Some things to ponder...

[Dr Death]

Reading through some of the threads this morning and I felt like commenting, but rather than respond to several threads, I decided I'd just make one thread that covers various topics. Before I start, let me state that I understand your frustration. I do. One thing I feel many of you are forgetting is that this team was down 0-14, thanks to Padron doing his best BLM impersonation, and yet, they fought back and were at 14-20 when MeDermott missed a wide open receiver deep in aTm territory. If he hits that pass and we score... the game would have been 21-20 SMU and everything changes.

The point is... don't forget this team fought back and were within one overthrow of taking the lead. That's a credit to the team and the coaches.

Some of you are questioning why Jones would yank Padron so early and/or not insert him later. I believe he is sending a huge message to the entire team and that message is this; in 2011 we expect and demand more. Turnovers will not be tolerated. I had no problem w/ his decision and apparently the team didn't either, because they responded immediately, especially the receivers, who made some great receptions.

Every time SMU loses a game some come on here and gripe that the R&S is a "gimmicky" offense. Hmmm... I wonder, were you saying that after the Nevada game a couple years ago? It's like anything, people have to execute and do their job. It's an offense that creates huge holes and lots of yards and points. It has everywhere it's been and will continue to do so here.

I saw someone saying that they would welcome Mike Leach as the HC. Now, what you must understand about me is that I love the passing game and my two favorite coaches are June Jones and Mike Leach. I followed Tech during his tenure there and saw what he accomplished, but I also saw how their fans would do what many here are doing... constant griping and constant second-guessing.

Jones is unconventional but Leach even more-so. I remember times when Leach would have 4th and 4 at his 26 in the first quarter of a game... and he would go for it. When it worked, he was a genius. When it didn't, everyone wanted him fired.

What you have to understand is that when a team is like SMU is now and Tech was in Leach's first few years, is that in order to have a chance to beat teams w/ superior talent, you have to take chances. If that missed pass was completed and the onside kick was successful, you'd all be on here talking about how much of a genius Jones is.

You have to take chances. Sometimes they work out, sometimes they don't. Playing at the # 8 team in the country's house, Jones did what he needed to do. It backfired. But it won't stop him. Just like it didn't stop Leach.

If Leach were coaching here I would laugh my butt off because many of you would have your heads explode. But I will say this... in each of those coaches tenures {Tech & Hawaii} they eventually turned that corner. And it will happen here.

Lastly... someone asked about Boise State. Chris Petersen was their OC from 2001-05 and has been their HC since 2006. That's over a decade. Get back to me once June has been here 10 years. Then you'll see other boards where their people are asking... how does SMU do it?

Patience people. Nothing good is built overnight.

[RyanSMU98]

How dare you come on here and bring sane, insightful analysis and bolster hope for the future? You should be lining up with the rest of the lemmings to jump off the cliff!

[NavyCrimson]

Good analysis Doc.

[95mustang]

Great post! IDK if it calms all the panic going on, but a convincing win against UTEP will work wonders for everyone ready to jump ship!

[Treadway21]

Thanks Dr Death. We just aren't there yet, but are headed in the right direction. I wished we had hung with them a bit better. They have a good team; we made mistakes that put us in a whole; and by the end they wore us down. It was a bad loss, but its the first game of the season for gosh sake. Lots of football to be played.

[redpony]

DD- thanks for the input. I believe that many of us realized we were walking into a lion's den but also had hopes that we could be victorious. I was hoping for a win but really expected that we would get beat. I was extremely frustrated and disappointed at our showing. Yes, there were some bad coaching decisions as well as some good ones but the defensive scheme seemed to be totally lacking and offensively we got away from what was working. IMO a lot of things need to change/improve or we could be facing a long season. I watched some of the Tulsa, UCF, and cougar high games. Those teams are going to give us fits if we don't get with the program.

GO PONIES!!!

[jpe747]

Dr. Death, you are my new favorite Pony contributor. Hail to thee oh mighty warrior! Carry us through these times of growth and frustration. As dark turns to light we will watch King JJ turn loosing into winning and bring fame and fortune to our campus. And you will bring us peace, for we will know that you are watching. OK, that's a little much, but I really enjoy your wisdom!

[mustangpride101]

Great article, could not have said it better myself. Finally, someone explains that it wasn't someone to blame. Helping taking the blame off that poor kicker.

[GRGB]

Turnovers will not be tolerated. Nice. Play in fear of being yanked.

[ponyboy]

You can't change human nature. Some are just preprogrammed to whine and forgo perspective.

[Dr Death]

Turnovers will not be tolerated. Nice. Play in fear of being yanked.

Let me give you an example of how this works... Marty Schottenheimer... wherever he's coached at he preaches not turning the ball over and taking it away from your opponent. I know in KC his team was like +80 over a period of time in the 1990's and the second closest team was like +30. Christian Okoye led the league in rushing one year and was pulled in a game the following season when he fumbled twice inside the red zone.

So... if you want to send the message that turnovers are fine and you can hand the other team field position and points on a silver platter, then fine. I'd prefer a team that took care of the ball. But... that's just me. And Marty. And June. And every other coach on the planet.

[PonyTime]

The Doc's posts are right on the money!

+1 Dr. fan on this board.

[smusic 00]

Turnovers will not be tolerated. Nice. Play in fear of being yanked.

Yes.

Fear is a giant motivator. Maybe the most primal and powerful human emotion. June talks in his book about when he coached Barry Sanders to "Run Scared" because Sanders was afraid of being hit. Now that saying is used by a lot of backs.

[smusic 00]

And, I love Dr Death. Hands down, PonyFan of the year so far.