futbolking

Don't know what to say, the defense for Graham actually started out pretty decent and looked like they had improved....but the offense made a lot of mistakes and couldn't sustain any momentum at all.  I agree with your observations.  Seemed like they were just going through the motions.  Could be a long season for them.  They've still got Giles, a solid Galax team and Fort Chiswell is not looking too shabby either....Grayson is down....but at this point, they would be a definite favorite over Graham.  I hope things improve for them fast, but losing creates a lot of doubt.  I just hope they pick their heads up and play to their potential, because the potential is there....even though the kids may not see it.  If they do end up 3-7 (which is possible)......the last time that happend they won the state the following year....not at all saying that would happen....but they do have a lot of young talent on that team getting a lot of experience this year....They certainly shouldn't fold the tents on this season yet, just saying the future should be bright. 

that's exactly what I noticed. It's pitiful for a team to just give up like graham did tonight but what's even worse is a coaching staff that will allow it to happen.

Don't know what to say, the defense for Graham actually started out pretty decent and looked like they had improved....but the offense made a lot of mistakes and couldn't sustain any momentum at all.  I agree with your observations.  Seemed like they were just going through the motions.  Could be a long season for them.  They've still got Giles, a solid Galax team and Fort Chiswell is not looking too shabby either....Grayson is down....but at this point, they would be a definite favorite over Graham.  I hope things improve for them fast, but losing creates a lot of doubt.  I just hope they pick their heads up and play to their potential, because the potential is there....even though the kids may not see it.  If they do end up 3-7 (which is possible)......the last time that happend they won the state the following year....not at all saying that would happen....but they do have a lot of young talent on that team getting a lot of experience this year....They certainly shouldn't fold the tents on this season yet, just saying the future should be bright. 

Everyone on here talks smack about Abingdon it's a yearly football ritual

Apparently coach Palmer has been calling the defense in practice this week.

Saw Looney on crutches for Graham, that's not good news.  Hope he recovers soon.

Most of the time this is due to confusion. When players understand then they will play faster just by nature. Don't know the team as all but would assume some type of defensive strategy change recently and kids are not comfortable. This is where the "kiss" (keep it simple stupid) comes from. Again, not saying anything bout these coaches, don't know then our program, just my 2 cents.

Went to the game.  Tazewell has a tremendous team, but Graham's Defense had more holes in it then my old sweatsocks...... I hope it gets better, fast.  I may have to take back my 7 win season prediction a lot sooner than I thought I would.  Still have faith that they will straighten things out...but Tazewell got over 500 yards of offense and made Graham look really, really bad.  Tazewell looked sharp, I like the new uniforms and the new attitude and the new intro.....they looked great tonight and they had a great crowd.  Glad to see some good things happening for the Buldogs.

Went to the game.  Tazewell has a tremendous team, but Graham's Defense had more holes in it then my old sweatsocks...... I hope it gets better, fast.  I may have to take back my 7 win season prediction a lot sooner than I thought I would.  Still have faith that they will straighten things out...but Tazewell got over 500 yards of offense and made Graham look really, really bad.  Tazewell looked sharp, I like the new uniforms and the new attitude and the new intro.....they looked great tonight and they had a great crowd.  Glad to see some good things happening for the Buldogs.

Something's got to be fixed with Graham's D.

I agree completely.  You would think that they bring in enough money  to fix the PA system.  Also...can they not find another place to set up the tents, other than the parking lot??  Come on....Parking was a nightmare, I ended up turning around, parking at a friends house and walking a mile to get there.  
 
What about putting them over at the city park?...but right in the middle of the parking lot??  There has to be a better solution.  Any ideas?  I'm all for the fun and festivities, but parking was a nightmare...a lot of folks missed the first quarter because of it.
 
Also, if you're a politician standing at the gate  and I don't want to shake your hand....I'm probably not voting for you....I don't want to talk to you.....I'm there to watch the game....so leave me alone and quit trying to talk to me....it might just sway my vote...if the other guy is bugging me more than you are.. (sorry, I know it's unrelated)

Just to clarify I did say it "may" be the best they've ever put together with the exception of 2004....  Maybe I should say the best in the past 40 years that I've been watching them, if it makes anybody feel better....again with possibly the exception of 2004.  
 
