Do you think there is some complacency with Mullen as our head coach?...

[CadaverDawg]

If Mullen has been "handcuffed" by Russell, it's by his own choice. He's had plenty of time to recruit another starting QB if he had wanted someone else.

Yea, and the fan base and boosters would have loved to see the most highly touted QB in MSU history get benched.

Im not saying QB recruiting has been good under Mullen, but it's not like he could have started anybody over Russell anyway without being labeled an idiot.

that being said, if Cord makes it to campus, we will have the best QB situation in MSU history. Not too bad in year 5 of a program that has never had an offense worth a **** to recruit to.

 

[patdog]

Very few fans wouldn't be happy if Russell were benched for a better QB. The fact is, Mullen hasn't recruited a QB to even begin to challenge him for the starting job though. His QB recruiting does seem to be getting better lately, especially if Sandberg makes it to campus.

 

[engie]

What this tells me is we don't know how to adjust after the other team has adjusted to what we come out doing. You guys saying that Mullen calling the plays will make it better are in for a disappointment. We don't adjust on offense or defense. When we lose momentum the entire staff and team appear to pout rather than get pissed of and fix it.

Ask yourself, in the last two years have you been truly confident that we were going to make a comeback against a decent team if we went into half time without the lead?

Exactly how do you know we don't adjust on defense? I saw good adjustments in the Gator Bowl in Wilson's vanilla scheme simply by changing the playcaller. What is to say the same can't happen on offense--simply by changing the playcaller?

 

[57stratdawg]

Exactly how do you know we don't adjust on defense? I saw good adjustments in the Gator Bowl in Wilson's vanilla scheme simply by changing the playcaller. What is to say the same can't happen on offense--simply by changing the playcaller?

You realize Mullen is the play caller, right?

 

[DerHntr]

Because we come out in the same schemes on defense in the second half and the same poor play happens.

Answer my question in my original post.

 

[dawgstudent]

I'm with you Ronny. As long as we go to bowls, he is alright with me.

 

[MaronMatters]

make some fundamental change in the way the campus and town embrace recruiting.

I think this is the biggest fundamental reason why MSU football hasn't really taken that "next step". The town needs to be built around making itself attractive to students, and especially athletes. You can admit it or don't, but I can even say that Starkville really is a "********" when compared to other college towns. Improvements over the years? Absolutely. But there's such a long, long way to go. It's as if there's no real connection between the town and the university; as if MSU is just shoved off to the side of Starkville and is an afterthought..

 

[GloryDawg]

JWS won 25 games his first four years and Mullen has won 29. Going back to 2002 MSU only won 53 football games 29 of which were won with Mullen as head coach in only four of the ten years. We have not hit the ceiling. JWS had three losing season, two seven win season and one eight win season before winning eight again and reaching the SEC Championship. It takes Miss State three to four years to build to that nine and ten win season. They just need to win enough to go to a bowl game every year during those building season then your only hope is that on that ten win season you catch the other schools down. Even the year JWS won ten ball games Alabama won the SEC WEST.

 

[engie]

You realize Mullen is the play caller, right?

Since when does hearing what play is called through a headset make one the playcaller?

Fact is -- Mullen hasn't called plays for us except in rare instances over his career. That is changing this year -- hence him turning over the majority of special teams duty to Gonzo.

 

[engie]

Because we come out in the same schemes on defense in the second half and the same poor play happens.

Answer my question in my original post.

So, that's what you got from watching this DC coach ONE GAME that wasn't even in his own scheme? Yeah, that seems reasonable** It's ridiculous to judge Collins based on what we did when Wilson was our DC calling plays. Collins is alot more Manny Diaz than Chris Wilson -- and I remember Diaz making great in-game adjustments. Just like I saw Collins make adjustments in the Gator Bowl to take Northwestern's best offensive weapon, Venric Mark, out of the game.

What original question? That we can't come back from behind? When have we seen a "decent" team that we didn't make a run on? What you are really complaining about is us failing to make comebacks against top 10 teams with top 5 defenses.

