Supersurch

It starts up front. A five-star RB would be great, but if you don't have the push up front, that five-star RB better be Barry Sanders in his prime. Or maybe just Barry at his current state. DTs would be my number two target. Probably one of the toughest positions to recruit. There are not a lot of big, agile, and smart high schoold DTs in the country. And the ones that are available are usually gobbled up by top 25 programs. The rest have one dificiency or another, whether it's the size, techniques, or football intelligence. But a good program can develop (both physically and mentally) and hope the kid will be ready by the 2nd or 3rd year. RBs, Corners, QBs are much easier to bring in and have them play right away even if they look a little raw, IMO.

Running a conventional offense requires more talent on the o-line. We don't have the talent right now to make a good push off the ball. In regards to punishing a mobile QB: I would assume that UC had that as their number one game plan. Not only punishing Matt physically, but bum-rushing him constantly to rattle him. IMO, that loss was just not the bulls. UC had an excellent game plan. They might not of played up to their potential, but they stuck to their plan. And it paid off.

Okay, these are great, but how a little more objectivity: 1. Who are these "best" players? And where would you line them up? 2. How would you teach these fundamentals? I'm assuming tackling, tucking in the ball, etc., right? 3. Okay. Let's use Miami for example. They have a fairly conventional offense with all of the above you mentioned. And they have very talented kids at those positions. What's wrong with them? Their OC or HC, right? Ahh, easy escape route. 4. Hmmm. And how would you adjust if the defense played three deep with LBs dropping into middle coverage (first down area), and the d-line was dominating our o-line? 5. And how many of these players are available? And wouldn't you think the more solid programs have already laid a foundation for these players? Or do you really think these kids have no where to go and are waiting for USF to come and recruit them? 6. What happens if your best players continues to commit those bonehead penalties? Sit them all down? Would you let the scrubs play, and moan and groan about it when they lose the game? 7. Same as #6. 8. Again, more concrete plans, please. I would do this too, but I'm a fan, not a coach with many YEARS of experience coaching football. And many years dealing with the school's budget, personnel, and other resources you nor I have any clue about. 9. What? 10. How will this improve our football team? Besides the image and the image of the school. 11. If you don't have concrete plans or useful and unique ideas, you are several steps behind a guy like Rod Smith. C'mon man, wake up and smell the coffee. I find it very repulsive when a person feels they could do better, but does nothing. Tell us you hate Rod Smith, Jim Leavitt, or how this team stinks. But this input is equivalent to what someone would do as a Pop Waner coach. I mean, I enjoy reading your posts, whether or not they are positive, but this has no value, especially when you are making a case for validity. If you think you can do better, what are you waiting for? Look at yourself in the mirror. You are just like me, and the rest of the posters, when it comes to COLLEGE football. If you had any experience or a clue about coaching COLLEGE football, you would not be sitting there outlining what you would do.

We ARE very weak on the D-Line and O-Line. Both physically (pushed around) and mentally (penalties). But the kids do try their best. I guess that is all you could ask for until we upgrade in talent.

I'm assuming the coaches have a lot of respect for PJ on how he has handled himself. Sometimes loyalty is not such a bad thing, especially when you have a good kid on your team. I do agree his throws are consistently high.

I would place a copy of this article in each and everyone of the players' seat on the plane ride to Cincinnati. ;D

Do you think that's why Walt hasn't seen the field as much? He had a great game against McNeese.

Is this week's match-up "Izzo Vs Triple B"? It seems like there is always a new match-up every single week. Don't get me wrong. It's rather entertaining to read. Nature at its best. If there is no one different to fight against, fight your own. Maybe it's because we haven't seen any knight fans on the board in awhile. :

Only if we won the Big East Title would any move be made. That means winning out. That's tough.

The block I saw last night in the UCF game was a mirror image of Bleakley's block.  I mean it was EXACTLY the same block, as I saw it.  A FB or TE, not sure which, was leading the runner and dove right for the ankles of a LB and took him out.  And I've seen the same block many times in other games.  Just not sure why Bleakley was penalized for it.  And it was a very crucial penalty on us in that game. ÂÂ

I know this is over and done with, but perhaps some ex-players and/or knowledgeable fans could possibly explain this penalty for me. Regarding Bleakley's chop block penalty (against Kansas, I believe): Why was his illegal, but not the fullback from Marshall on a UCF player tonight (if you're watching)? It was so clear the fullback dove for the defender's ankles and the sidline referee was standing RIGHT THERE. And I've seen this many times in other games, and no penalties. I thought a chop block is illegal when a defender is already engaged in a block and a different blocker dives in below the knees towards the same defender. I truly think Bleakley's block was legal, and it was crucial when we were penalized for it. Just curious on the technicality.

