Its the players NOT the coaches

[Esks4ever]

Don't burn the coaches; the players are to blame

By John Short




Same old, same old.

Because the Eskimos have lost a couple of football games, the vultures are out again, screaming that coach Danny Maciocia should be ridden out of town on a rail.

Like every other head coach in recent history, the likable young guy insists that he never reads newspaper reports or listens to the open-mouth shows that would like to determine his fate.

Maciocia doesn't necessarily speak the whole truth in this case: everybody who's subjected to media abuse becomes instantly aware of what's being written or said. The reality is that Maciocia didn't miss the tackle on Milt Stegall. Neither did any assistant coaches.

Blame them for calling the wrong defensive formation, if you have to blame them for anything. Anything more is wrong and unfair. It's also true that a missed tackle - even on a heart-stopping last-second play - won't likely determine the true value of an athlete's season.

Sooner or later, all the guessperts who rush to criticize coaches after every defeat will come to realize that this approach gives players a free pass. Fans don't expect them to take responsibility. It's hard enough, supporters believe, for athletes to show up at the pay window once every couple of weeks.

From my perspective outside the dressing room, this issue seems at least as important as the quality of last-second coaching or tackling by defensive backs. Media and fans should ask what players are providing the Eskimos's famed leadership, continuing the tradition that has been in place through the remarkable run of playoff victories and Grey Cups.

Let's also ask which ones are not. And why not.

[Esks4ever]

Re: Its the players NOT the coaches

Yep.. its the players who decide to cut brady, demote Wiltshire, release Montford, have an offensive with NO imagination, or have Mobes on the sidelines almost every 2nd play......


Yep it sure is the players...

[earl2]

Re: Its the players NOT the coaches

Yep.. its the players who decide to cut brady, demote Wiltshire, release Montford, have an offensive with NO imagination, or have Mobes on the sidelines almost every 2nd play......


Yep it sure is the players...

I'm not defending Maciocia, but based on the fact that Brady hasn't been picked up elsewhere, I'm not positive their isn't other issues at play here which led to him being cut. Secondly, Montford was most likely released due to the upcoming SMS and because Collier was available. At least the Eskimos front office had enough balls to admit their mistake and get Montford back.

Right now I'm as p!ssed at the offensive playcalling and the defensive playcalling as anybody. But every problem with the Esks can't be blamed on Maciocia.

[Beerfish]

Re: Its the players NOT the coaches

Well like most people that wanto absolve one aspect of a teams problems, he offers no solution whatsoever as to how to right the ship. If Mr. Short had said 'It's not the coaches fault however the Esks should cut this player and this player and this player' then he'd at least have a shred of credibility on the subject.

The apologists will say its not the coaches fault, then you question them about the players and they will say it's not the players fault.

In this situation it's a combination of both. Some of the players have not played up to expectations, this is not the coaches fault. The coaches have made some glaring errors as well. The funny thing is if not for the monstrous inexcusable error on the last play of the bomber game the Esks are 3-3 and actually in good shape.

If the coaches do not correct bad play from players or change players that are hot cutting it. (Durden) Then they are just as responsible as the the guys playing badly.

There is no questioning the fact that our offensive gameplan sucks in my opinion. If you go back to about midway through last year teams figured out how to stop us, this problem has not been limited to this season, we averaged about 18 points a game through opur last 9 reg season games last year.

I've heard time and again the coaches and players say 'We have to take what the other team gives us.' The other teams have a defenseive game plan in place that will give them the best chance to win, they are more than delighted to see the Esks take what they give us. An offense has to do one of two things to break another teams defense, either a) be innovative and do something out of the normal realm of football sense or b) take what they give you but make them really pay for them doing so.

We don't want to seem to do anything radical gameplan wise so a) is out for now. Our problem with b) is we do not get the ball to game breakers when the other team gives us the short stuff.

We throw short passes to our giuys with speed who are not moving or moving toward the othe teams defense. (The classic slant in to Hervey is always taking him into the teeth of the defense) Our dump passes to our backs don't worry anyone. If a team is going to let you throw underneath all day you have to crack a few long plays to make them stop giving you the underneath stuff, something that we never do.

[jaydogg]

Fire Danny Can'tcoacha

[Beerfish]

Re: Its the players NOT the coaches

Fire Danny Can'tcoacha

Well the one thing he has going for him is that he won the Cup in his 1st year of coaching, seems he didn't need a 7 year, 3 year plan.

[dpoe]

Re: Its the players NOT the coaches

Many have suggested that the Esks won the GC in spite of the coaching... They have too much talent to average only 18 points per game.

[earl2]

Re: Its the players NOT the coaches

Well like most people that wanto absolve one aspect of a teams problems, he offers no solution whatsoever as to how to right the ship. If Mr. Short had said 'It's not the coaches fault however the Esks should cut this player and this player and this player' then he'd at least have a shred of credibility on the subject.

The apologists will say its not the coaches fault, then you question them about the players and they will say it's not the players fault.

