Post by troyalumni2003 on Sept 2, 2014 6:52:16 GMT -6
Well I have waited all weekend to process what I witnessed Saturday. It was not just ugly, it made absolutely no sense. Something is not right is all I can say. Read the excuses in press conferences read the excuses and blame in the newspaper articles and now I am going to just call it like it is. (since after Saturday night, my wife banned me from discussing it any further). I do have some statements and then some questions for those who posted on here all through fall camp, about going to practice and how great we looked. (I guess anyone can look great when practicing against their own team, is all I can figure). Bottom line, I work in Birmingham and was not real excited to return today and see my UAB alumni co workers. (Although they should be proud)
1. Facility upgrades/Recruiting: Yes we need upgrades to our football stadium, locker rooms, meeting rooms, etc. along with an upgraded REC Center, will it help, it helps presentation. However winning , good coaching, good reputation as a program, and being prepared at games , get recruits to play for you. I will say, any recruit at the game Saturday that both UAB and Troy fighting for, Troy potentially LOST! And it has nothing to do with facilities.
2. Who are the leaders on the team? What I saw Saturday was no one. This team lacks leadership on the field, saw a little on the sidelines.
3. Who is really coaching this team? On 4 and 1 on UAB 30 we went for it. If OC called it why did HC not trump it and say NO. That tells me HC agreed to it. So since we apparently think we cannot recruit a QB /Center Combo to handle going under center, we really are not 4 and 1 we are 4 and 6. At that point in the game we still had a chance to come back and win.
4. Being not Prepared for a game is a terrible excuse for how bad we played. HC claimed this in press conference. What if Band was not prepared, cheerleaders, Fans, or us at our job not prepared. The band very prepared, the Cheerleaders, very prepared, the fans, showed up they were prepared, today I am at my job, prepared. Not prepared and that is acceptable? NO that is what fall camp is for.
5. Is our defense better or worse? Well last year we could stop the run, this year it appears we cannot, however, the offense job is to stay on the field a lot longer than they did. So I fill the offense really hurt in this area, and needs to be called out for it. One thankful and yet unknown fact is this, UAB QB could not pass. Last year, we were burnt on the pass every time, if he could have, we would have been beat by 24 more points or we would know the answer to this question. I will say, Rowell, Bolt, etc. it has not made any difference.
6. QB position. If what we saw was first game jitters only, I have little sympathy for this. This position is called to do several things and must be wired this way and ready to start at any point including first game: Lead, Smart, Protect the Ball, Make quick decisions. I saw very little of this. The first drive was luck now it appears and #16 really made that play happen. #1 when in, got something going once, then was pulled. Not sure the plan here, but can say , lots missing and not just inexperience. And just for clarification on the Mobile QB. Most all D1 QB are mobile, meaning they can roll out of the pocket and pass or do a QB sneak for a yard, but not all are Dual Threat. Not sure what we are looking for but even Corey was mobile and could roll out and pass. We could not do that Saturday, and the danger of a QB who thinks they are a running back and can run, they take too long to pass and get sacked (which happened Saturday) and they tuck it an run, and it works once but not much more cause every is not born a Manzell or Newton, therefore eventually get hurt or it is stopped quickly by a quick defense, which most are at this level. I will add one final thing to this; we have to have a passing game, because we must outscore everyone in order to win. Saturday once the score was 24-10 a passing attack down the field was the only way out of that deficit and it appears, we cannot do that this year.
All in all, I am loyal to Troy, After all I spent 5 years there getting my degree but I am tired of losing, and then going to the media to paint a blame game. Calling it out. Also, if the lack of discipline from players, I heard about in the stands Saturday , is true. We have a lot more issues than we have even heard about on this board. And I will not repost what was said because hear say, but some players would have been sitting after summer activities I heard about, at least the first half. So it appears once again discipline is a big issue on and off the field again.
Have a good day and I will say long season ahead I am afraid unless something changes, but I still say Go Troy !
1. Facility upgrades/Recruiting: Yes we need upgrades to our football stadium, locker rooms, meeting rooms, etc. along with an upgraded REC Center, will it help, it helps presentation. However winning , good coaching, good reputation as a program, and being prepared at games , get recruits to play for you. I will say, any recruit at the game Saturday that both UAB and Troy fighting for, Troy potentially LOST! And it has nothing to do with facilities.
2. Who are the leaders on the team? What I saw Saturday was no one. This team lacks leadership on the field, saw a little on the sidelines.
3. Who is really coaching this team? On 4 and 1 on UAB 30 we went for it. If OC called it why did HC not trump it and say NO. That tells me HC agreed to it. So since we apparently think we cannot recruit a QB /Center Combo to handle going under center, we really are not 4 and 1 we are 4 and 6. At that point in the game we still had a chance to come back and win.
4. Being not Prepared for a game is a terrible excuse for how bad we played. HC claimed this in press conference. What if Band was not prepared, cheerleaders, Fans, or us at our job not prepared. The band very prepared, the Cheerleaders, very prepared, the fans, showed up they were prepared, today I am at my job, prepared. Not prepared and that is acceptable? NO that is what fall camp is for.
5. Is our defense better or worse? Well last year we could stop the run, this year it appears we cannot, however, the offense job is to stay on the field a lot longer than they did. So I fill the offense really hurt in this area, and needs to be called out for it. One thankful and yet unknown fact is this, UAB QB could not pass. Last year, we were burnt on the pass every time, if he could have, we would have been beat by 24 more points or we would know the answer to this question. I will say, Rowell, Bolt, etc. it has not made any difference.
6. QB position. If what we saw was first game jitters only, I have little sympathy for this. This position is called to do several things and must be wired this way and ready to start at any point including first game: Lead, Smart, Protect the Ball, Make quick decisions. I saw very little of this. The first drive was luck now it appears and #16 really made that play happen. #1 when in, got something going once, then was pulled. Not sure the plan here, but can say , lots missing and not just inexperience. And just for clarification on the Mobile QB. Most all D1 QB are mobile, meaning they can roll out of the pocket and pass or do a QB sneak for a yard, but not all are Dual Threat. Not sure what we are looking for but even Corey was mobile and could roll out and pass. We could not do that Saturday, and the danger of a QB who thinks they are a running back and can run, they take too long to pass and get sacked (which happened Saturday) and they tuck it an run, and it works once but not much more cause every is not born a Manzell or Newton, therefore eventually get hurt or it is stopped quickly by a quick defense, which most are at this level. I will add one final thing to this; we have to have a passing game, because we must outscore everyone in order to win. Saturday once the score was 24-10 a passing attack down the field was the only way out of that deficit and it appears, we cannot do that this year.
All in all, I am loyal to Troy, After all I spent 5 years there getting my degree but I am tired of losing, and then going to the media to paint a blame game. Calling it out. Also, if the lack of discipline from players, I heard about in the stands Saturday , is true. We have a lot more issues than we have even heard about on this board. And I will not repost what was said because hear say, but some players would have been sitting after summer activities I heard about, at least the first half. So it appears once again discipline is a big issue on and off the field again.
Have a good day and I will say long season ahead I am afraid unless something changes, but I still say Go Troy !