Coach O'Brien's opening statementWe certainly need to get back on the practice field this week. There are a lot of things that we've got to get corrected. We'll spend a lot of time on fundamentals. Hopefully we can come out of next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday as a better football team.
On Rashard Smith's injury
Its exactly the same injury that Russell had. His knee drove into the turf in the second quarter when he knocked the ball down on a deep pass. He actually played the rest of the game after that and didn't tell anybody, which could have jeopardized his whole knee. It's a 12-week rehab period. Hopefully he'll be back by spring practice. Certainly its a setback for us. After starting 6 different groups in the secondary through seven games, we thought we would have a group set back there. Next week we need to work through and see where we are going to go and what we are going to do in the secondary now.
On the bye week
We have some guys that aren't on the field this week because of some bumps and bruises, and we hope that they'll be ready for practice next week. The mental part is big for this team right now. Over the past two weeks we haven't mentally been where we were the first 5 weeks. It's something we have to get back as coaches. I've got to get them back out there flying around. We've had effort, but there hasn't been that 'spark.' Mentally we need to get away from it and start our second season on Sunday as we prepare for Florida State.
The coaches have been recruiting this Monday and Tuesday and they will be back out there recruiting on Friday as well. They will get a day off on Saturday. We understand the situation we are in and we know we have to get this thing turned around. With that being said, they need some time off to spend with their family, and we will come back and get things started on Sunday and see what we can do in the second half of the year.
On having a good track record of winning after bye-weeks
I'm not sure. Hopefully we do a good job going back over the fundamentals and getting things structured. Every year is different. We still are in flux down here of getting things solidified with consistency. Our first year we didn't know the personnel, and we were trying to put square pieces in round holes. Last year we were trying to get everyone healthy. This year we are coaching the freshmen the same way that we would the starters. We've given everyone equal opportunity. The philosophy is that you "play for the day" but your also "playing for the future" every time you step on the practice field. This year, instead of people coming back around this time, now we have guys getting hurt. You would never have expected that we would have 9 guys out for the season this year, with 5 of those guys definitely being players who would make an impact. You also have to remember the two players that left the team before Spring practice, with one of them projecting as a starter in the secondary. He could have really helped solidify the secondary.
How big is an open date for recruiting?
We're working on this years class. We are excited about the direction that recruiting is going right now, but there are still some holes that need to be filled.
comments
8 Responses to "Coach O'Brien: ACC Teleconference During NC State's Bye Week"Tom...you are the man! You've definatley had the odds stacked against you with all the injuries but you've stayed focused on the goals, and haven't buckled under the presure. Although this season was a let down, you need time to turn things around, it can't happen over night (and in this case that translates to 1 to 2 yrs). I think Tom will get us back where we want to be, it just might be another year or two. Give him time, he knows the game and he knows how to win. Get it done Tom, we're behind you!
I am surprised to hear talk about "time off" for the coaches, given the recent beatdowns we have been taking. I understand where he's coming from, but to say it outloud???
yeah, good point mweller, its not a great thing to be talking about time off. We need to hit it harder than ever right now in the film room! Thats for sure.
^ Fellas, it's one day off. They make up for it with late nights and early mornings. All of these coaches are regular people with families and lives. While it is not too much to expect them to go about their job 100%, in the grand scheme of things family is more important than sports any day of the week. A few days, or maybe even two days off at this point might give people room to question, but one day to spend with their kids shouldn't ruffle any feathers.
Guys, c'mon. They only get ONE Saturday off during football season. Give the coaches a break. I would hope that one day to not think about football would give them a chance to step away from the game and see what they might need to do to get the program turned around.
And like WPH/WPP said, family is more important than sports. Always.
Hey WPP is their anyway that you could throw some names in there that they could be talking about with filling the holes in with? Basically Im asking who are the guys that we are going the hardest at right now and how close do you think we are to landing them? For example Amerson, Hampton, Olaniyan, White or Allen? Thanks as always and keep up the good work on both sites!!!
It's called 'Troop morale.'
Tom knows what he's doing. The injuries are an anomaly. They can't last forever. Help is on the way. They are steadily readying the cadets at O-line. The prospects for the future are good. But, I would be willing to bet that this team is still going to put up a fight. They aren't dead yet.
As a matter of fact, TOB and Co. have done their best work in their '2nd Seasons.' Will they make it to a bowl game? I don't know. With the ACC looking like it is, anything is possible. FSU is beating UNC right now. So, you just never know. FSU has been up and down...we catch them on 'down' with a week to prepare. You just never know. One game at a time.
You don't have to be delusional to feel confident in the direction of your program, IMHO.
Thats true, on second thought, I guess its more evidence that TOB is cool under fire (which we need right now). He's not panicking...and a day or two off may be just what everone needs. Time to spend with family and refresh. I have complete trust in TOB and company and feel they have already done great things for the program....it may not be this year but he's building something great!
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