That’s a fair question. I had the pleasure of taking in the game with someone I have the utmost respect for whether it’s X’s and O’s or what’s needed to run the program as a whole. I mention that because the topic came up amongst just about everything else which could explain why we were watching what we were watching.
To some level the staff is culpable since they are heading the ship. More so though it’s on the players and a result of the last regime. The majority of what’s run out there every week are hold overs. It was funny how all we heard the second half of last season over and over was “these guys are fighting for their coach” on just about every telecast. The same players who were a play or two away from starting the season 1-5. Yes it’s talent, or a lack their of or lack of depth. But it’s also the years of preparation, or lack there of, which was engrained by a coach, and coaches for that matter, that had no business being in the positions they were in. Yes it’s true the same kids fought. But it was widely accepted and very true the fight came from a sense of entitlement and comfort from the hot garbage of a “program” Manny ran. Some of that fight was driven in large part to keep the status quo. The lack of expectation, not just a hoped or desired outcome but actually doing what it takes and more to obtain that outcome, put a lot of these impressionable young men in a position for failure and did nothing to prepare them for excellence. Manny’s temperament and approach to his personnel changed when he took the top job. It’s truly shocking just how weak a mentality he injected in the program and into the players. Not because he intended to but because he has no idea what it takes. I’m not talking being nasty or hard when you step between the lines. I’m talking working, eating, and sleeping your craft and being accountable to everyone else around you. A goofy defensive philosophy and a dumbed down offense and special teams coupled with a lack of accountability has led to where we are.
I said it before the season started. Anyone who expected all or the majority of the kids coming back to have a smooth transition was foolish thought. To expect a staff to “tailor” their scheme completely to the player is foolish as well. Yes there’s wiggle room as far as adjustments go but a complete dumbing down is not going to happen. There’s more than a few guys who play regularly that were shocked in the difference in complexity and expectation.
If it happens two years from now the same explanation can’t be used. But for now it’s as true as the sun coming up. There’s a reason why staffs here the last couple years fall in love with #11. It’s because he does what’s right as far as preparation goes and many don’t on this team because they haven’t learned how to, don’t apply themselves, or just don’t have it in them which is a massive miss when it was evaluation time. This is going to take some time. People clamor for this guy or that guy and wonder why he ain’t out there more. There’s a reason and it’s all about insufficient prep.