In this situation it's a combination of both. Some of the players have not played up to expectations, this is not the coaches fault. The coaches have made some glaring errors as well. The funny thing is if not for the monstrous inexcusable error on the last play of the bomber game the Esks are 3-3 and actually in good shape.

If the coaches do not correct bad play from players or change players that are hot cutting it. (Durden) Then they are just as responsible as the the guys playing badly.

There is no questioning the fact that our offensive gameplan sucks in my opinion. If you go back to about midway through last year teams figured out how to stop us, this problem has not been limited to this season, we averaged about 18 points a game through opur last 9 reg season games last year.

I've heard time and again the coaches and players say 'We have to take what the other team gives us.' The other teams have a defenseive game plan in place that will give them the best chance to win, they are more than delighted to see the Esks take what they give us. An offense has to do one of two things to break another teams defense, either a) be innovative and do something out of the normal realm of football sense or b) take what they give you but make them really pay for them doing so.

We don't want to seem to do anything radical gameplan wise so a) is out for now. Our problem with b) is we do not get the ball to game breakers when the other team gives us the short stuff.

We throw short passes to our giuys with speed who are not moving or moving toward the othe teams defense. (The classic slant in to Hervey is always taking him into the teeth of the defense) Our dump passes to our backs don't worry anyone. If a team is going to let you throw underneath all day you have to crack a few long plays to make them stop giving you the underneath stuff, something that we never do.

Couldn't have said it better myself.


...well I could have, but there's no point in showing you up...

[Deathsdoorstep]

Re: Its the players NOT the coaches

I don't agree with John Short, although he did prove me wrong about MacT.

[GREYx14]

Re: Its the players NOT the coaches

Many have suggested that the Esks won the GC in spite of the coaching.

Just because many have suggested it doesn't mean it's not crap. It's very rare for any championship team to win without a combined players/coaches team effort.

[Oiler]

Re: Its the players NOT the coaches

One of the problems for sure has been the personnel moves. Of course it is always necessitated by players not coming back for one reason or the other.

DM has made too made moves getting rookies and relatively inexperience's guys in to replace the vets and other who have moved on.

There has been no adequate replacement for 3 of the d-lines good players from last year. Scott, Jeanty and Montford. Yes, Motnford has come back, but he has yet to play like he did last year.

Robert Brown though steady is unspectacular, Charboneau, the only returnee is playing worst now. Collier did not make the grade (bad waste of a dispersal craft choice). Alston, Sommersell isn't doing the job and Braidwood is just breaking in. Thus we get minimal pressure and a lowly 7 sacks last in the league.

The linebacker's situation is just as bad. AJ Gass and Marsh missing really hurt. Winn, Dixon, Stewart are not doing the job. Why they are platooning Mobley is anybody's guess.

The secondary has been hurt as well. Durden is not a good replacement for Sanchez at all. Garrett and Frank may be showing their age. Too bad Donald Brady isn't back. The reason no one picked him up is because he is still being paid while recovering from injury.

The offense lacks Yac receivers. All they do is a vanilla formation and drop back to pass. Harvey cannot break free on short routes and is being wasted there. The only players having a good year are Tucker and Mitchell. No imagination on offence hurts as well.

Combined with bad play and low morale no wonder the team is in last place.

[eskimojones]

Re: Its the players NOT the coaches

There is way too much talent on this team. Our coaching staff should be finding a way to get the players to buy into the system. They must also motivate them to go out and win at all costs. So far they haven't done that.

The play calling has also been brutal. We looked like the Hamilton TiCats on Friday.......a million short passes, not much deep, and less than 20 points scored. This is not Eskimo football. Where the hell is the deep ball? Where is the imagination?

Its time to shake things up. The bench seems dry, and unmotivated. We are 2-4, last in the west, and about to put an end to a north american pro sports record (you all know which one). If this team is to salvage the season a coaching change must be made.......NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[glenvb]

Re: Its the players NOT the coaches

I'm not defending Maciocia, but based on the fact that Brady hasn't been picked up elsewhere, I'm not positive their isn't other issues at play here which led to him being cut.

I read somewhere (maybe here?) that Brady was cut because he was injured, and is still being paid by the Esks. A salary cap dodge, maybe? This might suggest that he'll rejoin the team when he's well. Imagine the outrage among other teams' fans if this happens

Can anyone confirm or deny this?

[Beerfish]

Re: Its the players NOT the coaches

If you are injured, at least on the 9 game list it is not uspposed to count against the cap I believe.

[Deathsdoorstep]

Re: Its the players NOT the coaches

The Eskimos' suck ass play is the fault of BOTH the coaches AND the players.

The garbage offensive schemes, plays and playcalling are the result of bad coaching. Players take the penalties, but systemic problems in discipline are a result of bad coaching.

Players who don't make plays have to face up. But cutting talented players in favor of ones who aren't that good is tha fault of their overseers.

Both are to blame. However, taking care of one problem is the way to solve the other.