So, my official stance is it "may" be the best offense that I have seen in the past 40 years with possibly the exception of 2004.  
 
I think Graham has been headed in the right direction for the past couple of seasons, if they get the defense together, they will have one of the top programs in the area again..Williams also addressed this in today's BDT,  he and the staff are aware that the defense needs work.  I have faith in these guys and think they will get the defense right, it may take a few weeks or maybe an entire season..but it's good to know that they are trying to fix it.

And do something about the nasty bathrooms!

Most of this rant I'm about to go on is not directed at you vtdavis, so please forgive me.  
 
You can't blame Williams for that first year.....he had been with the team for about a month.... Also, I've been watching Bluefield play for 40 years.  This is, in my humble opinion,may be  the best offensive team they have ever put together.  (with possibly the exception of 2004).
 
Bluefield put up a lot of points on everybody last season, not just Graham.
 
I'm sick and tired of hearing the complaining about Graham's coach....I'm more sick than tired of it  The attitude of some so called Graham fans just plain sucks.  Most football coaches have a prickish nature (it comes with the job), deal with it. 
 
Williams has put the pieces into place.  A good head coach gathers the right pieces.  Some of you all may not like it, but he has brought in some good coaches, maybe they are not the good old boys that everybody likes, but they know football.  The Defensive Coach has 43 freaking years of experience and coached at Multi-State Champion Salem.....but you have given his defense a total of ONE game to get used to the system.  I don't care what any of you say about how basic the "Salem 53" defense is.  It may be a basic defense, but it takes time to learn it, just like anything else and these young kids will catch on soon enough.  There are several kids playing in different spots.  I don't know about you folks, but I trust the judgment of somebody who has coached for 43 years better than the people I hear complaining about it.
 
Nothing has been wrong with the offense the past 3 seasons, it's been the defense and Williams has addressed the issue.
 
Give it a rest!, Give it some time! and for Pete's sake support the team!
 
Disclaimer:  Not all of this rant is directed at posters on this board, it's also directed at what I have heard in the community as well.  This rant does not express the opinion of swvafootball.com and is the sole opinion of the poster with the alias "futbolking".  This rant may have side effects of nervousness, anxiousness, twitching and angry feelings.  Do not go on a rant like this unless you consult your Doctor. 

Most of this rant I'm about to go on is not directed at you vtdavis, so please forgive me.  
 
You can't blame Williams for that first year.....he had been with the team for about a month.... Also, I've been watching Bluefield play for 40 years.  This is, in my humble opinion,may be  the best offensive team they have ever put together.  (with possibly the exception of 2004).
 
Bluefield put up a lot of points on everybody last season, not just Graham.
 
I'm sick and tired of hearing the complaining about Graham's coach....I'm more sick than tired of it  The attitude of some so called Graham fans just plain sucks.  Most football coaches have a prickish nature (it comes with the job), deal with it. 
 
Williams has put the pieces into place.  A good head coach gathers the right pieces.  Some of you all may not like it, but he has brought in some good coaches, maybe they are not the good old boys that everybody likes, but they know football.  The Defensive Coach has 43 freaking years of experience and coached at Multi-State Champion Salem.....but you have given his defense a total of ONE game to get used to the system.  I don't care what any of you say about how basic the "Salem 53" defense is.  It may be a basic defense, but it takes time to learn it, just like anything else and these young kids will catch on soon enough.  There are several kids playing in different spots.  I don't know about you folks, but I trust the judgment of somebody who has coached for 43 years better than the people I hear complaining about it.
 
Nothing has been wrong with the offense the past 3 seasons, it's been the defense and Williams has addressed the issue.
 
Give it a rest!, Give it some time! and for Pete's sake support the team!
 
Disclaimer:  Not all of this rant is directed at posters on this board, it's also directed at what I have heard in the community as well.  This rant does not express the opinion of swvafootball.com and is the sole opinion of the poster with the alias "futbolking".  This rant may have side effects of nervousness, anxiousness, twitching and angry feelings.  Do not go on a rant like this unless you consult your Doctor. 

Unless it does...

Most of this rant I'm about to go on is not directed at you vtdavis, so please forgive me.  
 
