Bullpride08

This is Freshman All-American, not All-American. Danny's stats speak for themselves. Danny was in position to make numerous plays. Sure he was knocked back, or didn't finish a tackle because he was too small or overpursued but the point was he was there, and made plays. If he had a competent safety mate instead of Camon he might have made Danny look better instead of forcing Kevin to make every **** play. Few freshman are starting 8 games at strong safety in the 1-A level. Danny had two sacks, a few TFL, and a fumble recovery to go with numerous tackles. The positive is once Danny works his ass off, and he'll do it, he has the knowledge, speed, and skills to be amazing. This year he hit that RB and got dragged for one or two yards (that's life as a freshman starter), but in the future he's going to knock those RB's flat on their asses just like his brother did. The key is to use this as motivation, and not let it go to his head. I think having his brother as a grad assistant will force him to push to greater strides, and make more of his opportunity. Look at what Kevin did, and by his own admittance Danny's taller, and faster than he was. Imagine what Danny will do if he takes this accolade and uses it to make himself faster, bigger, and stronger!

The youngsters were looking for leaders this year, and they didn't find them. The present senior captains were the doers, not vocal leaders from the past few years, the vocal leaders were the hucksters that ran amuck like Kobel, Gipson, Lewis, King, Camon, and a few others that were falling into their trap. I believe a kid like Nicholas, if he's given some guys to look up to, or to work along side that he respects, can really make a difference. I would put my money on that kid making it. However, it wasn't until the end of the season that Devon Davis got his act together, and other linebackers are too young. Next year I expect some real leaders to emerge. The staff is preparing for this thing- Andre Hall, Frank Davis, Carothers, Djuan Brown, and honestly we need Nicholas to come out and be the leader, not pal around with some of the yahoos. This defense desperately needs Nicholas to step up as that leader. The staff is probably telling him that as we speak, and saying this is put up or shut up. Stay and be a leader and role model for this defense or move along, and we'll find someone else. I guarantee that's what's being said. Can't we do a chat, or instant message on this stuff versus having it all over the board.

hopefully with some other players gone, and some renewed energy exerted into the defense he can re-channel his energies, and become more of a team player. Higher than Kawika Mitchell? I watched Nicholas wiff on two major tackles in the Pitt game where he had the RB dead to rights at the LOS. Those were marginal RB's, and KM would have stuffed those runs for no gain. Long on athleticism, short on smarts. He's been doing that all year, why do you think Josh Balloon started ahead of him for the Pitt game- better leader and tackler. Youth, what can you say.  I also noticed Terrence Royal, and Gipson trying to fire up guys on the sidelines, however I wouldn't give them an afterthought as leaders for this team- more like problems. One's gone, and one's on the way out. ÂÂ

Nicholas' has spent more time firing himself up then other players. He's a whisker away from being gone, and that wouldn't be such a bad thing. Team players, its time to put up or move along. Trust in Hall and others to do the firing up.

Becoming a leader on this team is more important than you know. Hopefully Andre has a few other team guys that help shape the 2005 crew, and most of the problem element will be gone.

Uhhh, this is mid-year graduation. Some of the other seniors may choose to graduate in May like most seniors.

I sent a message to Doug explaining, and he seems to have disappeared.

T, Good list... coaches were not the sole source of discipline issues on this team. There wer some serious attitude problems on this team, and thanfully two of them are graduating this year, and both departures will actually help us in the defensive backfield. To improve this team I have a very simple five step plan that will make this team better. 1. Coaches select better team captain's. This year were good players and good guys but doers not talkers. Some of the past captains would have B**CH slapped Royal, or Camon. 2. New QB coach, and possibly OC...definitely new QB coach. 3. Alot of dead weight still clinging to this program, let it drop if they couldn't play on this team when we were a glorified 1-AA and C-USA, they'll never cut it in BE. 4. Get the younger guys developed and on-board. 5. Make sure Johnny Jones, and Tim Jones are ready to lead this team to greatness. No more attitudes, get this team in check.

Come on Bulldad, you know as well as I that there was some issues with players on this team, and the senior leadership was horrible at times this year. The senior captains have all been great warriors for this team but not vocal leaders. The malcontents came out of the woodwork. It had nothing to do with penalties, but there was some bad apples that were running the show and causing issues all year. Thankfully two of those fools will be graduating this year.

