Mendenhall and finding teams' identity

Not trying to stir the pot, but something to consider. This is the second year in a row where we've discovered mid-season that our team is much more effective in a configuration different than the one in place at week #1.



At what point does this turn into a issue of concern in regards to our coaching staff? I feel conflicted, because from a distance, it looks like a major failing of Bronco's. On the other hand, I would've been pissed if Riley was our starting QB against Ole' Miss, and I never thought Alisa would do more this year than maybe give our other three RBs a breather. Are you concerned about Bronco's ability to find a team's identity in the pre-season?

Dcr36 wrote:
Not trying to stir the pot, but something to consider. This is the second year in a row where we've discovered mid-season that our team is much more effective in a configuration different than the one in place at week #1.



At what point does this turn into a issue of concern in regards to our coaching staff? I feel conflicted, because from a distance, it looks like a major failing of Bronco's. On the other hand, I would've been pissed if Riley was our starting QB against Ole' Miss, and I never thought Alisa would do more this year than maybe give our other three RBs a breather. Are you concerned about Bronco's ability to find a team's identity in the pre-season?

Not at all. The reason our teams identity is different then anticipated is because Heaps has been unable to take over the team and be the leader he needed to be to win games. Last year the identity was unknown becuase neither Riley or Jake could win the job. In previous years, the identity was known because we had true starting qb's that won the jobs early in spring. Coaches make decisions based on what they see in limited practice time. If the players don't develop during the games, then changes have to be made. When that change is at QB, then the entire identity of the team can change, just like we have seen this year.

I'm much more concerned about the coaching staff's ability to recruit the right players right now than almost anything. The last two years have been the years where this head coach had more players that he recruited than the previous coach had recruited, and they have been terrible years.

This has been a feature of Bronco coached teams every year.



In 2005, it took the SDSU 31-10 loss, to figure out throwing 60 times a game was a poor idea.

In 2006, it took sprained ankles from John Beck missing the USU game to have everything click for him after that.

In 2007, it was the 55 points Tulsa dropped on us to fix some of our defensive deficencies.

In 2008, it TCU drubbing us that taught the team wasn't as good as they thought (this team never recovered from that identity crisis.)

In 2009, it wsa FSU drubbing us at home that taught the team they weren't as good as they thought (this team did recover from that.)

in 2010, it took a injury to Riley and and bye week for Heaps to figure out he was the man.

The team has multiple identities. Has a problem from within, that has been hinted at, but we will never hear the truth of it. The WHOLE team is not together, and it showed, and will continue to show. We can only hope for the best, and feel lucky that the rest of the schedule is quite a bit easier than the past. Although TCU will be a test, and I hope we win.

mgdhunter wrote:
The team has multiple identities. Has a problem from within, that has been hinted at, but we will never hear the truth of it. The WHOLE team is not together, and it showed, and will continue to show. We can only hope for the best, and feel lucky that the rest of the schedule is quite a bit easier than the past. Although TCU will be a test, and I hope we win.

I think the team wasn't together and now is and that togetherness will continue to show as it has the last 10 quarters.

I do not believe that at all. They are just telling the reporters what they want to hear. We have an easier schedule so it won't manifest itself as much, but I don't think everyone is together as a team. It is a team effort and everyone should be held accountable for their positions with no exceptions. The coaching staff needs to step it up also, because they let it get out of hand, and that is the responsibility of the coaches to stop it before it gets started. And I think our so-called RM / Maturity factor has a lot to be desired. Anyone at that level who doesn't perform up to their abilites doesn't belong regardless of position.

mgdhunter wrote:
I do not believe that at all. They are just telling the reporters what they want to hear. We have an easier schedule so it won't manifest itself as much, but I don't think everyone is together as a team. It is a team effort and everyone should be held accountable for their positions with no exceptions. The coaching staff needs to step it up also, because they let it get out of hand, and that is the responsibility of the coaches to stop it before it gets started. And I think our so-called RM / Maturity factor has a lot to be desired. Anyone at that level who doesn't perform up to their abilites doesn't belong regardless of position.

No exceptions? But no one is playing well, right? It's all just the easy schedule. We can't judge anything right now because we haven't played anyone. In fact the only team we learn anything from is TCU. Everyone else is just one big exception.

mgdhunter wrote:
I do not believe that at all. They are just telling the reporters what they want to hear. We have an easier schedule so it won't manifest itself as much, but I don't think everyone is together as a team. It is a team effort and everyone should be held accountable for their positions with no exceptions. The coaching staff needs to step it up also, because they let it get out of hand, and that is the responsibility of the coaches to stop it before it gets started. And I think our so-called RM / Maturity factor has a lot to be desired. Anyone at that level who doesn't perform up to their abilites doesn't belong regardless of position.

