2007 season

anthony e · Post by **anthony e** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 1:44 am

I have posted earlier saying that our season would be 4-8. However, after
further consideration, I am saying that maybe, just maybe, Greg Brandon
has some magic in his crystal ball. I hope that with somewhat of a passing
game and our running game we can win some games. How about
8-4 or 7-5? What does the Falcon faithful think? Optimism or realism
is the key.

Flipper · Post by **Flipper** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 8:54 am

No...the QB is the key. If we get good QB play, we could be an 8-4 team. If we get the same inconsistency we got last year, 4-8 is probably optimistic

hammb · Post by **hammb** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 9:23 am

Flipper wrote:No...the QB is the key. If we get good QB play, we could be an 8-4 team. If we get the same inconsistency we got last year, 4-8 is probably optimistic

Agreed.

Although I think we're counting on the defense to improve (which they should) and hoping the STs improve (they cannot get much worse). If the defense continues to struggle to get off the field, even with good QB play I think we'll struggle to get to 8-4. If our STs are still the disaster they were last year then 8-4 is really asking a lot.

QB play is the ultimate key though. Our offense hinges on quality QB play, and if we don't get it, we will struggle.

Falconfreak90 · Post by **Falconfreak90** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 9:34 am

Flipper wrote:No...the QB is the key. If we get good QB play, we could be an 8-4 team. If we get the same inconsistency we got last year, 4-8 is probably optimistic

I am on the same page as hammb & Flipper cuz great minds think alike. LOL JK...

I agree that QB play is the key. I think our defense is gonna kick tail all year...I'm pumped to see them fly all over the field. Our O line is one of the best in the MAC...we have a very solid stable of running backs. If we can get another WR or two to step up with Partridge and Barnes, we should be solid at that position. That leaves the QB. If we can't move the chains and put points on the board, it won't matter how good our D is. If AT is the guy, great. If Sheehan is the guy, great. If Glaud is the guy, great. Just find me the guy that can move the O and put up points.

Another thing....New Coach Stephen Bird will be in charge of the ST's. That area simply MUST improve greatly. If we improve the overall ST's and get quality, consistent QB play, I don't see how BG won't contend for the East Division and MAC title. This team has enough talent and returning experience to win at least 7-8 games. There isn't one game on this schedule that isn't winnable. Minnesota and Michigan State are predicted to have down years. BC will be the biggest test but they aren't unbeatable. If there is one game I had to pick for BG to lose, it would be BC.

The MAC sked is favorable. We get Ohio, Akron and tsun at the Doyt where we MUST regain the home field advantage. From 2001-2004, teams hated playing at our house. We need to get that mentality back where NOBODY comes in our house and walks away with a W. Gotta protect the home turf. We face MU, Kent, EMU and Buffalo on the road. All winnable games.

I am very interested to see what Coach McCall does with the play calling this year. I certainly hope we see a balanced attack, ala Josh Harris, than what we saw last season. Please, no more QB draws 3 plays in a row!!!

The Freak has taken a more cautious approach going into the season than usual. With the D's potential impact, this team can win the MAC...the conf is wide open. With consistent QB play and decent ST's play, I like 8-4...even 9-3.

If we see a repeat of last season with the QB and ST's play? 4-8 or 5-7 is about right.

58 days.....GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!

BGSUFootballFan · Post by **BGSUFootballFan** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 9:57 am

If you read Phil Steele, he has our ST's unit ranked dead last (119th). He gives us an overall score of 0.37, with 118th place being FIU at 2.33 and 1st place Kansas St. at 13.72.

I think the ST's are the biggest key to us winning games this year not our QB play. I mean lets face it, we already know that none of those 3 QB's are going to come out and be Omar or J5 this year. I think one of them certainly needs to do just enough to keep the D honest and off our a stable of running backs. But realistically I see a pretty narrow realm of performance coming from our QB's and certainly the higher end of that will help us win games. However if we really want to win games this year we need to ave more than 27 yards a punt, more than 17 yards per kickoff ret and not be record setting (-7) in kicks blocked!

1987alum · Post by **1987alum** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 9:58 am

QB play is the key. Even if our D continues to improve, they will run out of gas in the fourth quarter if they are on the field too much because the offense couldn't move the ball.

And we won't move the ball unless our QB performs.

