We need to stop bad-mouthing the players

Submitted by mi93 on

Once upon a time, in my professional life, I learned a very important lesson – it does not matter how talented, how smart, or how capable the people around you happen to be if your leadership does not develop you or provide the tools for you to be successful.

We are quick to tell 18-to-22 year-old young men that ‘they suck’.  That they are failures.  That they are incompetent.  Thanks to the accessibility of the interwebs, believe me, we’re telling them directly, with our anonymity in hand.

Jake Ryan did not all of a sudden become a bad football player.  He’s no longer being put in a position to succeed.  Blake Countess did not all of a sudden become a bad cornerback.  He too, is not being placed in a position to play to his strengths.  And as Devin Gardner was our late season savior when Denard was hurt, he’s not regressing because his skills disappeared.  Again, he’s not being put in a position to win.  He’s not being developed by his coaches.  Frankly, he’s spent his last 18 fall Saturdays running for his life.  And I don’t blame him.

Every one of our threads should be about the coaches.  If these coaches had demonstrated any competency in consistently developing players, then maybe college students deserve our ire for underperforming.  Ask yourselves, how might Devin be performing in Rich Rod’s offense?  How would Jake and Blake be performing if we hadn’t changed defensive philosophy over the off-season?

Changing offensive coordinators may have been a good move, but we won’t know under this head coach.  Mid-managers need good leaders just as much as front-line team members.  On another note, how might things be different if the coordinators got to choose their assistants and position coaches?  Would there be a different O-line or RB coach?

And like Rich Rod forcing two defensive coordinators to implement a defensive scheme neither understood, changing defensive philosophies is potentially a sign of desperation by this regime as well.

Brady Hoke is in over his head.  It is clear.  And until the young men wearing maize and blue on Saturdays get the benefit of capable leadership, they deserve better than our slings and arrows.

EDIT: In reply to a mod comment below, I'm in total agreement with comments on technique and play (i.e., decision making).  The crux of my post, however, is that when that point may be made week, after week, after week, ad infinitum, this is clearly not a player issue.  It's preparedness.  It's coaching.

Baloo

October 25th, 2014 at 6:11 PM ^

Normally, I agree, but today these guys have displayed some pretty piss-poor focus and heart.  The coaches can only do so much. The drive out of halftime had some really nice calls and the players were so clearly not in the game.  At some point, they need to take some responsibility.

I mean as I type this, Funchess drops a wide open touchdown and Gardner goes down 1 foot short of the first down.  Give me a fucking break.

MGoDC

October 25th, 2014 at 6:14 PM ^

Totally agree. At least the 3-9 Threet/Sheridan years had some players who looked like they gave a crap. This team is not just an embarassment on the field, but most of these guys are totally unlikeable off the field as well. Arrogant as shit and an absolute disgrace to the game of football.

Can't wait to hear the players blame the fans again for lack of support while they and the coaching staff shit the bed yet again.

MGoDC

October 25th, 2014 at 7:07 PM ^

Rape -- Gibbons

Intimidation of rape victim -- Lewan

Fights -- Lewan, York

Home Invasion -- Clark

"Wins and Losses are just a statistic" -- Funchess

"The Michigan Brand is strong" -- Bolden channelling his inner Dave Brandon even though our team is a fucking embarassment

"We're going to run college football" -- Drake Harris even though he is terrible and the team hasn't done a damn thing since he came here

And pretty much every player who has been shifting blame from themselves and the coaching staff onto the fans. Passing the buck in the most cowardly way possible.

Bluesnu

October 25th, 2014 at 7:30 PM ^

Along those lines, even though everyone praised it at the time, I actua was turned off by Hagerup's letter to the team. Notably when he wrote "Finally, play for yourself. Pride in yourself means that, win or lose, you worked and competed as hard as you possibly could until the schedule provided no more games to play."

It just seemed a far cry from "The team, The team, The team."

Tucker_Malcolm

October 25th, 2014 at 7:42 PM ^

'most of these guys are totally unlikeable off the field as well.'

 

What a fucking lame excuse to go and turn on your players. Criticise the players and the coaching staff for their performances all you want, but don't try to justify further vitriol by saying 'most' of these guys are unlikable people. Every team in the nation has, at least, a handful of players suspended for serious offenses. If we had beaten State, this bullshit about the flaws of their moral character wouldn't have even popped in your mind.

mi93

October 25th, 2014 at 6:15 PM ^

your heart is 100% "in it" for every bad boss you've every had?

Bad, uninspiring leadership will never get the best out of anyone on the team.  Anyone on a team that doesn't execute or play hard is not being properly led, developed, motivated, etc., etc., etc.

And if not that, they don't belong on the team.

BlueVball8

October 25th, 2014 at 6:09 PM ^

Until we get rid of the AD who watches video with the coordinators we will not know. We need to get rid of everyone that is associated with the Football Program.

