(09-18-2023 09:05 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote: Bones, why are you defending #s? It wasn't just this post, but virtually ALL his posts on this board the past several years-- 95% are negative just for the sake of being negative. Heck, he even rips Rice for repainting the names and numbers on the circle of fame. And I very much doubt he's watching the games on ESPN+. Also, while Daniels has certainly been a big factor, to say that we're winning so far this year based on a single individual is insane. Daniels does not play on the defensive end which has held UT, UH and TSU to a single TD in each of the first halves this season. And while our OL still cannot open up holes for the running game, they've done an outstanding job protecting Daniels in the pocket. As far as QBs go, at least 6 of the currently ranked teams are going with transfers as their starting and leading QB.
You're misrepresenting my argument. I did not say we're winning based on a single individual. I do think though that he has made a huge difference. McCaffery has had fewer targets (by my eyeballs) and doesn't have Rozner on the other side, but he has been vastly more effective because of Daniels. The team without Daniels is not the same team.... and a great WR with a poor QB is useless.
Our offense was non-existent against UT. Now of course UT is very good, but the offense was a non-factor in that game. Our defense, though very solid... also gave up iirc 35 unanswered to UH when the offense began to fail. As has often been the case, our defense is as good as our offense can keep them fresh.... but they are not good enough to beat teams without a competitive offense... The offense makes THE difference in the defense. They go from being solid, but getting worn out at the end... to solid throughout... and that is THE difference.... so it is fair to paint me as saying, Daniels makes a difference to the offense... and the offense makes a difference to the defense. That doesn't mean the defense can't be very solid... it just means that they are 'better' if they are not on the field all day.
as to 6 of the ranked teams having transfers, those are 'destination' schools... by that I mean a great QB at a non-ranked team (or even a ranked one) is going to want to go there. We aren't that... it remains to be seen if we can become a destination for say, guys with great touch and pocket presence who through perhaps injury or bad luck are no longer the threat to 'take it to the house' that some of these other guys are now.... so that's very much precisely what i was talking about.
If we can become that, count me in... I have no problem with that.... but once is not a pattern so it remains to be seen if we can do that. That's precisely what I meant because I see that as the new reality. Why bother developing a kid who might leave if he pans out... when you can instead poach a kid who has either developed from a lower level, or not quite fit the mold of the upper level.
I think the BOT et all have done an AMAZING job at creating opportunities for grad transfers.
I don't read all of the comments on here so I'm not responding as you allude to... but I am responding solely to the parts I responded to.... and I generally agree with him that although I am excited at what I've seen this year, it remains to be seen if this is a 'one time thing' or the new reality. It is worth noting that there isn't a 'coaches portal' and instead they have buy-outs and contracts.... so it is a strange metric.
I understand and agree with your positive assessment of the defense, but the biggest difference I see has been the QB play..... the number of well placed throws/catchable balls/extended plays/correct reads etc
RE: Rice vs. South Florida 
