My take on Willy Mac's Bowden Apologist Letter, v 2.2
Willy Mac over at Danny Ford is God wrote this article summing up his feelings about Tommy Bowden. Take a look at it, then come back to see my thoughts...
OK, overall this is a pretty good article. Willy has a little bit more positive attitude than I do about Bowden, but he does manage to get in some valid criticisms. I especially liked this part:
I couldn't agree more. Bowden has been using his last name to hold us over a barrell for 9 years now, you would think we would realize that. He came in talking trash about Clemson and demanding this high salary as if he was going to win something, yet hasn't in a decade. Somehow this equates to a contract extension...
If I were writing the extension, it would have incentives and penalties. For example, for every blowout loss, Bowden would lose $200k. Every year we don't win the ACC, Bowden would lose $500k, etc. He's making about $1.4 million a year, so he could swing it.
I do take issue with some of the things said in this article though. For instance:
I couldn't disagree with this more. Our assistant coaches are good guys, but every year we have problems with simple fundamentals that really shouldn't even be an issue, i.e. catching a punt on the 2 yard line, things like that. Also, Rob Spence's playbook is based on screen plays, so if you take those away there isn't much left. Spence is the worst hire I could have imagined and the reason he was hired is that Bowden is committed to the spread gimmick, Fun 'N Punt offense. Too many trick plays, not enough fundamentals.
Anyway, good job Willy Mac.
OK, overall this is a pretty good article. Willy has a little bit more positive attitude than I do about Bowden, but he does manage to get in some valid criticisms. I especially liked this part:
When he restructures his contract, perhaps he should offer to take a pay cut as a trade off for more years. That money lost should be filtered into the incentives of his contract. He should also lessen his buy out because sometimes it feels as if he is holding us hostage. He hasn't won anything yet, so he is still unproven. The honorable thing to do would to stop digging in our pockets when he hasn't earned it yet. He feels like that buddy that always borrows money, but probably won't get you back. "C'mon man, you know I'm good for it."
I couldn't agree more. Bowden has been using his last name to hold us over a barrell for 9 years now, you would think we would realize that. He came in talking trash about Clemson and demanding this high salary as if he was going to win something, yet hasn't in a decade. Somehow this equates to a contract extension...
If I were writing the extension, it would have incentives and penalties. For example, for every blowout loss, Bowden would lose $200k. Every year we don't win the ACC, Bowden would lose $500k, etc. He's making about $1.4 million a year, so he could swing it.
I do take issue with some of the things said in this article though. For instance:
Sub Rob Spence, Bowden has a baller set of assistant coaches that are loyal to Clemson University and our goals. In actuality, I think Spence has a great play book (minus the screens) for this offense but he either chooses the wrong plays at the wrong times or he gets a comfy lead and then starts coaching not to lose.
I couldn't disagree with this more. Our assistant coaches are good guys, but every year we have problems with simple fundamentals that really shouldn't even be an issue, i.e. catching a punt on the 2 yard line, things like that. Also, Rob Spence's playbook is based on screen plays, so if you take those away there isn't much left. Spence is the worst hire I could have imagined and the reason he was hired is that Bowden is committed to the spread gimmick, Fun 'N Punt offense. Too many trick plays, not enough fundamentals.
Anyway, good job Willy Mac.
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You are definately right about the gimmicky stuff. Not enough fundamentals.
Now, I'm not a Jerry Rice fan by any stretch of the imagination. However, it's been said that Jerry Rice used to practice by having someone throw brick to him. It hardened his hands and increased his catching ability. Plus, he knew if he missed one, it would break a rib! Why can't our WRs do that?
Or what about the OLine actually pushing someone on their ass? The OLine is blocking like little pussy-boys.
I have to agree that we're sorely lacking in the fundamentals department, but we're also lacking in the motivation department. Bowden has already said that it's not his job to motivate players "they should be motivated just by the fact they are going out on the field." He coaches like a bad executive who's locked in his office all day and pretends to be on the phone when someone knocks at his door.
Because of all the recent coaching openings, TDP has to pony up the dough for Bowden and his staff to keep him here. And that's a sad state of affairs.
Posted by
JasonL |
11/28/07 9:37 PM