SpecialKHawk
Well-Known Member
What bothers me as much as losing is being a 'SOFT' program. This program is definitely soft and getting softer by the season now. Is this a reflection of our head coach?
Maybe I bought into this mythical hype that we were supposed to be running a 'blue' collar, hard-working, physical football program but this season is full of visual evidence that a large portion of our players cannot stand physical contact of any kind.
Defense -> Some of the most pathetic tackling I have ever seen. Our players typically run around trying to grab jerseys, dive at the feet of opponents and look for ways to jump on an opponents back as they are advancing the ball down the field. Most players are reluctant to deliver a blow or make a fundamental wrapping tackle. All of this leads to countless additional yards after contact. How many runs that should net little or no gain typically net 3-5 yards? A TFL or sack is an absolute anamoly as we are fortunate to see one per game.
Offense -> The offensive line which has experience and size is the most disappointing unit on this team. Instead of absolutely asserting themselves physically we instead witness countless examples of lineman taking turns escorting a defender back to our RB or QB. Instead of finishing drives or salting away the opponent we have to rely on some kind of trickeration. At least the D-Line has an excuse in terms of personnel lost to the NFL. With a supposed offensive line guru as the head coach you would think we could figure out how to dominate a line of scrimmage over the course of a season.... oh yes that was in 2002.
Was the shirt James Vandenburg wore this past spring about 'Hard work outperforms talent when talent does not work hard' just lip service?
Maybe I bought into this mythical hype that we were supposed to be running a 'blue' collar, hard-working, physical football program but this season is full of visual evidence that a large portion of our players cannot stand physical contact of any kind.
Defense -> Some of the most pathetic tackling I have ever seen. Our players typically run around trying to grab jerseys, dive at the feet of opponents and look for ways to jump on an opponents back as they are advancing the ball down the field. Most players are reluctant to deliver a blow or make a fundamental wrapping tackle. All of this leads to countless additional yards after contact. How many runs that should net little or no gain typically net 3-5 yards? A TFL or sack is an absolute anamoly as we are fortunate to see one per game.
Offense -> The offensive line which has experience and size is the most disappointing unit on this team. Instead of absolutely asserting themselves physically we instead witness countless examples of lineman taking turns escorting a defender back to our RB or QB. Instead of finishing drives or salting away the opponent we have to rely on some kind of trickeration. At least the D-Line has an excuse in terms of personnel lost to the NFL. With a supposed offensive line guru as the head coach you would think we could figure out how to dominate a line of scrimmage over the course of a season.... oh yes that was in 2002.
Was the shirt James Vandenburg wore this past spring about 'Hard work outperforms talent when talent does not work hard' just lip service?
