As a long time fan of the program, I feel as though we are on the precipice of turning the corner. I think that AG has done an outstanding job in all aspects of his job outside of winning football games (media relations, delivering the right "message" and recruiting), and I believe we have the talent for him to take that last step and win. Now, I do feel that talent wise, we are undermanned vs. the Gates, but we have enough that AG should be able to put a game plan together that gives us an opportunity to win. That, coupled with the hunger that I hope every player on the team feels to fulfill the expectations of a University and City with a long history of being a dominant program should be enough to propel us to victory. Its time for this team, under this coach to show us on the field all the things we hope that we see in practice.
Although I don't have a great understanding of X's and O's, there are a few "eye ball test" type of things I will be looking for and hope to see that will confirm my excitement for this team, this year and the direction of the program in general.
Offense:
QB - I hope that I see accuracy and good decision making from Morris. He clearly has all the tools, but needs to realize that we don't need the homerun every play. I am looking for him to hit open receivers in stride and not have one of those "what was he thinking!!??!!" moments during the game. That he checks out of bad plays and takes underneath routes. This is a game where we will have a very small margin for error, so I am hoping for no mistakes. That said, I know that with the playmakers we have, he will have the opportunity to make a great throw that can spark some momentum for us. He needs to hit that throw. He needs to be a leader, like KD against FSU before "the Drive", he needs a moment like that in a game like this if he is going to be the player people think.
OL - This team should get good push and give Morris time. They have the talent and depth to dominate, its time to do it. If we are getting 3 - 4 yards per carry and morris has time to take a 5-step drop, I will be satisfied. I know the Gates have a talented DL, but we have a very talented OL, lets show it.
RB - Duke needs to show up, I think he needs to make the big plays we have become accustom to against lesser competition in this game. We will also need solid contributions from either Clements or Crawford. Duke won't be able to carry more than 20, so one of the two will need to step up and provide positive yardage, no need for homeruns, but depth.
WR/TE - Need to catch the ball and get separation. This is taken for granted at top programs. They do the little things. I don't need to see big plays, lets execute what is there.
Defense
DL - I want to see them disrupt things. They don't need to dominate, but they cannot be dominated. They need to make Driskel uncomfortable, they need to stretch out runs and get penetration. I don't know our scheme and if it allows for this (I've heard we have a gap control scheme), but I hope to notice the DL. Even if they don't make tackles, they should be providing the opportunity for plays to be made by our athletic LB's and DB's.
LB - I have two things I look for as a gauge for how our defense is playing. First, are our OLB's (DP, Fig and Arbister) making plays in the backfield and in the flat? Second, our middle LB should be involved in the tackle on most running plays. Again, I don't know how scheme fits in, but I have vivid memories of our great past defenses being dominated by our LB's. Our Mike's leading the team in tackles and our outside backers making big plays in the backfield. We have the talent.
DB's - I hope to see good coverage, guys not running open. Completions should be difficult. We should be making plays on the ball. We have the talent and enough experience to not have blown coverages. We should be in a position to make plays on the ball, especially if the DL is getting some pressure.
Intangibles - I want to see our guys come out fired up. I want to see them play with an edge, to look hungry, to be aggressive. I want to see our team have the ability to take a punch and respond. I want to see them try and deliver a knockout blow. We have real weapons on offense and real talent on defense. We should be in a position to win this game. I want to see our team take the game. Make big 3rd down stops. Get turnovers.
Finally, I want to see leaders emerge. We have pretty good experience at every position of the field. Its time for the guys with the talent and experience to step up and win the game for this team. That means Chick and Porter, Perryman, Rogers, Bush and Howard. That means Morris, Henderson and Linder, Dorsett and Hurns. They need to win this game to reach their potential as Canes. To continue the legacy of teams before them, this is their time, and they need to own it.
Although I don't have a great understanding of X's and O's, there are a few "eye ball test" type of things I will be looking for and hope to see that will confirm my excitement for this team, this year and the direction of the program in general.
Offense:
QB - I hope that I see accuracy and good decision making from Morris. He clearly has all the tools, but needs to realize that we don't need the homerun every play. I am looking for him to hit open receivers in stride and not have one of those "what was he thinking!!??!!" moments during the game. That he checks out of bad plays and takes underneath routes. This is a game where we will have a very small margin for error, so I am hoping for no mistakes. That said, I know that with the playmakers we have, he will have the opportunity to make a great throw that can spark some momentum for us. He needs to hit that throw. He needs to be a leader, like KD against FSU before "the Drive", he needs a moment like that in a game like this if he is going to be the player people think.
OL - This team should get good push and give Morris time. They have the talent and depth to dominate, its time to do it. If we are getting 3 - 4 yards per carry and morris has time to take a 5-step drop, I will be satisfied. I know the Gates have a talented DL, but we have a very talented OL, lets show it.
RB - Duke needs to show up, I think he needs to make the big plays we have become accustom to against lesser competition in this game. We will also need solid contributions from either Clements or Crawford. Duke won't be able to carry more than 20, so one of the two will need to step up and provide positive yardage, no need for homeruns, but depth.
WR/TE - Need to catch the ball and get separation. This is taken for granted at top programs. They do the little things. I don't need to see big plays, lets execute what is there.
Defense
DL - I want to see them disrupt things. They don't need to dominate, but they cannot be dominated. They need to make Driskel uncomfortable, they need to stretch out runs and get penetration. I don't know our scheme and if it allows for this (I've heard we have a gap control scheme), but I hope to notice the DL. Even if they don't make tackles, they should be providing the opportunity for plays to be made by our athletic LB's and DB's.
LB - I have two things I look for as a gauge for how our defense is playing. First, are our OLB's (DP, Fig and Arbister) making plays in the backfield and in the flat? Second, our middle LB should be involved in the tackle on most running plays. Again, I don't know how scheme fits in, but I have vivid memories of our great past defenses being dominated by our LB's. Our Mike's leading the team in tackles and our outside backers making big plays in the backfield. We have the talent.
DB's - I hope to see good coverage, guys not running open. Completions should be difficult. We should be making plays on the ball. We have the talent and enough experience to not have blown coverages. We should be in a position to make plays on the ball, especially if the DL is getting some pressure.
Intangibles - I want to see our guys come out fired up. I want to see them play with an edge, to look hungry, to be aggressive. I want to see our team have the ability to take a punch and respond. I want to see them try and deliver a knockout blow. We have real weapons on offense and real talent on defense. We should be in a position to win this game. I want to see our team take the game. Make big 3rd down stops. Get turnovers.
Finally, I want to see leaders emerge. We have pretty good experience at every position of the field. Its time for the guys with the talent and experience to step up and win the game for this team. That means Chick and Porter, Perryman, Rogers, Bush and Howard. That means Morris, Henderson and Linder, Dorsett and Hurns. They need to win this game to reach their potential as Canes. To continue the legacy of teams before them, this is their time, and they need to own it.
