SFASawmillGuy said:
Vidlak was the difference last night between us winning by probably 3+ touchdowns and us losing unfortunately. The receiver did their job creating separation. The line gave Rutherford time to throw. Several wide open passes were overthrown, and I counted at least 3 100% touchdown passes. I'm sure there were more.
The worst part is that Gavin is not that bad. Either they tried to use him as a pocket passer or he chose to try and be pocket passer but they didn't use him properly. Gavin has some wheels and can run. For whatever reason we did not use him in the running game at all and he didn't take advantage of many wide open running lanes when protection broke down.
I don't necessarily blame the coaches for not switching to Mcelyea at any point. Gavin probably practiced with the starters all week and they probably felt he had a better rhythm with the starters than Dalton, who mostly practices with the 3rd string, would. But we didn't change the gameplan hardly at all to fit a different QB's skill set. Even more frustrating is that we are less than a year removed from a QB who had a similar skill set to Gavin, and Chris Ross coached an offense with a running QB before.
It just baffles me that we didn't try to make the offense work with someone who wasn't a pure pocket passer.
I will try to remain hopeful for the future of this team. If we lose Carthel we will lose a lot of these stud players. We have to hope that what Vidlak said to the Daily Sentinel about loving Nac is true, and have to hope that IF we do move on, it's a superstar hire.
I refuse to think it's that hard to bring a consistently winning program to Nacogdoches.
All valid points and I agree. Carthel has another year on his contract and we should let him play it out. He (Carthel) has to know that next year the microscope will be on him. As if it isn't already.
My key point with this team is the let down(s). Losing Vidlak was huge. But good teams push through a team like Commerce. We didn't. That gives me solace.
6-6 makes me barf. I'm not optimistic, but Carthel needs to conjure up another win. I'm not certain I see the path with a Gavin.
If, If Carthel can bring back 90% of the crew that beat Nicholls etc , we could be more successful next year. The Lumberjack faithful have been put through some ____ over the past 4-5 years. Let's get some mojo.
Axe 'Em Jacks - Class of 85'