Crash heard on campus

[BUS]

Could it be that Mason has been given the permission to teach tackling at practice?

For years this team has started not just slow but from a stand still. The first hitting came in the first game. WOW what a disadvantage the kids are placed in as they open the season.

With the new energy in the athletic department, do you think we will hear some crashing at the corner of Mockingbird and Bishop?

[couch 'em]

No

[StallionsModelT]

I know it won't be a popular opinion, but I have no problem with the lack of contact in preseason practice. A program like SMU can't afford to sustain a rash of injuries before the season starts. I think its far more important for our kids to be in great physical condition that the contact aspect of the game.

[mrydel]

Funny that the successful teams have no problem doing it. And do not use lack of depth as an excuse. That is a recruiting issue, not a contact issue.

[StallionsModelT]

Does it matter what issue it reverts back to? We play with the hand we are dealt. If we run out in practice and lose 3 offensive linemen b/c we are going Junction Boys style then get ready for 1-11.

[sbsmith]

Does it matter what issue it reverts back to? We play with the hand we are dealt. If we run out in practice and lose 3 offensive linemen b/c we are going Junction Boys style then get ready for 1-11.

It definitely matters what issue it reverts back to because if we improve recruiting then we won't need touch football practices just to protect our limited depth. We keep this up and the talent level will eventually be so low that 1-11 will be unavoidable no matter how we practice.

[mrydel]

But let it be 1-11 based on tackle football and not touch. And why do you relate the Junction Boys to hitting in practice. A little stretch there. All they need is a couple of full speed scrimmages to get a feel for game speed. I am tired of watching bad angles and missed tackles during the "preseason" games.

[GiddyUp]

Our practice players are nowhere near our competition of TCU, Baylor, and A&M. First game always is a refection of that. Our D gets burned and WRs look lost off the line.

[StallionsModelT]

LOL. No kidding. No amount of hitting in practice is going to negate the gigantic gap in talent. If you're arguing that recruiting is a problem then I applaud you. Welcome to the internet. My point is that given who we have and what we have to work with, going balls out in practice and exposing this marginal roster to injury depletion before we ever see a snap against an actual opponent is a recipe for disaster.

[gostangs]

The bad angles and missed tackles early in the season are not due to not hitting in practice - they are due to playing teams 2 notches above us in talent, until we get to our conference schedule, where they are only one notch above us.

You can hit in practice AFTER you fix recruiting, but doing it before just means we will have less talent available when it matters (post former SWC mauling).

[mrydel]

Well we were 1 1/2 classes away from having depth 5 years ago so I have stopped waiting for depth. If you guys actually believe that no hitting in practice does not make a difference in play, then you have never played the game. The only time no hitting in practice matters is when you play Madden.

[mrydel]

Our practice players are nowhere near our competition of TCU, Baylor, and A&M. First game always is a refection of that. Our D gets burned and WRs look lost off the line.

Not saying we match up, but full speed with hitting in practice can make the difference in a 5 yard gain and a 50 yard gain. And that can make the difference in a competitive game and a blow out.

[PonySnob]

I know it won't be a popular opinion, but I have no problem with the lack of contact in preseason practice. A program like SMU can't afford to sustain a rash of injuries before the season starts. I think its far more important for our kids to be in great physical condition that the contact aspect of the game.

Continued mediocrity.............

[couch 'em]

The only crash you'll be hearing on campus soon is the natatorium demolition

[blackoutpony]

Anyone who thinks that you don't need to hit in practice to be able to properly hit in a game, have good angles, and know how to wrap up has either:

A. Never played football with pads and helmets in their life
B. Drank so much June Kool-Aid that they believe it's true
C. Was such a good player, that they didn't need practice and are actually Allen Iverson

I don't think AI is on this board, but I could be wrong, so I'm gonna go with delusional flag football players as the answer. When you hit, your body get's conditioned for it. Yes, there is always injury risk, but look how many people in the NFL tear their ACL's in non-contact OTA's. No I'm not advocating running Oklahoma drills everyday, but for goodness sake, let the defense hit some people and let our miniature wide receivers get used to being hit so they'll hold onto the damn ball.