|
|
Post by marchingband1969 on Sept 18, 2016 6:50:03 GMT -5
Okay, the road shows are over and it's now time to get down to the serious business of winning the MEAC Championship. And for all of you die-hards that are still agonizing over the Tulsa game, just be thankful that it's over, we got our check and have two weeks to heal and prepare for Hampton. So my question is, based on the first three games, how would you rate our defense, offense and special team?
|
|
|
|
Post by DOOMS on Sept 18, 2016 7:02:18 GMT -5
I dunno.
Offensively our depth is better than it's been in maybe forever. I'm still not sold on the o, though. Pummeling St. Aug told us nothing, not to mention yardage-wise we didn't do anything impressive considering the comp. The yardage gained against a respectable Kent State defense is encouraging until you remember that yardage was gained with 4 overtimes as well. Tulsa skews it in the other direction, so we don't know from that either.
Defense played against a deplorable St Aug, a terrible Kent State, and a dominating Tulsa. Can't really rate based on them either.
On special teams, the return game is aight, punt blocking is horrible and has to be fixed, kicking game is great.
I think the Hampton game will tell us more about where we stand in all three phases than the past three games combined can.
|
|
|
|
Post by TOPPDOGG on Sept 18, 2016 7:45:10 GMT -5
The story of this year's team is exactly the same as every other A&T team since Alan Hooker was throwing passes in blue and gold. Strong defense and a strong running game (Cohen alone). Everything else is a work in progress. Our special teams are competent for the most part. I think yesterday was an anomaly. I've already booked my rooms for Atlanta. I'm choosing to believe that Cohen and the defense will be enough to get us back to the bowl.
|
|
|
|
Post by aggierattler on Sept 18, 2016 8:33:27 GMT -5
Great positioning for the Bye week, that's for sure!
|
|
Maxell
Official BDF member
Director of BDF Marketing
Posts: 12,740
|
Post by Maxell on Sept 18, 2016 8:44:10 GMT -5
Passing game is much better because of the receivers. We have a pretty good corps of receivers including the TE. I like the fact that Bell will be pushing Keyes for targets.
Pass Defense. The difference in the Tulsa game was their QB's ability to pitch and catch on those long throws to the flat and their receivers' ability to break the first tackle. As Broadway said we were "outcoached and outplayed" on that single aspect of the game. There is no QB/receiver combo in the MEAC that can do what Tulsa did. We blew a couple of coverages but that can be fixed.
I would move Fairley up one on the depth chart. He's bigger and stronger that Williams. When they get healthy, Cohen and Cartwright will have a great year.
We will be very tough to run on. That will take us through the MEAC. Our biggest challenge will be NCCU.
Raynard was a little better, but he still handles pressure poorly IMO. Bamiro just made a couple of bad decisions, he can be coached up on that. We'll use both of them this year. Hicklin showed no fear.
|
|
|
|
Post by durhamgsoaggie on Sept 18, 2016 8:56:52 GMT -5
Guys, I guess I'm more of an optimist... and probably more bullish on Tulsa than I should have been. At the same time, I can't discount the Kent St win at all. At worst they represent an upper-tier FCS squad (they did beat Monmouth soundly). But to MB69's question:
Defense:
Run game - Very good. Allowing only 2.0 ypc against Kent and 3.5 ypc against Tulsa.... not like the 4.9 ypc we allowed against UNC last year. Julian McKnight is a difference maker inside
Passing game - Good. The Tulsa game exposed a difference in talent at the skill positions between FBS and most FCS schools. I think most of us know that our MEAC conference brethren don't approach that level of talent. The Tulsa game (on top of the UNC and Kent games) was great experience for our secondary. Our LBs cover better than any other group in the MEAC. Our pass rush gets pressure... but we need to close out in MEAC play.
Offense:
Run game - Very good. Tarik should be fine. I think we found a new weapon yesterday with Fairley. Cartwright had best get right soon unless he wants to lose his spot. Williams... still not a game changer between the tackles and looked concussed coming off the field yesterday. The biggest key to the run game, though... the QB factor. The most important thing I saw yesterday was Raynard taking the QB draw for the last TD and taking a good pop at the end. If Raynard is decisive and takes the yards that are there instead of sacks... there's not much our offense can't do.
Passing game - Good. Denzel Keyes' receiving style lends itself to being doubled easily. A reliable 2nd WR has to emerge. Our leading receiver heading into the Hampton game is... Elijah Bell, who has 142 yards and a nice TD from Raynard in the Tulsa game (similar to the first TD of the scrimmage season). Bell also came up big in the Kent St. game. The other piece... TE Leroy Hill has 8 catches for 66 yards and 2 TDs throungh 3 games. Having big targets (6'4", 6'2", 6'3") is good for any passing game. Combine that with Tarik's usage out of of the backfield... and our offense is a much different animal that in the last 3 years... regardless of the 3 QBs.
Special teams - Good/Very good. Gardin is a big plus in the return game. Tulsa took advantage of talent and a weakness in punt blocking that is correctable. Tulsa's scholarship talent also showed up against our punt coverage. We'll be better for that.
The pessimistic side of us says that we have to worry about getting other MEAC teams' best shots. Now that we're more mature, it's more optimistic. I think other MEAC teams have to really worry about getting OUR best shot at them, week in and week out. For the first in the Broadway era, we have the potential to put knockout punches on MEAC squads in the 1st half in all 3 phases. And because of the passing game improvements, we have the ability to come back from deficits.
|
|
|
|
Post by thefriscotxaggie on Sept 18, 2016 9:01:04 GMT -5
One huge postive that I saw at the game was Farley all of us at the game were scratching our head as to why he is so far down on depth chart....I saw Cohen getting on the bus he said he was ok I think it was more of a twisted ankle than a sprang he was not favoring it at all.
|
|
Maxell
Official BDF member
Director of BDF Marketing
Posts: 12,740
|
Post by Maxell on Sept 18, 2016 9:03:53 GMT -5
And because of the passing game improvements, we have the ability to come back from deficits. What deficits? Just kidding. Great point. |
|
|
|
Post by bigpeete1 on Sept 18, 2016 9:36:23 GMT -5
Anyone has the injury updates
|
|
|
|
Post by thefriscotxaggie on Sept 18, 2016 10:02:45 GMT -5
One of the def backs had a shoulder injury and was in a sling I think his shoulder popped out . A side from that in other injuries were minor
|
|
saabman
Official BDF member
Posts: 12,744
|
Post by saabman on Sept 18, 2016 11:37:45 GMT -5
I have always pushed for more looks to the TE. I was on the sideline at the game (on the Tulsa side with some recruits )and I overheard the DC tell his guys they need to watch the TE in the middle of the field..lol But we went away from Hill because if you look at it Hill was open a lot but we either would throw over him deep or away from him and when we did throw to him out was to the out side of the field away from that middle space that was their all day. The QB's have to see that TE middle seem to the TE. Also I know that Carter is out for the season but, I really think that Carter would have made a big difference in that game if he was able to play. I'm still up in the air on the QB's right now but the use of the TE more in the offence is looking a little better so I'm cool with them but they can not try to force keys the ball and they must learn to take what the D is giving them by finding other open receivers. And all passes do not have to be deep ones learn to set them up!!
|
|
|
|
Post by durhamgsoaggie on Sept 18, 2016 12:31:40 GMT -5
|
|
