The Players Want to Win

[gmom]

I am very sad that the football team is having a hard time and getting wins, However, These young men want to win and they are hurt and feeling the lost, more than you all will ever know I am a mother. Please keep in mind these young men read this board, and they are feeling the failure, some of the things that are verbalized is right on the line of emotional abuse.

I have one question does anyone on this board have a son that plays football for the college? And if so how would you feel if you read that your kid is a failure, loser and that there team is in capable of being a winner, As a parent that hurts me and I wish that I could change everything, Bustle is the coach he is not in control of the outcome, yes he plays apart in how the plays are called. However let’s remember that everyone we play is out to win as we are, maybe if we put positive energy out for our player and coaches, we can get some back just a thought.

[Turbine]

I was just thinking . . . (yes it hurts)

There is a fine line between playing hard and being ready to play hard with emotion. Everyone wants to win.

Players need no motivation from the coaches to get up for the big high profile games against a perceived good team so it seems to me coaches can't take credit for the team that plays at a high level in a big game.

When the opponent is considered weak or what should be an easy victory the responsibility is squarely on the coaches’ shoulders to get the team emotionally high and ready to play.

When a team gets up for the big games but fails to perform in the small ones I think it is a coaching failure. It is not on the players.

[Clutch0364]

_ I am very sad that the football team is having a hard time and getting wins, However, These young men want to win and they are hurt and feeling the lost, more than you all will ever know I am a mother. Please keep in mind these young men read this board, and they are feeling the failure, some of the things that are verbalized is right on the line of emotional abuse.

I have one question does anyone on this board have a son that plays football for the college? And if so how would you feel if you read that your kid is a failure, loser and that there team is in capable of being a winner, As a parent that hurts me and I wish that I could change everything, Bustle is the coach he is not in control of the outcome, yes he plays apart in how the plays are called. However let’s remember that everyone we play is out to win as we are, maybe if we put positive energy out for our player and coaches, we can get some back just a thought. _

No one has beat up on the players on this board and when someone does they usually get belittled. The coaches and administration are the ones that are being talked about on here and I do not think we are out of line in doing so. We know these players are playing hard and going out to win every game but we do not believe that the coaches are putting them in the best position to win. I hope the players realize that no matter what is said about the coaches, that we will never turn our backs on them (players).

[CajunFan89]

_ I was just thinking . . . (yes it hurts)

There is a fine line between playing hard and being ready to play hard with emotion. Everyone wants to win.

Players need no motivation from the coaches to get up for the big high profile games against a perceived good team so it seems to me coaches can't take credit for the team that plays at a high level in a big game.

When the opponent is considered weak or what should be an easy victory the responsibility is squarely on the coaches’ shoulders to get the team emotionally high and ready to play.

When a team gets up for the big games but fails to perform in the small ones I think it is a coaching failure. It is not on the players. _

I completely agree with you Turbine. I don't think this is a lack of passion on the part of the players but rather a lack of passion on the part of the coaching staff. I don't see them running up and down the field firing up everyone. If I can notice that from across the field in the students section, then i know that everyone else, including the players can see it as well. The coaching staff in its entirety comes off very flat, unemotional, and passive.

I would never say anything to try and break down the spirits of any of our players. I think we have the players to run this conference and we should. we just need to get our form of swagger back, and if the coaches can't do it then one of our players will have to take on that responsibility although none of them should have to.

[gmom]

There was a typo in my last post I meant not getting wins. I think the focus last year was on former players and not enough on the team as a whole, motivation is the key, when you pump players the get intense and when you tell them to play with heart they do, I agree with some things being said, however I think that the young men should motivate each other and as fans we should show up and be loud and let the players feel the energy. The team need to focus and play defense and the offense need to get touch down and put the second string QB in he is a play maker, this team needs to dominate with or without the coaches.

[bballholic]

I am very sad that the football team is having a hard time and getting wins, However, These young men want to win and they are hurt and feeling the lost, more than you all will ever know I am a mother. Please keep in mind these young men read this board, and they are feeling the failure, some of the things that are verbalized is right on the line of emotional abuse.

