OrangeBowlMagic
CEO
- Joined
- Jul 13, 2014
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That's really the bottom line here. Did we get better today? I posted my thoughts on the hire overall in the original thread. I'm not a huge fan.
BUT, what I think, and what anyone else thinks, means nothing. All that matters is the product on Saturday. So, the only question is, are we better on defense than we were last year? Are we good enough on defense to win the Coastal and give Clemson a game (of course along with the offense and special teams)??
And after sitting here staring at my wall for 30 minutes.....I think the answer might be......yes? I think we improved.
First of all, I've said on this board 1000x that Jimmy's and Joe's >>>>>> X's and O's. We need better players on that side, point blank, period. I think T-Rob helps TREMENDOUSLY with that. I think DVD is a massive upgrade there, obviously. We've got an excellent defensive class coming in. I think the talent is improving, and guys like T-Rob and DVD should be able to continue that. I think Simpson is a very good teacher and underrated recruiter. He's got some seriously strong Georgia ties in the HS world there. So I have no problem with that.
Of course the elephant in the room is Baker. As I said in the other thread, I don't agree that he's still here. For several reasons. BUT....Manny is a proven GOOD defensive coordinator. Do I think he's elite? No...the scheme does have its holes, which has been discussed here ad nauseum. But he's got a track record for calling a good defense, and maybe more importantly, he's proven to be able to make adjustments in-game VERY well.
So, take a step back, breathe, and look a little deeper. All of the complaints are valid, IMO. DVD as an on-field coach, Baker, Patke, Manny calling the defense and putting the pressure of the world on himself, not firing his buddy...all of that is valid. But when the dust settles, are we better on that side? There are still a lot of questions (are the edge kids going to develop, who the fvck is gonna step up at backer, for two of them), but I'm trying to find the sun here in what looks to be a gloomy situation and I think there is a path here to putting out a better product on defense. And if not, we'll be looking for a new HC in a year, most likely.
Let's see how it plays out. Go Canes.
BUT, what I think, and what anyone else thinks, means nothing. All that matters is the product on Saturday. So, the only question is, are we better on defense than we were last year? Are we good enough on defense to win the Coastal and give Clemson a game (of course along with the offense and special teams)??
And after sitting here staring at my wall for 30 minutes.....I think the answer might be......yes? I think we improved.
First of all, I've said on this board 1000x that Jimmy's and Joe's >>>>>> X's and O's. We need better players on that side, point blank, period. I think T-Rob helps TREMENDOUSLY with that. I think DVD is a massive upgrade there, obviously. We've got an excellent defensive class coming in. I think the talent is improving, and guys like T-Rob and DVD should be able to continue that. I think Simpson is a very good teacher and underrated recruiter. He's got some seriously strong Georgia ties in the HS world there. So I have no problem with that.
Of course the elephant in the room is Baker. As I said in the other thread, I don't agree that he's still here. For several reasons. BUT....Manny is a proven GOOD defensive coordinator. Do I think he's elite? No...the scheme does have its holes, which has been discussed here ad nauseum. But he's got a track record for calling a good defense, and maybe more importantly, he's proven to be able to make adjustments in-game VERY well.
So, take a step back, breathe, and look a little deeper. All of the complaints are valid, IMO. DVD as an on-field coach, Baker, Patke, Manny calling the defense and putting the pressure of the world on himself, not firing his buddy...all of that is valid. But when the dust settles, are we better on that side? There are still a lot of questions (are the edge kids going to develop, who the fvck is gonna step up at backer, for two of them), but I'm trying to find the sun here in what looks to be a gloomy situation and I think there is a path here to putting out a better product on defense. And if not, we'll be looking for a new HC in a year, most likely.
Let's see how it plays out. Go Canes.
