Alcorn

[jneal318]

After last week, I had a few expectations coming into this game. I think we all knew from the start that the defense will have to carry this team during the season but the key was the QB position and could we get the production needed to be a conference contender. After this game, well we are going to be in for a long season due to QB play and missed opportunities. When you have the ball on the 5-yard line....you must execute. And hats off to Alcorn, they trailed most of the game but their defense kept them in it time and time again. I understand that the starting left tackle is currently out but that next man up mentality is a must. We couldn't run the ball to open up the offense and the mistakes in the red zone were ultimately our downfall. I'm hopeful, but teams like Nicholls and Southeastern are ahead of us...let's just be honest. In our glory years, those teams couldn't touch us...so this says something. I guess my question for the group is...what will it take to fix this? Talking to a former All-American alum tonight...he said we need to scrub the board clean but I'm not quite ready to throw the towel in. I like Lucas and the players he recruits on defense. It's the offense and finding that established leader that makes me scratch my head.

[Reality Check]

It's hard to justify the status quo continuing based on continual poor performances on the field. That isn't reality and the admin, coaches, players, and fans know it. What's the answer? Not sure. Replace the current coaches with more inept coaches? That is what we've done from Peveto to Thomas to Laird. Can't toss Stoker in that group since he had some success. So, should we be patient with current coaches and allow them to grow into good-to-great coaches? That worked with Sam Goodwin over time. Would it work now? Again,not sure. Our biggest issue has always been the QB position. For some reason we struggle there more than not. Why? Yet, again, not sure. I just know losing to inferior competition gets really, really old. Maybe we are the inferior competition now and we have yet to accept it? Or have we accepted it and that is why a culture of "losing" has set in like an infection? So, the reality check is for us all. What do we "all" want out of the program? Just something to do and follow in the fall? Do we want to be competitive and make the playoffs every year? Every other year? Three out of five years? Two out of five years? One out of five years? Do we even set those goals? Have we forgotten how to win? All said and done, we're in reality check time for everyone involved -- admin, coaches, players, and fans. BTW, the new helmets suck. Uniforms look good, but that subdued "too busy" logo is terrible. The logo has always been too busy, but that current look is the worst I have seen. Who decides these things? If it is the same people calling the plays maybe we do need change.

[Reality Check]

As of today, since 2009 -- Peveto, Thomas, Laird -- our football record is 44 wins and 88 losses with no trips to the playoffs. We got close one year with Jay Thomas, but we're playing football not horseshoes. The 12 years prior -- Goodwin, Roberts, Stoker -- we were 78-54 with five trips to the playoffs -- '97, '98, '01, '03, '04. So, in 24 years, and two games this year, we are 122-142 with five trips to the playoffs. May as well say we'll be 124-148 or something close in 25 years with five trips to the playoffs. We haven't made the playoffs in 17 years. The fruit on the tree does not lie. Let's admit it, we're a bad program and have been since 2009. It happens to a lot of programs, though. Everyone loses at some point. Not everyone stays in the losing column, though. A few do. Will we? I just know reality checks are hard to cash and no amount of "coach-speak" or admin marketing drivel can cover this up. Be real, honest, introspective, and make a decision. Ask these current coaches if they can get it done and stick with them and be patient or make a change and go hire a young or old, proven football coach who can win. Not some good ol' boy with connections. I think ignoring this spiral will be the worst thing that could happen. Fans are smart and informed these days. There are options for entertainment outside of football even in a pandemic. Players are fickle and flighty and will transfer at the drop of a hat. Coaches are flighty. They'll leave you quickly for a better opportunity. So, make the best choice for NSU. How do we fix it? Glad it isn't my decision. I am afraid I would be very diplomatic.

[Reality Check]

"I'm afraid I would 'not' be very diplomatic." ^^^

[Reality Check]

OK, the new helmets and subdued logo look much better with all purple uniforms. I stand corrected. It looked washed out with the white uniforms. Maybe it was just the fog of losing a game I thought we should win. Again, I stand corrected. May we go win this weekend ... and/or the next ... and/or the next.

[demon4life]

We HAVE to win Saturday! We have had 13 straight losing seasons and seeing how good Nicholls and SLU appear to be we may be headed for number 14. I had penciled in Alcorn and UT Martin for wins but now it looks as if we may be 0 and 3 after Saturday nite. Oh how far we have fallen.