BlueVball8

October 25th, 2014 at 6:10 PM ^

Until we get rid of the AD who watches video with the coordinators we will not know. We need to get rid of everyone that is associated with the Football Program.

BlueVball8

October 25th, 2014 at 6:10 PM ^

Until we get rid of the AD who watches video with the coordinators we will not know. We need to get rid of everyone that is associated with the Football Program.

RedGreene

October 25th, 2014 at 6:11 PM ^

Until we get rid of the AD who watches video with the coordinators we will not know. We need to get rid of everyone that is associated with the Football Program.

RedGreene

October 25th, 2014 at 6:12 PM ^

Until we get rid of the AD who watches video with the coordinators we will not know. We need to get rid of everyone that is associated with the Football Program.

RedGreene

October 25th, 2014 at 6:12 PM ^

Until we get rid of the AD who watches video with the coordinators we will not know. We need to get rid of everyone that is associated with the Football Program.

RedGreene

October 25th, 2014 at 6:12 PM ^

Until we get rid of the AD who watches video with the coordinators we will not know. We need to get rid of everyone that is associated with the Football Program.

Ryno2317

October 25th, 2014 at 6:13 PM ^

I most agree with this topic, however, it is clear Gardner does not really want to play football anymore.  Don't get me wrong,it would tough to keep your passion when you are getting the snot kicked out of you every week, however, he doesn't want to be out there.  I have never seen a player get so much worse the more he plays.  Play for next year.  Playing Gardner more doesn't do anyone any good.  My God.  

The Baughz

October 25th, 2014 at 6:13 PM ^

They are D1 athletes. Criticism comes with the territory. If they can't handle it they should quit playing sports. The coaches and players deserve every ounce of criticism they receive when they play like garbage. This team has gotten worse and worse. They play with 0 heart. It's embarrassing.



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aiglick

October 25th, 2014 at 6:16 PM ^

Most people are not.

Most of us want this undeserving staff to get out of town. I give Hoke credit for going for it although it looks like the trend of losing points every year is going to continue. They didn't give up but we have been trounced again. This team as a whole is bad. Our head coach and athletic director should be gone Monday. At this point they both are going to be back next. Screw that.

I'm just so pissed and this needs to get fixed. Otherwise we the fans need to do our duty and boycott this program until the problems are solved. Just an opinion of course take that for what you want and you are certainly entitled to yours.

Edit: sorry should have read the whole thread. We seem to agree. Nice thread.

WolverineinSB

October 25th, 2014 at 6:14 PM ^

They are terrible. They sign up to play this game. If they are bad they need to expect some criticism. Not saying people should be racist or mean about their character but if they play bad we shouldn't say that no one should be critical of their performance.


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LSAClassOf2000

October 25th, 2014 at 6:15 PM ^

The board rule is pretty clear on this - you can indeed criticize play and technique when it comes to players, or individual in-game decisions and things like that. As long as it pertains to football, it is generally OK. What you may not do - and really not many people cross this line in comparison the whole of the board - is throw abuse or ad hominems at the players. That is Bolivia waiting to happen. 

wigeon

October 25th, 2014 at 6:15 PM ^

Than 100 yards in offense. Our defense has heart. We are just as, if not more talented player for player as any team in the B1G.

Coaching. Scheme. Preparation. Attention to detail.

We have none of the above.

RobM_24

October 25th, 2014 at 6:16 PM ^

They receive scholarships to play. There are expectations to perform athletically. Otherwise, give those scholarships to kids who thrive in academics instead, and we can just drop the football program.

UMForLife

October 25th, 2014 at 6:25 PM ^

Right on. Now, they are going to get more money. This BS support the players need to stop. We are not telling them to leave the college. All we are saying is they don't play with heart and develop skill.

I still wish them all the best in their academic career. Just stop playing football, if you can't play with pride.

Ryno2317

October 25th, 2014 at 6:16 PM ^

Also, how many times do our players have to be on the recieving end of cheap shots before anyone .-- I mean ANYONE -- stands up for them??  We are taking vicious cheap shots pretty much every week and nobody on responds/retaliates??  This is not Michigan.  

BornSinner

October 25th, 2014 at 6:17 PM ^

Can we badmouth Mike Hart for saying the most arrogant disrespectful thing a person can say about a rival and cursing UM football ever since. 

 

Sad Panda... :(

4godkingandwol…

October 25th, 2014 at 6:47 PM ^

... Being successful doesn't give you a right to be a jerk. However, to pin our lack of success on something as silly as trash talk that occurred 8? Years ago is the height if naivety. Msu is successful because they have great coaching that is supported by a solid and stable athletic department and alumni community. Our downfall began with horrible succession planning, an unwillingness to adapt, and ineffectual leadership. Everything else is symptomatic of those issues.