Comments

Good points all around.  It is all about perception with young college kids and the perception for opposing offensive lines when they break the huddle is:  “high five, we got this one…that nose guard is TINY.”  So, why do we keep a tiny nose guard as our starter? 

The games are over in the first 2 minutes because we look small and weak out there.  Ylou gets blown up.  Harris carries for the first time and almost gets his leg broken by a MD defensive back.  Price is now afraid to run and slide (see:  Skinner not running and sliding) since doofus Lobotzke asked him to run the option earlier in the year and he got a bad concussion since he is obviously NOT an option QB. 

Blown up and bullied by bigger, faster, stronger teams.  Terrible secondary coaching (Lambert) and terrible offensive coaching again (Lobo).

John Allenstein on 11/01/2010 (11:08 am)

I understand that coaches are going to be blamed for everything. It’s what happens these days, but if you don’t think Jim Grobe is in pain with each loss and that he is trying his hardest as is his staff, then you don’t know Jim and his staff. He is a tremendous coach and yes I realize in was 2006 but he brought excitement back to WFU football, excitement that few even could remember it was so long ago. Yes, the past couple of years have been tough to be sure, just like the Fridge’s 2-10 season last year but you don’t chuck a proven winner and great ambassador for the university aside. The Deacons are very young, perhaps too young, but I know they will be back. This year is painful to watch, but watch we true fans will and look forward to better times. And stop castigating Wellman who was a hero just a few short years ago- now he’s a dummy? Please. We’re lucky to have him and Coach Jim.

fpvjr on 11/01/2010 (10:28 am)

It is very obvious that all of us fans are upset with about everything to do with the FB program, starting with the coaches.  My real question is with Grobe.  Does he realize what has happened, not only to his team, but to all the goodwill and support he built?  Is he willing to make the changes in his staff that are needed?  If this staff remains intact after the season, I see a continuous decline until the day Grobe will “resign.”

Jim on 11/01/2010 (8:33 am)

Dan, you’re calling it just as it is, as uncomfortable as it may seem. I really wish the head coach would become more engaged with this team during the game instead of just wearing the headset. I completely understand letting the assitants coach their respective areas without standing over them but it’s obvious there’s no direction coming from the head coach during the game when it’s needed most. At the very least he has to change his defensive staff. That isn’t too much to ask.There’s no way Grobe can’t see whats going on and if the addage I’m playing the guys who give us the best shot to win is true, then this team is beyond hope. I think when those season ticket sales fall off a cliff someone in the athletic dept. will see the red flag going up the pole.

Glennard on 10/31/2010 (2:51 pm)

LectroFool, it’s nothing personal. Honest. In this instance, you’re taking me far more seriously than I am.
But thanks for reading and for the note.

Dan on 10/31/2010 (1:36 pm)

Dan, I thought I’d re-send the note I sent to you after the Stanford blowout… I saw the severity of the decline from week one, saw it magnified that late night at Stanford, but did NOT IMAGINE it reaching these disastrous depths.

(from 9/15/10)

Dan, I will try to be gentle. My own memories are still too vivid to be unkind. And, I don’t blame the young men wearing the uniforms.
Anyone who has watched the game evolve would draw some pre-game conclusions from the way those uniforms fit, or were filled out, even before the “game” began last night.
It has been a recurring theme of mine to friends, and on my posts, that Wake has been in a steady decline where it still matters most in this sport - the interior lines. It is not Dan’s job, in his role as “reporter” to draw these conclusions. We can.
The days of lining up a 5-11, 230 pounder as the anchor and center of your defense (nose tackle) elapsed in my era. And that was 28 years ago.  It may be as simple as that example.  The only danger I spotted for Stanford’s players last night was that the bulging veins in their enormous muscles might burst.  Even the analyst “gently” pointed this out.  And its very hard to explain.  Even before the great Wake season of 2006, Jim Grobe teams were muscle-bound as well along the lines. They played physical football.  They DOMINATED opponents with a real, and powerful run game, not this touch-football hide and seek approach (in clear contrast to the Stanford iso man on man
run game last night).
There was much talk in those days about how this approach, combined with excellent execution, minimal mistakes (penalties and turnovers), and a superior kicking game - reduced the game timewise, kept opponents off the field, generated a great Wake advantage in “hidden yardage”, and generally kept the Deacons close or ahead deep into the games.
Remember?  Anyone?
And yet - it must be acknowledged, in the aftermath of a couple wonderful, successful seasons,  the size and talent of the interior lines, and linebacker, has seen a serious dropoff. I saw it
coming last year.  Saw it in the two wins this year.  Saw Stanford play UCLA - and saw what was coming.
But even with that, I was shocked at the margin of mismatch.  and I dont think you can just brush 68-24 off as “well, it was a long flight, and our guys are young.”
Want an exercise Dan? GO back and look at the drive charts for Duke and Stanford, see how many “stops” there were.  I THINK Stanford scored on all but two possessions. It was stunning.  Shockingly bad. I cannot demonstrate the o-lines problems as easily, except to note the obvious - that Wake qb’s for 3 years now,
have been pinballing around ...rarely
able to set and throw on rhythm.  Riley Skinner masked this with his nimble agility and surreal vision. There was one blitz by Stanford last night, where another fast, angry and bulging linebacker ran straight into - and over -
Josh Adams - on his way to another sack.
I so remember watching Wake in Jim’s early years, clearly on an uptick despite the wins/loss ratio.  You could see a
house being built on solid foundation.
Now,  I fear it is now wobbling, constructed on sand.
I hope I am being overly severe.  I really hope I am wrong.
There are other things that have bothered me - like defenders pumping the air, and pounding their chests, after making tackles 6-7 yards downfield, and trailing
at the time by 30/40 points.  Where does this disconnect come from?
And yes, I was very annoyed with the classless Jim Harbaugh. They were laughing in a way you could not misconstrue from the second quarter - till the very end.  He wanted to teach Wake a lesson.  I hope, in an unintended way, that he did.