Immediate answers at OL are needed. Don't be surprised if a solid JC OT is signed to help out immediately. Also, Muy may move to guard, Miller at center, and Davis to tackle with Carothers maintaining at guard. That's the word from the bird.

It is not a requirement at ND to go to church. That hasn't been required in over thirty years. Notre Dame has quite a few non-Catholic's on the team including Ryan Harris (who is a muslim and that obviously isn't his muslim name). That church thing is always used against ND but that's not a requirement. They have dozens of athletes at ND that are not Catholic. Now a days at ND the only requirements are great grades and test scores plus an ability to pay the exorbinant costs.

Ohhhh, you worked with the JUGS Machine...you need two of those to have fun. ;D The bigger the jugs machine the better the action.

Uhhh Wooly USF is in some heated recruiting battles with ND on quite a few recruits in FL.  I would say for certain that this could be enough to sway top notch safety, Ray Herring, to USF!

???? Or this is the year that adversity demonstrate's what some fans are made of. Work with a jug machine before? I'm willing to bet every receiver in the country that's worked with it has jammed at least one finger. Not the most effective tool, and can be somewhat demoralizing if you're still trying to improve your hands.

You're wrong on this one Steve.  Trust me on this one Lawrence Dawsey was the best thing that happened to USF at WR coach.  The problem's with our WR's is we had four years of an atrocious coach in Pajic.  This guy was bad, come on Terry back me up on this one.  Give Dawsey a year to recruit, and a full year to coach these players.  You're going to see dramatic things from Garris, Green, Chambers, Edwards, and Peyton- provided the QB can consistently deliver them the ball.  Mark my words, and the WR's he may have coming in this spring are even more dynamic. LD was a coup for USF.  His problem is he's spent the last seven months cleaning up the mess that Pajic left him.  What he left him were marginal blockers, guys that never consistently ran good patterns, had bad hands, were weak off the blocks and shedding defenders.  The first step was cleaning all that up, and getting the guys to be technically sound.  The next step is making them into playmakers and ball handlers. Rome isn't built in a day especially after Pajic was in-charge.

I agree with Steve-o on this one. Not because of the potential, or lack thereof, but because we're finally making some inroads at QB in the HS ranks. If we take primadonna Midgett that would screw it all up. It could severely endanger our shot at Grothe, and definitely at Hill and Fayson. I believe Grothe is better than Midgett at the same time in HS. Midgett was a better HS passer than Hill or Fayson but those two have far more upside. Midgett isn't an immediate answer for 05', so he isn't worth the risk. Muy on the other had would be a great get. He's transfering for all the right reasons. He's loaded with talent, good size, we need a center, he's a smart kid, and he will probably be able to play immediately.

Exactly, as HS seniors both were not as highly touted, and turned out to be sleepers. Why does it have to be a transfer? Why can't Zaronn Cann develop into a dominating PF? Why can't Chris Howard turn into a top notch PG? It's just as likely as David Robinson growing almost 7 inches after his eighteenth birthday, or Bird getting homesick at IU. Those were freak occurrences, not what you build a program around.

True. I think some of the current good athletes are so young they're still learning the ropes, and haven't played significantly yet. Guys like Eric Thomas, Chance, Carlton Williams, and McCollough. The ones that are playing shouldn't be by conventional standards, and probably wouldn't have been playing in their present status if they were on the team in 01. A good comparison is to think back in 01'. That year Kevin Verpaele was a RS-Soph, and yet he wasn't starting sitting behind Joe Morgan, and splitting some back-up minutes with Miller, and Jones. We know Danny Verpaele is every bit the athlete and heady player Kevin was, in fact Kevin admits Danny's taller and faster. Then why was Danny playing- first Johnny Jone's freakish injury, and we lost our top notch starting SS for the year. Kenny Robinson's abrupt departure after spring practice just further opened the flood gates at safety. Then we come to find out that Drametrice Smith, and Jeremy Burnett might be career special teamers. In thrusts Danny, and he's forced to give minutes. What a difference a year will make: 2005: Johnny Jones returns healthy and strong, and yet again another Verpaele platoons with JJ, and Drametrice Smith and Burnett maintaining back-up, back-up status. Gone is Camon, in slides Mike Jenkins, Carlton Williams, and hopefully Ricky Ponton. All the difference a year can make.

