RE: Official Game Thread: Charleston Southern (L 7-47)
Okay, that’s better (traveling through an airport can be a little tedious… I have some time before my next flight, so let’s go). Anyway, like I said, let’s holster the pitchforks for just a bit and taking into consideration numerous factors. I’m not trying to preach to the choir as everyone has their own opinion and that’s what these forms are all about anyway. They offer a venue to vent frustration and gloat over accomplishments. The latter will soon come.
As a former collegiate and professional player, I have to say there are so many facets. The average fan cannot possibly take into consideration. Because they are the ones forking over the funds for the tickets, they feel they have some brilliant insight as to what actually goes on. I’m not saying people can’t be upset, but my God, let’s put a couple things into perspective before we call out the hounds.
Player development and results-based outcomes: Everyone needs to be aware - the players everyone seems to be critiquing are being judged based on the how they stack up against their counterparts on the opposite line of scrimmage. Fact: 90% of the kids on that field are playing in their second or third game since graduating high school. The average freshmen is 18 years old and they normally ride the pine for their first two years unless they are very special. That means the guys on the other side of the scrimmage line average between 20 and 22-year-old juniors and seniors. These are grown men, who have been in the weight room pushing the testosterone around for four years longer than the young Bucs. When you look at the size of the lineman on both sides of the ball (Bus) there are some good frames with a lot of room to grow. I was actually pleasantly surprised to see that the O & D lines are not being crushed. In fact, they seem to be holding their own, which is huge. Make no mistake, take a kid, true freshman or RF, (which is all ETSU has) line them up against 20-22-year-old jacked up upperclassman, and take note what you normally see. In this case, you don’t see that – advantage ETSU.
This year’s recruiting class: Has anyone really taken notice of this year’s recruiting class. No? That’s because 90% of them are sitting in the stands redshirting. You normally RS your players to give them the extra year in the weight room, classroom, and playbook. Players coming straight out of high school (17-18 year olds) do not possess the time management skills necessary to excel on the field and in the classroom. If you compare the 2015 recruiting class to the 2014 class, you will see noticeable differences. No disrespect to the current roster, in fact, you have to take your hats off to these fine young men because they could have gone elsewhere, but chose to stay at a school for a year without anything (equipment, weights, uniforms) heck, they didn’t even have coaches just one year ago. If you go back and look at the HUDL film on the 2015 class (the ones on scholarship), you will see they are much bigger and faster than where the 2014 class started out. Compare that with how the Bucs matched up against CSU 18-19 year olds, and you see that ETSU is right on par with them. And remember, the CSU 18-19 year olds benefited more by signing on to a program already established with coaches, facilities, equipment, etc. Again – advantage ETSU.
Next Recruiting class: When a new stadium breaks ground, and ETSU suits up to play in the SoCon, recruiting will get even better. Recruiting will not dip based on last year’s record. Some kids will go elsewhere, but trust me, 80% of players want to get on the field. I recruited for an FBS team in FL years ago. If players think they can play some downs as a freshmen/sophomore, they will do it. (Big fish in a little pond theory) Why be 6th on the DC with only hopes of getting in, when you can jump start your career early. Push, to Slight advantage.
Coaching: Good lord. You would think this team was playing for 10 years! It’s been three games with all freshmen! Everyone needs to take note that the two main guys on this team (HC and OC) have more than 20 Bowl games between them! So I think they know a little bit more than the average person throwing them under the bus. You don’t coach at the Division I level without knowing something. You don’t coach at the FBS level without knowing a lot. From my take, it appears the coaches are evaluating the talent against real competition. Real competition does not come on the practice field. You also have to develop your ones, twos and threes, and you have to get them reps. I will concede that number seven is ahead of the game further than number 19. But if you look at the 2015 class, there is a quarterback in there that on paper and film looks to surpass the incumbent. Not saying it will happen next year, but the competition alone will drive this team even further forward. You need a quarterback; you need a backup, and you need practice. You’ve got one of the best quarterback coaches in the country! And were going to bash them as if we know something better. There is a lot more to running a football program and coaching on the field. The operating structure, travel, PR, administration, scheduling, promoting, etc. are just a few of the things the staff has to do. Trust me, coaches would love to simply coach. Looking at the rest of the coaches in the SoCon, the two big guys half the resumes. If these guys would’ve been dropped into an FCS program that was already in existence - they would soon have a ranked team. Remember, it takes time. Definite advantage to ETSU.
Transfers: yes, there is some upstart with transfers and JUCO players, but the only way to field them is on a very limited basis. The impact to your scholarship structure is extremely diminished with these types of transactions. You may be able to absorb one on each side of the ball, but you really impact your scholarships when you start with three or more. The program will be fine. We live in a world of instant gratification. Sorry 49er fans, we saw how that worked out. You might when asked the Washington Redskins and the Buffalo Bills of years past their thoughts on buying a championship/playoff team. It’s the same with college.
In short, you’re watching a team of 18 and 19-year-old players who have not played more than 180 snaps of football since high school. To make matters worse, they are going up against teams who have already been in existence, and who are populated with juniors and seniors. They are naturally outweighed, and outgunned, but they are not afraid to take the field and put it all out on the line. Worse yet, if you don’t think that losing bothers them, or the staff your crazy. It’s the natural competitor in us that wants to win. But, they have formed a collective knowing that what they are doing today (fighting, working, grinding) will pay off soon enough. Give them time and stand by your team.
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