And one thing only, to help through the rest of the season. Snap your fingers and it's done, one thing....
What is it? Is it absolutely anything about the defense?
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smarter decisionS from the QB.
Less getting into obvious passing down situations, i.e. more effective running.
a dominant OL that can run block.
The passing game will be just fine. Brewer is trying to do too much (like LT had to do), causing game changing turnovers. If we can run the ball more consistently it'll take the pressure off the passing game.
Also, these illegal substitution penalties are OUT OF WHACK!
No more illegal substitutions...
The run game, and I'll tell you why.
Brewer throws picks, right? Why is that? Past three games:
When was the last time you saw a Tech QB throw for 36+ times THREE games in a row? When you throw it that much, regardless of skill, talent, etc., interceptions are more likely to happen. Even so, why is Brewer throwing the ball so much? Let's take a look at the run game production over the past three games:
Would you believe that the bottom stats are from Ohio State? We averaged 3 yards per carry in that win. Under 3 ypc vs ECU and 3.8 against Georgia Tech. If the run game isn't there, you're forced to throw the ball to get first downs.
I do believe Shai and Marshawn are the real deal, but I also think the W&M game in which they dominated got our expectations a little too high for them. The team has averaged 3.2 yards per carry against FBS schools. Without production on the ground, Brewer is carrying too much of a load and ends up throwing the ball 36+ times per game. Sound familiar? QB carrying the offense in production?
Anyway, that's my two cents on what I would change. I don't know how exactly, but it's what needs to change.
we need to start recruiting some stud o-line players. its tough learning a new system for the 2nd year in a row. Teller looked like he had some good push in his limited snaps when wang went out.
Hard to argue with this...but I'm going to anyway. Maybe I'm just annoyed by today's game, but I'd say the unforced penalties (kicking out of bounds, illegal substitutions, delay of game or false starts @ home) have been a killer -- both in stalling drives and flipping the field in the wrong way.
I can put up with, say, holding or interference, but how many VT drives has been effectively stalled or good field position killed before the began by UNFORCED offensive or return team penalties (or conversely opposing team drives extended by the UNFORCED defensive or coverage team penalties) so far this season? 10? More?
For a team that doesn't have an explosive offense, just giving away drives and field position even just 2 or 3 times a game is suicide.
I feel like these things ACTUALLY can be fixed extremely easily. The running game will take time.
So to answer the OP's question, I would rather see the running game magically fixed, because it will take time to fix. Penalties can be addressed relatively easily.
Not really addressed to you, but the penalty thing? When asked about it postgame yesterday, Frank's only comment was - 'We're going to get that right'. That's all well & good, except we are close to the worst in the nation for this season in penalties. In 3 of the 4 games we've played, we've gotten at least ten penalties. It wasn't a one game problem, it has been a four game problem.
So I'm wondering why I should believe Frank on this, and why he has waited until NOW to decide 'We're going to get that right'? Why no sense of urgency? I mean, I know he has a contract extension until 2019, but how about THIS year? I'm tired of being told - 'Wait until next year'. Why wasn't this problem already being addressed?
Perhaps it already is being addressed but the fix was imperfect, insufficient or poorly implemented.
I trust Frank on this one. I don't think he likes it one bit and his understated ness seems to get more and more understated as an indirect relationship to his level of irritation.
I trust Frank on a lot of things but over the past few years discipline is one I really am starting to scratch my head on. I can't stand illegal blocks in the back. I feel like every punt that AJ booms I am cringing waiting for a Hokie to see the opponents name plate and give him the extra shove. I just don't get it but it seems to happen to the Hokies more often than our opponents (I'd love to see a statistic on this in hopes that I am wrong). This is a team that just can't over come their own mistakes combined with the refs. That is just one specific penalty. In the ACC coastal so many games can be won by just playing solid, disciplined football. Doesn't have to be flashy, low penalty yardage, solid defense. So if I could snap my fingers and ask for one thing?
