Also for your reading pleasure.....

HD6 · Oct 2, 2008

we have the article I wrote at first. Michael was going to run it, but the concern over backlash within the Athletic Department led me to tell him to change plans. So I'm posting it here with the following statement: If this is want you want to read, you need to subscribe to BulldawgJunction.com and let Michael know if any sheep pull business from him, you're there to cover it. So without any further adue.....

The General Consensus Coach Croom, Meet Coach Edwards 

 Everyone familiar with Mississippi State football is aware there is an organization known as the Black Coaches Association. The broad strokes of that organization's goals are to increase the number of African-American coaches in college and professional sports. Beyond that, I will have to claim ignorance about the day to day practices of this group. However, I have to assume that they have meetings on some sort of annual basis, and I have to assume Coach Croom has attended at least one of these meetings. I also know that Coach Croom coached 17 years in the National Football League. He worked for 4 different teams, which again leads to the assumption that he must have coached with and against an incredible amount of coaches. 

 Knowing all of this as I do, I find it hard to believe that in his life, Coach Croom has never crossed paths with Kansas City Chiefs head coach Herman Edwards. What are the odds that two preeminent African American head coaches, both of whom have spent years in the NFL, would never once cross paths? You would think that during Croom's years in Detroit and Green Bay, they would have played the Buccaneers, where Edwards was an assistant from 1996-2000, or the New York Jets, where Edwards was head coach from 2001-2005, at least one time. But it is as obvious as the crooked hat on Croom's head that they have not. 

 What's that you say? They have met? Their teams have played against each other? How is it then, that Croom never once learned the most important lesson that Herman Edwards has ever given us? How does Croom not know "YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME!" 

 The final minute of the first half Saturday night was everything that has been wrong with Croom's tenure, all wrapped up in a nice little package. It was mediocre coaching combined with doublespeak and a loser attitude. It was everything I have come to expect and detest all at once. As the final seconds of the half ticked away, so did any of the already slim chance of victory that may have existed. And all of that was A-OK with the head man for the Bulldogs, who said "I said I'm not going to make a decision that's going to get us in trouble." 

 The obvious irony of that quote is that pretty much every decision Croom makes during the course of the game gets us in trouble, but that's beside the point. The point is that statement reeks of cowardice. He remembered last year's LSU game, and decided to play it safe, despite the fact that this year's game and last year's game has nothing in common except the teams playing. At no point during the 2007 game was there a point that the Bulldogs enjoyed any momentum. When MSU took over with a minute and change left Saturday night, we clearly had something going. And because our head coach was afraid, we flushed it down the toilet. 

 Watching the game on TV, it was interesting to listen to Bob Davie (the new generation's Bill Curry) talk about Croom's decision. He had spent a few minutes earlier in the game talking about Les Miles and his propensity for gutsy calls. He pointed out, correctly, that it's easier to make those decisions when you have the caliber of player LSU does. But he also talked about how that mindset affects your team, how you create confidence, and you get players that want to play for you. As the clock ticked down, Davie pointed out how Croom's decision did exactly the opposite, that it would shake his team's confidence, and that it would affect his team negatively. 

 Didn't Croom spend a portion of this week talking about confidence? Did he mention how winning breeds confidence, how everything seems easier to do when you're confident? Where was his confidence Saturday night? Easily answered, he had none. He didn't believe in his team and their ability to move the football some 30 yards to get into field goal range, let alone possibly break a big play and score a touchdown. He decided…what exactly? That we had a legitimate shot of winning 20-17? That we would make adjustments that would somehow counteract LSU's vast superiority on offense versus our defense, and we'd be able to hold Charles Scott under 5 yards per carry? That we'd be able to put Fred Smoot in Tay Bowser's uniform and for once in his life he'd be able to cover someone? What exactly was he thinking as he let the clock run out? 

 As always, Croom's gut decision didn't pan out. Just like punting from the 30, just like 4th and 15, just like not recruiting a quarterback three years ago, just like nearly everything else he's done as head coach. At the end of the day, or in reality, the five year period, Croom still has no idea how to manage a game. You look at him on the sideline, his hand on his chin, cap slighty askew, vacant stare on his face, and you wonder how on earth he motivates anyone to do anything? He looks like the crazy old guy you hope doesn't sit next to you at the game. Like most of you, I watched Say It Loud, and I have to assume that would be the proverbial day with the blind hog and the acorn. 

