Troy and Marshall games 2010

[MarkL]

So a couple of days ago I watched most of the football game at Troy this past fall, and a while back I had the Marshall game on the background while studying. If you haven't seen either, check them out on ESPN3. From watching those, I thought a bit about what could have been for the 2010 season.

Against Troy, I saw a team that was a couple of slipped tackles from winning. The team ran the ball effectively, Geter had an all around great game, and even Pronty had a great run. The offensive line played all around well. Also, we lost the game primarily on a late turnover. Schilz threw the ball to Wiley and he just didn't bring it in cleanly. This was one of several drops in the game by all the receivers, but this one led to a pick by a DT. The game was tied at the time, and Troy marched down the field and scored. So close, so close.

Against Marshall, I saw a team that was mostly dominant on offense. Defense was for the most part OK, but the secondary came up with the game of their lives with all those picks and two pick sixes (shoulda been three). But Schilz went down against Marshall, and that play may have been the key play to the rest of the season.

The team that started out 1-2 and nearly 2-1 or even 3-0 never showed up again. Injuries destroyed the offensive line. When Schilz went down, he was never the same when he came back. It seemed as though he just didn't have the same quickness with his arm and certainly was not as mobile. The team that played those first three games didn't play any more because of all of those injuries.

So I guess what I'm saying is last year's team could have easily finished way, way better than they did. With how little depth there was, though, the season hinged on how many plays our starters were able to play. The team that played the first three games was nothing at all like the team that played down the stretch. Some players were unable to return, and some that were injured and did return just weren't the same. Again, watch those games on ESPN3 if you get a chance.

So what does it mean for next year? We have a TON of players that either started or played significant time coming back this next season. There's lots of experience coming back, especially at O line, QB, and DB. 2-10 could easily translate to a great winning season and a bowl game / championship. Think 2006 to 2007.

And if I can figure out how to embed ESPN3 replay games, I'll put the Marshall and Troy games here.

[Flipper]

We could have easily beat Troy and Temple. We definitely should have beaten Buffalo and Miami. We should have lost to CMU.

[Falconfreak90]

I agree we could have beaten Troy and Temple...possibly Miami. However, we were thoroughly outplayed by Buffalo the whole game and lucky to have a shot to win. UB's mistakes kept us in the game.

Good points Mark...Schilz was never more than 85% after that injury against the Herd and gun shy in the pocket. I don't blame him cuz our O Line took major hits due to injury. Matt showed what he's capable of doing the first three games and I'm pumped to see him healthy this season. Can't wait to see what Hurley can do as well.

I really don't want to look back at 2010. LOL! I'm looking forward to a much better '11 season.

GO FALCONS!!!

[Sub-Zero]

Schilz was definitely impacted by the players around him. No line. No backs that could block. Sparse catching support aside from #19 and Bayer. I hope he has not gone the way of Klingler where good QB talent is destroyed by their surroundings.

[Flipper]

Wow...somebody used the words "Klingler" and "QB talent" without including words and phrases like "absent", "minimal" or "completely bereft of"....

[MarkL]

Speaking of drops ... #19 (Jorden) dropped quite a few early. He improved on that very quickly and by the end of the season was quite a sure-handed receiver. Now we've got another full season with him .... this could be big.