( I wish I had been wrong )

glenn williams on 10/31/2010 (1:30 pm)

Maybe it’s time to lay off the “peanut gallery”, Dan.

LectroFool on 10/31/2010 (12:57 pm)

I have no idea what is going on—-they actually seem to be getting worse. Coaches seem to be as confused as the players. There is more talent on this team than is being seen right now. I would never have thought this season would look this bleak. I hope they can start building something for the future—-that is all that is left for this year. You seem as confused by all of this as much as the rest of us?

steve h on 10/31/2010 (10:26 am)

I wish Grobe would stop blaming the kicking game.  The fact is, our defense is on track to be the worst defense in the history of WF football.  Maryland scored on 8 of their first 10 possessions.  VT scored touchdowns on 7 of their first 8 possessions.  Stanford scored TDs on all 8 of their first possessions.  It does not matter whether they have to drive 30 yards or 60 yards or 99 yards - WF will let them do it.

There are many other issues, no question, but until something drastic changes on the defensive side of the ball, WF really has no chance to compete.

Jim on 10/31/2010 (9:55 am)

Unfortunately as the season continues to unfold things have gone from disappointing to sad to excrutiating.  This is not the team I’ve watched for the past few years that exuded grit, determination and toughness.  This is not the coaching staff who showed imagination, resourcefullness, an ability to game plan for any given opponent and make the proper adjustments during games.  I feel sorry for the seniors who were such an important part of the Deacs success over the past few years, specifically Russell Nenon and Marshall Williams who continue to play at a high level, display leadership and resiliency during this devastating season. The coaching staff needs a major reorganization and Tim Billings should take over as Defensive Coordinator.  He’s the best coach on the staff and every position he’s coached has improved dramatically under his tutorledge.  A new offensive coordinator needs to be brought in from the outside to inject new ideas and enthusiasm.  There’s much more this program needs but these initial changes would be a good start. Go Deacs!

Deac Fan on 10/31/2010 (8:45 am)

The way these kids have been performing you would think another Jim was the head coach; Jim Caldwell. I predicted after the Presbyterian game the Deacs would win only 3 games this year. Perhaps I was too optimistic.

Saying that, I fear Coach Grobe with his million dollar seven figure pay package has grown complacent…The problem in fact starts at the top with Ron Wellman. In hindsight it may have been much better for Mr. Wellman to have departed Forsyth County and taken the position @ ASU several years back. His selection of head coaches leave much to be desired.

Going one step further, I see the same thing happening with the basketball program, hiring a Coach who will likely depart after his daughter graduates. Both Coach Grobe and Bz are both at the end of their careers. Age and Father time has that effect on all of us.

Tom on 10/31/2010 (7:03 am)

Special teams have been an issue since Sam Swank’s 2008 injury. Coach Grobe shouldn’t be surprised. There has to be a major, major house cleaning. This family approach to managing your staff is ludicrous, and Jim Grobe has failed to build a program (programs don’t go 2-6 with 4 30+ losses) because of it.

Wellman forced Dino to shake-up his staff, time for him to pull rank on Grobe too.

WakeFan on 10/31/2010 (1:18 am)

Could we beg Dean Hood to please come back?

Jeff on 10/31/2010 (1:03 am)

I hate to say it , because I really like Jim Grobe , but despite an extra week , the Deacs were not mentally or physically prepared for the Maryland game .The Deacons looked lost on both sides of the ball.I’m sure there was a game plan , but none of the players seemed to know what it was.`I know Jim will talk about what a great team Maryland is , but there was nothing in Maryland’s past performance this year that would indicate that they could totally dominate the Deacons .Last year’s team was underachieved , but at least they were prepared and fought hard in every game . This year’s team looks bewildered every time they take the field on the road.

Steve P on 10/30/2010 (10:59 pm)

Please tell me our football program is not going to replay the Chuck Mills years!!

Ken Green on 10/30/2010 (10:44 pm)

The coaches and the players have given up. That’s the way they played the Maryland game and the results showed it. They don’t believe in themselves or what the coaches want them to do and thus the execution breaks down and disater strikes! This is a very sad situation because all the joy and excitement Coach Grobe brought to WFU is quickly disappearing with this awful season. What can he tell a prospect about why he should become a part of this program? Let’s hope that by some miracle they can get ready for BC next Saturday and, playing at home, will give them enough of a boost to get a win.

Richard on 10/30/2010 (9:48 pm)

Sometimes you have to just admit the other teams are just better. The mystery is why now after almost 10 full seasons.The Orange Bowl season obviously did not boost recruiting as everyone expected. Maryland is a decent team but WF made them look like world beaters.

Has the long grind diminished the passion for the game for Coach Grobe? Are his assistants up to par? Are his players D1 material? What will 2011 bring?

radio_smuggles on 10/30/2010 (8:59 pm)