None of my comments are being a smart ass. They are replies to many posts that Smoke doesn't coach right, specifically comments that since he doesn't go to the mound and doesn't have a fit in the dugout or on the field enough that he is a bad coach. So I used others as an example to show that a coach doesn't need to do that in baseball. I also happen to believe a coach ranting all the time is very counterproductive. And to those that think we should fire Smoke bbecause of his record in the middle of a season I offered proof that even the great Skipper has been down that road before. I'm not being a smart ass, just trrying to give some credence to my point of view in a more entertaining way. And I know I haven't attacked you, I go out of my way not to attack someone like many others here do. I thought we had been having a pretty good debate. :redface:
It has more to do than with demeanor. It's a little something called game management. It's called being involved in what's going on and not delegating everything to the staff. It has to do with motivating and lighting a fire under the players. It has to do with at least appearing to be somewhat awake in the dugout during a game. But then again, you'll just have to forgive me, SabanFan...I forgot that, according to you, none of us are allowed to express any kind of opinion that might be the least bit critical in any way of any LSU coach. If we do, we obviously have no kind of life. Never mind that nobody's screaming for anybody's head...no free expression of opinion at all allowed. A thousand pardons, o sahib.
you're the one with a valid argument. these fans who think smoke doesn't get all riled up or these little things to get on umps, etc are pretty clueless. he does it quite often. you measure this stuff by the players and how they perform in certain circumstances. its stupid to be calling for smoke's head now but I understand the concerns and with that, comes overreactions. LSU has a few players (just like in the past) who think we will win by putting on that LSU jersey. This is where a jason williams or russ johnson stepped in in the past. Not skip. Not turtle. the players have to look in the mirror.
Well, Tirk, that may be true. But if it is, he's certainly not as visible about it as Skip was. I have yet to call for Smoke's head. I'd just like to see one of his teams come out and play with some fire in their eyes. I'm a firm believer that a team is a reflection of it's coach. And this year's team appears to be sleepwalking, just playing out the string. Thus it follows, I'm going to be somewhat critical of Smoke.
oh i wasnt talking about anyone directly and trust me, I bitch at the park and cuss and scream as well. I do miss the times skip would huddle up the masses in key situations and wear their asses out right outside the dugout. the problem is, WE all have nothing but great and very recent memories of Skip which Smoke can and never will replace. Nothing Smoke can do outside of winning it all is enough. he is in a no win situation. I remember skips teams being swept as well more than once. I think this teams problem is now they are under the gun, they begin pressing at the plate. you know how that goes. everything is amplified now and the longer this goes on the more the pressure will kill them. they are now thinking instead of reacting. of course this isnt turtles fault. hes a great hitting coach. the only 'true' hitter I see in this order is patterson and Im not saying that cuz of this years stats. I have always though his swing was pure. Stav can hit for avg and mash but presses sometimes as you saw in CWS. others can hit but they need experience and to let their talent take over their 10 cent heads. Hard to ask the pitching staff for much more. Losing when your team has pitched this well for so long is what really worries me. they can only pitch worse. these are aluminum bats.
You are missing the point (BIG SURPRISE). I'm not knocking Clay. He's doing the best he can out there. The fact that he is servicable at 2nd base is a testament to Clay. I think Clay is a great player. But, you don't know a damn thing about baseball if you think that Clay is a 2nd baseman. He's a big guy. He's got very little range. It's not a mystery why he's making the errors that he is. You are a joke. You can't allow anyone to criticize Smoke even when it's warranted. Smoke is a big boy. He can handle criticism. Why can't you handle him being criticized? The point is, Smoke made the decision that we would take our lumps in the field and beat teams at the plate. That's proven by the fact that Clay is playing 2nd base. But, the reality is we're getting shut down. In other words, we're getting the worst of both worlds. Who's at fault for that? Smoke is. Smoke made the absolute wrong decision when putting together this team. Add that to his questionable lineup (playing Hebert as much as he does), etc. and you can see that Smoke's pushing all the wrong buttons. Another thing, fans have the right to express their opinion. It doesn't make them lesser fans. Like I said, I'll be following this team win or lose from here on out. And, I'll criticize our coach when it's warranted. Let me challenge you. We're below .500 in the SEC. We just got swept at home. We have lost 3 straight conference series. Can you find one little thing to criticize Smoke about? Anything? Let's see if you can be honest at all. By the way. The season is not over. The bats could heat up. And, if they do, and the pitching stays where it is, I could still see this team winning a regional. But, if the bats stay the way they are, we'll finish 3rd or 4th in the SEC west and we'll be on the road come regional time for the first time since I can remember.
oh I meant to reference your mirage of Skip that a lot of people have. That dude was brutally mean to many of his teams. You know, those super talented teams we had that listen to no one and did as they pleased most times...well until skip had to put them in their places. whew, i've heard many a story that our resident batgirl could prolly top with her insider view. I'd love for her to offer some little stories about skip keeping those egos in check. I can't repeat most if any of the ones I know.
I don't mind the people who complain but at the same time offer suggestions and opinions for what needs to be done by Smoke to make things better. It's the people who ONLY complain and rant "fire the coach wahh wahh wah fire fire fire him!" that are bothersome.