If a few players step up (one of our QBs, a third WR as Freak pointed out, our new kickers), we will surprise a lot of people. But if all the "ifs and buts" don't go our way, it will be an other disappointing season.

JoeFalcon · Post by **JoeFalcon** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 11:18 am

BGSUFootballFan wrote: I think the ST's are the biggest key to us winning games this year not our QB play.

That's what I'm thinking too.

QB play is essential, but we had what was likely the worst special teams play in the history of NCAA football last year. The statistics you cited are mind-boggling. In Steele's rankings, we were 117 and 116 wasn't even close.

Getting quality special teams play under Coach Bird will help everything, including field position and play-calling philosophy. (We can only hope the days of running the same plays twice and endless, painfully obvious QB draws with 9 men in the box are over under McCall)

Jacobs4Heisman · Post by **Jacobs4Heisman** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 11:56 am

STs, QB/WR play. If both those areas improve dramatically, we should break .500. If they don't, we probably will be mildly better than last year simply due to experience, but still not a threat in the MAC.

We must have a consistent Freddie and a third WR step up or the QB play will not get much better. Brandon needs to put appropriate emphasis on Special Teams play to his coaches and players, or we won't see much improvement there, either.

I am not optimistic about this season, but such is my nature.

MarkL · Post by **MarkL** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 8:53 pm

I really think the passing game will come back this year. After all, remember our lack of production in the running game in 2005 and then how much we got on the ground in 2006. If the coaching staff can turn the ground game around that quickly, I see no reason why they can't turn the pass game around. Also, with McCall coordinating the offense, he'll get the passing game going strong again. After all he worked wonders with Omar and Josh. I'm sure he'll develop a great offense.

9-3 sound good? Maybe even a win over a Minnesota team in transition? Hopefully.

orangeandbrown · Post by **orangeandbrown** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 10:09 pm

Well, certainly the D has to be better. And the Special Teams have to be better. But, I agree...QB will carry us. And i agree, I don't see any of them setting the house on fire, which is why I worry about this season. If one does, 8-4 is in play.

FalconTurf · Post by **FalconTurf** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 10:21 pm

If any aspect of the team is as poor as last year's special teams it will be a long season. Brandon must know that the special teams cannot cost him like last year or ultimately they will cost him a whole lot more. Special teams come down to preparation more than athletes or kickers, punters and long-snappers. Coach Brandon is far too competitive to allow the lack of preparation to happen again.

As for the quarterback position I think it will be improved due to a better running game provided the O-line is up to the task. If you have the horses to pound on the ground then suddenly the passing game is a lot easier.

8-5 (they'll lose a bowl game)

NO BAD TURF EXCUSES IN '07 - WELCOME TO FALCON TURF!

Jacobs4Heisman · Post by **Jacobs4Heisman** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 10:45 pm

FalconTurf wrote: Coach Brandon is far too competitive to allow the lack of preparation to happen again.

Would you define lack of preparation as not going full bore on special teams in the spring game?

Special teams was hideous in '05, and everybody knew it. Brandon allowed it to miraculously get even worse last year. I don't think the deficiency has to do with Brandon's competitiveness. I genuinely think he has absolutely no idea how to fix it. I just hope some of the new blood on the staff can succeed where he has failed.

Falconfreak90 · Post by **Falconfreak90** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 9:14 am

Jacobs4Heisman wrote:
FalconTurf wrote: Coach Brandon is far too competitive to allow the lack of preparation to happen again.

Would you define lack of preparation as not going full bore on special teams in the spring game?

Special teams was hideous in '05, and everybody knew it. Brandon allowed it to miraculously get even worse last year. I don't think the deficiency has to do with Brandon's competitiveness. I genuinely think he has absolutely no idea how to fix it. I just hope some of the new blood on the staff can succeed where he has failed.

Coach Bird has a job on his hands...Hopefully we'll see major improvement in the ST's.

57....

San Diego Falcon · Post by **San Diego Falcon** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 10:35 am

4-8

It makes sense that the ST have to be better/can't be worse than last year, but wasn't everyone saying the same thing after the 2005 season? Until they show otherwise, I'm going to expect the worst ST in the country from this coaching staff again. There's just no basis (other than plain hope) for any other expectation.

Flipper · Post by **Flipper** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 11:38 am

We'll go as far as that new logo takes us...with that in mind, Macman is checking the NCAA website to see if any bowl games are played in San Francisco or Key West.