly he has a ton of potential, but I just don't think he's ready to be the guy. Forcing him onto an island would be a bad move right now, imo. Agree that Exum has higher upside at safety and Bonner has yet to step up, though. Cole has made plays but seems to be a liability in coverage at this point.
Can't Put Manning In
I agree with vthokie, you can't put Manning in right now. Those two plays he got burnt on back to back in the Cincy game were bad, even for a true freshman. Can't get too mad at a kid that isn't ready to play major college football as an 18 year old, but he isn't a solution this season either. What's more, when he got beat for the touchdown there was no anger or frustration that he expected to make the play and messed up, there was just that "look" that he really was in over his head. Maybe switching in one of the safeties is an option but I believe that Bonner has played the worst of any starter in the secondary by far, even with Exum's struggles.
Yea I take back my comment about Manning...
Even though Jarret has been incredible back at Safety, I say put him at corner, and then place Cole back at safety with Exum, and then obviously leave Kyle where he is. If this doesn't happen, It sets us up for failure this year and next year aswell. If we don't move Exum now, we won't ever move him. I just really don't think Bonner is capable, but I am slightly biased since I've disliked him since he came in for Jayron against Clemson.
Does anyone else have a secondary that they prefer better?
Worth A Shot
I think the arrangement Dubya talks about with Jarret moving down with Fuller could work, but it's worth a shot even if it doesn't. The team is 3-2 and hasn't faced the top three (or four) offenses it will face this season, so switching it up isn't exactly going to ruin a good thing. I also agree with what some others have said: even though it would be childish to write this season off after two OOC losses, we've got to start looking toward that opener next year, everyone else in the nation will be. The personnel as currently constructed won't get it done, period, and that goes for more than just the secondary.
I really like Jarret at safety just because he's been making a lot of plays for us there. I'd leave him and Fuller where they are. If anything I'd switch Bonner and Exum, and we may see some of that this week, Bud mentioned Bonner was getting reps at corner to build depth. We've played a lot of man-to-man coverage, and the experience just isn't there.
I think Cole's played hard, but he's been a liability in coverage. I think the Nickel look, but why not keep the base personel and just use RVD and the extra guy in coverage? He's got a good sense of what's going on around him, and has the skills to fly around to support the run, after he's dropped back in coverage.
S/CB switch
That was one of the biggest questions I thought going into the season was why they switched Bonner and Exum. Jarret is definitely doing good back there and with Exum back there the safety spot would be locked down.
I was thinking the same about RVD too, wasn't he recruited as a safety anyway? He is quick as hell and has great instincts.