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Are things different ?

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Cribby said:
Edge depth scares me. We can’t lose 3 or 4. That would be a wrap. I did like seeing Pickett flash. That first step is crazy. Wr and out wide particularly concerned me but Moore is living up
to everything I heard when he arrived on campus. Depending on freshmen is just normally dangerous but these guys seems to be a tad different
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Any news on McConothy?
 
With Lowe out, I hope we end the Blount at DT reps. Get Simpson, Scott, Russell more reps inside. We also need 44 to get back to 100% for another body at DE for the long run after FSU.

I’ll continue to say, speed at Edge is a concern. Pickett may need to see some 2 reps ahead of Lightfoot. He doesn’t look as small as last year and that dude has elite rushing ability more so than Lightfoot. Lightfoot and Pickett aren’t big enough for 3 downs, case in point usf ran on us when our 2s were in.
 
Cribby said:
As I said in the off-season “ this won’t be as **** but it could me more effective “
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What is amazing ... the overall PFF grade for Miami last night was almost identical to the PFF grade vs Bethune Cookman. Huge uptick in quality of opponent but STILL the offense and defense were as productive. The comment from a podcaster that monitors PFF grades weekly commented "Miami might have the best overall team in college football". Still early, we haven't played UF yet or even begun our conference schedule .... BUT .... that was quite a showing last night. OL, Beck, Moore, Toney, RB's. Wow. Bain ... Wow. Watching the highlights right now on Youtube. Go Canes!!
 
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DTP said:
Last year, I felt we had a team that COULD beat anyone in the country. It would probably e a shootout and require a lot of Cam Ward magic but we COULD at least compete with the very best.

This year I feel we ARE in that tiny group of top tier teams. I have a hard time saying we’re better than Oregon right now but that may be the only team in the country I can honestly say is better. And it’s not a huge gap. Ohio State’s jury is out until I see more consistency at QB. We’re better than Penn State and Georgia. Or at the very least, equal to them.

It’s 100% the defensive improvement that does it for me. I don’t have that 100% confidence in our offense blowing teams away like I had last year but it doesn’t matter because we don’t need to win 48-45 with our defense. A lot of the defensive depth is very young so it’s really important that these guys are getting reps in games against USF type opponents.

Offensively, there’s a bit of a drop off from Cam to Carson but that’s just such an impossible standard to maintain. Carson has been as good as advertised, maybe better and has all the big game experience you can ask for. The offensive line is elite. I’d love to see a healthy Jordan Lyle and JoJo Trader get into the action but even with them out, there’s rest of the skill guys have picked it up.

Like any team, some key injuries could kill our season but right now, I love the way these guys handle business
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this. the defense.

right after the lightning break, usf was driving, trying to create some momentum. i said out loud if you’re a championship defense, you get a stop right here. you hold them to a field goal. —if you don’t, you can still be great but just not that next level maybe. and boom

yea, man, defense like this makes these games so much fun to watch.
 
Cribby said:
The last few years, I’ve become more pessimistic, and it’s been even longer since I allowed myself to have any delusional thoughts. But after yesterday, I feel a little delusion forming in the back of my brain — and I’m wondering if it’s warranted. I’m seeing a lot of things I haven’t seen in a very long time, so I’m going to point out a handful of things that look different.

1. Communication on both sides of the ball is phenomenal, especially compared to previous years. Last year’s defense was easily the worst combination of poor tackling, busted coverages, and lack of communication I’ve ever seen.

This season, the guys are lined up and talking pre-snap — and by the time the ball is snapped, everyone’s on the same page. That’s a big improvement over being misaligned and still communicating as the ball is snapped.

Heatherman has preached communication and simplifying things, and he’s been as close to perfect as you can ask for. Simply knowing your assignment and getting the play in quickly sets everything in motion — and he does that. Through three games, he deserves an A.

2. Complimentary football and all three phases working together.
Aside from the hold against ND, special teams and coverage have been drastically better. Marion brings a dimension we haven’t had in a while, in addition to being a solid gimmick guy and improved WR.

It’s nice not having to see one phase carry the other two — or constantly needing one unit to play a perfect game to have a shot. Most good teams have this balance, and we finally do too.

