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John Hampton offers his views on making a first impression on a new coach:

http://www.ponyfans.com/features/sideline/index4.php

Good report, but way too short.

ALEX LIFESON wrote:Good report, but way too short.

True and true.

John, what do you think will be the biggest keys in spring ball?

I agree with Alex Lifeson.
The John Hamton article is way to short. We need more.
I also agree with his observation. You can tell the attitude is more serious. The most of the players appear to be listening to the coaches. Everyone should show up ready to work and show what you've got.

I submitted a longer piece, but I defer to the editors at ponyfans.com when it comes to what they want on the site.

I'll avoid the obvious keys to spring ball, like picking up the new schemes, finding positions for the numerous athletes searching for a place to play, etc.

The real key will be which player(s), regardless of age or experience, go to work with a closed mouth and open mind everyday, letting their play talk, and in turn, provide some desperately needed leadership to a program in dire need of player ownership. Like a dear friend tells me all the time, "either talk about it or be about it."

Defensively this Spring, we know the talent level and athletes aren't necessarily going to change, so it will be key to sort out what the coaches do have, how they can build a defense around that, and find a way to build a gameplan from there.

A low profile development this Spring will be the young players we know virtually nothing about and how their time in the weightroom has put them in position to start contributing. These will be the future special teams starters and positional backups, and if you think you only need 22 players each fall, reference SMU last season.

Another key I'm gonna look out for is the vibe from players. Julius Jones made himself look silly for claiming how misused he was under Parcells, only to lose his starting job under the new regime late last season, and I hope we dont get alot of that bs around here. Coach Bennett and his staff have been replaced and I hope we dont read cheap shots fired by disgruntled teens and college students. It isnt a winning mentality and a solid indicator whether pages have been turned for the program or if excuses and scapegoats are still chic on the Hilltop.

Football is meant to be relaxed and fun. The words "positive reinforcement" have become redundant when I've spoken to some people involved with the program since Jones' hiring, and that is exciting. Taking young people, regardless of the maturation process society seems to expedite today, and asking them to create goals and self-accountability and a winning attitude through positive reinforcement and high expectations is ultimately how a coach ignites his team to play fast and purpose-filled.

Thanks for sharing your additional thoughts with us. This spring should be interesting to watch...now that we can watch.

Current focus: dancing
Next focus: bowling

Sideline wrote:I submitted a longer piece, but I defer to the editors at ponyfans.com when it comes to what they want on the site.

I'll avoid the obvious keys to spring ball, like picking up the new schemes, finding positions for the numerous athletes searching for a place to play, etc.

The real key will be which player(s), regardless of age or experience, go to work with a closed mouth and open mind everyday, letting their play talk, and in turn, provide some desperately needed leadership to a program in dire need of player ownership. Like a dear friend tells me all the time, "either talk about it or be about it."

Defensively this Spring, we know the talent level and athletes aren't necessarily going to change, so it will be key to sort out what the coaches do have, how they can build a defense around that, and find a way to build a gameplan from there.

A low profile development this Spring will be the young players we know virtually nothing about and how their time in the weightroom has put them in position to start contributing. These will be the future special teams starters and positional backups, and if you think you only need 22 players each fall, reference SMU last season.

Another key I'm gonna look out for is the vibe from players. Julius Jones made himself look silly for claiming how misused he was under Parcells, only to lose his starting job under the new regime late last season, and I hope we dont get alot of that bs around here. Coach Bennett and his staff have been replaced and I hope we dont read cheap shots fired by disgruntled teens and college students. It isnt a winning mentality and a solid indicator whether pages have been turned for the program or if excuses and scapegoats are still chic on the Hilltop.

Football is meant to be relaxed and fun. The words "positive reinforcement" have become redundant when I've spoken to some people involved with the program since Jones' hiring, and that is exciting. Taking young people, regardless of the maturation process society seems to expedite today, and asking them to create goals and self-accountability and a winning attitude through positive reinforcement and high expectations is ultimately how a coach ignites his team to play fast and purpose-filled.

Good stuff, John. Can't get enough - love the insight!

I like the additional perspective by Sideline.

According to Coach Jones book, Hawaii Warrior Football. Within his first few weeks, players were released to drive home a point that he meant business and expected them to act like young men, work hard, and be responsible.
One of the first players he cut in Hawaii was the soon to be senior running back who just finished his junior season as a 1,000+ yard rusher.

Football is a game meant to be fun. Positive reinforcement appears to be evident with the new regime. However, there is an expectation and Coach Jones history shows he is not one to mess with regarding following rules. I would hate to be "the one".

jimmieho wrote:I like the additional perspective by Sideline.

According to Coach Jones book, Hawaii Warrior Football. Within his first few weeks, players were released to drive home a point that he meant business and expected them to act like young men, work hard, and be responsible.
One of the first players he cut in Hawaii was the soon to be senior running back who just finished his junior season as a 1,000+ yard rusher.

Football is a game meant to be fun. Positive reinforcement appears to be evident with the new regime. However, there is an expectation and Coach Jones history shows he is not one to mess with regarding following rules. I would hate to be "the one".

There are a lot of insightful things in that book. Another is that he believes there are two types of QBs: ones that keep getting better, and ones that keep getting worse.

PK wrote: This spring should be interesting to watch...now that we can watch.

I was on campus Saturday and noticed the blue wind/privacy screens had been removed from the fences surrounding the practice fields. Did anyone ever figure out what we had to hide? Swinging gate offense?

Thanks for your stories, John. As fans, we all think we know everything (in my case, of course, I happen to be right), but since you've been through practice and games and juggled school and the other challenges that players go through that most former students never will fully know ... we appreciate your thoughts.
Looking forward to reading your analysis of what you see at spring practice!

Bergermeister wrote:

PK wrote: This spring should be interesting to watch...now that we can watch.

I was on campus Saturday and noticed the blue wind/privacy screens had been removed from the fences surrounding the practice fields. Did anyone ever figure out what we had to hide? Swinging gate offense?

We had to hide Bennett from the boogie man

smu diamond m wrote:

Bergermeister wrote:

PK wrote: This spring should be interesting to watch...now that we can watch.

I was on campus Saturday and noticed the blue wind/privacy screens had been removed from the fences surrounding the practice fields. Did anyone ever figure out what we had to hide? Swinging gate offense?

We had to hide Bennett from the boogie man

I heard that Bennett thought it would keep cats away.

RGV Pony wrote:

smu diamond m wrote:

Bergermeister wrote:

PK wrote: This spring should be interesting to watch...now that we can watch.

I was on campus Saturday and noticed the blue wind/privacy screens had been removed from the fences surrounding the practice fields. Did anyone ever figure out what we had to hide? Swinging gate offense?

We had to hide Bennett from the boogie man

I heard that Bennett thought it would keep cats away.

Cats can climb fences.

Stupid Bennett