If you were totally objective what is your opinion on the status of MN Football? We came into this season with lots of reasons to be optimistic. We were coming off a bowl victory, we return 2 very talented RB's, we have a 5th year Senior QB, a solid defense and a new OC that was advertised as a guy with a willingness to really open it up. Well, 7 games in where do we stand? We're 5-2 which ultimately is all that matters. Should we be 7-0? Probably. But this is the Big 10 and crazy things happen. I.E. Penn State beating the Buckeyes. My concern is how we got to this point and WHY we're NOT 7-0.
1. Smith/Brooks have been phenomenal! What else can I say. Can you imagine the year they'd be having with a decent offensive line?
2. Mitch Leidner has been terribly inconsistent! Simply not acceptable for a 5th year senior. This is not High School FB. If he's not getting the job done he needs to be replaced immediately. There's no loyalty when his poor play starts to snowball to other players. Quite frankly he's become a liability. The coaching staff flat out blew it this week by starting Leidner. It was the perfect storm. You had Rhoda coming off a respectable start and WIN on the road and your next opponent is the worst team in the league at home. A perfect opportunity to give Leidner another week to prepare to come back. This staff decides to rush Leidner back for his final Homecoming game and it's a disaster. Yes he started out great but then his inconsistency raised its ugly head. I don't care what anyone says, Leidner is at least 2-3 steps slower than his Freshman year. You can't continue to run the read/option with a QB that is no threat to run. Nice kid/great captain but for any success the rest of this season he needs to step aside.
3. Defense has been ok. Certainly not the level we've come to expect from this staff. They've been hit with injuries and suspensions which certainly doesn't help. Hardin, Celestin, Lynn and Windfield have been tremendous.
4. Jay Johnson. I was ecstatic that Tracey had the balls to fire Limegrover right off the bat. Was super excited about our new OC. Giant disappointment! This offense is so bland and so predictable. The play calling is abysmal. Makes absolutely no sense what he's even trying to accomplish. 4th and 1 with our backs and your in the shotgun? WTF that's basic Football. Smith or Brooks will get you 1 yard every time. You can see during the game his play calling is sucking the life out of this team. Very disappointed with this hire.
5. Head Coach. Listen I'm a Tracey guy. I was pulling for him to get the job. Now that I've seen what he offers as a head coach it's time to go another direction. I've never seen a more undisciplined team in my life. That's a direct reflection of the coach. The off the field stuff is also an issue. Never had these issues under Kill. Tracey is an introvert. That's no secret and there's nothing wrong with that. Perfect for his personality as a DC but not head coach. These are young impressionable men that like to get excited and show their emotion. It's all stifled by a 400 lb head coach that has little to nothing to say to them. These kids need fire in their belly and need a coach that will instill that in them.
This team is in trouble. Before the season many said an 8 win season would NOT be a successful season. Tracey even said this himself. I'm having a tough time coming up with 3 more wins. Maybe Illinois next week and maybe Purdue at home although they just gave Nebraska a game in Lincoln. NW is on fire and we never play well against the Cats. Nebraska is a loss and we have no chance upsetting Bucky in Madison. Final record.....7-5 and another middle of the pack bowl game. Another year of mediocre FB season at the U of M. And on and on it goes.
1. Smith/Brooks have been phenomenal! What else can I say. Can you imagine the year they'd be having with a decent offensive line?
2. Mitch Leidner has been terribly inconsistent! Simply not acceptable for a 5th year senior. This is not High School FB. If he's not getting the job done he needs to be replaced immediately. There's no loyalty when his poor play starts to snowball to other players. Quite frankly he's become a liability. The coaching staff flat out blew it this week by starting Leidner. It was the perfect storm. You had Rhoda coming off a respectable start and WIN on the road and your next opponent is the worst team in the league at home. A perfect opportunity to give Leidner another week to prepare to come back. This staff decides to rush Leidner back for his final Homecoming game and it's a disaster. Yes he started out great but then his inconsistency raised its ugly head. I don't care what anyone says, Leidner is at least 2-3 steps slower than his Freshman year. You can't continue to run the read/option with a QB that is no threat to run. Nice kid/great captain but for any success the rest of this season he needs to step aside.
3. Defense has been ok. Certainly not the level we've come to expect from this staff. They've been hit with injuries and suspensions which certainly doesn't help. Hardin, Celestin, Lynn and Windfield have been tremendous.
4. Jay Johnson. I was ecstatic that Tracey had the balls to fire Limegrover right off the bat. Was super excited about our new OC. Giant disappointment! This offense is so bland and so predictable. The play calling is abysmal. Makes absolutely no sense what he's even trying to accomplish. 4th and 1 with our backs and your in the shotgun? WTF that's basic Football. Smith or Brooks will get you 1 yard every time. You can see during the game his play calling is sucking the life out of this team. Very disappointed with this hire.
5. Head Coach. Listen I'm a Tracey guy. I was pulling for him to get the job. Now that I've seen what he offers as a head coach it's time to go another direction. I've never seen a more undisciplined team in my life. That's a direct reflection of the coach. The off the field stuff is also an issue. Never had these issues under Kill. Tracey is an introvert. That's no secret and there's nothing wrong with that. Perfect for his personality as a DC but not head coach. These are young impressionable men that like to get excited and show their emotion. It's all stifled by a 400 lb head coach that has little to nothing to say to them. These kids need fire in their belly and need a coach that will instill that in them.
This team is in trouble. Before the season many said an 8 win season would NOT be a successful season. Tracey even said this himself. I'm having a tough time coming up with 3 more wins. Maybe Illinois next week and maybe Purdue at home although they just gave Nebraska a game in Lincoln. NW is on fire and we never play well against the Cats. Nebraska is a loss and we have no chance upsetting Bucky in Madison. Final record.....7-5 and another middle of the pack bowl game. Another year of mediocre FB season at the U of M. And on and on it goes.
