(10-05-2014 05:49 PM)olddawg Wrote:  Coaches sometimes get too wrapped with physical attributes. I call it the "Jeff George Syndrome" (how else could one explain George getting so many chances?) What good is a speedier guy that doesn't produce as well as the plodder. I want results and could care less about style points. Give me a slow Deane Cheatham over a pedigreed Sean Tapley type any day. I want my starters to be whoever gives me the best chance to win and be reliable to boot.

Speaking of Tapley: during the first 3 games every other pass went his way. I wasn't overly impressed and haven't seen him around much lately. Did the coaches finally open their eyes? I'm not saying he was terrible only that he sure wasn't deserving of being the primary target.

(10-05-2014 08:08 PM)jmufan2008 Wrote:  Abdullah is the first RB I've seen since maybe Landers (even though he was a QB) that actually tries to break tackles.

You don't think DQ Scott broke tackles?

(10-05-2014 09:55 PM)DooX Wrote:  

(10-05-2014 08:08 PM)jmufan2008 Wrote:  Abdullah is the first RB I've seen since maybe Landers (even though he was a QB) that actually tries to break tackles.

You don't think DQ Scott broke tackles?

True, I definitely should not have grouped DQ with the rest. He did break some tackles and was better at hitting holes than Abdullah, but I still think Abdullah is second to only Landers in the past several years in breaking tackles. I have no proof to back up that statement, but just from watching KA he shows something that I haven't seen much of at JMU.

1. @ UMD: 1st UMD possession 7-0 UMD (go on to 45-0).
2. @ Lehigh: 1st LU possession 7-0 LU
3. vs StFU: 1 StFU possession JMU gets pick 6, but StFU goes up 15-7 after 1st qtr.
4. @ VU: 1st VU possession 7-0 VU
5. vs UD: 1st UD offensive play: 7-0 UD
6. @ UA: 2nd UA possession 7-0 UA.

JMU has been outscored in the 1st qtr 66-30.

(10-06-2014 09:54 PM)BDKJMU Wrote:  1. @ UMD: 1st UMD possession 7-0 UMD (go on to 45-0).
2. @ Lehigh: 1st LU possession 7-0 LU
3. vs StFU: 1 StFU possession JMU gets pick 6, but StFU goes up 15-7 after 1st qtr.
4. @ VU: 1st VU possession 7-0 VU
5. vs UD: 1st UD offensive play: 7-0 UD
6. @ UA: 2nd UA possession 7-0 UA.

JMU has been outscored in the 1st qtr 66-30.

I don't believe this to be good.

Being serious for a moment, its those first couple of possessions where I notice our outside guys over-committing. It seems as if they settle down and play their position as the game progresses.

Not calling you out specifically, BleedingPurple, but I feel like I need to point something out. When our team does poorly, everyone piles on Withers. WHAT A TERRIBLE COACH.

JMU has been outscored in the 1st qtr 66-30, and yet we're 3-3 on the year. Credit to Withers for making adjustments? No. 'Our guys settle down and play their position as the game progresses.'

Seems like an odd double standard.

(10-07-2014 04:48 PM)bjk3047 Wrote:  Not calling you out specifically, BleedingPurple, but I feel like I need to point something out. When our team does poorly, everyone piles on Withers. WHAT A TERRIBLE COACH.

JMU has been outscored in the 1st qtr 66-30, and yet we're 3-3 on the year. Credit to Withers for making adjustments? No. 'Our guys settle down and play their position as the game progresses.'

Seems like an odd double standard.

I don't thing that I've called him a bad, or a terrible coach. I've been trying to give him a little room but I have said something like its getting tough to still believe. Frankly, my thoughts have gone in circles. I am sick of the slow starts, both offensive and defensive.

Adjustments have been made as games have progressed. So yes there is some credit due him. In addition, and I don't know the stats (BDK can help us out on this) but turnover ratio seems to be a positive as well. Though, I've seen VL throw into a lot of heavy coverage and had some luck with incomplete passes which should have been picked.

I actually like going for it on forth down as much as he does. I don't want predictability as I have seen enough of that the past five years. I like onside kicks in the middle of a game, fake punts and such. But why do we have to start out behind in every single game. I mean we look terrible in the beginning every week. Its like the coaches don't know much about the competition prior to KO.

Update: One more thing, we cannot tackle. Instead, we just throw our body at the runner. So many of our guys do this that its almost as if its the way they are being taught.

