lavistacoyote
Freshman Member
USD School of Business Class on 1993.
Posts: 15 
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Post by lavistacoyote on Mar 20, 2021 14:09:23 GMT -6
I'm not sure if it was the euphoria of finally getting the best of sdsu at the end of last season or if it was just being overly hopeful after living in a pandemic last season...but damn it, I thought this season would be different. A new, young QB, momentum coming off a great victory, and it seemed like we were checking the right boxes in the off-season. We come out in the first game and it looked like we had some fire again. We lose to a pretty good ND team, but that was ok because we had a home game against a perennial under-achiever in MSU.
I'm not sure what happened last week...I don't know if it was the fact there was no band or no cheerleaders, no HD running players out of the tunnel, and a Dome full of older fans that sat on their hands most of the game. It seemed to bleed over into the team because there was zero fire on the sidelines and after halftime the fans were all sitting on their hands.
I'm not sure what happened in during Covid, but it sure looks like the other teams worked a lot harder than we did. We're getting beat at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Defenses appear to know our offense better than we do. Receivers aren't coming back for the ball as our QB runs for his life. We're missing an awful lot of tackles. And, it looks like we don't care while we're getting handled.
I don't have all the answers...I'm a financially contributing fan, not an expert...but. I'd like to hear some real reasons rather than the same coach-speak we've had the last few seasons. Why are we getting beat at the line of scrimmage? Is it technique, the scheme or physical abilities? Why are we standing around on the sidelines rather than firing up our teammates? Why is our short running game non-existent? What can we change to keep our QB from getting hit on a regular basis? We've heard that we need to play better over...what we need is some effort and urgency behind the words.
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Post by Yote 53 on Mar 20, 2021 14:19:49 GMT -6
I don't want to hear "we just need to play fired up" again. "Fired up" is what the mom's say in the bleachers at the high school games, their answer to everything. No offense, moms. Our flaws are way deeper and way more fundamental.
We're just not tough and not physical at the LOS. It may be soft, weak players, it may be scheme, it may be a practice issue. I don't have the time but I'd love to see one of our practices. Do we get after it or is it standing around in shorts going over technique and plays? I honestly don't know.
So an analogy from the Big Ten. I've heard it described that practices at Iowa are like Bloodsport compared to practices at Nebraska. That shows up on game day. Iowa is physical as F while Nebraska, well, the Huskers have issues on the LOS. Just saying.
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Post by fightsd on Mar 20, 2021 14:55:15 GMT -6
People like to talk about playing "fired up". Or getting your teammates "fired up" on the sidelines. This team is beyond the point of an attitude adjustment making any kind of difference. I've been saying it since the UND game. This team is just not good. There's is a lack of talent and a flawed scheme. It's a bad combination.
I need to go back and look, but somebody was arguing with me after last week's game saying that "no way MSU is better than us, we just gave that game away". I'm going to stick with with my initial reaction and say they are flat out better than we are. There's not a team in the conference that I'd pick us over at this point.
Losing games is one thing, but the way we lose them is just embarrassing. We get physically dominated at every position. I can't name a single player that I would characterize as a tough matchup for somebody. Even the guys that are supposed to be the stars on this team are just average players.
We are going to get throttled next week. Totally outclassed.
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Post by sdyotefan on Mar 20, 2021 14:56:24 GMT -6
We can get turnovers but that's about it and give up a few. No pass blocking and don't know why we play action pass all the time we have no running game. But hey we finally threw a screen pass and it went for 30-35 which I believe was the first of the year so maybe we should try that again! Sorry for the sarcasm but times are tough. I'll give Camp credit--he's always running for his life and makes some very good tough throws!
All we can do is keep working on fundamentals and keep trying to get better! There are no quick fixes! Go Yotes!!!
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Post by GoYotes on Mar 20, 2021 14:58:14 GMT -6
People like to talk about playing "fired up". Or getting your teammates "fired up" on the sidelines. This team is beyond the point of an attitude adjustment making any kind of difference. I've been saying it since the UND game. This team is just not good. There's is a lack of talent and a flawed scheme. It's a bad combination. I need to go back and look, but somebody was arguing with me after last week's game saying that "no way MSU is better than us, we just gave that game away". I'm going to stick with with my initial reaction and say they are flat out better than we are. There's not a team in the conference that I'd pick us over at this point. Losing games is one thing, but the way we lose them is just embarrassing. We get physically dominated at every position. I can't name a single player that I would characterize as a tough matchup for somebody. Even the guys that are supposed to be the stars on this team are just average players. We are going to get throttled next week. Totally outclassed. The only exception would be Brady Schutt. Unfortunately, he is getting a lot of opportunities. |
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Post by Yote 53 on Mar 20, 2021 15:08:00 GMT -6
You must be watching this NDSU v UND game too. We better show up next week or we'll get our bare bottom spanked.
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Post by sportschic on Mar 20, 2021 15:41:04 GMT -6
It’s simple the approach of making the players fit the scheme and execute is not working. The coaches need to identify and create the scheme to fit the players they have.
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Post by easmus on Mar 20, 2021 15:54:47 GMT -6
It’s simple the approach of making the players fit the scheme and execute is not working. The coaches need to identify and create the scheme to fit the players they have. They definitely seem very rigid about their schemes. |
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Post by 88grad on Mar 20, 2021 15:59:12 GMT -6
Realistically if we finish the Spring season with only one win then what? If we were to part ways with the Nielsen and staff would we be shooting ourselves in the foot for the Fall (and more important) season? Yes, recruiting is finished but would there be enough time between now and Sept. to install a new staff and to have them be ready in time? I would really rather we get things turned around and it's a moot point but I'm also a realist. With the exception of Streveler's senior year this has been a losing staff. I'm afraid it might be time to cut bait and move on - just don't know if now is the time or not. Or is there ever a good time?
