Des Makes Big Change To August Camp

[John Cocktolstoy]

Interesting read.

We hear CMD is loosening the ropes a little and thats all it takes for some of you to run in the wrong direction.

I spoke with Andre Jones and Chris Smith at media day. Look for the interview on our podcast page in the next few days. They do a good job of explaining the difference between Billy and Des.

It isn't necessarily a bad thing, unless you want to make it out to be so.

If all players display the maturity level of those 2 during camp then I am sure it will be great for all, but as we know that’s not the case. Some kids need a little more oversight in there lives to stay in line than others do. They need to be told put the phone down and go to bed. Curfew is 10PM don’t go to the bulldog tonight. Tell your girl friend you don’t need that drama you have a play book to learn in 2 weeks. Not all kids have the maturity level of Smith, Jones, Hill-Green, Fields, LeBlanc, Stephens Jr, Hudson, Garror, Wooldridge, Migl, Trahan,Quibodeaux,Rubio,Lumpkin….and others that have been around and knows what it takes to have a successful camp. Hopefully the younger guys will not get distracted with the new found freedoms.

[JayWalker]

If all players display the maturity level of those 2 during camp then I am sure it will be great for all, but as we know that’s not the case. Some kids need a little more oversight in there lives to stay in line than others do. They need to be told put the phone down and go to bed. Curfew is 10PM don’t go to the bulldog tonight. Tell your girl friend you don’t need that drama you have a play book to learn in 2 weeks. Not all kids have the maturity level of Smith, Jones, Hill-Green, Fields, LeBlanc, Stephens Jr, Hudson, Garror, Wooldridge, Migl, Trahan,Quibodeaux,Rubio,Lumpkin….and others that have been around and knows what it takes to have a successful camp. Hopefully the younger guys will not get distracted with the new found freedoms.

If you have good leadership the team polices itself. The leadership takes command of the others. Des obviously trusts their leadership.

Coach Deggs talked recently about getting a text at 1am from one of his leaders. He said a player had missed curfew and would not be available for the conference championship game.

That's called policing yourself.

[ManAboutTown]

If all players display the maturity level of those 2 during camp then I am sure it will be great for all, but as we know that’s not the case. Some kids need a little more oversight in there lives to stay in line than others do. They need to be told put the phone down and go to bed. Curfew is 10PM don’t go to the bulldog tonight. Tell your girl friend you don’t need that drama you have a play book to learn in 2 weeks. Not all kids have the maturity level of Smith, Jones, Hill-Green, Fields, LeBlanc, Stephens Jr, Hudson, Garror, Wooldridge, Migl, Trahan,Quibodeaux,Rubio,Lumpkin….and others that have been around and knows what it takes to have a successful camp. Hopefully the younger guys will not get distracted with the new found freedoms.

It’s amazing how they are “kids” when it comes to policing themselves but adults when they’re doing other things off of the field.. Like exercising their rights.. Very interesting

[John Cocktolstoy]

It’s amazing how they are “kids” when it comes to policing themselves but adults when they’re doing other things off of the field.. Like exercising their rights.. Very interesting

No they were definitely kids when they were exercising their rights and the boneheaded decisions they made showed it. Unfortunately because of the role they play they are scrutinized a little more than other kids and some people make their financial decisions on how to spend their discretionary, based on those boneheaded mistakes.

[John Cocktolstoy]

If you have good leadership the team polices itself. The leadership takes command of the others. Des obviously trusts their leadership.

Coach Deggs talked recently about getting a text at 1am from one of his leaders. He said a player had missed curfew and would not be available for the conference championship game.

That's called policing yourself.

I heard the Deggs interview. They were in a hotel all together, which is why the leaders knew the kid missed curfew. Now they are spread out all over Lafayette it will be hard for the leaders to know who is doing what.

[JayWalker]

I heard the Deggs interview. They were in a hotel all together, which is why the leaders knew the kid missed curfew. Now they are spread out all over Lafayette it will be hard for the leaders to know who is doing what.

You missed the point. When you have good leadership they make sure their teammates do the right thing.

[CharlieK]

It's always so weird to me that people think they will have thought of the possible drawbacks to a decision like this, but CMD wouldn't have. He obviously has, and has made a decision. Up to and until it doesn't work, this is a non issue, IMO.

[John Cocktolstoy]

You missed the point. When you have good leadership they make sure their teammates do the right thing.

I think i understand you. But my point is at 11 at night even with the best leaders if you got some bad apples, the leaders won’t have a clue, as to what they are doing, if they are all spread out across Lafayette. Sure they will take control of the locker room but not each and every apartment / rent house.

I equate the mental prep, rest, preparation, and focus needed for camp to that of a Saturday game. Do you think the policy will be changed for Friday before game day also where they can all stay at home, like the old days, rather than a team hotel?

[KajunKrazy]

I am curious with Des kinda going back to old school if he will open practice up like coaches did when he was a player. As some one who played his whole life through high school, I used to love watching the first couple of days in pads and watching the Oklahoma and one on one lineman drills. To me that is more fun than an actual game. I think most people who have played in the trenches, participated in practices and really appreciate the game would tell you the same. You get to see who is really the toughest out there man on man.

I recall watching Tyrell Fenroy's very first practice in pads as Cajun. All the hype going into camp was about the highly recruited Deon Wallace who was supposed to be the next great thing. I watched Fenroy run Oklahoma drills 3 or 4 times and called my brothers and said remember the name Fenroy fellas he's going to be special. I had watched Pryor, Brister, Johnson, Joseph, Taylor, Cotton....and others before him and none got from the back field to the LB level as quickly as TF. There was so much difference and it was blatantly obvious to the naked eye, on his very first day of practice.

Anyway I would love to be able to watch those big boys get after it again.

[JamesTheJeweler]

It’s not even about that. Des was hired to keep in place what was already in place. Doc Maggard words not mine. So it’s fair to ask what didn’t you like about the old way of doing it? How do you see the new way being better for things like team bonding? Less distractions? Players making curfew and lights out bed times? How did you improve in those areas?

Geezus dude! You can't be serious. You're taking that a little far. It certainly didn't mean he had to do every single thing exactly as the previous coach. Your statement is beyond ridiculous. You're trying too hard here brother

[Big Poppa]

Geezus dude! You can't be serious. You're taking that a little far. It certainly didn't mean he had to do every single thing exactly as the previous coach. Your statement is beyond ridiculous. You're trying too hard here brother

Absolutely not. Not every single thing. You obviously are underestimating exactly how big of a move this is. This could be the difference in having laser type focus in camp, knowing your playbook, getting enough sleep.... or being distracted tired and doing stuff half ass. This isn’t like he’s going from green gator aid to orange or something. If you can’t see that then you have no clue how a fall camp is conducted and operates.

[JamesTheJeweler]

If you have good leadership the team polices itself. The leadership takes command of the others. Des obviously trusts their leadership.

Coach Deggs talked recently about getting a text at 1am from one of his leaders. He said a player had missed curfew and would not be available for the conference championship game.

That's called policing yourself.

This. 100%