Why bother playing the next game?
The coaches quit:
The coaches know they are gone, they should be motivating the kids to play better so they can show the team improved and help them (the coaches) get hired somewhere else. Obviously they must be approaching this the wrong way because there is a definite lack of effort on the field, both physically and mentally. The kids must see that the coaches have one foot out the door and, as a result, don't buy into what the coaches say. The coaches had a chance to help themselves with the bye week. The team had showed a glimmer of hope in the Tulsa game and they could have at least shown an effort last night. That did not happen and I don't see any reason to think it will change next week.
The kids quit:
The offense showed a little life on the first drive but that was it. Defense is a lot about effort. They were half-hearted from the start. The offense soon followed suit. I actually thought the play calling by the coaching staff was good, I liked the double tight end sets, the deep balls thrown to stretch the secondary, the onside kick to open the half, the blitzes dialed up on D, but the lack of physical effort and execution (mental effort) doomed anything they tried. As I said above, there is fault to be laid with the coaches and their approach for motivating the kids, but there is much blame to lay on the kids themselves. Where is the self pride? Where is the love of the game? Where is the respect for your teammates, the ones that are trying their best? I don't know how the players that didn't give an effort last night can look in the mirror.
The fans quit:
First let me say, if you've read this long-winded post to this point, you obviously care about this program and are not part of the fans that have quit. Some quit early (they just follow the top teams) and others quit at various stages along the way. I believe in standing by your team through good and bad but at this point, I can't blame anyone for not going to the game. If the kids were trying their best and where getting crushed, then I would back the call to attend the games. But when the players look like they don't even want to be there, why should we waste our time showing up?
Why bother playing the next game?
It is a rare opportunity for a person to play the game at this level. To piss it away is truly a shame. Most of these players will not play at the next level (especially if a scout bothered watching last night). The seniors may never get to play again, the juniors have less than 15 games assuming the new coaching staff plays them. Anybody can have an injury at any time that could end their career. The opportunity to play the next game is a blessing.
UCF will not beat USF. It is too late to "right the ship". It takes a whole season of dedicated efforts to reach the level of football that winning teams achieve.
Do you know about the Spartans because they won? No
Do you know about the Light Brigade because they won? No
They have gained immortality by their effort. They have gained eternal respect through their effort.
My plea is for the players to make this game matter. This may be your last game ever, go all out. You will remember the plays you made for the rest of your life whether you win or not. You will gain the respect of your teammates, you will gain the respect of the coaches, you will gain the respect of real fans but most of all, you will be able to hold your head up and look in the mirror because you gave your best effort. That is all anyone can ask of you.
The coaches quit:
The coaches know they are gone, they should be motivating the kids to play better so they can show the team improved and help them (the coaches) get hired somewhere else. Obviously they must be approaching this the wrong way because there is a definite lack of effort on the field, both physically and mentally. The kids must see that the coaches have one foot out the door and, as a result, don't buy into what the coaches say. The coaches had a chance to help themselves with the bye week. The team had showed a glimmer of hope in the Tulsa game and they could have at least shown an effort last night. That did not happen and I don't see any reason to think it will change next week.
The kids quit:
The offense showed a little life on the first drive but that was it. Defense is a lot about effort. They were half-hearted from the start. The offense soon followed suit. I actually thought the play calling by the coaching staff was good, I liked the double tight end sets, the deep balls thrown to stretch the secondary, the onside kick to open the half, the blitzes dialed up on D, but the lack of physical effort and execution (mental effort) doomed anything they tried. As I said above, there is fault to be laid with the coaches and their approach for motivating the kids, but there is much blame to lay on the kids themselves. Where is the self pride? Where is the love of the game? Where is the respect for your teammates, the ones that are trying their best? I don't know how the players that didn't give an effort last night can look in the mirror.
The fans quit:
First let me say, if you've read this long-winded post to this point, you obviously care about this program and are not part of the fans that have quit. Some quit early (they just follow the top teams) and others quit at various stages along the way. I believe in standing by your team through good and bad but at this point, I can't blame anyone for not going to the game. If the kids were trying their best and where getting crushed, then I would back the call to attend the games. But when the players look like they don't even want to be there, why should we waste our time showing up?
Why bother playing the next game?
It is a rare opportunity for a person to play the game at this level. To piss it away is truly a shame. Most of these players will not play at the next level (especially if a scout bothered watching last night). The seniors may never get to play again, the juniors have less than 15 games assuming the new coaching staff plays them. Anybody can have an injury at any time that could end their career. The opportunity to play the next game is a blessing.
UCF will not beat USF. It is too late to "right the ship". It takes a whole season of dedicated efforts to reach the level of football that winning teams achieve.
Do you know about the Spartans because they won? No
Do you know about the Light Brigade because they won? No
They have gained immortality by their effort. They have gained eternal respect through their effort.
My plea is for the players to make this game matter. This may be your last game ever, go all out. You will remember the plays you made for the rest of your life whether you win or not. You will gain the respect of your teammates, you will gain the respect of the coaches, you will gain the respect of real fans but most of all, you will be able to hold your head up and look in the mirror because you gave your best effort. That is all anyone can ask of you.
