Who have watched the team play over the months and now it's finally hit the more traditional media - I'm talking about pressure and running.
I understand people being reluctant to believe it given what has transpired the past couple of seasons. I believe the intent was always to play that way, but it became obvious pretty early on with the past two teams that the pressure wasn't going to work (either ability or lack of buy in) so it was abandoned. Cody had zero footspeed/length/athleticism, Vaughn was very reluctant in movements and was laterally deficient, etc, etc, etc. Yes, there were some guys who were good with the pressure, but if you cannot apply it at the point of attack, you are going to get shredded.
I think the single most important factor to pressure/up tempo is buy in/commitment. To a man. It cannot be half assed. It's more important than speed, quickness, length or athleticism. It's mental, it's a will power. And it's not easy to get.
This team has been working it and they have a long way to go and a short time to get there, but they are on track. If it starts to go awry, that's the beauty of this depth. And if it does work, the style is going to mean minutes for everyone to keep players fresh and from foul trouble. It just seems to be lining up well.
If the pressure is effective, I think you'll see the Rebels well in control of the games they are supposed to win. You shouldn't have many Dixie States or home games vs Portland to the buzzer. Against veteran, quality teams, it may hamper but I don't know that it will diffuse, because there's an inherent risk with pressure that apt teams can take advantage of.
I'm REALLY looking forward to the changes.
I understand people being reluctant to believe it given what has transpired the past couple of seasons. I believe the intent was always to play that way, but it became obvious pretty early on with the past two teams that the pressure wasn't going to work (either ability or lack of buy in) so it was abandoned. Cody had zero footspeed/length/athleticism, Vaughn was very reluctant in movements and was laterally deficient, etc, etc, etc. Yes, there were some guys who were good with the pressure, but if you cannot apply it at the point of attack, you are going to get shredded.
I think the single most important factor to pressure/up tempo is buy in/commitment. To a man. It cannot be half assed. It's more important than speed, quickness, length or athleticism. It's mental, it's a will power. And it's not easy to get.
This team has been working it and they have a long way to go and a short time to get there, but they are on track. If it starts to go awry, that's the beauty of this depth. And if it does work, the style is going to mean minutes for everyone to keep players fresh and from foul trouble. It just seems to be lining up well.
If the pressure is effective, I think you'll see the Rebels well in control of the games they are supposed to win. You shouldn't have many Dixie States or home games vs Portland to the buzzer. Against veteran, quality teams, it may hamper but I don't know that it will diffuse, because there's an inherent risk with pressure that apt teams can take advantage of.
I'm REALLY looking forward to the changes.
