A&T and Wall Street: Both In Need Of A Bailout

by Craig R. Turner
bluedeathvalley.com
Oct. 10, 2008

No, not again. That’s about all one can say about A&T’s disappointing loss last week to its most hated rival, North Carolina Central. Last year A&T was literally on the doorstep of upsetting NCCU before a goal line interception in the closing seconds left the Aggies with a 27-22 loss in Greensboro.

This past week, after a very weak first half (along with some questionable officiating mixed in), the Aggies’ frenzied second half comeback attempt fell just short as they suffered a 28-27 loss to a then-winless NCCU team.

So now, after two good wins to the start the season, the Aggies have fallen to 2-4 at the midpoint mark and the list of seemingly winnable games is growing shorter each week. Delaware State, FAMU, Bethune-Cookman, and South Carolina State all have superior offensive firepower and are still lurking down the road.

Frankly this week’s homecoming match-up against Morgan State and a home game against Howard on Oct. 25 may be the best chances left for the Aggies to come out on top before heading down “Murderer’s Row.”

So what has happened to the season that showed so much early promise?

Well, three of those losses ( NSU, Coastal Carolina, NCCU), were directly attributable to a mass of offensive turnovers early in each game with A&T digging themselves into a deep hole despite a defense that has played fairly well all season. The problem has been an erratic offense that has played well in spurts but not consistently enough for four quarters.

The A&T coaching brain trust needs to take a different attitude on how they approach the rest of their season, especially on offensive side of the ball.

Three things came to my mind as I sat silently in Charlotte last week and saw Central put up a 21-6 halftime lead (forged again by mostly turnovers) and then watched us completely flip the coin in the second half and start racking up points. I don’t profess to be a coach and never will, but some things even an old sports writer like myself takes notice of if you’ve been around football long enough.

1. Forget everything you know and have heard about “taking what the defense gives you.”

That’s merely coach speak for playing it conservative and far too close to the vest. A&T must come out of the gates and attack its opponents – no huddles, lots of misdirection, even gimmick plays. Use the John McCain approach when you’re behind. Come out like McCain-Palin and throw the kitchen sink from the opening kickoff. Just press the issue on nearly every play and at every opportunity. There isn’t much of a down side to this strategy at this point, nor does it make a lot of difference if you are spotting your opponents three touchdown deficits right out of the chute. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

2. Do what you do best and run the football.

It took six games but low and behold someone besides me finally figured out that redshirt Nigel Tomlin is one hell of a running back. Why not try using both him and Mike Ferguson at the same time in a split back or spread formation. I think you’ll find your short passing game will be far more effective with both of them coming out of the backfield. It wouldn’t take long before defenses would start to beg off from taking on either one of these guys head up.

3. Go with Carlton Fears as the starting QB.

He is a pretty good-sized quarterback who proved he has some jets. He’s not polished but he is decisive and he doesn’t make dumb mistakes. Utilize him on the wings, get him to the outside on rollouts and give him the opportunity make plays with his arm and his feet as he did in the second half last week against NCCU. Nothing personal against Herb Miller, but Fears is just a plain better quarterback and a better decision maker.

That’s pretty much it. I really don’t have a beef about how the A&T defense has played this season because they have been put in some very awkward situations by an offense that has shot itself in the foot with unforced errors and turnovers.

They have, more often than not - with the exception of the Hampton game, created their fair share of turnovers, stopped folks in the red zone and limited the points surrendered on drives they were held directly responsible for.

I was impressed by the improvement of our special teams and kicking game last week, especially placekicker Eric Houston. He hasn't missed a PAT all season and made two lengthy field goals a week ago on his only two tries.

With Homecoming just a few hours away it would be nice to give the Aggie faithful something to cheer about; something positive to talk about, something to look forward to, and for these kids, especially the seniors who have worked and played hard enough, who deserve to be given a chance to win a homecoming game before the leave the yard.

Time is getting short and the probabilities of finishing .500 or above are fading fast. I may be wrong but I am starting to believe that the clock may soon be or may have already begun ticking somewhere in or around the Dowdy Building regarding the future of A&T football if things don’t turnaround in a positive manner soon.

After dropping such an emotional game to NCCU I just don't have a feel for it this week. But that's why they play the games.

See you at the parade in the morning and at the game that afternoon. Party hard but safely this weekend.

PREDICTION

Morgan State 24

N.C. A&T 17