You can't blame Williams for that first year.....he had been with the team for about a month.... Also, I've been watching Bluefield play for 40 years.  This is, in my humble opinion,may be  the best offensive team they have ever put together.  (with possibly the exception of 2004).
 
Bluefield put up a lot of points on everybody last season, not just Graham.
 
I'm sick and tired of hearing the complaining about Graham's coach....I'm more sick than tired of it  The attitude of some so called Graham fans just plain sucks.  Most football coaches have a prickish nature (it comes with the job), deal with it. 
 
Williams has put the pieces into place.  A good head coach gathers the right pieces.  Some of you all may not like it, but he has brought in some good coaches, maybe they are not the good old boys that everybody likes, but they know football.  The Defensive Coach has 43 freaking years of experience and coached at Multi-State Champion Salem.....but you have given his defense a total of ONE game to get used to the system.  I don't care what any of you say about how basic the "Salem 53" defense is.  It may be a basic defense, but it takes time to learn it, just like anything else and these young kids will catch on soon enough.  There are several kids playing in different spots.  I don't know about you folks, but I trust the judgment of somebody who has coached for 43 years better than the people I hear complaining about it.
 
Nothing has been wrong with the offense the past 3 seasons, it's been the defense and Williams has addressed the issue.
 
Give it a rest!, Give it some time! and for Pete's sake support the team!
 
Disclaimer:  Not all of this rant is directed at posters on this board, it's also directed at what I have heard in the community as well.  This rant does not express the opinion of swvafootball.com and is the sole opinion of the poster with the alias "futbolking".  This rant may have side effects of nervousness, anxiousness, twitching and angry feelings.  Do not go on a rant like this unless you consult your Doctor. 

Workman probably would  be the starter, if he wasn't so valuable on defense.  Big strong kid, great arm.....smart and tough as nails.  It's better for Graham overall if Meade starts, because although he doesn't have the arm strength, he adds the dimension of being a running threat, similar to Sheets a couple years back.  With Workman at QB, Graham loses a valuable outside LB on defense and a very good TE on offense.  Hopefully Meade will get better soon, it's better for the team if they are both on the field.

Williams v. Marrs? Hmmmm. Williams isn't Carlock (no one will ever be), but he seems better than what you had and Graham is more competitive overall it seems now then when Marrs was burning down the program.

A few adjustments on defense and I think that Graham will be fine.  The problem I'm seeing is too much over-pursuit and the linebackers not staying home.  I do find it interesting that "CoachedBe4" said that Graham uses it's outside linebackers for containment, that may be what I'm interpreting as over-pursuing.  It just seems like the backers are following the play way too much.  I liked Richmond at DE also, I think he was a real stud at that position.  Hicks, IMO would be a really good llinebacker with all of the energy he brings, but is a bit under-sized to be a DE..Maybe, it would help to switch those 2?    Anyway, I'm not a coach and I'm not going to criticize the coaches, because I think they have improved this team leaps and bounds since the last regime.  It may just take time for the young kids to learn their jobs and the others to adjust to their new positions, but I hope it's sooner rather than later because things aren't getting much easier the next couple of weeks.

Or, maybe, you wanted to be on his staff...you do seem to have a bone to pick with Coach Williams...

There is no "D" in the G-D...

University of Phoenix online??
 
All kidding aside....The SWD is up for grabs this year...I think anybody can win it, including Abingdon.  It will be a fight amongst Dogs, Cats and Birds this year!!

I don't really mind Bluefield hitting 70. Graham was scoring every time they had the ball, too. If it's still a 3-score game, it really is hard to let off the gas. But the 2-point conversion, and the final score with 6 seconds left, were just piling it on. If it were an isolated incident, it could be overlooked more easily, but Bluefield has a history of doing that to so many teams that it's hard work for them to field a schedule every year. I guess it's a difference in the programs. Graham's too classy to return the favor. I wish they would. Just like '01, there'll be a chance somewhere.
 
Not denying that Graham needs to learn how to play defense and not suck the outside guys in on every single play. Boy, they do. But a little class would go a long way.

Now they see what our kids go through on a yearly basis.  Quit Whining Eastern VA!!!