Can you state your connection to BYU and fanhood - it seems you just like to stir the pots. Let us know. For example, I graduated from BYU - thought the honor code was ridiculous back then re hair length, love it now. BYU is my #1 team. What exactly is your connection - just wondering. Did you attend BYU? Graduate from BYU? Not saying you didn't - just askin.





This stuff about peole not playing to the best of their ability - is pure non-sense because you and others have taken it out of context. In the history of mankind, great leaders have gotten people to rise to heights they never themselves thought possible. Great teachers have taught people to do things they never knew how to do. Great strategists attack it from a different angle and it makes things work better. Great tacticians find inefficiencies and fine tune a better performance.



Bottom line



Watch any football game of any football team - listen to the announcers - listen for these words - note how many times you hear them - for every team.



Momentum

Confidence

Inspired

Overachieved

Preparation

Overcome

Adversity

Overlooked

Overconfident

Outcoaches

Execution

etc.



These get talked about because they vary. How does Texas look inept for 30 minutes vs BYU and look unbeatable the next 30 mintues. Same ? Utah. I guess they all have team unity and conspiracy issues - because the same guys came out and did better - and it usually took a spark of some kind - there was probably some leadership, and sometimes an element of surprise.



What do you expect - 11 robots to come out and perform without variation week after week - boring - that is why the games are played. Emotion is a huge part of football. Why do teams blitz - is it to make a confident QB who is performing become unconfident and make mistakes?



This is a young and inexperienced team and that is why it has struggled for two years. Texas - same story. Give it a rest.



One of the most exciting moments of this season for me was when Riley ran a QB Draw or scrambled down field Vs USU and the entire team smashed into the pile as he was being tackled and and smashed the entire pile another 5 or 10 yards down the field. They blocked harder and longer than they did for Jake. Why? Conspiracy? Lack of team unity? Lack of team identity? None of that. Hogwash. The reason you have never seen them do that for Jake is because Jake has never given them the opportunity to do that. In the 3 times this season he crossed the line of scrimmage, he slid within 2 or 3 yards - try pushing that pile forward.



Now translate that to less obvious differences and you will get it. If Matt Reynolds holds his block seven seconds and pushes down field for Nelson and does not for Heaps - it is not favoritism. It is becasue he is paving a way for Nelson to find a crease and run the ball downfield for 5 or 10 yards. He would do it for Heaps in a minute - but Heaps never goes downfield. Get it?

Bronco is a fine DC, but his head coaching decisions have been mind boggling at times. I know he is like deity around Cougar nation, but we're seeing the same ol' mistakes game after game year after year. I expect a lot more from this program.

mizzoucoug wrote:
Bronco is a fine DC, but his head coaching decisions have been mind boggling at times. I know he is like deity around Cougar nation, but we're seeing the same ol' mistakes game after game year after year. I expect a lot more from this program.

Other than his first year and last year you have gotten 10-3 or 11-2 every year. So what exact "More" do you expect out of this program and when did you get that "More" out of this program?



I was there in the good old days. And they were good. We went undefeated once - against a weak schedule which I posted last week.



Three are 2 or 3 "1-loss" seasons in there too - over a 30 year span.



Let me guess you are a baseball player and you bat 1.000

Why does it matter whether I attended BYU (which i did)? Stirring the pot is frequented by everyone here, and opinions are expressed all of the time. So, again, Why should that matter? Unless your trying to impress/dazzle everyone with your intelligence!

It's because you're new and we're trying to figure you out.

Cougarbib2 wrote:

Bronco is a fine DC, but his head coaching decisions have been mind boggling at times. I know he is like deity around Cougar nation, but we're seeing the same ol' mistakes game after game year after year. I expect a lot more from this program.

Other than his first year and last year you have gotten 10-3 or 11-2 every year. So what exact "More" do you expect out of this program and when did you get that "More" out of this program?



I was there in the good old days. And they were good. We went undefeated once - against a weak schedule which I posted last week.



Three are 2 or 3 "1-loss" seasons in there too - over a 30 year span.



