Interesting quote by Oku

#26
#26
oklavol said:
Does a coach really need to tell a player why he's getting less playing time? It's kind of a given isn't it? They think the player who is playing ahead of you will do a better job.
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Obviously. But I'm sure a player would like to know what he is doing wrong.
 
#28
#28
tnvols106 said:
Yea Oku, if you don't like what the coach is doing, let him know, throw your shoulder pads in the stands or something. Don't just sit there and be quiet about it and try to earn it back through improved practice.
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Or simply be mature about it and ask the coach what you need to do to get better and back on the field.
 
#30
#30
LOL to the concept of players and coaches having pillow talk about demotions.
 
#31
#31
i really think Oku would be pretty good on a jet sweep or something that would get him into some open space.
 
#32
#32
zjcvols said:
on his diminished playing time earlier in the year:

"I mean, everybody was wondering what was going on," Oku said. "But Coach (Derek) Dooley felt like I wasn't doing good. Down the stretch a little bit, he felt like just not playing me for a second would get me back going right. I guess it worked out, so you can't argue with it.

"I mean, as a player you don't see it. But I guess coaches see it sometimes different. I was wondering myself what happened. I didn't go in and question it or ask any questions or anything like that. I was just like, 'All right, ride it out and see what happens.' That's basically just what happened."

You would think the coaches would tell him what was going on if he was screwin up. I'm not bashing the Dooley, I just thought this was interesting.(/QUOTE)
Oku didn't do so bad at running back punts and kicks when you look at all the muffed balls we have had to deal with.
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#33
#33
It wil be interesting to see if Neal plays on Saturday or not.
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#34
#34
FittyElevem said:
If you move down on the depth chart that should tell you to get it in gear. I don't think a speech is needed.
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This!

Speeches are not required....if you are stinking the place up, it should be obvious. Sitting a spell to ponder the situation can work wonders.
 
#36
#36
NEVolFan said:
This!

Speeches are not required....if you are stinking the place up, it should be obvious. Sitting a spell to ponder the situation can work wonders.
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That's it.. Coach Dooley and the staff were just sending a message to Oku, and hopefully it worked.. He definitely looked like he was playing with a little more intensity last week.. Still didn't play great though..

I think a nother year for Oku to adjust to carrying the extra weight and he will be a fairly productive player in the future.. Tauren was a solid role model for David to see what hard work and staying the course will do for a young man that does possess talent..
 
#38
#38
I have a feeling that Oku (and Neal as well) will greatly benefit from a more experienced offensive line next year. Poole is good enough to succeed despite them.
 
#39
#39
As a game observer, I've noticed Oku "dances" rather than hit the hole. It was great to watch him in action here in Nashville against vandie. He's got a future at UT.
 
#40
#40
I disagree that a player should not be told why they aren't getting the PT they were used to getting... nor am I convinced that Oku was as "mystified" about why as the article seems to indicate. All of us knew why Oku wasn't playing because Dooley came right out and said so in a press conference. The idea that he did not understand sounds more like denial to me.
 
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#41
#41
I'm glad he stayed positive about it to be honest. I could be wrong, but I have a hard time believing that he didn't know what the deal was. I know I heard Dooley comment on him not running hard, hitting the holes hard, etc multiple times and would be really surprised if he wasn't aware of that. Either way, we need him to step up and run with authority. I love the way Poole runs the ball, but I feel like we are needing a power back that can pick up those 3rd and short situations and push the pile.
 
#42
#42
zjcvols said:
on his diminished playing time earlier in the year:

"I mean, everybody was wondering what was going on," Oku said. "But Coach (Derek) Dooley felt like I wasn't doing good. Down the stretch a little bit, he felt like just not playing me for a second would get me back going right. I guess it worked out, so you can't argue with it.

"I mean, as a player you don't see it. But I guess coaches see it sometimes different. I was wondering myself what happened. I didn't go in and question it or ask any questions or anything like that. I was just like, 'All right, ride it out and see what happens.' That's basically just what happened."

You would think the coaches would tell him what was going on if he was screwin up. I'm not bashing the Dooley, I just thought this was interesting.
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It should be pretty obvious. You don't get your PT cut if you are doing well. It's not that he was screwing up, it's just that he wasn't running hard at all in games and might not have been getting after it in practice.

I think that this is a great job of coaching. What better way to motivate a talented guy than to bench him and play a true Freshman in his place? It motivates both players and obviously Dooley is showing that he is fair enough to let him earn his spot back.
 
#43
#43
zjcvols said:
on his diminished playing time earlier in the year:

"I mean, everybody was wondering what was going on," Oku said. "But Coach (Derek) Dooley felt like I wasn't doing good. Down the stretch a little bit, he felt like just not playing me for a second would get me back going right. I guess it worked out, so you can't argue with it.

"I mean, as a player you don't see it. But I guess coaches see it sometimes different. I was wondering myself what happened. I didn't go in and question it or ask any questions or anything like that. I was just like, 'All right, ride it out and see what happens.' That's basically just what happened."
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I don't like Oku at all as a player, but it sounds like he has a really good head on his shoulders. He sounds very mature for his age.
 
#44
#44
zjcvols said:
on his diminished playing time earlier in the year:

"I mean, everybody was wondering what was going on," Oku said. "But Coach (Derek) Dooley felt like I wasn't doing good. Down the stretch a little bit, he felt like just not playing me for a second would get me back going right. I guess it worked out, so you can't argue with it.

"I mean, as a player you don't see it. But I guess coaches see it sometimes different. I was wondering myself what happened. I didn't go in and question it or ask any questions or anything like that. I was just like, 'All right, ride it out and see what happens.' That's basically just what happened."

You would think the coaches would tell him what was going on if he was screwin up. I'm not bashing the Dooley, I just thought this was interesting.
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Many times as a coach it is important to have an athlete step up and ask what am I doing, how can I improve. Different players are different, but this just helps the young man take more initiative in his game.
 
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