Kyron Drones as a potential option (not in portal)

[mirvin88]

I was gonna give you a laughing emoji brother. You been reading these people's comments throughout the season? A good chunk of them complained about Cam. You really think they don't expect those results no matter who we got at QB?

***** crazy. Cam was our season. I don’t know if any team has a QB going into next year I’d anticipate seeing similar results. We just need a Riley Leonard type. Most importantly, fix the defense. Dawson will put up points with a solid QB behind our line with our skill players.

Maybe even better team results. Solid defense and clock controlling offense. Need to make sure we keep the big play ability on offense though, at least to some degree.

 

[Brooklyndee]

DTrain is becoming a very common topic - you bringing him up confirms what so many others have said. I don't take Mario as the type to tolerate that type of behavior, so the situation continues to baffle me.

Why does it baffle you when he's essentially already been demoted and you've read about the person replacing him? Does that mean he's fired, nah. But he doesn't have the same responsibility even on paper any longer.

 

[SSCanes]

Yes and no.

Just comes down to what your expectations are for the offense. If you understand NO ONE in the portal at least up to this point would have allowed us to run an offense even similar to what we ran this season. Then nah. No reason for concern. As of now, MY GUESS would be we focus more on a pro set style offense where it's more run oriented, focus on TE in the passing game, underneath fast developing routes for the wrs with the occasional shots downfield. Similar to the offense Oregon ran under Anthony Brown or Tyler Shough. Slightly more up paced but that would be my guess. So again it comes down to expectations. Is winning what's important to y'all? Or is it YALL need to be entertained by slinging the ball all around the field? What's more important? How we look in the offense OR winning games?
Seeing the way we're trying to build the defense and seeing what we've prioritized so far on offense I think I understand the vision and all I care about is winning. Would I rather see us explosive on offense? Of course I would. But not at the expense of the defense and winning. I know we're still kicking the tires in several different spots and we still have a few more players were expecting to see move on in spring. Me, I trust Mario fully. Only thing he did that ****ed me off this season is him allowing Guidry to run that defense until the wheels fell off. I understand the issues Guidry got stuck with. My issue with him was how stubborn he was with his refusal to substitute youth in for these players who clearly were weaknesses & then not adapting how he approached games in the first half.

Very good. I understand that another year like we just had offensively, isn’t happening again. While I love the ball being slung around, I’ll take a win anytime.

 

[RozayCane]

I’ve been saying go with Luke unless you feel the portal option can take you to the ACC championship.

I believe Drones can do that for us.. especially if he plays like he did against us.

 

[Hurracanes]

I'm not disagreeing with end results in either of those rooms. However to say incompetence makes me think we made no efforts to improve in those areas. That just isn't accurate. We can't force people to stick to their commitments. In this day and age of recruiting as you know kids have a lot of options. It makes it tricky to close the deal in certain instances when you've spent the majority of the season on two or three kids knowing the entire country is trying to get those same two or three kids and no matter what they've been telling you throughout the season other teams are also going to adapt how they approach those kids. Just think, whether it's Julian sayin, whether it's Dylan rayola, whether it's rashada, whether it's air noland, Dontae Moore or numerous other kids, we've put tons of resources into bringing in high end quarterbacks. Results being all that matters, we didn't sign any of those quarterbacks clearly. But to say incompetence tells me we're not shooting our shots. On the defensive side of the ball we all know all the crazy **** that's went on to keep us away from several different players on that side.

The one person I'd agree incompetence would be an accurate word, would be Dennis Smith and his affinity to sabotage himself and us through his actions.

I completely agree with you, we’ve taken our shot with plenty of different prospects. My criticism of the staff’s incompetence over the past few years is purely based on results, or, more accurately, the lack thereof. There have been far too many misses for my liking, and now we’re heading into year four without a reliable QB.

I was hopeful, even excited, to see Emory play in the bowl game, but after witnessing that second half, I’m absolutely shocked. I’m sure you understand when I say that people who’ve seen him in practice are at a complete loss for words.

The struggles on the defensive side are an entirely separate issue, and Mario absolutely needs to hit a home run with the next DC. Before the bowl game, this was more important topic to me than the QB position.

If Mario is going to go more pro set then I don’t know what to tell you. I could understand being more balanced and running the ball more but not a fan of the idea of not spreading the ball. Especially with our basic up the middle run scheme. He absolutely better fix the defense if this is the case.

