Saturday Morning Thoughts - Post Friday Night Lights
- Thread starter Doc Fumble
- Start date
I think tonight showed strong evidence that we've gone about as far as possible under the leadership of Matt Rhule. He probably won't be fired, even at 5-7, because the buyout is huge. But we see the same litany of mistakes that well-coached teams don't make in week 9. Mental discipline is seriously lacking on this team. His in-game management and Holgerson's play calling are horrible.
Last week's number was 4th and 18. This week, it's four 11-play drives and no points. You can't make this stuff up.
Rhule will say "the players need to make plays." But the two-point try after the touchdown in that situation made little sense. The empty backfield on 4th and 1 is also head-scratching for me.
When the teams are about even in terms of talent, you look at the coaching matchup. Bielema out-coached Rhule last night. I'd like to say that was surprising, but it was expected. Next week there is enough of a talent disparity that Nebraska probably wins. But if they don't, it's going to be 5-7. This coach and his staff are no match for Ryan Day and Kurt Ferentz.
Hello Pinstripe Bowl and another long offseason.
Last week's number was 4th and 18. This week, it's four 11-play drives and no points. You can't make this stuff up.
Rhule will say "the players need to make plays." But the two-point try after the touchdown in that situation made little sense. The empty backfield on 4th and 1 is also head-scratching for me.
When the teams are about even in terms of talent, you look at the coaching matchup. Bielema out-coached Rhule last night. I'd like to say that was surprising, but it was expected. Next week there is enough of a talent disparity that Nebraska probably wins. But if they don't, it's going to be 5-7. This coach and his staff are no match for Ryan Day and Kurt Ferentz.
Hello Pinstripe Bowl and another long offseason.
Bench him. Moronic play call by Holgo, and an even dumber decision to stick with it.
I hear ya ATX. Rhule just isn't that good of a coach and he sold Trev on the fact he was and Troy as well to get his extension. Now here we set, no better off than we were with prev 2 coaches. We need to take a page out of JMUs book and hire winners. No matter what division they've coached in. Cignetti, Chesney are prime examples.
We aren't beating Rutgers - I won't say Rhule lost the team but the effort last night was pretty average. Chambliss going out is when the D started looking like a turd - and it doesn't sound like he will play next week (potentially done for the year). 5-7 and lots of tough choices to make. Given the buyout I think you fire Dannen, Dana (and everyone except Geep), get a real Special Teams coach and let Rob get what he needs to have a complete D via the portal. Best we can expect unless the money folks decide Rhule has to go.
I agree that this who Rhule is. People with the $$ need to decide if that is OK for another season or 2 to get the buyout down to a more manageable number. But his ceiling is probably 8 wins in the B1G IF he gets really good coordinators and stays out of their way.
Wait, so 400lb people aren't allowed to smile?
I see a defensive pattern. We are very good against the run. Great for the way the B1G operates. Teams have figured out we are a terrible pass defense team. TERRIBLE. Our best(?) cover guy has a ton of penalties and it appears our formations concede a 15 yard square over the middle. People are open almost all the time. Two steps behind is our technique as we chase receivers. Even if we have a lead late, teams are forced to throw the ball looking for chunk plays, only to find out they have been there all along.
Will Rutgers have a great day passing? Probably their best in their conference games this year. Ohio State will have as many 20+ yard pass plays as they want.
If we only rush 3 or 4, the qb has time to find some targets. If we send 5 or more, more guys are open almost immediately. Our coverage sucks and everybody knows it.
Offensively, why is Mr. Unreliable Gilmer our number 1 target? Last year we had Dane Key and Nyziah Hunter. I thought Hunter was the better receiver. Key plays for the NFL now and Hunter gets an occasional play around the line of scrimmage. It's either a wr screen or an end run. What has he done to get relegated to an "extra" player? He blocked well last year and had some clutch plays.
AC has started to throw off his back foot when under pressure in the pocket. This leads to those "floater" passes we all hate.
