GTmorris1970
09-20-2005, 03:05 AM
There have been more discussions, opinions, etc. since Saturday than I can count. Having played some football in my lifetime, just like many of you here, and know a little bit about the trials and tribulations that go with it. I would like to share my personal opinions and thoughts on this team and what I see. These opinions are from watching this team for 7 years now since 98, not from watching the game Saturday.
1. If the team is not performing, and playing with no heart, leaving the game is fine. These guys need to understand that mediocre is no longer going to be accepted at Carolina. We fans and alumni poor millions of dollars a year into this program, and look what we have gotten in return. Now, don't flame me yet. I don't mean that like it sounds. I am as happy as anyone here that SOS came to Columbia, and he is doing, and will do a tremendous job here. I understand it takes time, but continue to read. I LOVE what SOS has done so far. Cleaning out the trash. Long time overdue, and I understand with the amount of trash we had it is going to take even more time, but not playing with heart needs to stop now!! That does not take till next week.
2. Some people I guess would refer to me as a fair weather fan. No, I want better for Carolina. I have gone through the same thing for years with Georgia Tech, although they have enjoyed more success than Carolina. Excuses for why we continue to struggle are just that. Excuses. You see what SOS thinks about excuses. I feel the same way.
3. Another thing I hear all the time. Lack of talent. BS!! That is a crock. This team has talent, they don't have heart. Do they have the talent of Bama, Tennessee, Florida? No. However, let's remember that one trademark of SOS is building super football players out of mediocre talent. You play with heart, you play as a team, you play with passion, you play fundamentally sound football, and your not going to get blown out. We have too much talent to be manhandled like we were Saturday. Missed tackles, guys acting like they didn't know where to be or where to go, etc. That is called lack of heart and not having your head where it belongs when you walk out on the field. During the second half we were not even trying to tackle. Do I like our scheme on defense? No. I cannot stand that stand up crap. Luckily, I don't think SOS does anymore either. Don't expect to see it much. But when 3 or 4 guys have a chance to make a play, that is not scheme. That is lack of heart. A week earlier we made those plays.
4. Another thing I hear. These guys need time to learn the offense. BS. How long have they been practicing now? Sure, they need reps, but if they don't know the plays by now they should find something else to do. Once again, one week ago we ran the offense almost to perfection I felt against UGA, and had chances to win the game. We just missed some opportunities. Look at the fumbles Saturday. Why all of a sudden? Lack of concentration, lack of fundamentally sound football, and lack of heart IMO. An SEC game, at home, a badly needed game, HOLD THE FREAKIN BALL!!! We are making some mistakes that can be credited to lack of game experience. Blake taking sacks when he should throw it away, or receivers dropping balls that are catchable in critical situations, etc. That will get better in time, but if you don't know the offense, you should be pouring gatorade for the ones who do. There again. An excuse.
5. These players have not realized yet what a jewel of an offense they have yet. This offense is designed to score quickly when necessary, which should keep us in most any game just as SOS has said. No reason to EVER give up.
6. Trouble on third down? Still not sure yet. We can get em to 3rd and 50, but then give up 51. Never seen anything quite like it. I would tend to lean more toward scheme there. Looks like we drop way back on the receivers on third and long. Spurrier has promised changes there.
7. Let's quit making excuses and demand better, not to Spurrier but to the players. The upper classmen are used to mediocre. That is all they know. Just like SOS said yesterday. He does not want that to trickle down on the freshmen, to think that is the Carolina way.
8. Blake Mitchell is not the problem. He has performed exceptionally well IMO until Saturday. There again, don't blame him. This entire team looked like a deer in the headlights Saturday, not just Blake. Players on the sideline Saturday shrugging their shoulders like they didn't know what was happening. That is when the fans need to help them out. Tell them in no uncertain terms, "your getting your a$$ kicked. Don't look so confused. Stand up and fight."
