[BJWilliams]

Contrary to the grammatically challenged ramblings of our friend above, we do not "suck" (which was mentioned in another thread). Coach Gill was left with a very difficult opening slate, so to see us come out 0-4 doesnt overly shock me. Would things be different if DR was still the coach? Recordwise, most likely. That said, we get two weeks to go over film and (hopefully) take care of the things that have led to the situation we are in.

Im stickin with these guys (and Im sure most everybody else here will too) and if folks like jlread want to go cliff diving in Acapulco about the season, that's their prerogative.

[JK37]

I'm not so sure the record would be any different. I believe the combination of stated expectations, a roster decimated by graduation at virtually all positions, a tenure yet to produce a playoff berth, and a brutal 2011 schedule led to Coach Rocco believing he'd "taken the program as far as he could."

With the benfit of our current perspective, we can see it would've taken approximately two seasons to reasonably return the program to the level we expected before the 2011 season. But since it was made clear to him that no severe drop off would be tolerated, he arrived at the finality he'd done all he could for the foreseeable future, and he moved on. Looking at Coach Rocco's career timeline, I'm not sure he ever stayed anywhere as long as he was here. So, I thank him for his service, and I hope Liberty defeats Richmond when it faces him.

[PAmedic]

thats a good post right there. I truly expected playoffs this year, and didnt realize how thin we were until the injuries started piling up.

and I really expected some of these wideouts to step up. Other than #9 and occasionally Fergie- no one has. was Dutra out last nite?

[SuperJon]

Would things be different if DR was still the coach? Recordwise, most likely.

That's just a dumb statement. You have no basis for that. Half the guys contributing now would've never gotten a chance under the previous staff. Like it or not, staffs play favorites and put others in the doghouse.

[Purple Haize]

Would things be different if DR was still the coach? Recordwise, most likely.

That's just a dumb statement. You have no basis for that. Half the guys contributing now would've never gotten a chance under the previous staff. Like it or not, staffs play favorites and put others in the doghouse.

That's the 'kerygma' of the whole season right there. Of the returning players, how many played a key role last year? Not saying they couldn't just asking if they did. Putting all the eggs in one basket as was done last year leaves you hurting for the future, and that is what we are dealing with now.
The guy has been in Lynchburg what, 6 or 7 months and we are already hearing talk of booting him? That's just crazy talk. It's like you are taking crazy pills. At least PA has sobered up and realized that he set his expectations for this year too high.
As for QB, 3 starts into the season and career does not make you a grizzled vet. He is going to have growing pains. That's why they are freshmen!

[flamehunter]

As far as QB goes, I believe we have seen fewer boneheaded throws per game this year than we did the last couple years from a veteran QB. Just my opinion.

[JK37]

...I truly expected playoffs this year...

And there's no reason it can't still happen. And if it does, it'll still be as significant a season as any in Liberty's football history.

The truth of he matter is that a Danny Rocco-coached Liberty team NEVER played a schedule like the one Turner Gill's group is playing this year. So, let's stop the talk of "Should we have kept Rocco?" right there! The comparison is laughably impossible at this point.

As fans, we must become intelligent fans. And, intelligent fans look beyond the numbers of an 0-4 record. Danny Rocco expressly scheduled wins. What did it get Liberty? A few 9- and 10-win seasons and no playoff berths. ZERO! So, being instructed to schedule tougher, he was probably unwilling to take the personal hit his career would while the program struggled through 6- or 7-win seasons as it endeavors into territory occupied by tougher competition.

As intelligent fans, which we can be, let's keep our perspective and focus upon more long term gain. Liberty should not be judged by just a simple glance at 0 and 4. This is a good football team.

Finally, ask yourself this: does the 0-4 season Liberty has played so far prepare it better for Stony Brook (and maybe Coastal) than, say, last years games leading up to conference play?

I believe the answer is a resounding "YES!"

[BJWilliams]

I will say my expectations were too high as well. Woodrum has shown well, but he is showing that he is still adjusting to the college game. I was talking to somebody at the game last night and he shared a lot of the sentiment that has been shared on here about how he has a chance to be a legit 4 year QB for us. We get an extra week now to prepare for G-W. They have lost 6 in a row (including getting pounded by Pitt yesterday) so hopefully we can use that game to get our good mojo going

[wideflame]

Would things be different if DR was still the coach? Recordwise, most likely.

That's just a dumb statement. You have no basis for that. Half the guys contributing now would've never gotten a chance under the previous staff. Like it or not, staffs play favorites and put others in the doghouse.

