1). Maty keeps getting way to much criticism imho. Yes his completion percentage was ugly but six drops will do that.
He will never likely be a high percentage passer but the guy is helping us win with a young WR corp, a thin stable of RB's and a still developing OL.
We don't win that game without Maty IMO. Yes his % looks ugly and he had the WTF interceptions...but his rushing and 3 TD passes can't be discounted.
He created the TD throw to Culkin. You can criticize a lot of his game but you must also give him credit for making lots of plays that help us win.
The guy is unflappable and never drops his head...he is working hard to bring his young WR's along and he is strong team leader.
The fact that he has won a lot of games seems to be coming a "punch-line" with his biggest critics...but the wins and 4th quarter performances cannot be ignored.
I GET the wins by poor statistical QB argument equating to a pitcher with a poor ERA but a good win/loss record.
However... there are also pitchers who throw 97 that can't get guys out in critical situations and can't win games.
Winning HAS to count for something. Would you rather have Maty Mauk or the Penn State QB who is supposed to be a first round draft pick? Give me Maty every day of the week.
2). The O-Line has a ways to go...but will get better and be more of a strength than liability by mid season.
This has been a pattern for the last two seasons...they looked shaky in early season games each of the past two seasons and looked really good by the end of the year.
Better play from a RB's and WR's catching the ball (helping the passing game to get in rhythm) will make them look a lot better in the coming weeks.
3) Ish Witter is starting to show some signs of life and well develop into a solid to good RB with a few more reps and experience.
Pete did a great in his breakdown noting improvement...he needs to be more decisive in his cuts and learn to attack the creases. He IS getting a little better and WILL get a lot better.
4) Neither Tyler Hunt nor Morgan Steward looks even close to 100% healthy...hard for gimpy RB's to look very good carrying the ball.
GP didn't exactly give a lot of hope to Travon Walters coming back anytime soon.
We really need Abbington to step up this week...this will be his chance and he needs to produce.
5) Aarion Penton is an explosive athlete...but he does not look at all confident or comfortable catching punts in traffic...which you have to do a LOT!
Hopefully he can improve or we find somebody else for that role
More so than a fast guy...we need a good-hands guy to field every punt cleanly and not let them hit the ground. rolling an extra 10-20 yards or pinning us deep near our own goal line. Continuing to let punts hit the ground will cost us if it continues.
6) If the offense and the special teams can just be solid...this defense can carry us a long ways. It has a chance to be really special.
7) Kentrell Brothers is not the biggest or fastest LB'er out there...but his ability to read plays, find the ball, and accelerate to the ball carrier is second to none...this guy will play on Sundays.
8) Barry Odom has barely scratched the surface of his bag of tricks to confuse offenses and dial up pressure...he and his defense are going to be fun to watch.
9) Right now we are not a great football team...but that can change. We were not great at the start of 2013 and 2014 either. Having a relatively easy schedule upfront is just what this team needed.
GP's teams generally improve during the season...and with a team as young as this one... I would expect even more improvement than normal as the season progresses.
10). We have too many explosive players not involved right now...the staff needs to find ways to get Stribling, Wingo, Ross, and Zanders some touches. Look for a big play out of one or more of these guys down the road this season. I would love to see Stribling get a shot at a KO return.
He will never likely be a high percentage passer but the guy is helping us win with a young WR corp, a thin stable of RB's and a still developing OL.
We don't win that game without Maty IMO. Yes his % looks ugly and he had the WTF interceptions...but his rushing and 3 TD passes can't be discounted.
He created the TD throw to Culkin. You can criticize a lot of his game but you must also give him credit for making lots of plays that help us win.
The guy is unflappable and never drops his head...he is working hard to bring his young WR's along and he is strong team leader.
The fact that he has won a lot of games seems to be coming a "punch-line" with his biggest critics...but the wins and 4th quarter performances cannot be ignored.
I GET the wins by poor statistical QB argument equating to a pitcher with a poor ERA but a good win/loss record.
However... there are also pitchers who throw 97 that can't get guys out in critical situations and can't win games.
Winning HAS to count for something. Would you rather have Maty Mauk or the Penn State QB who is supposed to be a first round draft pick? Give me Maty every day of the week.
2). The O-Line has a ways to go...but will get better and be more of a strength than liability by mid season.
This has been a pattern for the last two seasons...they looked shaky in early season games each of the past two seasons and looked really good by the end of the year.
Better play from a RB's and WR's catching the ball (helping the passing game to get in rhythm) will make them look a lot better in the coming weeks.
3) Ish Witter is starting to show some signs of life and well develop into a solid to good RB with a few more reps and experience.
Pete did a great in his breakdown noting improvement...he needs to be more decisive in his cuts and learn to attack the creases. He IS getting a little better and WILL get a lot better.
4) Neither Tyler Hunt nor Morgan Steward looks even close to 100% healthy...hard for gimpy RB's to look very good carrying the ball.
GP didn't exactly give a lot of hope to Travon Walters coming back anytime soon.
We really need Abbington to step up this week...this will be his chance and he needs to produce.
5) Aarion Penton is an explosive athlete...but he does not look at all confident or comfortable catching punts in traffic...which you have to do a LOT!
Hopefully he can improve or we find somebody else for that role
More so than a fast guy...we need a good-hands guy to field every punt cleanly and not let them hit the ground. rolling an extra 10-20 yards or pinning us deep near our own goal line. Continuing to let punts hit the ground will cost us if it continues.
6) If the offense and the special teams can just be solid...this defense can carry us a long ways. It has a chance to be really special.
7) Kentrell Brothers is not the biggest or fastest LB'er out there...but his ability to read plays, find the ball, and accelerate to the ball carrier is second to none...this guy will play on Sundays.
8) Barry Odom has barely scratched the surface of his bag of tricks to confuse offenses and dial up pressure...he and his defense are going to be fun to watch.
9) Right now we are not a great football team...but that can change. We were not great at the start of 2013 and 2014 either. Having a relatively easy schedule upfront is just what this team needed.
GP's teams generally improve during the season...and with a team as young as this one... I would expect even more improvement than normal as the season progresses.
10). We have too many explosive players not involved right now...the staff needs to find ways to get Stribling, Wingo, Ross, and Zanders some touches. Look for a big play out of one or more of these guys down the road this season. I would love to see Stribling get a shot at a KO return.
