While watching college football this year I've noticed some things that two teams in particular have done to up the level of play of their star players and team overall. Not saying we need to duplicate what they are doing but come up with something similar or just creative in our own way to boost the level of hypness, swag or whatever you want to call it from the players, fans and coaches.
Team 1: Alabama Defense with the Title belt being passed around for making big turnovers in games. Some could say that it isn't causing them to play better because they are already just that good but you'd be crazy to not think that they aren't trying to make a big play to get that belt.
Result of that: One of their best defensive seasons in terms of points scored and turnovers in history.
Team 2: VT with the Beamer special teams jersey # that's given to a special teams player each game. Once again some could say that isn't what has helped their team this year. It sure has upped the level of play of that individual player for that game as well as other players wanting to earn the right to wear it for the next game. The fans also know about it so they are going crazy whenever that player makes a play.
Result of that: Questionable, but they made it to the ACC championship game with a mediocre team that weren't that good the previous season without the new process. And yes they have a new coach but we can say he's found a way to get the best out of what he's working with using that. Special teams play a major part in the game of field position.
Those were just two teams I've noticed coaches using different techniques to help up the level of play from their players that made me think that's probably something our coaching staff should look into to get some of these guys to take it to another level consistently throughout a game so we can get them having fun again. We have so much tradition at UM especially everyday at practice when the players look at all the former players on the fence who has played on those same fields. Allowing a player to wear Sean Taylor's # in the defensive back field may just bring that out of him. Someone wearing Hester # returning punts (for example Harley) or kickoffs may just amp them up enough. It definitely shouldn't just be given out to any player but those whom understands and possess enough talent to bring that to the game. And like I said we don't have to use that but we definitely need something to bring out the best in these guys. This technique has worked for years, even when you go back to the pay for big play which we can't use obviously but the guys played on another level with that. There are others but it gets darker (ex Saints) but it definitely gave teams an extra push that just basic coaching and team leadership can't provide. We have some players where that if you give them that extra boost who knows what you may get. Think Shaq, Pickney, Quan, Bandy, Homer, Richards, Donaldson, Walton, the dline and many others but on another level of play.
Team 1: Alabama Defense with the Title belt being passed around for making big turnovers in games. Some could say that it isn't causing them to play better because they are already just that good but you'd be crazy to not think that they aren't trying to make a big play to get that belt.
Result of that: One of their best defensive seasons in terms of points scored and turnovers in history.
Team 2: VT with the Beamer special teams jersey # that's given to a special teams player each game. Once again some could say that isn't what has helped their team this year. It sure has upped the level of play of that individual player for that game as well as other players wanting to earn the right to wear it for the next game. The fans also know about it so they are going crazy whenever that player makes a play.
Result of that: Questionable, but they made it to the ACC championship game with a mediocre team that weren't that good the previous season without the new process. And yes they have a new coach but we can say he's found a way to get the best out of what he's working with using that. Special teams play a major part in the game of field position.
Those were just two teams I've noticed coaches using different techniques to help up the level of play from their players that made me think that's probably something our coaching staff should look into to get some of these guys to take it to another level consistently throughout a game so we can get them having fun again. We have so much tradition at UM especially everyday at practice when the players look at all the former players on the fence who has played on those same fields. Allowing a player to wear Sean Taylor's # in the defensive back field may just bring that out of him. Someone wearing Hester # returning punts (for example Harley) or kickoffs may just amp them up enough. It definitely shouldn't just be given out to any player but those whom understands and possess enough talent to bring that to the game. And like I said we don't have to use that but we definitely need something to bring out the best in these guys. This technique has worked for years, even when you go back to the pay for big play which we can't use obviously but the guys played on another level with that. There are others but it gets darker (ex Saints) but it definitely gave teams an extra push that just basic coaching and team leadership can't provide. We have some players where that if you give them that extra boost who knows what you may get. Think Shaq, Pickney, Quan, Bandy, Homer, Richards, Donaldson, Walton, the dline and many others but on another level of play.
