Mountainman wrote:You’re right, the Canes had no answer to that run game....... I was flipping back and forth between games once things got out of hand and I was thinking, ‘Where’s Warren Sapp when you need him????’
Things are looking up though, good season for the Canes.
I'll take the wins we've garnered this year, so long as we can develop for next season.
I don't personally consider it a good season, this year. Mainly because it was a lot of the same from a year ago.
So many of these games were 1 possession from flipping those W's to L's. Then result matters, sure. But we played pretty much the same way last year. Where most of those L's were by 1 or 2 plays. A dropped TD, an overthrown 1rst down that would have iced it.
D`Eriq King is all the difference.
Anyone else at quarterback, and we lose 5 this year, easy.
Against North Carolina; amazing how the offense didn't quit, seeing as the defense acted like they checked out in the 1rst quarter.
I believe that shows the leadership of King. He put the team on his back, and carried us to 26 points.
We lost by 36, but it could have been as bad as Arizona losing by 63.
In the last several seasons, we go 3 & out on 90% of our drives. Had that happened vs NC, who was intent on making a statement against us, they'd have put 80 or more on the board.
King kept us on the field, in the 2cnd half. For what it's worth.
As for no answer to the run game ...
Poor defensive scheming, and terrible tackling.
Anybody who knew anything about North Carolina, knew what their offensive strengths were. You could have watched game tape from a mere few quarters from this season and figured that out.
We all knew what their game plan would be coming in.
So, why couldn't the guy who was getting paid to stop it, designed a better strategy.
Mismatches are one thing. But, the 4-2-5 against a run sweep, when your DB's are playing off the line, and your Safeties are the gap fillers playing out of the secondary?
H e l l, I could have fixed this mess 8 minutes into the game.
And, why did nobody correct the tackling technique?
If you try the shoulder tackle, and the back either bounces off of your or runs you over, every friggin' time; Wrap The Guy Up!!!
Grab High, Slide Low ...
It's not that difficult, if you've got the arm strength to slide down, and grab the legs. At no point did anyone even attempt that.
How??
Why??
It's simple ... we need a change. The mentality of go out there and get `em, simply doesn't exist with this defense.
That begins with coaching.
I've been saying it for a while now, and I'll say it again.
I want Leavitt as our D Coordinator.
That guy wouldn't allow this type of talent go to waste. He's be hard nosed with these players, and demand more from them. If you aren't getting the job done, then let's see how the next man up does in your place --- want to make it to the nfl? Not if you're playing like this. Imagine what those scouting reports look like. Think rounds 5-7, or be a walk on guy who gets cut. Ready yourselves for second string in Canada, boys. Because that's the best you can manage.
Ask ole Dwayne Johnson ... he was a defensive lineman at the U.
He got cut from the Canadian football league because he wasn't good enough.
That's your future kids.
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