Odds and Ends || Week 8: Maryland || Turpitude
by ricobert1 on Oct 20, 2011 1:33 PM EDT
in FSU Football
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PrintFirst things first; it's pronounced "Mer-lin." Say it with me: Mer-lin. None of this mare-a-lynd business. And if you're ever in Baltimore, it's Bal-duh-more. ::Editor's note -- the Merlin pronunciation is being contested. We will settle this with a Bluecrab shuck-off. Baldumore stands as argued:
Onto football matters, there are pockets along the Mid-Atlantic that are just brimming with athletic talent, both in basketball and football. Virginia Tech for years has pilfered SE Virginia for excellent - if not elite - recruits. Ronald Curry, Michael and Marcus Vick, the Adibi brothers, Wayne & Terry Kirby, Bruce Smith; just to name a few. The state of Maryland has produced NFL products like Darnell Dockett and Vernon Davis (thanks, newdynastynole) from its D.C. / Baltimore exchange program, as well as enjoying being in the backyard of the recruiting beds of Pennsylvania, Virginia, and New Jersey. Having said that, Maryland's 4-year recruiting ranking is 37th (FSU is 5th). Perhaps high-energy and in-your-face coach Randy Edsall can move them up a spot or two.
Offensive Odds
Danny O'Brien received ACC ROY and Freshman All-American honors last year, putting up a 134.53 QB rating (45th nationally, just ahead of Christian Ponder) against the 11th hardest set of defenses faced at a 22:8 TDs-to-INTs clip.
Well, whatever he did well last year; he's either not doing well, or opposing defenses have figured him out. And now he'll ride the pine.
Enter C.J. Brown, a 4.42-forty spread QB who contributed 4 TDs (3 passing, 1 rushing) in a home-game loss to Clemson last week. He passed for 177 yards in addition to running for 162 yards. But he finished the day with a 48.5% completion rate. Clemson's D is terrible (60th in Defensive S&P+ -- and is starting to smell like Auburn '10) while FSU's is 10th. I'm not really worried about his ability to thread the needle, and as Bud pointed out, Clemson started to shut down Brown & Co. once they switched to more zone looks. The worst-case scenario for FSU on Saturday is a repeat of the '09 USF game, where a mobile QB with a big arm and a tiny head was able to win an awful, awful game.
So how might FSU scheme this guy? Aside from forcing Brown to throw through passing windows enforced by a zone philosophy, I think it comes down to our defensive line needing to play smart football. This plays to FSU's strength (not sure if I've ever witnessed a smart DL from FSU). Their mentality this week should be: Maintain gap discipline runs and passes (i.e., control the space between linemen in case Brown tries to scoot out), and achieve QB pressure by collapsing the pocket in on him (as opposed to speed rushes or stunts that often forsake gap discipline). The latter is often termed a coverage-sack, where good coverage coupled with a collapsing pocket causes the QB to run out of real estate.
Defensive Odds
Maryland currently sports the 48th ranked defense (S&P+). In passing and rushing defensive components, they're 15th and 65th, respectively. That is a pretty out-of-whack breakdown. Maryland (has been trying) to make use of a 4-3 where one of the DEs is a Jack LB and the SLB is more of a SS. Sounds nice. But I'm sure they'd rather have their 2010 production back (28th rushing, 29th passing; 31st overall defense).
Hopefully, this means that FSU can still look to get their running game going -- granted, we have the numbers/alignment advantage presnap (note that I consider even numbers as an advantage). While the play of the offensive line started the season well below what I consider acceptable, specific players have improved. And the talent level is there. Cohesion is built game-by-game with consistent starters.
Manuel does a good job looking deep even under pressure; but some of his best plays come from escaping the pocket and hitting a back/receiver in the vacated interior of a defense. To go along with Maryland's 15th ranked passing defense, they are ranked 19th in passing down situations. According to Bill Connelly, this indicates effective blitzing.
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Can't read past the opening paragraph.....
Being a die hard nole fan from MD, its hard to read past the first few sentences of this article since:
1. I would say approximately 10$ of the total population refers to it as “Mer Lin”
and
2. Your fact about the statue being on Maryland’s campus is total crap, please research. It is actually called the Burnside Fountain….and its in Worcester, MA….
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burnside_Fountain
please do your homework.
I was born and raised in St. Mary's County..
