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Post by SoConFan on Oct 23, 2014 9:19:00 GMT -5
I don't have a dog in this fight, as I am a fan from another SoCon school. I am not as versed in O-line play as FUBeAR, but FWIW in seeing Mercer play I think you would have to agree that the things UTC's coach pointed out are in relation to each other - he didn't trash or say the O-line sucked, but he certainly indicates that several of the other facets of your team are what concern him more. Coming from non-scholarship football last year and having a ton of success, I understand how you guys had much higher expectations than fans of other schools have for you (as well you should). But after 4 conference games I think if you were being realistic you would agree that the "value" starts playing the schedule you played last year and some of the teams you play this year are not SoCon quality. So based on that I would give a higher "value" to the starts the lineman have made at UTC based on the quality of the competition they have faced (including playing FBS teams as well as former SoCon members like Ga Southern and App State). In all honesty, the SoCon is way down this year and will probably still be next year. So Mercer is positioned to gain some experience, and when they turn some of the penalties and turnovers around they will quickly rise to the top half of the league. But for now, you might surprise another conference team but you are most likely going to end up with a decent overall record because of your schedule but be 1-6 or 2-5 and next to last in league play.
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Post by FUBeAR on Oct 23, 2014 10:11:49 GMT -5
I don't have a dog in this fight, as I am a fan from another SoCon school. I am not as versed in O-line play as FUBeAR, but FWIW in seeing Mercer play I think you would have to agree that the things UTC's coach pointed out are in relation to each other - he didn't trash or say the O-line sucked, but he certainly indicates that several of the other facets of your team are what concern him more. Coming from non-scholarship football last year and having a ton of success, I understand how you guys had much higher expectations than fans of other schools have for you (as well you should). But after 4 conference games I think if you were being realistic you would agree that the "value" starts playing the schedule you played last year and some of the teams you play this year are not SoCon quality. So based on that I would give a higher "value" to the starts the lineman have made at UTC based on the quality of the competition they have faced (including playing FBS teams as well as former SoCon members like Ga Southern and App State). In all honesty, the SoCon is way down this year and will probably still be next year. So Mercer is positioned to gain some experience, and when they turn some of the penalties and turnovers around they will quickly rise to the top half of the league. But for now, you might surprise another conference team but you are most likely going to end up with a decent overall record because of your schedule but be 1-6 or 2-5 and next to last in league play. Don't disagree that a sliding-scale start value methodology would yield more accurate/reflective results than the simple methodology I utilized, but I felt doing that was outside the scope of the analysis I wanted to perform...and I'd have to charge extra fees to BearDownMU for 'scope-creep'  Will not agree that he didn't say that his opinion of Mercer's O-Line is decidedly negative - In Coach-Speak, that is clearly what he said. Not going to speculate on the final SoCon record as I've seen Mercer play 3 SoCon games they could have won (2 vs. defending champs and 1 vs. current conf. standings leader) if they played nearly as error-free as they did last year...and they have 3 remaining. Well...Actually, I will speculate....the SoCon record will fall somewhere between 4-3 & 1-6 (inclusive). |
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Post by BearDownMU on Oct 23, 2014 10:53:45 GMT -5
...but I felt doing that was outside the scope of the analysis I wanted to perform...and I'd have to charge extra fees to BearDownMU for 'scope-creep' This is a volunteer organization.  |
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Post by SoConFan on Oct 23, 2014 11:02:33 GMT -5
I don't want to ruffle feathers, particularly on your board, but I have seen several comments about playing as error-free or with the same stats you guys had last year. While I agree that mental errors are not completely due to the competition, the point I was doing a really poor job of conveying is that the competition *should be* better than what you faced last year and would lead to more losses, giving up more big plays, etc. The fact that you guys are immediately competitive is a testament to the players you have and your coaching staff, but I still expected some growing pains. Regardless of your conference record at year's end, playing close games right out of the gate shows that Mercer was a good add to the SoCon.
