It's a sports message board. The run defense has been quite bad this year. I don't see how anyone could deny that or have a problem with it being mentioned.

I feel like some here feel as if they don't say anything negative about the program then it doesn't exist.

(09-29-2015 08:24 PM)HuronDave Wrote:  

(09-29-2015 03:38 PM)holybovine Wrote:  I really don't understand why people are jumping on wolverineeagle here -- are we shooting the messenger now?

He didn't write that awful joke, ESPN did.

Some of the current students, new alums, etc. need to chill out and/or get thicker skins.

We seem to go through this at the beginning of every football season. Those new to this forum need to understand it is not simply a cheerleading forum for EMU. It is meant for open, frank and sometimes difficult discussion. If that sometimes means confronting certain unpleasantries about the program, so be it. The last thing anybody should be worrying about is whether a potential recruit is reading the forum.

The thing is, after some of those new posters are gone (i.e. their kids have left the program), we, the hardcore, the few, will still be here to pick up the pieces as we have for the past 20 seasons without a winning record.

You will not find a more dedicated, hardcore, longer suffering group than the hardy souls that assemble here year-after-year.

Indeed. Well put sir.

I would also add that the new folks must realize that the older alums have been beaten down with awful, awful football for nearly 30 years. We have seen it all -- the rebirths, the empty slogans/mantras/promises, the poor attendance, the blowouts, the tragedies of players lost, etc. It's going to take more than grey turf, concrete, and sledgehammers for many of us to believe in Creighton. That is the backdrop of our history, and the only way to understand that perspective is to have lived it.

So newbies, please be patient with us older, world-weary alums.

Now, I certainly haven't been around as long as some of you, but I wouldn't call myself a newbie. And I'm an alum myself. I don't think I have any delusions of grandeur regarding this team either.

Having said that, I don't find in reward in saying sharing embarrassing quotes/jokes about EMU here. It often becomes personal for me when I see insults thrown at EMU. We have a terrible run defense this season, and we all know that, but there are other ways to discuss that than constantly throwing on statements like "we are clearly the worst team in the FBS" or "why would anyone want to play for this team?"

I'm interested in thoughtful criticism, not criticism that is purely vitriolic and degrading. I think we can talk about how awful the defense is without the sordidness.

Now, this is just my opinion. Others have the right to talk about the team in anyway the would like. I just don't find any value/enjoyment in it.

(09-29-2015 11:35 PM)FrankAnderson Wrote:  Now, I certainly haven't been around as long as some of you, but I wouldn't call myself a newbie. And I'm an alum myself. I don't think I have any delusions of grandeur regarding this team either.

Having said that, I don't find in reward in saying sharing embarrassing quotes/jokes about EMU here. It often becomes personal for me when I see insults thrown at EMU. We have a terrible run defense this season, and we all know that, but there are other ways to discuss that than constantly throwing on statements like "we are clearly the worst team in the FBS" or "why would anyone want to play for this team?"

I'm interested in thoughtful criticism, not criticism that is purely vitriolic and degrading. I think we can talk about how awful the defense is without the sordidness.

Now, this is just my opinion. Others have the right to talk about the team in anyway the would like. I just don't find any value/enjoyment in it.

Well put Frank.

(09-29-2015 10:06 PM)HuronRob Wrote:  HuronDave,

I agree with you. Unfortunately, there are far too many people on this forum who are of the belief that you are not a real fan unless you have nothing but glowing things to say about our football program. Honest criticism/frustration is not allowed and is "shouted" down immediately.

I don't post here very often because of the constant attacks and the unrealistic (pie in the sky) comments by some. I appreciate the faithful fans but I cannot, for the life of me, understand those who laud this team when the reality is this is a bad team. We may not be a bad team in a year or two but we are right now. We are losing by margins equal to those we lost by last year and in years before. To say this team has improved is incorrect and just goes to show just how badly people want to see signs of improvement. Sadly, real and honest dialogue is impossible here because you just aren't considered a real fan unless you think this programs is leaps and bounds ahead of where it was when English was steering the ship.

Thank you for your contributions. They are always measured and fruitful.

Rob

Sorry Rob, but I don't agree the team is losing by the same margins as last year, I don't agree that overall the offense and special teams play through 4 games hasn't improved especially since we no longer have a gimme win against a FCS team on the schedule. I do see the team overall playing more competitively. I do agree the coaches make some mistakes, I agree the defense is awful as it has been for ages.