I have one question does anyone on this board have a son that plays football for the college? And if so how would you feel if you read that your kid is a failure, loser and that there team is in capable of being a winner, As a parent that hurts me and I wish that I could change everything, Bustle is the coach he is not in control of the outcome, yes he plays apart in how the plays are called. However let’s remember that everyone we play is out to win as we are, maybe if we put positive energy out for our player and coaches, we can get some back just a thought.

I don't see much player bashing taking place on this board. When a team is constantly underperforming, the masses are going to voice their displeasure via message boards, radio shows, etc.
Personal attacks shouldn't be allowed and I think the admins do a good job of monitoring this type stuff.

igeaux.mobi

[NOCajun]

I am very sad that the football team is having a hard time and getting wins, However, These young men want to win and they are hurt and feeling the lost, more than you all will ever know I am a mother. Please keep in mind these young men read this board, and they are feeling the failure, some of the things that are verbalized is right on the line of emotional abuse.

I have one question does anyone on this board have a son that plays football for the college? And if so how would you feel if you read that your kid is a failure, loser and that there team is in capable of being a winner, As a parent that hurts me and I wish that I could change everything, Bustle is the coach he is not in control of the outcome, yes he plays apart in how the plays are called. However let’s remember that everyone we play is out to win as we are, maybe if we put positive energy out for our player and coaches, we can get some back just a thought.

GMOM, I think I can speak for most on this board when I say that, while the players are the ones that have to execute the plays on the field, it's not always their fault when things go wrong. In particular, these last two losses I blame on bad coaching in critical situations. The kids can only do so much when you have the wrong plays called at the wrong time. If you read more on this board, you'll see that the vast majority of what's written on this board is about the poor coaching of this team, not the poor performance of players. In fact the majority of posts about players on this board occur when they make great plays.

[MissingMandy]

_ I am very sad that the football team is having a hard time and getting wins ,However ,These young men want to win and they are hurt and feeling the lost ,more than you all will ever know I am a mother.please keep in mind these young men read this board ,and they are feeling the failure ,some of the things that are verbalized is right on the line of emotional abuse.

I have one question does anyone on this board have a son that plays football for the college ? And if so how would you feel if you read that your kid is a failure ,loser and that there team is in capable of being a winner ,As a parent that hurts me and I wish that I could change everything,Bustle is the coach he is not in control of the outcome ,yes he plays apart in how the plays are called . However lets remember that everyone we play is out to win as we are ,maybe if we put positve engery out for our player and coaches ,we can get some back just a thought. _

Yes there are other parents of players who read and post on these boards...me being one of them. I have learned in the past 3 years to either NOT read the boards after a loss or thicken my skin. While most people do not post negatively in regards to players, some do and that really hurts. The boys are suppose to stay away from these boards but many read them, people forget that but on the other hand folks have a right to voice their opinion. As a mom you know how your son feels and as a parent we don't want our children hurt and our claws come out. I use to get my feelings hurt too but now I just support my son, win or lose. I know and you know how much this hurts them but we also know how hard they work and what it takes each and everyday for them to play this crazy game. We also know they respect their coaches and they are a TEAM above all else. Hang in there gmom and just stay away from the boards if you get hurt...that has helped me. Support your boy...the sky is not falling and we'll be back next Saturday to play another game.

[Just1More]

_ I am very sad that the football team is having a hard time and getting wins, However, These young men want to win and they are hurt and feeling the lost, more than you all will ever know I am a mother. Please keep in mind these young men read this board, and they are feeling the failure, some of the things that are verbalized is right on the line of emotional abuse.

I have one question does anyone on this board have a son that plays football for the college? And if so how would you feel if you read that your kid is a failure, loser and that there team is in capable of being a winner, As a parent that hurts me and I wish that I could change everything, Bustle is the coach he is not in control of the outcome, yes he plays apart in how the plays are called. However let’s remember that everyone we play is out to win as we are, maybe if we put positive energy out for our player and coaches, we can get some back just a thought. _

This forum's social etiquette toward our players is above every single college forum out there. I kid you not. You would not be able to read anything at all on other forums if your child played there. On here... the language is mild... the attitude is mostly upbeat... and especially for such a perpetually disappointing athletic system.

