Hello fellow rice fans. Here we are embarking upon another season. Expectations are high and everything is great.

Well through social media I was able to connect with with some rice brass. Let me say I was given such a fresh breath of air talking and going on a tour that I actually have more than cautious optimism for this season and the future of this football program.

1. I took some college tours this summer with my boys and I am SO HAPPY to announce that i got the same feel from our facilities(patterson) as what I got from sec and acc schools. It was clean, it was striking, it was(gasp) new age. So happy to see this.

2. I spoke with the head coach, very impressed. He's a straight shooting guy. I like that. He gets we aren't where we need to be but he's happy with their current progress(not speaking x's and o's). I honestly agree with him. The start is awesome. I've never felt like Rice was a top choice for my kids coming from me, but after seeing what i saw, it is.

If every year we make strides like what i'm seeing off the field we will see an on field upswing. Currently i'm highly optimistic this program will put a product on the field and, I've never said this, off the field also(facilities recruiting stadium upgrades). I plan to stay for practice. I'll give my honest assessments of what I see. I don't think they're in full pads yet so I know I want get the full effect I want but I still know how to evaluate, lol.

Good day and God bless, your resident problem starter.(got me some rice gear too lol)

Nightowl, I think you know that these are areas where I trust your judgement. Thanks for the comments. And good day and God bless you and your family, as well.

Thanks for the vote of confidence. I really was impressed. More impressed than I ever have been coming to our facilities. Typically I tell my kids this is the difference between big time college ball and mid level but honestly it looked the same. I was so pleased to see these upgrades. I wanted to stay but the ongoing lightening strikes keeps delaying practice. I'm about to cut out.

Great input Nightowl. Thanks

Very exciting to hear. Thanks a bunch, and hope the college visits went well for the kiddos

(07-30-2018 07:01 PM)nightowl24 Wrote:  Thanks for the vote of confidence. I really was impressed. More impressed than I ever have been coming to our facilities. Typically I tell my kids this is the difference between big time college ball and mid level but honestly it looked the same. I was so pleased to see these upgrades. I wanted to stay but the ongoing lightening strikes keeps delaying practice. I'm about to cut out.

Good to hear.

Thanks for the report. The facilities comment is important because it reinforces what many of the recruits are saying in their tweets.

(07-31-2018 10:49 AM)Tiki Owl Wrote:  Thanks for the report. The facilities comment is important because it reinforces what many of the recruits are saying in their tweets.

The new regime has done a really nice job of dressing up the facilities with graphics, banners, etc. to make it look more visually appealing. Functionally, it's the same as what Bailiff had his last two years, but it pops more to the recruits.

The one thing that a lot of schools are doing now that we have fallen behind on is digital displays on the lockers... Also, we don't have a barber shop and what not.

This is great to hear, thanks!

(07-31-2018 11:20 AM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  

(07-31-2018 10:49 AM)Tiki Owl Wrote:  Thanks for the report. The facilities comment is important because it reinforces what many of the recruits are saying in their tweets.

The new regime has done a really nice job of dressing up the facilities with graphics, banners, etc. to make it look more visually appealing. Functionally, it's the same as what Bailiff had his last two years, but it pops more to the recruits.

The one thing that a lot of schools are doing now that we have fallen behind on is digital displays on the lockers... Also, we don't have a barber shop and what not.

The new graphics and additions are very nice looking. I seem to recall that these were items that were planned to be incorporated into the facility. I also recall seeing a render that had a more impressive wall of interlinked flat screens in the main meeting area.

Where I think we could potentially increase our facility impact is 1.) to purchase more STRIVR units for more reps and 2.) consult with the makers of STRIVR and investigate whether the application can become a virtual reality trainer for linebackers and safeties as a supplement to film study to help recognize formations and tendencies. That would have been a boon to our safeties when we were a 4-2-5 team.

1. I don't see it functionally the same. I was there during the Bailiff regime and it most definitely is not the same.

2. They do have the interlocking TV screens. Among south stadium seating, monogrammed leather cushions seating, and great decor.

3. They have virtual reality for the qbs. Safeties and lbs imo can't benefit from this because things change with collisions and rerouting. It's better for qbs, which is what we do have in place. You can recognize formations from film study.

What we have in place right now is light years from before. No we don't have TVs in ever locker but honestly what do you need that for? THAT isn't functional. That's extra bs. We have is God awfully nice. The locker room is beautiful. The lounge area is wonderful(could be a little better but still great). What we have in place is on par from what I've seen recently. We're are going in the right direction.

(07-31-2018 05:29 PM)nightowl24 Wrote:  1. I don't see it functionally the same. I was there during the Bailiff regime and it most definitely is not the same.