As for Dennis, there’s no sense in beating a dead horse. Unfortunately for us, that cat has 9 lives with Mario.

 

[77cane]

The issue with riding with Nickel is that Year 5 becomes feast or fired for Mario. You’re not winning the ACC with a true freshman QB. You’re probably looking at tops 7-5 or 8-4 honestly with this schedule, and in Year 4…that’s not ideal.

Which means 2026 becomes even more important than 2024. You have to make a conference championship in half a decade, there’s just no excuse possible to keep floundering in that scenario. So if you ride with him in 2025, you better make sure Nickel is THE GUY, or else we’ll have a new coach in 2027.

Even though Drones is an injury waiting to happen + the passing aspect of his game is highly questionable, he gives you a better chance at 9-10 wins than Nickel.

He’s not remotely enticing to me and I’m not quite sure he’ll attract top WR talent, but the alternative is scary. At least the read option element is there with a top 10 OL in the country. It should be enough to keep you competitive in most games.

I don't know why the narrative of " the next 2 years will determine Marios's future" continues to be pushed. Unless you find 24 million laying around somewhere, it's not happening.

 

[WeBallinBoyz]

I don't know why the narrative of " the next 2 years will determine Marios's future" continues to be pushed. Unless you find 24 million laying around somewhere, it's not happening.

Why would it not happen IF the above scenario (which I would still label unlikely considering how bad this conference is) occurs?

 

[Squid Bumciorek]

As for Dennis, there’s no sense in beating a dead horse. Unfortunately for us, that cat has 9 lives with Mario.

He has boudoir photos of Mario modeling male sports bras ( aka the "Manzierre” or the “Bro”)

 

[SCarolina Ibis]

Yes and no.

Just comes down to what your expectations are for the offense. If you understand NO ONE in the portal at least up to this point would have allowed us to run an offense even similar to what we ran this season. Then nah. No reason for concern. As of now, MY GUESS would be we focus more on a pro set style offense where it's more run oriented, focus on TE in the passing game, underneath fast developing routes for the wrs with the occasional shots downfield. Similar to the offense Oregon ran under Anthony Brown or Tyler Shough. Slightly more up paced but that would be my guess. So again it comes down to expectations. Is winning what's important to y'all? Or is it YALL need to be entertained by slinging the ball all around the field? What's more important? How we look in the offense OR winning games?
Seeing the way we're trying to build the defense and seeing what we've prioritized so far on offense I think I understand the vision and all I care about is winning. Would I rather see us explosive on offense? Of course I would. But not at the expense of the defense and winning. I know we're still kicking the tires in several different spots and we still have a few more players were expecting to see move on in spring. Me, I trust Mario fully. Only thing he did that ****ed me off this season is him allowing Guidry to run that defense until the wheels fell off. I understand the issues Guidry got stuck with. My issue with him was how stubborn he was with his refusal to substitute youth in for these players who clearly were weaknesses & then not adapting how he approached games in the first half.

"Would I rather see us explosive on offense? Of course I would. But not at the expense of the defense and winning."

I knew a coach who swore that his high powered offense caused the death of his defense. He had made a career out of running from the I and playing lights out D. Eventually, he was forced to make the move to the spread. When he did, his D was the worst of his career and it got him fired. He was convinced that the change in offensive philosophy put his D on the field too often.

Anyway, that always stuck with me and I wondered if Mario might've thought the same thing. Because if we're being honest here, pro at Mario's core. He knows it well.

Against Iowa State, we allowed 28 in the first half with Cam. With Emory, our first two drives in the second half took 13:41 off the clock and our D only allowed 14 points.

Watching it, I wondered if he blames the change in offense (going to air raid) at least in part for causing some of the issues on D.

To be clear to anyone else who'll read this, I'm not a fan of Emory or going to pro. I'm just asking for your opinion here and what you think Mario's take on it is.

 

[flips]

Are you assuming you know the conversations that were had between each of those people? You think they had the same recruitments, the same demands, the same expectations, the same dollar figures to bring them in? This is the problem. Y'all assume apples are apples & it's just that simple. Reality is they're not. If you think we prioritized either judd or poff or Emory coming out of highschool or in poffs case the portal, than you're just into blind assumptions and you should tighten up. Cause none of that is accurate.

Respectfully, I'm not assuming any of that.

I don't think the decision to wait until November '23 to offer Bailey was competent, especially since we offered Judd before Bailey committed to NC State. Similarly we took Poff's commitment 7 days after Maiava entered the portal. I'm on shakier ground on that one as I will grant Maiava cost a lot more than Poff.

I can forgive them for Jacurri in the transition class and not being able to replace Rashada - IIRC they tried to replace him but were unsuccessful. It's hard to continue to be charitable though when, after we took 2 guys the first two years who were unlikely to ever be ACC starting QBs, we then offered Judd early and took his commitment and didn't offer Bailey until 8 months later, long after he committed to NC St. I get that they tried and weren't able to get a blue-chip QB that year, but prioritizing Judd over Bailey, then circling back to Bailey months later doesn't scream competence.

Nickel and Coleman give me a ton of confidence that they have righted the ship at QB recruiting, but our QB room is in the bad spot it's in because we didn't bring in viable QB with more than 1 year of eligibility until this signing class. First two classes I can forgive, the third HS class and the portal class after that I can't.

 

[PIPO]

I told y'all either Drones or Mendoza with Mendoza being primary option. Mendoza's a sensitive dude though so there's that.

Sensitive how? He likes to cuddle?

 

[Brooklyndee]

Respectfully, I'm not assuming any of that.

I don't think the decision to wait until November '23 to offer Bailey was competent, especially since we offered Judd before Bailey committed to NC State. Similarly we took Poff's commitment 7 days after Maiava entered the portal. I'm on shakier ground on that one as I will grant Maiava cost a lot more than Poff.

I can forgive them for Jacurri in the transition class and not being able to replace Rashada - IIRC they tried to replace him but were unsuccessful. It's hard to continue to be charitable though when, after we took 2 guys the first two years who were unlikely to ever be ACC starting QBs, we then offered Judd early and took his commitment and didn't offer Bailey until 8 months later, long after he committed to NC St. I get that they tried and weren't able to get a blue-chip QB that year, but prioritizing Judd over Bailey, then circling back to Bailey months later doesn't scream competence.

Nickel and Coleman give me a ton of confidence that they have righted the ship at QB recruiting, but our QB room is in the bad spot it's in because we didn't bring in viable QB with more than 1 year of eligibility until this signing class. First two classes I can forgive, the third HS class and the portal class after that I can't.

Well without getting too deep into other people's affairs I'll simply say judd had very minimal nil compensation & zero demands about playing possibilities. He wasn't deceived or dillusional in that regard because we don't decide e kids and he knows he's a long term project. Bailey on the other hand received significantly more nil compensation and also had demands towards the ABILITY to play as a true freshman. He demanded that he gets the ability to compete for playing time and worst case to be our back up. So when I say you're making assumptions I will reiterate that again. If playing fields aren't even you can't make the assumption of what we did and how we prioritized something if it isn't even. In Bailey's case we had already decided we would have a starting QB who can out of the portal. So should we have simply lied to him OR gaurenteed him the back up role fight from jump when he's only a developmental QB himself? You guys think if we get CJ we also get Jeremiah and that's nonsense. Wasn't even a factor. Not that it matters as it's all hindsight now, but in all those months you were speaking on we were in talks with 3 different 5 star QBs and two of them we were feeling good about. One ended up sticking with his commitment and then immediately transferring once his coach quit & the other we backed out on over concerns we had off the field.

Far as poff and the rest, we prioritized Cam obviously and never backed off of that for various reasons. We had Dontae Moore and Malachi Nelson as long term options but they cost more than we were comfortable with for a back up considering what we were keeping available for cam. Not even going into the **** show that was Rashada. If y'all really see this as being were incompetent than just stick with that. Cause at few points does reality factor in on here regardless.

 

[flips]

Well without getting too deep into other people's affairs I'll simply say judd had very minimal nil compensation & zero demands about playing possibilities. He wasn't deceived or dillusional in that regard because we don't decide e kids and he knows he's a long term project. Bailey on the other hand received significantly more nil compensation and also had demands towards the ABILITY to play as a true freshman. He demanded that he gets the ability to compete for playing time and worst case to be our back up. So when I say you're making assumptions I will reiterate that again. If playing fields aren't even you can't make the assumption of what we did and how we prioritized something if it isn't even. In Bailey's case we had already decided we would have a starting QB who can out of the portal. So should we have simply lied to him OR gaurenteed him the back up role fight from jump when he's only a developmental QB himself? You guys think if we get CJ we also get Jeremiah and that's nonsense. Wasn't even a factor. Not that it matters as it's all hindsight now, but in all those months you were speaking on we were in talks with 3 different 5 star QBs and two of them we were feeling good about. One ended up sticking with his commitment and then immediately transferring once his coach quit & the other we backed out on over concerns we had off the field.

Far as poff and the rest, we prioritized Cam obviously and never backed off of that for various reasons. We had Dontae Moore and Malachi Nelson as long term options but they cost more than we were comfortable with for a back up considering what we were keeping available for cam. Not even going into the **** show that was Rashada. If y'all really see this as being were incompetent than just stick with that. Cause at few points does reality factor in on here regardless.

Not me; you're assuming I'm making assumptions that I'm not.

I used Bailey because he wasn't a blue chip QB just as Judd wasn't, and it was odd that we'd take Judd's commitment in the Spring, then we'd offer CJ 7 months later. I appreciate you providing info and context that isn't available to the regular fan. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I will now actually assume that we circled back to CJ in November because those 2 5-star QBs we felt good about didn't work out. Thems the breaks, and that's a competent decision. Shoot your shot with more talented guys who likely have significant NIL and playing time demands, then try to poach a less talented fallback in Bailey from NC St who also had significant NIL and playing time demands.

Like I said before, I'm happy that we signed a very promising QB this year and have another committed for the coming year. Also, I'm still optimistic we'll figure something out at QB in the portal this year. I'm dissapointed that it took until this signing class to bring a QB into the program who everyone agrees will be a starter here (outside of Cam). I haven't had any inside insight into the program for decades, nor do I want any now, but if you're telling me that our failures in stocking the QB room with guys who could actually start here aren't because of incompetence I'll take you at your word. Nice chatting.

 

[Brooklyndee]

I completely agree with you, we’ve taken our shot with plenty of different prospects. My criticism of the staff’s incompetence over the past few years is purely based on results, or, more accurately, the lack thereof. There have been far too many misses for my liking, and now we’re heading into year four without a reliable QB.

I was hopeful, even excited, to see Emory play in the bowl game, but after witnessing that second half, I’m absolutely shocked. I’m sure you understand when I say that people who’ve seen him in practice are at a complete loss for words.

The struggles on the defensive side are an entirely separate issue, and Mario absolutely needs to hit a home run with the next DC. Before the bowl game, this was more important topic to me than the QB position.

If Mario is going to go more pro set then I don’t know what to tell you. I could understand being more balanced and running the ball more but not a fan of the idea of not spreading the ball. Especially with our basic up the middle run scheme. He absolutely better fix the defense if this is the case.

As for Dennis, there’s no sense in beating a dead horse. Unfortunately for us, that cat has 9 lives with Mario.

No arguments in any of that for me.

Honestly Emory really baffles me. I've seen him in practice and thought to myself okay I see what we're thinking. I see a lot of Kenny in him. But after seeing that bowl game(while I see the main issue as Dawson's play calling for him)you can't ignore the fact he looked lost. That's concerning for multiple reasons. Not even just are we gonna go into the season with him as a projected starter but even (if that's an accurate depiction of him) as the back up. If that version is him against random defenses. Cause it is a valid question for everyone. Does he look as good as he does in practice because of his comfort level of #1 knowing he's not gonna get hit(I've never thought of him as a kid scared to get hit. But maybe breaking his arm changed him) & #2 facing what we all have to acknowledge as a BAD secondary with basic play calling than maybe he's just got us fooled. Guess we'll have to see. It's important to remember this isn't the only portal window and many more things will change(even though I'd prefer getting a QB comfortable with the offense as soon as possible,)that might not be in the cards

 

[Hurracanes]

No arguments in any of that for me.

Honestly Emory really baffles me. I've seen him in practice and thought to myself okay I see what we're thinking. I see a lot of Kenny in him. But after seeing that bowl game(while I see the main issue as Dawson's play calling for him)you can't ignore the fact he looked lost. That's concerning for multiple reasons. Not even just are we gonna go into the season with him as a projected starter but even (if that's an accurate depiction of him) as the back up. If that version is him against random defenses. Cause it is a valid question for everyone. Does he look as good as he does in practice because of his comfort level of #1 knowing he's not gonna get hit(I've never thought of him as a kid scared to get hit. But maybe breaking his arm changed him) & #2 facing what we all have to acknowledge as a BAD secondary with basic play calling than maybe he's just got us fooled. Guess we'll have to see. It's important to remember this isn't the only portal window and many more things will change(even though I'd prefer getting a QB comfortable with the offense as soon as possible,)that might not be in the cards

You’re not the only Cane nor person at practice to say the same thing about Emory.

 

[CanesSkins26]

You’re not the only Cane nor person at practice to say the same thing about Emory.

Curious what you and others have heard about him in practice? Putting aside some of the mental stuff and looking lost, his physical tools look awful—noodle arm, very slow release, slow as molasses with his movements in the pocket, etc. Wouldn’t that be obvious even in practice?

 

[dycane]

"Would I rather see us explosive on offense? Of course I would. But not at the expense of the defense and winning."

I knew a coach who swore that his high powered offense caused the death of his defense. He had made a career out of running from the I and playing lights out D. Eventually, he was forced to make the move to the spread. When he did, his D was the worst of his career and it got him fired. He was convinced that the change in offensive philosophy put his D on the field too often.

Anyway, that always stuck with me and I wondered if Mario might've thought the same thing. Because if we're being honest here, pro at Mario's core. He knows it well.

Against Iowa State, we allowed 28 in the first half with Cam. With Emory, our first two drives in the second half took 13:41 off the clock and our D only allowed 14 points.

Watching it, I wondered if he blames the change in offense (going to air raid) at least in part for causing some of the issues on D.

To be clear to anyone else who'll read this, I'm not a fan of Emory or going to pro. I'm just asking for your opinion here and what you think Mario's take on it is.

This was my argument against Kendall Briles. Dude either scored in 3 plays or went 3 and out in about 30 seconds. His team’s defense was gassed by halftime, every game

 

[BLIMPTOWN]

This was my argument against Kendall Briles. Dude either scored in 3 plays or went 3 and out in about 30 seconds. His team’s defense was gassed by halftime, every game

Imagine going up against our D at practice speed. ANY Qb would look competent.

 

[flips]

"Would I rather see us explosive on offense? Of course I would. But not at the expense of the defense and winning."

I knew a coach who swore that his high powered offense caused the death of his defense. He had made a career out of running from the I and playing lights out D. Eventually, he was forced to make the move to the spread. When he did, his D was the worst of his career and it got him fired. He was convinced that the change in offensive philosophy put his D on the field too often.

Anyway, that always stuck with me and I wondered if Mario might've thought the same thing. Because if we're being honest here, pro at Mario's core. He knows it well.

Against Iowa State, we allowed 28 in the first half with Cam. With Emory, our first two drives in the second half took 13:41 off the clock and our D only allowed 14 points.

Watching it, I wondered if he blames the change in offense (going to air raid) at least in part for causing some of the issues on D.

To be clear to anyone else who'll read this, I'm not a fan of Emory or going to pro. I'm just asking for your opinion here and what you think Mario's take on it is.

In our case it can't be related to the time our defense spent on the field:

• '22 no-spread: 51.22% TOP (48th)
• '23: 52.85% TOP (23rd)
• '24 54.13% TOP (14th)

We've controlled the ball more each year Mario has been here, and our defense was the worst it's been this year. Our defense this year was really bizarre.

 

[SCarolina Ibis]

In our case it can't be related to the time our defense spent on the field:

• '22 no-spread: 51.22% TOP (48th)
• '23: 52.85% TOP (23rd)
• '24 54.13% TOP (14th)

We've controlled the ball more each year Mario has been here, and our defense was the worst it's been this year. Our defense this year was really bizarre.

I see what you're saying, but those numbers show total time of possession (obviously). But this is gonna come down to how long each possession lasted.

For example, what was the average time of each drive? Did our D perform worse after quick score possessions?

I don't the answers yet, but I'm looking at now though. Its reasonable to assume a well rested D will perform better. But I know its not as simple as that.