Discipline. Play your assignments (see french's write-up). Don't commit penalties. Don't make bad throws on first down (or any down, but especially first when you are winning). etc.
I don't know why you got the -1 as that is an opinion statement, not a derogatory one.
Out scoring our opponents.
Of course, if you could change one thing about this team to achieve that what would it be?
A legitimate pass rush with only 4?
Because I see what you are asking. If Bud had faith in a rush with 4, we would see it. Instead of island island island all game long which has failed us.
If you could change one thing about this team to increase our chances of success over the rest of the season is would be an improved DL?
A down vote really?
Man up and explain why that post warranted a down vote.
maybe because you responded with another sarcastic response? mhmm or maybe because you're calling out his opinion like you have done all night. mhmm or maybe because you think 1 little change will help this team.
Its not just 1 change its a lot of changes to be consistent and be able to put together good offensive drives/show improvement week in week out from both sides of the ball.
and why should he explain his down vote when I'm sure you've down voted a good amount tonight as well.?
It's the Internet, your first mistake is inferring emotion like "sarcasm" through text.
Goodness gracious you're the emotional sort, aren't you?
I made a discussion topic. If people wish to discuss that topic cool.if not, start your own topic.
There's nothing t stopping you from starting a thread about how terrible vid Foster is at his job.
Yeah there is it's called common sense. Fire bud post would be the exact opposite of the fan I am.
So answer this.. Why the need to say exactly what he said in a post when he clearly said fix the d-line?? Was it not clear enough when he said get pass rush with 4 d linemen? It's like you're looking for trouble??
Oh and man up explain the down vote rotfl
I was just trying to be clear.
I don't agree that the worst problem with this team is the d line. Apparently saying so merits half a dozen down votes on the new and improved version of this site.
It's cool, it happens. I retain tbs the DL is one of the strengths of this team. Thai is apparently where you and I differ.
The difference is that my position greatly upsets your for Some reason and your position doesn't really affect me at all.
Clearly its not affecting you...
Which is why there's a spree of downvotes over both this thread and the 'Quite the team loss' thread with anyone who has disagreed with you.
And why there was 3-4 downvotes for literally anything I post?
Come on, we can all play the silly downvote game, Judy.
Well his post was pretty clear. Didn't think It needed more clarification.
Also if the d line was a strength then why are we blitzing a lb and db every down ?? I think the worst part about this team as of today is lack of consistency/ complete drives.
So you agree that if you could fix one thing about this team it would be the DL?
Very little penetration by our front 4. There were flashes but nothing consistent. I could see why someone would think the DL needs to be fixed.
Offensive Line play, easy...They haven't played well at all this year. Even William and Mary gave this group trouble.
I guess I don't understand how if the OBVIOUS problem with this team is the bloody OL, it's far and away the biggest problem of anything with no contest...
Why is everyone shutting themselves about the defense?
The only thing I can get her is because were conditioned to accept the OL and the offense as awhile sucking and therefor expect and excuse it.
Expect more. It's time to shed the mindset that resulted in the last decade.
It's 2014 an d were still stuck in 1994.
I did not realize that there could only be one thing wrong with a mediocre football team.
Is it taboo around here to say that the no part of this team is as good as it needs to be? Which includes this D that isn't getting it done when it matters most.
In getting old. I have learned that I have to prioritize in my life.
I tend to want to focus the most energy on the biggest problems in all aspects of my life.
I don't feel like, when it comes to this team, that the area that deserves the most energy is the defense. Because I don't feel it's anywhere near the biggest problem. Do you disagree?
Another down vote? This is silly.
Someone is being a child....
Too many people are still butt hurt to have debate today. Don't let these guys get to you. For the record I did not down vote you.
Maybe it should be rephrased. Instead of fixing one thing, what is the first thing that should be fixed/addressed? What is the top priority?
My top priority would be communication. There seems to be a lack of it. The illegal substitution penalties show how disorganized the coaches and players are.
i will agree with this. Our O-line is terrribbblllleeee like really really bad. we have 0 push up front and can't seem to put 1 good pass protection drive together. But looking at the roster is that really fixable? we were left with te's de's and everything else for an o-line and it really is starting to show.
I would love to see the playbook be more simple. Less packages or at least get a set of plays with the same package then move on. The illegal substitutions has to be because we go from 2 te's to 4 wr's then back it can get crazy on the field
Stop shooting ourselves in the foot.
This! Stupid penalties, turnovers, and bad play calls turned 2nd and 1 into punts too many times today.
Start at the top. The team needs better leadership from the coaching staff. When you have a coaching staff that is so completely out of sorts that you get called for at least 7 Illegal Substitution penalties over the course of 2 weeks, that kind of chaos will trickle down into the team and it will show in their execution on the field. You can't have that kind of confusion and unprofessionalism from the coaches in such a consistent manner and still expect the team to continue playing well. These coaches HAVE to get their act together if we hope to be a better team.
So...Beamer?
Beamer is the problem? Or Beamer, Foster and loeffler?
I think you're being fuzzy. Be explicit.
Once again, please stop trying to oversimplify the problem to try and cut legitimate complaints off at the knees because you don't agree with the premise.
Because cutting problems off at the knees is for the GT Yellow Jackets (really do hate their blocks)!
To be fair, we were the ones called for a chop block today, not them...
...that got called (ACC refs and all)...
Edit: up voted to cancel out your down votes
Georgia Tech was called for "illegal block below the waist" on the one TD that came back. Ours was a "high-low," which I think was horseshit, because it looked like the low guy fell down, not that he intentionally went for it.
Be explicit with your criticism. I'm not trying to do anything, I'm trying to make you make a point.
"DO FOOTBALL GOODER!" Is not a valid criticism to me, your mileage may vary.
I did, right here and I won't rehash it again, because you showed in the other thread you're unwilling and unable to have a reasonable conversation.
The simple fact is that most of us truly don't know. I don't know how the coaching staff divides up responsibilities. I don't even know what most of those responsibilities are. I'm not on the sidelines, and not privy to any conversation that the coaches have amongst themselves.
I don't know who's in charge of making sure we only have 11 guys on the field. We've gotten that penalty on both sides of the ball.
Deon newsome only comes in for jet sweeps and bucky hodges needs the ball 1000% MORE
Am I the only one who read this as a hypothetical question calling for some wishful thinking more than an in-depth discussion about why Virginia Tech isn't 4-0? Because it seems like a lot of people are getting very serious on this thread.
It's a question of priority. What do you think is the most important problem facing this team right now?
Some people think the answer is not enough zone defense, some think it's that all the coaches are bad at their jobs.
Im saying let's prioritize. As a fa base let's focus the most of our energy on the biggest problem. I say that's the OL.
Saying that gets a lot of down votes on here, so perhaps I'm in the minority.
i'm so annoyed, this is a repitition of thomas throwing interceptions
Coaching. Beamer and foster have lost their edge, and I am not convinced loffler ever had one. I know everyone lauds Foster and Beamer for D and ST respectively, but you have to remember we played in da big east and ACC, not exactly powerhouse conferences out side a few Miami and nolie teams which inflated their stats. Buds gimicky schemes are just not keeping up with the modern game, and loffler play calling is reminiscent of ocainstinesome. Going to be a long 4 more years till we get some changes at the top methinks, hopefully I am wrong...
Disagree with Foster losing his edge. He still has it and two not so great games doesn't change that. Sadly agree with Beamer though.
We have had worse starts than this... Remember JMU? 0-2 ring a bell? we went 8-0 after that. We will get this right and Hopefully this patchwork offensive line gels and we win the remaining games on the schedule. Calm down. Hold my beer while I save the world.
I'm pretty certain you couldn't find one sober Hokie fan that thinks we will run off 8 straight wins after this game. I admire your optimism, misguided though it may be. We have some issues that need repair. They need repair NOW, not next season. We really don't need hollow apologies with 'We'll do better' Roger Goodell blather from the coaches. Last week was the time to 'do better' and this is what we got - the same confounding errors. As a long time fan, this gets really old. Excuses but no accountability. Same as it ever was...
do you really think we are that far off??? to think we cant win 8 straight to me is complete BS when most just 2 weeks ago were think there was a chance to go undefeated all together. both these loses were winable football games. 2 plays and we could be 4-0 right now. im not confident that we will run the table from here out because silly mistakes have cost us 2 games and whos to say they wont again but i do believe that we could hell yes we could run the table. and im going to keep believing in this team till its done. just like last year and the year before. if there is a chance im 100% behind and believe in this team to get it done. and when there isnt anymore chance ill believe that we will be better next year and get it done. thats the fandom in me but what else is there at this point. i cant go in and make a play to change the game so i believe in my hokies till the end.
Please, not the 'We were only 2-3 plays from winning the game' argument. That was tired about 6-8 years ago. There is a huge difference in understanding that we were 'less than perfect' the last two weekends and lost both times, and in not hoping that we win out. The odds are far higher that we are 'less than perfect' against similarly equipped ACC foes in the next 8 games and lose just like we did the past two weeks than in us winning every single similar game to the last two we just played.
It's not being less of a fan to realize the odds are stacked against 'the dream'.
I don't know for sure because I didn't do film review, but I do believe that the GT game was less than 3 plays from a win. Honestly, it was 1 play away from a win with a stop on 4th and 15. The ECU game was 1 drive away from OT and then who knows what. So we actually are much closer to winning those games than you think. Nobody is asking us to be perfect, but both games were absolutely winnable.
But here's the problem.
Those games should have never been that close to begin with. We play a full 60 minutes instead of sleepwalking for the first quarter and we knock off ECU rather easily. We stop tripping all over ourselves for an entire 60 minutes against GT, and we win that game rather easily.
Its easy to say we're 1-2 plays away from winning. Sure, that might have been the case, but limiting our problems to only 1 or 2 plays is missing the forest for the trees.
I understand that each game was a compilation of mistakes and errors that resulted in a loss, but regardless of how we played throughout the course of the game, a stop on 4th and 15 with the lead in the 4th quarter with time winding down would have all but sealed the game against GT. Had that happened, we would have been happy with a win, but disappointed in our overall performance today. I'm not missing the forest, I just grabbed the soul-crushing play that could have been prevented and would have changed the course of the game. Sure, had Bonner intercepted that tipped pass, that could have changed things. Had Brewer not have thrown a Pick-6, that could have changed the game. But that one play WOULD have changed things given the amount of time left in the game and the score. More or less, you can't say that a play made in the first quarter would have changed the game, but you can absolutely say that a play made on the last drive of the game would have because there was little time left. Errors can be overcome in 4 quarters of play, but they are less likely to be overcome in 2 minutes of play.
A point scored in the first minute counts just as much as a point scored in the last.
Yes, but a point with 45 minutes of game time is a lot less valuable than a point to take the lead when the clock reads 0:00 in the 4th because a point earlier can be overcome.
The same argument could be used to say that we were 2-3 plays away from losing by 3+ touchdowns. You know that. One can always cherry pick a single crucial play and pretend it never happened, but that isn't realistic.
Was the 4th & 15 the single play that probably cost us the ballgame? That's extremely likely. Of course, if the 41yd INT return hadn't happened, the 4th & 15 wouldn't matter. That doesn't mean we get to ignore the faults that led up to it so we can say that everything is fine.
Yes, both games were winnable, but that doesn't mean we should ignore why we did NOT win them. All that is a tangent from the point of contention - do you really believe we'll go undefeated the rest of the year? Really? Just as much as you believed it in the moments after the OhState game? 100% as much? Because nothing we've seen since then on the field has strengthened that argument. Being contrarian to that reality will not change it.
