Still thrilled with Jones Hire

[mrydel]

I had very good technique in High School. I had to because I was not very big. I led our team in tackling. However, in one game, against a bad team, there was a player who, when I hit him, I just kind of went numb and slid down as he continued to run through my tackle. It had nothing to do with technique, it was all talent and ability. The player was a young man named Jon Richardson who went on to be an All American running back at the University of Arkansas. Our kids are just not at the same level right now.

That said, If I were coach I would have live tackling in the spring and 2-a-days. But different coaches have different styles.

[mr. pony]

I still think SMU should actually TACKLE in practice. Who knows that might have something to do with it. Its gonna take me a few years to actually buy in to this flag football concept to practicing.

Agreed, but it is a fine line. They used to tackle in practice under Bennett in August then key players started getting hurt.

So they don't get hurt as much now, just suspended.

[jtstang]

I still think SMU should actually TACKLE in practice. Who knows that might have something to do with it. Its gonna take me a few years to actually buy in to this flag football concept to practicing.

Agreed, but it is a fine line. They used to tackle in practice under Bennett in August then key players started getting hurt.

So they don't get hurt as much now, just suspended.

I was trying to figure out who our key players were on a team with consecutive 1-11 marks....

[smupony]

I had very good technique in High School. I had to because I was not very big. I led our team in tackling. However, in one game, against a bad team, there was a player who, when I hit him, I just kind of went numb and slid down as he continued to run through my tackle. It had nothing to do with technique, it was all talent and ability. The player was a young man named Jon Richardson who went on to be an All American running back at the University of Arkansas. Our kids are just not at the same level right now.

That said, If I were coach I would have live tackling in the spring and 2-a-days. But different coaches have different styles.

You, my friend, experienced a "stinger". Probably the scariest feeling in athletics. My first one was getting up ended pulling down a rebound and landing on my head.

[EastStang]

I'd rather see our players get hurt during the game than during practice.
We can't afford to have starters go out because they got a bad hit from a club squad player.

[The PonyGrad]

I still think JJ will get it done, just longer than I had hoped.

Regarding tackling, let's worry more about this when we have more depth.

[mrydel]

I had very good technique in High School. I had to because I was not very big. I led our team in tackling. However, in one game, against a bad team, there was a player who, when I hit him, I just kind of went numb and slid down as he continued to run through my tackle. It had nothing to do with technique, it was all talent and ability. The player was a young man named Jon Richardson who went on to be an All American running back at the University of Arkansas. Our kids are just not at the same level right now.

That said, If I were coach I would have live tackling in the spring and 2-a-days. But different coaches have different styles.

You, my friend, experienced a "stinger". Probably the scariest feeling in athletics. My first one was getting up ended pulling down a rebound and landing on my head.

No, it was not a stinger. I had hundreds of stingers to a point that the physicians said quit or lose the use of your arm. That is why I coached my last 2 years at SMU. In this particular case it was just a relatively small running back who was built so solid that it was like hitting a rock. He had not only the ability to make people miss but the strength and power to go through you when you did not miss. That is what I see with many of our kids. They get into position but they just bounce off the back as he gets to them. That and the fact they are knocked backward 3 yards before being able to get into position for the tackle. We need bigger, better athletes to complete. That is why I do not blame Mason at this point. Let's get him something to work with and see how he does. We are often in position and just do not execute.

[FroggieFever]

Jones is a fine offensive coach. I am concerned about our defense.

With Jones as your coach, you will never have one, with the exception of a year here and there.

[ProudMama]

Jones is a fine offensive coach. I am concerned about our defense.

With Jones as your coach, you will never have one, with the exception of a year here and there.

Wrong

[Water Pony]

An important element of Orsini's decision to pursue and sign JJ was the dramatic change in expectations. No question that JJ's first year was a disappoinitment to any of us who expected progress, even if small, in the win category.

I actually thought we might be .500 or better with our schedule and conference. My bad. But, the action by SO remains the right one. College football fans generally acknowledge that we pulled off a coup.

That said, 2009 season become more crucial for us. 2008 could have been anything given our recent history. Next season, playing highly competitive football and winning more than not becomes a necessity for us, especially with regard to recruiting.

JJ is the right guy. But, how to fix the defense is beyond my pay grade.

[Pony41]

No, it was not a stinger. I had hundreds of stingers to a point that the physicians said quit or lose the use of your arm. That is why I coached my last 2 years at SMU. In this particular case it was just a relatively small running back who was built so solid that it was like hitting a rock. He had not only the ability to make people miss but the strength and power to go through you when you did not miss. That is what I see with many of our kids. They get into position but they just bounce off the back as he gets to them. That and the fact they are knocked backward 3 yards before being able to get into position for the tackle. We need bigger, better athletes to complete. That is why I do not blame Mason at this point. Let's get him something to work with and see how he does. We are often in position and just do not execute.[/quote]

mrydel - are you spot on with your assessment. I came to that conclusion after the Tulane game. Good technique can narrow the talent gap some, but in our case this year, not enough to make plays when we needed them.

I've also seen coaching staff's go crazy with x's and o's trying to put in a different scheme for each opponents strengths and it seldom works if you are at a big disadvantage in talent. I got the feeling about halfway through the season that Mason decided to stick to the base defense more often than not get the kids in position and keep giving them a chance to make plays. If the kids improve you will build a better program by doing what you do best each week vs. something different each week.

[Pony Soup]

I like june jones

[jtstang]

Jones is a fine offensive coach. I am concerned about our defense.

With Jones as your coach, you will never have one, with the exception of a year here and there.

Thanks. I guess I needn't be concerned anymore.

[ponyboy]

I'm now concerned you're getting your sports opinions from a frog.

[jtstang]

But he seemed friendly and extremely knowledgeable....