- Joined
- Jan 20, 2012
- Messages
- 21,365
I'm sure your long detailed response has many valid points in it. However, I may point out to you that numerous insiders around here have pointed out that there has been a history of favoritism shown towards starting older players. There have also been tidbits shared about how older players aren't held accountable when they underperform. But I do agree that Manny likely isn't purposely sabotaging his own team.This is just ridiculous. I'm not trying to insult you, I'm just pointing out that most of the people who keep repeating myths are among the least-informed and least-well-connected fans.
There's a difference between making a joke based on a perception, and turning a perception into some sort of false reality.
For instance, you could say "Hey, why does Manny Diaz support Florida's current Covid immunization strategy?" and then say "Because Manny loves the seniors!".
But that's completely different from concluding that Manny is deliberately keeping players on the bench simply because they are young.
Manny has been the head coach for 2 years. One of those years was Covid-impacted, when we had almost no spring/summer practice time for young guys to learn the playbook or practice the plays. Furthermore, we had a ton of younger players actually contract Covid during this past season, making them unavailable to practice/play.
It's like we even forget specifics, like putting Zion in as a freshman starter against the Gaytors.
I just wish people would be HONEST. We have not had the depth to even pull players out when they commit penalties, out of a fear that the replacement player would be a significant drop-off. We came close to having to cancel some games last year due to Covid outbreaks.
Now, if we had some loaded Alabama-caliber team and freshmen (who later go on to win Heismans and Outlands and Butkuses and such) were stuck on the bench behind seniors who go undrafted, then we can have a discussion.
Until then, most of this issue is just one of perception. I am quite certain that Manny is not doing all of his off-season-winning and taking every other action to improve the team (and his head coaching tenure), only to undermine it by keeping more-talented younger players on the bench in favor of less-talented upperclassmen.