9. I love this team as much as anyone here, and want to see them succeed so badly, but how much longer is next year going to be acceptable. Demand better. If it takes a year or two, that is fine. But let's not let it be acceptable any longer. Steve Spurrier is not about excuses, and neither should we be IMO. They have been allowed to play with no heart for far too long. Look at other successful programs. USC, Notre Dame, Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, etc. They don't allow it, never have. That comes from fans, alumni, coaches and players. To be a winner, it has to become a way of life. For those schools it has. It is a hard habit to break, but we need to do it together. :)
10. The coach for Troy said he expects to face a "wounded animal" on Saturday. That is exactly what he should be facing, and every other opponent we face this year. This is our last "cupcake" game. Let's make necessary changes, and use this game to implement them. :cool:
1. If the team is not performing, and playing with no heart, leaving the game is fine. These guys need to understand that mediocre is no longer going to be accepted at Carolina. We fans and alumni poor millions of dollars a year into this program, and look what we have gotten in return. Now, don't flame me yet. I don't mean that like it sounds. I am as happy as anyone here that SOS came to Columbia, and he is doing, and will do a tremendous job here. I understand it takes time, but continue to read. I LOVE what SOS has done so far. Cleaning out the trash. Long time overdue, and I understand with the amount of trash we had it is going to take even more time, but not playing with heart needs to stop now!! That does not take till next week.
2. Some people I guess would refer to me as a fair weather fan. No, I want better for Carolina. I have gone through the same thing for years with Georgia Tech, although they have enjoyed more success than Carolina. Excuses for why we continue to struggle are just that. Excuses. You see what SOS thinks about excuses. I feel the same way.
3. Another thing I hear all the time. Lack of talent. BS!! That is a crock. This team has talent, they don't have heart. Do they have the talent of Bama, Tennessee, Florida? No. However, let's remember that one trademark of SOS is building super football players out of mediocre talent. You play with heart, you play as a team, you play with passion, you play fundamentally sound football, and your not going to get blown out. We have too much talent to be manhandled like we were Saturday. Missed tackles, guys acting like they didn't know where to be or where to go, etc. That is called lack of heart and not having your head where it belongs when you walk out on the field. During the second half we were not even trying to tackle. Do I like our scheme on defense? No. I cannot stand that stand up crap. Luckily, I don't think SOS does anymore either. Don't expect to see it much. But when 3 or 4 guys have a chance to make a play, that is not scheme. That is lack of heart. A week earlier we made those plays.
4. Another thing I hear. These guys need time to learn the offense. BS. How long have they been practicing now? Sure, they need reps, but if they don't know the plays by now they should find something else to do. Once again, one week ago we ran the offense almost to perfection I felt against UGA, and had chances to win the game. We just missed some opportunities. Look at the fumbles Saturday. Why all of a sudden? Lack of concentration, lack of fundamentally sound football, and lack of heart IMO. An SEC game, at home, a badly needed game, HOLD THE FREAKIN BALL!!! We are making some mistakes that can be credited to lack of game experience. Blake taking sacks when he should throw it away, or receivers dropping balls that are catchable in critical situations, etc. That will get better in time, but if you don't know the offense, you should be pouring gatorade for the ones who do. There again. An excuse.
5. These players have not realized yet what a jewel of an offense they have yet. This offense is designed to score quickly when necessary, which should keep us in most any game just as SOS has said. No reason to EVER give up.
6. Trouble on third down? Still not sure yet. We can get em to 3rd and 50, but then give up 51. Never seen anything quite like it. I would tend to lean more toward scheme there. Looks like we drop way back on the receivers on third and long. Spurrier has promised changes there.
7. Let's quit making excuses and demand better, not to Spurrier but to the players. The upper classmen are used to mediocre. That is all they know. Just like SOS said yesterday. He does not want that to trickle down on the freshmen, to think that is the Carolina way.
8. Blake Mitchell is not the problem. He has performed exceptionally well IMO until Saturday. There again, don't blame him. This entire team looked like a deer in the headlights Saturday, not just Blake. Players on the sideline Saturday shrugging their shoulders like they didn't know what was happening. That is when the fans need to help them out. Tell them in no uncertain terms, "your getting your a$$ kicked. Don't look so confused. Stand up and fight."
9. I love this team as much as anyone here, and want to see them succeed so badly, but how much longer is next year going to be acceptable. Demand better. If it takes a year or two, that is fine. But let's not let it be acceptable any longer. Steve Spurrier is not about excuses, and neither should we be IMO. They have been allowed to play with no heart for far too long. Look at other successful programs. USC, Notre Dame, Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, etc. They don't allow it, never have. That comes from fans, alumni, coaches and players. To be a winner, it has to become a way of life. For those schools it has. It is a hard habit to break, but we need to do it together. :)
10. The coach for Troy said he expects to face a "wounded animal" on Saturday. That is exactly what he should be facing, and every other opponent we face this year. This is our last "cupcake" game. Let's make necessary changes, and use this game to implement them. :cool: