- Joined
- Nov 3, 2011
- Messages
- 5,976
Wow.
(I thought about just ending it there, but the nerd in me has to expound, so here goes...)
Defense
In the words of the immortal El Guapo - "what can you say about such men?" Heroes all over the field at every position. This is exactly how this defensive scheme is supposed to work. Yes, we gave up yards in chunks - get used to that - but this is a defense predicated on disruption, deception, and creating turnovers. The U-Toughness displayed by guys like Green, Chick, Perryman, Armbrister, Jenkins, McCord, and countless others was on full display here and can't be understated. Figs will be a superstar in another year, maybe before the end of this season. There's really not much else I can add beyond what's already been said, so I'll just say "bravo" and move on.
Offense
I'm probably in the vast minority here, but I really didn't have much of a problem with what we tried to do offensively (tried being the key word here.) To me, Coley's gameplan screamed "build a quick lead, then sit on it." With how our D was getting after it, I think that overall philosophy was fairly sound. HOWEVER, the manifestation of that philosophy did not fit with our personnel matchups on the field. The kind of running game we tried to establish was ill-suited to Duke's skillset. He's a powerful back, rest assured, but not a "power back" if you get my drift. That's a running plan you trot out when the Gus Bus is a Junior.
The biggest issue I have with the offense right now is one of identity. Last year, when the defense was a total train wreck and the O-Nofrio folks were multiplying like rabbits, at least we could see what type of defense Coach D wanted to run (even though we stunk at running it.) Here, I just don't know yet what we're trying to be on offense. The short answer is "multiple" - yeah, but EVERY offense is "multiple." Oregon is "multiple" - so is Alabama, Florida State, and every offense not wearing a yellow jacket. So what type of "multiple" are we? I just don't know yet. I think we'll find out more in the next 3 games, at least I hope so, otherwise we're looking at a case of the dreaded Pat Nix Syndrome...
Coaching
Man, how cool is Al Golden. Just look at the demeanor on the two sidelines - Florida's and Miami's - and you see an ocean of difference. There's no clenched teeth or mouth-foaming or crazy-eye in Al Golden, just a steady hand that knows when to slap and when to sooth. The man can coach a football team, people. I hope we're all on the same page with that now, regardless of our final record. I hope he gets some time to enjoy this one with his family - but not too much time, 'cause there's still work to be done!
Overall
We beat the gators - spanked them, really - in the last game of this rivalry for a very long time. Revel in that. We have a bye week followed by a cupcake (or 2, if USF's last couple games are any indication) before we start ACC play. There's a very good chance that we roll into Tallahassee undefeated. The last time both teams met undefeated (not counting Labor Day games) - the rain game @ Doak in 2003. I was there and saw Sean Taylor (RIP) put on a show for the ages. Can't wait for this one! Whatever our final record is, this is a gutty, disciplined, tough-***, fun team to watch. Enjoy the ride everybody, the fun's just starting.
Go Canes!
(I thought about just ending it there, but the nerd in me has to expound, so here goes...)
Defense
In the words of the immortal El Guapo - "what can you say about such men?" Heroes all over the field at every position. This is exactly how this defensive scheme is supposed to work. Yes, we gave up yards in chunks - get used to that - but this is a defense predicated on disruption, deception, and creating turnovers. The U-Toughness displayed by guys like Green, Chick, Perryman, Armbrister, Jenkins, McCord, and countless others was on full display here and can't be understated. Figs will be a superstar in another year, maybe before the end of this season. There's really not much else I can add beyond what's already been said, so I'll just say "bravo" and move on.
Offense
I'm probably in the vast minority here, but I really didn't have much of a problem with what we tried to do offensively (tried being the key word here.) To me, Coley's gameplan screamed "build a quick lead, then sit on it." With how our D was getting after it, I think that overall philosophy was fairly sound. HOWEVER, the manifestation of that philosophy did not fit with our personnel matchups on the field. The kind of running game we tried to establish was ill-suited to Duke's skillset. He's a powerful back, rest assured, but not a "power back" if you get my drift. That's a running plan you trot out when the Gus Bus is a Junior.
The biggest issue I have with the offense right now is one of identity. Last year, when the defense was a total train wreck and the O-Nofrio folks were multiplying like rabbits, at least we could see what type of defense Coach D wanted to run (even though we stunk at running it.) Here, I just don't know yet what we're trying to be on offense. The short answer is "multiple" - yeah, but EVERY offense is "multiple." Oregon is "multiple" - so is Alabama, Florida State, and every offense not wearing a yellow jacket. So what type of "multiple" are we? I just don't know yet. I think we'll find out more in the next 3 games, at least I hope so, otherwise we're looking at a case of the dreaded Pat Nix Syndrome...
Coaching
Man, how cool is Al Golden. Just look at the demeanor on the two sidelines - Florida's and Miami's - and you see an ocean of difference. There's no clenched teeth or mouth-foaming or crazy-eye in Al Golden, just a steady hand that knows when to slap and when to sooth. The man can coach a football team, people. I hope we're all on the same page with that now, regardless of our final record. I hope he gets some time to enjoy this one with his family - but not too much time, 'cause there's still work to be done!
Overall
We beat the gators - spanked them, really - in the last game of this rivalry for a very long time. Revel in that. We have a bye week followed by a cupcake (or 2, if USF's last couple games are any indication) before we start ACC play. There's a very good chance that we roll into Tallahassee undefeated. The last time both teams met undefeated (not counting Labor Day games) - the rain game @ Doak in 2003. I was there and saw Sean Taylor (RIP) put on a show for the ages. Can't wait for this one! Whatever our final record is, this is a gutty, disciplined, tough-***, fun team to watch. Enjoy the ride everybody, the fun's just starting.
Go Canes!
