9th Largest Crowd Tonight...

FirefightnRick · September 23, 2007

http://www.meangreensports.com/ViewArticle...;ATCLID=1247000

I had fun other than the outcome of the game. And as I predicted, this was a much different defense tonight. To hold FAU to 248 total offensive yards is a vast improvement and Coach Mendoza deserves some credit for making the changes.

And I apologize to everyone for the fizzle machine. I was sent down to try and correct some things but there are a few minor adjustments needed. I hope to host a practice session with "Boomers"

crew before the next game.

Rick

Edited September 23, 2007 by FirefightnRick

TheTastyGreek · September 23, 2007

http://www.meangreensports.com/ViewArticle...;ATCLID=1247000
I had fun other than the outcome of the game. And as I predicted, this was a much different defense tonight. To hold FAU to 248 total offensive yards is a vast improvement and Coach Mendoza deserves some credit for making the changes.
And I apologize to everyone for the fizzle machine. I was sent down to try and correct some things but there are a few minor adjustments needed. I hope to host a practice session with "Boomers"
crew before the next game.
Rick

Rick, you know I like and respect you, but I strongly disagree about what you perceived as vast defensive improvements.

First half, dropped passes by wide open FAU receivers is what stopped the FAU offense. Second half, they stopped shooting themselves in the foot and moved pretty much at will. And while the yardage may look better than usual... we did allow two blocked punts that gave some excellent field position. Throw in the midfield interception, and there wasn't that much yardage available to be gained. I know that the shorter field doesn't make it easy on the defense... but it doesn't seem like it matters much how easy or hard it is, whether it's 8 yards or 80 yards... When the opposing offense doesn't stop itself, the defense rarely stops it, either.

I'm still very, very disappointed and concerned about what my uneducated eyes are seeing on the defensive side of the ball. I know that the players we have are better than the results we're seeing.

JayDub · September 23, 2007

9th largest crowd in Fouts history. Too bad only the hardcore fans will be back.

GreenSquared · September 23, 2007

I don't think only the hardcore fans will be back. What a great atmosphere before the game! We didn't win, but it's hard to be disappointed. As I said on another post, the mistakes that caused us to lose are correctable.

Stay positive, there's a lot more fun to come. This is a work on progress!

Zeke · September 23, 2007

I don't think only the hardcore fans will be back. What a great atmosphere before the game! We didn't win, but it's hard to be disappointed. As I said on another post, the mistakes that caused us to lose are correctable.
Stay positive, there's a lot more fun to come. This is a work on progress!

Thanks for those thoughts GreenSquared. Everyone said before the season it would take time, but now that it is proving true it is tougher to live out. We can build on this night and learn from it.

FirefightnRick · September 23, 2007

Rick, you know I like and respect you, but I strongly disagree about what you perceived as vast defensive improvements.
First half, dropped passes by wide open FAU receivers is what stopped the FAU offense. Second half, they stopped shooting themselves in the foot and moved pretty much at will. And while the yardage may look better than usual... we did allow two blocked punts that gave some excellent field position. Throw in the midfield interception, and there wasn't that much yardage available to be gained. I know that the shorter field doesn't make it easy on the defense... but it doesn't seem like it matters much how easy or hard it is, whether it's 8 yards or 80 yards... When the opposing offense doesn't stop itself, the defense rarely stops it, either.
I'm still very, very disappointed and concerned about what my uneducated eyes are seeing on the defensive side of the ball. I know that the players we have are better than the results we're seeing.

There were 8 passes defensed that were credited to our defensive secondary, which has been the majority of the concerns. Much of FAU's success can be attributed to our lack of a pass rush. My comment was specifically more about the secondary than anything else. But considering we have been averaging giving up 380 yards per game prior to last night, 178 yards passing is a vast improvement to me.

Rick

Travis · September 23, 2007

There were 8 passes defensed that were credited to our defensive secondary, which has been the majority of the concerns. Much of FAU's success can be attributed to our lack of a pass rush. My comment was specifically more about the secondary than anything else. But considering we have been averaging giving up 380 yards per game prior to last night, 178 yards passing is a vast improvement to me.
Rick

I agree with you Rick

What hurt us most on D was the simple fact that they were out there practically the entire 2nd half.

Green Crazy · September 23, 2007

While they did help us in the first half with 5-10 drops, they didn't move the ball at will in the second half. One of their touchdowns was scored on a one play, 74 yard pass, thats not moving the ball thats a fluke. The other two touch downs were after blocked punts and giving the ball to them inside our 25. Besides that, they gave up three field goals (bending but not braking), which is fine with me. Especially considering the fact that FAU went for it on 4th down quite a few times and we held them half of the time. The worst part of our defense in the pass rush (horrible), but our run defense was great and our secondary was much improved and average overall. For our pass rush being non-existant, I would say our defense played pretty good last night.

meangreendork · September 23, 2007

Rick, you know I like and respect you, but I strongly disagree about what you perceived as vast defensive improvements.
First half, dropped passes by wide open FAU receivers is what stopped the FAU offense. Second half, they stopped shooting themselves in the foot and moved pretty much at will. And while the yardage may look better than usual... we did allow two blocked punts that gave some excellent field position. Throw in the midfield interception, and there wasn't that much yardage available to be gained. I know that the shorter field doesn't make it easy on the defense... but it doesn't seem like it matters much how easy or hard it is, whether it's 8 yards or 80 yards... When the opposing offense doesn't stop itself, the defense rarely stops it, either.
I'm still very, very disappointed and concerned about what my uneducated eyes are seeing on the defensive side of the ball. I know that the players we have are better than the results we're seeing.

Did you miss some of the blocked passes? The key hits that stopped some of the FAU scores? The defense looked better than it did at SMU. Now, it still needs to start hitting QBs and putting pressure on them, but yesterday's performance was good. If you want to know why it started looking less-than-stellar at last half of the game, well, if I put you on the field for a vast majority of an hour and a half, you won't be fresh-legged and sharp, will you?

September 23, 2007

http://www.meangreensports.com/ViewArticle...;ATCLID=1247000
I had fun other than the outcome of the game. And as I predicted, this was a much different defense tonight. To hold FAU to 248 total offensive yards is a vast improvement and Coach Mendoza deserves some credit for making the changes.
And I apologize to everyone for the fizzle machine. I was sent down to try and correct some things but there are a few minor adjustments needed. I hope to host a practice session with "Boomers"
crew before the next game.
Rick

Rick, I just noticed something for the first time last night. Is the entire cannon crew female?