3. Leadership, chemistry, and full buy-in.
Unlike past years, there are multiple older guys on both sides of the ball who are also high-character individuals — not just a few scattered here and there.

It feels like this team really cares and wants to be great. It’s easily the most bought-in group since maybe 2017. Most of the guys genuinely seem happy for each other’s success.

Going back a few years, it seemed like guys cared more about the perks of playing at UM than actually winning. After games, it felt like a race to see who could get out of the locker room first to go party.

4. Quality coordinators on both sides of the ball.
This is a major reason we’re finally playing complimentary football. Heatherman has already gotten his flowers in this thread, and Dawson continues to improve year after year.

Both coaches are excellent at simplifying things while still having the ability to out-scheme opponents. Mario has finally built a complete, high-quality staff.

5. A real jolt of energy from the young guys.
This is the first time in forever that we’ve had this many young players logging key snaps — and mature enough to handle it. Toney, Moore, Fitzgerald, and one who hasn’t played much but was an absolute steal: Mr. Antione.

The speed with which he’s come back from a major injury is incredible — and he looks like a prototype future lockdown guy.

Blount is technically a freshman since he reclassified, so I’d throw him in this group too. Lowe would’ve been another big one. That was a huge loss.

6. Physicality at the line of scrimmage and a culture shift.
The team culture and physicality at the LOS have made Miami a bully again. Mario has completely changed the mindset, and the players have taken on his personality.

They’re ready to scrap it out in the parking lot and are fine with bloodying their noses. At one point, I thought that identity was gone forever — but being tough and physical is now the brand again.

So I guess what I’m saying is... I’m starting to feel like I’m setting myself up to be hurt again, lol. But something feels different this time compared to past years.

The next step is to keep the focus and be ready to take everyone’s best shot. I now expect to beat UF and ND — but it’s those random 12 p.m. road games against mediocre teams that still worry me. That’ll be the dragon that needs slayed.
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20 years of disappointment can do that to anyone. Like you as an Eagles fan I grew up my whole life with disappointment through the Ryan ERA, Andy Reid, till we finally pushed through. I hope this team is ready for the long road. Don’t read the hype. Let’s get through UF, FSU and Louisville and I will believe.
 
Something that needs cleaned up:

Three weeks in a row our DL has done an excellent job forcing right-armed QBs to run for their life to the left only to find a wide-open receiver down field for huge gains on the right side of secondary. It didn't really "hurt" us last night or with BC, but did cause some pain in the ND game with the TD. I realize we can't ask our secondary to be lock-down for 15-20 seconds, but these receivers have caught passes with nobody within 10 yards of them. It's been different guys each time, but it has to stop.
 
SIBCanes said:
20 years of disappointment can do that to anyone. Like you as an Eagles fan I grew up my whole life with disappointment through the Ryan ERA, Andy Reid, till we finally pushed through. I hope this team is ready for the long road. Don’t read the hype. Let’s get through UF, FSU and Louisville and I will believe.
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TB closing out the Vet almost broke me . I loved those eagle teams. Mcnabb, Westbrook , Dawkins, Trotter , Cole etc.
 
Cribby said:
The last few years, I’ve become more pessimistic, and it’s been even longer since I allowed myself to have any delusional thoughts. But after yesterday, I feel a little delusion forming in the back of my brain — and I’m wondering if it’s warranted. I’m seeing a lot of things I haven’t seen in a very long time, so I’m going to point out a handful of things that look different.

1. Communication on both sides of the ball is phenomenal, especially compared to previous years. Last year’s defense was easily the worst combination of poor tackling, busted coverages, and lack of communication I’ve ever seen.

This season, the guys are lined up and talking pre-snap — and by the time the ball is snapped, everyone’s on the same page. That’s a big improvement over being misaligned and still communicating as the ball is snapped.

Heatherman has preached communication and simplifying things, and he’s been as close to perfect as you can ask for. Simply knowing your assignment and getting the play in quickly sets everything in motion — and he does that. Through three games, he deserves an A.

2. Complimentary football and all three phases working together.
Aside from the hold against ND, special teams and coverage have been drastically better. Marion brings a dimension we haven’t had in a while, in addition to being a solid gimmick guy and improved WR.

