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(Editor’s Note: this conversation was held the day BEFORE the Georgia Tech game)
(Also Note: it’s funny to think this site would have actual editors)
PirateWolf: All sugared up on leftover Halloween candy!
TheRealEssad: I’m ready to roll. I’ve got a pile of my kids Halloween candy and a bowl of ice cream cake
PirateWolf: Glad to see we’re on the same page
haha
TheRealEssad: Nice
Back by unpopular demand, the segment nobody asked for but will begrudgingly accept
Okay, so we gave up a million yards rushing against BC, and a half million passing yards against Wake
At what point is “youth” not a valid excuse for a poor defense?
JEOHankins2: I think they are one in the same...youth, health and regular coaching deficiencies
It’s all that soup, all together
PirateWolf: So I take it we have to talk about football since Omega already used the “on to basketball” copout?
JEOHankins2: hahahaha
TheRealEssad: Haha, that’s honestly my one football question. I have nothing else to say at this point
PirateWolf: I don’t think the defensive woes recently are all on bad coaching, but they’re also not all on youth... and they’re not all on the offense’s ability to not score points and sustain drives
It’s just a perfect combination right now... crap multiplied
JEOHankins2: a perfect storm
TheRealEssad: “crap multiplied”, get your tickets now!
PirateWolf: hahaha
JEOHankins2: There are a ton of pieces on defense that individually had good games...we played the run well against Wake
PirateWolf: NC State’s marketing department have an opening? Can’t imagine they wouldn’t hire me
TheRealEssad: I personally have never been on the “must fire Hux” bandwagon, but I don’t know anymore. When is the breaking point?
The defense showed signs of life just a few weeks ago
JEOHankins2: Whether we like it or not Hux has a built in excuse, excuses this season
If we were going to dump him, it should’ve been after last year
PirateWolf: Well, here’s the deal for the folks that want firings
We’re not going to see both a new OC and DC next year
Or if we do, then we know Doeren’s on the way out the following year
JEOHankins2: Agreed...
TheRealEssad: Yup
PirateWolf: Only coaches firmly on the chopping block make that “hire all new coordinators” move
JEOHankins2: haha look at Willie
PirateWolf: So I guess the question is: would you rather live with Hux as your DC for another year? Or live with the co-OCs for another year? You’ll probably get a change with one, but not both
Did you just ask me to look at a willie?
JEOHankins2: hahahaha!
I’d live with Hux (and Gibson) over the double OCs
TheRealEssad: Same
PirateWolf: Same here
TheRealEssad: Needs = TD’s more than anything
PirateWolf: A better O makes the D better
A better D is still losing games 31-10
JEOHankins2: yep!
TheRealEssad: Steven is right that we need takeaways on defense, but offense needs to be more consistent
Man... It’s getting hard to remember the last turnover we forced...
PirateWolf:
TheRealEssad: Haha, need the desk pop
PirateWolf: September ‘08
TheRealEssad: Classic
JEOHankins2: To me it goes back to having watched this offensive staff bumble the QB situation, fail to scheme an effective running game even with a young OL...the defense has at least shown somewhat of a pulse against P5 combo...before losing all its corners
PirateWolf: But, yeah. I also wonder why we play with such tight splits along the OL
I understand that we’re playing down a bunch of lineman, but bringing everyone in closer to the center of the O just seems like a recipe for disaster
TheRealEssad: Yeah
JEOHankins2: It’s been said to death...but with a player like Houston...why aren’t we running out of 3-4 wide?
As we have seen...he needs one good block in space...kid will get you 10-15 yards maybe more
TheRealEssad: There just isn’t much creativity going on
He seems like an heir to the JaySam role
But like the Steelers, can’t get the right touches
PirateWolf: Yep
Goes back to the lack of creativity on offense
JEOHankins2: What sucks is our creative-adjacent plays were just awkwardly executed...a flea flicker where Wake doesn’t bite, another that goes too quickly to fool the defense and the one wildcat that got Bam hurt
Other than that its, as y’all have said, simple formations, play calling
TheRealEssad: Okay, I’m done with football for now
On to basketball (Edit: again, this was before the GT game)
Serious question:
Just how hard does Kevin Keatts run his practices that multiple guys are hurt before the season even starts??