 The part of this that gets me is, we actually had a chance in that game. We didn't play that badly. We exploited some mismatches that led to big plays. And we only lost by 10. In year 3, I would have jumped for joy, but in year 5, it's too little too late. And it's not just this game. If we were 2-3, if we had beaten what is now clearly a bad Louisiana Tech team, there would still be a modicum of hope as we enter the part of the schedule that doesn't feature a ranked team other than Vanderbilt (no double take required). There should be a chance to win at least 4 more games. But I don't think there is, and judging by our head coach's actions, he doesn't either. 

 I hope next time the BCA holds a meeting; Coach Croom will seek out Coach Edwards and speak to him. Maybe some of his bravado and intensity will rub off on the Bulldog head man. Maybe the next time he has a chance to put points on the board and inspire his team, he'll give it a shot rather than tuck his tail between his legs and run into the locker room. Maybe he'll play to win the game.

HD6 · Oct 2, 2008

we have the article I wrote at first. Michael was going to run it, but the concern over backlash within the Athletic Department led me to tell him to change plans. So I'm posting it here with the following statement: If this is want you want to read, you need to subscribe to BulldawgJunction.com and let Michael know if any sheep pull business from him, you're there to cover it. So without any further adue.....

The General Consensus Coach Croom, Meet Coach Edwards 

 Everyone familiar with Mississippi State football is aware there is an organization known as the Black Coaches Association. The broad strokes of that organization's goals are to increase the number of African-American coaches in college and professional sports. Beyond that, I will have to claim ignorance about the day to day practices of this group. However, I have to assume that they have meetings on some sort of annual basis, and I have to assume Coach Croom has attended at least one of these meetings. I also know that Coach Croom coached 17 years in the National Football League. He worked for 4 different teams, which again leads to the assumption that he must have coached with and against an incredible amount of coaches. 

 Knowing all of this as I do, I find it hard to believe that in his life, Coach Croom has never crossed paths with Kansas City Chiefs head coach Herman Edwards. What are the odds that two preeminent African American head coaches, both of whom have spent years in the NFL, would never once cross paths? You would think that during Croom's years in Detroit and Green Bay, they would have played the Buccaneers, where Edwards was an assistant from 1996-2000, or the New York Jets, where Edwards was head coach from 2001-2005, at least one time. But it is as obvious as the crooked hat on Croom's head that they have not. 

 What's that you say? They have met? Their teams have played against each other? How is it then, that Croom never once learned the most important lesson that Herman Edwards has ever given us? How does Croom not know "YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME!" 

 The final minute of the first half Saturday night was everything that has been wrong with Croom's tenure, all wrapped up in a nice little package. It was mediocre coaching combined with doublespeak and a loser attitude. It was everything I have come to expect and detest all at once. As the final seconds of the half ticked away, so did any of the already slim chance of victory that may have existed. And all of that was A-OK with the head man for the Bulldogs, who said "I said I'm not going to make a decision that's going to get us in trouble." 

 The obvious irony of that quote is that pretty much every decision Croom makes during the course of the game gets us in trouble, but that's beside the point. The point is that statement reeks of cowardice. He remembered last year's LSU game, and decided to play it safe, despite the fact that this year's game and last year's game has nothing in common except the teams playing. At no point during the 2007 game was there a point that the Bulldogs enjoyed any momentum. When MSU took over with a minute and change left Saturday night, we clearly had something going. And because our head coach was afraid, we flushed it down the toilet. 

 Watching the game on TV, it was interesting to listen to Bob Davie (the new generation's Bill Curry) talk about Croom's decision. He had spent a few minutes earlier in the game talking about Les Miles and his propensity for gutsy calls. He pointed out, correctly, that it's easier to make those decisions when you have the caliber of player LSU does. But he also talked about how that mindset affects your team, how you create confidence, and you get players that want to play for you. As the clock ticked down, Davie pointed out how Croom's decision did exactly the opposite, that it would shake his team's confidence, and that it would affect his team negatively. 

 Didn't Croom spend a portion of this week talking about confidence? Did he mention how winning breeds confidence, how everything seems easier to do when you're confident? Where was his confidence Saturday night? Easily answered, he had none. He didn't believe in his team and their ability to move the football some 30 yards to get into field goal range, let alone possibly break a big play and score a touchdown. He decided…what exactly? That we had a legitimate shot of winning 20-17? That we would make adjustments that would somehow counteract LSU's vast superiority on offense versus our defense, and we'd be able to hold Charles Scott under 5 yards per carry? That we'd be able to put Fred Smoot in Tay Bowser's uniform and for once in his life he'd be able to cover someone? What exactly was he thinking as he let the clock run out? 