I guess you forgot about us trailing Auburn after the half last year -- making the run at LSU last year where we simply needed to punch the ball in from the goal line to give ourselves a chance -- missed us storming back against Auburn in 2011 after spotting them 14 -- didn't see us come from behind to force OT against a Sugar Bowl-bound Arky in 2010 -- skipped the 09 comeback at UK -- missed us coming back from 9 down in the 3rd against LSU in 09. But none of that fits your narrative, I don't guess...

 

[57stratdawg]

Since when does hearing what play is called through a headset make one the playcaller?

Fact is -- Mullen hasn't called plays for us except in rare instances over his career. That is changing this year -- hence him turning over the majority of special teams duty to Gonzo.

No.

Mullen calls the majority of the plays, and he can veto or change ANY PLAY that Les calls. I asked Paul Jones what % of plays Mullen calls and his was response was "over 50%", Farley speculated that Mullen called "Between 75% and 90%". Look how embarrassingly wrong you are about this.

IT'S MULLEN'S OFFENSE. He develops the game plans, he calls the majority of our plays, he has more finger prints on MSU's offense than the rest of the coaches combined. You spend so much time dodging that truth, because you desperately want a 'fall guy' in Les, but that wouldn't change anything. You constantly ask for accountability on offense, but the reason I posted earlier are why you don't get it. Again, it's Mullen's offense. I know that is an incredibly inconvenient truth for you, but make no mistake, it is a truth.

 

[TBone.sixpack]

There is no doubt that he has raised expectation levels of the Mississippi State football fan base.

 

[DerHntr]

Holy **** Engie. I am not basing my argument over one game.

You absolutely love to create a phantom argument.

 

[engie]

No.

Mullen calls the majority of the plays, and he can veto or change ANY PLAY that Les calls. I asked Paul Jones what % of plays Mullen calls and his was response was "over 50%", Farley speculated that Mullen called "Between 75% and 90%". Look how embarrassingly wrong you are about this.

IT'S MULLEN'S OFFENSE. He develops the game plans, he calls the majority of our plays, he has more finger prints on MSU's offense than the rest of the coaches combined. You spend so much time dodging that truth, because you desperately want a 'fall guy' in Les, but that wouldn't change anything. You constantly ask for accountability on offense, but the reason I posted earlier are why you don't get it. Again, it's Mullen's offense. I know that is an incredibly inconvenient truth for you, but make no mistake, it is a truth.

Links? Simply underlined, bolded, italicized words do not serve as factually proven information. Thanks. This goes against 100% of everything I've ever been told -- by several people that actually wore the headsets including one head coach and family friend currently in south Louisiana. Have ALWAYS been told that Les calls plays, Mullen does have veto power, Hevesy bitches and somewhat has veto power -- and ultimately, TR has full freedom at the line of scrimmage to change whatever he wants.

Does it ultimately fall on Mullen? Yes. Does it mean that he's been the one calling this? No.

I want him to have full control over playcalling -- putting it all on his shoulders and removing the fall guy. That's what we are supposed to get this year.

 

[ClevelandBrownII]

If he doesn't bring in more talent

his ceiling is reached. Recruiting is the lifeline in the SEC and specifically the SEC West. We have to revamp the way we recruit to compete. The 2010 and 2011 classes were horrid, but the 2012 and 2013 classes were solid and much improved BUT we have to do more. According to 247, we still were last in recruiting for the 2013 class. As hard is it may be, it can be done.

 

[engie]

You absolutely love to create a phantom argument.

So, what are you basing your defensive adjustments argument on? We've only had our current DC calling plays for ONE GAME. That is ALL we have to base the performance on that side of the ball on -- is it not?

You should have said that we didn't make adjustments on that side under Wilson -- and that assessment would have been correct. Trying to bring it into current tense when you don't have a clue how Collins will do in this facet -- and all the (small amount) of evidence we have point the other way -- is what made the statement ridiculous.

