Does Shula Play Possum???

[holaw002]

I'm sure at some point this has been discussed, but with the Ark and FL games comming up, i can't help but think of last season. And last season it seemed to me that CMS liked to play possum; hide his good tricks in a bag till game time with the big dogs came. I'm no football expert, perhaps this is quite a normal thing to do. But i wanted ya'lls take on this...

 

[jeremy]

We didnt play possum last year. What you see is what you get. Were you referring to the Florida game? That wasnt playing possum, that was playing with heart. Something we need to do more of.

 

[wisten]

We didnt play possum last year. What you see is what you get. Were you referring to the Florida game? That wasnt playing possum, that was playing with heart. Something we need to do more of.

The players caught on to the plays being called by FL, and then with CJK, started giving them holy hell.

 

[GulfCoastTider]

You prepare for each team as they come up on the schedule. That means a tendency of an Arkansas might lead to a certain play call or defensive alignment that you haven't seen before. Any good coach will prepare for each team differently, ranging from minor tweaks to "oh my God where'd THAT come from?"

 

[buzzincuzzin]

If you're asking about how deep into the playbook I think less than 50 plays so far. Maybe more but not many. Each game contains some things you want your next opponent to see and prepare for. If you're asking did he save the best for last?, no. Each game-plan in based on winning the one at hand. There is no need for the four-wide-tackle-eligible-quick-snap-fumblerusky,,,, yet!

 

[bamanut_aj]

If anyone has been playing possum, it ain't Coach.

 

[Bama Lee]

You prepare for each team as they come up on the schedule. That means a tendency of an Arkansas might lead to a certain play call or defensive alignment that you haven't seen before. Any good coach will prepare for each team differently, ranging from minor tweaks to "oh my God where'd THAT come from?"

If a coach can get away with 'playing possum', they will do it every time. If a coach knows that he can run 42 veer- split right every play and win the game, then that is what he will do. But coaches also want to see how there players handle certain plays against live competition, so they throw in a few different run and pass plays. And, those durn defenses never let ya get away with it, so ya have to go a few more pages into the play book.

A coach will use everything they can that will give them an advantage!!!

 

[GadsdenBamaFan]

The game is not played that way.Sure you don't show everything at first but you don't play possum.It is a work in progress and your suppose to get better with every passing week.You get beat sometimes by playing possum.

 

[sabanball]

Take into account that CMS has run something different (certain plays- toss sweep, reverse to KB, etc) in each game thus far which means oppossing teams have to look at each game to prepare properly. When UA runs a new play in a game that they haven't shown previously, it forces the upcoming team to prepare for it. Now, on the flipside of that, there are plays in the playbook that we as fans know are in there, we just haven't seen them yet this season, for example the "JJ half-back pass" or even the "JJ QB package". I wouldn't call that "playing possum", but would refer to it as "intelligent coaching".

 

[holaw002]

Take into account that CMS has run something different (certain plays- toss sweep, reverse to KB, etc) in each game thus far which means oppossing teams have to look at each game to prepare properly. When UA runs a new play in a game that they haven't shown previously, it forces the upcoming team to prepare for it. Now, on the flipside of that, there are plays in the playbook that we as fans know are in there, we just haven't seen them yet this season, for example the "JJ half-back pass" or even the "JJ QB package". I wouldn't call that "playing possum", but would refer to it as "intelligent coaching".

Thanks, this is a far better way of what i was trying to say.

 

[bamaslammer]

I'm sure at some point this has been discussed, but with the Ark and FL games comming up, i can't help but think of last season. And last season it seemed to me that CMS liked to play possum; hide his good tricks in a bag till game time with the big dogs came. I'm no football expert, perhaps this is quite a normal thing to do. But i wanted ya'lls take on this...

I don't think he plays possum but in the first three games I think he's been trying to "work" on some weak points, running incessantly for instance when it is clear that is not a strength, but against Arkansas I think you'll see him call plays more in line with what our strengths are in relation to what defense they are running.

 

[crimsonaudio]

If so, he should get an academy award.

 

[bayoutider]

I thought playing possum meant rolling over and playing dead. We haven't done that yet that's more of a Miss. St. thing.

 

[raynaldy]

I expect to see more blitzing and maybe more men on the line of scrimmage. The three man rush does not seem to be stopping things that could be stopped with more men up front and cheating the linebackers up. If anything the surprise will be on defense.

 

[ROTYDE]

I thought playing possum meant rolling over and playing dead. We haven't done that yet that's more of a Miss. St. thing.

You know I could have sworn that post read " Does shula cook Possum?" I thought I was going to have to contact bayou for a recipe!!!!!! If Shula's cooking it It's got to be good......RTR

 

[Alabama Larry in Ky]

Vandy...Now if we lost that game and in his press conference he tells them, "well I was holding some things back for later and I made a mistake, Oh well".

 

[dtgreg]

I remeber Stallings LOVED to sandbag. Speaking of Demeco, I'd forgotten about him saying they [probably HE] figured out the calls in the FL game. Man, he was great! I never realized how special he was but I'm afraid we may find out down the line. See him rip the ball out of the Colts RB's hands on the goal line? Unreal. He and Prothro are nothing but HEART.

 

[Ramah Jamah]

Considering that we came very close to losing the first two games I seriously doubt it is by design to keep them close. You want to get as many points as possible to get your starters off of the field as soon as possible.

 

[Pachydermatous]

I thought playing possum meant rolling over and playing dead. We haven't done that yet that's more of a Miss. St. thing.

I think the real meaning is pretending to be dead until the right moment when you leap up and bite the enemy. Mississippi State actually does flop over and die.:biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:

 

[cbi1972]

The players caught on to the plays being called by FL, and then with CJK, started giving them holy hell.

This is where we really miss a guy like Ryans.