1. Last year you were one of the top teams in Osprey and everyone pegged you as the team to beat. This year your team has been struggling, what do you think is the biggest difference between last year and this year?
Stobie: I think it's a multi part equation. Last season I think we were closer in our builds to what works and we were on an equal playing field. This season we are handicapped on offense with very low chemistry across all players and it seems to have a large effect on the games. Players make mistakes, loose the ball with fumbles and just weird things are happening. I also think other teams have made build changes to account for what they learned from S1.
2. Fumbles seem to be an issue with your starting running back, in 29 rushes he has 2 fumbles. thats a very high rate for a starting running back. Is this just a case of playing to loose with the football or do you think there is a bigger issue at hand? I have heard you mention chemistry before, but do you think that really factors into a running backs ability to hold onto a football?
Stobie: I have to believe that as its not just him, my backup running back seems to have the same issue. Not only that look at QB's are still fumbling for me but across the league its not that common. It has to be chemistry, and rightfully so.
3. Your kicker hasn't completed a field goal this season, does this factor into your decisions when play calling?
Stobie: Not at all, I have to stick to my guns with this chemistry thing. Just bad luck this season.
4. So far you have played a very tough schedule with League Leader Alpine, a very up and down Detroit team (which was a very close game which seems to be a staple of all your matches) and South Cooley who ended up beating Detroit a week after your loss to them. Do you think your team is better then your current record and its just been a reflection of your schedule?
Stobie: Other than ladder games I knew we were getting hit hard early on with our schedule. The good news is I think we will have a good push for the playoffs but to do so we will need to win a few of these upcoming games where it will be tough.
5. You have gotten very little production from your DT's so far this season and very little pressure in the backfield in general. Is this a problem spot for you?
Stobie: Absolutely, if our offense is struggling and our defense can't get pressure or stop our opponents it will just exacerbate the morale spiral.
6. Your next 4 league games are against Deeproute, Sacramento, New York and Texas. Not an easy schedule by any means as all 4 of those teams have looked very solid so far this season. Are you worried about the strength of your schedule and falling to far behind so early or do you think this is your moment to shine and show the league your still a team to be feared and respected?
Stobie: I think if we win 3 of those 4 we are in good shape, but I have my doubts we can pull it off from what I have seen so far. Even if we have a good gameplan in and have things going for us in the game, something weird happens and then the game breaks open to where we lose. Not looking good for us.
7. Your Back up quarterback has been outplaying your starting quarterback so far this season, do you feel that your team might benefit from shuffling up the Depth chart a little bit?
Stobie: Right now we are in a 2 QB system where the starting role is a moot point. Both players get equal amounts of playing time and they share the load.
8. Your wide recievers have a high drop rate, but also a very high YPC which suggests that your team is throwing the ball deep alot. Do you believe that the drops are a symptom of playing a high risk/high reward style passing game and do you think your team might benefit from a more controlled shorter passing game and steadily marching down the field.
Stobie: I actually think this is really caused by poor performance on 1st down and leaving us in 2nd/3rd long situations where we are forced to throw the ball deeper than intended. If we can get some consistency on 1st down we can improve in that area.
9. What are you thoughts on the league so far?
Stobie: The league is looking tough and until someone proves otherwise its Alpine's to lose. As far as who can be the team that plays Alpine for the championship, its a race between 7 or 8 teams.
10. Any closing remarks that you would like to make, thoughts you would care to share that we didnt cover?
Stobie: Pretty much covered it all, just all I can say with some advise is that you shouldn't underestimate the effect of a chemistry hit. It has effected my team pretty hard so be smart about things like that.
Stobie: I think it's a multi part equation. Last season I think we were closer in our builds to what works and we were on an equal playing field. This season we are handicapped on offense with very low chemistry across all players and it seems to have a large effect on the games. Players make mistakes, loose the ball with fumbles and just weird things are happening. I also think other teams have made build changes to account for what they learned from S1.
2. Fumbles seem to be an issue with your starting running back, in 29 rushes he has 2 fumbles. thats a very high rate for a starting running back. Is this just a case of playing to loose with the football or do you think there is a bigger issue at hand? I have heard you mention chemistry before, but do you think that really factors into a running backs ability to hold onto a football?
Stobie: I have to believe that as its not just him, my backup running back seems to have the same issue. Not only that look at QB's are still fumbling for me but across the league its not that common. It has to be chemistry, and rightfully so.
3. Your kicker hasn't completed a field goal this season, does this factor into your decisions when play calling?
Stobie: Not at all, I have to stick to my guns with this chemistry thing. Just bad luck this season.
4. So far you have played a very tough schedule with League Leader Alpine, a very up and down Detroit team (which was a very close game which seems to be a staple of all your matches) and South Cooley who ended up beating Detroit a week after your loss to them. Do you think your team is better then your current record and its just been a reflection of your schedule?
Stobie: Other than ladder games I knew we were getting hit hard early on with our schedule. The good news is I think we will have a good push for the playoffs but to do so we will need to win a few of these upcoming games where it will be tough.
5. You have gotten very little production from your DT's so far this season and very little pressure in the backfield in general. Is this a problem spot for you?
Stobie: Absolutely, if our offense is struggling and our defense can't get pressure or stop our opponents it will just exacerbate the morale spiral.
6. Your next 4 league games are against Deeproute, Sacramento, New York and Texas. Not an easy schedule by any means as all 4 of those teams have looked very solid so far this season. Are you worried about the strength of your schedule and falling to far behind so early or do you think this is your moment to shine and show the league your still a team to be feared and respected?
Stobie: I think if we win 3 of those 4 we are in good shape, but I have my doubts we can pull it off from what I have seen so far. Even if we have a good gameplan in and have things going for us in the game, something weird happens and then the game breaks open to where we lose. Not looking good for us.
7. Your Back up quarterback has been outplaying your starting quarterback so far this season, do you feel that your team might benefit from shuffling up the Depth chart a little bit?
Stobie: Right now we are in a 2 QB system where the starting role is a moot point. Both players get equal amounts of playing time and they share the load.
8. Your wide recievers have a high drop rate, but also a very high YPC which suggests that your team is throwing the ball deep alot. Do you believe that the drops are a symptom of playing a high risk/high reward style passing game and do you think your team might benefit from a more controlled shorter passing game and steadily marching down the field.
Stobie: I actually think this is really caused by poor performance on 1st down and leaving us in 2nd/3rd long situations where we are forced to throw the ball deeper than intended. If we can get some consistency on 1st down we can improve in that area.
9. What are you thoughts on the league so far?
Stobie: The league is looking tough and until someone proves otherwise its Alpine's to lose. As far as who can be the team that plays Alpine for the championship, its a race between 7 or 8 teams.
10. Any closing remarks that you would like to make, thoughts you would care to share that we didnt cover?
Stobie: Pretty much covered it all, just all I can say with some advise is that you shouldn't underestimate the effect of a chemistry hit. It has effected my team pretty hard so be smart about things like that.
Use admin powers and hax his poast!
