oldtiger Wrote:Sorry for the rant but I just can't fathom not being happy this afternoon.

You've got it wrong. Everyone here is e-c-s-t-a-t-i-c about the bowl win!! It's an AMAZING accomplishment for this program. Heck, for ANY program!

I'm just disappointed that we let up off the gas and started celebrating while there was still over two minutes left in the game. Especially considering what this Akron team is capable of doing.

SCConway Wrote:

tigerlands Wrote:

Tigerbythetail Wrote:

kpigout Wrote:Good grief..Just drop all of the JLD crap. You are a broken freakin' record.

Ditto, we just won a freakin' bowl game, give it a rest.

Give it a rest if you want to but the defense is still B-A-D. Giving up 500+ yards and 31 points to a marginal Akron team is not good, I don't care how you slice it. If Tommy has such good judgement then we will see what happens.

A marginal Akron team that WON a conference championship.

All the JLD bashers...PLEASE SHUT THE HELL UP FOR ONE DAY!

Enjoy the damn win! We have all off-season to b**** about JLD.

As far as Tommy's judgement..prior to 2003 we hadn't won 7 games in one year since 1976. We've now done it THREE YEARS IN A ROW!

Akron beat absolutley nobody.........

I think it was clear that the primary reason Akron came back at the end was that the kids started celebrating too early and got their heads out of the game. Once that happens, it's tough to get them back mentally. I think it's fair to say that the coaches (plural) did not do a good job of managing the final 2:45. And, yes, I'm aware that our pass defense gave up more than 400 yards. And, no, I'm not happy about that. But, the defense gave us more than enough room to win tonight. And DeAngelo and the offense were spectacular. Without the defensive mental breakdown at the end (and the special team breakdown on the onside kick), we probably win the game 31-17. I don't believe Tommy will be asking Joe Lee to clean out his desk just yet. But, I do agree that some major evaluation needs to be made during the off-season regarding our pass defense schemes. (Those who have the good fortune -- misfortune? -- to sit with me at games know how I feel about that.) Just one final thought: I'll be honored to have a drink with Joe Lee any time. Just make mine bourbon instead of scotch. Umm, come to think of it, those of us in the Atlanta Tiger Club have enjoyed that privelege more than once!

TigerSeth Wrote:Akron beat absolutley nobody.........

Don't worry about it, man. I trust Tommy's judgement... he'll have JLD out of here in time for next season.

I know that some folks on this board get furious when anyone says something negative at all about the program. But without people like us, we'd still have Rip over on the sidelines, and would have just completed our 11th losing season in a row.

We want the BEST for this program... and JLD just doesn't factor into that equation.

TigerSeth Wrote:

SCConway Wrote:

tigerlands Wrote:

Tigerbythetail Wrote:

kpigout Wrote:Good grief..Just drop all of the JLD crap. You are a broken freakin' record.

Ditto, we just won a freakin' bowl game, give it a rest.

Give it a rest if you want to but the defense is still B-A-D. Giving up 500+ yards and 31 points to a marginal Akron team is not good, I don't care how you slice it. If Tommy has such good judgement then we will see what happens.

A marginal Akron team that WON a conference championship.

All the JLD bashers...PLEASE SHUT THE HELL UP FOR ONE DAY!

Enjoy the damn win! We have all off-season to b**** about JLD.

As far as Tommy's judgement..prior to 2003 we hadn't won 7 games in one year since 1976. We've now done it THREE YEARS IN A ROW!

Akron beat absolutley nobody.........

Well...neither did we if you want to get right down to it. At least Akron won their conference...something we can't do.

JLD & HIS defense kept us in the game til offense woke up so shut up & enjoy win

oldtiger Wrote:

greekwolf Wrote:Thank goodness for DeAngelo, or else we lose this game... badly.

I seriously hope that there is an in-depth, thorough review behind closed doors of our defense, and if giving up 500+ yards every game is the direction we want this football program to be headed.

Just curious, is this how folks "celebrate" a bowl win, leading all purose rusher in ncaa history, leading 100 yard game rusher in ncaa history, and leading rusher in nation this year? What does it take to make some folks happy? While some folks are crying and wringing their hands about our defense, I'll celebrate and enjoy the win and the season. In my 40+ years of following the Tigers, I've never been prouder of a group than this one......including the defensive players and the entire coaching staff.

Sorry for the rant but I just can't fathom not being happy this afternoon.

Damn skippy.

Folks, this team overcame a helluva lot to get bowl-eligible. All the injuries, all the tough losses, all the chaos in the midst of expectations.

I'm listening toDeAngelo on the radio now saying how glad he is that he came back for his senior season. He said what he is most happy about with all his records is the school name of MEMPHIS will be beside it. It reflects well on the school and the recruiting effort. He said he was very emotional and cried on the bus ride over to Ford Field. He just thanked the fans for following this team, and how hard it is for him to move on. He has to get comfortbale with another coach; he was very comfortable with Coach West.

He's happy with the result. Why can't we? What is wrong with feeling like one of the best athletes to wear a TIGER uniform?

Don't worry - West will review all the coaches in January. I will support whatever decision he makes regarding JLD and all the others! But West said on the post-game show the staff did a great job overcoming obstacles this year.

Does anyone remember the 12 starters lost this season? The injuries that depleted the DL?

There are short seriously memories around here.

Just try to enjoy the bowl win before crucifying Dunn.

Happy holidays.

If you have any common sense, you look at the injuries that we have had to endure this year and I think what this team has done has been amazing, both offensively and defensively.

When we only have 4 defensive lineman that we can use in a game, we have done great.

There are just some people that the glass will ALWAYS be half full. It doesn't matter, they don't make the major decisions and that is a VERY good thing.

JMSTiger Wrote:

SCConway Wrote:How about let's just enjoy the damn win and shutup about JLD for one day.

Thank you.

Misery loves company.

tigernole79 Wrote:If you have any common sense,

Ouch!!

That just about says it all!!

Greekwolf and I were discussing this topic on the main board. The issue of MEMPHIS giving up 500 yards of offense was mentioned. I think a lot of the crusaders toss the 500 yard figure around like it is gospel.

So I checked into it.

This will undoubtedly amaze some folks, but the TIGER defense did NOT give up 500 yards in nearly every game in 2005. Five teams racked up over 500 yards of offense on the TIGERS this season - UTEP (to go with their 6 turnovers), UCF (absolutely destroyed the TIGERS), Houston (502 yards along with their 3 turnovers), UAB (final humilation from Hackney and friends), and Akron (nearly 200 in that frantic final 2 minutes; most people will acknowledge MEMPHIS was dominating the game and relaxed after West was doused and the reserves got playing time).

Interesting to note MEMPHIS won 3 of those 5 "500+" games.

My public HS arithmetic tells me seven opponents did NOT get 500 yards on offense against MEMPHIS. Mississippi (233), UT Chat (332), Tulsa (431), East Carolina (343), Tennessee (341), Southern Miss (391), and Marshall (154) all had less than that. So it seems that quite often it was actually MUCH less than 500 yards.

I would advise the crusaders to NOT be too overly suicidal if West retains Dunn. West likes that aggressive, blitzing style of defense, and definitely knows injuries ravaged MEMPHIS on BOTH sides of the ball this season.