First, I find it incomprehensible that one of our best defenders, a two-year starter at LB in the SEC, can only do 11 reps with 225 lbs. As many on here have stated, it's really not that difficult to bench 225 if you're 240 lbs to begin with, you're a terrific athlete, you have excellent training facilities, excellent nutrition and diet assistance, professional trainers, etc. It takes discipline, work, motivation. You've just got to do the work and have goals in mind. Evidently, Josh did not do that nor does it look like the staff required it of him (and others).
Second, the above brings up some questions/observations:
1. Who is ultimately at fault here: Forrest or the coaching staff? Obviously, Josh has to take some responsibility and ownership but it sure seems like the staff either should've been riding him harder or sitting him down if he wasn't improving his strength. While the sport is not weightlifting, it only seems logical that shedding blocks, stopping ballcarriers in the hole, ripping the ball out, etc. would only become easier the stronger a player is.
2. While Forrest had good speed for a LB, I noticed throughout his career that he had trouble getting off blocks, making stops on the initial hit, etc. I'm now a little more optimistic that our run defense just might be a little better with stronger athletes manning the LB position. Could this physical weakness be one of the big reasons our team seems to be 'out-physicaled' in many games, especially SEC games? And, bear in mind, most of our players are not undersized. It's not related to weight as far as I can tell. It looks to me like it's strength and technique. Isn't that what the coaching staff is supposed to supply: motivation for strength conditioning and technique instruction?
3. It looks like there was a pretty wide discrepancy between players on the team. Those who worked hard and prepared their bodies and those who didn't. Staff has to be accountable for getting players ready to play and only playing those who have prepared properly. A bit concerned about such a wide gulf, even among players who started or played a significant number of snaps.
Second, the above brings up some questions/observations:
1. Who is ultimately at fault here: Forrest or the coaching staff? Obviously, Josh has to take some responsibility and ownership but it sure seems like the staff either should've been riding him harder or sitting him down if he wasn't improving his strength. While the sport is not weightlifting, it only seems logical that shedding blocks, stopping ballcarriers in the hole, ripping the ball out, etc. would only become easier the stronger a player is.
2. While Forrest had good speed for a LB, I noticed throughout his career that he had trouble getting off blocks, making stops on the initial hit, etc. I'm now a little more optimistic that our run defense just might be a little better with stronger athletes manning the LB position. Could this physical weakness be one of the big reasons our team seems to be 'out-physicaled' in many games, especially SEC games? And, bear in mind, most of our players are not undersized. It's not related to weight as far as I can tell. It looks to me like it's strength and technique. Isn't that what the coaching staff is supposed to supply: motivation for strength conditioning and technique instruction?
3. It looks like there was a pretty wide discrepancy between players on the team. Those who worked hard and prepared their bodies and those who didn't. Staff has to be accountable for getting players ready to play and only playing those who have prepared properly. A bit concerned about such a wide gulf, even among players who started or played a significant number of snaps.
