This is the same thing that fans were supposing in '10 after the embarrassing Tennessee game. Kelvin Sheppard and other team leaders even came out and emphatically denied that anything happened. Heck, last week, wasn't Jarrett Lee on channel 9 news and didn't he say nothing happened in the locker room on 1/9? We, as fans, always think that something is amiss when a team isn't executing to plan, but sometimes these things just happen. I'm not noticing the team chemistry that was there last year. I think one of our biggest problems is that LAST year, all of us fans thought we were "one year away" from a championship team. It was noted over and over again in the off-season. Then, we plowed through arguably the hardest regular season schedule in college football history, only to lose (in embarrassing fashion) to Bama in the BCSNCG. We automatically assumed that this was, in fact, "our year." Our schedule, on paper, looked really easy. It's not turning out that way, and we seem to be rebuilding. The same things were said in '03, by the way--on this very board. As we were going down the stretch and it was unclear whether or not we'd make the BCSNCG, folks said, "Well, if we don't get there this year, we'll be there next year--easy." '04 was not a good season at all. It doesn't work that way--which is why last year's collapse is the big game hurt so much then and continues to hurt now. When a team gets the opportunity to play for all the marbles, it had better grab them and go. Is there a problem in the locker room? Maybe...loss of national championship hangover, just like national championship hangovers in '04 and '08.
There's always disgruntled fans, a benched player, that benched players parents creating drama. Win and it solves almost everything. Lose and you will hear more of this nonsense.
It could also be said that Lee is saying what he should say not to undermine the coach and team. Again, Im not saying anything went on. Im just saying that a lot of things are pointing towards the notion that there is something going on with the team. The regression of Mett, OBJ, OL, etc. Not to mention the players looking to leave and in RRs case, leaving. This team looks defeated on O, they look like there is no hope out there. After the first game I was still hoping for a title but I wasnt expecting it. I knew this team didnt have "it," like last years team. I can accept defeat. I cant however accept constant regression. I cant accept seeing the same mistakes made over and over. Thats where my real issue is coming from. Im seeing what we seen in three of the last four seasons. A team that regresses.
This team has injuries, has been coached poorly on offense and the players have underperformed and regressed bc of it. There's no smoking gun. Not even a pistol formation in the grassy knoll. We are currently not a good team. Can we adapt, get coached up and kick ass from here out. Sure just don't bet on it.
If they lose 4 or 5 games this year what will it be called??? Based on what you have seen (OR NOT SEEN) do you think this team can lose to SCarolina, A&M, Alabama, and MSU OR Ole Miss??? If they do, when did the "problem/s" first get discovered??? I admit, they beat SCarolina, some doubt will get cast aside...............but........
I call it the beginning of the end. In this case I think it is more about the x's and the o's and less to do with the Jimmys and the Joes
Up to THIS season, our team over the last 4 years has won more games than the year before. We are not regressing. How has Mett regressed? We've only seen him in 6 games. We've seen that he can hit receivers, throw int's in the red zone, fumble the ball when sacked, and not avoid pressure. But Saturday was not a bad game for him. In fact, it was better than the previous two weeks. OBJ is dropping balls. Maybe they are not balls he'd drop last year, but he's working with a new QB and (I think) trying to shoulder too much of the load, trying desperately to be the #1 guy. He's young and he's making mistakes. The offensive line? Do you even have to wonder about the regression? And the coaches ARE trying to find a fix--that's why they've been messing around with moving players back and forth for three weeks. Randle left to get paid. Juniors do it all the time. For what it's worth, I don't think this is a championship team, either. But it's not the end of the world and it doesn't necessarily predict future doom and gloom.
I dont believe current or former players would ever really come out and admit that anything was going on in the locker room. It does nothing for their reputation. Something like that would be also considered by NFL teams during scouting. There are things that go on in locker rooms in the NFL, and one of the last thing that owners and general managers want is a guy who is known for airing dirty laundry to the press. We will never know for sure if there is divison with the team or problems in the locker room. People can make all kinds of excuses and dream up all kinds of conspiracy theories. Its all hear say.
