... as a Chiefs and a Pats fan, I feel like I have the best of all worlds when it comes to the NFL. I really enjoyed the Pats beating the Raiders today. Each team was competent and moved the ball well. The Pats running game was dominant, and will give the Chiefs a headache next week... but that is next week. This game came down to a couple of mistakes and the Pat run game. And tomorrow night should be fun too. The Chiefs vs Baltimore may be one of the best match-ups of the year... until New England comes to town.... But that is not why I am writing this.
Right after that game, the network turned to the Bengals vs Eagles game. It was in OT. It hurt to watch these teams. They are bad, they don't execute, and they killed themselves with penalties. Just when they seemed to be close to winning, they did something stupid and pulled themselves out of contention. They should both be given an L instead of a tie. The difference between these two games, and these four teams was amazing... the disparity seemed to be in the coaching and the self control of the players, not so much in raw talent. While the Pats and Las Vegas were under control and executing, Phili and Cinci were the opposite...
Why do I bring this up? Last night I saw a Mizzou team that had a large talent gap between itself and Alabama. In years past we would have flags thrown for dumb mistakes and mental errors. We would come out fired up and by the end of the game our guys would have their heads hung low or be sniping at one another. In years past against teams like Bama we would have players dancing and goofing when they made a decent play on a second team player in mop-up time. In years past, it was obvious that we were out coached and out executed... and that we did not have a game plan or the discipline to execute it. We were like the Eagles and Bengals... Last night I saw a Mizzou team that, while getting beat by a more talented team that knew the game plan, did not give up. They did not get frustrated and earn dumb penalties. They did not act like clowns on the field. And the coaches seemed to be in control the whole time. Sure, there were some execution problems and mishaps... but most of our sins were sins of commission, not omission. And that is something a good coaching staff can work with.
We have a long way to go as a coaching staff and a team. The talent gap is huge. The learning curve is steep. We have a long way to go before we can think of competing with the best in the SEC. But the foundation seems to be there... the coaches seem to be in control and know what they are doing. They are not resorting to gimmicks or bringing in band aides to patch the bleeding. And the players (so far) are buying what they are selling. I have hope. I can watch a team that is competent and is striving to grow and develop... not imploding due to incompetence and selfishness. I think this bodes well for us... at least that is what I see after game one.
BTW: someone needs to put the Eagles and the Bengals out of their misery... that was some bad football and terrible coaching.
Right after that game, the network turned to the Bengals vs Eagles game. It was in OT. It hurt to watch these teams. They are bad, they don't execute, and they killed themselves with penalties. Just when they seemed to be close to winning, they did something stupid and pulled themselves out of contention. They should both be given an L instead of a tie. The difference between these two games, and these four teams was amazing... the disparity seemed to be in the coaching and the self control of the players, not so much in raw talent. While the Pats and Las Vegas were under control and executing, Phili and Cinci were the opposite...
Why do I bring this up? Last night I saw a Mizzou team that had a large talent gap between itself and Alabama. In years past we would have flags thrown for dumb mistakes and mental errors. We would come out fired up and by the end of the game our guys would have their heads hung low or be sniping at one another. In years past against teams like Bama we would have players dancing and goofing when they made a decent play on a second team player in mop-up time. In years past, it was obvious that we were out coached and out executed... and that we did not have a game plan or the discipline to execute it. We were like the Eagles and Bengals... Last night I saw a Mizzou team that, while getting beat by a more talented team that knew the game plan, did not give up. They did not get frustrated and earn dumb penalties. They did not act like clowns on the field. And the coaches seemed to be in control the whole time. Sure, there were some execution problems and mishaps... but most of our sins were sins of commission, not omission. And that is something a good coaching staff can work with.
We have a long way to go as a coaching staff and a team. The talent gap is huge. The learning curve is steep. We have a long way to go before we can think of competing with the best in the SEC. But the foundation seems to be there... the coaches seem to be in control and know what they are doing. They are not resorting to gimmicks or bringing in band aides to patch the bleeding. And the players (so far) are buying what they are selling. I have hope. I can watch a team that is competent and is striving to grow and develop... not imploding due to incompetence and selfishness. I think this bodes well for us... at least that is what I see after game one.
BTW: someone needs to put the Eagles and the Bengals out of their misery... that was some bad football and terrible coaching.
