The Morning After
by CarolinaTerp on Oct 16, 2011 8:51 AM EDT
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Ben can review a game less than 20 minutes after it was over, and it takes me 7 hours of sleep, a shower, and two cups of coffee to try and get my thoughts in order. I know it's said over and over, but thanks for all the hard work Ben. You do an awesome job on this site.
Now, on to my thoughts.
1. Davin Meggett said it best (as quoted from umterps.com...and has since been edited): 'They don't judge you on how close you were. You either win or you don't. You're either pregnant or you're not. So we just have to try again next week.'
2. In all honesty, I didn't think we'd have a prayer of staying on the field with Clemson last night. Living in S.C., I've seen them on a weekly basis and I knew, offensively, they were legit. Hats off to C.J. and the offense (excluding a couple of receivers) for their great performance last night. This is exactly what Crowton's offense can do and as much as he's been bashed by us on a weekly basis, it was exciting to watch. It looked like Clemson was more prepared for D.O.B., so a hats off to Edsall for the last minute decision to start C.J. The funny thing is that Clemson's defense sees that kind of offense every week in practice and still couldn't stop it.
3. I still don't know why we would kick it deep last night after every score. Edsall can chew the kicker out in front of everyone but he doesn't do it EVERY TIME unless he was told or unless it was part of the plan. There are these things called squib kicks...or short kicks...make someone else beat you except Watkins.
4. Defensively, I know we're young, but they've got to show more heart than they did last night. You're beating a team that's ranked #8 in the country 35-17 in the 3rd Quarter and there seemed to be no emotion from them. They laid the wood on a couple of Clemson players and it seemed like they still weren't pumped about it. Dabo made a statement after the game that I agree with: "In the end, we wanted it more than they did". I hate when an opposing coach is right, but it's the truth. Yes, Clemson is bigger and faster than we are, but you've got to have some pride...you've got to show some heart...you've got to want it. Hopefully last night's experience will pay off for these guys in the future.
5. Danny O'Brien...damn. As much as I HATE to say this, I will agree with what Terps3030 said last night: if D.O.B. plays, we get crushed. Like I said in point #2, Clemson seemed prepared for D.O.B., not C.J. Crowton's offensive scheme fits Brown more than Danny. I hope D.O.B. finishes out his career as a Terp, but if he decides to leave us after this year, I would totally understand. Football is a team sport, but in the end, you're going to do what's best for you and your future. He hasn't looked comfortable at all this year. I still think, though, that he's going to have to come in a game late this year and lead us to victory.
6. D.J. Adams. Edsall better have a really good reason for not playing him or he will have some serious explaining to do.
7. I'm not blaming our 2-4 record on Edsall, but for some reason, I just don't trust this guy. After his team's BCS game last year, he doesn't even fly home with his TEAM (the team that doesn't have their names on their jerseys), and tells his TEAM, over the phone, that he's taking another job. His team is up 35-17 over the #8 team in the country and he's not showing any emotion. Get a little pumped Randy...smack some of your freshmen defensive players on the ass and tell them to keep playing hard to build their confidence...chest bump your boys a little bit to show recruits how much you want this...etc. Maybe that's just me...maybe that's the type of head coach I like. You're coaching 17-22 year old kids who aren't paying bills yet...who may never make it to the NFL...who have a lot of energy...who WANT their coach to show some excitement when they do something great...give some of that love back. Maybe that's part of the reason you're record against ranked teams is now 1-19.
Go 'Terps.
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Also from SC, so I'm right there with you on point #2:
Aside from being blown away by what happened last night my main though it this….
It seemed like Edsall was doing a lot of “down talking” after big plays…..I may be wrong, but I swear every time they showed him on the sideline after a kid made a big play he’d give them the “that was a great play, but here’s what you did wrong.”
Did anyone else notice that or am I crazy?
P.S.—> Jury is still out on Edsall, Crowton and Bradford…..I love what CJ brought to the offense, and if it starts winning games then maybe I’ll buy into it, but I prefer a pro style offense……Special Teams has clearly decreased in productivity/effeciency this season.
Perhaps you watched a different game
I watched most of the game last night and one thing stood out for me. I saw Edsell do a high jump side bump with Davin Meggett last night after he scored a touchdown. This showed me that he is getting excited about the potential win and it is only your paranoia about Edsell that is coloring your opinions! I think the main problem we had last night was not Edsell but lack of experience on defense. Starting an all-freshman group of linebackers would REALLY frighten me against a team like Clemson. I think that that group was not physically ready for such a grueling game and were just going through the motions in the fourth quarter due to fatigue. That is the problem with most freshman, they do not yet have the required conditioning to play a full four quarters. After the first two games, I was ready to throw in the towel on Edsell and was predicting a short two year tenure as coach. But as time goes on I am beginning to see that he is actually a very good coach but just doesn’t have the talent to compete with the top teams. The jury is still out on his recruiting ability (just like it is with Turgeon) and that will determine his longevity at MD.
by LongTimeTerpFan on Oct 16, 2011 9:22 AM EDT reply actions
the talent is ok...
the depth is the problem. if we get more players like we have…and let them mature…we are fine.
by TERPLANDLORD on Oct 16, 2011 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions
To add to my comment
Copied from another blog
"Maryland’s defense started five freshmen: all three linebackers, a safety and a defense end. The usual starters who were available but did not start, Kenny Tate and Darin Drakeford, didn’t play at all.