2001 a better football team? Well its hard to argue with results. However we grew the 2001 program through transfers during the 1-AA ranks, and some academically borderline players. That's no longer a luxury of ours so we are going to have to recruit another Kawika Mitchell, Glen Davis, or Tucker the old fashion way- out of HS. Also, in certain spots we have athletes that are equal or more gifted than players on the 2001 squad however those 2001 players were all upperclassmen- particularly on defense. Look at 2001-02 then lets compare to today. The 2001-02 DL: Jurineak (senior in 02'), Wall (02'), Daley (02'), Emerson Morris (02'), Tchecoy Blount (01') and Pierson (02'). All of them were juniors and seniors during that time, with Pierson as the exception but he was with the program for three years. Today: Tavarious Robinson (06'), Searcy (05'), Royal (05'), Eric Thomas (07'), Cray (07'), Chance (07') and then we had Battle, and LRS Jr. (who both played in 01 and 02). Look at the LBing crew in 01-02: Anthony Williams (01'), Kawika Mitchell (02'), Allen (03' until injuries entended his career), Mojo (03'), and Davenport (03"). Today: St. Louis (06'), Nicholas (06'), Moffitt (07'), McCollough (07'), Balloon (07') and Davis (06'). Look at the DB's: 2001 and 02- Glen Davis (01'), Reed (03'), Morgan (01'), Verpaele (03'), Tucker (02'), Bernard Brown (02'), Robinson, Hemingway, John Miller. Look at DBs this year: Camon, Verpaele, Trae Williams, Mike Jenkins, AJ Brant, Drametrice Smith, and Bruce Gipson. The talent is there, the experience is not. The 2001 crews were not extremely deep but very long on talent and experience. I believe more players on the current roster have greater upside potential. If the current team had the luxury of getting groomed like the 01-02 crew did through the 1-AA ranks, and building as the first major senior class then I think this team could compare favorably. The 01 team had some special players on that roster, but at the time the special players were primarily upperclassmen. Give Peyton, Chambers, Nicholas, Davis, Jenkins, and a few others two more years in this program and then come back and compare.

It's an odd year for USF but changes are needed, not in coaching just players, on the defensive side not the offensive. We've had some severely inconsistent QB play, and to make matters worse a few ill-timed drops by WR's. In a nutshell that's what has killed us. It hasn't been one bad play call, or one ill-advised drive or use of time this year. It's been a complete season of an inconsistent passing game, with a porous defense. To make matters worse is that many of the passing opportunities were available and good calls but for whatever reason (bad pass, drop) we couldn't connect. It's not worth confusing the issue, and because of every bad play or ill-advised play to start arbitrarily pointing fingers at everyone. I don't think Hobbie is ill-replaceable, but I do think he did a good job changing the offense on the fly, and gameplanning. He had some great halftime adjustments, and did a good job overall. Again, some can be critical, but he definitely wasn't the reason we lost our games. If one man draws some serious attention to him its Rod Smith because of the continual inconsistent, and sometimes horrific play of the QB's after MB departed. He never seems to get consistent production from them, and they seem to make the same mistakes, and problems. He helps devise the passing portion of the game as the passing game coordinator. His inability to help get a solid QB, his insistance that Gachette was every bit as talented as Schaeffer (on record). To many little things that eventually led to bigger on the field problems at our QB position. If we're going to criticize we at least owe it to those involved to criticize properly.

You keep your bet. Hobbie's going no where and I am actually pleased about it. If anyone goes its Smith, and it would be the only prudent decision. How ignorant can you be about betting on the opening play as a sign of coaching change? This team's stats speak for themselves, if we can some competent passing the stats would be even more eye-popping. They're almost better than our stats in 2002, and 2001. Think about it.

