Harding at GVSU

[FSUBulldog27]

Bulldog, BCON, DVARA, Champgymusa, Irishlaker, all used to post a lot...I know Bulldog passed away but not sure on the others. I agree that the occasional posters with little to no knowledge have been a problem at times.

Who was the guy from OBU - Freddy something - he was always on here talking about Ouchita Baptist...

[bigmrg74]

Bulldog, BCON, DVARA, Champgymusa, Irishlaker, all used to post a lot...I know Bulldog passed away but not sure on the others. I agree that the occasional posters with little to no knowledge have been a problem at times.

Yeah, always kinda bummed me out that I never did get to meet Bulldog. Champ is around, and I swear I've seen Irish post here recently. Heck, even myself am not quite as on here as much as I used to be. BCON, as far as I know, busy with kids and all of that. DVarra, I believe he was supposed to be the principle to a school up in the UP.

[Thelakerman]

So, I’ve been following this thread for days now and I think it’s time for a reality check. 1) The Laker offense contracted the injury bug early in the season only got worse as the season progressed. Avery Moore was not the same smash mouth QB that he was last year and was injured much of the year. 2) The defense, while starting out very good, seemed to lack discipline as the season wore on. Staying in their coverage lanes went by the wayside and teams were allowed to get outside on them. That’s what Trinidad Chambliss discovered early on in that game. 3)!the defensive line seemed to wear down as the season went on. Perhaps because they were on the field way too much. I have to agree with a previous poster that this defense was not as good as last year.. 4) There’s a difference in being “nicked up” and being the walking wounded. By the time GV got to Harding the starting QB didn’t even dress, 3 starting O-linemen were out and the best one played on a high ankle sprain, the middle linebacker played with a broken thumb and looked like he had a boxing glove on and our best cover and tackling D-back dislocated his shoulder early on and kept trying to get back in the game anyway. Now, if that sounds like whining or making excuses to you, so be it. Would GV have beaten Harding if healthy …..maybe….but as a longtime Laker fan, I really don’t think so. But just once I’d like to try it. Hats of to the Bison. They played a near perfect game at Lubbers Stadium. I may even drive up to Big Rapids for the regional final. I just don’t know which side to sit on as I’m not particularly fond of either team.

[BisonOL]

So, I’ve been following this thread for days now and I think it’s time for a reality check. 1) The Laker offense contracted the injury bug early in the season only got worse as the season progressed. Avery Moore was not the same smash mouth QB that he was last year and was injured much of the year. 2) The defense, while starting out very good, seemed to lack discipline as the season wore on. Staying in their coverage lanes went by the wayside and teams were allowed to get outside on them. That’s what Trinidad Chambliss discovered early on in that game. 3)!the defensive line seemed to wear down as the season went on. Perhaps because they were on the field way too much. I have to agree with a previous poster that this defense was not as good as last year.. 4) There’s a difference in being “nicked up” and being the walking wounded. By the time GV got to Harding the starting QB didn’t even dress, 3 starting O-linemen were out and the best one played on a high ankle sprain, the middle linebacker played with a broken thumb and looked like he had a boxing glove on and our best cover and tackling D-back dislocated his shoulder early on and kept trying to get back in the game anyway. Now, if that sounds like whining or making excuses to you, so be it. Would GV have beaten Harding if healthy …..maybe….but as a longtime Laker fan, I really don’t think so. But just once I’d like to try it. Hats of to the Bison. They played a near perfect game at Lubbers Stadium. I may even drive up to Big Rapids for the regional final. I just don’t know which side to sit on as I’m not particularly fond of either team.

This is not a knock by any means but simply an observation. Although injuries are certainly a part of the game and all teams are banged up by this point of the season, this is a carbon copy of what we heard last year. Not doubting the veracity of it by any means, but if your team is that significantly beat up 2 yrs in a row then it may be time to reevaluate your strength and conditioning program and/or training staff.

[Searcy]

This is not a knock by any means but simply an observation. Although injuries are certainly a part of the game and all teams are banged up by this point of the season, this is a carbon copy of what we heard last year. Not doubting the veracity of it by any means, but if your team is that significantly beat up 2 yrs in a row then it may be time to reevaluate your strength and conditioning program and/or training staff.

Or, this could also feed into the "early schedule difficulty" discussions in the general forum. You know, the ones that point out that the teams that win championships tend to play easy early season schedules resulting in not getting beat up as badly.