 As always, Croom's gut decision didn't pan out. Just like punting from the 30, just like 4th and 15, just like not recruiting a quarterback three years ago, just like nearly everything else he's done as head coach. At the end of the day, or in reality, the five year period, Croom still has no idea how to manage a game. You look at him on the sideline, his hand on his chin, cap slighty askew, vacant stare on his face, and you wonder how on earth he motivates anyone to do anything? He looks like the crazy old guy you hope doesn't sit next to you at the game. Like most of you, I watched Say It Loud, and I have to assume that would be the proverbial day with the blind hog and the acorn. 

 The part of this that gets me is, we actually had a chance in that game. We didn't play that badly. We exploited some mismatches that led to big plays. And we only lost by 10. In year 3, I would have jumped for joy, but in year 5, it's too little too late. And it's not just this game. If we were 2-3, if we had beaten what is now clearly a bad Louisiana Tech team, there would still be a modicum of hope as we enter the part of the schedule that doesn't feature a ranked team other than Vanderbilt (no double take required). There should be a chance to win at least 4 more games. But I don't think there is, and judging by our head coach's actions, he doesn't either. 

 I hope next time the BCA holds a meeting; Coach Croom will seek out Coach Edwards and speak to him. Maybe some of his bravado and intensity will rub off on the Bulldog head man. Maybe the next time he has a chance to put points on the board and inspire his team, he'll give it a shot rather than tuck his tail between his legs and run into the locker room. Maybe he'll play to win the game.

HD6 · Oct 2, 2008

we have the article I wrote at first. Michael was going to run it, but the concern over backlash within the Athletic Department led me to tell him to change plans. So I'm posting it here with the following statement: If this is want you want to read, you need to subscribe to BulldawgJunction.com and let Michael know if any sheep pull business from him, you're there to cover it. So without any further adue.....

The General Consensus Coach Croom, Meet Coach Edwards 

 Everyone familiar with Mississippi State football is aware there is an organization known as the Black Coaches Association. The broad strokes of that organization's goals are to increase the number of African-American coaches in college and professional sports. Beyond that, I will have to claim ignorance about the day to day practices of this group. However, I have to assume that they have meetings on some sort of annual basis, and I have to assume Coach Croom has attended at least one of these meetings. I also know that Coach Croom coached 17 years in the National Football League. He worked for 4 different teams, which again leads to the assumption that he must have coached with and against an incredible amount of coaches. 

 Knowing all of this as I do, I find it hard to believe that in his life, Coach Croom has never crossed paths with Kansas City Chiefs head coach Herman Edwards. What are the odds that two preeminent African American head coaches, both of whom have spent years in the NFL, would never once cross paths? You would think that during Croom's years in Detroit and Green Bay, they would have played the Buccaneers, where Edwards was an assistant from 1996-2000, or the New York Jets, where Edwards was head coach from 2001-2005, at least one time. But it is as obvious as the crooked hat on Croom's head that they have not. 

 What's that you say? They have met? Their teams have played against each other? How is it then, that Croom never once learned the most important lesson that Herman Edwards has ever given us? How does Croom not know "YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME!" 

 The final minute of the first half Saturday night was everything that has been wrong with Croom's tenure, all wrapped up in a nice little package. It was mediocre coaching combined with doublespeak and a loser attitude. It was everything I have come to expect and detest all at once. As the final seconds of the half ticked away, so did any of the already slim chance of victory that may have existed. And all of that was A-OK with the head man for the Bulldogs, who said "I said I'm not going to make a decision that's going to get us in trouble." 

 The obvious irony of that quote is that pretty much every decision Croom makes during the course of the game gets us in trouble, but that's beside the point. The point is that statement reeks of cowardice. He remembered last year's LSU game, and decided to play it safe, despite the fact that this year's game and last year's game has nothing in common except the teams playing. At no point during the 2007 game was there a point that the Bulldogs enjoyed any momentum. When MSU took over with a minute and change left Saturday night, we clearly had something going. And because our head coach was afraid, we flushed it down the toilet. 

 Watching the game on TV, it was interesting to listen to Bob Davie (the new generation's Bill Curry) talk about Croom's decision. He had spent a few minutes earlier in the game talking about Les Miles and his propensity for gutsy calls. He pointed out, correctly, that it's easier to make those decisions when you have the caliber of player LSU does. But he also talked about how that mindset affects your team, how you create confidence, and you get players that want to play for you. As the clock ticked down, Davie pointed out how Croom's decision did exactly the opposite, that it would shake his team's confidence, and that it would affect his team negatively. 

