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OptimisticOwl Offline
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Post: #61
RE: New football poster
(07-31-2018 10:35 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  
(07-31-2018 07:53 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  
(07-31-2018 06:26 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  I just don't see any way that better schemes and execution and discipline can fail to Play hard, play disciplined, and I think you could very well see a massive uptick. I'm going to pick somewhere in the range 4-7 wins. Will nail it down a bit tighter after I see more,
Until I see more, I will stick at 4, which I suspect may be generous. If we beat UH, or lose to PVAM, I will reconsider. But I guess it is time for the annual prediction thread. Twenty five days until conjecture starts to become reality.

Upon further review, it strikes me that one reason for our difference of opinion may be that I take a much dimmer view of the coaching philosophy (to the extent I can identify one) that was previously in effect. It really did look to me like the plan was always that we were going to keep forcing square pegs into round holes until we could recruit enough round pegs to make it work. It appeared to be based solely on out-athleting people, and I don't think that can work at Rice.

As Bum Phillips said, there are only two ways to improve--get better players or get the players you have to play better. There's only so far that the first one can take you by itself, and with Rice's restrictions and limitations, that's not far enough to support sustained winning. You can catch lightning in a bottle--and Bailiff did, twice--but that's not sustainable. You need to to do more of the second.

I think Bloomgren has a much better approach to doing the second--intellectual brutality--pound the rock, run the clock, and play great defense. I don't know how far the defense can come in a year. But at least I think we are now doing something that can work, and I expect that to make a difference.

In a way, you are right, but I see the coin from the other side - that you are putting too much stock into words and phrases. We had eleven years to judge the old regime by their results, and we have zero games for the new regime. All we have so far is hope and promises and some really good coachspeak. I guess I am just a bit more skeptical until we actually see something. I think of it like a horse race - you can look at practice times and bloodlines all you want but the real proof is in the race. Our horse has yet to run.

That's one reason I said let's get together after the season and discuss it. Then we will have some history to dissect.

One thing I worry about is that many people seem to be relying on a new attitude from the players. I think Rice players have taken the field every year since 1916 with a good attitude. But this September will be brutal. If Blomgren can keep up that attitude through September into October, maybe we will do better. But that is going to be a tough task.

Of course, a win or two in September would do wonders for that. But there I am, harping on wins again.

let's let the season unfold. Then let's talk when we have something concrete to talk about.
07-31-2018 11:20 PM
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Owl 69/70/75 Offline
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Post: #62
RE: New football poster
(07-31-2018 11:20 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  In a way, you are right, but I see the coin from the other side - that you are putting too much stock into words and phrases. We had eleven years to judge the old regime by their results, and we have zero games for the new regime. All we have so far is hope and promises and some really good coachspeak. I guess I am just a bit more skeptical until we actually see something. I think of it like a horse race - you can look at practice times and bloodlines all you want but the real proof is in the race. Our horse has yet to run.
That's one reason I said let's get together after the season and discuss it. Then we will have some history to dissect.
One thing I worry about is that many people seem to be relying on a new attitude from the players. I think Rice players have taken the field every year since 1916 with a good attitude. But this September will be brutal. If Blomgren can keep up that attitude through September into October, maybe we will do better. But that is going to be a tough task.
Of course, a win or two in September would do wonders for that. But there I am, harping on wins again.
let's let the season unfold. Then let's talk when we have something concrete to talk about.

Well, I've said repeatedly that I don't know whether this will work or not. What we know is that they have a plan and they seem capable of implementing it. And we now that if the last group had a plan, it failed. They have a plan and they have told us what it is. On that basis, I'm willing to give them a chance.
07-31-2018 11:57 PM
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OptimisticOwl Offline
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Post: #63
RE: New football poster
(07-31-2018 11:57 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  
(07-31-2018 11:20 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  In a way, you are right, but I see the coin from the other side - that you are putting too much stock into words and phrases. We had eleven years to judge the old regime by their results, and we have zero games for the new regime. All we have so far is hope and promises and some really good coachspeak. I guess I am just a bit more skeptical until we actually see something. I think of it like a horse race - you can look at practice times and bloodlines all you want but the real proof is in the race. Our horse has yet to run.
That's one reason I said let's get together after the season and discuss it. Then we will have some history to dissect.
One thing I worry about is that many people seem to be relying on a new attitude from the players. I think Rice players have taken the field every year since 1916 with a good attitude. But this September will be brutal. If Blomgren can keep up that attitude through September into October, maybe we will do better. But that is going to be a tough task.
Of course, a win or two in September would do wonders for that. But there I am, harping on wins again.
let's let the season unfold. Then let's talk when we have something concrete to talk about.

Well, I've said repeatedly that I don't know whether this will work or not. What we know is that they have a plan and they seem capable of implementing it. And we now that if the last group had a plan, it failed. They have a plan and they have told us what it is. On that basis, I'm willing to give them a chance.

Me, too. Of course, they don't need my willingness to give them a chance. They will have it. Back to the horse race, they are in the paddock. I am just not ready to declare victory before. the race starts.

