Hooskins Presents the "Who Needs to Step Up" Poll

Well considering Landry, Mcintosh and Wade didn't play last year (McIntosh had a few snaps), I have to go with Rogers to step it up. I can't say that Landry, McIntosh, or Wade have to step it up because I haven't seen what they can do in this system. Golston wasn't the problem with the D line last year, it was systemic across the board. Rogers, must step it up and I think with the help he has now he will. If not, there are plenty of other options at Corner this year. Maybe that's what he needed is some competition for his spot.

I think you're giving too much credit to the player being able to properly motivate and prepare themselves. Not every average Joe in the NFL prepares himself and approaches the game like a Peyton Manning. If the league was full of Peyton Manning types there would be almost no need for coaches.

The NFL is almost like the military and the players are the soldiers. Soliders are trained to follow orders and to look to their leaders for guidance and direction. A bad leader can sour the whole bunch and be a detriment to the entire team. While a good leader can inspire and lead, and bring the best out of everyone.

I believe attitude starts at the top of an organization and works it's way down. I believe a quality leader can indeed change the attitude of an entire organization. Of course there are always going to be a few bad apples not worth saving, but quality leadership is something that can't be measured and is invaluable.

I think you're giving too much credit to the player being able to properly motivate and prepare themselves. Not every average Joe in the NFL prepares himself and approaches the game like a Peyton Manning. If the league was full of Peyton Manning types there would be almost no need for coaches.

The NFL is almost like the military and the players are the soldiers. Soliders are trained to follow orders and to look to their leaders for guidance and direction. A bad leader can sour the whole bunch and be a detriment to the entire team. While a good leader can inspire and lead, and bring the best out of everyone.

I believe attitude starts at the top of an organization and works it's way down. I believe a quality leader can indeed change the attitude of an entire organization. Of course there are always going to be a few bad apples not worth saving, but quality leadership is something that can't be measured and is invaluable.Well, I think its safe to say that every player in the NFL has had multiple coaches along his journey to the NFL. So if a player can't self-motivate himself (which I see as a fairly effortless process, so long as you love to play the game) I don't see anyway he would continually have success at every level on his way to the NFL.

And its true that at some point, every player in the league was not at his current state of mental acuity and maturity. So at some point along the way, some coach WAS responsible for the development of the talent. But this probably happened far before the NFL level. For some guys, it happened in pee wee, for most in HS, and some really late bloomers dont mature from a football standpoint until college (these tend to be the small school players, since anyone who had NFL talent and maturity prior to college got a DI scolarship).

While I'm sure there have been instances of untapped potential reaching the NFL level, I just think the occurences of this are so low that it doesnt make a difference. These players probably werent drafted, and thusly, might not ever get their shot with a good coach to tap their potential.

It's just so rare in the NFL for a player to come along with any expectation whatsoever who isn't always mentally prepared for every play.

I would say that in HS and maybe ever college sports, you would be absolutely correct. Remember, my point was that those who reach the pinnical of the game (the NFL) are near their optimal level of mental acuity and composure with respect to the game of football.

This is obviously not true with college and high school athletes. Thus there is so much more effect a coach can have on his talent. I mean, in High School, I think its common place that a team is just not prepared for a game. In the NFL, I would say that I've maybe seen it twice in the last five years (usually in Week 1).

High school and college players may not trust their system or always work their hardest and still be successful, but these players by and large will be weeded out before they reach the NFL level. And thats why in the NFL, a coach's legacy is pretty much tied to the guys he has, not the other way around.

Norv Turner has never really had a team with all that much talent before. His two best teams were most likely the 99 Redskins, and the 04 Raiders. Neither was really all that much better than average. This year in San Diego, he has by far the most talented team hes ever had. I don't think theres any reason to expect that he won't win 11 games. It's not like his team won't be ready just because hes Norv Turner.


I think we'll have to agree to disagree regarding leadership then, because pros are no more "mentally" acute then most of the guys on any college team I can guarantee you that. Futhermore, I don't know what you do for a living, but a good leader will always get more out of his guys over the long run than a bad one, no matter how talented and self-motivated his/her people are.