 Didn't Croom spend a portion of this week talking about confidence? Did he mention how winning breeds confidence, how everything seems easier to do when you're confident? Where was his confidence Saturday night? Easily answered, he had none. He didn't believe in his team and their ability to move the football some 30 yards to get into field goal range, let alone possibly break a big play and score a touchdown. He decided…what exactly? That we had a legitimate shot of winning 20-17? That we would make adjustments that would somehow counteract LSU's vast superiority on offense versus our defense, and we'd be able to hold Charles Scott under 5 yards per carry? That we'd be able to put Fred Smoot in Tay Bowser's uniform and for once in his life he'd be able to cover someone? What exactly was he thinking as he let the clock run out? 

 As always, Croom's gut decision didn't pan out. Just like punting from the 30, just like 4th and 15, just like not recruiting a quarterback three years ago, just like nearly everything else he's done as head coach. At the end of the day, or in reality, the five year period, Croom still has no idea how to manage a game. You look at him on the sideline, his hand on his chin, cap slighty askew, vacant stare on his face, and you wonder how on earth he motivates anyone to do anything? He looks like the crazy old guy you hope doesn't sit next to you at the game. Like most of you, I watched Say It Loud, and I have to assume that would be the proverbial day with the blind hog and the acorn. 

 The part of this that gets me is, we actually had a chance in that game. We didn't play that badly. We exploited some mismatches that led to big plays. And we only lost by 10. In year 3, I would have jumped for joy, but in year 5, it's too little too late. And it's not just this game. If we were 2-3, if we had beaten what is now clearly a bad Louisiana Tech team, there would still be a modicum of hope as we enter the part of the schedule that doesn't feature a ranked team other than Vanderbilt (no double take required). There should be a chance to win at least 4 more games. But I don't think there is, and judging by our head coach's actions, he doesn't either. 

 I hope next time the BCA holds a meeting; Coach Croom will seek out Coach Edwards and speak to him. Maybe some of his bravado and intensity will rub off on the Bulldog head man. Maybe the next time he has a chance to put points on the board and inspire his team, he'll give it a shot rather than tuck his tail between his legs and run into the locker room. Maybe he'll play to win the game.

HD6 · Oct 2, 2008

we have the article I wrote at first. Michael was going to run it, but the concern over backlash within the Athletic Department led me to tell him to change plans. So I'm posting it here with the following statement: If this is want you want to read, you need to subscribe to BulldawgJunction.com and let Michael know if any sheep pull business from him, you're there to cover it. So without any further adue.....

The General Consensus Coach Croom, Meet Coach Edwards 

 Everyone familiar with Mississippi State football is aware there is an organization known as the Black Coaches Association. The broad strokes of that organization's goals are to increase the number of African-American coaches in college and professional sports. Beyond that, I will have to claim ignorance about the day to day practices of this group. However, I have to assume that they have meetings on some sort of annual basis, and I have to assume Coach Croom has attended at least one of these meetings. I also know that Coach Croom coached 17 years in the National Football League. He worked for 4 different teams, which again leads to the assumption that he must have coached with and against an incredible amount of coaches. 

 Knowing all of this as I do, I find it hard to believe that in his life, Coach Croom has never crossed paths with Kansas City Chiefs head coach Herman Edwards. What are the odds that two preeminent African American head coaches, both of whom have spent years in the NFL, would never once cross paths? You would think that during Croom's years in Detroit and Green Bay, they would have played the Buccaneers, where Edwards was an assistant from 1996-2000, or the New York Jets, where Edwards was head coach from 2001-2005, at least one time. But it is as obvious as the crooked hat on Croom's head that they have not. 

 What's that you say? They have met? Their teams have played against each other? How is it then, that Croom never once learned the most important lesson that Herman Edwards has ever given us? How does Croom not know "YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME!" 

 The final minute of the first half Saturday night was everything that has been wrong with Croom's tenure, all wrapped up in a nice little package. It was mediocre coaching combined with doublespeak and a loser attitude. It was everything I have come to expect and detest all at once. As the final seconds of the half ticked away, so did any of the already slim chance of victory that may have existed. And all of that was A-OK with the head man for the Bulldogs, who said "I said I'm not going to make a decision that's going to get us in trouble." 

 The obvious irony of that quote is that pretty much every decision Croom makes during the course of the game gets us in trouble, but that's beside the point. The point is that statement reeks of cowardice. He remembered last year's LSU game, and decided to play it safe, despite the fact that this year's game and last year's game has nothing in common except the teams playing. At no point during the 2007 game was there a point that the Bulldogs enjoyed any momentum. When MSU took over with a minute and change left Saturday night, we clearly had something going. And because our head coach was afraid, we flushed it down the toilet. 

