Well, we’ve got a QB

As I told frick and frack at the game, Graham has some talent and an arm, but you'll have to live with the good and bad this season. Makes a great throw on 3rd down and follows it up with a bad decision over the middle that was picked. Bounced back with some more good throws and a nice one for a long TD.

IF, IF, IF the o-line was simply ok, Graham would look even better. Really hope that he is the full time starter the rest of the way. Think that he could be a hoss at some point next season. Also hope that the coaches continue lining up Oliver at WR, occasional QB, etc.
 
As I told frick and frack at the game, Graham has some talent and an arm, but you'll have to live with the good and bad this season. Makes a great throw on 3rd down and follows it up with a bad decision over the middle that was picked. Bounced back with some more good throws and a nice one for a long TD.

IF, IF, IF the o-line was simply ok, Graham would look even better. Really hope that he is the full time starter the rest of the way. Think that he could be a hoss at some point next season. Also hope that the coaches continue lining up Oliver at WR, occasional QB, etc.

Agreed... Graham looked solid from time to time.

Oliver needs to be on the field. Wildcat, slot whatever... he’s too good to not be on the field.
 
It’s 2019 bro

Then why was our defense playing that soft zone garbage we saw for years under Roof. I like Thacker, but he stunk it up today. I know we don’t have the hosses up front and we all knew it, especially after the death of Adams. But there is no reason we can’t be aggressive and build for the future. Today, Thacker played scared and their freshman QB picked us apart especially on their death march on 3rd and 4th down. I have no problem getting beat man to man like we did right before halftime, but playing soft zone will never win a ball game.
 
Then why was our defense playing that soft zone garbage we saw for years under Roof. I like Thacker, but he stunk it up today. I know we don’t have the hosses up front and we all knew it, especially after the death of Adams. But there is no reason we can’t be aggressive and build for the future. Today, Thacker played scared and their freshman QB picked us apart especially on their death march on 3rd and 4th down. I have no problem getting beat man to man like we did right before halftime, but playing soft zone will never win a ball game.
They were pretty good at WR. Our strongest unit is dB and safety. They were open sometimes and missed a lot early. Thacker is doing a good job.
 
Then why was our defense playing that soft zone garbage we saw for years under Roof. I like Thacker, but he stunk it up today. I know we don’t have the hosses up front and we all knew it, especially after the death of Adams. But there is no reason we can’t be aggressive and build for the future. Today, Thacker played scared and their freshman QB picked us apart especially on their death march on 3rd and 4th down. I have no problem getting beat man to man like we did right before halftime, but playing soft zone will never win a ball game.
alternative for no pass rush besides playing zone would be to blitz every down.. which I guess is playing scared. Nothing to lose anyway. Idk why they didn’t blitz much in this game
 
Agree. We need to work on 3rd downs, both sides of the ball. Time of possession wasn't lopsided because we ran more and they threw more, but they ran twice as many offensive plays as we did tonight. If we can stay on the field longer on O, our D won't be so gassed in the 4th.


I was at the game for once. I think we should officially cease the "money down" thing until the defense makes "X" number of stops in one game. Let it be a motivator. As it is it is a beatdown when you have a bunch of those on one drive.

I enjoyed the game experience but I wasn't wrapped around the axle needing them to win. I believe it will be really good when the team gets better.

If we ever fill the stadium it is going to be a cluster traffic-wise if you extrapolate today to that.
 
alternative for no pass rush besides playing zone would be to blitz every down.. which I guess is playing scared. Nothing to lose anyway. Idk why they didn’t blitz much in this game

Looked like we did blitz, but it just didn’t get there. The WRs for unc made some tough catches in tight coverage. The DE transfer that is sitting out and Adams would make a big difference.
 
Looked like we did blitz, but it just didn’t get there. The WRs for unc made some tough catches in tight coverage. The DE transfer that is sitting out and Adams would make a big difference.
I really think our defense has actually been really bad for some time (referring to previous years). The option just made them look better than they actually were. They had limited time on the field and usually had opportunities to rest. Without those two, our talent in the front seven is exposed to fullest extent. We lack size, strength, and speed. Some of that can be made up for in S&C and experience but a lot of it is just going to have to come with recruiting better.
 
