This team is bad. On defense we suddenly have no difference makers. The biggest hit to the new gap responsibility defense is that on pass downs we get no pressure and our average to below average linebackers, corners and safeties get exposed. We had two difference makers in Harris and Beckner but Odom, Ship and Cross have neutralized their talents,
If I was a parent of Charles Harris, I would advise him to fake an injury, make sure he graduates in the Spring and transfer to Miami, Clemson, Michigan or somewhere that an explosive athlete that can get to the passer is used properly. His draft stock is taking a huge hit. Why would he stick around when he could call up Richt and Kul and they know what he brings? Harris has gone from a first rounder to a mid rounder and if he stays he could drop even lower with this defensive scheme. No way should he stay.
Unfortunately Terry Beckner has 1 more year to play before going to the league. I just hope he does not take another cut block like he did yesterday. If we are going to a 3-4 just do it already and put this kid at end and move on.
There are building blocks on offense however I can think of at least 10-15 players currently on scholarship that need to go. Odom has to clean house on offense to make room for more talent. Not naming any names but they should run off at least 1QB, 1RB, 3-4WR, 1-2OL.
When I watch Drew Lock I cannot help but compare him to Dak Prescott. When I say that I do not mean physically. What I mean is Prescott by and large was awful his first two years in Starkville and in his Junior year he came out of nowhere. His senior year he was rewriting the Mississippi State and SEC record books. If Drew can make the jump in year 3 along with Johnson, Hall, Mason and Crockett they have a chance to be a decent offense next year. Ablein and Bailey are weak physically so hopefully Castillo and AJ Harris are ready to step up next year. Notice no J'Drop on my list. The lack of fundamentals on the play where he fumbled is unacceptable. This young man needs to learn how the real world works and be buried on the bench until he quits or does something to be dismissed from the team. Kid is talented but unreliable and we do not need him poisoning a promising group of incoming wide receivers.
Defense on the other hand has very average to below average talent. If you are going to commit to this defense, clean house with the bad apples and start over. There is dead weight on the roster in every position group so hopefully we lose players such as 1-2DL, 3-4LB, 1-2CB and 1-2S. It is scary to think that we do not have 1 DLine recruit on board yet and now we are trying to sell to these kids, stay in your gap and eat up blocks, that is what the NFL wants to see. The logic in this defense as a framework of defense and a sales presentation to young players who identify Mizzou with defensive lineman going to the league makes no sense. Shipp, Cross and Odom better be able to sell or cheat because no way in hell would my son go play in this defense. I think you will see them hit the JUCO's hard for DLine hoping to get kids physically mature enough to come in and play.
It is definitely time to start cheating. The last two seasons prove that when continually recruit in the 30's in the SEC you are going to shoot craps sometimes on talent evaluation and player development. When that happens we will have to suffer through the brutal nature of the last year and a half. I think I am in the majority in saying that the die hard segment of the fan base is much more likely to increase donations to the "payroll" than they are increasing donations to the TSF. There is too much talent in the state in 2018 that happen to play positions that we desperately need a talent upgrade at. No reason not offer "whatever it takes" to get them on campus.
This is probably going to get worse on defense and I cannot help but believe that there is a certain segment of the team that feels like if they pull off a stunt like they did last year, they will force change on the staff. That is not the long term answer, If I was Odom would give them a release to go anywhere and take their horrible attitudes, lack of heart and poor tackling to someone else's locker room. This program is at least 2-3 years away from being remotely competitive in this league. Cleaning house and starting over will be painful but it is the right move. The culture has to change and if players are allowed to stay on the team without buying in 100% that is on the coaches and they will get what they deserve in 2-3 years.
As fans, donors and supporters we have to do whatever it takes to keep investing in facilities so that if there is a new staff in 2-3 years they are not light years behind the rest of the league besides Vanderbilt.
Last but not least, I live in Tennessee and I will be shocked if Texas does not go all out for Butch Jones. He has proven to be a hell of a recruiter and he changed the culture at Tennessee. Texas first and foremost is in need of a culture changer in the locker room and with their donors. Butch has the personality, track record and ego to go into a job like Texas and change things. Couple that with the fact that Tennessee really has no QB in the fold behind Dobbs, I could see him jump to Texas. Mizzou needs either Tennessee, Georgia or Florida to be down to have a winning record in the conference. Hopefully the Longhorns help us out by stealing Butch away.