And, the other half of the guys not contributing now would have gotten a chance under the previous staff. There is so much volatility as to who plays and who doesn't this year that is it impossible to predict how the conference season will go.

[Bigsouthking]

Glad to see LU football being compared to some HS team (original post) -- interesting..
What was LU football record last season? -- .... I know it wasn't 0-10

[rogers3]

Glad to see LU football being compared to some HS team (original post) -- interesting..
What was LU football record last season? -- .... I know it wasn't 0-10

I'll take a father's introspection over a few armchair coach/ADs who probably have never known what athletic accomplishment is. Maybe you, jlread, and a couple of others should plan a pity party.

[Bigsouthking]

Yep Father's that think they know best send their son's to Duke... Or Arizona St.

[R i]

At least your not bashing our AD in every post, I can handle that.

[jcmanson]

Yes, we are building, reloading, rebuilding, however you want to say it, etc. Yes, we have played a tough schedule. Yes, we have 2 very inexperienced QBs. Yes, we have suffered many injuries... BUT... let's not act like Turner Gill is a shoe-in to be our "builder".

He is 25-53. He is on a personal 14 game losing streak. Let that sink in; that's CSUcks level of losing. In 6 years as a head coach he has had 1 season with more than 5 wins. Yes, his first 3 seasons at Buffalo he saw continual improvement, but what about his 4th season? What about right after he left? What about changing who calls plays after 2 games? Already doubting what you are doing?

There was a small seed of doubt in my mind when we first hired this guy, but I never said anything publicly. Sitting at 0-4 that seed is starting to grow.

I still believe in Turner Gill, and will give him plenty of time to see this thing through. But I'm not going to sit here today and say everything's rosy. I am a little worried.

Let's see what happens in conference play. Let's see what happens against G-W. NO WAY we should lose to them.

[Purple Haize]

Yes, we are building, reloading, rebuilding, however you want to say it, etc. Yes, we have played a tough schedule. Yes, we have 2 very inexperienced QBs. Yes, we have suffered many injuries... BUT... let's not act like Turner Gill is a shoe-in to be our "builder".

He is 25-53. He is on a personal 14 game losing streak. Let that sink in; that's CSUcks level of losing. In 6 years as a head coach he has had 1 season with more than 5 wins. Yes, his first 3 seasons at Buffalo he saw continual improvement, but what about his 4th season? What about right after he left? What about changing who calls plays after 2 games? Already doubting what you are doing?

There was a small seed of doubt in my mind when we first hired this guy, but I never said anything publicly. Sitting at 0-4 that seed is starting to grow.

I still believe in Turner Gill, and will give him plenty of time to see this thing through. But I'm not going to sit here today and say everything's rosy. I am a little worried.

Let's see what happens in conference play. Let's see what happens against G-W. NO WAY we should lose to them.

It just sounds like you are on the fence but leaning towards thinking this was a bad hire. I guess im of the opinion and experience that building teams and programs take time. IMOits way too early to push any types of panic button.

[Sly Fox]

Wow, Haize providing the voice of reason. Am I in some parallel universe?

[jcmanson]

I agree, no time to push a panic button, but one does have to wonder about TG and all his losing.

I don't judge whether anyone's a good hire until there's been plenty of time. I try to always see the positive, and so that's what I looked for in TG. Of course, seeing his overall record, the seed of doubt was planted in my head. Now we've had 4 weeks for that seed to grow.

There's still plenty of time for him to prove himself, but I think its foolish to sit here and say "TG WILL get it done".

[Purple Haize]

Wow, Haize providing the voice of reason. Am I in some parallel universe?

I ask myself that with every post!

[rogers3]

Yep Father's that think they know best send their son's to Duke... Or Arizona St.

What of the son's are the fathers sending?

[R i]

Their son's playing time and point production.

[Bigsouthking]

I agree, no time to push a panic button, but one does have to wonder about TG and all his losing.

I don't judge whether anyone's a good hire until there's been plenty of time. I try to always see the positive, and so that's what I looked for in TG. Of course, seeing his overall record, the seed of doubt was planted in my head. Now we've had 4 weeks for that seed to grow.

There's still plenty of time for him to prove himself, but I think its foolish to sit here and say "TG WILL get it done".

this = common sense.

[LBFlames_12]

Im new to the board but Im a former alum now living in ft myers met a man at a poker tourney the other night and he said his son is not to happy about the TE situation at Florida State and is looking to transfer down. I tried talking to him about the flames..we'll see what happens

[Rooster Cogburn]

It's a complete reboot and it will take time to click. We will be just fine in the conference. Wins will come.