The option just made them look better than they actually were. They had limited time on the field and usually had opportunities to rest. Without those two, our talent in the front seven is exposed to fullest extent

Yep. Flip side is now when the offense is struggling to move the chains, the d-line is getting worn down quickly.

Still, I’m encouraged a bit that they don’t quit and play hard. Tackling for the most part is much improved over previous seasons. But depth and size will be an Achilles heel until more recruits come in. The back 4 is good.
 
Most of the long conversions seemed like we were playing zone or we forgot to cover the RB out of the backfield.

When the game is close, we should play more press man coverage and bring the heat. Yeah, we might get burned but the zone gave up one yard more than the first down all day today. I have no problem in a not close game trying to get better with our zone.

38 seemed to have a rough day. I wouldnt have him in when playing press coverage unless today was just a fluke.
 
The reality is we are just not that good on either side of the ball. Certainly the trenches need a major overhaul but our secondary is far from lockdown. You can’t give up nearly 400 in the air and put all the blame on the front seven. If not for a few drops/missed open WRs, it would have easily been 500+ yards giving up through the air. Granted he’s young, but another QB comes into Bobby Dodd and sets a career high.
 
I just got really tired of seeing them throw it to the rb to the sideline dump out of the backfield and it going around the corner for 12-15 every time. I was encouraged by the game tonight with glimpses of what it could be, but seeing that same play 8-10 times was tough. Seemed a ton of soft space in the middle tonight that gave them just enough check down to keep drives moving on 3rd every time they needed. But all in all feeling encouraged about things. Still young still growing and learning. No need to meltdown about things.
 
I was at the game for once. I think we should officially cease the "money down" thing until the defense makes "X" number of stops in one game. Let it be a motivator. As it is it is a beatdown when you have a bunch of those on one drive.

I enjoyed the game experience but I wasn't wrapped around the axle needing them to win. I believe it will be really good when the team gets better.

If we ever fill the stadium it is going to be a cluster traffic-wise if you extrapolate today to that.
My attitude on 'money down' changed today. Up until now, I thought it was kind of awkward when they'd say it. This week, the people who sit in front of me had their grand kids with them...two little girls about 6 and 9 years old. And the gentleman in front of me had his son who was probably 10 or 11. Those were in addition to the usual 7 or 8 kids around us who have been there pretty much every game. When third down came up, they would all start jumping around and yelling "It's money down...it's money down!" and they clearly thought it was awesome.

Realizing that our fanbase who attends the game is an older crowd, I think it's vital that we get some young fans excited about being Tech fans. And if this is one more thing that makes them enjoy the experience, then go with it IMO. And besides, they only did the money down thing at most half of the time.
 
As I told frick and frack at the game, Graham has some talent and an arm, but you'll have to live with the good and bad this season. Makes a great throw on 3rd down and follows it up with a bad decision over the middle that was picked. Bounced back with some more good throws and a nice one for a long TD.

IF, IF, IF the o-line was simply ok, Graham would look even better. Really hope that he is the full time starter the rest of the way. Think that he could be a hoss at some point next season. Also hope that the coaches continue lining up Oliver at WR, occasional QB, etc.
It was mentioned on the radio broadcast that UNC's OL are all 6'6" to 6'8" and around 320 lbs each. Puts perspective on where we need to be
 
The sad part is we have had this QB on the roster... Shame this wasn't his 5th start.... the OC should have picked one and gone with it... look at how well the UNC freshman looks in his 6th game... It has taking 5 GT games to even find one...What were they doing all Offseason and fall camp... I guess over hyping the program up...
 
It was mentioned on the radio broadcast that UNC's OL are all 6'6" to 6'8" and around 320 lbs each. Puts perspective on where we need to be

They showed this stat on TV — that UNC line averaged 40 pounds more per player than our D line. Also separately mentioned that our OLine collectively gained 85 pounds before the year to beef up... but are obviously still tiny.
 
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