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Nov 21, 2017
2:17:17pm
PJMort All-American
Lack of discipline vs. lack of play making.
There have been quite a few posters who have expressed their concern with a too laid back coaching style/atmosphere of our coaches which has translated into a lack of discipline or execution on the team-- especially the offense. It occurred to me that I do not see a big lack of discipline on this team, even on the offense. I do see a lack of play making by many players though.

Back in the Crowton days we had a lack of discipline IMO. It manifested in numerous false start penalties and delay of game penalties and the running back running a different direction than the hand off was supposed to be made.

In this offense, especially on Saturday, I saw a new qb get a little rattled due to a variety of blitzes, but I also saw him put several deep passes on the hands of the receivers (as opposed to other qb's throws this year) who failed to make the catch. Not that they were easy catches, but some of those catches need to be made. The difference between success and failure can be very small. I also saw a good OL, struggle against some blitzes which were likely ones they had not seen before.

On defense I saw players fail to make tackles which allowed for receivers or running backs make first downs. I was very frustrated watching our DB's give up a flare screen for a first down on a 3rd and 12. I saw UMass receivers making catches when tightly covered. In short, I saw UMass players making big plays and BYU Players coming close, but failing to make the big plays.

Is that coaching? Sure, at least partly. Is it because of a laid back atmosphere in practice? Mmmmmmmeeeeeehhhhhh, maybe a little. Not really the big issue in my book though. Some of players making plays comes from talent, some comes from experience, and dare I say that some comes from grit. On offense, we have been terribly lacking in players with experience, and yes, talent, and yes, grit. Those players are getting better, but they still have a ways to go.

Part of the coaching problems has been a failure to recognize the lack of playmakers early enough in the process to recruit or make changes to get the playmakers. I think the coaches are improving in this regards as well as in overall scheming and play calling. At this point I will not be surprised by coaches staying or coaches going. I just hope that fans can be intelligent enough to realize that the equation for success has many, many more variables than most recognize. For instance, I personally do not believe that the "laid back" atmosphere is "the problem".
This message has been modified
Originally posted on Nov 21, 2017 at 2:17:17pm
Message modified by PJMort on Nov 21, 2017 at 2:24:56pm
PJMort
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PJMort
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