Showboating vs. Just Having Fun

18in32

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Curious for the board's thoughts. Several times today, GT defensive players were pretty expressive following a play that went our way – nothing big, just strutting a bit, gesturing to the crowd, etc.

On several occasions, this happened after the QB, under no pressure, missed the open WR – not something we really deserve credit for. On one occasion we got a sack after the QB fumbled and recovered a bad snap – again not something we really deserve credit for.

I get that we want the guys to have fun, and to enjoy a good play, but it felt a little hollow to me. UNC marched up and down the field, got 12 first downs out of 19 third downs, and put up almost 600 yds, and made big plays when needed to put us away.

For us to be jumping around after some good things happen, even when they're not really great plays by us, seemed a little crazy to me.

I don't think this is evidence that CGC's regime is built on hype, or is instilling bad character, or any other such thing. But I wonder if CGC notices this and what his reaction to it is. Does he think it's all good, just the guys trying to have a little fun in a bad game?
 

GTCrew

Patrick Henry
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Curious for the board's thoughts. Several times today, GT defensive players were pretty expressive following a play that went our way – nothing big, just strutting a bit, gesturing to the crowd, etc.

On several occasions, this happened after the QB, under no pressure, missed the open WR – not something we really deserve credit for. On one occasion we got a sack after the QB fumbled and recovered a bad snap – again not something we really deserve credit for.

I get that we want the guys to have fun, and to enjoy a good play, but it felt a little hollow to me. UNC marched up and down the field, got 12 first downs out of 19 third downs, and put up almost 600 yds, and made big plays when needed to put us away.

For us to be jumping around after some good things happen, even when they're not really great plays by us, seemed a little crazy to me.

I don't think this is evidence that CGC's regime is built on hype, or is instilling bad character, or any other such thing. But I wonder if CGC notices this and what his reaction to it is. Does he think it's all good, just the guys trying to have a little fun in a bad game?
The players went straight into the locker room after the game and most seemed pretty unhappy. That was very interesting to me. I assume they realize they could've won this game. UNC did a good job of not making big mistakes like turnovers that would've given us a better chance.

Also agree on your point but I see that commonly elsewhere and I guess if thats what helps motivate them then idgaf.
 

BigDanT

J. Batt Fan
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Curious for the board's thoughts. Several times today, GT defensive players were pretty expressive following a play that went our way – nothing big, just strutting a bit, gesturing to the crowd, etc.

On several occasions, this happened after the QB, under no pressure, missed the open WR – not something we really deserve credit for. On one occasion we got a sack after the QB fumbled and recovered a bad snap – again not something we really deserve credit for.

I get that we want the guys to have fun, and to enjoy a good play, but it felt a little hollow to me. UNC marched up and down the field, got 12 first downs out of 19 third downs, and put up almost 600 yds, and made big plays when needed to put us away.

For us to be jumping around after some good things happen, even when they're not really great plays by us, seemed a little crazy to me.

I don't think this is evidence that CGC's regime is built on hype, or is instilling bad character, or any other such thing. But I wonder if CGC notices this and what his reaction to it is. Does he think it's all good, just the guys trying to have a little fun in a bad game?
I think in a way it has some to do with coaching and some not. Especially when you are asking guys to go out there and use the entirety of their body to physically manipulate a man into getting off a block or takling someone.

At a certain point doesn’t it take a warrior rage to sustain yourself when pushed to the limit of exhaustion? I’m sure those who fight for their lives experience elements of adrenaline. On the other hand when is the last time we have seen an aggressive defense? The old saying is act like you’ve done it before. What if you haven’t done it before? I don’t like the attitude but as long as we have unsportsmanlike penalties gone I think this is an attitude that will sort itself out.
 
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Akinji07

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Curious for the board's thoughts. Several times today, GT defensive players were pretty expressive following a play that went our way – nothing big, just strutting a bit, gesturing to the crowd, etc.

On several occasions, this happened after the QB, under no pressure, missed the open WR – not something we really deserve credit for. On one occasion we got a sack after the QB fumbled and recovered a bad snap – again not something we really deserve credit for.

I get that we want the guys to have fun, and to enjoy a good play, but it felt a little hollow to me. UNC marched up and down the field, got 12 first downs out of 19 third downs, and put up almost 600 yds, and made big plays when needed to put us away.

For us to be jumping around after some good things happen, even when they're not really great plays by us, seemed a little crazy to me.

I don't think this is evidence that CGC's regime is built on hype, or is instilling bad character, or any other such thing. But I wonder if CGC notices this and what his reaction to it is. Does he think it's all good, just the guys trying to have a little fun in a bad game?
I remember CPJ was pretty stern on defensive struts. I remember him yelling at someone “Cut that öööö out!” during a spring game, which is an amazing feat for me since I never remember öööö from spring games. I think CGC is encouraging of this and it shows. I think when it escalates and becomes a penalty situation then it’s not good at all but defensive chest thumping is pretty common in most places.
 

18in32

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I assume they realize they could've won this game.
I'm surprised to hear you say this. I was shocked we were still in it when we pulled to within 9. Then it became clear that UNC had just gotten complacent because they then immediately turned it back on to go up another two scores. In some metaphysical sense we could win any game... but watching this game today there weren't a lot of moments when I thought we were comparably matched, we 'just got some bad breaks,' or anything like that. UNC was bigger, stronger, faster, etc., and played better under their new coach than we did under ours.
 

