Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
We all saw what we saw.
Did you have the same impression as I did, after Wisconsin marched the field on the first drive? Going for 4th and 1 on your own side of the field in the first drive? Very obvious they had no fear.
Michigan punched back though, broken play, finding Ronnie, More Cow, Bell for a long gain to inside the 5. Great, We have them on their heels, we can punch this in and call it even. Here comes Ben Mason. Ok we have failed miserably on short yardage, lets bring back the hammer. Wait everyone is standing there looking at each other, the clock is ticking down. Timeout. Long commercial ensues. Wisconsin gets to catch their breath, react to the personnel. Fumble Game Over.
Not my words but straight from players on the team in the press conference. Reactions are everywhere, all bubbling up on Jimmy. That's how the world works, he knows it. He admitted it in the Press Conference. We got Outplayed, he said, We got out coached, he said. Acknowledgement is the first step of recovery. Unfortunately the comments by several of the players showed no acknowledgement. Many of the comments tried to minimize the issue. These guys aren't even in our division, they played really god and we didn't, they said. I found their reaction after the game more humiliating than their performance in the game. The comment of how great everyone played in the 4th Quarter from the Senior Safety should get you benched immediately
Guys, Wisconsin just stole your lunch money and de-pantsed you in the middle of the playground.
I see layers of issues here
Players
1) Can't hold the ball. That's on you. What's a coach need to do besides tell you, Hey Johnny, its really important that you don't drop the ball. This is how we lose games.
2) Do your assignments. Stay in your gap, If you go somewhere else, that area is not covered. Guess what, the other team has a bunch of guys with binoculars watching to see if you stay in your gap?
3) They other team on consecutive plays attempts to decapitate your QB. Honestly the first one was just football but the rules are the rules. The second one was a guy that has no respect for you and wants to see if you have any more lunch money that your mom sowed into your underwear. Dirty but that's the nature of the game. Did you see one Michigan Player charge that Safety after that play? Did you see Jimmy storm onto the field? Sure the ref's called the penalty and the kid was ejected. That's not the point! Where is this teams Pride! If you have to coach it into them you are screwed. Players have to Play and Players have to have the Warrior mentality. Somebody in Blue needs to get ejected on that play and get some rabbit punches in first.
Coaches
In my opinion coaching comes down to a few simple principles
1) Identify your strengths and develop strategies to exploit them against your opponent. I'll help
Gattis since I know you're new here. You have dominant Wide Receivers. You have at least 3 on the field all the time plus a tight end. Your QB is better on the run. He is Brett Favre not Tom Brady. Roll him out and let the routes develop. If they don't he'll run and he's pretty good at that if he isn't hurt.
2) Identify your weaknesses and develop strategies to minimize their exposure. You have no Defensive lineman.
3) Be prepared for what the other team is good at. Guess what, Wisconsin is going to run the ball between the tackles until you stop them. Playing your safeties 20 yards off the ball isn't the answer
4) Demand Fundamental techniques. Physical and mental and be able to exploit pockets of chaos. Like having a play ready on the second play of the game after a big drive, Gattis. Practice Quick Strike situations. Don't show that your just as surprised as everyone else in the Stadium that something worked. You must have a go to play that the team knows to call after any gain of more than 30 yards. It has a 1 word name and the QB is yelling the word running down the field. Run straight to the line of scrimmage, line up and go. Force the other team to burn a timeout.
Something is wrong here
Jimmy has lost his fire and enthusiasm, something has changed in him. Only he can solve that. I have faith in him. I hope the bunker mentality is setting in. You have seen enough to know who you can charge the hill with and who you can't. I know you can't fire everyone today but take charge, set some examples and make some toilet seats really warm in the coach's room and in the huddle.
I'd start with Gattis, Take away his play calling duties.
I'd be drafting my list of candidates for the next DC too. The performance against the last 3 top ten teams was dismal and that shit about exploring the Temple Head Coaching job during the offseason smelled.Mattison is still a bitch for quitting but it had its roots in something
The TV catching him saying "Fuck Me" after the illegal procedure penalty wiped out the team MVP Will, need at least one guy with some, Hart. pinning Wisconsin on the 3 yard line said a lot to me. Jimmy is not in a happy place right now. He knows it, I think he has known it for awhile and took a bit too much advice from those around him. Jimmy, Channel Bo, Not his play calling but his discipline, self confidence and passion
Where will the new leadership come from in the locker room? There seems to be a dearth here but we may have a couple of candidates. Jon Runyan and Aiden Hutchinson. I'm betting that John Sr. and Chris will have some blunt father/son discussions and impress on them what it means to be a Leader.
Moving on.
Rutgers may seem like good medicine but be wary. Its not clear we have a QB for this game. If we are starting Joe Milton and our 4th string running back things will be ugly. Defense will have to win the game. I expect a win, bet the farm on Rutgers and the spread though.
We'll be at the Corner this weekend, happily pontificating about how we'd solve everything. Stop by and Share with us!
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