That left the Terps with very little depth, and most of the starters had to play nearly every one of Clemson’s 80 snaps. "
by LongTimeTerpFan on Oct 16, 2011 9:32 AM EDT reply actions
That's rough
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Oct 16, 2011 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions
I give the defense a semi-pass for these reasons:
1) Clemson’s offense – like Maryland’s – is designed, in part, to run the defense ragged. The lack of depth was obvious in the second half.
2) The defense held a high-powered offense to 17 first-half points, and can’t really be blamed for two of Clemson’s second-half scores (the interception and kickoff return).
3) Nearly half of the starting defense consisted of freshmen, including the entire linebacking corp.
Problem Was Big Passes Though
Clemson did well on the ground, but their huge plays were through the air. I know Cam had the pick-6, but the problem was in the secondary more than at line at linebacker positions.
As In
We do not have anything near a shutdown corner. “Barely Servicable” is more like it.
Can't win big time college football...
if your QB can’t make a pass over 10yds.
Our only big plays last night were CJ breaking runs from the pocket or Furstenburg breaking a 5yd route into a TD. Unless CJ improves and Crowton throws the ball vertically more, it’s NOT a viable long-term offense.
Also, being a freshman doesn’t give you an excuse for not knowing how to tackle. Guys were taking horrible angles all night and not wrapping up their man. Find the ball, run through the player, wrap, and take him to the ground. Tackling 101 Brafor!
clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose!
smoke'em if ya got'em!
by Daniel Hamilton on Oct 16, 2011 11:56 AM EDT reply actions
how do you figure we cant win?
CJ put us in a great position to beat the 8thj ranked team in the country, and we should have won!
because you need a good system offense
Most of CJ’s big runs were just scrambles from the pocket. Now, That is a great skill set to have but soon teams will catch on to the fact that he can’t throw and just play run on us all game and keep one spy on CJ.
Like CarolinaTerp mentioned, Clemson prepared for DOB too and that significantly helped CJ in the first half. Not to mention, we got a ton of gifts last night like the interception, fumble, and dropped punt.
clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose!
smoke'em if ya got'em!
by Daniel Hamilton on Oct 16, 2011 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Good points, D.H.
And as much as I look forward to us going to Tallahassee, Jimbo and his team will prepare for C.J. to run…probably load up the box with 7-8 guys…and say “Okay C.J….beat us with your arm”. Not being rude, but that’s what I would do. The rest of our opponents will do the same.
by CarolinaTerp on Oct 16, 2011 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions
lots of dropped passes way over 10 yards
+ a 40 yard touchdown pass. you have to have the option in your offense in college and cj has deadly speed. Clemsons defense was frozen…not sure of what to do…all night.
by TERPLANDLORD on Oct 16, 2011 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Dropped Passes
As long as the WR crew continues to drop everything thrown their way it doesn’t matter who is behind center. The only difference in that scenario is that CJB can move and DOB can’t. Everyone is going to load the box and take their chances in single coverage because, to date, no WR is catching the ball.
by LowcountryTerp1 on Oct 16, 2011 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Seems to me Clemson's D adjusted to CJ's strength pretty well by the middle of the 3rd Qtr
His runs pretty much were held in check from that point on, with maybe one of two exceptions. Clemson DID bring in more blitzes and spies to hold him in check and challenged him to throw it to beat them. I imagine every opponent we face from now on will do the same. CJ will still get yards based what he demonstrated last night in his ability to read man coverage that leaves him open to scramble or his ability to escape the rush and scramble for big gains once in a while, but our future opponents are for certain going to be aware of his running ability and respect it as part of their gameplan.
dropped passes and dubious penalties
doomed us. cj creates huge problems…he reminds me of charlie ward. he could scramble all day for recievers to get open and make the d-line dog-tired and never come close to sacking him. what a weapon.
by TERPLANDLORD on Oct 16, 2011 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions
dare I say....
cj appears to be a freak athelete. plus he’s intelligent…commands the offense and has eyes in the back of his head. his skills may not translate into a pro qb but as a college qb he may be a dominating presence.
short term solution
but long term loss…..in the short term CJ might be better, but good chance we lose DOB who has a bigger upside…
freshmen
I thought our freshmen defensive starters were nothing short of outstanding. Sure there were mistakes but in the end lack of depth wore them out. Clemson’s offense is too talented and deep for them to match up over quarters. If we had been substituting like the Clemson Offense our defense would have held up. We needed more bodies. I cannot fault the freshmen play against a high powered offense like Clemson.
Our game was the most entertaining game of the day according to ESPN
I just watched Devon Hester run 98 yards right thru a Minnesota Viking special team. It happens when the talent is there, as it was in the 2nd half with Clemson.
If I was a 4 or 5 star recruit at yesterdays game, I’d want to be on next years Terp team. Sure, there are a ton of holes and misplays, but in the end I’d want to play for a team who lost 56-45 than play at Penn St. and win 13-3.
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