I know what you're thinking, "We're drowning here and you're describing the ocean."
Sorry.
Will Rutgers have a great day passing? Probably their best in their conference games this year. Ohio State will have as many 20+ yard pass plays as they want.
If we only rush 3 or 4, the qb has time to find some targets. If we send 5 or more, more guys are open almost immediately. Our coverage sucks and everybody knows it.
Offensively, why is Mr. Unreliable Gilmer our number 1 target? Last year we had Dane Key and Nyziah Hunter. I thought Hunter was the better receiver. Key plays for the NFL now and Hunter gets an occasional play around the line of scrimmage. It's either a wr screen or an end run. What has he done to get relegated to an "extra" player? He blocked well last year and had some clutch plays.
AC has started to throw off his back foot when under pressure in the pocket. This leads to those "floater" passes we all hate.
I know what you're thinking, "We're drowning here and you're describing the ocean."
Sorry.
As reported in a previous thread, I have dabbled in sports psychology most of my adult life and even a few years in my early teens (13-15), so I can speak on this subject with some authority.
I can tell you with 84% certainty that Monday's press conference will include the following.
"We watched the game film as a team on Sunday. And man, I tell ya, I love these kids because they do not shirk responsibility. When we watched Mistake 1 on film, Player X leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and said "That's on me Coach. I should have made that play." When we came across Mistake 2, Player Y raised his hand and said "That was me coach, I've gotta do better."
Every week Coach Matt mentions how his players take accountability for their mistakes and know they have to work just a little bit harder.
The underlying message, the hidden secret if you will, is that while Coach Matt "compliments" his players for acknowledging their mistakes, he is really shirking his own accountability. He does this every single week in press conferences. What he is actually saying is "The players know I am not to blame because I have trained them on what to do, so they apologize to me in public, admitting it was their mistake, not mine."
The question of Matt's character is on display all the time if you look deep enough. There is a reason many have referred to him as a used car salesman. That description is not a term of endearment.
"At the end of the day, I don't call the plays."
I can tell you with 84% certainty that Monday's press conference will include the following.
"We watched the game film as a team on Sunday. And man, I tell ya, I love these kids because they do not shirk responsibility. When we watched Mistake 1 on film, Player X leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and said "That's on me Coach. I should have made that play." When we came across Mistake 2, Player Y raised his hand and said "That was me coach, I've gotta do better."
Every week Coach Matt mentions how his players take accountability for their mistakes and know they have to work just a little bit harder.
The underlying message, the hidden secret if you will, is that while Coach Matt "compliments" his players for acknowledging their mistakes, he is really shirking his own accountability. He does this every single week in press conferences. What he is actually saying is "The players know I am not to blame because I have trained them on what to do, so they apologize to me in public, admitting it was their mistake, not mine."
The question of Matt's character is on display all the time if you look deep enough. There is a reason many have referred to him as a used car salesman. That description is not a term of endearment.
"At the end of the day, I don't call the plays."
I’m done. Hate to have come to this point but it’s time for Rhule to go. Another year, same results. I really like the guy and what he stands for and grateful for much of what he’s done, but time to move on.
I wonder about Aurich, but suspect they’ll try for “a name”
I wonder about Aurich, but suspect they’ll try for “a name”
I think the question is are the players being put into positions to make the plays?
Actually I think Rhule lost the team sometime last week and said in Chat I thought Rhule has lost the team -- they were just absolutely flat seemed to me. Last night just seemed like the lights were on but no one was at home. Having said that, if I were a betting person, I would still put my $$$'s on NU. Somehow I think they will eke out this win and probably get clobbered in the Pinstripe Bowl or whatever bowl game it turns out to be. Bottom line to me is that we have some serious problems, AGAIN. Wish I knew what the answer is but I certainly don't have a clue or how to fix it.
That's a mind-boggling statistic.
Excuse me while I stir this pot.That's a mind-boggling statistic.