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Post by FUBeAR on Oct 23, 2014 11:12:51 GMT -5
I don't want to ruffle feathers, particularly on your board, but I have seen several comments about playing as error-free or with the same stats you guys had last year. While I agree that mental errors are not completely due to the competition, the point I was doing a really poor job of conveying is that the competition *should be* better than what you faced last year and would lead to more losses, giving up more big plays, etc. The fact that you guys are immediately competitive is a testament to the players you have and your coaching staff, but I still expected some growing pains. Regardless of your conference record at year's end, playing close games right out of the gate shows that Mercer was a good add to the SoCon. No feathers ruffled at all - SoCon competition is clearly better than PFL...and Mercer is clearly more talented and deep than they were in 2013. BUT...in 2013, they played better than they were - a quality that I hold in the highest esteem - talent is primarily god-given - playing above one's talent-level is a result of heart, effort, guts, etc., etc. - I like that guy more than the talented guy who performs at or below his ability in 2014, they are better than they are playing & that's what they gotta fix -...confident they will...hope it's done in the remaining games in 2014. I really think I would rather see them play at or above their ability and lose by 40 to a superior team, than play below their ability and lose by 7. I'm just funny that way, I guess. |
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badnewsbear
Penfield Bear
"May they defend this house like and angry bear defends its den." - C. McMahon
Posts: 51 
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Post by badnewsbear on Oct 23, 2014 14:03:15 GMT -5
I don't want to ruffle feathers, particularly on your board, but I have seen several comments about playing as error-free or with the same stats you guys had last year. While I agree that mental errors are not completely due to the competition, the point I was doing a really poor job of conveying is that the competition *should be* better than what you faced last year and would lead to more losses, giving up more big plays, etc. The fact that you guys are immediately competitive is a testament to the players you have and your coaching staff, but I still expected some growing pains. Regardless of your conference record at year's end, playing close games right out of the gate shows that Mercer was a good add to the SoCon. No feathers ruffled at all - SoCon competition is clearly better than PFL...and Mercer is clearly more talented and deep than they were in 2013. BUT...in 2013, they played better than they were - a quality that I hold in the highest esteem - talent is primarily god-given - playing above one's talent-level is a result of heart, effort, guts, etc., etc. - I like that guy more than the talented guy who performs at or below his ability in 2014, they are better than they are playing & that's what they gotta fix -...confident they will...hope it's done in the remaining games in 2014. I really think I would rather see them play at or above their ability and lose by 40 to a superior team, than play below their ability and lose by 7. I'm just funny that way, I guess. Both are accurate to an extent as our immaturity has certainly shown this year. Whereas we got away with these mistakes last year, we aren't this year. BTW, I would feel unfulfilled if we just marched right in and took over the SOCON. Would it be fun, yeah, but building this team to where in three years we will be consistently playing for the top spot, that will be a journey worth taking. Remember how many agonizing defeats our basketball team had in the years leading up to beating Duke? Good things take time and these fellas are growing up fast. That being said, last week's game SUCKED, we're better than that, but that Carolina team is better than what everyone is giving them credit for and their record proves it. I think they had Jadaveon Clowney's entire family playing defense. |
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Post by Mocs Eye on Oct 24, 2014 9:41:39 GMT -5
I want to welcome all Mercer Bears to Chatta-Vegas this weekend and congratulate your men on on outstanding season so far. I am one of the videographers for UTC, thus my user name. I can guarantee you one thing that may not matter much to the fans, but the Bears will not stay in a nicer, more luxurious hotel this season, so you rest assure, your team will rest easy.
What makes our D-Line so good, is the depth. You will see a constant rotation of tackles and DE's coming in. Davis Tull is obviously known around the league, but when he goes out, Keionta Davis and Vantrel McMillan are just as quick off the edge. Combined with tackles, Ring, Freeman and future draft pick Derrick Lott, we call these guys, "Death Row". No doubt Coach Lamb and his staff will scheme quick outside passes to minimize the need for 5-7 step drops as do most teams we play. (I have filmed more screen passes then anyone in the Socon without a doubt) This tactic though generally minimizes yards-per-play and prevents teams from getting as many 20+ yard pass plays. Alex Lakes will no doubt get his yards as he has way too much talent to be shut down but hopefully for us, the play of the LB's and DB's will prevent him from another highlight reel day.
I think the real battle Saturday, will be Mercer's Defense vs Chatt's Offense. This is where I believe the game will be won or lost.
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Post by gomocs on Oct 24, 2014 10:53:21 GMT -5
Just saw that the Chattanooga Brewing Company, which Mercer has reserved tomorrow for a few hours, will be temporarily renamed the Chattanooga Closet Company.
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Post by BearDownMU on Oct 24, 2014 13:27:01 GMT -5
Just saw that the Chattanooga Brewing Company, which Mercer has reserved tomorrow for a few hours, will be temporarily renamed the Chattanooga Closet Company. I don't even know what this means. Did you just call us all gay? |
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Post by gomocs on Oct 24, 2014 13:34:03 GMT -5
No. You have never heard the term "closet drinking Baptist"?
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Post by BearDownMU on Oct 24, 2014 13:40:06 GMT -5
Lol! Oh! No. I haven't.
But I have heard:
Do you know why liquor stores have back doors?
Baptists gotta drink, too.
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Post by gomocs on Oct 24, 2014 13:51:18 GMT -5
There are three truths in life:
Jewish people do not recognize Jesus as the Messiah.
Protestants do not recognize the Pope as the leader
of the Christian faith.
Baptists do not recognize each other in the liquor store.
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Post by mumd on Oct 24, 2014 16:09:08 GMT -5
And never go fishing with a Baptist, because he will drink all of your beer. But go fishing with 2 of them and neither will drink a thing!
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