ramblin_wreck08
Class of 2012
- Joined
- Oct 1, 2011
- Messages
- 2,694
Watching the season unfold in this manner has certainly been disappointing. I was hopeful that by year 3 we would be able to turn the corner and make it to a bowl game. That said, I don't think all is lost. There have been some positives to go along with the negatives.
Overall performance
Year 1: Rough transition year. We were completely outmatched in most games.
Year 2: Showed signs of life here and there, getting pushed around a bit less. Incremental progress from year 1.
Year 3: Physically matching up with most opponents for the first time in CGC's tenure, but unable to find the W's.
Offense
Year 1: Ouch. This was tough to watch.
Year 2: Started pulling things together a bit. Still a poor offense, but showed flashes of hope.
Year 3: Really good at times, but inconsistent. Steady improvement from year 2.
Defense
Year 1: Played with aggression but were seriously outmanned in the front 7.
Year 2: Improved strength was offset by lack of quickness. Frustrating defense to watch - even when in position, would lost the matchups.
Year 3: Match up better physically than in year 1 or 2, particularly in the front 7, but often out of position. Lots of head-scratchers leading to very poor play overall.
Special Teams
Year 1: Put the "special" in special teams
Year 2: Harvin was fun to watch, punt coverage was improved. Don't ask about the FG's or kickoffs.
Year 3: Great strides made. Losing Harvin hurt, but every other phase of the game has improved.
When looking through this lens, I can see why we have been a lot more competitive this year than in the past. Continued improvement in offense and on special teams has kept us in games, while defense, poor game-day coaching, and offensive inconsistency has kept us from turning the corner. In 2 out of 3 phases I can say that I am comfortable with our progression.
Defense, on the other hand, seems to be regressing despite obvious improvement in talent level (particularly on the front 7). Linebacker play has been a bright spot from year 1 to year 3, and while young and still undersized, I have been pleasantly surprised by improvements on the D line. With the guys on the roster improving at their current place and with the studs coming in 2022, I am confident in our front 7's progression. Secondary play and overall cohesiveness on Defense is the one area that has not shown improvement from year to year. O line is a close second, but I'm willing to give the benefit of the doubt for 1 more year given the length of time it takes to get a HS player ready to compete in FBS trenches physically and mentally.
Oh, and a post on this team would be incomplete without saying what a phenomenal job CTC has done with the RB room. Continued improvement, increased talent, and increased depth have all been created. Any of our top 4 guys could start for most teams in the ACC, and that's a huge testament to coach Choice. Watching Gibbs late this season has been a treat, not only because of his phenomenal talent, but because of the improvements he has made in pass pro, vision, and getting N/S vs E/W - all signs of great coaching and hard work. I hope we get to see CTC on the staff for a long time - he's certainly going to have opportunities elsewhere if he wants them.
Overall performance
Year 1: Rough transition year. We were completely outmatched in most games.
Year 2: Showed signs of life here and there, getting pushed around a bit less. Incremental progress from year 1.
Year 3: Physically matching up with most opponents for the first time in CGC's tenure, but unable to find the W's.
Offense
Year 1: Ouch. This was tough to watch.
Year 2: Started pulling things together a bit. Still a poor offense, but showed flashes of hope.
Year 3: Really good at times, but inconsistent. Steady improvement from year 2.
Defense
Year 1: Played with aggression but were seriously outmanned in the front 7.
Year 2: Improved strength was offset by lack of quickness. Frustrating defense to watch - even when in position, would lost the matchups.
Year 3: Match up better physically than in year 1 or 2, particularly in the front 7, but often out of position. Lots of head-scratchers leading to very poor play overall.
Special Teams
Year 1: Put the "special" in special teams
Year 2: Harvin was fun to watch, punt coverage was improved. Don't ask about the FG's or kickoffs.
Year 3: Great strides made. Losing Harvin hurt, but every other phase of the game has improved.
When looking through this lens, I can see why we have been a lot more competitive this year than in the past. Continued improvement in offense and on special teams has kept us in games, while defense, poor game-day coaching, and offensive inconsistency has kept us from turning the corner. In 2 out of 3 phases I can say that I am comfortable with our progression.
Defense, on the other hand, seems to be regressing despite obvious improvement in talent level (particularly on the front 7). Linebacker play has been a bright spot from year 1 to year 3, and while young and still undersized, I have been pleasantly surprised by improvements on the D line. With the guys on the roster improving at their current place and with the studs coming in 2022, I am confident in our front 7's progression. Secondary play and overall cohesiveness on Defense is the one area that has not shown improvement from year to year. O line is a close second, but I'm willing to give the benefit of the doubt for 1 more year given the length of time it takes to get a HS player ready to compete in FBS trenches physically and mentally.
Oh, and a post on this team would be incomplete without saying what a phenomenal job CTC has done with the RB room. Continued improvement, increased talent, and increased depth have all been created. Any of our top 4 guys could start for most teams in the ACC, and that's a huge testament to coach Choice. Watching Gibbs late this season has been a treat, not only because of his phenomenal talent, but because of the improvements he has made in pass pro, vision, and getting N/S vs E/W - all signs of great coaching and hard work. I hope we get to see CTC on the staff for a long time - he's certainly going to have opportunities elsewhere if he wants them.
