So last year we had a handful of players that had earned quite a lot of hype from their play the previous season...they did not live up to that hype, at all, last year.
Penix... He ended up getting injured, but he wasn't nearly as good early on last season as he was when he was healthy in previous seasons. All health related?
Fryfogle...He was on All American watch lists heading into last season. I know Penix getting hurt contributed. But Fryfogle himself had a ton of drops last year. And he struggled mightily getting off defenders, and getting himself open.
Hendershot...similar to Fryfogle...tons of hype, tons of drops.
Fast forward to this year...our secondary, through their play last year, and the year before, came into this season with a ton of hype. Some listed them as one of the best secondaries in the B10. Obviously that isn't playing out that way, at all.
I could be way off base...but here's my concern. Allen, by virtue of his personality, is always trying to "fix things". I'm worried that he/his staff aren't establishing any levels of consistency with his various different units. He'll focus on certain aspects, it'll get better, players will get hot, etc... But there isn't any sort of plan or program in place for players and units that do end up having success, to continue to build on that success when Allen/Coaches move on to focus on other areas of the team.
As an example...our DLine and Linebackers are noticeably better this year overall holding their spots, filling holes, tackling, etc... Obviously Allen's renewed interested and focus on the defense is contributing to that...the front 7 is his specialty if I'm not mistaken. But the secondary looks like they've basically never played football before. And we're talking All B10 guys like Mullen and Williams. Why?
I don't know...just a wacked out conspiracy theory probably. I just don't think Allen has the 'Saban like' ability to make sure all the players are staying on task and getting better.
Penix... He ended up getting injured, but he wasn't nearly as good early on last season as he was when he was healthy in previous seasons. All health related?
Fryfogle...He was on All American watch lists heading into last season. I know Penix getting hurt contributed. But Fryfogle himself had a ton of drops last year. And he struggled mightily getting off defenders, and getting himself open.
Hendershot...similar to Fryfogle...tons of hype, tons of drops.
Fast forward to this year...our secondary, through their play last year, and the year before, came into this season with a ton of hype. Some listed them as one of the best secondaries in the B10. Obviously that isn't playing out that way, at all.
I could be way off base...but here's my concern. Allen, by virtue of his personality, is always trying to "fix things". I'm worried that he/his staff aren't establishing any levels of consistency with his various different units. He'll focus on certain aspects, it'll get better, players will get hot, etc... But there isn't any sort of plan or program in place for players and units that do end up having success, to continue to build on that success when Allen/Coaches move on to focus on other areas of the team.
As an example...our DLine and Linebackers are noticeably better this year overall holding their spots, filling holes, tackling, etc... Obviously Allen's renewed interested and focus on the defense is contributing to that...the front 7 is his specialty if I'm not mistaken. But the secondary looks like they've basically never played football before. And we're talking All B10 guys like Mullen and Williams. Why?
I don't know...just a wacked out conspiracy theory probably. I just don't think Allen has the 'Saban like' ability to make sure all the players are staying on task and getting better.
