Challenges
It's hard to call a good game on offense when the players can't sustain a drive for more than 3 plays and that game was remarkably close despite the inability to effectively run the ball. They've got this whole week to review tape, make corrections and practice. VT is no joke and it won't be easy to play in their house but again, this is a great challenge early in the season. Let's take a look at this offense at the end of the season before we say that Chaney can't coach. The one thing we know he can't do is make the play for those kids. Coaches coach, players play and the fans need to give them a little room to do their jobs.
- We knew that it was going to be a new system and that means there's a learning curve. Last year Chad looked dreadful for the first 5 or 6 games and he got better from there.
- Peterman looks no worse than Chad did last season. I'd argue he looks better in his early games than Chad looked early last season. I was at that B.C. game and it was hard to watch what little passing we did. Thank god for Tyler Boyd and James Conner.
- JAMES CONNER = 25 TD's... he's done for this year. That's going to make anyone's play calling look the lesser... Also missing Ibrahim and JJS is going to play a role. Our OL is not as strong as we were anticipating but it's not terrible. I'm not making excuses, I'm just acknowledging some truths that are creating challenges this team has to overcome.
- Catching the ball - that appears to still be Tyler, J.P. and Orndoff. Dontez Ford has 3 total catches this season for 75 yards. He has a total of 6 more catches at Pitt than I do, which would be fine had I played WR at Pitt. Clearly this alternative targets issue had yet to be worked out however I'm glad to see the TE's getting some use.
- Each week we see some progress in a different facet of the game. This team is finding it's way but the learning process.
- The defense is clearly revamped and significanty improved. This staff has been working and I'm sure that HCPN isn't going to allow the Offense to fall that far behind.
- We have a big, strong armed QB in N.P. that's not afraid to take shots vertically and has shown that he can move the offense when given the opportunity. He's going to get better every week.
- Eventually Chris James, Q. Henderson, Dontez Ford, somebody is going to step up offensively. Why do I say this? Because it's a spread offense and with each week logic would stand that the repetition and continuity has to take root.
It's hard to call a good game on offense when the players can't sustain a drive for more than 3 plays and that game was remarkably close despite the inability to effectively run the ball. They've got this whole week to review tape, make corrections and practice. VT is no joke and it won't be easy to play in their house but again, this is a great challenge early in the season. Let's take a look at this offense at the end of the season before we say that Chaney can't coach. The one thing we know he can't do is make the play for those kids. Coaches coach, players play and the fans need to give them a little room to do their jobs.
