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Post by coyote70 on Nov 17, 2012 23:51:20 GMT -6
The season is mercifully over. It will take more than one year to recover and hopefully rebuild a Coyote football program we can take pride in. Two or three wins would have provided some hope. Didn't happen. Now it's time to outwork and outsmart the competition. I'll always be a Coyote fan but it's rational to want some pride, too. Just like I have pride in USD as an academic institution. This challenge must be met.
No scholarly review of statistics is necessary. In my opinion this year's program graded as an "F" across the board. I'm not out to demean anyone, it just comes across to me as a no excuses result. What then can be done about it? Thankfully, a fan board offers the opportunity to criticize but also offer some constructive ideas.
In typical knee jerk, fashion from afar I offer this in review:
1) Coaching - I prefer to think of this as a learning experience. I hope whomever survives to coach next year continues to learn in the offseason. It may be reasonable that some coaches will be gone (?). 2) Style - I'll state this again. We need a Power Running Game. Okay I did remember some stats about this. They're not good! Now, with our best receiver gone we will have no better offense next year unless we do something different and that is to run the ball effectively. 3) Line play - I still say we need a smaller, more athletic o-line that can open some holes and block on the perimeter. 4) QB - Open for grabs I hope. 5) Defense - Stop the run. Smaller, faster linebackers are a premium as very good DTs are an unexpected bonus. 6) Recruiting - Get a large class recruited if possible. The good will be sorted from the bad and ugly down the line. I know this is a mantra - think speed/quickness first. Those attributes can't be taught. 7) Head coach - I'd say to the coach to get out now if he has any doubts. I don't believe Joe will do that and he shouldn't. Soul searching shouldn't even be an issue here. Instead, thoroughly analyze each and every problem the team had this year and carefully consider all options for improvement. Some strategy for confidence building is necessary.
Time to stop the blather. I think others should/subtract or criticize this post. Again, not an expert here but an opportunity to vent and offer some suggestions. Again "Outwork" and "Outsmart" the competition. It can be done, It's just who can do it.
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Post by coyote70 on Nov 12, 2012 20:28:20 GMT -6
ooops! To clarify, in the above post I meant the SB president whose team loses takes his pantss off. Otherwise it reads a bit weird.
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Post by coyote70 on Nov 12, 2012 20:21:16 GMT -6
Does anyone know if the student body president, or whatever you call it, still has to take their pants off at midfield immediately after the game and present it to their counterpart? I saw a number of SDSU SB presidents "depantsed" years ago.
Note: I hope we've come up with a better tradition, especially since one or both of these folks may be women. Also I've seen/heard something about a bowl of corn being exchanged. What's with that? Sorry, I'm way out west so I'm not always privy to what's going on in greater Coyoteland.
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Post by coyote70 on Nov 12, 2012 20:06:43 GMT -6
Coyotefan - wow, a somewhat positive post. I knew you could do it!! I may not - check - do not always agree with you but I read your posts.
I hope you don't take this personally, just a slight poke.
One question, if you or someone has the time: Is USD the most penalized team in the MVFC? It is my contention that bonehead plays are most remembered when a team loses.
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Post by coyote70 on Nov 10, 2012 16:43:12 GMT -6
Hey Coyotefan, good to hear from you. One thing I agree with you is that we Yote fans ought to have high expectations. Teams that do seem to fare better over the long haul. However, I do not agree with many of your statements because a decent program is not made on snap judgements, even if they are based on a season and not one game.
I'm not happy with the team's performance but as I've said before a negative attitude will never, I repeat never get you where you want to go. Let's say you run a business in a very competitive environment and the business isn't doing very well. Do you talk the employees down at every turn? Fire them? Or do you work all the harder. Going around pointing fingers won't do it. If I were in the Athletic Departments shoes I might be a little embarassed but I'd be more determined than ever.
Cool it a bit guy. My skin is pretty thick and now I'd like to see some positives from you. It's harder I know but give it a try.
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Post by coyote70 on Nov 8, 2012 9:04:11 GMT -6
Yeah, a 13-week football season is upon us. Probably 8 games by the end of October (with one open date) and three more games in November. Also, I agree that the opponent for the last game will likely be a rival. However, l'm not necessarily comfortable with Mom Nature's take on this.
Personally, I'd rather have that rival game earlier in November after about 8 or 9 games. Chances are much better the weather will be cooperative for game watching (outside) and travel. Time will tell I guess.
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Post by coyote70 on Nov 7, 2012 23:04:33 GMT -6
And we thought the Yotes had trouble scheduling games transitioning to D1!
I know this is a bit early in the game but the above schedule seems a little weird to me. The lack of games in September is puzzling. Four games in November each year seems a bit dicey what with our unpredictable weather.
That November 22 game in Brookings? Just saying there'll be some coughing alumni going on up there in that cold stadium if you get my drift....
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Post by coyote70 on Nov 5, 2012 17:28:20 GMT -6
Wow, beating the Jackrabbits, then the Bison. Priceless!!
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Post by coyote70 on Nov 1, 2012 22:02:00 GMT -6
I'm normally a "glass is half full" kind of guy but I can"t drink the kool aid any longer. Mentally both teams are down to be sure but I'm afraid we're further down. I don't lay the blame on any one person. Blaming gets you nowhere in a hurry. My only hope is that the team and coaching staff come away from this game with a renewed effort to beat UNI the following week.
