Through the Smoke

I really hope this kid get it together this year. He has the experience, now he just need to go out there and get the job done.

Like I said before, I don't like these motivational mind games. Tell the kid exactly what he is doing wrong and move forward! The key word is EXACTLY!!! Listening to him speak, he felt like he had improved and was in good shape. Evidently, he and coach Golden have different ideas of progress, so it needs to be laid out to him EXACTLY!

I don't know what he was or wasn't told. I am just going by what I read. McGee says he hits the film room, increased his squat... From his point of view he felt like he's improving. To me it doesn't sound like there are actual goals, such as, if you do x,y,z then you'll meet our expectations for you. It seems like it's more if your margin of improvement is whatever percentage better then the next person, then you're that much better or worst. My point is, if you're already faster then everyone else and stronger then everyone else at your position, then your percentage of improvement may not look as good as say a freshman that has a long way to go physically. It seems the U-tough program while its great as a body improvement tool, it leaves something to be desired as a motivational tool. Last year we were hearing the same type stuff about him and he ends up starting every game last year. If you were already the starter and you improve from there, how do you drop to 5th on the depth chart? I just don't see this helping the situation any.

Like I said before, some motivation is good and I really think these guys needed it last year, but 5th on the depth chart is a bit much. Just like I thought blasting B. Washington last year to the media when he was playing out of position was to much. On another note, remember if your always going back to start, then you never get to finish! Watching McGee last year, I feel that most of his problems were mental, not physical.

My point exactly!!! +1

McGee's ranking isn't a motivational tool. It is simply what he's earned. That's life man. You can go out there and work your ass off and sometimes the other guys are still working harder than you. The one thing about this staff (at least from an outsiders perspective) is that they will always tell you exactly where you are and what you need to improve. I am worried that McGee just thinks he is a better corner then the other young guys and he assumes that he will win the starting job back in the Spring when they actually start defending people. That may be true, but it's the wrong attitude and it won't get you very far.

All last year we heard about motivational tactics and players being motivated by low ranks. That's crap. They are being handed what they've earned now. The latest Raising Canes video made it clear that all the players know exactly where they're ranked during every workout, and the guys on top are the ones who took that to heart and did something about it. Chick probably thought he was the hardest worker on the field and he started off with a green jersey. He didn't sulk and he didn't just go out and try harder, which is what most kids would do...he went to the coaches and asked what specifically he was lacking and then he swallowed his pride fixed them the very next day. Not in Spring ball...the next UTough.

McGee, and everyone else, has to do more than just work hard. Like Golden said, all the other teams are working hard also. They need to get in the coaches ear every day, workout on their own after practice, and rally their teammates to do the same. Hard work is great but it isn't enough. I suspect that that's why McGee is still ranked low.