Bad coaching + subpar players = horrible team

themightyduck · 10-20-2004, 09:24 PM

So what happened? Jones lines up 10 yards deep, Culpepper says "thank you" and completes a short throw to Nate Burleson -- 6 yards on the pass, 5 on the run -- for a game-clinching first down.

"We had the perfect defense called," Haslett said, "but we didn't execute."

In other words, Jones lined up too deep to make a play that would have forced a punt.

Here's the rub. When the Saints signed Jones before the 2003 season, his package -- a $6 million bonus, an average salary of $3 million a year -- made him the highest-paid free safety in the league at the time. Also, in the trade with New England, the Saints gave the Patriots three draft choices -- picks in the third, fourth, and seventh rounds.

All in all, a tall price.

Why, you might wonder, would Patriots coach Bill Belichick trade Jones, a key performer in the coach's first Super Bowl victory?

According to what Belichick said in a book recently published, Jones was not playing up to his salary. The coach hints at tackling problems and mistakes in the defensive scheme.

Simple as that.

Some coaches don't tolerate mistakes. Some coaches learn to live with them.

But keep this in mind: While it's true the player makes the mistake, the responsibility for the mistake always rests with the coach.

http://www.nola.com/sports/t-p/finne...3922150260.xml

Another boneheaded move by the front office. This is a shot at both the coaches and Jones.

The coaches prove that they are tolerant of mistakes and penalties. Do the Patriots coach that way? NO! He pays attention to the smallest details and punishes players when they screw up.

Even if you set up "perfect plays," they'll all mean nothing if the players mope around, confident that they'll still be on the field next week.

[Edited on 10/21/2004 by themightyduck]

10-20-2004, 09:24 PM	#1
themightyduck 100th Post Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: New Orleans, Louisiana Posts: 219	Bad coaching + subpar players = horrible team So what happened? Jones lines up 10 yards deep, Culpepper says "thank you" and completes a short throw to Nate Burleson -- 6 yards on the pass, 5 on the run -- for a game-clinching first down. "We had the perfect defense called," Haslett said, "but we didn't execute." In other words, Jones lined up too deep to make a play that would have forced a punt. Here's the rub. When the Saints signed Jones before the 2003 season, his package -- a $6 million bonus, an average salary of $3 million a year -- made him the highest-paid free safety in the league at the time. Also, in the trade with New England, the Saints gave the Patriots three draft choices -- picks in the third, fourth, and seventh rounds. All in all, a tall price. Why, you might wonder, would Patriots coach Bill Belichick trade Jones, a key performer in the coach's first Super Bowl victory? According to what Belichick said in a book recently published, Jones was not playing up to his salary. The coach hints at tackling problems and mistakes in the defensive scheme. Simple as that. Some coaches don't tolerate mistakes. Some coaches learn to live with them. But keep this in mind: While it's true the player makes the mistake, the responsibility for the mistake always rests with the coach. http://www.nola.com/sports/t-p/finne...3922150260.xml Another boneheaded move by the front office. This is a shot at both the coaches and Jones. The coaches prove that they are tolerant of mistakes and penalties. Do the Patriots coach that way? NO! He pays attention to the smallest details and punishes players when they screw up. Even if you set up "perfect plays," they'll all mean nothing if the players mope around, confident that they'll still be on the field next week. [Edited on 10/21/2004 by themightyduck]