PATIENCE!!!

[Jerome Nichols]

Let's face it people.  Saturday's disheartening loss at the hands of Marshall, plus coach Strong's emotional outburst at his post-game interview should more than remind us that we're in for a roller-coaster of a ride this football season.  We're gonna win games we're supposed to lose (example:Kentucky) and lose games we're supposed to win (example:Florida International and Saturday's loss at the hands of Marshall).  That's what happens when you have a team where youth and talent greatly outweighs experience and execution.  The one flaw this team seems to be guilty of more than anything is playing to the level of the competition, which was so obvious judging by how flat we were in Saturday's game from beginning to the end.  We're still in the process of learning how to compete, learning how to win, and learning how to react to winning.  It's so easy for a young team to let up off the gas when everyone is patting you on the back and telling you good job after an emotional win at Kentucky.  However, you have to learn how to quickly put that game in the rear-view mirror and prepare for your next opponent, which is the responsibility of the coaches and veteran leadership (primarily the senior class).  We also need to understand that even though coach Strong has a tremendous coaching pedigree, he's still cutting his teeth as a head coach, because there is a difference between being in charge of one area of a team and being in charge of the entire team.  I know a lot of people were probably as shell-shocked as I was in viewing his post-game interview following Saturday's loss to Marshall.  What you saw was a head coach who was extremely frustrated and disgusted because he felt the program was showing more regression than progression.  He also showed signs of a coach who had seen better, been part of something better, and expected better than the current situation at hand (let's face it, he lost his cool big-time).  We all know that eventually he's gonna get this program turned back around because he's too good a coach not to.  So as a fanbase, not only do we have to have patience with the players and the coaching staff that he has assembled, but we also need to have patience with coach Strong as well. He's going through the same growing pains that every coach endures in the very beginning.  Not only are the players going through the growing pains of understanding how to react as winners, coach Strong is going through his growing pains as a first-time head coach.  To make a long story short, everyone has to learn how to crawl before they understand how to walk.  We're in the crawling stage right now, but once we learn how to walk, look out, because we're gonna be a force to be reckoned with.  Let's have some patience and allow this program to grow one step at a time, one day at a time, one game at a time.  I have a feeling none of us will be sorry.  GO CARDS!!!   

 

[David L Horlander]

Jerome-I have seen good effort only at Kentucky.  We have not had that kind of effort in three home games.  UofL has better players than Marshall.  Cards had advantage in size and speed.  We did not score in second half versus Murray or Marshall.  Sanford's play calling in fourth quarter too predictable.  Receivers do not run routes and defensive backs give way too much cushion to opposing receivers.  Strong is responsible for getting the players read to play but failed to do so by his own admission.  Takes no talent to hustle.

[Lakinit]

I don't beleive that anyone could argue with either point being made.  I beleive the biggest point is we knew we were in this shape with the O line and that we were going to have some issues.  Those guys are going to have to rededicate but know we are behind their efforts to make it right.  Phil Steele's publication ranks us 119th out of 120 schools in returning experieince and then your first string QB gets knocked out --- I beleive the 4th quarter would have been differrent with Will --- I beleive he would have demanded more from the O.  We' need to get behind the entire team and support them.  We know we have a good staff, too, and I feel confident that some changes are being made.  The only difference I have is that Charlie's outburst wasn't offensive to me.  Maybe it's old school but all I saw was an honest man that was making sure that the players weren't totally alone in being thrown under the bus --- he and the Coaching staff were right there under the left front tire with them.

[David L Horlander]

Lakinit-Good post.  I agree the 4th quarter would have been different with Will.  After Marshall stopped the first drive of the second half we failed to move the ball, not a good sign considering Marshall was giving up like 160 yards per game on the ground.

[sherise brown]

Great post you guys ..patiience is a virtue...i will ride the train to the end..im not getting off..go cards all the way....keep the faith..stay encourage cards nation..ibelieve

[Jerome Nichols]

Simply put, we must ride through the turbulence of the tunnel before we get to the end and start to enjoy the ray of the sunshine. Two weeks ago after the Kentucky win, we saw just enough of the light that we all mistakenly assumed that the hardest part of this developmental process was over and that we could let up off the gas and put it in cruise control. Saturday's game showed us that we still have quite a ways to go. Two weeks ago we were on the upside of the roller coaster, and Saturday we went back to the downside of it. With the abundance of youth we have on this year's team, it's gonna be one of those years, and we as fans need to have all the patience that the team and the coaches want, need, and deserve to see from a true diehard Cardinal fan. I believe in this program enough to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but we have to allow ourselves to ride through this turbulent period without being in such a hurry to the point that we eventually crash and burn. The last four or five years have been very aggravating, but I can definitely see better days ahead, and I'm asking that you believe in Coach Strong, his coaching staff, and his players to see the same thing. They all deserve it! GO CARDS!!!

[David L Horlander]

Good post Jerome.  I back the Cards 100% win, lose or draw.  The problem I have with this team is the lack of effort demonstrated in the three home games.  Maturity seems to be missing.  I hope UofL can get it together for the last eight games.

[Jerome Nichols]

You're right David.  Maturity is missing from this team.  What people fail to realize is that last year's team had 25 seniors who were burning to win and just needed someone to show them how, which is where coach Strong and staff came in and helped them to achieve.  Last year's team overachieved, which is why it's so easy to look at this team as underachievers.  We're basically going through the rebuilding year that everyone anticipated us going through last year.  That right there demonstrates the level of maturity we had last year vs. the lack of maturity we have this year.  Let's be patient and allow this team to go through the natural maturation process as it strives to bring Cardinal Football back to the standard level of expectations we've enjoyed already and will continue to enjoy for many years to come.  Patience is a virtue, and time is of the essence.  Let's allow the coaches and players the opportunity to enjoy both the way they deserve.  GO CARDS!!!