Topic: "at least he can recruit" ???

[jn330]

I visit this board frequently but hardly ever post because I don't really have much worthwile to say that someone else hasn't already.  But in recent weeks, I've seen statement after statement about how Coach Snyder's saving grace is that he can recruit.  This echoes what I remember reading on these boards about Jirsa during his last couple years.  If I remember correcctly, I think the same sentiment was given for Greg White.

My question (and this is not a knock on any of our players, I was not recruited as a scholarship athlete an ANY sport):  What is this judgment based on?  How are we so sure our coaches recruit so well.  There are obviously some shining stars on our team, but the same could be said for every team.  EVERY team has some standouts.  Given the lack of winning results, lack of us dominating the post season awards in comparison with any of our conference brethren, why does everybody thiink we have any better field of talent than any other comparable (in this case conference USA) school?  I agree, we may have on the whole better height/weight/bench press statistics for incoming recruits than we did ten years ago, but I still see two flaws with those comparisons:  1) we were recruiting against VMI/GA Southern or Buffalo/Toledo versus UTEP/UCF with a bigger exposure, more prestigeous, and broader footprint of a conference; and 2) we seemed to put a lot more of those "less talented" players in the NFL than we have in the last 5 years with our new "abundance" of talent.  I'm sure that we have at least two or three current players that will go on to play at the next level, BUT WE SHOULD!  Statistically, wouldn't any coach be able to land three or four out of 85 who can at least get a shot at the NFL?  

I confess my ignorance on this subject.  All I do is watch the games, and I live out of town so I don't get to watch all of them.  I just see our record, and watch a group of players that looks evenly or over matched in comparison to thier competition.  Please, those who can give me some insight, explain why Snyder/Jirsa (and possibly Jones for that matter) are so much better recruiters than their contemporaries in the same or similar conferences and scenarios.  

Thanks

[mu1995]

Actually, I think that last year the Herd fielded 11 All C-USA players.  Not sure how many were first team, second, etc.  

For me, this fact is particularly important in trying to determine why exactly we are fielding loosing teams.

[W0lfman]

I honestly think the step up in conference has been the primary reason our recruiting has been better.  Movie didnt hurt either.

[Photo by]

I honestly think the step up in conference has been the primary reason our recruiting has been better.  Movie didnt hurt either.

I'd say those are certainly a factors. But I've heard from guys that should know that Snyder & Co. have recruited more talent than we have probably ever had. Hard to believe when you think about Randy, Chad, Byron, etc. But from a couple of guys that should know.

Trouble is that they are props, redshirts, and freshmen.

The other thing that looks odd to me is that the offense is loaded with playmakers and the defense isn't. Not sure if this is because the former DC lost the battles of who to recruit or wasn't a good judge of talent or what but certainly the talent with experience is on the offensive side of the ball.

[banker]

I don't think we have enough info yet.  The only thing we know for sure is that the staff hasn't signed any "instant impact" defensive players and they have signed a few "instant impact" offensive players (Slate, Passmore, and to a lesser degree, Marshall).

Next year will tell the story on recruiting as about 70% of all starters will be Snyder guys.

The other part of that equation is that recruiting and natural ability will only get you so far.  You have to coach/teach/motivate kids to expand their effectiveness.

[Photo by]

...The only thing we know for sure is that the staff hasn't signed any "instant impact" defensive players...

I believe they signed one...he's injured.

[banker]

...The only thing we know for sure is that the staff hasn't signed any "instant impact" defensive players...

I believe they signed one...he's injured.

If you are talking about Albert, he was a Pruett recruit signed in February 2005 two months before Snyder got to campus.  If you are talking about Josh Johnson, he's our best LB, but he's not exactly a high impact LB relatively speaking.

[Olen]

If you are talking about Albert, he was a Pruett recruit signed in February 2005 two months before Snyder got to campus.  If you are talking about Josh Johnson, he's our best LB, but he's not exactly a high impact LB relatively speaking.

I interpreted Photoby's post as referring to Glasco - I guess there might be some quibbling over how much of impact a juco DT may / may not have, but given the attrition and injuries at that position, any experienced big body is preferable to the undersized and inexperience we have had to use since Glasco went down.