We can and will - yes, will - ourselves to do it!! (or else I'm going to have to get a smaller glass!)
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Post by coyote70 on Oct 28, 2012 10:11:56 GMT -6
At this point in the season few people are going to question some experimentation. Our "known quantity" hasn't done well to say the least. I say start Earl but also throw some wrinkles into the run game and for gosh sake can we get our tight ends into the passing game a bit?
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Post by coyote70 on Oct 26, 2012 10:18:54 GMT -6
Much as I would like to sic the Coyotes on the Sycamores (what would a Coyote do to a tree? hmm) I'm just hoping for a competitive game.
If the O-line ever improves and some level of confidence is gained I do think the Yotes have a shot at UNI in a few weeks.
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Post by coyote70 on Oct 23, 2012 19:30:57 GMT -6
Just for the sake of conversation jimmer I'm going to disagree with you that we need a "pass first" type QB. Maybe I just want to make a point, let's see if you agree or disagree. Nothing personal. Just consider another line of thinking.
To be honest, I too would like to recruit the pro-type of QB that has all the attributes coaches and fans covet: a winning attitude, size, strong and accurate arm, all-state recognition, etc. So do a host of schools in this region. Unfortunately, we do not have a competitive advantage for these kind of players, especially the strong/accurate arm type. If we want such a QB and his choices are NDSU, UNI, Minnesota, etc. I have a pretty good feeling he will not be a Coyote.
I say take a different approach. Instead of following the herd consider an offense where the QB doesn't have to be big and strong, possess outstanding passing credentials, have a big & quick offensive line, a minimum of three talented receivers, and a tight end and fullback who can pass block, act as receiver and run the ball on occasion. Rather, emphasize one thing: the run. Find a winning QB that can effectively execute a run-oriented offense. Period. I maintain these type of QBs are out there and will pretty much not be recruited by the above schools. One might say we'll need running backs. Believe me they will come if we have an offensive style that will showcase their skills. The same with smaller faster linemen and even receivers who know they'll likely be open when they are thrown to.
In short, I' 'm not so sure we're routinely going to be able to "out-recruit" or "out-develop" players vis-a-via our competitors. However, I do think we can recruit and develop players centered around the running game versus the passing game. Enough, in my opinion to challenge for the conference title every few years or at least give us a better chance of winning.
It's close to mid-week and none of us is looking forward to next week's game very much. Just wanted to stir things. Hopefully in a constructive, positive way rather than in a negative manner.
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Post by coyote70 on Oct 21, 2012 22:19:56 GMT -6
Reading all the above posts I was most struck by Mmike's. Knowledgeable and observant! I also agree with another poster (reluctantly) that we are not comparatively a young team. I saw Ill. State's roster and it had a whole lot of freshmen and sophomores. Could be wrong but I think UNI's starting QB is a freshman.
Looking back to the '70s and '80s when we had fairly successful teams I was cognizant of the fact that we had a system or certain style of play. It was centered around the wishbone offense. Nowadays we'd call it a triple option offense. Look at FCS teams like Cal-Poly, Georgia Southern and Wofford. They use it. Heck, I think Georgia Southern didn't pass once in their game last week. These teams are very successful and have the mentality that 1) they generally cannot compete in their market for top-tier players and 2) therefore they recruit and coach players to excel in running the ball and stopping the run. For example, a few years ago when Cal-Poly beat the Yotes in the Dome I noticed their O-line was fairly short (6'2 or so) and light (around 270-280). Simply put, they were quicker than we were.
I'm not even sure with good coaching we can compete for the conference FB title unless we become more business-minded in our overall approach. Just like the smart businessman (or Wofford et al) USD needs to recruit and develop talent based on its "corporate style". We need to know our competition's strengths and weaknesses in every way. We need to know our strengths and weaknesses in every way.
If we keep doing the same thing over and over without achieving positive results, we ain'ta gonna get there.
Hats off to you folks out there! By first observing and then posting on this board I've become much more aware of, and supportive of my alma mater. Yes, the NDSU game stunk, but my support of the Yotes will never diminish because of any loss! It may have gotten even stronger. In my mind NDSU can and will be taken out by us if we are smarter than they. It's how quickly we smarten up that's the issue.
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Post by coyote70 on Oct 16, 2012 22:08:16 GMT -6
A couple of numbers in the phone book:
Thirsty's 343-3104 Shooters 348-3348 Paddy O'Neill's 342-1210 Stoney Creek is a good bet but alas, no phone number. All but Shooters are downtown. Pitiful list at best. Hardly worthy of a USD graduate, but I'm not a frequent visitor of sports bars as you can tell. If you can't hear what's going on, the radio feed is KIMN 1150 AM. Wear some red and Good luck!
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Post by coyote70 on Oct 14, 2012 18:11:11 GMT -6
MMike, if you posted in reply to my comments please read mine over again. I don't think the Yotes had a first half this year like the one at Missouri State. That's all. Something positive. I've been around adversity and it can build a winner if you work on it. I know you'll agree with me on that point.
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