Vlyrock
09-26-2007, 09:56 PM
As the site owner/administrator, it's hard for me to respond to posts and weigh in with my own opinions, because (as I've been told) in some people's eyes, I'm not just a regular poster. I'm the site administrator and that either intimidates people or they think that my opinion carries some kind of weight more than the average poster. Well, I don't believe that, but I've still refrained from weighing in on several topics where I've wanted to say something. My forum to talk has recently been the podcast, but since schedules aren't syncing this week, it looks like we won't get to do one... So, with that said, here's my jumbled thoughts -- written out and on display.
Thoughts on the Miami game:
The game was embarrassing and hard to watch. I'm on board with everybody else that said we were embarrassed on a national stage. Thursday night ESPN games have not been good to us (0-3) in recent history -- and I'm hoping that for the near future, we avoid playing games earlier in the week. Even our early in the week game against Texas State wasn't well played, so it's obvious that we can't game plan and prepare for an opponent in a short week.
I know people (and Fran) have said had said that he's been gameplanning for Miami since summer, but in all honestly, he didn't have much to go on or plan. Randy Shannon is a first time head coach. Fran had to wait for film and games so we could see what type of gameplan and philosophy Miami had, so the game plan wasn't set in stone by the time we played our first game. On top of that, we had to share it/teach it to the players. Again, we've shown an inability to do well with a short week.
As for the game, Miami has some athletes...but so do we. The only problem was, ours never showed up. There's an old addage that when you get knocked down, you have to get back up. I think we got a knockout punch delivered right before halftime and never got up. We mailed it in and quit. It was absolutely pathetic. I think Misi Tupe was the only player that stood out in the game to me as actually trying. He flew all over the field, bloody nose and all, and made plays over and over again. Secondary play was horrid. Dodge was late and made bad reads in zone. Defensive line couldn't wrap up or get pressure... All around piss-poor effort by the defense. Offense as well, but I think that's been hammered in enough on the boards all week.
Coaching
I believe that Fran let this game get away from him. I'm not going to say the game plan in the first half was the reason we lost. In all actuality, it should have been 14-0 at half and there's no reason to think our team couldn't make it up with adjustments. Instead, we give up 10 points in the last 2 minutes and the game is no longer a game, it's a blowout. At that point, the game plan was shot and it was over. I do think Coach Fran mismanaged the game. Lane should have had more carries... If for no other reason than to satisfy Lane. We had a whole half where we were down by 20+ points, continued to run and didn't give Lane the ball. If we're going to mail it in, might as well spread the touches.
I do, however, like the Wildcat formation we ran once. Goodson took the snap in the backfield -- I think, even with Lane back there, that it's a good idea to have that in the playbook. Remember, Lane can throw the ball, so there's always that threat.
Fire Coach Fran
As for firing Coach Fran, I'm not on this bandwagon. Is it because I think Coach Fran should stay? No, not really. I just know that my opinion means absolutely nothing in this arena. I'm not a big money Ag, I don't have Byrnes' ear on these matters, and the most important thing to me -- the season isn't over. Byrne said in his weekly newsletter (today) that the coaches are evaluated at the end of the season. I'm with Byrne on that one...
Unfortunately, because of this topic, we've already created an uncomfortable atmosphere. The A&M community is ripped in half with those screaming for blood and those just not screaming... If you've seen opponent message boards, they're laughing and enjoying the meltdown happening on Aggie message boards everywhere.
Also, as stated above, the season's not even 35% of the way over. Texas A&M is 3-1.... more importantly we're 0-0 in conference. We could 8-0, or we could go 0-8, but nobody -- absolutely nobody -- can predict exactly what's going to happen. We barely beat Army last year. Tons of A&M fans jumped off of the cliff then and gave up on Fran and the team. We went on to a 9-3 record (the most wins this century!) and a Holiday Bowl birth. Again, we're still 3-1 which was a real possibility in a lot of people's minds. Miami wasn't a gimme game and even though THE MEDIA says Miami is down, it doesn't mean they are a bad team. 4-0 would be ideal, but the season's not over with a loss. If you were thinking undefeated run to the National Championship prior to the season, you're delusional - no other way to say it.
Prior to this season, a lot of people (A&M fans mostly) thought we had the team that could compete or win the Big XII title. What's changed since then? We lost one game and gave up in the second half vs Fresno State..
Personnel wise, the players are the same... We knew who our coach was coming in, that's still the same. The only thing that's changed is the fan's perception of the team. The players are going to come out against Baylor next week and play hard. They're going to fight and battle in every game we play this season. None of them are quitting on the season, and for that reason, we have a chance to win every game we play.
Many think Fran handicaps us. Again, we had him last year and went 9-3. You can argue his game planning or play calling cost us 3 games, but you could also argue that it won us 3 games along the way, so it's all a wash. Fran isn't going to throw games -- he's not going to lose on purpose. He didn't get to where he is as a Div 1 coach by absolutely sucking at what he does. You may not agree with him or you may want him to show some "fire", but that still doesn't mean we can't win WITH him.
Ultimately, a coaching change may need to be made at the end of this season...(if the season doesn't finish well). I'm not opposed to that and would welcome the change depending on the coach. Heck, it may have to happen now just because the fan base has given up on the coach (see Tuberville in Auburn or Bowden in Clemson)...