The reddest of necks reside here…and I do agree with the Baltimore pronunciation, but the Merlin is a not really prevalent
Fair enough.
I appreciate the reproof, honestly. It was a poor research effort.
What are you glorifying with your life?
I might be wrong, but weren't the pronunciation references intended to be jokes
i.e., not sincere/precisely descriptive propositions?
Championship!
I had originally said that the turtle-boy statue
was on UMd’s campus.
What are you glorifying with your life?
Yes
However that dude needs to chill out. I appreciate your comedic efforts ricobert1
by origiNOLEone on Oct 20, 2011 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm in DC and that's the only way I've ever heard it pronounced by and large by people from the area.
Same with “every,” pronounced “urry.”
me too
not a lot of schools celebrate bestiality w/ a statue on campus
Not to dwell on the subject, but whom among us can honestly say they haven't seen a turtle sashay seductively on by and thought, hmmmm?
>------::----::------->Spearing 'em and Scalping 'em like it's 1999
I'm not so sure this Jimbo fella is the right man for the job.
good point - i have to think it was kinda the tortuga's fault
kinda asked for it didnt she?
I ain't no suit-wearin' businessman like you... you know I'm just a gangsta I suppose...
/Rico Barksdale
The Navin R. Johnson of Tomahawk Nation.
by fsu44 on Oct 20, 2011 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
That’s Ballmer, hon.
Abiaka Windclan
>>>---------------------------------->
by Abiaka Windclan on Oct 27, 2011 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions
ironic, thats the Under Armor motto
and UA is responsible for those turrible Derps uniforms
>>>─────;;─►
by NorFla_Nole on Oct 20, 2011 5:30 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
The unis Maryland wore for this one could be a keeper.
Not horrible. I hope they make it standard.
Abiaka Windclan
>>>---------------------------------->
by Abiaka Windclan on Oct 27, 2011 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions
MD football players
Vernon Davis, Shawne Merriman, Jelani Jenkins, DARNELL DOCKETT, Moise Fokou.. that took me like 3 seconds off the top of my head
No one says “Merlin” (as another poster mentioned)
While the state of Maryland has almost no notable hometown football products
What are you glorifying with your life?
I still dont get it?
The names I listed were born/raised in Maryland…
by newdynastynole on Oct 20, 2011 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions
I hear it all the time
Although I’ve always perceived and heard it as “Murrland”
point is
I rarely hear them say “Mary-Land”
DARNELL DOCKETT
Is from Atlanta, Georgia.
hence the born/raised
he was born in GA, raised in Maryland, played hs in Maryland… regardless of who is from where.. there is talent in MD
by newdynastynole on Oct 20, 2011 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions
This is going to be the most competitive poll in the history of TN
>>---l>
by DKfromVA on Oct 20, 2011 2:03 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
Poll is broken
I wanted to go with D, all of the above.
The Navin R. Johnson of Tomahawk Nation.
by fsu44 on Oct 20, 2011 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
FireRicoBert needs to chime in here.
I’ve got some ammo for him:
In passing and rushing defensive components, their 15th and 65th, respectively.
Really rico? I expect better from you.
(Kidding, of course… feel free to delete this post as soon as fixed, as only trying to help.)
...and someone tell me why I can't flag my own post?
That’s a joke. In the era of splinter cells and organic threats, self-policing is the wave of the future.
Dang, rico, I didn't see all the other junk on here before posting that.
Would have let it slide if I knew you were in the midst of a poo-storm of quibbles.
Excellent proverb.
My bro had that etched on knives that he gave his groomsmen for his wedding.
I got him his own several years later at my wedding.
Serious note, rico --
What’s your opinion on the situation right now?
While the play of the offensive line started the season well below what I consider acceptable, specific players have improved. And the talent level is there. Cohesion is built game-by-game with consistent starters.
How is the unit performing? If championship caliber is a “10” and JB’s last year is a “1,” how would you grade it, post-Duke?
Not rico, but . . .
I’m going with a 6 after Duke.
Good question
Even thought there were still run and pass protection assignment issues and a few whiffs on 2nd level blocks, the play was not bad at all. I’d give them a 7.5, noting that we were playing Duke’s front 7. Future is bright.
What are you glorifying with your life?
Pass blocking has been good all year.
At least for having new starters… every now and then there’s a lapse and a free runner, but I was shocked at how long they held blocks against OU in some instances.
