Tuesday, September 12, 2006

It Is All About Coaching When It Comes To MSU Football Problems

I’m getting very tired of hearing everyone blame Mississippi State’s football problem on the lack of talent on the field in Starkville.  It’s is obviously coaching, not talent, that is the problem for the Maroon And White’s scoring troubles so far in 2006.  It has nothing to do with lack of execution, playing in the SEC, or how fast the players are on the field. 

And even if it is about lack of talent on the field, that goes back to lack of recruiting by Sylvester Croom and his coaching staff.  Now I don’t want anyone getting the wrong idea with this little rant, so let me give this tiny disclaimer before I continue.  I think Sylvester Croom is one of the best things to happen to the program in quite a while.  Personally, I think the man is a true stand-up guy who is doing great things for these kids off the field. 

But as far as on the field execution goes, I have one question: when did losing become acceptable?  The feeling that I got from Croom after the South Carolina game is that he was ok with his team losing, becuase “we’re a better football team this year.“  Given the team’s record in the past few seasons, that’s not a hard accomplishment to achieve.  I think it’s that kind of, “we have 10 more games” to try and win attitude that is the start of the downfall in Starkville.  As a head coach in the SEC, you should have that kill or be killed attitude that is obviously lacking at MSU. 

So, now that I have come out and said it’s all about coaching, let me back up my argument with some solid facts that have to do, ironically, with the Bulldogs’ opponent this week.  As many of you know, I grew up in New Orleans.  In addition to growing up a huge Saints fan, I was also a diehard Tulane football fanatic. 

So here’s the deal.  In 1996, Tulane went 2-9 in Buddy Teevens’ last season with the Green Wave.  When Tommy Bowden came in to replace him in 1997, in his 1st year, he led the team to a 7-4 record.  That’s a 5 game improvement…in one year!  With virtually the same players.  The same undersized, slow, inexperienced players.  Guess what the team did in 1998.  That’s right folks, a 12-0 mark!  The team went undefeated, defeating BYU with one of the nation’s top defenses.  Oh yeah, and not to mention a top 10 ranking in that season’s final football polls.

So, at least to me, it’s pretty clear that “miracles” can be worked, and head coaches in college football can actually win some ball games, or at least score some points, in their first couple of years on the job.   

Monday, September 11, 2006

How ‘Bout Them Saints?!!!!!!!!!!

Alright, alright.  I know we’re not supposed to be biased as sports guys, but I tell you what, I just can’t help myself…WHO DAT?!!!!!  That’s right, I’m busting out the old school Saints cheer to personally celebrate the new era of Saints football…or at least I hope. 

Watching the Saints beat the Cleveland Browns today 19-14 gave me new hope in a team I’ve been watching at the height of mediocrity for the past 25 years.  When the Saints came to training camp here in Jackson, I was personally excited.  I mean, being from New Orleans, how cool is that that I got to cover my hometown team I grew up watching every Sunday?  The answer…very cool. 

But the team that came here to Jackson and that played, and won, today, is not the same team I grew up watching.  With a slew of new faces gracing nearly every position, including the coaching staff, there is defintely a new era of Saints football.  I noticed a true winning attitude in the team today, even when the Browns made it close.  The team looked poised, led behind the arm of new quarterback Drew Brees.  And the big question of the day was in regards to how Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush would co-exist in the offensive backfield.

The funny thing is, way before the season started, even before the team announced they’d be headed to Millsaps for training camp, right after the NFL draft, I ran into Deuce one night in town.  I was talking to him and asked him what he thought about Reggie being drafted, man to man, Ole Miss grad to Ole Miss grad, not as sports anchor to football player.  He told me he was perfectly fine with it and wasn’t going anywhere.  I have to admit, I didn’t believe him.  I thought he was just telling me that as some kind of cover, even though it was an “off the record” conversation.  But in typical Deuce fashion, he was being up front and honest, and answering with truth and integrity. 

And that showed today, as the two Saints running backs started what could be one of the most dynamic tandems in the National Football League.  I feel safe in saying this 1-2 punch of Deuce and Bush will be exciting to watch in 2006.  And I know all the Saints fans like me will be hoping that kind of teammwork will continue to lead to success, and dare I say, a playoff berth this year?  Perhaps.  But I know one thing’s for sure, I’ll be glued to the TV to check out my hometown team take on the Magnolia State’s hometown son, Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers next week.