Discipline

[BuffWarHog]

So we're all reading about how the 2012 Buffs are faster, stronger, bigger, more athletic, better depth, etc. But does anyone know how things are going on the discipline front? And by that I mean, reduction in false starts, illegal procedures, intelligible receivers down field, late hits (Polk)?
I know, I know, we haven't played a game yet, but the past couple of fall camps we were having a lot of these problems to begin with.
Also, I now the kids are young so I'll let a few holding penalties, pass interferences, face masks and the like go. But the discipline penalties that have killed for the past (6) few years have got to stop.
Anyone have any insight?

 

[J.R. Ewing]

I'm more worried about turnovers. Amazingly, we only had 19 give aways last year. That was about the only stat that didn't land us in the bottom 1/3 of college football. New QB, New RBs, new WRs, expanded playbook, all of that points towards more tunovers. In the end, I think TOs will be what keeps us out of a bowl.

 

[DBT]

With our super secret practices, I don't thing anyone knows anything.

 

[Duff Man]

I hate intelligible receivers.

 

[BuffWarHog]

With our super secret practices, I don't thing anyone knows anything.

Yeah, just wondering if anyone with super secret insider access could shed some light. To me, these issues are what have upset me the most over the past 6 years...even more so than the won-loss record.
The false start that knocks us back from 3rd and 1, the momentum killing illegal procedure call, the delay of game the knocks us out of field goal range. It's maddening!!!
Of all the things I want to see change in this program, this is number 1 for me.

 

[Burrito]

Yeah, just wondering if anyone with super secret insider access could shed some light. To me, these issues are what have upset me the most over the past 6 years...even more so than the won-loss record.
The false start that knocks us back from 3rd and 1, the momentum killing illegal procedure call, the delay of game the knocks us out of field goal range. It's maddening!!!
Of all the things I want to see change in this program, this is number 1 for me.

For me it's wins!

But other than that, I agree with you. I get the impression that these coaches are a lot less forgiving in practice, and it's one of the reasons people bounce around the depth chart so much. If you don't show up to practice with your head in the game, I suspect a beating ensues.

 

[BuffWarHog]

For me it's wins!

But other than that, I agree with you. I get the impression that these coaches are a lot less forgiving in practice, and it's one of the reasons people bounce around the depth chart so much. If you don't show up to practice with your head in the game, I suspect a beating ensues.

Hopefully yes - and not some stupid wheel barrow ride and pat on the butt with an "it's ok, you'll get 'em next time."

 

[Deleted member 807]

Yeah, just wondering if anyone with super secret insider access could shed some light. To me, these issues are what have upset me the most over the past 6 years...even more so than the won-loss record.
The false start that knocks us back from 3rd and 1, the momentum killing illegal procedure call, the delay of game the knocks us out of field goal range. It's maddening!!!
Of all the things I want to see change in this program, this is number 1 for me.

The loss at Hawaii and against Wazzou last season was more about CU shooting themselves in the foot than anything else.

My single biggest knock on Embree last season was the lack of discipline. It was perfectly appropriate to pin the lack of depth and talent on Hawkins and those who gave him year 5, but the lack of discipline leading to stupid penalties on both sides of the ball is 100 percent on the Embree coaching staff.

The penalties yards against stat needs to be one third or less of CU'S rushing yardage for me to be satisfied.

 

[DBT]

The only thing I can go on is that Embree is saying the mentality of the team has changed. Many of last year's seniors had either given up or were not buying into Embree and the new staff. If what Embree is saying is true, that mentality has changed.

 

[buff4eva]

that was then this is now 80% of the team this year is different from last years team

 

[MtnBuff]

Last year it was nice to see a team that didn't consistently get delay of game penalties out of time outs and have mass confusion as to who was supposed to be in the huddle.

There are two kinds of penalties, penalties of aggression and penalties of concentration. Penalties of aggression are the holding calls, PI, ineligible downfield, etc. These are the penalties where somebody is trying to make something happen. Talent and technique can usually reduce these but a certain amount are acceptable if you have a team that is intensely trying to get something done.

Penalties of concentration are the illegal formation, lining up offsides, jumping the snap count, delay of game, illegal substitution, etc. The huge majority of these happen because someone didn't have their head in the game (including sometimes the coaches) and are inexcusable if you want to consistently win.

Last year I saw a big drop in the number of the penalties of concentration, especially at the end of the season when we started to win some games. We still had to many but much fewer than in prior years.

