Interesting to think about. I know people who have been & watched practice, and haven't heard any of these reports though. That makes me question whether it's true, or atleast whether it's true while he's here at LSU.
If you know people who go to practice, ask them to watch for this. We all know that the players have to work hard, but they can't be afraid to play. I will revisit the topic with you after the fl, aubur, and n texas games. You should have an indication on how Miles is handling the pressure by then, and if the team is rallying or defecting.
Re: Too much emotion?...BIG TIME!! As to the question of:..... Too much emotion? Absolutely! Very wise point/observation. It is astonishing how many fail to see the tremendous role "EMOTION" has and "plays" in competition. We at LSU must be particularly "careful" with this legendary asset we monopolize. Otherwise, what can be an incredible.....advantage.....can also be a "dis-advantage" if unaware of the power it (we) poses and it's effect on our (and our opponents) team. Although it is what makes me love LSU and College Football soo much, the legendary and unique "EMOTION" (intensity) found - NO WHERE ELSE - quite like it is found here at LSU in Tiger Stadium........is an extremely potent "drug". In a split second, our fans can cause an "EARTH QUAKE" to occurr!! This emotion or energy/adrenaline "rush" must be managed and utilzed. Being accutely aware of the specific momentum shifts in a game/contest/match is often what differentiates professionals (winners) from amateurs. Knowing your unique assetts, power, speed, strength, etc. and how/when to "time" or utilize is HUGE! This applies equally to and in the Business arena. Most are unaware or unable to monitor/evaluate these fundamental aspects of "competition". Substitue "MOMENTUM" for market position, strength or conditions. Emotional people, players, efforts, teams...... are often difficult to predict and count/rely on. One minute wonders. Flash in the pan success. MOMENTUM.....Being aware of who's got the "MO".......each/every MOMENT of the contest........and how to maintain or break your opponents "flow" of it is abolutely essential to consistently winning. The entire mystique of LSU....Tiger Stadium, night games, our incredibly beautiful babes (trust me on this one), the absolutely deafening noise levels..........all upon 19,20,21 year old KIDS.........is quite a bit of "energy" (power) and is a veritable ADRENALINE (drug) RUSH. What goes up, must come down! ie....the second half. Often times the players (kids) are too busy working (tired) to recogize and deal with the "MO". This is the coach's job. I think the "prevent" offense in the second half sucked the "emotion" and intensity out of the fans for sure, which then may have effected the defenses intensity. It's already been said......our coach's lack of CONFIDENCE by sitting on the lead.......wore the defense's mindset/attitude out immediately. Hell yes it was hot and they were tired! Suddenly getting chicken when you are up 21 and running the clock out allowed the defenses mind to send the signal to the body...........I'm tired!! Manage the emotion, momentum..........and the MIND can do incredible things. It's 90% mental. Yes, you must have the raw talent/skill.....which we have beaucoup. It is then a matter of controlling the kids "behavior", mind, attitude. Find the coach who can do this.........and with average talent.......he/she will produce consistent champions.
I'm going to disagree somewhat with most everyone. I think not scoring or at least getting a chance to attempt a field goal at the end of the second quarter was the culprit. The crowd and the team seemed to go flat right then and never got going again. :dis:
It wasnt that it was the time at halftime that people had to relax and after all the emotion that was spent in the first half they just couldnt get back up. Halftime killed us.
I didn't see the game live, I was on an airplane halfway between Guam and Honolulu. By the time I landed in Honolulu, got my bags, got the rental car, and got to the hotel, I was able to pick up the game on a delayed basis at halftime. I was tickled #%$*less at the halftime score. How quickly that faded. As others have said in other threads, I think we just flat out got out coached in the second half. The Vols made the adjustments and came out of the locker room with a "We're gonna win attitude" and we seemed to come out with a "Let's play conservative and protect the lead" attitude which resulted in a L. A couple of times when I saw a shot of Miles on the sidelines in the 2nd half, he had that deer in the headlights look. Our team has been through a lot in the past month that no other Div 1 team has had to endure. Contrary to what the coaches and players say to the press, I can't help but believe that had an underlying effect on the way we played in the second half. I'm pissed at Miles and the LSU staff, but I'm not prepared to jump ship. Keep the faith. We'll bounce back.