Let me guess you are a baseball player and you bat 1.000

With the number of NFL players Bronco has had on offense, we massively underperformed for 4 years, 2006-2009. 2 or 3 loses isn't bad in a vacuum, until you look at who we had and how we did.

mgdhunter wrote:
Why does it matter whether I attended BYU (which i did)? Stirring the pot is frequented by everyone here, and opinions are expressed all of the time. So, again, Why should that matter? Unless your trying to impress/dazzle everyone with your intelligence!

Don't take Cougarbib2 too seriously. It was a valid question, just trying to understand who you are. He often has good things to say, but spends way too much of his time being dazzled by his own brilliance and self importance.

northerncougar wrote:

Why does it matter whether I attended BYU (which i did)? Stirring the pot is frequented by everyone here, and opinions are expressed all of the time. So, again, Why should that matter? Unless your trying to impress/dazzle everyone with your intelligence!

Don't take Cougarbib2 too seriously. It was a valid question, just trying to understand who you are. He often has good things to say, but spends way too much of his time being dazzled by his own brilliance and self importance.

Wait. You're telling me that there are other reasons for the existence of the Internet besides being self-absorbed? That's the craziest thing I've ever heard.



;)

Bronco could walk from on the surface of Utah lake from Saratoga Springs to Provo and the following would happen:

1) The opinions of 60% of cougar fans about Bronco wouldn't change

2) Several members of this board would question Bronco's swimming ability

3) Utah fans would be offended and make "Bronco and Jesus hate me" t-shirts

4) Utah State fans (both of them) would ... well ... probably just stay in Logan and do ... whatever.

For those of you who think that Bronco is somehow an inferior coach, lets examine the glory years. Mind you we were playing in the WAC during the 80's and our level of competition was probably as weaker then it is now. but here are the records from 1980 - 1990:



1990 10-3 7-1 Western Athletic 1st 22 Holiday L 14-65 Lavell Edwards

1989 10-3 7-1 Western Athletic 1st 22 Holiday L 39-50 Lavell Edwards

1988 9-4 5-3 Western Athletic 3rd (tie) - Freedom W 20-17 Lavell Edwards

1987 9-4 7-1 Western Athletic 2nd - All-American L 16-22 Lavell Edwards

1986 8-5 6-2 Western Athletic 2nd - Freedom L 10-31 Lavell Edwards

1985 11-3 7-1 Western Athletic 1st 16 Citrus L 7-10 Lavell Edwards

1984 13-0 8-0 Western Athletic 1st 1 Holiday W 24-17 Lavell Edwards

1983 11-1 7-0 Western Athletic 1st 7 Holiday W 21-17 Lavell Edwards

1982 8-4 7-1 Western Athletic 1st - Holiday L 17-47 Lavell Edwards

1981 11-2 7-1 Western Athletic 1st 13 Holiday W 38-36 Lavell Edwards

1980 12-1 6-1 Western Athletic 1st 12 Holiday W 46-45 Lavell Edwards



During the hay day of Lavelle Edwards tenure, we never had 4 10+ win seasons in a row, and we went .500 on bowl games (actually decent competition).



This is not to disparage anything that Lavelle did, just to put some perspective on what expectations should be. Oh, by the way, we have gone undefeated exactly 1 time in the history of BYU football. You not only have to be very good to go undefeated but you also have to have a little luck on your side (TCU missing 3 chip shot field goals anyone?). winning 10 games against any competition isn't easy, going undefeated is nearly impossible, it only happens once in very great while.



You might also notice that in that 10 year span, we went undefeated in the conference 2 times. Mind you this was a WAC conference that was as weak as a conference has ever been.



Since 2005, Bronco has gone undefeated in a tougher conference twice, won 10+ games 4 years in a row and has gone 4-2 in bowl games.

Bronco is the guy who has set the bar at a National Championship--which for BYU means undefeated.



I don't think we're being overly hard on a guy to point out short-comings that are keeping him back from getting over the bar he himself has set.



Personally, I think Bronco trusts his players too much, and he comes out of Spring/Summer/Fall practices with an overly optimistic view of what he's got because he trusts the kids too much. It takes him a few games to come back to reality and address things his rose-colored glasses prevent him from identifying in the months precedent to the season.

northerncougar wrote:



With the number of NFL players Bronco has had on offense, we massively underperformed for 4 years, 2006-2009. 2 or 3 loses isn't bad in a vacuum, until you look at who we had and how we did.

I hear this a lot, and I find it a little misleading. I don't think you can say someone had "NFL talent" unless they did something in the NFL. In terms of total number of players and NFL impact, a school like Fresno State has done better in that category in recent years despite winning less games than we have.