Of course - I could be wrong.

[Garbanjo]

I base my assessment of Snyder's recruiting on the ratings compiled by the recruiting services. On paper, he pulled in the best class we've ever signed this year, and last year's class was very good as well.

Will that translate into wins and NFL players?

That remains to be seen...............

[banker]

If you are talking about Albert, he was a Pruett recruit signed in February 2005 two months before Snyder got to campus.  If you are talking about Josh Johnson, he's our best LB, but he's not exactly a high impact LB relatively speaking.

I interpreted Photoby's post as referring to Glasco - I guess there might be some quibbling over how much of impact a juco DT may / may not have, but given the attrition and injuries at that position, any experienced big body is preferable to the undersized and inexperience we have had to use since Glasco went down.

Of course - I could be wrong.

Our run defense was near the bottom of the NCAA rankings before Glasco was hurt so I wouldn't consider him an instant impact guy.  He may have been having a big impact by now if he wasn't hurt, but I can't say based on what we have to judge from.  I am glad that we will have him for the next two years.

[Photo by]

I was talking about Albert...I thought he was a Snyder recruit.

But I think the posts following indicated the incredible bad luck in that we have not only had several injuries, they were to the absolute best players we had.

Bad luck, like good luck, comes in bunches.

[marshall fanatic]

There are more instant impact offensive players in the country then defensive players. Look around football and name me one corner that you don't throw to his side.  Kinda of hard to think of one. But now tell me a receiver in college that is the go to guy?   The D is just a little harder to get players and the good one you need to fight it out with the big boys to get. Now we do have an advantage. You can come in here and get instant playing time.

[Olen]

I was talking about Albert...I thought he was a Snyder recruit.

But I think the posts following indicated the incredible bad luck in that we have not only had several injuries, they were to the absolute best players we had.

Bad luck, like good luck, comes in bunches.

My mistake.

At the QB Club Meeting, Coach Kueck stood in for Coach Snyder (who attended the funeral service of Christine Shewey in Kermit this morning - Snyder arrived back in Huntington w/ about 15 mins left in the meeting).  Coach Kueck stated that he has been coaching a long time, and he has never  coached a team that has had as many devastating injuries on one side of the ball as this year's team (obviously in regard to the defense).

As a result, it has caused some obvious and not-so-obvious problems.  It forces the back-ups and their back-ups to play more, perhaps more plays than one hopes at this stage (e.g. opportunity for mistakes increases).  It also causes a modification in the offensive play calling a bit, as the offense is trying to score AND chew-up clock to help the defense as much as it can.  Less obvious is the practice situation - with so many players out, on both sides of the ball, neither side is getting the same "push" that it might get from everyone being relatively healthy.  

Overall, I really enjoyed Coach Kueck - he gave several lengthy and insightful responses concerning game preparation and strategy.  Coach Kueck indicated that in prep for USM, the offensive coaches have about 430 live plays to look at (if they choose), which are categorized and sub-categorized (I believe he said about 80 categories), which they can then chart to discern patterns and develop percentages as to what is likely to occur and less likely to occur.  

FWIW.

[Buffalo Bop]

Thanks Olen for the QB Club meeting info.

[Olen]

Thanks Olen for the QB Club meeting info.

You're welcome, BBop.

[Chevy1]

I honestly think the step up in conference has been the primary reason our recruiting has been better.  Movie didnt hurt either.

I'd say those are certainly a factors. But I've heard from guys that should know that Snyder & Co. have recruited more talent than we have probably ever had. Hard to believe when you think about Randy, Chad, Byron, etc. But from a couple of guys that should know.

Two losing seasons followed by an "O fer" (so far).  Also per the latest Saragin ratings, MAC is a better conference that C-USA.

If you want to ignore game day performance and wins, I guess one could claim we have more talent than we've ever had.  If that statement is indeed true (which I doubt), then it's an even bigger indictment on the abilities of this coaching staff - especially considering we won championships and bowl games with supposedly lesser talent.

[IM4DHERD]

the offensive coaches have about 430 live plays to look at (if they choose)

And they choose to run how many split end screens per game?