See my above response regarding the difference between a final drive play and a play earlier in the game with regards to how one could possibly change the course of the game but the other would change the game. No, I never believed we would go undefeated for the rest of the year. Not after beating Ohio State. As I think every year, I thought there was a chance, but I never believed we would do it. I'm not ignoring why we lost the games, but saying that we are 2-3 plays away isn't always a copout. Sometimes it's just the truth.
What clinging to the 'We were just 2-3 plays from winning' fallacy does is shrink from the truth that there are obvious weaknesses that will NOT be addressed as long as we hide behind the excuse of 'We were only 2-3 plays from winning'. All it does is wither from actively working to resolve the problem. We have some big issues that the team needs to correct. We have 5-7 ACC opponents coming up that aren't that much better/worse than us. When we hide from working to solve the problems by falsely saying - 'We were only 2-3 plays from winning', then we will lose. Hiding behind a tangent about theoretical outcomes just ignores the problem.
I don't think it does. Here's how I look at it. "Win" and "lose" are comparison terms. One team wins, one team loses. Both teams cannot achieve the same. When we talk "win" and "lose" we are talking about who was better than the other team. Who achieved a better result in fact. So to say that we were 2-3 plays away from achieving a better result than the opposition is not false and it's not saying we don't have problems. It's just saying that we were close to being better than our opponent on that day. That does not mean we are perfect or even close to perfect by any means. It's a perspective on the game that allows us to see how close the game was. The problems are apparent and it is in the coaches' hands to correct them. So yes, we have problems, but we were still 2-3 plays away from having a W in our record book instead of an L. That's what I mean when I say we were 2-3 plays away from winning a game.
EDIT: I'm also not trying to say that the 4th and 15 was the reason that we lost the game. But making that stop would have been the reason that we won it.
Oh... and BTW... Shane Beamer couldn't coach his way out of a paper bag And I would tell him that to his face. Our running back woes started as soon as he got here. Pick 2 and ROLL you tard!
Don't downvote the man for speaking the truth!!! Leg to even you out my friend.
The downvotes were probably for referring to Shane as a "Tard," not for the opinions preceding it.
Put JC in on 1st and goal when Shai has been running great the last series and walk away with NOTHING. You wonder why Leoffler went with WR Screen when he saw JC in the game? You think that didn't affect the decisions Lefty made at that junction? That 1 decision lost us the game..... you tell me what PC word you would use for that logic.
You understand how playcalling actually works, right? The guy in the box doesn't look at who his underlings sent out on the field and then call plays reactively. Different personnel go in for different packages, and Lefty called for one that included Coleman. JC was in the game BECAUSE of Loeffler's decisions, not the other way around. You can't look at one play or player and say "that lost us the game." That's a short-sighted, and generally shallow, way of looking at football. Also, I would never describe myself as PC (check out the Redskins trademark thread for proof). I was simply explaining to asspocket that the downvotes on your post likely weren't for your opinions, but for your word choice. It's happened to me on several occasions.
I think Road Dog has shown his football IQ several times on this thread.. some of these guys have their mind made up on who to blame, then try to ignore all evidence to the contrary. I'm not sure your explanation will change his opinion
Thanks bro!
We have Kevin Jones and David MF Wilson at our school. I would like to see KJ as RB coach and DW as an assistant RB coach... Let Shane coach ST Or something. Frank has more things to worry about than ST these days anyway.
So which coach(es) do you fire to make room for these moves? We're already at our limit of allowable coaches.
"Graduate assistants"
Well, If i had to get rid of one it would be Shane. I like this spirit but he don't know JACk about being a running back. He excels at recruiting and as far as I can tell from on field results not much else.
Firing Shane would fix very, very little.
And destroy how many relationships in Richmond and the surrounding area?