I hope our horse starts fast and has stamina. I hope the jockey is as good as we hope.

Good luck to all of us.
08-01-2018 12:27 AM
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Ourland Offline
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Post: #64
RE: New football poster
At this point, a win is a win. Style points are for the schools in the top 25. What I think Optimistic Owl is saying that this will be a tough year no matter the coaching. We aren't full of talent. Yes, Rice must out- discipline and over- execute each opponent, but lets not assume that it can be entirely done in the first season. Freshmen and sophomores will be all over the field. There's no depth. This is going to hurt.
(This post was last modified: 08-01-2018 12:56 AM by Ourland.)
08-01-2018 12:50 AM
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Owl 69/70/75 Offline
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Post: #65
RE: New football poster
(08-01-2018 12:27 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  Me, too. Of course, they don't need my willingness to give them a chance. They will have it. Back to the horse race, they are in the paddock. I am just not ready to declare victory before. the race starts.
I hope our horse starts fast and has stamina. I hope the jockey is as good as we hope.
Good luck to all of us.

I think the stamina is more important than the fast start. Something good will happen at some point. When it does, I want us to sustain and grow on it. What was wrong with 2008 was that it was followed by 2009-2011, and what was wrong with 2013 is that it was followed by 2015-2017, That's what I do not want to see.

The horses are still in the paddock, but at least this time we seem to have a jockey with a plan that could work, which is different from before. Will it work? I don't know. But at least it has a chance.
08-01-2018 08:40 AM
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Owl 69/70/75 Offline
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Post: #66
RE: New football poster
(08-01-2018 12:50 AM)Ourland Wrote:  At this point, a win is a win. Style points are for the schools in the top 25. What I think Optimistic Owl is saying that this will be a tough year no matter the coaching. We aren't full of talent. Yes, Rice must out- discipline and over- execute each opponent, but lets not assume that it can be entirely done in the first season. Freshmen and sophomores will be all over the field. There's no depth. This is going to hurt.

Exactly. And that's why I'm saying that I'll measure this year qualitatively rather than quantitatively.

All we have right now is a plan that has a chance to work. That's more than we've had. If I see something that looks like the pieces of that plan coming together, I'll be happy.

And no, not false starting or not blowing assignments or not taking stupid penalties or not making silly mental errors are not style points. They are how you win football games.

What am I really looking for? It's like Justice Potter Stewart and pornography, I'll know it when I see it.
08-01-2018 08:46 AM
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OptimisticOwl Offline
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Post: #67
RE: New football poster
(08-01-2018 08:40 AM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  
(08-01-2018 12:27 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  Me, too. Of course, they don't need my willingness to give them a chance. They will have it. Back to the horse race, they are in the paddock. I am just not ready to declare victory before. the race starts.
I hope our horse starts fast and has stamina. I hope the jockey is as good as we hope.
Good luck to all of us.

I think the stamina is more important than the fast start. Something good will happen at some point. When it does, I want us to sustain and grow on it. What was wrong with 2008 was that it was followed by 2009-2011, and what was wrong with 2013 is that it was followed by 2015-2017, That's what I do not want to see.

The horses are still in the paddock, but at least this time we seem to have a jockey with a plan that could work, which is different from before. Will it work? I don't know. But at least it has a chance.

There are a lot of people at the betting windows laying their money on the horse because of the jockey. But the jockey, like the horse, is a first-timer.

Yeah, he/we/they have a chance. A better chance than the Dumb/Dumberer chance. A lot of potential for dramatic improvement.But potential means ya ain't dun it yet. Lets watch the season. let's see how many false starts they have, and more importantly, if they come at crucial points. lets see how well the new schemes work. lets see how the morale holds up. lets see how the new parts work. lets see how often all this translates into a win. Then at the end of the season, lets talk. Right now, we are just a couple of bettors in line.

Good Luck to us during the race.

And then the job will become, whatever the outcome of the race this year, to do better next year.
(This post was last modified: 08-01-2018 09:23 AM by OptimisticOwl.)
08-01-2018 09:23 AM
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Owl 69/70/75 Offline
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Post: #68
RE: New football poster
All I'm saying is that what I see is a plan. I know what they are trying to do. That's a change.

I don't know whether it will work or not. Stanford says it can work, but Stanford is not Rice.

What I'm looking for is indications that the plan is working. Since the plan is, "pound the rock, run the clock, and play great defense," working would probably look something like an effective running game, having over 50% of possession time, and a sound defense that at the very least does not give up big plays routinely. And yes, I expect to see better preparation, execution, and focus, but ten years of conversation with you on this subject has convinced me that is Potter Stewart stuff.

How does that play out in terms of wins and losses? That depends on how far along the plan is. Maybe 3 wins if the plan is not very far along, 7 if it is pretty far along. That's the range.