That is not a phantom argument -- It's what you actually said multiple times.

 

[DerHntr]

So you are also making a ******** argument the other way with "small amount of evidence" if that is how you want to argue it. It is a phantom argument indeed.

 

[engie]

So you are also making a ******** argement the other way with "small amount of evidence" if that is how you want to argue it. It is a phantom argument indeed.

As opposed to your argument which is supported by zero evidence? Phantom argument indeed**

I'm saying that it's TOO DAMN SOON TO KNOW ONE WAY OR THE OTHER ON COLLINS -- but what little we've seen thusfar has been positive.

You are the one basically blaming him for stuff that wasn't even his fault in the first place -- judging him based on what Wilson did. Yeah, seems fair**

Let me make this even more clear than I already have MULTIPLE times here:

We don't adjust on offense or defense. When we lose momentum the entire staff and team appear to pout rather than get pissed of and fix it.

Because we come out in the same schemes on defense in the second half and the same poor play happens.

How do you know this? And what evidence is out there that allows you to make the assumptions?

 

[DerHntr]

Note: I am just busting your chops with this statement

"Links? Simply underlined, bolded, italicized words do not serve as factually proven information."

I am not believing my eyes. The capital letter king is proclaiming that changing the font does not make something a fact.

 

[DerHntr]

I am going to have to give you credit. You have easily filled the void of annoying ******* left by C34.

I made a statement that in the last 2 years our head coach has not lead our team in a way that creates quality adjustments during the game. I happen to believe that major adjustments within a game go straight to the top. You cited one win and 3 losses in those two years. You then went beyond that to pick UK (win) and LSU a loss beyond that time frame. It didn't help your argument that much but I will give you that.

Simply put, when we go into the half without a lead I don't normally think we will make the adjustments to come back and win. It is my opinion. I am basing it on what I see on the field. I can have an opinion and you can disagree with it without you being 100% right and me being 100% wrong. This is the attitude that a lot of people on here like to rag your *** about.

 

[ket7450]

Can you PLEASE put "The New Peaches" under Engie's NAME? Or SOMETHING equally CLEVER?**

 

[engie]

I am going to have to give you credit. You have easily filled the void of annoying ******* left by C34.

I simply asked you to explain your position. It didn't make sense to me...

I made a statement that in the last 2 years our head coach has not lead our team in a way that creates quality adjustments during the game. I happen to believe that major adjustments within a game go straight to the top.

You broke it down to two years, why? Because we made good adjustments in 2010 on defense with Diaz? What is to say that can't happen again? I'm not saying it will or it won't -- but it's unreasonably negative to simply ASSUME that it won't with the changes we've made on defense.

You cited one win and 3 losses in those two years. You then went beyond that to pick UK (win) and LSU a loss beyond that time frame. It didn't help your argument that much but I will give you that.

A comeback is not only defined in victories.

Simply put, when we go into the half without a lead I don't normally think we will make the adjustments to come back and win. It is my opinion. I am basing it on what I see on the field.

Fair enough. I just don't see much difference between this and what rugb gets killed for doing in the 4th inning of baseball games...

I can have an opinion and you can disagree with it without you being 100% right and me being 100% wrong. This is the attitude that a lot of people on here like to rag your *** about.

I simply wanted you to explain your position. It did not make sense -- now it does, even if I disagree with it.

My problem is the vast majority of MSU fans' self-loathing approach to fandom in general. This website created this persona in me -- not the other way around. Everyone LOVES to come back here and light me up every time I'm wrong -- have I bothered coming back and starting threads boasting when I'm right? I've just let it go despite numerous recent examples...

 

[engie]

Can you PLEASE put "The New Peaches" under Engie's NAME? Or SOMETHING equally CLEVER?**

That would require me coming back to gloat and talk crap when I'm right -- which I don't do.

