Slow starts -- why?

[BiggMoosie]

If we want to have ANY shot at competing in conference play we cannot continue to spot teams (at least) 14 points and a whole quarter. Begs the question -- why are we starting so slow?

If I am not mistaken, the past two games haven't we been the FIRST team to leave the tunnel? Although minor, if this is true we should switch it back. I remember the PA guy reading "and the team is in the tunnel!" = it creates an "event within the event". Got the fans hyped, got the players hyped.

I know Ash is trying to create his own tradition and stuff, but this needs to change. I don't want a tradition of being down, at a minimum, 14 - 0 at the end of 1.

Maybe switching the the entrance will do it?

 

[Knight Shift]

It's the flame throwers they have to pass through during the field entrance. It's heating them up and wearing them out. They cool back down after the first quarter.

 

[RUich]

I have already posted about this problem. I think there is either a general malaise by the team or our coaching staff is waiting to see what the other team is going to do. Can't figure it out how we can look so bad, especially against Howard. When you see how the rest of that game went, you have to assume we should have shut them out.
Certainly, the team has heard about this from the coaches and there has to be a general urgency applied to see it stop. The next three games are going to be tough enough without giving away 25% of the game before you decide to start playing.

 

[gef21]

Inexperience and a lack of football IQ makes us slow starters.

 

[RUBigFrank]

Teams play as a reflection of the coaching staff. I do like that as the game wears on the Knights play better. One obvious strength is the conditioning of the team. As the season moves along this team seems to be improving (except at QB).

 

[Knight Shift]

Inexperience and a lack of football IQ makes us slow starters.

So do you expect his to improve as the season wears on?

 

[gef21]

So do you expect his to improve as the season wears on?

I think in some positions yes and others no. I expect our LBs to get a lot more comfortable as the season is going on and play A LOT better. We were also playing an annoying offense to prepare true game speed for.

I do not expect our QB play to really improve this year. Laviano has mechanical problems in his throw. Unless another QB can step up, and really lead the offense, I expect a very up and down season on offense.

I expect the defense to continue to improve.

 

[Knight Shift]

I think in some positions yes and others no. I expect our LBs to get a lot more comfortable as the season is going on and play A LOT better. We were also playing an annoying offense to prepare true game speed for.

I do not expect our QB play to really improve this year. Laviano has mechanical problems in his throw. Unless another QB can step up, and really lead the offense, I expect a very up and down season on offense.

I expect the defense to continue to improve.

On the QB, and I hate to go here, but what is so frustrating to watch is the really short throws, a simple pitch and catch, where the QB misses so consistently. Yet, he threw that ball to Harris right in stride. Everyone has pointed out that he throws off the back of his foot, which is a problem. But for many of the missed passes, I could throw them sitting down, and I never played QB (but I throw an awesome deep ball!) and I am approaching 50. This issue has to be something in the QB's, and not so mechanical? On the issue of throwing off the back foot, is that the QB leaning back because he is fearing the hit? If that is the case, in many of the bad short throws, he was not under any pressure. Sorry if this is just rambling, but it is perplexing.

 

[RUsojo]

One would think it goes down to game plan vs in game adjustments. Just need to get better at the former.

 

[Purple-Ed]

Inexperience and a lack of football IQ makes us slow starters.

The fans?

 

[RUBigFrank]

one thing I thought regarding bad throws by Laviano - there seems to either be bad routes run or a lack of communication between receiver and QB.

 

[kapyoche]

Lack of sleep. Kids stay up late and our games are starting too early. We just need to move our games at night.

 

[Purple-Ed]

Lack of sleep. Kids stay up late and our games are starting too early. We just need to move our games at night.

I rest my case.

 

[RUsince52]

One would think it goes down to game plan vs in game adjustments. Just need to get better at the former.

A great point to start is to have as a priority to make a first down in the 1st qtr ! I know other teams do it, especially against us. Even if we allow the other team to score, it instills some level of confidence. I know the fans would feel better.

 

[Kbee3]

Could we just somehow con the team into thinking they're going out for the second half at the beginning of the game ? Maybe we could have the scoreboard rigged to show us losing 21-0 too.

 

[rurichdog]

I blame the lack of a horse video

 

[Knight Shift]

No horse video, no champing at the bit to come fast out of the gate!

 

[RUfromSoCal?]

Third down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

inability to gain 1-2 yards or complete a pass on 3rd downs.................

 

[theRU]

I speculated on this in both game threads. I think the new schemes lead to slow starts right now. The team hasn't grown up in the system, and things arent second nature to them yet. Maybe they are caught thinking instead of playing naturally which is causing the woes. Once they "settle in" or "wake up" whatever you want to call it, they play differently.

 

[Kbee3]

Third down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

inability to gain 1-2 yards or complete a pass on 3rd downs.................

Well, maybe a different qb would help. I have never seen a guy struggle to complete those little passes out into the flat like Laviano seems to. It's downright scary to think he's the best we've got.

 

[FanuSanu52]

Lack of sleep. Kids stay up late and our games are starting too early. We just need to move our games at night.

Another reason to hate those noon kickoffs.

 

[vkj91]

2 TO's In the red zone doesn't help. Washington wasn't a slow start as much as them just being better.

 

[TM514]

Just like Schianos teams , 2008, 2009, sloppy play in September then hit stride in Oct onward. Remember an 0-2? start one year after a bad loss at Navy. My theory then and now for this team, is that the kids were over-worked in August camp and are still recovering mentally and physically. too bad our bye week is late this year.