It's difficult to criticize Josh given what he has accomplished since taking over what was a dumpster fire. But the last few games it seems the end of half and end of games is an issue. Josh by nature is a gunslinger, a gambler and the Vols have been tremendously entertaining because of this.
But when Josh goes into clock watching mode he is out of his natural element. Down the stretch against UGA the quick out to Kitselman was pure aggressive genius. But after that it was as if he was more worried about mistakes and leaving time on the clock. And that change in attitude gets noted by the players who get hesitant and play not to screw up rather than play loose and free. At MSU it seemed Josh was really concerned with leaving 30 or 40 seconds on the clock. Same thing at the end of the first half at Bama.
The team feeds off Josh's gunslinger mentality and when he shelves that, they have to notice. It comes across as not trusting his team to execute on offense and not trusting his defense to hold the fort for 30 or 40 seconds. His wide open approach gives the players confidence but when he goes conservative, it goes from "let's make a play" to "let's not mess up." Players get tentative. For example when he ran Gilbert out for the FG there was time for another play, but Josh seemed more afraid of another false start or mistake. Consciously or unconsciously the team has to notice.
The team is best when it takes on Josh's natural instincts to let it rip and force the issue. The team feeds off Josh, often playing over their heads and it's beautiful to watch. Playing conservative is not his thing and the confidence of the players soars when Josh goes for the goods. So I hope he gets over this extreme clock watching and "quits laying up but instead goes for the green" in true Josh Heupel fashion.
But when Josh goes into clock watching mode he is out of his natural element. Down the stretch against UGA the quick out to Kitselman was pure aggressive genius. But after that it was as if he was more worried about mistakes and leaving time on the clock. And that change in attitude gets noted by the players who get hesitant and play not to screw up rather than play loose and free. At MSU it seemed Josh was really concerned with leaving 30 or 40 seconds on the clock. Same thing at the end of the first half at Bama.
The team feeds off Josh's gunslinger mentality and when he shelves that, they have to notice. It comes across as not trusting his team to execute on offense and not trusting his defense to hold the fort for 30 or 40 seconds. His wide open approach gives the players confidence but when he goes conservative, it goes from "let's make a play" to "let's not mess up." Players get tentative. For example when he ran Gilbert out for the FG there was time for another play, but Josh seemed more afraid of another false start or mistake. Consciously or unconsciously the team has to notice.
The team is best when it takes on Josh's natural instincts to let it rip and force the issue. The team feeds off Josh, often playing over their heads and it's beautiful to watch. Playing conservative is not his thing and the confidence of the players soars when Josh goes for the goods. So I hope he gets over this extreme clock watching and "quits laying up but instead goes for the green" in true Josh Heupel fashion.
