DoreG8r

Recent Comments
I've watched a lot of Vandy football over the years and we seem to find new and inventive ways to lose games ... just haven't learned to handle success. Lea is doing a good job as a coach, but I can easily see where a couple conference wins gets in players heads a little and changes the effort. There is no margin for error and while I think we'll play well, I think the Vols will refocus after the SC loss.
Given the roster turnover UGA had via the draft, this is Smart's best job coaching so far. They were expected to be good but to lose that amount of talent and not have a slip up or two is certainly above expectations.
There are certainly times when the potential is easier to see, Utah, A&M, SC, and times when the growing pains are more evident, VU, KU, USF. The inconsistency of play is the frustrating part of year 1.
NYC I'm not worried about Napier in year one. All coaches have bumps in the road and he seems to stay focuses on what works, recruiting and holding standards. Time will tell if he is holding the right standards, but I have a hunch he'll be fine in a few years based on what I've seen.
Don't try to change the topic. We were discussing your premise of "they got better as the season progressed". Mid to late season losses to teams with inferior talent is not the supporting evidence you need for your premise. Which brings me back to mine. It's going to take a couple years for Napier to figure out the SEC. As long as he recruits well and uses the portal wisely, chances are he will be fine in the long run. Again, don't be silly. And absolutely don't try and change the the topic. It's the first cue that you have a weaker position from a factual standpoint.
Saban's loss to UL Monroe was on the 17th of November which is almost 3 months into the season. UGA lost to Vandy on the 15th of October, so by your account UGA should have been "getting better" by that point. Don't be silly.
Exactly. The standard for coaching in the SEC right now, Saban or Smart depending on who you ask, both had rather humble first seasons with UGA and Bama. Saban already had a national championship and Smart was left with much better talent on Georgia's roster when he took over, so let's try and keep Napier's performance in perspective. Some games have looked quite good. Others look like he's learning a new conference on the job, which he is. I live 30 minutes from Athens and remember all my neighbors complaining about Smart's QB management (remember Fromm starting over Fields?) and game management years ago. It has all turned out OK because Smart is an elite recruiter and talent can make up for a coach learning on the job. As long as Napier recruits well and is smart with the portal, we'll be fine.
We need to have better memories. Saban's first year at Bama wasn't all that great and he lost to UL Monroe. Kirby lost to Vanderbilt, at Sanford Stadium no less, in his first year. Both of them thought enough of Napier to want him on staff at Alabama. McElwain and Mullen both had decent first years with the Gators and we all know how those hires turned out. If Napier is the tireless recruiter that he seems to be, his trajectory could be more like Smart than either of our two previous coaches. He's at the flagship university in the state with ridiculous resources at his disposal, much like Smart at UGA. I think Napier will struggle some with personnel management and game management for a couple years like Smart did and then figure out what works in the SEC.