My 50 cents on this situation (I am confessing up front, this is long)
The problem for many of you(us) is our expectations are always too high. But that because we want the best for Tech. That's what rabid fans do.
We think more highly of our recruits than the rating services...and we blame the experts when their ratings prove true.
We think we will do better in our record than the prognosticators...and we blame them before the season, and then we blame our team and staff as the season unwinds.
We think more highly of our coaches, and think they are fully ready to compete with veteran staffs at other schools. We lambast those who have said they are good but need experience before they will be on the same level as the competition. Then, when it proves well considered, we blame our coaches for not being what we thought they were.
I have come to see where we are as this year has played out. I do see a huge talent deficit, and perhaps worse yet, veteran players who have been damaged by the situations they had to play through. It shows up as they get tired in over matched situations in the second half. It shows in inconsistent and puzzling lack of effort at moments we can least afford it.
Their efforts are not always 100% every play, their awareness is not always what it should be. And that ends hurting us when Pete or Branden get beat on a reverse or read option any senior DE should always see coming. And it hurts when a DB lets a WR get behind them when they know they are in man to man coverage with no help when the game is on the line.
I also see it when the coaching staff out-coaches the opposition for the first half, but ends up scrambling later, once the veteran staff across the field solves the riddle we threw at them. We have trouble coaching the kids up when they are too tired or over matched. We are not prepared for dramatic changes when they come (2 point conversion to make it a 3 point game) because we have been working so hard to get the last TD. That's what young staffs do, and it is what young HCs do.
Here's the truth. We are still a young program. We hired young talented, coaches who were not yet totally prepared, but they do work hard. We knew that. We were told that by everyone from sports casters to Briles and Stoops. That's one of the reasons for the long contract Cliff has been given. Besides Gibbs, Hays and to some extent Jinks ( who is new to the college game), we have mainly young coaches. They are all learning hard lessons...but they do seem to be learning. I have seen change this year for the better.
Our problem is we/y'all are looking for too big a change that results in beating teams ranked anywhere from #2-#12 in head to head matches. That just isn't going to happen. Not with these athletes, not with this staff. But even knowing that, we took #12 OSU to 4 minutes left in the 4th quarter in a 3 point ball game yesterday. We took #2 TCU to the last second of the final play that required a miracle catch or they lose.
We are getting better. It is coming. But even with this promise, I do not think what we are truly looking for will be here for another season. 2017 is the year to expect the results so many on this site have expected this year. You can bitch and fuss all you want. But step back, quit your bitching and take a big dose of reality. We simply have to wait and watch this thing unfold. And in the process, our victories will not necessarily be on the final scoreboard.
That may be too tough for many to do, but bitching and booing is not going to make it come any quicker. Badmouthing this staff is going to not only be harmful, it stands a chance to hurt our prospects of landing the talent we so desperately need.
Vent all you want. Leave if you must. But none of that is going to help anyone but you. Consider where we are in your own evaluation. Consider what you can do to make things better. And give this team a break. I believe they want this more than any of us can possibly know.
The problem for many of you(us) is our expectations are always too high. But that because we want the best for Tech. That's what rabid fans do.
We think more highly of our recruits than the rating services...and we blame the experts when their ratings prove true.
We think we will do better in our record than the prognosticators...and we blame them before the season, and then we blame our team and staff as the season unwinds.
We think more highly of our coaches, and think they are fully ready to compete with veteran staffs at other schools. We lambast those who have said they are good but need experience before they will be on the same level as the competition. Then, when it proves well considered, we blame our coaches for not being what we thought they were.
I have come to see where we are as this year has played out. I do see a huge talent deficit, and perhaps worse yet, veteran players who have been damaged by the situations they had to play through. It shows up as they get tired in over matched situations in the second half. It shows in inconsistent and puzzling lack of effort at moments we can least afford it.
Their efforts are not always 100% every play, their awareness is not always what it should be. And that ends hurting us when Pete or Branden get beat on a reverse or read option any senior DE should always see coming. And it hurts when a DB lets a WR get behind them when they know they are in man to man coverage with no help when the game is on the line.
I also see it when the coaching staff out-coaches the opposition for the first half, but ends up scrambling later, once the veteran staff across the field solves the riddle we threw at them. We have trouble coaching the kids up when they are too tired or over matched. We are not prepared for dramatic changes when they come (2 point conversion to make it a 3 point game) because we have been working so hard to get the last TD. That's what young staffs do, and it is what young HCs do.
Here's the truth. We are still a young program. We hired young talented, coaches who were not yet totally prepared, but they do work hard. We knew that. We were told that by everyone from sports casters to Briles and Stoops. That's one of the reasons for the long contract Cliff has been given. Besides Gibbs, Hays and to some extent Jinks ( who is new to the college game), we have mainly young coaches. They are all learning hard lessons...but they do seem to be learning. I have seen change this year for the better.
Our problem is we/y'all are looking for too big a change that results in beating teams ranked anywhere from #2-#12 in head to head matches. That just isn't going to happen. Not with these athletes, not with this staff. But even knowing that, we took #12 OSU to 4 minutes left in the 4th quarter in a 3 point ball game yesterday. We took #2 TCU to the last second of the final play that required a miracle catch or they lose.
We are getting better. It is coming. But even with this promise, I do not think what we are truly looking for will be here for another season. 2017 is the year to expect the results so many on this site have expected this year. You can bitch and fuss all you want. But step back, quit your bitching and take a big dose of reality. We simply have to wait and watch this thing unfold. And in the process, our victories will not necessarily be on the final scoreboard.
That may be too tough for many to do, but bitching and booing is not going to make it come any quicker. Badmouthing this staff is going to not only be harmful, it stands a chance to hurt our prospects of landing the talent we so desperately need.
Vent all you want. Leave if you must. But none of that is going to help anyone but you. Consider where we are in your own evaluation. Consider what you can do to make things better. And give this team a break. I believe they want this more than any of us can possibly know.
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