For the record, the plan is not exactly the one that I would like best. I'm more inclined to combine Fred's approach with Ken's and say, "play great defense, win the kicking game, and do something contrarian on offense," But as long as the "play great defense" part is there, I think it's a good plan that can work.
(This post was last modified: 08-01-2018 11:35 AM by Owl 69/70/75.)
08-01-2018 11:34 AM
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OptimisticOwl Offline
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Post: #69
RE: New football poster
(08-01-2018 11:34 AM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  All I'm saying is that what I see is a plan. I know what they are trying to do. That's a change.

I don't know whether it will work or not. Stanford says it can work, but Stanford is not Rice.

What I'm looking for is indications that the plan is working. Since the plan is, "pound the rock, run the clock, and play great defense," working would probably look something like an effective running game, having over 50% of possession time, and a sound defense that at the very least does not give up big plays routinely. And yes, I expect to see better preparation, execution, and focus, but ten years of conversation with you on this subject has convinced me that is Potter Stewart stuff.

How does that play out in terms of wins and losses? That depends on how far along the plan is. Maybe 3 wins if the plan is not very far along, 7 if it is pretty far along. That's the range.

For the record, the plan is not exactly the one that I would like best. I'm more inclined to combine Fred's approach with Ken's and say, "play great defense, win the kicking game, and do something contrarian on offense," But as long as the "play great defense" part is there, I think it's a good plan that can work.

I guess the "great defense" is where Bloomgren differs from Hatfield?

"play great defense, win the kicking game, and do something contrarian on offense,"

I like that too.

All good plans.

I want to see them walk the walk, not just talk the talk.
08-01-2018 11:43 AM
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Owl 69/70/75 Offline
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Post: #70
RE: New football poster
(08-01-2018 11:43 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  I guess the "great defense" is where Bloomgren differs from Hatfield?
"play great defense, win the kicking game, and do something contrarian on offense,"
I like that too.
All good plans.
I want to see them walk the walk, not just talk the talk.

Hat's teams played pretty good defense for a while, but lost that in the end. It wasn't his old fashioned offense that was the problem. In the game that marked the beginning of the end for Hat, that offense scored 63.

Lots of good plans in a vacuum. Whether they fit Rice is another matter. I think the one you quoted is the best one, that's why I like it. But if they can make theirs work, more power to them. We shall see.
(This post was last modified: 08-02-2018 12:22 AM by Owl 69/70/75.)
08-01-2018 12:20 PM
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Almadenmike Offline
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Post: #71
RE: New football poster
(08-01-2018 12:20 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  In the game that marked the beginning of the end for Hat, that offense scored 63.

... without the team's starting fullback, who had apparently been held out due to a team rules violation.

I've long wondered what might have been if that violation hadn't occurred ... and/or if the Spartans' late 4Q 4th down Hail Mary pass had been batted down to the ground rather than intercepted deep in our own territory.
08-02-2018 12:12 AM
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WRCisforgotten79 Offline
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Post: #72
RE: New football poster
I'm still waiting on that new football poster. Almost all of the usual people have posted, but I haven't seen anyone new.
08-02-2018 12:42 AM
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westsidewolf1989 Offline
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Post: #73
RE: New football poster
(08-02-2018 12:42 AM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote:  I'm still waiting on that new football poster. Almost all of the usual people have posted, but I haven't seen anyone new.

03-lmfao
08-02-2018 12:05 PM
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cr11owl Offline
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Post: #74
RE: New football poster
Not sure where to put this but they’ve really upped our graphics game. Not sure if it’s more budget for a better staff or what but A+.

Seems like every day the coaches or recruits have new stuff to share on Twitter. That carries weight with recruits and at least we’re on par with others now.
08-02-2018 05:13 PM
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Antarius Offline
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Post: #75
RE: New football poster
(08-02-2018 12:05 PM)westsidewolf1989 Wrote:  
(08-02-2018 12:42 AM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote:  I'm still waiting on that new football poster. Almost all of the usual people have posted, but I haven't seen anyone new.

03-lmfao

What can you say? We attract a ton of new fans... oh wait
08-03-2018 02:00 AM
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georgewebb Offline
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Post: #76
RE: New football poster
(07-28-2018 05:59 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  
(07-28-2018 04:05 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  he lights up every time he talks about it and explains the philosophy.

I have never heard the philosophy explained.

Maybe you could explain it for me?

I'm OK with smashmouth football. I am OK with controlled and selective aggression.
Football is a tough and physical sport. But I associate brutality with cruelty.

Your observation reminded me (as many things do) of a comment by Winston Churchill, on a topic that really was a matter of life and death, not just for individuals but for civilisation. In October 1939, reporting to the nation on the Royal Navy's efforts in the newly-declared war to hunt and kill German U-boats, he said that the Navy was
Quote: hunting them day and night -- I shall not say without mercy, because God forbid we should ever part company with that -- but at any rate with zeal, and not altogether without relish.

As an approach to war-making, I love this description. And though I have not heard a recording of it, I can certainly imagine Churchill giving eager emphasis to the operative nouns mercy, zeal, and (especially) relish.
(This post was last modified: 08-06-2018 11:49 AM by georgewebb.)
08-06-2018 09:59 AM
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