I really don't get it.  I mean, I truly thought my user-name was cool.  You know, like Super Man, or something.  I have been crying this whole time while reading these posts.  How can you guys be so mean and down right, you know, ...mean!  Shucks, I want my mommy.  Momma, are you there? Momma?  :

Not to patronize you, but perhaps I can add a little down-to-earth insight to your questions: 1)  Grothe looked a little gimpy at the end and I can only assume he was hurt pretty good.  The kid is tough, and if he was gimping, then he must of been legitimately hurt.  Probably not a very effective runner at that point. 2)  Life is not perfect.  Neither is Amp Hill, nor you, nor I for that fact.  Rod Smith is definitely not perfect, nor is his boss.  Most of all, these kids that are playing their hearts out are not perfect. Constructive critizism is great, because it helps people develop and get better.  But there a lot of people here that needs to take it easy a bit, espcially on these kids.

It's human nature.  People loves to complain, but never really know what and how to fix the problems.  It's easier to voice your opionion, than to actually be proactive about it.  Let's name a few other common complaints: 1)  Gas.  We love to moan and groan about it.  Some may say "start drilling in Alaska", and some say "start drilling in Mexico", but nobody really has any clue on how to make it work and work properly.  So what do we do?  We drive right on up to the pump and pay $2.70/gallon.  We buy big behemoth of vehicles.  We take our boats out to go fishing.  And so on. 2)  Presidents.  I don't think I have ever experienced a time when great things are said about the president, no matter who is in office.  Yet, only a small percentage of Americans go to the voting poll.  The biggest excuse is:  "I don't like either candidate, so I'm not going to vote".  That's bull-crap. I'm guilty in both of those topics by the way. Just trying to make a point. Can any one else think of any others?  I'm sure there are many.

He is a great coach, because he has given his life to this program.  Like E.T. said earlier, we would probably be in our third coach by now if Leavitt was not loyal to this school and program.  For jimminy sakes, he had a chance to go to Alabama!!!  And for more $$$!!  Win or lose, I think he deserves this university's respect and loyalty back.  Look at JoPa, on a more extreme example, many people in PSU world wanted him canned after that horrid season.  Last year they kicked butt and they're not doing that bad this year.  But think reasonably about that for a moment.  JoPa IS PSU.  You get rid of him and you lose more than just wins and losses.  You lose a part of the university.  That's how I feel about Leavitt's contributions to this program.

There was still a POSSIBILITY that it would be overturned. We were marching down field and the momentum was on our side. KU defense looked as if they were playing not to lose at that point, protecting their small lead. IMO, that fumble was crucial, and I wished Leavitt would of spent two timeouts to review that.

Amen to that, my friend. Although, some here would say you have no passion. But you probably don't care. Neither do I.

I believe a douche nozzle is an applicator for douche users to apply the chemicals to the affected area, isn't it?

That is freakin CLASSIC, man. I'm still laughing! ;D

There is no doubt that was an error on Leavitt's part. Any close calls that late in the game should be challenged. And that WAS the turning point.

Ditto, man. I'm happy I was able to watch the game. I, too, have critique some players and some plays. But a lot of fans here have bashed the players, the coaches, and the program. Call it passion, call me not being a "true" fan, or what have you. But if those things upsets you so much, why even follow the team? I don't think any one of the players or coaches on the team wants to lose. But losing happens and mistakes do occur. Comment on them and move on. Someone on the board wrote, "get rid of CJL". That is absurd. The guy practically gave his life for this University.

I rather have a one-man offense, than a no-man offense.

Whether his knee (Walt Smith) was down or not...that was the killer in the game. We were in a groove and Matt was moving the offense like he was a veteran.

Percentage wise, I believe a running play in that situation is the correct call. The defense was probably three deep with the linebackers dropping back into coverage as well. Unfortunately, we don't have a good running play or a decent running back, so I'm sure Matt was the best option. Just didn't execute on the blocking, and the defense did a good job of sniffing it out. Regarding Bleakley's block: I thought a chop block is where a defender is engaged with another blocker and a different blocker comes in and chops the defender's legs out from under him. I thought that was a clean block.

Three Goods  : 1.  For a RS freshman, Grothe has a lot of poise.  For example:  he throws a poor pass into triple coverage late in the game, and turns around the next play by zipping a sideline pass to Randolph for a first down.  This kid is going to be great. 2.  Amarri laid out to make a nice catch early in the game.  Nice effort. 3.  Mike Jenkins is a stud.  Speed, great instincts, and a good tackler. Three Bads  :'(: 1.  We have two punters on the roster, but we used a kickoff specialist to punt.  Wow!  I hope those two kids did not travel, because that is a waste of the University's resources. 2.  I agree with the observation on Moffit.  He seemed lost on those crossing routes. 3.  It seemed like the receivers lacked effort on the last two throws into the end zone.  No one went up to get the ball.  Or maybe Matt needed to put a little more air under the ball.  Maybe the receivers were tired.  But I thought Randolph's pass was catchable, and the two into the end zone were also catchable.