18in32

Petard Hoister
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I don’t like the attitude but as long as we have unsportsmanlike penalties gone I think this is an attitude that will sort itself out.
Not exactly following this comment. You mean as long as don't get penalties you have no problem with these reactions?
 

KrazieJacket

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Curious for the board's thoughts. Several times today, GT defensive players were pretty expressive following a play that went our way – nothing big, just strutting a bit, gesturing to the crowd, etc.

On several occasions, this happened after the QB, under no pressure, missed the open WR – not something we really deserve credit for. On one occasion we got a sack after the QB fumbled and recovered a bad snap – again not something we really deserve credit for.

I get that we want the guys to have fun, and to enjoy a good play, but it felt a little hollow to me. UNC marched up and down the field, got 12 first downs out of 19 third downs, and put up almost 600 yds, and made big plays when needed to put us away.

For us to be jumping around after some good things happen, even when they're not really great plays by us, seemed a little crazy to me.

I don't think this is evidence that CGC's regime is built on hype, or is instilling bad character, or any other such thing. But I wonder if CGC notices this and what his reaction to it is. Does he think it's all good, just the guys trying to have a little fun in a bad game?
I think it is fine to put GT on some pedestal where everything is perfect and right. I also think and believe that is what has hurt the football program for years and years. You had old school football and now there is a change to new. I’ll support whatever helps the football program. Nobody is innocent and pure in the football game. That is just how it is. Deal with it.
 

18in32

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I think when it escalates and becomes a penalty situation then it’s not good at all but defensive chest thumping is pretty common in most places.
Yeah, I agree it is widespread. But I also think there's a reason we used to discourage this sort of thing.
 

18in32

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I think it is fine to put GT on some pedestal where everything is perfect and right. I also think and believe that is what has hurt the football program for years and years. You had old school football and now there is a change to new. I’ll support whatever helps the football program. Nobody is innocent and pure in the football game. That is just how it is. Deal with it.
Ah yes, the old "everyone's doing it" argument. But maybe there's a different perspective, too... perhaps it's actually more likely to increase our winning if they don't do it? These things are not easy to prove!
 

BigDanT

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Not exactly following this comment. You mean as long as don't get penalties you have no problem with these reactions?
Right now I think as long as that doesn’t happen it’s ok. I’d like to see it disappear over time. Would you be ok if the defense reacted in a celebratory way if they were really good?
 

KrazieJacket

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This isn’t a case to solve. This isn’t lawyers work. Lawyers can work if and when Collins needs to go. Embrace or don’t. Or pony up a check for a new coach. That is how it works.
 

18in32

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Right now I think as long as that doesn’t happen it’s ok. I’d like to see it disappear over time. Would you be ok if the defense reacted in a celebratory way if they were really good?
I think it's OK to celebrate accomplishment, and nothing that I saw today seemed like bad sportsmanship (there was no taunting, standing over a guy, etc.). So if we'd actually played great I wouldn't have had objections. But it seemed really weird to me given how badly we played.
 
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BigDanT

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I think it's OK to celebrate accomplishment. Nothing that I saw today seemed like bad sportsmanship (there was no taunting, standing over a guy, etc.). So if we'd actually played great I wouldn't have had objections. But it seemed really weird to me given how badly we played.
Gotcha. I think it looks embarrassing to us. But maybe it’s good for players who haven’t been aggressive before to celebrate success in a particular play especially when they had to be on the field so much.

On another note curry had an excellent game and I saw him doing the same type of things. I suppose I agree with you about when there was celebrating when a play was unsuccessful but players didn’t really contribute: but then again you should see how I sound in my house watching tech football.
 

BackstreetBuzz

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I’m old and do not like the showboating. I loved it when O’Leary told his players who scored a touchdown to act like they had done it before. However, I think it a generational thing. I think the players are just having fun. I doubt any of our players took today’s loss as hard as everyone on this board.
 

BigDanT

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I’m old and do not like the showboating. I loved it when O’Leary told his players who scored a touchdown to act like they had done it before. However, I think it a generational thing. I think the players are just having fun. I doubt any of our players took today’s loss as hard as everyone on this board.
I think you are right in a way and wrong in others. Maybe the young kids and sophomores took it less hard. But I bet the seniors took it hard. And if those sophomores and freshmen don't experience success in their tenure as ga tech football players they will feel the same feeling.
 

18in32

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I doubt any of our players took today’s loss as hard as everyone on this board.
Geez, I hope you're wrong about that. I didn't put in very much work today, and they put in a lot of work. They should be taking it a lot harder than I am. (And I bet they are.)
 

GTCrew

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I’m old and do not like the showboating. I loved it when O’Leary told his players who scored a touchdown to act like they had done it before. However, I think it a generational thing. I think the players are just having fun. I doubt any of our players took today’s loss as hard as everyone on this board.
You are definitely wrong about that. Some players were pissed.

18 is right that UNC simply has better athletes, but they are not 600 yards of offense better. That players might be embarassed by that, and realize that a lot of that was gifted by us via bonehead play like not covering RBs out of the backfield, is a good thing.

We wont be favored in a game this year, but I'm much more hopeful than I was eight hours ago that we wont have to wait till 2021 to turn the corner.
 
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