It’s nice not having to see one phase carry the other two — or constantly needing one unit to play a perfect game to have a shot. Most good teams have this balance, and we finally do too.

3. Leadership, chemistry, and full buy-in.
Unlike past years, there are multiple older guys on both sides of the ball who are also high-character individuals — not just a few scattered here and there.

It feels like this team really cares and wants to be great. It’s easily the most bought-in group since maybe 2017. Most of the guys genuinely seem happy for each other’s success.

Going back a few years, it seemed like guys cared more about the perks of playing at UM than actually winning. After games, it felt like a race to see who could get out of the locker room first to go party.

4. Quality coordinators on both sides of the ball.
This is a major reason we’re finally playing complimentary football. Heatherman has already gotten his flowers in this thread, and Dawson continues to improve year after year.

Both coaches are excellent at simplifying things while still having the ability to out-scheme opponents. Mario has finally built a complete, high-quality staff.

5. A real jolt of energy from the young guys.
This is the first time in forever that we’ve had this many young players logging key snaps — and mature enough to handle it. Toney, Moore, Fitzgerald, and one who hasn’t played much but was an absolute steal: Mr. Antione.

The speed with which he’s come back from a major injury is incredible — and he looks like a prototype future lockdown guy.

Blount is technically a freshman since he reclassified, so I’d throw him in this group too. Lowe would’ve been another big one. That was a huge loss.

6. Physicality at the line of scrimmage and a culture shift.
The team culture and physicality at the LOS have made Miami a bully again. Mario has completely changed the mindset, and the players have taken on his personality.

They’re ready to scrap it out in the parking lot and are fine with bloodying their noses. At one point, I thought that identity was gone forever — but being tough and physical is now the brand again.

So I guess what I’m saying is... I’m starting to feel like I’m setting myself up to be hurt again, lol. But something feels different this time compared to past years.

The next step is to keep the focus and be ready to take everyone’s best shot. I now expect to beat UF and ND — but it’s those random 12 p.m. road games against mediocre teams that still worry me. That’ll be the dragon that needs slayed.
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I am here as well. Set up for maximum pain. Next two games will either reinforce this or hit us even more
 
U Wouldn’t Understand said:
Something that needs cleaned up:

Three weeks in a row our DL has done an excellent job forcing right-armed QBs to run for their life to the left only to find a wide-open receiver down field for huge gains on the right side of secondary. It didn't really "hurt" us last night or with BC, but did cause some pain in the ND game with the TD. I realize we can't ask our secondary to be lock-down for 15-20 seconds, but these receivers have caught passes with nobody within 10 yards of them. It's been different guys each time, but it has to stop.
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I’d like to see us roll out the end of ND dl for those long passing downs. Couldn’t do that vs usf as they run tempo
 
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The overall talent continues to get better, which continues to create a larger margin for error.

There’s still some issues. Not great timeout use. Penalties. Conservative play calling at times. An offense that very much wants to death march you by choice rather than stretch you.

But talent overcomes that.
And if you look at the big time programs, you see a lot of the same things. LSU is ranked 2nd and I’d be calling for firings if that was our offense.
Tennessee looks like a legit national title contender and Heupel called the game scared in the second half and played for a 48 yard field goal to win it.

It’s really is talent that hides everything. None of these coaches check all the boxes on game day.
 
Beck is the truth.... Dude is freaking rolling right now and hopefully it doesn't slow down.... I love our Defense as well but for right now it's Beck at the head of the pack... Glad he's working out better than expected...
 
Cribby said:
TB closing out the Vet almost broke me . I loved those eagle teams. Mcnabb, Westbrook , Dawkins, Trotter , Cole etc.
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Great teams my favorite was Jerome Brown Reggie White Seth Joyner and Randall Cunningham and Keith Jackson!! Loved those teams and they broke my heart
 
Even during our hey days, I’ve always entered the season with tempered expectations so if/when we lose, the pain isn’t as painful. I’ve never been/become apathetic but always realistic. There are so many variables in CFB that anything can happen on any given Saturday so I just try and enjoy the moment and look forward to every game.
 
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