I don't know about Fitz or what a football halftime break is like, but from the age of 4 through college I knew what a hockey locker room is like between periods. It's because of that fact that I call B.S. on Fitz about what occurred during halftime of the Ball State game. Now don't take me the wrong way because whatever happened I hope happens every time the offense plays that poorly in a half, but a team just doesn't suddenly change their play that dramatically unless they are pushed in the right direction. Thorson looked utterly lost in the 1st and 2nd quarter, the blocking was poor etc. Then the first drive after half time the offense could do no wrong. Whatever was said, needs to be said more often.
Halftime changes?
- Thread starter mybrotha
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Maybe I am reading too much into it, but as I interpreted the Fitz quotes I have seen on the topic he does waffle and impliedly acknowledges there were SOME changes. I also found it significant that he stepped aside and had the last 9 minutes of halftime reserved for the groups to meet with their position coaches. I suspect that is where the real changes took place, whether motivational or tactical. Fitz knows his players and position coaches and it appears his approach in allowing them time as he did probably was more effective than his using that last 9 minutes bellowing out a dictatorial fire and brimstone speech.
Technically, if meeting with the position coaches at the end of halftime and going through items of focus is standard practice every game, then they did not do anything different even if the position coaches did sit down with them and note weaknesses or slight changes. I can't imagine that they would not do this every game. It just seems to be working better this year.
It might be all of this winning that we are not used to.
They actually started making play calls that weren't totally predictable. Keeping them honest with a pass on first and/or second down makes a world of difference.
Well.... if you listen to the players, they said that in the second half they finally started doing what the coaches had asked them to do. The game plan didn't change, but rather the players actually followed the plan in the second half. At least, that is what you get from Thorson. I guess he decided to just trust the plan and trust himself. Thus, the adjustments may not have been about scheme and strategy but more about mental focus and execution. Just a guess.....
