M
mcgregorSomething Bronco has commented on has really proved itself this season: Program Maturity.
In my opinion, a program goes through three phases of team maturity, measured by four characterizations of individual positions.
Each team strives to operate a mature program. A mature program is one where back-ups can fill in positions with little to no drop-off in on-field execution. The process to achieve program maturity is the construction phase. And some teams--particularly ones replacing head coaches--must endure a reconstruction phase simply to get to the construction phase.
Each position on the team is manned by a player that is either (1) a liability, (2) serviceable, (3) skilled, or (4) all-star. A liability is a player that can get exposed by more than half the teams on schedule. A serviceable player is one that can hold up against most competition on the schedule, but can get exploited by more talented teams to the detriment of the entire side of the ball. A skilled player is one good enough to thwart teams attempting to attack that player. An all-star is one that would start one most D1 teams in the nation. Nate Soelberg was a liability, Justin Robinson was serviceable, Cameron Jensen was skilled, and Austin Collie was an all-star.
On each side of the ball, you measure each position and look at the sum. In 2005, there were so many liabilities at the various positions that the entire defense was a liability. Each year, there were fewer and fewer liabilities. Last year, we operated our defense with many skilled players, but mostly serviceable players. Likely, only one or two players were arguably liabilities.
This year, the worst defenders are serviceable, with several skilled players. Perhaps, there is at least one to three all-stars (I would argue that Jordan Pendleton is on his way to all-star status). But most importantly, the bulk of the starters are skilled. In my opinion, to run a good defense you need at least 8 skilled players, 2 all-stars. A great defense obviously fields more all-stars, and no liabilities.
The offense illustrates program maturity better. When one man goes down, as has been the case on the OL and now Jacobson, there is almost no noticeable drop-off. The offense is mature. Sure, they could use some more all-stars, but at least the reserves are skilled. This wasn't the case last year, as at least one of the OL was a liability (at best, serviceable).
Once the skilled starters on defense are replaced by equally skilled (or even better, but younger) backups, the program will complete the maturity process. From there, a mature program looks to fill in with all-stars.
I've left out a fourth phase--super maturity, where every player is an all-star--because that distinction is unrealistic for most teams.
In summary, Bronco has brought this team from reconstruction to the cusp of full maturity. I think we are there on offense, and a few recruits shy of being there on defense.
In my opinion, a program goes through three phases of team maturity, measured by four characterizations of individual positions.
Each team strives to operate a mature program. A mature program is one where back-ups can fill in positions with little to no drop-off in on-field execution. The process to achieve program maturity is the construction phase. And some teams--particularly ones replacing head coaches--must endure a reconstruction phase simply to get to the construction phase.
Each position on the team is manned by a player that is either (1) a liability, (2) serviceable, (3) skilled, or (4) all-star. A liability is a player that can get exposed by more than half the teams on schedule. A serviceable player is one that can hold up against most competition on the schedule, but can get exploited by more talented teams to the detriment of the entire side of the ball. A skilled player is one good enough to thwart teams attempting to attack that player. An all-star is one that would start one most D1 teams in the nation. Nate Soelberg was a liability, Justin Robinson was serviceable, Cameron Jensen was skilled, and Austin Collie was an all-star.
On each side of the ball, you measure each position and look at the sum. In 2005, there were so many liabilities at the various positions that the entire defense was a liability. Each year, there were fewer and fewer liabilities. Last year, we operated our defense with many skilled players, but mostly serviceable players. Likely, only one or two players were arguably liabilities.
This year, the worst defenders are serviceable, with several skilled players. Perhaps, there is at least one to three all-stars (I would argue that Jordan Pendleton is on his way to all-star status). But most importantly, the bulk of the starters are skilled. In my opinion, to run a good defense you need at least 8 skilled players, 2 all-stars. A great defense obviously fields more all-stars, and no liabilities.
The offense illustrates program maturity better. When one man goes down, as has been the case on the OL and now Jacobson, there is almost no noticeable drop-off. The offense is mature. Sure, they could use some more all-stars, but at least the reserves are skilled. This wasn't the case last year, as at least one of the OL was a liability (at best, serviceable).
Once the skilled starters on defense are replaced by equally skilled (or even better, but younger) backups, the program will complete the maturity process. From there, a mature program looks to fill in with all-stars.
I've left out a fourth phase--super maturity, where every player is an all-star--because that distinction is unrealistic for most teams.
In summary, Bronco has brought this team from reconstruction to the cusp of full maturity. I think we are there on offense, and a few recruits shy of being there on defense.