Just perusing threads here on a lovely Sunday morning before golf and was thinking about this team:
- That jump around video is so refreshing to see. It just seemed like the program had gotten stale over the last few years. Very tight, rigid, lot of guys leaving, not a lot of fun. Obviously we know about the culture issues, particular guys causing problems, but what we saw yesterday would suggest maybe we have come full circle. Partying in the middle of the field of a road game, just wow. Wiscy had to be shell shocked seeing that. New young coaches, some new faces, kids are having fun. And let me tell you, that recruits. When recruits visit, that type of atmosphere is genuine, easy to see. Let’s make sure Domani gets every angle of that party from yesterday!
- Klatts comments about relying on talent previously to win, and more important, the talent gap. Such a good observation. JH took over a fairly loaded roster and those first few years, held it together pretty well. But as the talent either didn’t develop or we got young for various reasons, the talent gaps narrowed with a lot of the Big 10 teams. DB’s defense was damn near entirely based on having better talent. Well we didn’t, and we lost because of it. Talent matters. But setting players up for success matters as well. Overloads, scheme that allows players to react instead of think, just seems like better concepts being put in play. The great and exciting thing, especially on D, there is still a lot of potential growth given how newly installed the concepts are. By years end, this D may really be a force.
- Love the timing of the bye week. Will have gotten to play some better teams (maybe not as good as expected but still challenges) but a perfect time to get guys rested, but an even better time to continue to build concepts both offensively and defensively. This is the most exciting piece to me, as I think we have a chance to really take a step forward after the bye.
- Clean football. What a wonderful thing. Limited penalties, damn near no turnovers, great special teams, attention to the small things pays off big. As much as we run the football, our guys have been so good with the ball. Cade as well. We are making teams work for everything. That will keep you in just about every game if you can maintain it.
- Lastly, the QB position. I was vocal about wanting to see JJ sooner than later. A lot of that was based on the fact that it does appear this team could make a run, partly because of the changes, but also because OSU has some holes and overall CFB top end talent is down, considerably. I do not think a game manager can take us there which is why I wanted one of two things, JJ or for the offense to be more tailored to Cade’s strengths.
We are where we are now though. I don’t think JJ taking over is an option anymore so all in on Cade but also this concept of bringing JJ in for certain stuff. By years end, having the ability to switch things up could be huge. It could really press on a defense and cause them to have to game plan for different looks. It also gives JH a potential spark plug if we are struggling.
Cade is hard to figure out. At times, he looks very good. When he is in rhythm, he throws a nice ball, an accurate ball, and on time ball. When he’s not, he has terrible fundamentals and seems to struggle seeing the field. What he has done is stayed upright and not turned it over. We need Cade to take another step forward. He can, and I hope he does. The film is there for him to see and learn.
Pretty excited to be able to be excited about football again. Maybe we are a football school 😜
- That jump around video is so refreshing to see. It just seemed like the program had gotten stale over the last few years. Very tight, rigid, lot of guys leaving, not a lot of fun. Obviously we know about the culture issues, particular guys causing problems, but what we saw yesterday would suggest maybe we have come full circle. Partying in the middle of the field of a road game, just wow. Wiscy had to be shell shocked seeing that. New young coaches, some new faces, kids are having fun. And let me tell you, that recruits. When recruits visit, that type of atmosphere is genuine, easy to see. Let’s make sure Domani gets every angle of that party from yesterday!
- Klatts comments about relying on talent previously to win, and more important, the talent gap. Such a good observation. JH took over a fairly loaded roster and those first few years, held it together pretty well. But as the talent either didn’t develop or we got young for various reasons, the talent gaps narrowed with a lot of the Big 10 teams. DB’s defense was damn near entirely based on having better talent. Well we didn’t, and we lost because of it. Talent matters. But setting players up for success matters as well. Overloads, scheme that allows players to react instead of think, just seems like better concepts being put in play. The great and exciting thing, especially on D, there is still a lot of potential growth given how newly installed the concepts are. By years end, this D may really be a force.
- Love the timing of the bye week. Will have gotten to play some better teams (maybe not as good as expected but still challenges) but a perfect time to get guys rested, but an even better time to continue to build concepts both offensively and defensively. This is the most exciting piece to me, as I think we have a chance to really take a step forward after the bye.
- Clean football. What a wonderful thing. Limited penalties, damn near no turnovers, great special teams, attention to the small things pays off big. As much as we run the football, our guys have been so good with the ball. Cade as well. We are making teams work for everything. That will keep you in just about every game if you can maintain it.
- Lastly, the QB position. I was vocal about wanting to see JJ sooner than later. A lot of that was based on the fact that it does appear this team could make a run, partly because of the changes, but also because OSU has some holes and overall CFB top end talent is down, considerably. I do not think a game manager can take us there which is why I wanted one of two things, JJ or for the offense to be more tailored to Cade’s strengths.
We are where we are now though. I don’t think JJ taking over is an option anymore so all in on Cade but also this concept of bringing JJ in for certain stuff. By years end, having the ability to switch things up could be huge. It could really press on a defense and cause them to have to game plan for different looks. It also gives JH a potential spark plug if we are struggling.
Cade is hard to figure out. At times, he looks very good. When he is in rhythm, he throws a nice ball, an accurate ball, and on time ball. When he’s not, he has terrible fundamentals and seems to struggle seeing the field. What he has done is stayed upright and not turned it over. We need Cade to take another step forward. He can, and I hope he does. The film is there for him to see and learn.
Pretty excited to be able to be excited about football again. Maybe we are a football school 😜
