- Joined
- Aug 27, 2011
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Face it. Most of you were worried. Coming into this game, the psyche of this team and coaching staff was fragile at best. Last year we couldn't get out of our own way. But tonight we turned the corner. And no, I'm not premature in my assessment. Think about this. No fumbles, No offsides, No false starts, No delay of games, One freakish interception.
Play calling was good for the most part. The team was trying to instill the O-line with some cohesion and confidence calling lots of basic running plays. (The two head scratchers were the end of half sequence where we missed the opportunity for a field goal, and the weird throw to an unsuspecting Tommy Meyers on 3rd and 1 from their 40. Two successive Johnson runs would have been my choice, but Verducci couldn't hear me from the stands--lol. On the other hand, who could fault him for trying.)
Shirreffs was able to make plays, and when there were breakdowns he improvised. Our double tight end sets showed promise. Our wideouts can catch the ball. And you could see how Newsome should thrive if he gets the ball in open space.
Our defensive backfield looked solid, our LB's were very active, and our D-Ends, especially 15, looked ferocious. Our punting was better, our kick-offs were deeper.
The mistakes were correctable ones. Celebration penalty, fighting.The most disruptive mistake was the holding call on Levy in the first half that turned a huge gain for us into an ultimate safety for them. But make no mistake, this was a huge win for the team. Many of the players commented about last night being the greatest feeling ever. And it wasn't just the win. It was the exhilarating feeling of knowing they had the goods to get it done. Next week, it's all about defending the option offense of Army. I like our chances. A lot.
The crowd was surprisingly vocal for its size, but you could sense they were skeptical observers, waiting for the other shoe to drop, knowing, just knowing the ineptitude that's infected the team for the past few years would take control. But surprise, surprise. The prescriptions are working, the healing has begun. Can I get a hallelujah and amen?!
Play calling was good for the most part. The team was trying to instill the O-line with some cohesion and confidence calling lots of basic running plays. (The two head scratchers were the end of half sequence where we missed the opportunity for a field goal, and the weird throw to an unsuspecting Tommy Meyers on 3rd and 1 from their 40. Two successive Johnson runs would have been my choice, but Verducci couldn't hear me from the stands--lol. On the other hand, who could fault him for trying.)
Shirreffs was able to make plays, and when there were breakdowns he improvised. Our double tight end sets showed promise. Our wideouts can catch the ball. And you could see how Newsome should thrive if he gets the ball in open space.
Our defensive backfield looked solid, our LB's were very active, and our D-Ends, especially 15, looked ferocious. Our punting was better, our kick-offs were deeper.
The mistakes were correctable ones. Celebration penalty, fighting.The most disruptive mistake was the holding call on Levy in the first half that turned a huge gain for us into an ultimate safety for them. But make no mistake, this was a huge win for the team. Many of the players commented about last night being the greatest feeling ever. And it wasn't just the win. It was the exhilarating feeling of knowing they had the goods to get it done. Next week, it's all about defending the option offense of Army. I like our chances. A lot.
The crowd was surprisingly vocal for its size, but you could sense they were skeptical observers, waiting for the other shoe to drop, knowing, just knowing the ineptitude that's infected the team for the past few years would take control. But surprise, surprise. The prescriptions are working, the healing has begun. Can I get a hallelujah and amen?!