 Watching the game on TV, it was interesting to listen to Bob Davie (the new generation's Bill Curry) talk about Croom's decision. He had spent a few minutes earlier in the game talking about Les Miles and his propensity for gutsy calls. He pointed out, correctly, that it's easier to make those decisions when you have the caliber of player LSU does. But he also talked about how that mindset affects your team, how you create confidence, and you get players that want to play for you. As the clock ticked down, Davie pointed out how Croom's decision did exactly the opposite, that it would shake his team's confidence, and that it would affect his team negatively. 

 Didn't Croom spend a portion of this week talking about confidence? Did he mention how winning breeds confidence, how everything seems easier to do when you're confident? Where was his confidence Saturday night? Easily answered, he had none. He didn't believe in his team and their ability to move the football some 30 yards to get into field goal range, let alone possibly break a big play and score a touchdown. He decided…what exactly? That we had a legitimate shot of winning 20-17? That we would make adjustments that would somehow counteract LSU's vast superiority on offense versus our defense, and we'd be able to hold Charles Scott under 5 yards per carry? That we'd be able to put Fred Smoot in Tay Bowser's uniform and for once in his life he'd be able to cover someone? What exactly was he thinking as he let the clock run out? 

 As always, Croom's gut decision didn't pan out. Just like punting from the 30, just like 4th and 15, just like not recruiting a quarterback three years ago, just like nearly everything else he's done as head coach. At the end of the day, or in reality, the five year period, Croom still has no idea how to manage a game. You look at him on the sideline, his hand on his chin, cap slighty askew, vacant stare on his face, and you wonder how on earth he motivates anyone to do anything? He looks like the crazy old guy you hope doesn't sit next to you at the game. Like most of you, I watched Say It Loud, and I have to assume that would be the proverbial day with the blind hog and the acorn. 

 The part of this that gets me is, we actually had a chance in that game. We didn't play that badly. We exploited some mismatches that led to big plays. And we only lost by 10. In year 3, I would have jumped for joy, but in year 5, it's too little too late. And it's not just this game. If we were 2-3, if we had beaten what is now clearly a bad Louisiana Tech team, there would still be a modicum of hope as we enter the part of the schedule that doesn't feature a ranked team other than Vanderbilt (no double take required). There should be a chance to win at least 4 more games. But I don't think there is, and judging by our head coach's actions, he doesn't either. 

 I hope next time the BCA holds a meeting; Coach Croom will seek out Coach Edwards and speak to him. Maybe some of his bravado and intensity will rub off on the Bulldog head man. Maybe the next time he has a chance to put points on the board and inspire his team, he'll give it a shot rather than tuck his tail between his legs and run into the locker room. Maybe he'll play to win the game.

HD6 · Oct 2, 2008

we have the article I wrote at first. Michael was going to run it, but the concern over backlash within the Athletic Department led me to tell him to change plans. So I'm posting it here with the following statement: If this is want you want to read, you need to subscribe to BulldawgJunction.com and let Michael know if any sheep pull business from him, you're there to cover it. So without any further adue.....

The General Consensus Coach Croom, Meet Coach Edwards 

 Everyone familiar with Mississippi State football is aware there is an organization known as the Black Coaches Association. The broad strokes of that organization's goals are to increase the number of African-American coaches in college and professional sports. Beyond that, I will have to claim ignorance about the day to day practices of this group. However, I have to assume that they have meetings on some sort of annual basis, and I have to assume Coach Croom has attended at least one of these meetings. I also know that Coach Croom coached 17 years in the National Football League. He worked for 4 different teams, which again leads to the assumption that he must have coached with and against an incredible amount of coaches. 

 Knowing all of this as I do, I find it hard to believe that in his life, Coach Croom has never crossed paths with Kansas City Chiefs head coach Herman Edwards. What are the odds that two preeminent African American head coaches, both of whom have spent years in the NFL, would never once cross paths? You would think that during Croom's years in Detroit and Green Bay, they would have played the Buccaneers, where Edwards was an assistant from 1996-2000, or the New York Jets, where Edwards was head coach from 2001-2005, at least one time. But it is as obvious as the crooked hat on Croom's head that they have not. 

 What's that you say? They have met? Their teams have played against each other? How is it then, that Croom never once learned the most important lesson that Herman Edwards has ever given us? How does Croom not know "YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME!" 

 The final minute of the first half Saturday night was everything that has been wrong with Croom's tenure, all wrapped up in a nice little package. It was mediocre coaching combined with doublespeak and a loser attitude. It was everything I have come to expect and detest all at once. As the final seconds of the half ticked away, so did any of the already slim chance of victory that may have existed. And all of that was A-OK with the head man for the Bulldogs, who said "I said I'm not going to make a decision that's going to get us in trouble." 