Yeah I agree with most of what you said, and again, it's not really you necessarily. There's way worse vitriol spewed on the In-Game threads about Withers. More of a global point.

And totally with you on 4th down. I'd like to think he's using the pretty well established statistics that say it's advantageous a majority of the time, but part of me wonders if he just considers himself a 'gunslinger.'

(10-07-2014 07:11 PM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  

(10-07-2014 04:48 PM)bjk3047 Wrote:  Not calling you out specifically, BleedingPurple, but I feel like I need to point something out. When our team does poorly, everyone piles on Withers. WHAT A TERRIBLE COACH.

JMU has been outscored in the 1st qtr 66-30, and yet we're 3-3 on the year. Credit to Withers for making adjustments? No. 'Our guys settle down and play their position as the game progresses.'

Seems like an odd double standard.

I don't thing that I've called him a bad, or a terrible coach. I've been trying to give him a little room but I have said something like its getting tough to still believe. Frankly, my thoughts have gone in circles. I am sick of the slow starts, both offensive and defensive.

Adjustments have been made as games have progressed. So yes there is some credit due him. In addition, and I don't know the stats (BDK can help us out on this) but turnover ratio seems to be a positive as well. Though, I've seen VL throw into a lot of heavy coverage and had some luck with incomplete passes which should have been picked.

I actually like going for it on forth down as much as he does. I don't want predictability as I have seen enough of that the past five years. I like onside kicks in the middle of a game, fake punts and such. But why do we have to start out behind in every single game. I mean we look terrible in the beginning every week. Its like the coaches don't know much about the competition prior to KO.

Update: One more thing, we cannot tackle. Instead, we just throw our body at the runner. So many of our guys do this that its almost as if its the way they are being taught.

Wondered about this as well. Always thought that a diving cut tackle was the last resort, not a first option technique.

(10-07-2014 09:58 PM)olddawg Wrote:  

(10-07-2014 07:11 PM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  

(10-07-2014 04:48 PM)bjk3047 Wrote:  Not calling you out specifically, BleedingPurple, but I feel like I need to point something out. When our team does poorly, everyone piles on Withers. WHAT A TERRIBLE COACH.

JMU has been outscored in the 1st qtr 66-30, and yet we're 3-3 on the year. Credit to Withers for making adjustments? No. 'Our guys settle down and play their position as the game progresses.'

Seems like an odd double standard.

I don't thing that I've called him a bad, or a terrible coach. I've been trying to give him a little room but I have said something like its getting tough to still believe. Frankly, my thoughts have gone in circles. I am sick of the slow starts, both offensive and defensive.

Adjustments have been made as games have progressed. So yes there is some credit due him. In addition, and I don't know the stats (BDK can help us out on this) but turnover ratio seems to be a positive as well. Though, I've seen VL throw into a lot of heavy coverage and had some luck with incomplete passes which should have been picked.

I actually like going for it on forth down as much as he does. I don't want predictability as I have seen enough of that the past five years. I like onside kicks in the middle of a game, fake punts and such. But why do we have to start out behind in every single game. I mean we look terrible in the beginning every week. Its like the coaches don't know much about the competition prior to KO.

Update: One more thing, we cannot tackle. Instead, we just throw our body at the runner. So many of our guys do this that its almost as if its the way they are being taught.

Wondered about this as well. Always thought that a diving cut tackle was the last resort, not a first option technique.

I have absolutely no backing for this whatsoever, but is it possible that in the new age of concussions, coaches are teaching defenders to go with cut tackles unless they are absolutely certain they can line up shoulder to chest?

shoulder to chest isnt even the best method of tackling. Look at one of the best defensive teams in the NFL - the seahawks. They utilize the rugby tackle, which is far more effective and puts yourself less at risk for injury. Apparently the Seahawks were not flagged for a helmet penalty last season

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/201...nal-video/

(10-08-2014 07:11 AM)Centdukesfan Wrote:  shoulder to chest isnt even the best method of tackling. Look at one of the best defensive teams in the NFL - the seahawks. They utilize the rugby tackle, which is far more effective and puts yourself less at risk for injury. Apparently the Seahawks were not flagged for a helmet penalty last season

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/201...nal-video/

Really nice watch. Jay Gruden needs to ask Pete for a few copies of that and give them out to his team.