Regardless of what will happen, I know that we have 8 games left. Each game will be different and our players and coaches are going to do their best to win the games. For that reason, I'll continue to support the entire team -- including the coaching staff we have in place.
Still a lot to say, but I'm tired of writing. Proceed to comment and I'll weigh in if necessary.
Thoughts on the Miami game:
The game was embarrassing and hard to watch. I'm on board with everybody else that said we were embarrassed on a national stage. Thursday night ESPN games have not been good to us (0-3) in recent history -- and I'm hoping that for the near future, we avoid playing games earlier in the week. Even our early in the week game against Texas State wasn't well played, so it's obvious that we can't game plan and prepare for an opponent in a short week.
I know people (and Fran) have said had said that he's been gameplanning for Miami since summer, but in all honestly, he didn't have much to go on or plan. Randy Shannon is a first time head coach. Fran had to wait for film and games so we could see what type of gameplan and philosophy Miami had, so the game plan wasn't set in stone by the time we played our first game. On top of that, we had to share it/teach it to the players. Again, we've shown an inability to do well with a short week.
As for the game, Miami has some athletes...but so do we. The only problem was, ours never showed up. There's an old addage that when you get knocked down, you have to get back up. I think we got a knockout punch delivered right before halftime and never got up. We mailed it in and quit. It was absolutely pathetic. I think Misi Tupe was the only player that stood out in the game to me as actually trying. He flew all over the field, bloody nose and all, and made plays over and over again. Secondary play was horrid. Dodge was late and made bad reads in zone. Defensive line couldn't wrap up or get pressure... All around piss-poor effort by the defense. Offense as well, but I think that's been hammered in enough on the boards all week.
Coaching
I believe that Fran let this game get away from him. I'm not going to say the game plan in the first half was the reason we lost. In all actuality, it should have been 14-0 at half and there's no reason to think our team couldn't make it up with adjustments. Instead, we give up 10 points in the last 2 minutes and the game is no longer a game, it's a blowout. At that point, the game plan was shot and it was over. I do think Coach Fran mismanaged the game. Lane should have had more carries... If for no other reason than to satisfy Lane. We had a whole half where we were down by 20+ points, continued to run and didn't give Lane the ball. If we're going to mail it in, might as well spread the touches.
I do, however, like the Wildcat formation we ran once. Goodson took the snap in the backfield -- I think, even with Lane back there, that it's a good idea to have that in the playbook. Remember, Lane can throw the ball, so there's always that threat.
Fire Coach Fran
As for firing Coach Fran, I'm not on this bandwagon. Is it because I think Coach Fran should stay? No, not really. I just know that my opinion means absolutely nothing in this arena. I'm not a big money Ag, I don't have Byrnes' ear on these matters, and the most important thing to me -- the season isn't over. Byrne said in his weekly newsletter (today) that the coaches are evaluated at the end of the season. I'm with Byrne on that one...
Unfortunately, because of this topic, we've already created an uncomfortable atmosphere. The A&M community is ripped in half with those screaming for blood and those just not screaming... If you've seen opponent message boards, they're laughing and enjoying the meltdown happening on Aggie message boards everywhere.
Also, as stated above, the season's not even 35% of the way over. Texas A&M is 3-1.... more importantly we're 0-0 in conference. We could 8-0, or we could go 0-8, but nobody -- absolutely nobody -- can predict exactly what's going to happen. We barely beat Army last year. Tons of A&M fans jumped off of the cliff then and gave up on Fran and the team. We went on to a 9-3 record (the most wins this century!) and a Holiday Bowl birth. Again, we're still 3-1 which was a real possibility in a lot of people's minds. Miami wasn't a gimme game and even though THE MEDIA says Miami is down, it doesn't mean they are a bad team. 4-0 would be ideal, but the season's not over with a loss. If you were thinking undefeated run to the National Championship prior to the season, you're delusional - no other way to say it.
Prior to this season, a lot of people (A&M fans mostly) thought we had the team that could compete or win the Big XII title. What's changed since then? We lost one game and gave up in the second half vs Fresno State..
Personnel wise, the players are the same... We knew who our coach was coming in, that's still the same. The only thing that's changed is the fan's perception of the team. The players are going to come out against Baylor next week and play hard. They're going to fight and battle in every game we play this season. None of them are quitting on the season, and for that reason, we have a chance to win every game we play.
Many think Fran handicaps us. Again, we had him last year and went 9-3. You can argue his game planning or play calling cost us 3 games, but you could also argue that it won us 3 games along the way, so it's all a wash. Fran isn't going to throw games -- he's not going to lose on purpose. He didn't get to where he is as a Div 1 coach by absolutely sucking at what he does. You may not agree with him or you may want him to show some "fire", but that still doesn't mean we can't win WITH him.
Ultimately, a coaching change may need to be made at the end of this season...(if the season doesn't finish well). I'm not opposed to that and would welcome the change depending on the coach. Heck, it may have to happen now just because the fan base has given up on the coach (see Tuberville in Auburn or Bowden in Clemson)...
Regardless of what will happen, I know that we have 8 games left. Each game will be different and our players and coaches are going to do their best to win the games. For that reason, I'll continue to support the entire team -- including the coaching staff we have in place.
Still a lot to say, but I'm tired of writing. Proceed to comment and I'll weigh in if necessary.