Clausewitz,
What I have to say, in no way is meant as criticism.
Like you, I believe in creating a lot of ideas to find one good one. I don’t think that there any real wrong or right answers on this site. I think that there are ideas that must be explored with an [ open ] mind. There are ideas that I don’t like and I don’t agree with, but that does not make those bad or wrong. I don’t say that my ideas are good or right.
What I do want, it to let those in power know that there are many of us that have great concerns that need to be dealt with in a positive, (not negative manner)
To me, lowering our standards to either being a mediocre G5 team, or a run of the mill FCS team, just so we can win more games, does not cut it for me, and I am totally against it. I hate being a QUITER.
I hate the idea that we are not willing to work harder for success. To me that is a form of QUITTING.
I hate the idea that we are too stubborn to make any changes that could help us be successful.
I want those in power to know that we care.
Winning games to me, at this point, is not as important as doing what is necessary to being a significant Athletic Program.
My ultimate goal is to be competitive force in a P5 program and be respected, not because we have the most strick Honor Code in the Nation, but because we love our neighbors as our selves and we judge not lest we be judged and we leave all judging to God and we get along great with everyone and don’t expect any special favors from anyone. I want to be known as a good, kind, friendly University to everyone that comes here. I know that this is more than most members would accept.
I totally agree with what I think you are saying about 4th down attempts. To be more specific, if we are deep enough into the opponents territory, say their 30, or 20, or 10 yard line, and we have 2 yards to go for a first down, We should have it automatically a 4th down attempt for the first down, unless the game indicates that we are not likely to make that 2 yards. We must keep in mind, that depending on our success or lack of success on 2 yard gains, a 3 point field goal is better than no points at all. If a 4th down conversion looks possible, 7 points is much better than 3.
One way or the other, we must put points on the board.
(Onside Kicks) is also a concern of mine. Not only does the kicker need to practice more, but also the intended receivers. Maybe we need to hire a specialist for this.
Spreading the field out is where we need more (4-5 star players) Sorry ! What I have seen has been frightful coming from the 0-1-2-3 star players that we have.
My observations has been this:
ON OFFENSE:
At BYU games, I never see anyone on the BYU team, run extra fast with outstretched arms to attempt to catch the slightly over thrown ball. We let it go as un-catcatchable.
I never see a receiver reverse his field and run back for a slightly short distant pass and dive for it. We let it go as uncatchable. I never see a receiver make adjustments to run to one side or another to go after the ball that is not exactly where it was intent did to be.
We let it go as an uncatchable ball. We seldom see anyone jump or dive for any ball at all. We don’t often enough, find a way to get open for the QB to deliver a pass to us.
WHEN WE CATCH THE BALL, WE FALL WITHOUT BEING TACKLED INSTEAD OF RUNNING FOR THE EXTRA YARDS. THIS HAPPENS OFTEN. (Is this strength training)
When watching P5 teams play, all of this is the natural and expected things that they do in each game, expect for falling after catching the ball which is almost never seen among P5 teams.
ON DEFENSE:
We wait for the receiver to catch the ball and than we tackle him after he has gained
10-20-30 yards or more.
P5 teams either try to intercept the ball, or if not possible, they knock the ball down, or if not possible, they block the ball so that it could not be caught, or if not possible, they strip the ball away for a take away. Rarely do they let the receiver keep the ball or complete the catch. They make total effort. Perhaps this is the(natural difference) between a 0-1-2-3 star player and a 4-5 star player. Perhaps somethings call for natural ability that can not be taught if that natural ability is not included in the process.
We need to be more committee group tackling not allowing the running backs and pass receivers run through us like we are soft butter. Too often they do.
Disclaimer:
I AM NOT SAYING ALL OF THIS TO COMPLAIN.
I am saying that we must improve.
I am saying that (possibly we are coaching the best we can with what we have.
As players, it is (possible) that we are doing the best we can.
I am saying that if we are playing vs teams that have many 4-5 star players , we will never be able to successfully compete if we do not have the same.
I am saying that if we are competing vs teams that have coaches that have EARNED the right to be
$5-$8 million + dollar coaches, we will never beat them with coaches that may or may not have earned the right to be $1 million dollar coaches.
I am saying that if we are not willing or able to make compromises and/or changes, what ever those compromises or changes may or may not be, we do not have the right to say that it is prejudice of others that keep us from achieving, but it is instead, our arrogance and and lack of ability to cooperate and get along with others that we want and that we need, to be a part of.
Okay. Scream at me for being honest.
