-FSU has compiled a 4-6 record against Division 1 teams in it's last 10 games against Division 1 opponents
-FSU lost 9 total games from the 92 season thru the 99 season with only 2 losses coming in ACC play
-FSU's defense gave up 12 completions for 203 yards yesterday and 8 completions for 215 yards last week against South Florida
-Boston College had only 54 yards of total offense two weeks ago at Clemson
There have been reports that there have been fights between two certain coaches- one occurring on the air plane ride from Tallahassee to Boston. This is simply embarrassing and it sets the tone for our players. How are the players supposed to play for coaches that fight with each other for everyone to see? This attitude and dissension amongst our staff (quite possibly the worst staff in the ACC-primarily caused by the defensive staff) is rubbing off on our players. When you have a head coach that just laughs after losing to USF, (and also supposedly didn't even address the players before the game) you got to think that there are major issues going on. The head coach's attitude will wear off on to the team. There isn't anger on the faces of players. They don't seem to care about losing. It is imperative in athletics for players to hate to lose more than they like to win, and this team just doesn't seem to care if they lose, if they embarrass the fans, or if they just simply look like a crappy product. The only two players that I can tell that are visibly pissed off are Jacoby McDaniel and Greg Reid- both true freshman. Nigel Carr is also visibly into it. He hardly plays, but he busts his butt on the sideline trying to help this team anyway he can. It has to be on players like this to turn this attitude and dissension around- a tall order for 18 year old players. It is time for Bobby to set a concrete date on when he will step down. It is hurting recruiting. How can you be sure that coaches are doing their best when they don't know if they will have a spot on Jimbo's staff? You can't. There is no telling what Chuck Amato is doing on the road. For all I know, he could be negatively recruiting against his own school. The date must be named. And now on to Jimbo... I am not convinced he is the man for the job- maybe we should just buy him out to the tune of 5 million and hire from the outside. But, we will not know this until we give him a chance. He talks about how he needs to change the culture of the program. He talks about how we have to build our own identity- and not try to create the identity of the dynasty years. These are both valid points, but how in the world is he expected to do this when he has no say about the staff. Something has to change. I really wish that our Athletic Director would ask me what I want. The conversation would go something along the lines of what John Rambo said to Colonial Trautman at the end of Rambo First Blood: Part II-
Colonial Spetmen: The war, the whole conflict (the war within Florida State Football) may be wrong, but dammit, don't hate your country for it (don't turn your back on this team).
Dos: Hate? I'd die for it. (I would do anything for the Noles)
Colonial Spetmen: Then what is it you want?
Dos: I want.......what they want (fans and boosters)......and everybody else who came over here and spilled his guts and gave everything he had (players).....WANTS......For our country (university administrators and coaches) to love us.......as much is we love it (Noles). That's......what I want.
That is how I feel. I would do anything, and will continue to do anything I can to support these guys, but we need changes. We need steps taken to show us that we are trying to win. I give more money than I can conceivably afford to give to this university as a booster. I give money to the alumni association and I am not even an alumnus. I have season tickets. All expenses that I should not have, but I have them because I have to have them. This team is my lifeline. It is the best thing in my life. And I won't turn my back.
Colonial Spetmen: How are you going to live Dos?
Dos: Day by Day
I will never leave. It just won't happen. We could go 2-10 this year and I'd be back. You don't just leave, or quit, when things get tough. But, I can't do it alone. I can't make the necessary changes. That duty falls on the men at the top. Colonial Spetmen and T.K. Wetherall need to make these decisions. Change needs to happen. Now, make it happen. (that transcript from Rambo is easily a top 10 scene in the motion picture history of Sly Stallone, which places it easily within the top 12 moments in overall motion picture history).
I'm not going to go in to why I think we lost the game. We need to look ourselves in the mirror and decide that we aren't going to give. We need the players to decide that they aren't going to settle for middle of the pack success. These are the first steps that must be taken. And, it must start next Saturday night when Georgia Tech comes to town. I really hope that fans show up and still support the players, even if you don't support the people in charge. They need us behind them.
All of this has me thinking.....I am from the old school. I love smash mouth football. I want my team to hurt the other team. I want my team to take the heart from the other team. I want my team to have an advantage before even stepping on the football field- both a schematic advantage and a confidence advantage. Florida State used to have this. Now, I am just envious of the programs that have this. I envy Alabama, I envy Florida. I envy these teams because they aren't scared. They aren't going to be under prepared. They are going to come out and punch you in the mouth and then try to step on your throat. They play with urgency. They play with heart. But, most importantly, they play with pride. We need our players to play like this- and it is my hope that we can get back to playing the game the way it's supposed to be played. When it is all said and done, I truly believe we will. It's just going to take some time, and I will be waiting until this time finally comes.
In other news- I ate at waffle house today. The above picture was the result of my love for this establishment. On the top left plate were three pieces of bacon. The plate in the middle was filled with scrambled eggs, hasbrowns and toast. The plate on the far right was my waffle. It was a beautiful meal that I needed desperately for survival.
I also went down to the Toyota Center yesterday to get a first glimpse into this year's team. I feel like Bill Murry in Kingpin when he has the bowling ball with the flower in it. He says that he needs it now more than he's ever needed it. I need these Rockets now- quite possibly more than I have ever needed them. They are therapy. I am very excited about the upcoming season that officially starts against the Spurs on Tuesday. A few thoughts about the team- I only watched about 10 minutes due to the start of the Florida State game:
-Jermain Taylor is a scorer. It's going to be fun to see how he can fit in with this team. I see him as a Von Wafer replacement with just a little less explosion. But, he's cocky and plays to win- both attributes you need in this league.
-David Andersen looks like a pretty good offensive player that will be able to create mismatches against centers in this league. It was actually painfully obvious that he is going to struggle on the defensive end of the floor though.
-I love Chuck Hayes. He actually got one of the bigger applause of anyone on the team- which tells me the city is finally realizing his true worth to this team.
-Chase Buddinger looks like a real good player. He will never be an all star but he has a great stroke and a really high basketball IQ. It would have been lovely to see him play along side Yao Ming to see how the floor would open up.
-It was nice seeing Trevor Ariza in a Rockets Jersey. Even if he doesn't pan out, he will always have a spot on my team. He kept his word, and really does want to be in Houston.
-Tracy McGrady came out 5 minutes after everyone else. Did we really expect anything different from Mac? I watched him shoot and he still didn't seem to have his legs under him, but I expect by the end of November he will be back close to 100%. I am going out on a limb and saying he will be the comeback player of the year. You heard it here first.
In closing, I would like to say two things: Go Noles and Go Rockets. I love you both.
The Dos Bomb
(Joey did order a Dos Bomb on Friday night. The Bartender didn't know what it was so Joe made it up. It is pretty nice to have a drink named after you. Thanks Joey.)
I admire your passion.
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