Which is why I was somewhat perplexed by the run blocking. Always thought guys started off as good run blockers and had to learn pass blocking. So much for that assumption.
I think 4-5 personally. We’re better than Jimbo’s 1st year with all those freshmen because of the pass blocking, and the run is coming along, but I’ll wait for a non-Duke to give them something in the favorable (>5) range. I like hearing your assessment of 7.5 though.
Scott Wright
Has Datko and Sanders as his #1 and #2 ranked senior tackles at Draft Countdown. He has them both in the top 30 senior players overall.
That helps with pass pro a lot. Hopefully Hart can avoid a drop off.
I have seen mock sites such as that one that had them rated that high going into the season but I can’t imagine that is still the case considering Datko’s recurring shoulder issues. Sanders strikes me more as mid to late 2nd rd even before the season-very good skills and frame but don’t think he has shown the consistency to be a 1st round pick.
I know he was a G/C prospect which is less valuable than a T and he had some size concerns for the pros but realize that Hudson was not a 1st round pick and he was an elite player in college.
He had them lower to start the season.
Datko was the #2 OT and Zebrie was #6 or 7. In other words, he has moved them up based on the last 6 games.
Definitely better. And going back to more zone blocking helped a bunch. When EJ is done, change it to man if that’s what Jimbo wants.
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Ok, guys; off to my wedding weekend.
I’m out. Enjoy the game. I’ll be enjoying Jamaica with my wife!
What are you glorifying with your life?
by ricobert1 on Oct 20, 2011 2:16 PM EDT reply actions 7 recs
Congratulations to you and your beautiful bride. Have fun and if you start thinking about the game, just order yourself up some
>------::----::------->Spearing 'em and Scalping 'em like it's 1999
I'm not so sure this Jimbo fella is the right man for the job.
Or this.......
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toiLy3R-38M>
A Pessimist Complains About The Weather
An Optimist Waits For It To Change
A Realist Adjusts The Sails
Congrats to you both!
As a wedding gift, I have given you the honor of TN’s first, not green, but PLAID post.
by arrdub on Oct 20, 2011 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
I'd kill for this type of free time
Formerly known as Randall W. Spetman.
by CornNole on Oct 20, 2011 2:59 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 2 recs
3-5 minute recipe:
Screen print + paste into Gimp + google “red yellow plaid” + copy/paste into Gimp + toggle transparency to 50% + upload to tinypic = voila!
Rico has been plaid
in celebration of getting laid.
At least the spelling rhymes…? And it’s the least I could do to send him off on a good note.
Dont do drugs, Rico.
Formerly known as Randall W. Spetman.
by CornNole on Oct 20, 2011 3:07 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Popular Wedding Destination Rico!
I’m getting married in Jamaica at the end of November. I will be traveling during the UF game but made sure to be flying Jet Blue so I can watch it on the plane!
Don't ride the horses!
I know a couple who got mugged on their honeymoon riding horses in Jamaica! Just say no!
Oh and YU CAN DUIT!!!!
"I wish you loved me as much as you love TomahawkNation!"
""--;;--ⒻⓁⓄⓇⒾⒹⒶ-ⓈⓉⒶⓉⒺ--;;-->
by freshcollegeboy on Oct 20, 2011 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions
I woulda chosen option 1 but given my current state
I chose option 2.
Birthday celebrations have begun! It’s gonna be a long weekend.. Only thing that could ruin it would be 3-4. But I’m feeling really good about 4-3.
Cheers.. Go NOLES
Saw Peter Warrick play once. The rest is history...
Isn't Sam Cassell from the Baltimore, MD area?
"You can’t live a perfect day until you do something for someone who will never be able to repay you."
— John Wooden
yes
Basketball… Maryland might have the best talent in the nation the last decade. Football is a different story though, but there is some talent here and has steadily improved the last few years.
by newdynastynole on Oct 20, 2011 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions
DC/Bmore is to bball what SoFla is to football, IMO
by newdynastynole on Oct 20, 2011 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions
TREMENDOUS amount of talent there. One of the reasons MD didn’t keep a lot of it home is that Gary Williams was notorious for not wanting to deal with DC/MD AAU directly.