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Post by Yote 53 on Mar 20, 2021 16:11:49 GMT -6
Need to give them the fall but depending on how that turns out...
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Post by fightsd on Mar 20, 2021 16:17:29 GMT -6
Need to give them the fall but depending on how that turns out... I guess I don't understand why we need to give them the fall. Whether this is a 'real' season or not, the rest of the conference obviously takes it seriously. Why waste another season? |
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Post by leatherneckcountry on Mar 20, 2021 16:36:28 GMT -6
Realistically if we finish the Spring season with only one win then what? If we were to part ways with the Nielsen and staff would we be shooting ourselves in the foot for the Fall (and more important) season? Yes, recruiting is finished but would there be enough time between now and Sept. to install a new staff and to have them be ready in time? I would really rather we get things turned around and it's a moot point but I'm also a realist. With the exception of Streveler's senior year this has been a losing staff. I'm afraid it might be time to cut bait and move on - just don't know if now is the time or not. Or is there ever a good time? That's kind of the argument on our board to about whether you give them the fall or not i personally think that there will be better candidates in the fall. |
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Post by bobo on Mar 20, 2021 17:22:29 GMT -6
There are a lot of issues, schematics defensively, way below average DL, soft and slow OL, no adjustments to the opponents offensive personnel (stopping the run with too many skinnys, and a static offense that is predicated on winning 1 on 1 matchups all the time without any formation changes (bunch looks, motions to change strength and get free releases, etc.). In essence, easy to defend unless we can protect the QB, it’s the same type of offense the Green Bay Packers we’re running that got McCarthy fired up there. Too much pressure on the QB and WRs to make plays with a porous and soft OL. AND we don’t have a QB that can run or get out of trouble (aka Simons, Strev, Rodgers w/ Packers).
The definition of INSANITY is to keep doing what we’re doing defensively and expect a different result. What are we watching from opponent to opponent that makes us think we can match up with our small DL and also stop the run with only 6 in the box and 5 DB type guys who can’t and won’t tackle consistently. No defensive line stunts, few run blitzes, or exotic fronts to mess with blocking schemes on early downs. Football today in the shotgun is all predicated off the RBs alignment (have a plan A, B and possibly a plan C) to stop the run. Take away something or you take away nothing!! We all know it is more demoralizing to get the ball run down your a— than a few passes completed on you. The definition of INSANITY offensively is PLEASE get the ball out of the QBs hands quickly and use the quick passing game as an extension of the run game, quit trying to take shots down the field all the time when you are moving it effectively. With a young QB, run the ball with bigger personnel and then use play-action at times, throw quick game and multiple screens, some movement throws (sprint out, bootlegs, waggles) to change the rush lanes. He’s a sitting duck right now because he can’t run and the OL is not good at pass protection. Heck, chip with the TEs and running back. The OC has to be able to throw away his personal pride and say this is what’s best for our team NOW. It’s not want I want to do offensively, but it’s what’s best for our team.
If you don’t think we have talent at certain positions, you are CRAZY!! We have a QB and 2 WRs playing (plus 1 not playing yet) right now any team in this league would want in a heartbeat. We have a redshirt freshman RB that will be extremely good once he gets to be “the guy” and the OL somewhat gets it figured out. Defensively, other than the freshman cornerback, Cochran, and the Starling kid, everyone is pretty average. Problem is the game of football is won in the trenches and that’s where we are weak on both sides. So figure out how to manage and protect that weakness.
Last thing, I truly worry that if we keep allowing our QB to take all these shots over and over, it’s going to stagnate his upcoming future. Injury or affect his mental toughness and become gun shy. Think long term as well as the here and now!!!
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Post by bobo on Mar 20, 2021 17:59:51 GMT -6
One other thing, EVERY team from here on out will take what UND did to us. Football is a copycat sport. Zone overload blitz and play Cover 3 out of a 3 man front to the side of the RB or man free overload blitz to the side of our RB. We always slide our OL away from the RB on 3rd down so change it up and have the RB come underneath from one side to the other in blitz pickup. Once you show you can pick it up in protection, the next teams won’t
gameplan it anymore. It’s like sharks with blood in the water right now!!
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Post by elcoyote on Mar 20, 2021 19:28:25 GMT -6
I agree with just about everything that's been said so far, but I'll also add a few of my own misguided points:
- I get that the offensive line has been called out on this board, but I think there's talent and I wonder if they're being put in a position to fail?
- In regards to retaining this staff, I think we're hamstrung. I would be an awfully big ask to expect a new staff to come in at this time with no spring ball and be expected to install their systems in four weeks in August. Herbster should definitely set performance standards for fall 2021 such as at least seven wins or the plug will be pulled. Personally I look forward to the day a new coach is hired. With all the money that's been invested in facilities it should be an attractive position.
- Another personal take: I'm losing interest in football, which is something I didn't think was possible, and am resigned to the fact that we aren't going to be successful until massive, wholesale changes are made. If it weren't for the fact that a couple of my old high school coaching colleagues from Nebraska were planning on coming up for the NDSU game, I don't even know if I'd go and might find something less disappointing to do, which is saying a lot for a retired guy who's always looking for things to do. I realize that this is a lot of me, me, me, but if this is my attitude what's it like for the more casual fan or those that have other options? I'm still going to buy my season tickets and make my donation to the Howling Pack because it benefits all sports, but my enthusiasm for football is certainly waning. It would be really nice to see some excitement surround the program again and I don't think this is going to happen with what we have in place now. Bobo stole my thoughts on Einstein's definition of insanity.
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