 The obvious irony of that quote is that pretty much every decision Croom makes during the course of the game gets us in trouble, but that's beside the point. The point is that statement reeks of cowardice. He remembered last year's LSU game, and decided to play it safe, despite the fact that this year's game and last year's game has nothing in common except the teams playing. At no point during the 2007 game was there a point that the Bulldogs enjoyed any momentum. When MSU took over with a minute and change left Saturday night, we clearly had something going. And because our head coach was afraid, we flushed it down the toilet. 

 Watching the game on TV, it was interesting to listen to Bob Davie (the new generation's Bill Curry) talk about Croom's decision. He had spent a few minutes earlier in the game talking about Les Miles and his propensity for gutsy calls. He pointed out, correctly, that it's easier to make those decisions when you have the caliber of player LSU does. But he also talked about how that mindset affects your team, how you create confidence, and you get players that want to play for you. As the clock ticked down, Davie pointed out how Croom's decision did exactly the opposite, that it would shake his team's confidence, and that it would affect his team negatively. 

 Didn't Croom spend a portion of this week talking about confidence? Did he mention how winning breeds confidence, how everything seems easier to do when you're confident? Where was his confidence Saturday night? Easily answered, he had none. He didn't believe in his team and their ability to move the football some 30 yards to get into field goal range, let alone possibly break a big play and score a touchdown. He decided…what exactly? That we had a legitimate shot of winning 20-17? That we would make adjustments that would somehow counteract LSU's vast superiority on offense versus our defense, and we'd be able to hold Charles Scott under 5 yards per carry? That we'd be able to put Fred Smoot in Tay Bowser's uniform and for once in his life he'd be able to cover someone? What exactly was he thinking as he let the clock run out? 

 As always, Croom's gut decision didn't pan out. Just like punting from the 30, just like 4th and 15, just like not recruiting a quarterback three years ago, just like nearly everything else he's done as head coach. At the end of the day, or in reality, the five year period, Croom still has no idea how to manage a game. You look at him on the sideline, his hand on his chin, cap slighty askew, vacant stare on his face, and you wonder how on earth he motivates anyone to do anything? He looks like the crazy old guy you hope doesn't sit next to you at the game. Like most of you, I watched Say It Loud, and I have to assume that would be the proverbial day with the blind hog and the acorn. 

 The part of this that gets me is, we actually had a chance in that game. We didn't play that badly. We exploited some mismatches that led to big plays. And we only lost by 10. In year 3, I would have jumped for joy, but in year 5, it's too little too late. And it's not just this game. If we were 2-3, if we had beaten what is now clearly a bad Louisiana Tech team, there would still be a modicum of hope as we enter the part of the schedule that doesn't feature a ranked team other than Vanderbilt (no double take required). There should be a chance to win at least 4 more games. But I don't think there is, and judging by our head coach's actions, he doesn't either. 

 I hope next time the BCA holds a meeting; Coach Croom will seek out Coach Edwards and speak to him. Maybe some of his bravado and intensity will rub off on the Bulldog head man. Maybe the next time he has a chance to put points on the board and inspire his team, he'll give it a shot rather than tuck his tail between his legs and run into the locker room. Maybe he'll play to win the game.

dawgstudent · Oct 2, 2008

[No message]

orbitdawg · Oct 2, 2008

Hundpfundfels · Oct 2, 2008

excellent...finally someone with the correct perspective

8dog · Oct 2, 2008

a great summation. I need more!!

Indndawg · Oct 2, 2008

Nominate this one stay up

vhdawg · Oct 2, 2008

What was on BDJ earlier was not bad, but THIS is how the General writes. And damn if it's not straight on.

Frances Drebin · Oct 2, 2008

...that brought a tear to my eye. That definitely needs to reside on the Junction for all to see.

Coach34 · Oct 2, 2008

that was national newspaper worthy. Excellent work...color me impressed

DowntownDawg · Oct 2, 2008

...or could be wrong. That decision could go either way. Not only does he have to have last year in his mind a little bit, not because it's the same situation or quarterback, but because he knows that if we have a turnover, LSU is going to make him pay and end the game. And while Lee hadn't thrown an interception to that point, the danger in dropping little 5' 9" Lee back in a very shaky "pocket" is that he takes a blindside hit from one of LSU's NFL caliber defensive lineman and fumbles it in your own territory. As the game wore on, he showed good pocket presence and knew when to get out of there, but against La. Tech his decision making was very poor in the area.

I'm not going to say that it was the right decision to sit on it, but I can't say it was totally wrong, either. 4th and 15 was far, far worse. And so was getting away from the run against La. Tech, and putting the ball in a very green Tyson Lee's hands to try to win the game against Tech. There have been far worse decisions made by Croom this year. I think this is one of those fan situations where it's popular to want to try to do something, but it could end up seriously biting you, sort of like the fans that scream for us to go for it on 4th and 2 from our own 27.

