What Has To Happen For This Season To Be A Success?

gangrene · October 2, 2008

Ok, since my signature states that I need to see some improvement, I'll go ahead and outline what I'd define as progress and encouragement that this current staff is going in the right direction with this football program.

1. 3-4 wins - 4 wins doubles last year's output and, right now, I'm having a hard time believing we'll get 2 wins this season

2. defensive improvement - I know this DL was crippled before the season even began, but we've got to have some players step up and produce. Preventing any of our remaining opponents from scoring 50+ points should be an achievable and realistic goal.

3. offensive improvement - the offense has taken a couple of steps backward IMHO. I don't know why we're not firing on all cylinders right now, but anything less than 500 total yards of offense and 28 points should be a disappointment for this team (keep in mind we had 400+ total offensive yards against Tulsa and Rice and still lost the games).

4. Determination - this team seems to lack the fire, that killer instinct, win-at-all-costs, fight-till-the-death attitude. I'd like to see some spark, some leader emerge that can motivate these kids to a new level. I know it's hard to be motivated when you're constantly getting your ass handed to you, but someone's got to step up and be that leader that invokes fear into his own teammates as well as the opponent....a Ray Lewis type (for the record, I can't stand Ray Lewis as a person, but he's got the football mentality our defense is lacking).

5. Stadium - this is pretty much out of our hands right now, but it would be a nice consolation to an otherwise disappointing season to know that our stadium funding and construction will occur on X date. Then, our coaching staff wouldn't be giving false, or at least unsubstantiated, promises to future recruits who are told of new stadium plans and feel like the transition from their high school stadium to Fouts is a step in the wrong direction. This would also give our current players (Freshman at least) something to look forward to in their Senior years (2011) if they don't have the vision to see a winning season in their future.

6. Recruiting - we absolutely HAVE to recruit some top notch defensive lineman. I keep hearing about how Todd Dodge needs his players in place. Never mind the fact that Todd Graham went to Rice and converted Ken Hatfield's wishbone players into spread offense experts and a winning season in his first year. If Dodge needs his players in place than damnit let's go out and get 'em. I'm tired of the excuses...let's get what we need and start seeing the results. In addition to defensive needs, we obviously have holes everywhere. We need to get some (more) quality talent in Mean Green uniforms. We need depth at every position...I'm not excluding WR either.

Ok, I think I'm done with my rant for now.

GoMeanGreen1999 · October 2, 2008

Ok, since my signature states that I need to see some improvement, I'll go ahead and outline what I'd define as progress and encouragement that this current staff is going in the right direction with this football program.
1. 3-4 wins - 4 wins doubles last year's output and, right now, I'm having a hard time believing we'll get 2 wins this season
2. defensive improvement - I know this DL was crippled before the season even began, but we've got to have some players step up and produce. Preventing any of our remaining opponents from scoring 50+ points should be an achievable and realistic goal.
3. offensive improvement - the offense has taken a couple of steps backward IMHO. I don't know why we're not firing on all cylinders right now, but anything less than 500 total yards of offense and 28 points should be a disappointment for this team (keep in mind we had 400+ total offensive yards against Tulsa and Rice and still lost the games).
4. Determination - this team seems to lack the fire, that killer instinct, win-at-all-costs, fight-till-the-death attitude. I'd like to see some spark, some leader emerge that can motivate these kids to a new level. I know it's hard to be motivated when you're constantly getting your ass handed to you, but someone's got to step up and be that leader that invokes fear into his own teammates as well as the opponent....a Ray Lewis type (for the record, I can't stand Ray Lewis as a person, but he's got the football mentality our defense is lacking).
5. Stadium - this is pretty much out of our hands right now, but it would be a nice consolation to an otherwise disappointing season to know that our stadium funding and construction will occur on X date. Then, our coaching staff wouldn't be giving false, or at least unsubstantiated, promises to future recruits who are told of new stadium plans and feel like the transition from their high school stadium to Fouts is a step in the wrong direction. This would also give our current players (Freshman at least) something to look forward to in their Senior years (2011) if they don't have the vision to see a winning season in their future.
6. Recruiting - we absolutely HAVE to recruit some top notch defensive lineman. I keep hearing about how Todd Dodge needs his players in place. Never mind the fact that Todd Graham went to Rice and converted Ken Hatfield's wishbone players into spread offense experts and a winning season in his first year. If Dodge needs his players in place than damnit let's go out and get 'em. I'm tired of the excuses...let's get what we need and start seeing the results. In addition to defensive needs, we obviously have holes everywhere. We need to get some (more) quality talent in Mean Green uniforms. We need depth at every position...I'm not excluding WR either.
Ok, I think I'm done with my rant for now.

1. Unless we win this week, we won't win 2 games this year. With the off the field problems that we have right now we probably won't win this week. In fact, I am going to re-do my prediction of 5 wins this season to 0 - 12.

2. DeLoach is the right guy and the mere fact Dodge brought him (though I still say it was a forced move) that is enough for me this year.

3. Offense - who knows what is wrong. I read this week that Riley is taking snaps with the first and second stringers - for what? What is the reason for that? Now the #2 WR on the team just "up and decides" to stop playing football because he wants to go into the oil and gas industry. Sure, I believe that one.

4. crickets

5. At this point, if the stadium vote passes, this season is a success. Now if they do what I think they should once it passes, the season will be a roaring success.

6. WR's anyone?

CaribbeanGreen · October 2, 2008

1) stadium vote passes.

2) we win at least one game.

3) in conference losses, with two exceptions maximum we are competitive (i.e., lose by less than three scores).

4) The defense holds three opponents under 30.

Would I have called this a success before the season?? You've gotta be kidding me.... but based on where we are now, I would be pleasantly surprised with these results heading into year 3 of The Todd Dodge Experience.

GoMeanGreen1999 · October 2, 2008

2) we win at least one game.

So if we go into season #3 of Dodge and he has a total of 3 wins, in two years, it has been successful? How about 2 wins?

Green P1 · October 3, 2008

1) stadium vote passes.
2) we win at least one game.
3) in conference losses, with two exceptions maximum we are competitive (i.e., lose by less than three scores).
4) The defense holds three opponents under 30.
Would I have called this a success before the season?? You've gotta be kidding me.... but based on where we are now, I would be pleasantly surprised with these results heading into year 3 of The Todd Dodge Experience.

Give me #1 on the list and I'm perfectly content. Throw in the rest and I'm ecstatic

woody82986 · October 3, 2008

Give me #1 on the list and I'm perfectly content. Throw in the rest and I'm ecstatic

Well, I'd be happy with 2 wins and the stadium vote passing. It seems I might have to settle for jus tthe stadium vote passing...

Mean Green 93-98 · October 3, 2008

For the season to be a success? I'm not sure that's possible at this point, but winning half of our conference games would be a smashing success by my severely lowered standards. I really just hope to see significant improvement throughout the rest of the season, and hopefully pick up at least two wins.

oldguystudent · October 3, 2008

A successful season at this point? Four consecutive quarters of football. Period. Did I mention that I'm looking forward to the cold beer on Saturday?

gangrene · October 3, 2008

A successful season at this point? Four consecutive quarters of football. Period. Did I mention that I'm looking forward to the cold beer on Saturday?

Wow, how our expectations have sunk. However, right now...that would probably appease me too...at least play some football that has some semblance of competitiveness.