[thepostman]

the hype came after stories came out about them working so hard this summer....it started coming in full force right as the season was getting under way...

I am not saying that is the only reason, but it plays into it....as you said, sometimes teams come out flat and there isn't always an easy explanation to why....but this team was in a position it hasn't really ever been in before...they have been expected to win....and I mean really expected to win...not just some coach saying it....so maybe its has some to do with they hype...who knows...

as long as they address it and grow from this whole situation...that is all that matters

[Knucklehead]

I don't know. I can't explain it. It's not because they thought they were better than they were. I don't want to denigrate you by saying you haven't watched sports, but tell me why teams don't show up in the Super Bowl, the national championship game, etc. Sometimes you come out flat and it can't be explained. That's sport. I have no clue why they didn't have the intensity on Saturday. I've been on the bus to games with my high school where I knew going into the game that we were flat and weren't going to play good.

SJ, if you asked my wife trust me I watch too much sports. I do understand it and had it happen to me in HS. I just don't see how the whole team comes out flat in this situation. I think this is the team we have, a good NOT GREAT team. I think they will win quite a few more games and maybe the BS Conference, but that is it this year. Next year, well who knows. Maybe I got bit by the Coach Sam predictions too many times, but you don't know what you have until it sees some real competition. And I believe VERY strongly that they bought the hype Hook line and sinker. And for the record I didn't like the good to great deal from moment 1.

[SuperJon]

Did they buy the hype of Coach Rocco yelling in practice that they were practicing like a 6-5 football team? That's the type of things he would say in public.

Look, I'm around these guys everyday in class, and yes, I have done some volunteer work for things like football camp and things of that nature. These guys knew they have the potential to be great but that it was going to be hard work. They didn't think they were great already.

We, the fans, the athletic department, etc were the ones that hyped this team up. The team did not hype this team. You can say you think they bought into it but the only person that can convince me otherwise is Danny Rocco himself.

[jcmanson]

You're right Knuckle, it's the good 2 great slogan. That's ruined our season.

[thepostman]

I understand where you are coming from SJ...but I just don't see how you can say that they didn't buy into it definativly...much like I can't say they they did buy into it definitivly....none of us knows the players mind....Danny Rocco was shocked that his team didn't come out to play...he put the blame on himself...but this is on the players....how they do not come out focused I do not know....but I do know this...it better be changed, because I have a feeling he isn't going to be too slow at putting other players in the game if they come out flat again...

[SuperJon]

Coming out flat is a part of sports. It happens. It doesn't happen because you believe the hype or whatever. The team was very angry after the W&M game. They all wanted to take it out on Elon. For whatever reason, they didn't. It's one of those things that can't be explained.

[Knucklehead]

Sorry SJ, I forgot that you're an insider.
JC you are a smart one aren't you!

It's an opionion, yes from an outsider (an alum is an outsider not wow), but an opinion none the less.

The players aren't going to tell you they are great and unbeatable!

Their lack of focus will!

[thepostman]

didn't they come out flat against William and Mary as well??? They put themselves in a hole and had to come back...they did it again the following week, but this time it was against a better team....coming out flat one week is one thing...coming out flat 2 weeks in a row is a whole other story....thats my point in all of this...

I am not in panic mode or anything, because we can still win the Big South and that is something we have never done and it would be great, and another step in the right direction....I am just trying to figure out why we came out flat two games in a row...

with that said, I think I am done talking about last week...we can go in circles all night long...I hope our guys come out focused and I hope they realize that they can't come out flat if they expect to win...it didn't hurt us when we came out flat against DII teams...but its something that this team has really struggled with all season....I hope that changes this week

[SuperJon]

I'm not an insider by any means. I've never claimed to be one. The only thing I've ever done is create a program for the senior banquet and help sign up kids when they got here for Danny Rocco Football Camp. I'm a fan. I'm a student. I'm someone who is in class with a lot of players. I talk to these guys on a regular basis. I've never claimed to be an "insider." Quite frankly, there's not a single person on this board that is an "insider" with the football program.

Posty, they didn't come out flat against W&M. No one ever claimed they came out flat against W&M. The defense was exploited in that game and the quarterback play wasn't very good until late fourth quarter. There's a difference in coming out flat and playing like crap. Why don't you go out, play a double overtime game that's insanely emotional, then practice in weather that is 75 and cloudy at best for an entire week, and then go out and play in 92 degree heat and direct sunlight. That's a little bit of an explanation.