That said... we do not bash the athletes on here very often. There are people that point out abilities and player preferences... but rarely... do people tee off on slamming our athletes. I, personally, take great pride when anyone chooses UL to play athletics. I give all young people the benefit of the doubt. I only have to think back to me being at UL. I completely admire student-athletes.

UL, with the losses in sports, and all that comes with it to the alums scattered about... are grossly unhappy with our administration. They have not set up our programs, our students, our alumni, our community... and definitely not our athletes... to win championships.

Many people do get mad at the coaches. They are paid grown men... I've met many... and they can take it. They can and will take it. I like them as fellow human beings... but you do not get into these positions if you cannot take the heat. It absolutely comes with the territory and they all know it.

As for being "positive". I'm sorry... it is not possible at this point. We need severe massive bone-crushing force to move our administration to improve our system. They will not provide our student athletes a better chance of winning without horrific pressure placed on them by specific fans. You don't know it... but it is the ONLY reason we have the slight facility improvements we currently have.

It is disingenuous for anyone out there to bash the UL fan. UL fans put out a significant amount of money (you have to consider that all that is provided is coming from a small number) every year with a promise from the admin that there will be better results. We DO NOT keep up with our lowest peers... and we are regressing. There is but one way, and it is to have a revolutionary change at UL. Revolutions do not come peacefully. Our leadership needs to be placed in an extremely uncomfortable position for them to forego making a simple "change". We need a massive "improvement". It is going to take something that few have ever attempted. But... for administrators... it requires brutal... incredibly brutal motivation. UL fans have had enough of UL bad athletic management.

[RCAJUN90]

_ I am very sad that the football team is having a hard time and getting wins, However, These young men want to win and they are hurt and feeling the lost, more than you all will ever know I am a mother. Please keep in mind these young men read this board, and they are feeling the failure, some of the things that are verbalized is right on the line of emotional abuse.

I have one question does anyone on this board have a son that plays football for the college? And if so how would you feel if you read that your kid is a failure, loser and that there team is in capable of being a winner, As a parent that hurts me and I wish that I could change everything, Bustle is the coach he is not in control of the outcome, yes he plays apart in how the plays are called. However let’s remember that everyone we play is out to win as we are, maybe if we put positive energy out for our player and coaches, we can get some back just a thought. _

You can call for Bustles head like I've done many times but our kids are giving 110% each down. #1 job of a coach is to motivate which I believe Bustle does. It is the rest of the game which is lacking.

[gmom]

To the previous post, I have thick skin and so does my son, however bashing the coaches does not help the moral of this team as a whole. I am grateful that this is my son last year, and he comes away with a degree. It is sad too me that people can wish a person to lose there job. This is a sport and every one wants to win .I will be there for my son and any other player that needs a positive word .I will also support the coaches and I will not justify or make excuses for unacceptable behavior on this board, Thank you for your support everyone does have there right to have freedom of speech.

[Cajun90]

Yes there are other parents of players who read and post on these boards...me being one of them. I have learned in the past 3 years to either NOT read the boards after a loss or thicken my skin. While most people do not post negatively in regards to players, some do and that really hurts. The boys are suppose to stay away from these boards but many read them, people forget that but on the other hand folks have a right to voice their opinion. As a mom you know how your son feels and as a parent we don't want our children hurt and our claws come out. I use to get my feelings hurt too but now I just support my son, win or lose. I know and you know how much this hurts them but we also know how hard they work and what it takes each and everyday for them to play this crazy game. We also know they respect their coaches and they are a TEAM above all else. Hang in there gmom and just stay away from the boards if you get hurt...that has helped me. Support your boy...the sky is not falling and we'll be back next Saturday to play another game.

Great advice. The day any of my children start playing college athletics is the same day I get off the fan boards. I know it isn't something I would want to deal with as a parent. As another poster noted it is pretty mild around here though. Go to any of the SEC boards and find out what they have to say about some of the players. If the players are looking on RaginPagin for some sort of uplift they are looking in the wrong place. As you note they have no business on these boards.