Hey, I get it that Gus has both skeptics and total abandoners for reasons each (with merit in most cases) group have stated. I can't simply dismiss my own skepticism as to his true upside as an SEC caliber HC. Which is one reason I can get excited about this season - there is flat out enough talent in place, barring key injuries, plus an apparent elite QB in StidhAUm, to essentially prove decisively if Gus can deliver on the HC component.
And it hardly rises to the level of "impossible" as tone here would often suggest, that this team contends for the SEC. So here's hoping with the staff, OC, and personnel changes, Gus finds his HC MoJo, even if a big piece of that is learning when and how to just "stay out of the way".
GBAC held their event at Ross Bridge last night, and it was a great improvement bringing Cubelic in to interview Gus, instead of the HC going 30 min stream of consciousness. Higher per person Dinner price, so a more intimate crowd. They also took audience questions. Sure, it was not a firing line, not the place or time, but some good info surfaced.
Cubelic is outstanding as a high football IQ interviewer. Stellar.
Here are the nuggets that stood out to me. I'm about to be pretty busy, so I'll reply ITT later if Qs.
* Ryan Russell tested our team on a wide range of strength elements two weeks ago. He reported to Gus that this team is the strongest measured in Russell's 8 years to date. Speed development, flexibility, and what Gus called "hurry up, no huddle weight lifting". And yeah, he used the phrase "flying around".
* Gus conveyed what fascinated me re our defense. He said as an OC guy, he has a sense in looking at a D (CBs, S's, LBs) whether they appear tentative, weak. Last year he watched our D work and almost never felt he saw weakness. In Spring especially, he noted Javaris Davis and Carlton Davis pressing their WRs with confidence, zero fear or hesitation. He says this D (and K Steele) believes they are better than last year. "Last year, I sensed strength with our defense. This year I feel it at an even higher level. THEY think they're good, and they think they're tough, so the confidence is exciting for me."
I get it, proof, pud'n and stuff. But the potential is there for Steele's D to take the next step.
* StidhAUm is a) close to the offense, b) close to all the D, c) close to our full coaching staff. #BornLeader. Oh, by the way, he has few if any weaknesses as a QB. How will he rise to SEC play? I don't know, but I sure wouldn't bet agin.
* Lindsey has greatly improved Sean White's mechanics. Hmmm. Imagine having a veteran, stellar backup QB? And that's if Lindsey is able to keep Willis off the field as a dynamic changeup. Gus says Willis is probably just a hair faster than Narshall. Dang.
* O-line. "It starts with our two Srs, Golson and Braden Smith, we know exactly what we've got with both. Darius James is in a good battle with Prince Tega, and Prince Tega is really coming along, I'm excited about him." Spoke well of Mike Horton too.
* Cole gushed about our LB's (rightly so), and Gustav agreed. "Tre Williams and Deshaun Davis have a chance to be the best in our league. They're both like QB's out there, they know the plays they're running, know the splits, and they're attacking downhill."
* On Kevin Steele. "Kevin's smart enough, and has a great relationship with his players to know how to just let them play. Football is in many ways a simple game, and I see it, I can feel it how he's turned his players loose to make plays. They respond to him, and he's made it simple."
* "Kyle Davis will be back very soon, and I'm gonna make a statement about that tomorrow." (So that would be today).
* I asked, given Lindsey's relative newness to big time SEC play, how Gus planned to use Mad Al Borges (who was hired as an analyst). ie Borges' expected role in game planning, will he be in the booth / in Gus / Chip's ears in-game as set of veteran eyes, etc "What I've typically done is bring up a high school coach for analyst positions, but I felt strongly that I wanted a veteran guy. And getting Al was huge, because he knows the SEC already. Chip already had a relationship with Al too. He'll help us with breakdowns, and he'll give Chip some wisdom too. We'd be crazy not to use Al's wisdom. He's excited to learn what we're doing too. Al is already analyzing opponent film, and we're refining exactly how we'll use him this Fall."
On a separate note, Reggie Torbor stole the night IMO:
"Since I'm from Baton Rouge, the question I always get first is 'why didn't you play at LSU'?"
"I always say," smiled Reggie,"because LSU sucks!"