[BillyGV]

Or, this could also feed into the "early schedule difficulty" discussions in the general forum. You know, the ones that point out that the teams that win championships tend to play easy early season schedules resulting in not getting beat up as badly.

this is the point - some teams play a tougher schedule and over the course of a season, guys get hurt leaving a team in a lessor position - obviously, depth becomes the concern

[BisonOL]

this is the point - some teams play a tougher schedule and over the course of a season, guys get hurt leaving a team in a lessor position - obviously, depth becomes the concern

Legitimate question and I have no idea the answer, but Ferris had an equally tough schedule. Are they as injury riddled as GVSU? My only point being that every team will have a year occasionally where there is an inordinate amount of major injuries, but when it happens in successive yrs it would lead me to start questioning things.

[Redwing]

This is not a knock by any means but simply an observation. Although injuries are certainly a part of the game and all teams are banged up by this point of the season, this is a carbon copy of what we heard last year. Not doubting the veracity of it by any means, but if your team is that significantly beat up 2 yrs in a row then it may be time to reevaluate your strength and conditioning program and/or training staff.

You have valid points. But I don't know any program that would help reduce a concussion when one is thrown to the ground by a facemask, then having targeted shots to the head in subsequent games. (Maybe the highest end helmet, which costs $$) GV's budget is not unlimited. Just look at GVs helmets VS Harding's. But the starting QB also wouldn't shun contact, so some risk is indeed on him. And some strength MAY help leg injures, but when a dline repeatedly rolls ups on the oline guy, odds are that knees and ankles are at higher risks. And finally, not sure what strength can reduce broken bones. GV had several. As for the Sep shoulder... you may have a point, but I don't know have any data WRT strength programs that may not be used at GV.
And make no mistake, playing quality opponents takes its toll. The more time a starter has to play, the higher the chance of injury. I also wonder that maybe it's intensity of play at times? That's on the athlete as well. My Detroit Lions defense is in a similar situation now. :-(.

And Lakerman: Well said. It seems to be a good objective evaluation.

[BisonOL]

You have valid points. But I don't know any program that would help reduce a concussion when one is thrown to the ground by a facemask, then having targeted shots to the head in subsequent games. (Maybe the highest end helmet, which costs $$) GV's budget is not unlimited. Just look at GVs helmets VS Harding's. But the starting QB also wouldn't shun contact, so some risk is indeed on him. And some strength MAY help leg injures, but when a dline repeatedly rolls ups on the oline guy, odds are that knees and ankles are at higher risks. And finally, not sure what strength can reduce broken bones. GV had several. As for the Sep shoulder... you may have a point, but I don't know have any data WRT strength programs that may not be used at GV.
And make no mistake, playing quality opponents takes its toll. The more time a starter has to play, the higher the chance of injury. I also wonder that maybe it's intensity of play at times? That's on the athlete as well. My Detroit Lions defense is in a similar situation now. :-(.

And Lakerman: Well said. It seems to be a good objective evaluation.

You have a valid point and obviously I’m not aware of what GVSU’s injuries are. I certainly agree that quality of opponents makes a difference. I would say regardless of opponent style of play matters too. We play smash mouth fb and run our QB frequently and don’t have the same level of injuries historically. As far as getting rolled up G-C-G I’m not sure that has anything to do with quality of opponent it’s just a persistent hazard for all Int OL. Last yr by the end of the yr mine played on an ankle that had been rolled up so many times he was in a boot half the week every week leading to game day with difficulty being able to weight bear on Sundays after games. Those injuries to me are just part of the game that prob at least one Int OL on every team suffers from by year end. In no way was I questioning the quality of your S&C coaches or training staff because I know nothing about them. But I do think it’s at the very least natural to start asking questions and looking for answers if the injuries are at an alarmingly high rate year in and year out.

[Redwing]

You have a valid point and obviously I’m not aware of what GVSU’s injuries are......Those injuries to me are just part of the game that prob at least one Int OL on every team suffers from by year end. In no way was I questioning the quality of your S&C coaches or training staff because I know nothing about them. But I do think it’s at the very least natural to start asking questions and looking for answers if the injuries are at an alarmingly high rate year in and year out.

A few of us do question S&C coach . There have been some changes along the way. IMO, it's more critical than many realize.

