Where did you come from? Do you even know the history of the black shirts or base any of your statements in facts? Most years we've given out more than 11 blackshirts. During the 80's and 90's we gave out around 14 to defensive contributors but in years prior to that there were more. Yes. . .this year was a high number but we also run multiple defensive fronts that have different players. McBride had two sets usually with many of the same players because of the schemes.
recruiting? lol it doesn't matter who you recruit...Poor coaching will make a 6 star player look like a 2 star.
I am a big supporter of Bo and this loss due to lack of motivation does seem to be a pattern. I saw this really rear it's ugly head in a win versus South Dakota State. If you take away our goal line stand (which looked like a TD) early in the game and the interecption for a TD that was wiped out, we very well could have lost that game to the Jackrabbits. It was the ugliest win since Ball St. It is an issue of our head coaches fire not transfering to the players, or we have the wrong type of players on the team. I don't know what it is, but it needs to be corrected now.
Your statements are completely invalidated by the fact that Fisher received a blackshirt which to me nullifies any meaning they once had...
Where I believe Bo has a hard time motivating the team and I mean the team as a whole, Tom had the same issues. Correct me if I am wrong, but didn't he bring in outside help in the form of a sports psychologist in the 80's?
I agree. Often there are guys I don't think should have them that do. But he seemed to take exception in the fact that more than 11 were given. Personally. . .there have probably been years where only 8 or 9 guys played at a high level. I guess the real argument is what is determines who's a black shirt? If its simply a starter then it makes sense that we'll have more than 11 guys depending on what defense we are running. If its guys who play at a high level then maybe most years only 8-10 people get them. And there might be a guy that starts every game and doesn't get one. I think that is dangerous because who's eyes does that player have to live up to? This year all but maybe 1 1/2 to 2 games I'd say 55 has played average in my opinion but if you talk to the coaches (and I do) they'd say different and point out things my stupid untrained as$ can't and don't see. And I don't know what's being asked of them each week in their assignments.
I think Cotton is long over due to move on....but some of todays problem also has to do with changes in society. A guy like Jim Scott from the early 90's was raised with a different set of work ethics than say a Yoshi. Parents give kids more than they used to without earning it. People in general expect things to be given to them rather than have to work for it. Look at the 99%.
Wouldn't you say, though, that this is a pretty subjective stance with little to no way of proving whether or not it's true?
Its hard to talk the talk, when you aren't allowed to walk the walk. Bo had his fiery approach doused after the T.AM game. His demeanor and his teams attitude seems to have changed since. Like I have said before, no fire on either side of the ball, no high fives, no helmet slaps, no throw the bones demonstrations, nothing. Take the reins off Bo a little ,and let him coach, the way he was hired to do. JMO
