Doug Needs to Get Tough

[Pittsburgh mo]

So tired of him and no emotion. I played under Ben 1958 to 1960, until injury knocked me out of football. Today I help the coaching staff recruit the Western PA area. He was all business Sunday to Friday practice. On Monday's, the players that didn't play Saturday, played a full contact scrimage to retain your position on the traveling squad, if you wern't a starter. He put the fear of God in you and the loss of your spot on the travel team if you screwed up in practice. Here is an example of how Ben coached. I made what I thought was a great weaving run in a Monday scrimage. I came back to the huddle and Ben said, Meyer, the shortest distance to the goal line is a straight line. Next time, run straight to the goal line. I was crushed, but I learned. Doug needs to test these kids Sunday to Friday and if need be, put someone in their place if they aren't doing the job. Div 1 football is not playing for Mount Union or Allegheny College. The players get a college education paid for, and it is a business.
Doug needs to push them hard, so they don't play sloppy football.

 

[SaltineWarrior]

My guess is anyone who fails any mental tasks this week will get an earfull, and rightfully so. Opening day mistakes are understandable; the level of mistakes is unacceptable. Clean up those bonehead mistakes and we should be very tough. Oh and learn how to punt out of bounds.

 

[LeMoyneCuse]

The 6am workouts, constant film study, position meetings, and structured practices aren't pushing the team hard enough?

And the no emotion thing- you mean on the sideline? Rahme explained that one on Thursday. Marrone doesn't want his players to lose his cool, so he fights really, really, really hard to stay even keeled while on the sidelines. He's an incredibly emotional guy otherwise.

As for a Monday scrimmage- I don't think that would work now. There are too many pieces coming in, coming out. The team used 7 O-Linemen yesterday, 2 running backs, 2 TE, Broyld, at least 4 WR, 6 LB, at least 6 DB, and at least 7 DL. Why pit these guys against each other if they're all being used?

 

[rocklloyd]

I personally saw a ton of emotion from the sideline. Hackett was as excited as I was at times. Even old Doug showed a ton of emotion when appropriate.

 

[orangecuse]

I'd like Doug myself to show some intensity on the sideline, some ire.

I would never want him to act like NW's cheerleading style coach, actually found it a bit annoying at times yesterday. No more than in the 3rd quarter when NW was going in for their 5th TD. One of our db's (can't recall who) had severe leg cramps and the officials called an injury timeout. NW's coach started doing these farging bunny hops with his arms over his head as to suggest that this was just a stall tactic by us so we could catch our breath on defense, etc. It really pissed me off.

 

[SoBeCuse]

This is tricky. I think Doug's even-keeled demeanor is the right call. We aren't Alabama where the athletic ability of everybody is off the charts. Saban's intensity on the sidelines seems like the perfect way to keep his guys focused and hungry or somebody else will take their job if they make mistakes. We don't have close to the same kind of talent or depth. Maybe he is afraid to yell or get intense fearing our guys could play tight, tentative, or scared? We have little margin for error, obviously.

 

[dollarbill44]

I'm not at the practices, so I can't say one way or other if he is appropriately tough on the players.