Until both our speed and experience is more comparable with the other teams we are playing I expect us to have more of the aggression penalties. Somebody gets beat on a move and grabs to stop the guy from making a big play, somebody releases early or gets out of position during the play and gets caught. Those I will accept since guys are trying.

We got better on the concentration penalties last year but still have a ways to go. With all the young guys these may continue to plague us as well since guys are worried about their responsibility or their read and forget to pay attention to the simple things. At least we have hope that they will learn as they get experience.

 

[Liver]

play calling needs to improve too. eb's decision to have them throw a pass at the end of the wsu game, rather than running and grinding 40 seconds off the clock was a killer.

i think we'll be better across the board, with everyone having a year under their belts on the staff. i'm pumped.

GO BUFFS!

 

[buffalocu81]

Last year it was nice to see a team that didn't consistently get delay of game penalties out of time outs and have mass confusion as to who was supposed to be in the huddle.

There are two kinds of penalties, penalties of aggression and penalties of concentration. Penalties of aggression are the holding calls, PI, ineligible downfield, etc. These are the penalties where somebody is trying to make something happen. Talent and technique can usually reduce these but a certain amount are acceptable if you have a team that is intensely trying to get something done.

Penalties of concentration are the illegal formation, lining up offsides, jumping the snap count, delay of game, illegal substitution, etc. The huge majority of these happen because someone didn't have their head in the game (including sometimes the coaches) and are inexcusable if you want to consistently win.

Last year I saw a big drop in the number of the penalties of concentration, especially at the end of the season when we started to win some games. We still had to many but much fewer than in prior years.

Until both our speed and experience is more comparable with the other teams we are playing I expect us to have more of the aggression penalties. Somebody gets beat on a move and grabs to stop the guy from making a big play, somebody releases early or gets out of position during the play and gets caught. Those I will accept since guys are trying.

We got better on the concentration penalties last year but still have a ways to go. With all the young guys these may continue to plague us as well since guys are worried about their responsibility or their read and forget to pay attention to the simple things. At least we have hope that they will learn as they get experience.

I agree! I can live with agression penalties but what frustrated me with Hawkins teams were the mental mistakes. They killed us everytime. Unfortunately, that was the leftover last year that JE had to deal with.

 

[BehindEnemyLines]

I expect improvement in this area this year. I want to believe that there's been more focus on the mental aspects, even with all the frosh expected to play this season.

 

[BuffClass90]

So we're all reading about how the 2012 Buffs are faster, stronger, bigger, more athletic, better depth, etc. But does anyone know how things are going on the discipline front? And by that I mean, reduction in false starts, illegal procedures, intelligible receivers down field, late hits (Polk)?
I know, I know, we haven't played a game yet, but the past couple of fall camps we were having a lot of these problems to begin with.
Also, I now the kids are young so I'll let a few holding penalties, pass interferences, face masks and the like go. But the discipline penalties that have killed for the past (6) few years have got to stop.
Anyone have any insight?

I've been wondering the same thing. I'm guessing penalties cost us 2 games last year. I'd take last year's O, a better D and be in the top 10 in fewest penalties. That will get us to a bowl game.

 

[Buff_since76]

I would say the team discipline improved throughout the 2011 campaign. It would be most visible in the play/actions of Toney Clemons. In game 1 against Hawaii Toney played 2 plays, caused 1 penalty and sat on the sideline the rest of the game. He lost his starting job, and had to go talk to the Embree about his roll on the team. By the end of the year he was an outstanding receiver, and his play picked up as the coaches washed away his mental problems.

The discipline of the team has improved in regards to the different régime’s. As has been reported, having the prior régime lie to kids, play guys who aren’t the best but they feel they need to put on the field, and not criticize or correct poor action/play. Breaking this mentality is not an overnight event. The punishments that Embree has given to the off field incidents has definitely let the players know who is in charge and what is expected of them. Now that we are done with the second camp the coaches have talked about how they have coached more football, and less ‘other things’ i.e. intensity, focus, understanding, and execution.

After saying all of this I expect a more focused more motivated team that does not get lost in the mental challenges of the game. If that does not show on the field… well, I’ll jump off that bridge if we get to it.

 

[NW Buff]

There is a direct connection between a lack of athleticism and speed and the kind of penalties we've seen the last several years. If you know you're going to get beat or you can't beat the other guy, you try to find any advantage you can. Unfortunately, that often means jumping offsides or holding.