Practice Report: Back on track

[Tornado man]

Yeah, color me skeptical as well. We heard a whole lot of rainbows and unicorns stuff coming out of practice before the season started. Honestly, I expect that kind of stuff. But at the end of the day it doesn't really matter to me as a fan. The only measuring stick that I use is the scoreboard. Saturday, it will either tell me that we are getting the job done or we aren't. I'm not interested in handing out MVP awards to our practice all-stars.

Very well said. I could have predicted, after CPR said Monday his team has not practiced well recently, that suddenly the Mon and Tues workouts would be great.
As was previously stated, CPR called AA the "most improved player" in the spring, and coach also said in August that the d-line was improved this year over last.

[HerkyKiller]

Here's a quote from CPR:

“I’m not a big believer in moving a bunch of players around,” said Iowa State head coach Paul Rhoads. “A lot of folks think you adjust three or four people to get your best players on the field. [Morton] was playing that position, he was number two for a reason, and I believed in moving him up and playing him.”


Maybe this is why Tiller isnt playing.......

[cycloneG]

Here's a quote from CPR:

“I’m not a big believer in moving a bunch of players around,” said Iowa State head coach Paul Rhoads. “A lot of folks think you adjust three or four people to get your best players on the field. [Morton] was playing that position, he was number two for a reason, and I believed in moving him up and playing him.”


Maybe this is why Tiller isnt playing.......

Only if you're talking about moving him to a different position. But the two aren't related if you're talking about quarterback.

[Cyhart]

Yeah, color me skeptical as well. We heard a whole lot of rainbows and unicorns stuff coming out of practice before the season started. Honestly, I expect that kind of stuff. But at the end of the day it doesn't really matter to me as a fan. The only measuring stick that I use is the scoreboard. Saturday, it will either tell me that we are getting the job done or we aren't. I'm not interested in handing out MVP awards to our practice all-stars.

This!
Yeah, its all well and good that we had a great practice! Glad to hear it. But we are not "back on track" until we chalk up another win.

[CyCloned]

Yeah, color me skeptical as well. We heard a whole lot of rainbows and unicorns stuff coming out of practice before the season started. Honestly, I expect that kind of stuff. But at the end of the day it doesn't really matter to me as a fan. The only measuring stick that I use is the scoreboard. Saturday, it will either tell me that we are getting the job done or we aren't. I'm not interested in handing out MVP awards to our practice all-stars.

I had a lot of hope during the first part of the NIU game. AA looked very sharp, was making good throws, even saw a wide open guy over the middle, then in the second half he went back to locking in on one receiver, forcing idiotic passes and overthrowing or under throwing guys down field. It has all been down hill from there.

I am not one of the guys blaming AA for all of the offensive problems, but guys are only wide open for TDs one or two times a game and you absolutely, positively have to complete those passes. Everyone Else's QB does it, it isn't like we are asking for miracles here.

[bosco]

Very well said. I could have predicted, after CPR said Monday his team has not practiced well recently, that suddenly the Mon and Tues workouts would be great.
As was previously stated, CPR called AA the "most improved player" in the spring, and coach also said in August that the d-line was improved this year over last.

Rhoads: "You callin' me a liar, Tornado man? That what you callin' me?"

Rhoads: "All I have in this world is my balls and my word - and I don't break them for no one."

[Clone2thebone14]

If Einstein worked, the team should watch this on Saturday.

YouTube - 40 Inspirational Speeches in 2 Minutes

Nice!!

[clonedude]

Sounds to me like the coaching staff has been told to sell hope to the fans? Pollard wants there to be a reason for people to come to the game. He HAS to sell tickets.

After the last weeks, the last thing fans need to hear from the coaches is that they still look horrible in practice this week. That won't sell any tickets.

[dualthreat]

im so happy we have a good practice team

[Cybyassociation]

Yeah, color me skeptical as well. We heard a whole lot of rainbows and unicorns stuff coming out of practice before the season started. Honestly, I expect that kind of stuff. But at the end of the day it doesn't really matter to me as a fan. The only measuring stick that I use is the scoreboard. Saturday, it will either tell me that we are getting the job done or we aren't. I'm not interested in handing out MVP awards to our practice all-stars.

Could be worse...we could be handing out MVP awards for dodgeball all stars

[JHudd]

Sounds to me like the coaching staff has been told to sell hope to the fans? Pollard wants there to be a reason for people to come to the game. He HAS to sell tickets.

After the last weeks, the last thing fans need to hear from the coaches is that they still look horrible in practice this week. That won't sell any tickets.

The only reason anything was said in the first place was as a wake-up call for a some of the guys. This didn't have much/anything to do with the fans...I haven't seen anything yet that makes me think CPR is selling BS to us, no reason to put that much at risk this early in a career.

[ajk4st8]

Here's a quote from CPR:

“I’m not a big believer in moving a bunch of players around,” said Iowa State head coach Paul Rhoads. “A lot of folks think you adjust three or four people to get your best players on the field. [Morton] was playing that position, he was number two for a reason, and I believed in moving him up and playing him.”


Maybe this is why Tiller isnt playing.......

The only reason he isnt playing is that in practice he has NOT proven to be better than AA.


Unless you think our coaching staff likes playing a worse player.

[Tre4ISU]

Very well said. I could have predicted, after CPR said Monday his team has not practiced well recently, that suddenly the Mon and Tues workouts would be great.
As was previously stated, CPR called AA the "most improved player" in the spring, and coach also said in August that the d-line was improved this year over last.

Have we stopped to think that perhaps throughout practice he did look like the most improved? I know it doesn't matter at all but that doesn't mean he was lying.

[Skyh13]

Say what you want about our team, but one thing is for certain -- they are resilient. You don't see any 'quit' in them. Of course, effort can only take you so far, as we've seen already this season, but it can do a lot. And it's no surprise to me that maybe they came back with a bit of a chip on their shoulders, and more focused to get things done.

Will this mean much on the field? Who knows. But it does show the kind of team we have, and it's a reflection of our staff, which I'm grateful for.

Rhoads isn't going to sell us BS, so I'm sure they did have a very good practice. Was there probably a little bit of coach-speak in there? I'm sure there was. But don't forget that his enthusiasm can have a direct effect back on the players, especially when his reaction is positive feedback to their positive energy after a good practice.

[jay moe]

Is the problem missing tackles or is it being out of position or just plain getting run over?

It is a combination of all that you mentioned. Being out of position has some to do with it, but I feel that it mostly is due to guys seeing their first action at this level and physically/mentally still getting used to the speed and physical nature of D1 football.