(09-30-2015 01:55 AM)emu79 Wrote:  

(09-29-2015 10:06 PM)HuronRob Wrote:  HuronDave,

I agree with you. Unfortunately, there are far too many people on this forum who are of the belief that you are not a real fan unless you have nothing but glowing things to say about our football program. Honest criticism/frustration is not allowed and is "shouted" down immediately.

I don't post here very often because of the constant attacks and the unrealistic (pie in the sky) comments by some. I appreciate the faithful fans but I cannot, for the life of me, understand those who laud this team when the reality is this is a bad team. We may not be a bad team in a year or two but we are right now. We are losing by margins equal to those we lost by last year and in years before. To say this team has improved is incorrect and just goes to show just how badly people want to see signs of improvement. Sadly, real and honest dialogue is impossible here because you just aren't considered a real fan unless you think this programs is leaps and bounds ahead of where it was when English was steering the ship.

Thank you for your contributions. They are always measured and fruitful.

Rob

Sorry Rob, but I don't agree the team is losing by the same margins as last year, I don't agree that overall the offense and special teams play through 4 games hasn't improved especially since we no longer have a gimme win against a FCS team on the schedule. I do see the team overall playing more competitively. I do agree the coaches make some mistakes, I agree the defense is awful as it has been for ages.

Don't be sorry. We can agree to disagree. By the way, you're right we have scored more points so far this year than we did at this point last year. However, the opponents haven't exactly been the same either. By this time last year we had played Florida and Michigan State. Last year at this point EMU had scored 48 points and this year EMU has scored 135. Last year at this point EMU's defense had allowed 183 points and this year EMU's defense has allowed 153 points. The frightening thing is that, again, the schedule was more difficult in the first four games last year. So, we really can't measure any success yet because there are only two common opponents so far between last year and this year and we lost again to both of them - Old Dominion (EMU 3, ODU 17 [2014]) (EMU 34, ODU 38 [2015]) and Ball State (EMU 30, BSU 45 [2014]) (EMU 17, BSU 28 [2015]). Our record is the same at this point that it was last year and we have played an easier schedule. I will assert that had we played Morgan State, Michigan State, Old Dominion and Florida this year, as we had last year, we would have scored fewer points and would have allowed more points.

I will grant you this, our special teams have improved.

Kicking game has improved, special teams as a whole has not. Clueless on both a fake punt and 2-point conversion---in the same game?

Bob do you even watch the games? Lets start with Mulder ties a school record FG, Barnes is in the top 10 in punting, we have a well drawn out onside kick at Wyoming, most of our kickoffs consistently are touchbacks preventing big plays, despite losing Tyler Allen our kick returns have been decent and punting coverage and kickoff coverages have fairly solid.

Anyone else who actually watches the games disagree with the above assessment?

Dear emu79,
I agree with everything you have pointed out. When was the last time we had a kicker like Mulder, who we can be confident that he will make the field goal?

(10-02-2015 05:51 AM)emu79 Wrote:  Bob do you even watch the games? Lets start with Mulder ties a school record FG, Barnes is in the top 10 in punting, we have a well drawn out onside kick at Wyoming, most of our kickoffs consistently are touchbacks preventing big plays, despite losing Tyler Allen our kick returns have been decent and punting coverage and kickoff coverages have fairly solid.

Anyone else who actually watches the games disagree with the above assessment?

Nope, spot on.

Every board has their overly positive and negative posters. Just look at any game thread at NIU, and that's over 5 of the best years in our history. I am really glad we didnt have boards in the late 90's when we were losing 20-something straight and were about as low as a program could go.

(10-02-2015 11:13 AM)EagleTough Wrote:  

(10-02-2015 05:51 AM)emu79 Wrote:  Bob do you even watch the games? Lets start with Mulder ties a school record FG, Barnes is in the top 10 in punting, we have a well drawn out onside kick at Wyoming, most of our kickoffs consistently are touchbacks preventing big plays, despite losing Tyler Allen our kick returns have been decent and punting coverage and kickoff coverages have fairly solid.

Anyone else who actually watches the games disagree with the above assessment?

Nope, spot on.

So our offense is at least okay even though Jackson is no Fournette . Our special teams are pretty good.

