Exploring the Talent Gap

WhoDat · 10-05-2003, 09:30 AM

I\'d mostly agree with you Jude - although there is a difference between a mustang and a porsche. In my mind there are two major difference-makers from one team to the next: coaching and talent evaluation.

Coaching is probably the most important factor for success. Coaching can make the Tampa offense look like a bunch of super stars and put up 30+ points a game in the playoffs. Coaching can help a team with Trent Dilfer at the helm win a Super Bowl. Coaching can make the Carolina defense one of the best in the league. Likewise, as we all know here, coaching can cause a defense that led the league in sacks for two straight years drop to 26th in the league in a single season, and it can turn one of the most talented offenses in the league into a pop warner squad.

To me coaching is about one thing: getting your players in positions to make plays. Having a game plan that exposes your opponent\'s weaknesses, having a general strategy that accentuates your strengths and gives your team an identity throughout the season, and adjusting and calling plays in-game to give your players a chance to use their talent.

Thus, it is the job of your personnel department to get the coaches the types of players that will make the plays in the coaches\' system. In other words, put more corvettes on the field than mustangs, or, if you\'re planning for agility, fill the field with porsches... straight-away speed, Ferraris. This definitely requires good money management and a good eye. Knowing the difference between stats and performance. Being able to see that a guy like Tebucky Jones, who has all the physical gifts, but hasn\'t produced, might not be the best bet, whereas a player with a little extra of the intangibles can be a star (see Favre).

Obviously, these two components, which I think are found on any good team, are not mutually exclusive. They must work together in order to be successful. That\'s my two cents, for whatever its worth.

[Edited on 5/10/2003 by WhoDat]

10-05-2003, 09:30 AM	#1
WhoDat 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 5,631	Exploring the Talent Gap I\'d mostly agree with you Jude - although there is a difference between a mustang and a porsche. In my mind there are two major difference-makers from one team to the next: coaching and talent evaluation. Coaching is probably the most important factor for success. Coaching can make the Tampa offense look like a bunch of super stars and put up 30+ points a game in the playoffs. Coaching can help a team with Trent Dilfer at the helm win a Super Bowl. Coaching can make the Carolina defense one of the best in the league. Likewise, as we all know here, coaching can cause a defense that led the league in sacks for two straight years drop to 26th in the league in a single season, and it can turn one of the most talented offenses in the league into a pop warner squad. To me coaching is about one thing: getting your players in positions to make plays. Having a game plan that exposes your opponent\'s weaknesses, having a general strategy that accentuates your strengths and gives your team an identity throughout the season, and adjusting and calling plays in-game to give your players a chance to use their talent. Thus, it is the job of your personnel department to get the coaches the types of players that will make the plays in the coaches\' system. In other words, put more corvettes on the field than mustangs, or, if you\'re planning for agility, fill the field with porsches... straight-away speed, Ferraris. This definitely requires good money management and a good eye. Knowing the difference between stats and performance. Being able to see that a guy like Tebucky Jones, who has all the physical gifts, but hasn\'t produced, might not be the best bet, whereas a player with a little extra of the intangibles can be a star (see Favre). Obviously, these two components, which I think are found on any good team, are not mutually exclusive. They must work together in order to be successful. That\'s my two cents, for whatever its worth. [Edited on 5/10/2003 by WhoDat]
WhoDat 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 5,631	\"Excuses, excuses, excuses. ThatÃ¢Â€Â™s all anyone ever makes for the New Orleans SaintsÃ¢Â€Â™ organization.\" - Eric Narcisse \"Being a Saints fan is almost like being addicted to crack,\" he said.[i]\"You know you should stop, but you just can\'t.\"