Postby Po Monkey Lounger » Tue Sep 19, 2006 11:52 am
Bigwater's comments about MSU's history of not having great QBs is what leads me to conclude that the spread offense would be well suited for MSU. Most of the time, the spread utilizes a one back set. MSU has had good RBs in its history and seems to do just fine recruiting RBs. Also the QBs do not have to be great to run this system effectively --- they need accuracy on the short to mid-range routes, and a quick release. The OL only needs to be able to hold off the opposing DL for a couple of seconds. If the QBs are short, it does not seem to matter. And the WRs just need some size and the ability to catch the football. WRs with great speed are not required. Memphis has implemented and run a spread for the last several years and has done well with it. Missouri runs a spread, and you saw what they did to UM a couple of weekends ago. It would mean starting over on offense; but if things continue this season the way they are now, what would MSU have to lose?
Stitch, I disagree that UM and MSU are simply pre-determined to remain mediocre forever. What each school needs are coaches who are more committed to winning and finding ways to win, than to making excuses. Other schools the same size and even smaller than UM and MSU are having great success in football. It starts up top with the administration at each school. If the administration does not believe we can win, and has the mindset of "poor little UM or MSU", then we are beat from the git go, because the commitment to winning and excellence will not be there. With the right committment to athletics and right forward thinking administrators in place, there is no reason that UM and MSU cannot compete for titles in the SEC.
With respect to UM, I think that RK has been a good chancellor, especially compared to previous chancellors, especially in the area of academics. BUT, he has not been as committed to athletics as he needs to be for UM to truly compete in the upper levels of the SEC. Coach O is fighting many odds at UM right now to try to change the football program at UM from one locked in perpetual mediocrity, to one that can consistently compete well every year. And a battle wages among our alumni and fan base between those who believe we can do better, and those who dwell and live in the past. While RK talks a good game, he is not committed where we need it the most ---financial support of athletics and improved facilities. Pete Boone, the AD, is a banker, with a conservative financial mentality, who shares the view of the rest of the Vaught boys that we are just "little Ole Miss" who can't expect to do much better than we have in recent history. They live in the past and hold us back for the future. UM cannot live up to its potential as long as these two are in charge at UM. Even if Coach O turns it around and starts winning, at some point he will hit a ceiling, created by these folks due to lack of sufficient committment, support and failure to plan for success.
I can't comment on MSU because I am not close to the situation. There are many MSU fans/alums who are calling for Templeton to resign or be replaced. I don't know if Templeton is the problem or not. But, I do think that the long-term deal given to Croom was extremely short-sighted. Yes, as Bigwater points out, he should be given at least 4 years to turn things around and show sufficient progress in the program. But, I think his guaranteed contract extensions take him out well beyond those 4 years.
Croom has been given the longest honeymoon in the history of any high level college coach in Mississippi. The media covers for him and apologizes for him almost on a weekly basis. Right now, he appears to be in a bunker mentality, with signs of cracking under pressure, just due to the fan pressure. How will he handle things when the media eventually turns on him as well ---and it will happen if things continue like they have been. He would be well-served to keep in mind that his primary goal is to make MSU a better football program, not to provide his buddies with a job (which was the death knell for Cut at UM). College athletics, like it or not , is a business of sorts, and sometimes hard decisions must be made to achieve the overall goal, including firing assistant coaches from time to time, when warranted or needed to improve in a particular area. His recent public statements suggest an unwillingness to acknowledge any problems with the offense or the need to make any changes on that side of the ball. This state of denial sounds eerily familiar.