8dog · Oct 2, 2008

"And while Lee hadn't thrown an interception to that point, the danger in dropping little 5' 9" Lee back in a very shaky "pocket" is that he takes a blindside hit from one of LSU's NFL caliber defensive lineman and fumbles it in your own territory."

So should you just stop throwing the ball when you are in your own territory? For the 100th time, we could throw a momentum killing pick at any point in the game. We needed every possession we could get to try and score b/c we had no prayer of stopping them. The move is indefensible.

BigMotherTucker · Oct 2, 2008

DowntownDawg · Oct 2, 2008

....considering the score and where/who you are playing. Again, in my mind, it can go either way. I definitely see everybody's perspective, and it wouldn't have pissed me off to see him try something, but you can't tell me that everybody on this board wouldn't have been pissed to see a pick six go the other way or a fumble that LSU got and punched in right before the half. And as far as the point in the game is concerned, you are smart enough to know that scores right before the half are particular killers, especially since A) LSU got the ball back in the second half, and B) It happened both for us (Alabama last year) and against us (LSU last year).

He probably should've taken a shot, but I don't think you go into hurry up mode from the 23 with 1:15 left.

vhdawg · Oct 2, 2008

1. MSU gets a TD - Tie ball game.
2. MSU gets a FG - Down 4 at half
3. MSU gets no points -Down 7 at half
4. LSU gets a turnover.

I think the positives clearly outweighed the negatives here. You don't sit on a chance to score on the #5 team in the nation.

dawgstudent · Oct 2, 2008

before the game, we would have been down 24-10 at the half, I would have been positively surprised.

dawgstudent · Oct 2, 2008

[No message]

8dog · Oct 2, 2008

from the 40 with 40 seconds left and 3 timeouts. Hell, you don't even really have to hurry to get 30 more yards in that scenario.

And what does the Bama pick have to do with anything? Sure its a momentum swinger as is any turnover at any point. Should bama have not tried to throw?

DowntownDawg · Oct 2, 2008

1. MSU gets a TD - Tie ball game.
2. MSU gets a FG - Down 4 at half
3. MSU goes into hurry up mode immediately, can't move it, runs no clock and has to punt from inside their 30 with over a minute left. McAdams shanks one and LSU starts at the 50. LSU scores a TD. Down 14, ballgame over.
4. Same as #3, except a field goal. Down 10, ballgame almost over.
5. MSU goes into hurry up after Dixon's 13 yard carry and can't move it. No points, down 7 at half.
6. MSU goes into hurry up after Dixon's 13 yard carry and they throw an int or fumbles it. LSU scores a TD, down 14. Game over.
7. Same as 6, except a field goal. Down 10, ballgame almost over.

I swear. You act like nothing bad ever happens to this team. We are the same team that had the center snap one up in the air against Ga. Tech. Inexplicable, poltergeist type stuff happens to us, and has been happening all year. There were just as many bad alternatives as good alternatives. Again, I'm not really picking a side, but there are at least 5 dumber decisions that he has made this year than that one, with 4th and 15 topping it all off.

DowntownDawg · Oct 2, 2008

[No message]

Shmuley · Oct 2, 2008

"JR Level" of WTFedness in support of your position.

Next level, "Croom." Good luck.

dawgstudent · Oct 2, 2008

Your detrimental view will only hurt it for a few seconds.

Point being, not playing to win was very woman like. I just don't see any defense of that call whatsoever.

DowntownDawg · Oct 2, 2008

..you act like scores right before the half are not more important momentum wise than scores in the middle of the game. That's just wrong. We destroyed Bama's momentum with that play and they never recovered.

And while hindsight tells you that you are correct about the LSU game, being down 10-0 after 3 interceptions to the best team in college football last year is a whole different ball game than 17-0.

That's all I'm saying.

seshomoru · Oct 2, 2008

You act like nothing bad ever happens to this team.

And nothing good ever happens to it either because we dick around and don't do anything to help ourselves. You are a huge *****. Who cares the level of dumbness of Croom's decision at the end of the half. It was pure chicken ****, and it said he has no confidence in the very product he is putting on the field.

He quit before the clock ran down. That is ********.

saddawg · Oct 2, 2008

but, the game was over at kickoff. The only chance we had to win was take shots when we got them.

We can 't beat the LSU's of the world playing scared. Hell, we probably can't beat them anyway. But you have to TRY.

dawgstudent · Oct 2, 2008

should have no bearing on this years unless you let it. We had yet to turn the ball over.

