Does Munch Have The Guts To Fire an Old Friend? (OL)

Discussion in 'Tennessee Titans and NFL Talk' started by The Hammer, Oct 14, 2013.

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  1. TitanJeff

    TitanJeff Kahuna Grande Staff

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    You're the one blaming Levitre's decline on Bruce, not I. I put more of his performance on him. As I say in the post above, he's been in the league for multiple years learning the game. He's performed at a high level (as you point out). He supposedly has some of the best hands in the game (per Bruce) which is why he's among the best at pass blocking.

    So, when Levitre gets manhandled by an opposing DT, we're to blame Bruce because Andy forgets to use his hands properly? Don't you think he can look at film of himself and see what he's doing wrong? Do you think Bruce doesn't help him if he notices something Levitre didn't?

    Blaming a multi-million dollars player's performance on his position coach is the ultimate cop-out.

    Tell me the truth. If tomorrow, Munch fired Bruce and replaced him with anyone you wanted, do you think it would change Levitre missing the occasional block against some of the better DTs in the league? Turner not being talented enough to start? Warmack not being experienced enough?

    Is Bruce technically responsible? If you're willing to simplify the issue and not look for real answers, I guess that works for you. Personally, I put a lot on the player to do his job.
     
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  2. Two Kings

    Two Kings NJ Titan

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    That's right! Jesus I can't believe I forgot about that. Yea that hurt big time. Ugh...
     
  3. Riverman

    Riverman That may be.... Tip Jar Donor

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    Who's job is to replace the "underperforming, overpaid pro"? Who's O-line is it anyway? The players or the coach's?

    If the player is payed to play then who is getting paid to see the players are playing to the expected level?

    Neither you nor I have to look for answers or "fix the problem". We're not paid to do that-Matthews is. That is called responsibility. And this is the terminal difference in opinion to which you and I often arrive.

    It has increasingly become Munchak's problem with the underperformance of the OL. And Munchak will probably have to start spending more time picking up Matthews slack like he did last year. So like the thread title states- "
    Does Munch Have The Guts To Fire an Old Friend? (OL) "


    I think we both know the answer.

    Being responsible for something and being at fault for something are 2 completely different things. You can be responsible for something and not be at fault.
     
  4. TitanJeff

    TitanJeff Kahuna Grande Staff

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    Exactly. So why focus on anything but fixing the problem? Replacing Bruce doesn't somehow make Levitre begin to execute as he's been taught. That's for Levitre to do.

    Just to make my position as clear as I can, I feel Levitre is at fault for his own failures a lot more than Bruce somehow not "coaching em up".

    I also don't blame Bruce for Turner sucking. He's simply not good enough to play well against better DLs.

    I will blame Bruce if Warmack doesn't start improving soon because he has much more influence there than he does with the vets.
     
  5. Vigsted

    Vigsted Starter

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    Obviously I can't speak for NFL players, but as a player-coach myself for the past many years I feel there's a huge difference between seeing and knowing what you do wrong and then having a coach correct you and give you pointers during practice. And of course if that wasn't the case, why would you need coaches in the first place?

    I have no idea how or what Matthews coaches and in fact I'm not even sure the problem is technique, it could just as well be a lack of aggression and attitude (some guys just have an ability to get guys fired up and some don't, case in point Williams and Gray) or poor ability to get guys to work as a unit rather than individuals. In fact I'm sure that Stewart sitting out half the practices is at least a part of the problem.

    Will sacking Matthews fix the OL? Not in of itself no, but from my outside perspective something is wrong with the OL and it doesn't look as if it's improving and in those situations you sometimes have to try something different.
     
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  6. Riverman

    Riverman That may be.... Tip Jar Donor

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    Well it appers we agree more than I initially thought. I don't fault Matthews for Levitre's or Turner's obvious poor play but that doesn't excuse him from his responsibility to have an OL that is executing at least average (and preferably better than average). He had a say in putting that personnel together as well as endorsing Warmack.

    Matthews hasn't had an OL here or at his last stop that peformed well. IMO- he isn't meeting his responsibilities.
     
  7. TitanJeff

    TitanJeff Kahuna Grande Staff

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    I'm just going with what I've heard over the years but it seems a lot of technique is taught hands-on via drills during training camp. Once the regular season begins, it's more about correction through film study. I think it's safe to say that a player of the caliber of Levitre can see a play and know what he did wrong. Munch might chime in if it isn't an isolated situation but we are talking about a professional player with multiple years of NFL experience.

    He's faced some top talent. Having Turner to his right can't be much help.

    Regardless of our frustration, this team is 3-3 and most of us would be delighted with that record before the season started. This OL has done this facing five of the top six defenses in the NFL.

    If the goal is to "try something different", I think firing Bruce has much less impact than giving Schwenke a shot or sitting Warmack for Spencer.
     
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  8. Carolina

    Carolina Starter

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    I agree with TJ.
     
  9. TitanJeff

    TitanJeff Kahuna Grande Staff

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    I see where you are coming from but feel your focus remains skewed when it comes to solving the "big problem".

    I'm not sure where that's coming from. While he was at the Texans, their passing game was in the top five and the run game improved from 30 to the top 10.

    He inherited a horrible interior OL when he got here. Remember Amano, Harris and Scott? Last year it was Hutch, Velasco, Harris, Lutui and an assorted mix of other guys who are bagging groceries now. I'm no Bruce apologist but I think it's pretty unfair to judge him when he was lucky just to have a warm body standing on game day.
     
  10. amy

    amy Starter

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    But they could have been quoting the scouts. How much input do coaches have anyhow? Do they suggest draft choices or do they let the scouts do that and then choose from what is presented to them?
     
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