Seminole Game Day -- "All the trash talkin' stops, when the spear drops."
the single biggest thing I didnt like about Gary… UMD is a basketball school that didnt want to recruit the best bball talent.. .SOOO frustrating that we couldnt keep our best players in-state. Now UMD has Dalonte Hall (amazing recruiter) so I am hoping UMD can start keeping the players from its own backyard…
by newdynastynole on Oct 20, 2011 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I like the poll
(No homo)
I'm only 31
Go Noles
Go Bucs
by Old Buc on Oct 20, 2011 4:17 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
LOL....
Man, everyone is gay once in a while. It’s Hollywood! – Kirk Lazarus (Tropic Thunder)
by CashvilleNole on Oct 20, 2011 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions
random question to any of you editors or any of u with a big FSU IQ...
i was just looking at the new revised espnu 150 and looking at what prospects we have a shot at… what is our chance with andrus peat. I know him being form Arizona seems like a long shot but bud has said that its not as big of a deal…Also, with guys like Stefon Diggs and the two OLB in Kwon Alexander and josh harvey-clemons. I was just wondering what the interest is or if there is any at all cause u never know with ESPN
Probably a question better posed for recruiting guys in the recruiting thread
As of a couple of weeks ago, I heard from a couple different people who I’d deem reliable that Peat may actually be silently committed. Don’t know if anything has changed on that front.
The Navin R. Johnson of Tomahawk Nation.
disclaimer
I’m not a recruiting expert or even amateur, so take that for what it is worth. Regardless of if he is actually a silent or not, FSU has a good shot.
The Navin R. Johnson of Tomahawk Nation.
Edsall
Randy Edsall is going to improve Maryland’s recruiting? The same Randy Edsall that had a terrible relationship with Connecticut high school coaches when he coached at UConn? The same Edsall that has already had the coach of one prominent local high school program grumbling? Good luck to them. (To be fair, I’d dismiss the DeMatha grumbling it not for Edsall’s history at UConn.) If you look at the major recruiting services, Maryland’s class in Edsall’s first full class seems to be shaping up to be worse than what Friedgen was bringing in – with Friedgen supposedly stagnating and Edsall supposedly bringing new energy. And they have Gary Crowton there to ruin their quarterbacks!
Anyone having problems with the main page?
It’s only loading the two most recent stories for me.
"Let's go our there, and stick our fists through their ribcages, rip our their hearts, eat them, and shit them back out on the field!!" - Blue Mountain State
by Alittlemore_cowbell on Oct 20, 2011 6:12 PM EDT reply actions
I don’t know wtf happened there, but let’s try it again: only two most recent stories are loading for me.
"Let's go our there, and stick our fists through their ribcages, rip our their hearts, eat them, and shit them back out on the field!!" - Blue Mountain State
by Alittlemore_cowbell on Oct 20, 2011 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions
same here.
A wise polish man once said: If you don't look out for #1, you get a hand full of #2
by PalmAireNole on Oct 20, 2011 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions
I wanted to vote for the second, third, and fourth (listening to Keith blast ACC officiating for three hours).
However, number three was the only one that encapsulated all of those.
Conrats, ricobert! If you see this guy down there, be careful. He ’ll put dog biscuits in your luggage before you reach customs.
Thanks for inviting me out today. I really needed some time to stop worrying about my love life.
--Well, you know, that's why God gave us baseball..... And war.
It's Often Pronounced "Ball More"/CJ Brown Concerns
A) by the real old timers. I lived in Maryland for 10 years (Montgomery county) and worked for one year just north of Baltimore in Timonium/Cockeysville/Hunt Valley.
2) I often heard several variations, but frequently it was “Mare Lin”
D) CJ Brown scares me. Although he may have run 23 times, he did not get hit that many times as he was quick enough and smart enough (scared enough?) to get out of bounds often. As for his diminished running performance in the 2nd half, how much was due to fatigue vs. the Clemson defensive scheme change? Subs often find themselves tuckered out quite quickly when they have to play extended periods (plus all the runs). With McDaniel out on the DL, and the Terps having a week to prepare for what they expect to be a zone scheme, should we be concerned? I think they would have Brown practicing pocket passing (has anyone ever practiced a QB breaking the pocket for a run?), so it may be a wash. Speedy QB’s have given us fits in the past. Hopefully we can get some shots on Brown and this won’t turn into a shoot out.
Trust those who seek the truth; doubt those who find it. -Andre Gide
by Tastanagi Tutka Thlako on Oct 21, 2011 10:19 AM EDT reply actions
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