Double Speak

#1

T_man_J

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#1
It is easy to be upbeat and confident during good times, but true character always surfaces during the bad times. I have been researching the post-game comments of Nick Saban (after the FSU game) and the comments of our coaching staff after the ‘Bama game, and my findings are shocking.

Nick Saban was tough. He had the intestinal fortitude to point out the fact that his team just did not execute. ‘Nuff said. He talked about how much more physical FSU was on both sides of the ball. He talked about establishing "team identity" in terms of physical and mental toughness. He singled out poor play by position (not by a player’s name). This was refreshing because it emphasized the fact that no one player is bigger than the game. After hearing Saban’s comments, the ‘Bama players knew exactly what had to be done to improve (especially the right corner). After researching our coaches’ ‘Bama post-game comments, the contrast was unbelievable.

Our staff baffles me. Fulmer never makes a decision unless he confers with the team seniors, e.g., the Sunday practice. Fulmer is a sharing kind of guy. He never talks about poor team execution without placing part of the blame on the coaching staff; usually ending up taking responsibility himself. That is so nice. Cutcliff can see regression, but he seems afraid to admit it because he doesn’t want to upset the "kids." That is sweet. Chavis can see poor execution, but he doesn’t want to point that out unless the entire team sees it on video and agrees with his assessment. If I played for the Vols, I would be so confused. Based on the coaches comments, there’s always a 50% chance that the coaches screwed up—not me, so why should I change my play? I’m thinking that we are going back to the hill to break out our favorite blankets, share some pudding cups, and have one big group hug. I have one question for our coaches: Are you running a football team or Romper Room?

All of this double speak has left me with an important observation: You know, it is really easy to take the responsibility when you are never held accountable.
 
#4
#4
So, you would rather the coaches not accept responsibility for their poor preparation and scheming?
 
#5
#5
So, you would rather the coaches not accept responsibility for their poor preparation and scheming?

If there is no accountability, why bother? It is easy to say "I'm responsible" when you know nothing will be done to you.
 
#6
#6
Nick Saban was tough. He had the intestinal fortitude to point out the fact that his team just did not execute. ‘Nuff said. He talked about how much more physical FSU was on both sides of the ball. He talked about establishing "team identity" in terms of physical and mental toughness. He singled out poor play by position (not by a player’s name). This was refreshing because it emphasized the fact that no one player is bigger than the game. After hearing Saban’s comments, the ‘Bama players knew exactly what had to be done to improve (especially the right corner). After researching our coaches’ ‘Bama post-game comments, the contrast was unbelievable.

Isn't this what most people chide Fulmer for? I've seen about a million times on here people complaining about him saying "we didn't execute" like it was just coach-speak. Fulmer has called out positions...

I'm not sure what you're going for here. You took the statement about him talking with seniors about a Sunday practice this week and inferred that he does that before every major decision...
 
#7
#7
Isn't this what most people chide Fulmer for? I've seen about a million times on here people complaining about him saying "we didn't execute" like it was just coach-speak. Fulmer has called out positions...

I'm not sure what you're going for here. You took the statement about him talking with seniors about a Sunday practice this week and inferred that he does that before every major decision...

The thread is a study in character that includes holding up Nick Saban as an example. Nothing should surprise you.
 
#8
#8
Isn't this what most people chide Fulmer for? I've seen about a million times on here people complaining about him saying "we didn't execute" like it was just coach-speak. Fulmer has called out positions...

I'm not sure what you're going for here. You took the statement about him talking with seniors about a Sunday practice this week and inferred that he does that before every major decision...

The difference is that when Fulmer talks about team execution, he always throws the coaches in to share the responsibility in a PC sort of way. Is it really execution or bad coaching? (double speak).
 
#9
#9
The difference is that when Fulmer talks about team execution, he always throws the coaches in to share the responsibility in a PC sort of way. Is it really execution or bad coaching? (double speak).

So, Nick Saban is a great coach and any problems on the field are solely the responsibility of the players?

I don't get it...it seems you're ok with coaches throwing their players under the bus. Player execution is a lot easier to blame than coaching.

I don't take much stock, if any, in coaches giving post-game reports. Almost every one goes as follows:

(Following a win) "We really played hard today, executed well. I'm proud of the players and coaches for their hard work. We had a good gameplan going in, and it paid off. I have to give it up to ________, though. They're a great team, and have great coaching. We just executed better today and came out on top. We're going to get back to work and prepare for next week, though. We're playing another great opponent in _____."

(Following a loss) "This is a tough loss, we played really hard today, but just didn't execute like we wanted to. We thought we had a good game plan going in, but things just didn't work out. I have to give credit to _____, though. They played a hell of a game and _____ really had his players ready to play today. They executed and we didn't take advantage of our opportunities. _____ played well, but our ______ had too many mistakes. We're going to get back to work though, because we've got ______ next week, another great opponent."

That's pretty much what you're gonna see 9/10 times from any coach. Every once in a while a guy blows up or badmouths his players, but that's pretty much it.
 
#10
#10
So, Nick Saban is a great coach and any problems on the field are solely the responsibility of the players?

I don't get it...it seems you're ok with coaches throwing their players under the bus. Player execution is a lot easier to blame than coaching.

I don't take much stock, if any, in coaches giving post-game reports. Almost every one goes as follows:

(Following a win) "We really played hard today, executed well. I'm proud of the players and coaches for their hard work. We had a good gameplan going in, and it paid off. I have to give it up to ________, though. They're a great team, and have great coaching. We just executed better today and came out on top. We're going to get back to work and prepare for next week, though. We're playing another great opponent in _____."

(Following a loss) "This is a tough loss, we played really hard today, but just didn't execute like we wanted to. We thought we had a good game plan going in, but things just didn't work out. I have to give credit to _____, though. They played a hell of a game and _____ really had his players ready to play today. They executed and we didn't take advantage of our opportunities. _____ played well, but our ______ had too many mistakes. We're going to get back to work though, because we've got ______ next week, another great opponent."

That's pretty much what you're gonna see 9/10 times from any coach. Every once in a while a guy blows up or badmouths his players, but that's pretty much it.

I don't see where he wrote anything about throwing a player under the bus or badmouthing a player. He said that Saban did not call out anyone by name rather by position.
 
#11
#11
I don't see where he wrote anything about throwing a player under the bus or badmouthing a player. He said that Saban did not call out anyone by name rather by position.

Putting the blame solely on the players is throwing them under the bus. This is college football in the SEC. You don't have to name names, we know the names, heights, weights, hometowns, girlfriends, favorite foods, footsize, dental charts of every kid on the field.
 
#13
#13
You know what is being said on TV or radio. You dont know what is being said on the practice field? You dont have to yell or point things out to the entire world, all you have to do is tell the kid he is about to lose his starting position and watch how he handles himself after that.
 
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