 

[DerHntr]

Fair enough

 

[CadaverDawg]

Can you PLEASE put "The New Peaches" under Engie's NAME? Or SOMETHING equally CLEVER?**

You Nafoomers and your obsession with "Peaches".

 

[57stratdawg]

Links? Simply underlined, bolded, italicized words do not serve as factually proven information. Thanks. This goes against 100% of everything I've ever been told -- by several people that actually wore the headsets including one head coach and family friend currently in south Louisiana. Have ALWAYS been told that Les calls plays, Mullen does have veto power, Hevesy bitches and somewhat has veto power -- and ultimately, TR has full freedom at the line of scrimmage to change whatever he wants.

Link my inbox on 247? I can't really do such, but you're more than welcome to start a thread over there and ask him yourself. Also, are you sure you're not just regurgitating what some other posters have said on this subject, because I could probably provide links to that if you wanted.

 

[DerHntr]

Same here. I love that we go to bowls. It is a change that no one can deny....

other than the increase overall in the number of them. Regardless of the number though, the man gets us in them.

This doesn't mean that I won't come to the best MSU website on the interwebs to discuss ways we could be better and to laugh as some of you crazy bastards who lose your mind about some of the smallest issues.

 

[ket7450]

You Nafoomers and your obsession with "Peaches".

Not really. Just noticed that there was a new know it all on the board. Well, not actually new but someone filling the void of Coach 34's dumb *** remarks.

But why do you care? Aren't you an "Elite Dawg" now?

 

[CadaverDawg]

Not really. Just noticed that there was a new know it all on the board. Well, not actually new but someone filling the void of Coach 34's dumb *** remarks.

But why do you care? Aren't you an "Elite Dawg" now?

Thanks for stalking me. I post on both boards.

Are you a "SixPackSpeaker" now?

 

[InaccuratePredictionsDawg]

Then Ronny is curious as to why you started this thread in the first place...

...going to bowls on a consistent basis is just a portion of what Ronny listed. Yet you want to know if Mullen has "reached his ceiling @ MSU?" Are you talking about reaching a ceiling as high as the typical house, or a ceiling as high as the Sistine Chapel? If you think Mullen should reach a ceiling as high as the Sistine Chapel (for instance), then you are talking about Mullen reaching a ceiling 20 meters high (65.6 ft). You can clone a super coach with 1/3 equal parts of Bear Bryant, Nick Saban & Bobby Bowden & never reach that ceiling.

 

[CookieMonster.sixpack]

Probably the biggest difference between JWS & Mullen eras is that as of now, if Mullen left today, we are still in a great position talent-wise. JWS leaned too heavily on the JUCO ranks and brought in too many discipline problems. Mullen hasn't repeated that mistake. But I still love Jackie Wayne. He took us to 17ing Atlanta while I was in school. '98 & '99 were 17ing awesome.

 

[FormerlyHighLifeRebel]

To be fair, Mullen has played four more games than Sherrill.

yuku

 

[Dawg1976]

Too early to say. It has taken some coaches at bigger institutions longer than 4 years to reach 9-10 win seasons. I wouldn't be disappointed with a couple of more 7 win seasons. But after that I would probably concede we have hit a ceiling.

 

[engie]

Too early to say. It has taken some coaches at bigger institutions longer than 4 years to reach 9-10 win seasons. I wouldn't be disappointed with a couple of more 7 win seasons. But after that I would probably concede we have hit a ceiling.

I'm with you on this.

I think the best time to judge Mullen's "ceiling" is probably the 2014 and 2015 seasons -- when Dak takes over and we don't lose much(something like 11 seniors total next year) -- and our first fully redshirted class(2010) is 5th yr seniors. So, IMO I will judge what Mullen can and can't be on those two years...

It's the same way that this was always going to be Cohen's judgement year for me in year 5... It was when the depth and talent were both finally upgraded with the system fully in place. Mostly satisfied with what I've seen thusfar -- although I look at the increasing talent level especially in terms of size and power potential in the next couple of classes, and I don't think we're even that close to a true ceiling yet...