The Fan Zone is entertaining to say the least. I gather grown men and women mixing it up, and at odds over what is right and what may be wrong. Sounds okay except for the lack of respect for Valparaiso, the fans who support, the players, their families, coaches working to win, and the school's students. We miss so much in being critical, as well as generic.
I see so much good why focus on less. There is much in this turn around that hits home with praise. I never saw last years season. Not one game, but I did look at the scoring summaries, the timelines, who scored first, how ofter, how long drives were, and when Valpo appeared to be out of it. From my analysis I saw in many if not most that Valpo was out of the game by the end of the first quarter. As for dwelling on that, no way. I did look back to gain a footing, but from there the train has already started up the hill.
Here is what I see, in two games we are in the game at halftime. In one game we are in the game in the fourth quarter. Two games are against better opponents that all of last year. Two of the first three games were against athletic scholarship programs that are on the rise. These two games were on the road. The YSU game was a mismatch as YSU went out and got 20+ JC players, plus transfers. They spent money to get back to where they once were. Our speed and their is not close, same for size. We have a long way to go against the YSU of the FCS. As compared to last year where we scored 7, 0, and 7 for a total of 14 conversely we have 62 points in three games, and have scored in double figures in all three.
Last year in the first quarter our defense gave up points way too fast. Against the Dukes they had to go 15 plays to score on the first drive. That took 7 min off of the clock. Against D3 Franklin much of the same. Yes we are giving up too many points. This is because oou offense is passing too much, but that is because our lines against scholarship programs are not big enough nor strong enough to make a running game go. This will correct itself as we move into conference play. Add to this 90 new players who are new over the last two years, and wow have we really grown. I see growth beyond what most can see. You would have to understand growth of an athlete, experience of being their, playing time, knowledge of opponets, transitions to school, the tough educational requirements, being a long way from home, and so on. These 90 new players over two years is really say 80 as many have left. Just too much to bear, etc. Given these points praise is due. I do not like seeing a negative slant by some of our posters, but there are friends of mine that are miserable, and they can help it but, life has frankly kicked their butts and they are in sad shape. The attitude of some of our posters is to hurt not build up. The old coaching styles are just that old.
Valpo's needs are more team speed. Stronger lineman, bigger lineman, and yes inner strength. The inner side comes from being there. The role of our upper classman is to help model, but some are not there as they are trying to win their first games. So we have a huge mixed bag. Hang in there as there has been some nice growth. Coach Dale Carlson deserves praise for working from the very bottom up. Their are not a bunch of athletes on the team that could start anywhere else, but that does not mean they will not develop into solid players who will surprise you. Give them time, give them praise, look at them as young men of valor. Yes they do get down, yes they do feel beat during the game when down by 28 at the end of the first quarter after losing 22 straight. I would be down to, and so would you. They did fight, and the score in quarter 2 was 0 - 0 and 28 - 0 at the end of the half. The second half against the Dukes was 17 - 14. Yes we played against many of their seconds, but those seconds are scholarship players. They get 65 whole scholarship in FCS. The Dukes are four years into working towards 65. So they may be at 50+. Their next opponent won one game last year and was in year three of working towards 65 full rides. Those teams will be better than us until we go to athletic scholarships. That is a fact. Live with it. Bucknell was 0 - 11 last year, non scholarship new coach and are 1-2. That could be us. We are close. Keep the faith, help by remaining positive, reinforce what is good, and throw up on yourself, and not here on this FAN ZONE BLOG. The header says VALPO FAN ZONE. So if you are not a FAN find somewhere where you can make a difference. Negativity is of no help. My son plays, came a long way, is struggling with the distance, has played a bunch, and is missing home. We are pulling for his school, your school, and our school. I would rather see friends here than wonder why there are people who have issues with young men really trying. Yes there are some that give up, but for the betterment of all. Encourage them! Thanks ValpoBy7
I see so much good why focus on less. There is much in this turn around that hits home with praise. I never saw last years season. Not one game, but I did look at the scoring summaries, the timelines, who scored first, how ofter, how long drives were, and when Valpo appeared to be out of it. From my analysis I saw in many if not most that Valpo was out of the game by the end of the first quarter. As for dwelling on that, no way. I did look back to gain a footing, but from there the train has already started up the hill.
Here is what I see, in two games we are in the game at halftime. In one game we are in the game in the fourth quarter. Two games are against better opponents that all of last year. Two of the first three games were against athletic scholarship programs that are on the rise. These two games were on the road. The YSU game was a mismatch as YSU went out and got 20+ JC players, plus transfers. They spent money to get back to where they once were. Our speed and their is not close, same for size. We have a long way to go against the YSU of the FCS. As compared to last year where we scored 7, 0, and 7 for a total of 14 conversely we have 62 points in three games, and have scored in double figures in all three.
Last year in the first quarter our defense gave up points way too fast. Against the Dukes they had to go 15 plays to score on the first drive. That took 7 min off of the clock. Against D3 Franklin much of the same. Yes we are giving up too many points. This is because oou offense is passing too much, but that is because our lines against scholarship programs are not big enough nor strong enough to make a running game go. This will correct itself as we move into conference play. Add to this 90 new players who are new over the last two years, and wow have we really grown. I see growth beyond what most can see. You would have to understand growth of an athlete, experience of being their, playing time, knowledge of opponets, transitions to school, the tough educational requirements, being a long way from home, and so on. These 90 new players over two years is really say 80 as many have left. Just too much to bear, etc. Given these points praise is due. I do not like seeing a negative slant by some of our posters, but there are friends of mine that are miserable, and they can help it but, life has frankly kicked their butts and they are in sad shape. The attitude of some of our posters is to hurt not build up. The old coaching styles are just that old.
Valpo's needs are more team speed. Stronger lineman, bigger lineman, and yes inner strength. The inner side comes from being there. The role of our upper classman is to help model, but some are not there as they are trying to win their first games. So we have a huge mixed bag. Hang in there as there has been some nice growth. Coach Dale Carlson deserves praise for working from the very bottom up. Their are not a bunch of athletes on the team that could start anywhere else, but that does not mean they will not develop into solid players who will surprise you. Give them time, give them praise, look at them as young men of valor. Yes they do get down, yes they do feel beat during the game when down by 28 at the end of the first quarter after losing 22 straight. I would be down to, and so would you. They did fight, and the score in quarter 2 was 0 - 0 and 28 - 0 at the end of the half. The second half against the Dukes was 17 - 14. Yes we played against many of their seconds, but those seconds are scholarship players. They get 65 whole scholarship in FCS. The Dukes are four years into working towards 65. So they may be at 50+. Their next opponent won one game last year and was in year three of working towards 65 full rides. Those teams will be better than us until we go to athletic scholarships. That is a fact. Live with it. Bucknell was 0 - 11 last year, non scholarship new coach and are 1-2. That could be us. We are close. Keep the faith, help by remaining positive, reinforce what is good, and throw up on yourself, and not here on this FAN ZONE BLOG. The header says VALPO FAN ZONE. So if you are not a FAN find somewhere where you can make a difference. Negativity is of no help. My son plays, came a long way, is struggling with the distance, has played a bunch, and is missing home. We are pulling for his school, your school, and our school. I would rather see friends here than wonder why there are people who have issues with young men really trying. Yes there are some that give up, but for the betterment of all. Encourage them! Thanks ValpoBy7