He said today that the team will not be at 100% for tomorrow’s opener
Markell was seen in a walking boot
I heard a rumor he rolled it on Devon Daniels foot
I assume he’ll still play though
It may have been precautionary
Long story short, I’m not getting good vibes for an ACC season opener
JEOHankins2: I think we lose tomorrow...another perfect storm (Edit: on point with the prediction in hindsight)
But to be fair to Keatts there’s no evidence his practice has produced injuries at a high rate
PirateWolf: Kevin Keatts: HUUUUUUGE WWE fan
JEOHankins2: Hahaha you say that as WWE Raw is on in the background behind me
TheRealEssad: Haha. Yeah I’m being facetious
JEOHankins2: Hahaha I thought you were
TheRealEssad: It would stink to have the one guy we need to stay healthy not be healthy
PirateWolf: I’m watching “Best of Kenny Powers” videos now
... Football got me down, man
JEOHankins2: Yeah we need Markell more than anyone all year...but he has not played a full season since his first year?
PirateWolf: In Markell we trust
Dude is going to destroy teams this year
Oh, but let me answer your question
No, I don’t believe he has
TheRealEssad: He has not, combo of injuries or legal issues
JEOHankins2: Theoretically we should’ve had the depth this year to withstand Markell missing a couple games...Bev, Harris, Seabron...with CJ in a pinch...now we are potentially down to just Bev tomorrow and CJ playing out of position
TheRealEssad: Yeah, no update on Seabron that I saw
JEOHankins2: Yeah for sure...and every time we’ve lost Markell the team hasn’t had enough talent back there to withstand it
TheRealEssad: That being said, the BPI loves us
17th, with a 99% chance for a NCAA bid
So, you’re telling me there’s still a chance we don’t make it
JEOHankins2: Thanks BPI!
So boy...a game that set up to be a fun time to watch a full Keatts team in play...already looks like an omen on the season if it goes sideways
TheRealEssad: Happy thoughts!
UNC was only at 98%, just saying
JEOHankins2: Hahaha losers!
TheRealEssad: So, in summary:
I’m pretty sure the football season is over, I don’t think they have any games left so we can just pay attention to basketball
And basketball is surely not going to let us down in any way
JEOHankins2: Watch us hang with Clemson for 2 1/2 quarters and we’ll be right back here like Michael Corleone
PirateWolf: hahaha
TheRealEssad: Maybe 1/4 of the 1st quarter
PirateWolf: It’ll be where we score first... and then just get beat down from there
TheRealEssad: I’m just happy basketball is back. Keatts is like an old friend that comes around once a year and you’re just glad to have him around
JEOHankins2: Tell that to the internet if we lose to GT no matter the circumstances (Edit: another great prediction, so everyone calm down already!)
TheRealEssad: Haha, “the internet” never listens to reason
PirateWolf: Santa Keatts?
Kevin Clause?
JEOHankins2: The Kevin Clause sounds like a made for TV Lifetime film
TheRealEssad: If he can bring a bunch of presents before Christmas this year, we’ll be very happy
There sure are a lot of chances
PirateWolf: Indeed
Just beat UNC
... and make the tourney
TheRealEssad: Three big OOC P5 matchups and 2 ACC games all before new years
Done and done
Okay that’s all I had
JEOHankins2: Exciting times
PirateWolf: Sweet
Happy College Basketballing tomorrow, fellas!
TheRealEssad: By this time next week we’ll have two basketball games done, crazy
PirateWolf: And let’s take down Clemson... you know, for shits and giggles
TheRealEssad: Wouldn’t that be nice
I’ll text Dave
JEOHankins2: Like someone posted earlier...Illinois was a 30 point dog to Wisky sooooooo
TheRealEssad: You never know!
PirateWolf: True!
Let Dave know we’re okay with a win
TheRealEssad: Will do! Til next time!
PirateWolf: Later, guys! Go Pack!
JEOHankins2: yep!
Peace
TheRealEssad: Go Pack indeed