[Knucklehead]

Alright if we want to look forward then fine.

St. Francis
Toledo
Charleston So.
Blue Hosers
Coastal Carolina
VMI
Gardner Webb

All I'm saying is that it just stays tough from here. If we continue to "come out flat" then last years record will be looking really good. I think they can still win most of those games but not playing like they have so far this season. Have we really seen a good all around game yet? Not in my opinion. I think this team can do it with some personnel changes. We'll see if they answer the call.

[Knucklehead]

Why don't you go out, play a double overtime game that's insanely emotional, then practice in weather that is 75 and cloudy at best for an entire week, and then go out and play in 92 degree heat and direct sunlight. That's a little bit of an explanation.

OK I'm leaving now before I have to give an answer to thi one.

[SuperJon]

Do I think the heat was a reason? No, I don't. How many times have you seen a team come out flat after playing an emotional game? It's sports. It happens. You're just wanting to blame a bunch of kids for not playing as good as you thought they were. You're trying to say a coaching staff built up this team more than they really did. The fact that so many of you guys are questioning every little thing that this staff is doing now after two losses completely baffles me. I expected it out of Stevev and Paradox. The rest of you are just flipping out over a bad game.

What personnel changes need to be made? Spencer over Brock? That's the only one that has any substance. Who else needs to be pulled? Who else should have guys playing over them? What backup is legitimately better than the person starting in front of them? If you say Zach I'm just going to laugh at you. If you don't realize why Zach wasn't played more after Coach Rocco has explained it 2 billion times then you never will.

[Knucklehead]

In the paraphraised words of Dan Hawkins (who is nuts) "its division 1AA football!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This ain't pop Warner!"

[SuperJon]

It doesn't matter what level of football it is. Let downs happens. It's a part of the game. It is completely possible, and just as plausible, for people to be worn out emotionally and not even know it. There are also things in the great world of sports that can't be explained.

[Knucklehead]

If you had heard hotline tonight you'd know I was refering to the personell changes coach talked about (Spencer some, Zack MORE, and some Oline changes). He also mentioned some zone additions.

[thepostman]

Posty, they didn't come out flat against W&M. No one ever claimed they came out flat against W&M. The defense was exploited in that game and the quarterback play wasn't very good until late fourth quarter. There's a difference in coming out flat and playing like crap. Why don't you go out, play a double overtime game that's insanely emotional, then practice in weather that is 75 and cloudy at best for an entire week, and then go out and play in 92 degree heat and direct sunlight. That's a little bit of an explanation.

dude...i am not trying to get you angry...just having an honest discussion...you have you opinion, I have mine...and I am not even saying for that I am right...There is no sure reason why they came out flat....I was just throwing my opinions out there....you say they didn't come out flat against William and Mary, though I have talked to some who think otherwise....so again it depends on your point of view....

anyways....this is becoming pointless...I don't know if you are really getting fired up about this or not SJ...if you aren't I'm sorry for misunderstanding you...this is honestly nothing to get upset about....

ps...I will pass on playing a double overtime game and then in the 92* heat the following week....haha

[Knucklehead]

I'm a Charger fan, I get let downs trust me. Ever heart of LT?

[SuperJon]

you say they didn't come out flat against William and Mary, though I have talked to some who think otherwise....

We had a sack on the very first play of the game. We didn't come out flat. We just didn't execute.

[bigsmooth]

we certainly came out flat against elon.

[jcmanson]

We did not come out flat against W&M. They didn't even score in the first quarter. We took the lead in that game. They came back in the 2nd quarter and dominated us.

[Schfourteenteen]

Is it possible that Rocco and staff hyped us up media wise, and then although the players didnt buy into it and worked their butts off maybe we arent as good as we want to think? I mean I havent seen anything this year to say were going to be great, and so for us to expect 3-1 or 4-0 at this point maybe it was a little much for our team. Apparently we came out flat at Elon (I wasnt there) but an somebody tell me we should have beaten Elon? or could have?

[SuperJon]

We had the talent to beat Elon. I don't even think Elon's players/staff will deny that. We just came out flat. It was an aberration.

[Schfourteenteen]

Okay man I wish I went there(not to see a beating but so I'd know what Im talking about)

I take that back I got The Office Season 3