That is all. Hope you enjoyed. Now Bunk dis with gifs, retorts, Jameis TD throw gifs, Ice Ice Baby, or flames as you please.
E5
And it hardly rises to the level of "impossible" as tone here would often suggest, that this team contends for the SEC. So here's hoping with the staff, OC, and personnel changes, Gus finds his HC MoJo, even if a big piece of that is learning when and how to just "stay out of the way".
GBAC held their event at Ross Bridge last night, and it was a great improvement bringing Cubelic in to interview Gus, instead of the HC going 30 min stream of consciousness. Higher per person Dinner price, so a more intimate crowd. They also took audience questions. Sure, it was not a firing line, not the place or time, but some good info surfaced.
Cubelic is outstanding as a high football IQ interviewer. Stellar.
Here are the nuggets that stood out to me. I'm about to be pretty busy, so I'll reply ITT later if Qs.
* Ryan Russell tested our team on a wide range of strength elements two weeks ago. He reported to Gus that this team is the strongest measured in Russell's 8 years to date. Speed development, flexibility, and what Gus called "hurry up, no huddle weight lifting". And yeah, he used the phrase "flying around".
* Gus conveyed what fascinated me re our defense. He said as an OC guy, he has a sense in looking at a D (CBs, S's, LBs) whether they appear tentative, weak. Last year he watched our D work and almost never felt he saw weakness. In Spring especially, he noted Javaris Davis and Carlton Davis pressing their WRs with confidence, zero fear or hesitation. He says this D (and K Steele) believes they are better than last year. "Last year, I sensed strength with our defense. This year I feel it at an even higher level. THEY think they're good, and they think they're tough, so the confidence is exciting for me."
I get it, proof, pud'n and stuff. But the potential is there for Steele's D to take the next step.
* StidhAUm is a) close to the offense, b) close to all the D, c) close to our full coaching staff. #BornLeader. Oh, by the way, he has few if any weaknesses as a QB. How will he rise to SEC play? I don't know, but I sure wouldn't bet agin.
* Lindsey has greatly improved Sean White's mechanics. Hmmm. Imagine having a veteran, stellar backup QB? And that's if Lindsey is able to keep Willis off the field as a dynamic changeup. Gus says Willis is probably just a hair faster than Narshall. Dang.
* O-line. "It starts with our two Srs, Golson and Braden Smith, we know exactly what we've got with both. Darius James is in a good battle with Prince Tega, and Prince Tega is really coming along, I'm excited about him." Spoke well of Mike Horton too.
* Cole gushed about our LB's (rightly so), and Gustav agreed. "Tre Williams and Deshaun Davis have a chance to be the best in our league. They're both like QB's out there, they know the plays they're running, know the splits, and they're attacking downhill."
* On Kevin Steele. "Kevin's smart enough, and has a great relationship with his players to know how to just let them play. Football is in many ways a simple game, and I see it, I can feel it how he's turned his players loose to make plays. They respond to him, and he's made it simple."
* "Kyle Davis will be back very soon, and I'm gonna make a statement about that tomorrow." (So that would be today).
* I asked, given Lindsey's relative newness to big time SEC play, how Gus planned to use Mad Al Borges (who was hired as an analyst). ie Borges' expected role in game planning, will he be in the booth / in Gus / Chip's ears in-game as set of veteran eyes, etc "What I've typically done is bring up a high school coach for analyst positions, but I felt strongly that I wanted a veteran guy. And getting Al was huge, because he knows the SEC already. Chip already had a relationship with Al too. He'll help us with breakdowns, and he'll give Chip some wisdom too. We'd be crazy not to use Al's wisdom. He's excited to learn what we're doing too. Al is already analyzing opponent film, and we're refining exactly how we'll use him this Fall."
On a separate note, Reggie Torbor stole the night IMO:
"Since I'm from Baton Rouge, the question I always get first is 'why didn't you play at LSU'?"
"I always say," smiled Reggie,"because LSU sucks!"
That is all. Hope you enjoyed. Now Bunk dis with gifs, retorts, Jameis TD throw gifs, Ice Ice Baby, or flames as you please.
E5