2. They do have the interlocking TV screens. Among south stadium seating, monogrammed leather cushions seating, and great decor.

3. They have virtual reality for the qbs. Safeties and lbs imo can't benefit from this because things change with collisions and rerouting. It's better for qbs, which is what we do have in place. You can recognize formations from film study.

What we have in place right now is light years from before. No we don't have TVs in ever locker but honestly what do you need that for? THAT isn't functional. That's extra bs. We have is God awfully nice. The locker room is beautiful. The lounge area is wonderful(could be a little better but still great). What we have in place is on par from what I've seen recently. We're are going in the right direction.

What I meant is that there’s been no additions in square footage, etc.

(07-31-2018 05:29 PM)nightowl24 Wrote:  1. I don't see it functionally the same. I was there during the Bailiff regime and it most definitely is not the same.

2. They do have the interlocking TV screens. Among south stadium seating, monogrammed leather cushions seating, and great decor.

3. They have virtual reality for the qbs. Safeties and lbs imo can't benefit from this because things change with collisions and rerouting. It's better for qbs, which is what we do have in place. You can recognize formations from film study.

What we have in place right now is light years from before. No we don't have TVs in ever locker but honestly what do you need that for? THAT isn't functional. That's extra bs. We have is God awfully nice. The locker room is beautiful. The lounge area is wonderful(could be a little better but still great). What we have in place is on par from what I've seen recently. We're are going in the right direction.

Night Owl - I am an old lurker but avid Owl fan(read Neely-era). I have always treasured your posts and find these refreshing and very, very positive as to the direction the program will be heading in the next few years. I also find it positive that you have remained loyal to your alma mater despite the up and mostly downs over the past 50+ years. I hope that your children have the opportunity to attend Rice and continue that relationship.

Best wishes to you and the family!
grOWLer

(07-31-2018 05:29 PM)nightowl24 Wrote:  No we don't have TVs in ever locker but honestly what do you need that for? THAT isn't functional. That's extra bs.

Thank you for stating this important perspective, nightowl. Rice should strive to be the best without the bs.

Night owl-sure like to see a weekly post.......

Nice to see you post.

I will disagree on the facility though.the much vaunted EZF is still functional but far from exceptional. Especially comparing the overall stadium and experience.

The facility meets functional. That's about the extent I have seen. And what I have seen is a adequate but not needle moving setup.

(08-03-2018 02:13 AM)Antarius Wrote:  Nice to see you post.

I will disagree on the facility though.the much vaunted EZF is still functional but far from exceptional. Especially comparing the overall stadium and experience.

The facility meets functional. That's about the extent I have seen. And what I have seen is a adequate but not needle moving setup.

When is the last time you were there? Is it fully all the way live? No, but it's on its way. Trust me I've been harder and AM harder on Rice than almost anyone. The old faithful here can vouch for that. My level of accountability for this school is very high, but in this case what i'm seeing is different. I'm seeing them try to be more on par with other schools. Like I said I went to 1 sec school and 1 acc school here recently and I can honestly say what I saw gave me the same feeling. So I'll stick to my guns on this one.

(08-01-2018 06:33 AM)texowl2 Wrote:  Night owl-sure like to see a weekly post.......

Too hard to get to rice weekly. My boys got practice, games, training, plus I have to just spend time being a silly dad with them. Maybe later in life when I actually have time to ger out there weekly. Just not feasible right now. I do plan to actually come to a game or two this year and TiVo as many games as I can, n which I'll give my take.

(07-31-2018 05:46 PM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  

(07-31-2018 05:29 PM)nightowl24 Wrote:  1. I don't see it functionally the same. I was there during the Bailiff regime and it most definitely is not the same.

2. They do have the interlocking TV screens. Among south stadium seating, monogrammed leather cushions seating, and great decor.

3. They have virtual reality for the qbs. Safeties and lbs imo can't benefit from this because things change with collisions and rerouting. It's better for qbs, which is what we do have in place. You can recognize formations from film study.

What we have in place right now is light years from before. No we don't have TVs in ever locker but honestly what do you need that for? THAT isn't functional. That's extra bs. We have is God awfully nice. The locker room is beautiful. The lounge area is wonderful(could be a little better but still great). What we have in place is on par from what I've seen recently. We're are going in the right direction.

What I meant is that there’s been no additions in square footage, etc.

Where would you like more square footage? What I saw was much bigger than anything I've seen and nicer than anything I've ever seen at the rice the past 21yrs.

My understanding is that there have been major changes in the last couple of weeks. There is a real sense around the program that the facility has been greatly improved with recent additions.