I don't really have an opinion on this either way -- I'm not in love with Shane but I'm not ready to call for his head, either -- but FWIW that excuse was used to keep both Stiney & later Newsome around far longer than they should have been. I'm starting to wonder if there isn't some immutable law of football physics there... once a statistically significant portion of the fanbase claims that despite on-the-field shortcomings, coach X has to be kept on staff "because recruiting" then you know that coach X needs to go.
Great point. For at least five years, the mantra about Newsome and especially about Stinespring was - 'But... but... we can't afford to lose his recruiting excellence and network!'
The last three years we've been absorbed talking constantly about how we have such a gulf in talent where we didn't get many good recruits over the same time frame.
Just sayin'...
If I could change one thing it would be the attitude of a small percentage of the fans.. Some can't seem to find any perspective in their lives and fly off the handle after a loss, and either come on message boards and call for coaches to be fired after a 2-2 start, or find asinine arguments as to why VT lost - such as time of possession. Then go on to insult anyone that disagrees with them.
It was a team effort in defeat, there wasn't one phase of the team that didn't need improvement today, so if you can only find one thing that needs fixed I'm not sure you were watching the same game I was
We lost. Fans aren't happy. If they weren't upset they wouldn't be fans. People who love the team and want to see it do good get upset. Stop trying to act like those fans are wrong or dick heads for being passionate about losses... I could see all 12 people at the UVA spring game having your attitude. Maybe you should be a Cav fan and make it 13 at the spring game? UVA needs YOU!
if this was supposed to be a reply to me... I never said they were DHs for being passionate, in fact I never called them DHs at all, I said they were wrong for completely flying off the handle and insulting other HOKIE FANS for having a different opinion than they do.. with your smug attitude that you are a better fan than others maybe YOU should be a CAV fan
I came from a time when you didn't get a trophy for just competing. (Don't wanna hurt the kids feelings do ya?). It's been instilled in me that if you wanna be rewarded DON'T FAIL! A lot of you pompous ass fans sitting around with their noses stuck in the air when things don't go right and wanna pick and chose how people vent frustration. Because I believe in the power of negative criticism when it's warranted and, I dish it out. Being politically correct is for politicians and Liars who don't say what NEEDS to be said. I've trained dozens of people to do what it takes to get a job done and I've taught in class rooms full of men who had my respect yet also took feedback to the chin when they we're slacking off. The anger and humiliation of failure are the best tools to teach someone a lesson they will never forget.... But here's your trophy little boy, thanks for showing up... now run along MEN have a job to do.
none of that goes to what I complained about, .. my complaint was Hokie fan A calling Hokie fan B names because Hokie fan B has a difference of opinion about the football team. Not sure what a trophy, politicians, or kids feelings have to do with that
Cc: @pftcommenter
The dumb, no-talent issues/penalties. Guys lining up wrong, not hustling to their spot and missing a block, substitution penalties, offsides, etc.
Nepotism isn't allowed in my line of work because it breeds atmospheres of favoritism and in turn morale goes down the toilet. I was not a fan of the hire when it happened and not only is it wrong but it might be illegal.
Excuses for the offensive line. Either we block or admit we are limited in our offensive playbook and throw those plays out of it. We continue to try to run up the middle when the interior of the middle is coming back into the backfield as they lose ground. Time to change personnel and positions.
The communication problem of which the most obvious symptom is the substitution fouls.
100% agree. This needs to be fixed first.
Folks have said offensive line. I've noticed that the pass protection for Brewer hasn't been that bad.
So I'll be a bit more specific and say run blocking like Jason in Arlington said.
Somebody's out of whack here! No more questions! No more calls! Everything has to be screened from now on! Only happy thoughts, people!
I said pass protection hasn't been bad! That's happy! Right?
A game with 0 penalties.
This is tough question. I would say "fix the run game," but I'm not sure what that entails. I'm not thrilled with the run/pass ratio but I don't know if we are throwing out of necessity because the run game isn't producing or if the run game isn't producing because we don't commit to it. If it's the latter, it's on the coaches. If it's the former, I don't know enough to say what specifically needs to change. Sometimes it seems like the O-line is creating holes and the backs are missing them and other times it seems like the holes just aren't there. I don't know if the line problems stem from a lack of elite talent, poor technique, or poor scheme. It seems like something different breaks down every play. I just don't know. But my extremely convoluted answer is: Fix the run game.
