(05-24-2018 05:31 PM)gobaseline Wrote: (05-24-2018 01:15 PM)ColinApocalypse Wrote: I know it sounds cliche, but it all rests on the head coach.
I like him, he's a good dude and a great recruiter and he loves WMU. I believe he'll put together multiple winning seasons. But my question is: Does he have what it takes to win championships?
His demeanor in a few games last fall really turned me off. He was so lackadaisical during the second half of the CMU game. He lacked fire, and so did the team. The guys were already thinking about the after-party as CMU was racking up TDs in the 4th quarter. And there was no passion at the press conference afterward either. Lester of all people knows the rivalry and should at least display some passion and intensity around the CMU game. But we got nothing. So frustrating.
Anywho...we SHOULD at least have a winning season this year. Coaching staff in its second year, returning QB, 4 of 5 OL returning, all receivers returning, tons of depth at RB, lots of guys coming back from injuries, our secondary should also be really good, plus a more forgiving schedule...no reason not to see an increase in the win column. No excuses.
I will say though, that my biggest concern right now is DL. Lots of young talent, but few playmakers. We really lacked pass rush last year and we're thin at interior DL. No idea what to expect from that unit.
A lot here to sort through.
Your observations about perceived behavior and motives of others are interesting, telling even. But let's stick with the objective.
You appear to list the positives in support of your thesis, It's the HC and only the HC. Does he have the fire in the belly I (you) do?"
Return QB had never played a down until last year. He was injured about half way through the season. So his experience is minimal. Better than his back up who has left town? Yes, but still minimal by any metric.
All receivers returning! None of which could or did catch a cold last year. Some did get some experience. Not much (injuries) but some. Couple that with a QB with minimal experience why would you expect them to rise to a level that would be impactful? I'm not suggesting they can't. That is speculative. Based on past performance and current experience I see it difficult to make this a positive that moves the needle. A larger # of receivers but you can only play one at a time at a position so they need to personally beat their opp # to be effective. I say stay tuned.
Lots of RB's most injured and many others injured coming back. If quantity itself mattered then ok. But if they remain injured, are more susceptable to being re-injured than someone who is healthy wouldnt this be more a reason to be cautious as opposed to positive? Until they can walk and then run they havent proven anything yet. Cart in front of the Bronco here.
Plenty of DB's! Again quantity. Some laud Sam Beal. Others question the lauding. Most if not all question the other side. 3 more Jackson's and you can sing and dance but most here question either or both. Justin Tranquille? Proven quality athlete when healthy. Been more injured than not. Therefore not a reason for positivity. This isnt a credit union.
More forgiving schedule? Debatable at best.
No excuses? No relevant facts!
A straw man you just built. What's next, playdo?
When Lester took this job he himself conceded openly that he was walking into a great situation with a team full of highly talented and very experience players, who had proven to be valuable and successful parts of a legendary MAC championship team already. Indeed, the preseason and postseason MAC player awards further corroborated that the team had some of the highest level of talent in school history, and this years preseason awards seem do do more of the same.
What you and MH don't seem to acknowledge is that coaches are the most important part of the team, and deserve the blame and the accolades when the team performs poorly or well. It isn't just about X and O's, it isn't just about preparation, it isn't just about recruiting, it isn't just about motivation, or having brains and guts, a feel for the game or leadership skills in general . It's about all of those things though.
Lester had a loaded team last year. He missed the mark in terms of his first season with the Broncos. I am sure he would tell you the same thing. The gross underperformance in 2017 leads me, and apparently others, to be at least cautious about the prospects for the upcoming year. Nevertheless, this is a tremendous schedule, and if you question that out loud I question whether you are being truly forthright with your assessment. Having NIU and Toledo at home, and winnable games in all but, perhaps, Michigan, with a few softies, is as good as we get around here.
We have solid players coming back, and plenty of experience, with several players still left from the cotton bowl squad. If lack of qb and receiver experience was the excuse last year, it has run out of steam this year. Those guys are now at least a full season under their belt, and were all solid recruits. Coaches will make those players either look good or bad, just as they did last season.
Let's not pretend that this is something that it isn't. If we win Lester and his coaches will have earned the praise which accompanies the same. But likewise, if we don't win enough, proof is in the record.
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2018-19 Predictions