Roy Munson.sixpack · Oct 2, 2008

we had 2 maybe 3 FREE downs. The play clock is 40 f'n seconds. You run a couple plays, no success, you then run the clock out. You are a damn idiot, just like croom.

VegasDawg13 · Oct 2, 2008

If Dixon had not gained anything on his run/s (I can't remember if it was one or two) to start the drive and we had killed the clock, most people would be fine with it. The problem was that we got up near midfield with 40+ seconds and 3 TOs. It was cowardice to sit on the ball at that point, and it was a perfect example of what I think is Croom's worst characteristic as a head coach: His decisions are dictated by what happened in previous games and not by what is happening during the current game.

muddawgs33 · Oct 2, 2008

3. MSU goes into hurry up mode immediately, can't move it, runs no clock and has to punt from inside their 30 with over a minute left. McAdams shanks one and LSU starts at the 50. LSU scores a TD. Down 14, ballgame over.
4. Same as #3, except a field goal. Down 10, ballgame almost over.

You're a damn idiot if you thought Croom was going to get in hurry up mode at the 23, so these 2 options are automatically nulled. VH still wins.

DowntownDawg · Oct 2, 2008

...you posted that the 4th and 15 call "could go either way." As Arrow said, that was, and still remains, the dumbest coaching decision that I have ever seen. THAT is what is indefensible. Your defense had JUST gotten you a safety. In all likelihood, we pin them deep and get the ball right back at the 50, if not another safety. I guess we look at things differently when it comes to football. We took a chance that had about a 2% chance of working. The 98% chance of failure would've essentially ended the game, if not for their fumble. And even if you stop them right there at the 50, they punt to us deep in our own territory and we have to go 80 yards instead of 50.

That's getting off the subject, but Croom's decision at LSU to me was about 50/50. Croom's decision against Auburn was about 2/98. And you defend that one.

lawdawg02 · Oct 2, 2008

The only chance we had to win was take shots when we got them.

remember when boise state knocked oklahoma a couple of years ago? they took their shots. trick plays, going for it, whatever, they decided to let it all hang out, because they were david against goliath. just like we are against lsu. west virginia did the same thing to georgia in the sugar bowl.

i'm not saying you have to fake punts and do stupid stuff. but you can't steal the opportunity from yourself because you're afraid to screw up. hell, if you don't try, you lose. if you screw up, it's not any worse - you still lose. but if you get it right, ah, you may just win.

i don't think running the ball twice was a bad call. but once we got near midfield, with THREE TIMEOUTS LEFT (which never happens with our team), it was COMPLETELY WRONG to not try to get something out of it.

dawgstudent · Oct 2, 2008

that was completely stupid as well.

VegasDawg13 · Oct 2, 2008

All during the offseason if people said we were going to suck and said last year was only because of pick-6s, you were ALWAYS there to say the Bama game wasn't a fluke, we would've won without the pick-6 because we outplayed them in the second half. Now, since it suits your new argument, you're saying that momentum shifters at the end of the half are so important and citting that very play against Bama as your evidence.

Edit: grammatical error.

DowntownDawg · Oct 2, 2008

...and if I had been head coach, I probably would've gone to hurry up after Dixon broke off his run, and told Lee to throw it away if it wasn't there and get out of the pocket quickly. I think that would've been the right decision. My point in all this is to say that it could easily go the other way and he has made many more terrible decisions than that this year already. If you are going to write a column, write about 4th and 15 or the fact that Dixon carried it 3 times in the last 25 minutes against La Tech. I wouldn't have made the decision he did, but it's one of the least dumb he's made. What a sad statement that is.

DowntownDawg · Oct 2, 2008

...all I said was that play was not a fluke because Titus read it and was in Wilson's face and he tried to throw it out the back of the endzone and couldn't because of Titus. It wasn't a gift from the football gods, we made the play, and it was the biggest momentum changing play that I have ever seen. I have never strayed from that.

Bulldawg Junction · Oct 2, 2008

Evidently this is the type coverage you're looking for. I see the traffic here on the Sixpack... and I am getting emails from here and BDJ. So I'll keep providing honest, non-sugarcoated, coverage...but I need you guys to take advantage of the special offer I am extending to you, members of the Sixpack.

As HD6 has mentioned, there are some that don't want this type of coverage and believe me I am getting the emails! However, I feel the majority of State fans want to be told the truth...so that's what we are going to provide.

At any rate, you can enjoy the General's thoughts each Thursday morning at BulldawgJunction.com....

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dawgstudent · Oct 2, 2008

and the article was based upon the LSU game.

So you are basically saying you agree with all of us?

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