I don't agree...when we lack success its easy to be a Monday Morning QB and second guess certain plays, and players. However, the fact Hobbie completely re-tooled this offense midway through the season to gear it around Hall says worlds about this man. He managed to get Hall the ball in correct situations. I'll leave the criticisms at home, half of our offensive sputtering is due to ineffectiveness in offense. I saw 6 pass plays, that were brilliant calls on Saturday- IF EXECUTED PROPERLY THE GAME RESULTS MIGHT HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT!!! How is that Hobbie's fault? If Hall misses a bowel movement do you blame Hobbie, if Peyton stubs a toe do you blame Hobbie? This offense's problem has as much or more to do with dropped passes and poorly thrown passes as anything else. In the game yesterday if Feldman holds onto that sure TD pass from PJ, if Allyson catches that first down pass, if Sheffield actually doesn't bobble that ball or runs a pattern (PAST THE FIRST DOWN MARKER NOT JUST BEFORE) then we don't have to give the ball up on downs. If PJ hit SJ Green wide open down the sideline we score in the second quarter. Hall wasn't anything on this team in our first three games. You **** sure better give the man that recognized, actually the MEN, that recognized his ability and put in the packages that allowed him to excel. Those men were Hobbie, and Coach Franks. Who in the sam hell do you think gave Hall the chance to look good? You act like Hall waltzed in here and they just handed the ball off to him and he started gaining 200 yards a game. NO THE COACHES ARE ALLOWING HIM TO DO IT BECAUSE THEY'RE SCHEMING FOR HIM TO DO IT. That credit goes to Offensive Coordinator Hobbie, and Running Game Coordinator FRANKS! If your going to criticize a man properly, then you **** sure better give him props when its due. If your going to say that Hall's been our offense then give the men that allowed it to happen the credit!!!!! This offensive problem has been ineffective passing, particularly during critical downs. It's easy to see us get 400 yards and Hall run for 150, but when we get to critical downs on like 3rd down and 7, and we need a solid pass we just aren't getting it and it in turn stalls drives, and drops confidence.

Remember everything is new for USF. This is new for us to have a game this late in the year. It's new for us not to be done before Thanksgiving. It's conditioning. How are students suppose to know the necessity to stick around for the Saturday game, or come back early if no one mentions it. A great idea is for SG to sponsor an event that day, but how are they to know its our first game after Thanksgiving. We're still building traditions, and we're still learning how to adapt to being a college athletic centric school. It's the job of the Athletic Department, and University to see these games early on and try to put things together to insure that people understand the importance and meaning. The University, and Athletic Department should have sponsored something for the frats, and students that would have at least brought more than a token student attendance. Secondly, they need to promote the games that need promoting. In the end it comes down to not knowing what to be expected. Texas fans know that they must come back to Austin by Friday for the UT v. A&M game because it's played every year during that time, ditto for MSU, v. Ole Miss, and Pitt v. WVU. Those are things that are learned, you just don't walk out on Saturday and wonder why the kids aren't there? Because they don't know any better, and it's the job of the school, marketing department, SG, and athletic department to make them know better. Don't blame the students on this one because they were just doing what is natural- going home for the holiday's. Someone needs to motivate them to stay around or come back early for the game. At least until traditions are set.

Crack what you will, but Hobbie did a superb coaching job this year. If you don't agree then you've not been watching the transformation of a solid offense. You can be a bit ridiculous about it, and question a call or two, but a call or two didn't lose us either game, what lost us the past two games was a defense that is just too young to stop high powered offense, and a QB that's far to inconsistent to allow us to have a balanced offense. Much of that responsibility falls squarely on Smith's shoulder's. He's the QB coach, and passing game coordinator. Smith's had Banks for five years, and PJ for a full three, and thus far improvement has been minimal, and in Bank's case he seems to be deteriorating. Sure their knowledge of the offense is better but a QB coach must instill confidence, get rid of these throwing hitches, and make sure the QB's are thinking and reacting properly on the field. I've seen none of that. Crack on Hobbie, but that offense has looked great at times, and he's done a good job calling plays all year. I was not his biggest fan last year, but you can't shoot him for calling plays that work. Even times when we didn't execute on pass plays they were good calls- give me back 2/3's of the dropped passes, and the countless underthrows or overthrows by PJ.