If I was a parent of Charles Harris, I would advise him to fake an injury, make sure he graduates in the Spring and transfer to Miami, Clemson, Michigan or somewhere that an explosive athlete that can get to the passer is used properly. His draft stock is taking a huge hit. Why would he stick around when he could call up Richt and Kul and they know what he brings? Harris has gone from a first rounder to a mid rounder and if he stays he could drop even lower with this defensive scheme. No way should he stay.
Unfortunately Terry Beckner has 1 more year to play before going to the league. I just hope he does not take another cut block like he did yesterday. If we are going to a 3-4 just do it already and put this kid at end and move on.
There are building blocks on offense however I can think of at least 10-15 players currently on scholarship that need to go. Odom has to clean house on offense to make room for more talent. Not naming any names but they should run off at least 1QB, 1RB, 3-4WR, 1-2OL.
When I watch Drew Lock I cannot help but compare him to Dak Prescott. When I say that I do not mean physically. What I mean is Prescott by and large was awful his first two years in Starkville and in his Junior year he came out of nowhere. His senior year he was rewriting the Mississippi State and SEC record books. If Drew can make the jump in year 3 along with Johnson, Hall, Mason and Crockett they have a chance to be a decent offense next year. Ablein and Bailey are weak physically so hopefully Castillo and AJ Harris are ready to step up next year. Notice no J'Drop on my list. The lack of fundamentals on the play where he fumbled is unacceptable. This young man needs to learn how the real world works and be buried on the bench until he quits or does something to be dismissed from the team. Kid is talented but unreliable and we do not need him poisoning a promising group of incoming wide receivers.
Defense on the other hand has very average to below average talent. If you are going to commit to this defense, clean house with the bad apples and start over. There is dead weight on the roster in every position group so hopefully we lose players such as 1-2DL, 3-4LB, 1-2CB and 1-2S. It is scary to think that we do not have 1 DLine recruit on board yet and now we are trying to sell to these kids, stay in your gap and eat up blocks, that is what the NFL wants to see. The logic in this defense as a framework of defense and a sales presentation to young players who identify Mizzou with defensive lineman going to the league makes no sense. Shipp, Cross and Odom better be able to sell or cheat because no way in hell would my son go play in this defense. I think you will see them hit the JUCO's hard for DLine hoping to get kids physically mature enough to come in and play.
It is definitely time to start cheating. The last two seasons prove that when continually recruit in the 30's in the SEC you are going to shoot craps sometimes on talent evaluation and player development. When that happens we will have to suffer through the brutal nature of the last year and a half. I think I am in the majority in saying that the die hard segment of the fan base is much more likely to increase donations to the "payroll" than they are increasing donations to the TSF. There is too much talent in the state in 2018 that happen to play positions that we desperately need a talent upgrade at. No reason not offer "whatever it takes" to get them on campus.
This is probably going to get worse on defense and I cannot help but believe that there is a certain segment of the team that feels like if they pull off a stunt like they did last year, they will force change on the staff. That is not the long term answer, If I was Odom would give them a release to go anywhere and take their horrible attitudes, lack of heart and poor tackling to someone else's locker room. This program is at least 2-3 years away from being remotely competitive in this league. Cleaning house and starting over will be painful but it is the right move. The culture has to change and if players are allowed to stay on the team without buying in 100% that is on the coaches and they will get what they deserve in 2-3 years.
As fans, donors and supporters we have to do whatever it takes to keep investing in facilities so that if there is a new staff in 2-3 years they are not light years behind the rest of the league besides Vanderbilt.
Last but not least, I live in Tennessee and I will be shocked if Texas does not go all out for Butch Jones. He has proven to be a hell of a recruiter and he changed the culture at Tennessee. Texas first and foremost is in need of a culture changer in the locker room and with their donors. Butch has the personality, track record and ego to go into a job like Texas and change things. Couple that with the fact that Tennessee really has no QB in the fold behind Dobbs, I could see him jump to Texas. Mizzou needs either Tennessee, Georgia or Florida to be down to have a winning record in the conference. Hopefully the Longhorns help us out by stealing Butch away.
