My opinion.....arguments welcome

[NDfanSteve]

I watched in stunned disgust yesterday only to have my spirits lifted in the final minute, which saved the season for us. But a few things which I hope to have someone either agree or disagree so I can rethink my opinions.

I thought, with the exception of the two td passes, the defense played rather well. A few runs I thought we gave up too many yards but other than that, not a bad performance. However, when, dammit, will we learn to wrap up a wide receiver instead of throwing ourselves into him? This has happened over and over this season, watching our defensive backs throwing themselves into the legs of a receiver, only to find themselves on the ground as he goes in for a td. It's embarrassing to watch the highlight shows when they discussed ND's poor tackling techniques. Second, will we ever get pressure on a QB? Yes, we got to him several times yestereday for knockdowns, and a couple of sacks, but there is never is a time when you think, we've got him this play.

Offensively, and this may be a touchy subject, when will we see Aldridge and Prince? Don't get me wrong, I like Walker. He's a good RB, but in my opinion, very predictable, and while he is so good at waiting for the holes to open, has no real burst-out speed, which I believe makes our running game so easy to defend. Does anyone else think we could see a few more two back sets, and maybe getting the ball more to A & P?

And our offensively line! Suppose to be our saving grace this year but time and time again, looks like a mid-tier line. With so many experienced players, doesn't it make one wonder how bad things make be next year? If UCLA's line can do that to us, imagine what will happen when we make it to a major bowl, and play one of the top teams in the country. With four "gim-mes" coming up on the schedule, I would hope for some kind of continuity from them to develop.

I think 11-1 is definitely doable, but I fear we need to improve so much to beat a top-five team.

 

[tgolden]

I watched in stunned disgust yesterday only to have my spirits lifted in the final minute, which saved the season for us. But a few things which I hope to have someone either agree or disagree so I can rethink my opinions.

I thought, with the exception of the two td passes, the defense played rather well. A few runs I thought we gave up too many yards but other than that, not a bad performance. However, when, dammit, will we learn to wrap up a wide receiver instead of throwing ourselves into him? This has happened over and over this season, watching our defensive backs throwing themselves into the legs of a receiver, only to find themselves on the ground as he goes in for a td. It's embarrassing to watch the highlight shows when they discussed ND's poor tackling techniques. Second, will we ever get pressure on a QB? Yes, we got to him several times yestereday for knockdowns, and a couple of sacks, but there is never is a time when you think, we've got him this play.

Offensively, and this may be a touchy subject, when will we see Aldridge and Prince? Don't get me wrong, I like Walker. He's a good RB, but in my opinion, very predictable, and while he is so good at waiting for the holes to open, has no real burst-out speed, which I believe makes our running game so easy to defend. Does anyone else think we could see a few more two back sets, and maybe getting the ball more to A & P?

And our offensively line! Suppose to be our saving grace this year but time and time again, looks like a mid-tier line. With so many experienced players, doesn't it make one wonder how bad things make be next year? If UCLA's line can do that to us, imagine what will happen when we make it to a major bowl, and play one of the top teams in the country. With four "gim-mes" coming up on the schedule, I would hope for some kind of continuity from them to develop.

I think 11-1 is definitely doable, but I fear we need to improve so much to beat a top-five team.

I agree about the DB tackling usually, but if you're talking about their 2nd TD, that was a little different. It looked like Ndukwe was wrapping him up and at that exact moment Herring came flying in and they both ended up knocking each other back instead of tackling the guy. and on the other TD, no one really ever touched him so it wasn't a matter of poor tackling form. and yes, other than that, I thought the D did a good job.

We did use some 2 back sets yesterday although Prince didn't touch the ball. I think sooner or later he will though. But one thing I must say about Darius, he is one tough guy. So many times yesterday he just got clobbered, spun around in akward angles, etc, etc, and he just kept getting up.

 

[sonomairishfan]

i agree with your opinion on the DB's and tackling. they have been sloppy and going for the big hit especially zibby and ndukwe.

i totatlly disagree with your assesment of walker. the fact that our running game is next to nothing is because of the o-line. they are not opening up holes for anybody to run through. it doesn't matter who is back there. walker is a huge key to this team's offense. i think that it is evident in him being the leading reciever.

if they continue to play this way a BcS game will be a long day.

 

[Seymore]

Second, will we ever get pressure on a QB? Yes, we got to him several times yestereday for knockdowns, and a couple of sacks, but there is never is a time when you think, we've got him this play.

We had pressure on the QB a few times, but the question you should be asking is,
"Are they ever gonna call a fu%^&ng holding penalty against any team we play this year?"

I mean seriously, Im not one to bitch about officiating hardly ever, but yesterday was ridiculous to say the very least. I seen VA taken down from behind countless times. Zibby's blitz was the most obvious call I seen all day, and yet it was ignored. Landry almost got his head taken off a few times after beating his man, the guy lterally hooked his arm around Landri's head and swung him to the side right in front of the officials and again, no call.

I thought the defense played really well yesterday considering UCLA was holding on almost every play.

 

[tgolden]

I saw somewhere that we've played 28 quarters of football and our opponents have not been called for holding in 26 of them. That's pretty bad when you consider that in the game of football, there could be a holding call on just about every play if you wanted to call it. Between the lack of holding calls, the bs pass interference call on lambert, and a few other things (such as the holding called on cullen on that last punt), it was a pretty poorly officiated game.

 

[tommy]

the blame must lie at the feet of the o line and not perticularly sam but when you look at the names of this line it shocks me that they are not playing will

 

[weebs]

I agree we should get Aldridge in the game alot more , he had a 6.25 ave. on 4 carries agianst Stanford, altought it was at the end of game but he looked great.

 

[ND Lifer]

I presume the refs were from the PAC-10 again??? Shades of the USC game last year!