Losing confidence

[Nacho]

I'm worried much more about the offense. Seriously. The D that PB ran was so pathetic UNT set records and almost beat us.

[PerunaPunch]

At the end of the day, who the hell knows? Answer: nobody, until around 8 or 9pm the night of 8/29.

Wholesale changes on the OL. A new offense. A new defense. A complete reshuffling of the deck...

I don't think anyone's wrong to be optimistic. Because you'd expect some measure of improvement -- especially on the D. But you have to give equal credence to the doomsayers because there are simply too many questions.

[Dooby]

Can you show examples of the amount of success in any walk of life that came from pessimism?

I have no idea what's going to happen this year. No one else does either.

Hitler was so pessimistic about his general's plans to invade France that he refused to listen to them. Because of that he discovered the much-dismissed idea of Blitzkrieg and went with that instead. I'd say it as an amount of success.

Odd, considering they had used the Blitzkrieg the year before in Poland.

[MustangIcon]

I'm worried much more about the offense. Seriously. The D that PB ran was so pathetic UNT set records and almost beat us.

Agreed. Very young/inexperienced offensive line (which remember that our experienced line last year wasn't all that good). One consistent/proven receiver. Unsettled situation at QB while implementing a new offense. Count me as very concerned about our offense.

On D I think we have a whole lot of talent in the defensive backfield. Handy brings it every game and I think Yenga will also be a force on the line. Our LBs are too slow to cover the numerous pass-oriented offenses we face in CUSA. I cannot imagine any way that we don't spend a whole lot of time with 5 DBs on the field.

[Stallion]

Before the season I will make a fuller prognosis but I am somewhat pleased at this point with how the jig-saw puzzle on defense is playing out because I see better athletes playing bigger roles based especially on audio reports of our DC on PonyStampede.* Newer guys like

Dizer
Herron
Odiari
Smart
Taylor Thompson
Derrius Bell
Rock Dennis
Sowe
McElroy
Bennie Thomas
Chris Banjo


Other new guys who I'm not sure I've heard mentioned but I think have the physical ability to help include guys like

Zac Thomas who has bulked up over 6-4, 290 and is one of the strongest players on the team. Also Jourdan Johnson at 6-3, 250 I think if given an opportunity could help us. Maybe Victor Jones.

These are 14 new guys(not really focusing on the returning players) who may help against the pass or may help against the run or both, but they are better physically at some aspect of defense than those inexperienced group we were throwing out there at the end of last year. For example, I have my doubts about Smart as a middle LB in passing situations-also have some doubts about Felps and Bonilla even. But I'm expecting to see guys like Herron and Odiari in passing situations that will make us better against the pass. I'm also expecting SMU to use a 5 DB package in which some LB will replaced in passing situations. In some running situations we may be about to use both Odiari and Smart to give us a much more physical presence inside. We have more interchangeable, versitle parts we can plug into a particular defensive situation. However, Odiari is going to win some starting spot on this team by mid-season if not earlier but I sure would like to see him in the 235 range rather than pushing 250.

The other side of the coin which is probably going to be real tough to deal with is that so many of these kids have never started or played at their position in D1A or have relatively little experience. Should be tough in the early weeks to combine all the ingredients necessary to bake a cake. This juggling act is very unusual-it really is-the turnover from 2006 and 2007 is pretty unprecedented, but I'm thinking we will be better significantly on defense at least by mid-season. But then again I was never a big fan of what was going on on Defense from Game 1 in 2007.

* This analysis is based on the SMU sliding scale of competing in CUSA West which I consider to be among the weakest in the Country. It is not reflective of a team that hypothetically was competing for consideration of a Top 25 nationally competitive program.

[mrydel]

Come on Nacho, cheer up. Will it help if I go home tonight and put on a white shirt? Actually I am wearing a white shirt right now, so don't worry, be happy!

[jtstang]

Can you show examples of the amount of success in any walk of life that came from pessimism?

I have no idea what's going to happen this year. No one else does either.

Hitler was so pessimistic about his general's plans to invade France that he refused to listen to them. Because of that he discovered the much-dismissed idea of Blitzkrieg and went with that instead. I'd say it as an amount of success.

Odd, considering they had used the Blitzkrieg the year before in Poland.

Poland was D-1AA back then so nobody counts that win.

[Nacho]

Every day I talk myself out of going to the Rice game. I can't bear to drive down there, sit through 4-5 hours of misery, spend the night then come home beaten down the next day. I think it's ESPN for me. I can wear red or blue at home.

[Mustangsabu]

Can you show examples of the amount of success in any walk of life that came from pessimism?

I have no idea what's going to happen this year. No one else does either.

Hitler was so pessimistic about his general's plans to invade France that he refused to listen to them. Because of that he discovered the much-dismissed idea of Blitzkrieg and went with that instead. I'd say it as an amount of success.

Odd, considering they had used the Blitzkrieg the year before in Poland.

Poland was D-1AA back then so nobody counts that win.

Now that, is comedy!

[couch 'em]

Can you show examples of the amount of success in any walk of life that came from pessimism?

I have no idea what's going to happen this year. No one else does either.

Hitler was so pessimistic about his general's plans to invade France that he refused to listen to them. Because of that he discovered the much-dismissed idea of Blitzkrieg and went with that instead. I'd say it as an amount of success.

How did the rest of the war work out for Adolf? The man with helmet on the left side of this post had a lot to do with the arse kicking he got from 1943-1945.

He was undone by his overconfidence/cronic optimism. If he were a full-time pessimist, he would have a European empire still.

[Dooby]

Every day I talk myself out of going to the Rice game. I can't bear to drive down there, sit through 4-5 hours of misery, spend the night then come home beaten down the next day. I think it's ESPN for me. I can wear red or blue at home.

Get your @$$ to the game. I am dragging my wife and kids down there on her birthday (she's real excited to spend her birthday in the Houston summer heat). You have to go. You will regret not going.

[lwjr]

"What is all of this lying around @#$#, was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor, Hell no."


Nacho, this is a marathon not a sprint. SMU has finally hired a HC who knows how to turn around a losing program. Are we going to go 12-0 this year?No. I have no clue what this year will bring, I do believe it will be fun and exciting. Finally, SMU has a bright future in football. Also, in Basketball. I do believe the second half of the season will be better than the first half. We may not beat Rice, but do not be surprised if we do.

The future is looking good

PONY UP!

[PerunaPunch]

However, Odiari is going to win some starting spot on this team by mid-season if not earlier but I sure would like to see him in the 235 range rather than pushing 250.

Allegedly Odiari now squats 700. So I'm thinking he'll be able to bring it at either weight.

[Mustangsabu]

"What is all of this lying around @#$#, was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor, Hell no."


Nacho, this is a marathon not a sprint. SMU has finally hired a HC who knows how to turn around a losing program. Are we going to go 12-0 this year?No. I have no clue what this year will bring, I do believe it will be fun and exciting. Finally, SMU has a bright future in football. Also, in Basketball. I do believe the second half of the season will be better than the first half. We may not beat Rice, but do not be surprised if we do.

The future is looking good

PONY UP!

I'm sorry, wasn't it the Japanese who bombed Pearl Harbor?

[PK]

... so don't worry, be happy!

Do you still have one of those singing fish on a plaque hanging on your wall?