I would add the fire breathing Foster on the scoreboard. In all honesty though this seems like the post Vick slump of the early 2000s where we started out good and then lost four or so games each year. We'll get there....I just hope I don't have a heart attack first.
"You can fix one thing about this team.
And one thing only, to help through the rest of the season. Snap your fingers and it's done, one thing....
What is it?"
To me, the most important thing that needs to be fixed is the O-line. In my opinion it has been our Achilles heel for years now.
Agree and disagree
Yes, the OL has been and continues to be our Achilles Heel. That said, it doesn't matter how good the OL plays if you keep making the stupid mindless mistakes all over the field we're making right now. Absolutely no excuse for the illegal substitution penalties we're plagued with right now. We will consistently beat ourselves like we did the last 2 games if we keep doing that.
My response to this is that if you fix the OL, a lot of the other issues magically disappear. Brewer has played pretty well on the whole, but he's made some critical mistakes when he has tried to do too much. Sound familiar? Imagine how much better LT3 would have been had he not felt compelled to do almost everything himself. I'm worried because we're headed in the same direction with Brewer. Fact is, we simply don't have the ability to enforce our will when we need to, and that is causing a lot of the issues we've seen the last couple weeks (well, really, the last several years, but...).
This debate reminds me of an old saying in aviation: the superior pilot uses his superior judgement to avoid having to demonstrate his superior skill. Over the course of the last 10+ seasons, we've been fortunate to witness some truly amazing athletes play for VT. But I'm afraid that this has led to a systemic problem on the part of the coaching staff, who too often fall back on the "player X will make magic happen and bail us out" mentality. I think this goes all the way back to MV1, and believe the coaches have been searching for that once-in-a-generation player ever since.
If we had a dominant OL, the RBs could just hit the hole and fall forward for 3-4 yards when we need them most. If we had a dominant OL, we wouldn't put the QB in a position to make difficult throws under duress nearly as often. If we had a dominant OL, we could run out the clock with a slim lead late in the game and we wouldn't need the D to come up with quite so many stops.
I'm not letting the other units off the hook, but if I get one magic bullet, I'm using it to create a dominant offensive line to take some pressure off the rest of the team.
Tackling and toughness!
I would say the O Line. More specifically the run blocking. I would love to have one of those big, fat, ugly, angry lines like Wisconsin or Alabama who can push the D Line 2-3 yards back before the running back even gets to the line. Having an above average O Line has a huge influence on the rest of the team. Better O line means
- More yards per carry
- QB doesn't have to throw 40+ time per game (fewer interceptions)
- Makes a defense stack the box which opens the passing game
- Keeps our defense off the field
I think we have the backs to do this so I think its more of an O Line problem than a RB problem.
allmarooneverything.
You're welcome.
The one thing I can fix about this team?
This fan. This fan gets waaay too excited after a big win like in week 2.
Then, this fan gets waaay too bummed when his increased expectations are summarily amputated by two weeks of, what he thinks is, our team playing below its ability.
This fan was well aware of what ECU could do, but still expected to beat them.
This fan has seen the bees run their offense for many years, but still expected to win.
This fan continually forgets to put on his VT headband when we're not playing well.
If I could fix one thing about this team, it's what this fan thinks of it.
This fan is living in the world he wants, not the world as it is.
Screw the thoughts, just wear the headband.
It finally dawned on me what we are missing this year and what we need to fix.
We need our #beachflow back.
If we could have an All-American o-line, that would be the most beneficial fix. However, it confuses me why the easy fixes are ignored, like illegal substitution penalties, bad playcalls, and a running back rotation that can only be described in one word: "mismanagement".
You know, the answer to this question is obvious.
More Fullers.