The Mall Cops Are Gone

Several problems were exposed tonight. We had schematic issues, poor execution, and we lack talent. All of these issues are correctable, and our coach wants to win as badly as we do. He has multiple possible courses of action to improve the team, and he wants to win badly enough that it is easy to believe that he will do them.

It has become quite clear that our defensive and kick return schemes are lacking. However, it is not quite so easy for those of us looking in from the outside to know exactly what the problems are. Are the special teams problems caused by Polian, Parmele, or both? Are the defensive problems the fault of Minter, Weis, Lewis, or some combination of the three? Coach Weis has the background to determine which changes need to be made, and he has shown that he wants to win as badly, if not worse, than we do. We can expect to see some changes in the offseason.

We can also expect to see some changes to help improve our execution. From the outside looking in, we do not know if the problem is with individual coaches or other issues, such as the amount of time spent in positional drills. However, we do know that Weis will not rest until he gets the problems figured out, and he will undoubtedly make changes until improvement is made.

Talent is the most easily correctable problem with this team. For example, we cannot generate a pass rush because we do not have much speed on the defensive line. Brian Cushing ran an onside kick back for a touchdown against us. It is hard to imagine Abiamiri or Frome returning it without getting caught. They are not that fast. Likewise, we lack speed, athleticism, and experience at many other positions, as well. This problem was caused by a certain ex-coach who was a lazy recruiter. That ass clown is gone, so the talent level will improve in the coming years.

Let's step in off the ledge, take a deep breat, and realize where the program is right now. We have beaten every team that we have played that had inferior talent to us, and we have probably beaten a few teams that were more talented when you consider the recruiting rankings of the sophomore and junior classes. Once Weis makes some changes in the coaching staff and improves recruiting, a la Holtz in his early years, we will again be a national power. We are getting closer, and I believe that we will reach the promised land in either 2007 or 2008.

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