[FSUBulldog27]

So, I’ve been following this thread for days now and I think it’s time for a reality check. 1) The Laker offense contracted the injury bug early in the season only got worse as the season progressed. Avery Moore was not the same smash mouth QB that he was last year and was injured much of the year. 2) The defense, while starting out very good, seemed to lack discipline as the season wore on. Staying in their coverage lanes went by the wayside and teams were allowed to get outside on them. That’s what Trinidad Chambliss discovered early on in that game. 3)!the defensive line seemed to wear down as the season went on. Perhaps because they were on the field way too much. I have to agree with a previous poster that this defense was not as good as last year.. 4) There’s a difference in being “nicked up” and being the walking wounded. By the time GV got to Harding the starting QB didn’t even dress, 3 starting O-linemen were out and the best one played on a high ankle sprain, the middle linebacker played with a broken thumb and looked like he had a boxing glove on and our best cover and tackling D-back dislocated his shoulder early on and kept trying to get back in the game anyway. Now, if that sounds like whining or making excuses to you, so be it. Would GV have beaten Harding if healthy …..maybe….but as a longtime Laker fan, I really don’t think so. But just once I’d like to try it. Hats of to the Bison. They played a near perfect game at Lubbers Stadium. I may even drive up to Big Rapids for the regional final. I just don’t know which side to sit on as I’m not particularly fond of either team.

Sit on the visitor side

[FSUBulldog27]

You have a valid point and obviously I’m not aware of what GVSU’s injuries are. I certainly agree that quality of opponents makes a difference. I would say regardless of opponent style of play matters too. We play smash mouth fb and run our QB frequently and don’t have the same level of injuries historically. As far as getting rolled up G-C-G I’m not sure that has anything to do with quality of opponent it’s just a persistent hazard for all Int OL. Last yr by the end of the yr mine played on an ankle that had been rolled up so many times he was in a boot half the week every week leading to game day with difficulty being able to weight bear on Sundays after games. Those injuries to me are just part of the game that prob at least one Int OL on every team suffers from by year end. In no way was I questioning the quality of your S&C coaches or training staff because I know nothing about them. But I do think it’s at the very least natural to start asking questions and looking for answers if the injuries are at an alarmingly high rate year in and year out.

I may be wrong but looking at Harding and you guys were so far ahead at half time of many games. I would imagine and looking at some of the carries from 13 or 14 different running backs - your starters could rest more than teams where the SOS in the conference and non conference games are higher. Less gap in scores - which could mean more time Played by starter. I know we had some blow outs but not to the extent Harding did. Nothing personal but more chances to be injured or more bumps and bruises the more that you play. Then again 20 year olds recover better than older players. I guess sometimes it's just bad luck...

[BisonOL]

I may be wrong but looking at Harding and you guys were so far ahead at half time of many games. I would imagine and looking at some of the carries from 13 or 14 different running backs - your starters could rest more than teams where the SOS in the conference and non conference games are higher. Less gap in scores - which could mean more time Played by starter. I know we had some blow outs but not to the extent Harding did. Nothing personal but more chances to be injured or more bumps and bruises the more that you play. Then again 20 year olds recover better than older players. I guess sometimes it's just bad luck...

Very valid point

[KleShreen]

I may be wrong but looking at Harding and you guys were so far ahead at half time of many games. I would imagine and looking at some of the carries from 13 or 14 different running backs - your starters could rest more than teams where the SOS in the conference and non conference games are higher. Less gap in scores - which could mean more time Played by starter. I know we had some blow outs but not to the extent Harding did. Nothing personal but more chances to be injured or more bumps and bruises the more that you play. Then again 20 year olds recover better than older players. I guess sometimes it's just bad luck...

This is a problem I've had with GV for years now. They don't keep the pedal down on inferior opponents anymore and get the backups in. GV is always out there getting up on lesser teams by like 15-18 points, up by not enough to put backups in, but by enough where the playcalling becomes vanilla and that's just where they hang out. I miss the days where BK and Chuck Martin would have the team up by 40 at half, and the second half would be nothing but backups. It resulted in less injuries, and also resulted in being able to get experience for the future. But GV hasn't been able to do that for over a decade now. Whether it's a lack of talent, a lack of killer instinct coaching, or maybe it's just a product of being a run-oriented team. The lack of explosive plays results in longer drives, eating up more clock, less drives to score on, etc.

[4nick8]

I may be wrong but looking at Harding and you guys were so far ahead at half time of many games. I would imagine and looking at some of the carries from 13 or 14 different running backs - your starters could rest more than teams where the SOS in the conference and non conference games are higher. Less gap in scores - which could mean more time Played by starter. I know we had some blow outs but not to the extent Harding did. Nothing personal but more chances to be injured or more bumps and bruises the more that you play. Then again 20 year olds recover better than older players. I guess sometimes it's just bad luck...

I blame the increase in leg injuries on the field "upgrade " from natural grass a dozen years ago. Seems like they are more prevalent now
https://globalsportmatters.com/healt...rface-is-best/