I do agree in your other post that good coaching is reflected in ensuring the best people are on the field in any given situation. That is part of adapting your coaching to the skills of your personell, something great coaches have always done well.

The damn Mods around here need to step up...wait, that's a post for another time ;)

I said other. People have pointed out that Carlos and Rocky need to step up, and I wholeheartedly agree. However, for the offense to be successful, there needs to be the emergence of a solid #2 receiver. While Moss and Cooley are capable of leading the receivers, both Lloyd and Randle El need to step up and provide capable targets for Campbell to throw to. The ability to adjust routes and come back to the ball will be crucial in Campbell's development this year. The ability to get the ball down field will open up running lanes for Portis and Betts, and will give Campbell more time in the pocket.

I think it's Wade. If Rocky struggles, well LeMar has shown he can play OLB. If Rogers does, Smoot or Macklin have shown they can play as a starting CB. But if Wade can't put together a strong season, then who do we turn to? Tucker? Whiticker?

Hm, that is a really good point. But I guess we all expect Wade to be successful.

Gregg Williams. I think I've been pretty consistent with my critism of him dating back to last season.

Before we start preaching about how he's only the coach and he can't tackle or catch the ball, I want to take it a step further.

Those things are absolutely true. But I think he reacted too slowly with integrating Rocky McIntosh into the starting lineup and making other defensive adjustments. By all accounts, thus far, Rocky could end being a gem. Another thing, how is it that Tiki Barber has a career game against every time he plays against us? Where's the game planning? Where's the mentality, if you beat us it won't be with Tiki rushing for over 200 yrds! Why not make Eli Manning beat you with 40 passes?

In my opinion it's the coaches job to "polish" off the talent that exists. I didn't get that impression from Williams last year. Another thing, defensively we didn't play with any fire or urgency last season. You say this was the players fault. I say they didn't whole heartedly buy into what the staff laid out for them on Sundays. These guys are professionals and they have to strap it on every Sunday, I understand that. It just seemed to me that Williams was more interested in doing post game interviews on Comcast rather than make radical adjusments and hold his staff accountable for poor performance after poor performance.

McIntosh "could be a gem"? By what accounts?

The only fault I can find with the coaches is their apparent role in personnel decision making. Williams' system didn't change from 2004 to '05 or '06. The only thing that did change was the age of the players, specifically along the defensive line. Then there was the injury to Springs. Again, that's a testament to personnel decisions -- your pass rush shouldn't hinge so heavily on one cornerback; the D-line has to step up and get pressure when everybody else in the secondary sucks so bad that they can't blitz. No coach can "polish" has-been defensive linemen into effective pass rushers.

McIntosh "could be a gem"? By what accounts?

The only fault I can find with the coaches is their apparent role in personnel decision making. Williams' system didn't change from 2004 to '05 or '06. The only thing that did change was the age of the players, specifically along the defensive line. Then there was the injury to Springs. Again, that's a testament to personnel decisions -- your pass rush shouldn't hinge so heavily on one cornerback; the D-line has to step up and get pressure when everybody else in the secondary sucks so bad that they can't blitz. No coach can "polish" has-been defensive linemen into effective pass rushers.

I don't think it's out of the question that Rocky could be a gem. The accounts I'm speaking of were reported in WP. He was pretty good on teams last year, and the one game he did start was a solid outing. I think two young backer to watch in our division this season will be McIntosh and Bobby Carpenter (Cowboys)

You're right, no coach can "polish" an aging player, but he damn sure can help him with technique, which can improve pass rushing skills.

I voted other, and have to agree with freddyg12 on Brandon Lloyd. With Moss repeatedly having to deal with nagging injuries, Lloyd must bring a game in order to continue justifying his being. He was clearly the most dissapointing player on the offensive side of the ball last year.........Needs to step up his game "Big Time"

Rogers will step up next year.

Quote me on that.