mrydel wrote:June needs to learn that we need to win nonconference games. They are not exhibition.
I think this is the more important point, regardless of your stance on hitting in practice. I've always gotten the vibe that the lack of focus in our OOC games has to do with a feeling that they "don't really count". If that is truly the mentality, it puts the team in a position where their back is against the wall from day one of conference play and that is not a good place for the team to be. EVERY game counts, and they need to prep as hard for Tech and Montana St as they do for Rutgers, UCONN and the rest of the American slate.
Beating the Tech's, A&M's, TCU's etc.. of the college football world is the only way SMU becomes relevant again.
couch 'em wrote:I think the drop in performance due to lack of hitting is only a small factor in the much larger problem if complete disfunction on offense we have seen every year under June
Bingo.
I agree we need to do some full on tackling but our defense is only a small part of the problem. It's primarily a complete lack of offensive consistency from a horrible passing attach the first couple of games (and it's not the pressure applied by the D), it's primarily wr's and qb's not being on the same page reading options, inaccurate passing, dropped passes, etc. We actually run the ball fairly well in the early games which takes more physicality. Oh, and being overmatched talent-wise...and i do think there's something to JJ looking at these games as "pre-season", tune up games
78pony wrote:Taking them to the ground is the only way anyone is participating full speed. Anything less is not. That simple. And mrydel is 100% correct when he notes that you cannot prepare for game speed without full contact to the ground.
Absolutely correct. It involves getting your head in the right place (across the bow), locking up (no shoving or arm tackling) and using your body.
You also need to practice tackling by actually tackling.
mrydel wrote:Anyone that has ever played the game knows that if you are not tackling to the ground you are letting up at the end. That is where the speed will beat you. A running back or receiver in a game will be a half step difference full speed as opposed to practicing full speed but letting up on the hitting. June needs to learn that we need to win nonconference games. They are not exhibition.
I agree with Mrydel you play like you practice. How could a kid possibly be ready for live game action against better athletes no less when you don't have at least minimal full contact game intensity play prior to the opening game?
Are the Top 10 teams all eliminating full contact from practices?
I think most college teams have limited contact after spring training. I admit, I haven't been to practices or spring practice, etc. Nonetheless, the hardest hitting is generally done in spring training. I'm sure timing on passing drills, routes, etc. are paramount at this time...fine tune the game. Lots of running too. However, like I said, I haven't seen enough to really have an opinion on SMU practices.