We have a problem on one side of the ball.

Correct?

Wouldn't it be sweet if the NFL scouts come to watch Fournette and Jackson breaks a few 20+ yard runs and gets some NFL love...

Would be great Steve, but LSU still has the 24th ranked D in the country, and a roster full of 4 & 5 star recruits. This isn't Wyoming or ODU defense. Would be thrilled if we put up 14 points, wouldn't be surprised if we were shut out. It is what it is, and pretty much irrelevant in the bigger scheme of things.

(10-02-2015 03:16 PM)EagleTough Wrote:  Would be great Steve, but LSU still has the 24th ranked D in the country, and a roster full of 4 & 5 star recruits. This isn't Wyoming or ODU defense. Would be thrilled if we put up 14 points, wouldn't be surprised if we were shut out. It is what it is, and pretty much irrelevant in the bigger scheme of things.

I understand, but I'm not convinced LSU will come out breathing fire and try to score 99 or 89 or 79 or 69 points.

We might get say 63 - 14.

I don't think this will be last year's Florida game.

(10-02-2015 04:03 PM)emu steve Wrote:  

(10-02-2015 03:16 PM)EagleTough Wrote:  Would be great Steve, but LSU still has the 24th ranked D in the country, and a roster full of 4 & 5 star recruits. This isn't Wyoming or ODU defense. Would be thrilled if we put up 14 points, wouldn't be surprised if we were shut out. It is what it is, and pretty much irrelevant in the bigger scheme of things.

I understand, but I'm not convinced LSU will come out breathing fire and try to score 99 or 89 or 79 or 69 points.

We might get say 63 - 14.

I don't think this will be last year's Florida game.

If we can get 200 yards using our running game I'll be happy.

(10-03-2015 06:47 AM)emussuperfan Wrote:  

(10-02-2015 04:03 PM)emu steve Wrote:  

(10-02-2015 03:16 PM)EagleTough Wrote:  Would be great Steve, but LSU still has the 24th ranked D in the country, and a roster full of 4 & 5 star recruits. This isn't Wyoming or ODU defense. Would be thrilled if we put up 14 points, wouldn't be surprised if we were shut out. It is what it is, and pretty much irrelevant in the bigger scheme of things.

I understand, but I'm not convinced LSU will come out breathing fire and try to score 99 or 89 or 79 or 69 points.

We might get say 63 - 14.

I don't think this will be last year's Florida game.

If we can get 200 yards using our running game I'll be happy.

I think we'll get 10 points, one TD and one FG.

Maybe the FG comes early... Like a 3 - 0 lead.

(10-03-2015 06:47 AM)emussuperfan Wrote:  

(10-02-2015 04:03 PM)emu steve Wrote:  

(10-02-2015 03:16 PM)EagleTough Wrote:  Would be great Steve, but LSU still has the 24th ranked D in the country, and a roster full of 4 & 5 star recruits. This isn't Wyoming or ODU defense. Would be thrilled if we put up 14 points, wouldn't be surprised if we were shut out. It is what it is, and pretty much irrelevant in the bigger scheme of things.

I understand, but I'm not convinced LSU will come out breathing fire and try to score 99 or 89 or 79 or 69 points.

We might get say 63 - 14.

I don't think this will be last year's Florida game.

If we can get 200 yards using our running game I'll be happy.

We get 200 yards rushing and Les Miles will fire his DC immediately!

Hey, not making fun or crapping on the team, just trying to stay lighthearted and get through the day. Just wanna see some fight and improvement out of our guys. If these older guys just lay down, it's time to just burn it down and let the young guys play. Burn the redshirts and get them some experience for next year.

Interesting reading, this thread.

I have made fun of pie in the sky guys like Ken Barna in the past but I do think you guys are a lot better now than last year. I suspected as much even before the LSU game and now I think it's pretty clear.

Unfortunately I don't know that it'll translate into more wins in the short term because the West is so tough this year. To be honest though our trip to Rynearson worries me.. we don't ever seem to perform our best in that monument to concrete even when your team is weaker.

WashPo gave us some love:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/earl...ainst-lsu/

(10-06-2015 08:43 PM)masttg Wrote:  WashPo gave us some love:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/earl...ainst-lsu/

It's official. Emu gets more media attention from the rest of the country than they do from that POS thing in Ann Arbor.