We have gotten extremely soft - just not up to snuff physically. Seems like the work ethic isn't what it used to be, judging by the state of too many of our players physical condition. I think we have made progress in this area, though. It seems to me we have fewer stick armed, beer belly lineman than we did in the past 5 or so years. Overall the conditioning of the team looks to be improving.
Besides not being physically dominant, I think the will to win is not nearly what it used to be. Just the entire football program - seems like they haven't had that desire to just win. Easy for me to say many years after I played, when we were the dominant physical program in the country, but winning was everything and it didn't have to be talked about, it just was that way. The players and program has gotten used to losing, too used to it. Again, easy for me to say having been away from the program (moved away from Lincoln 20 years ago this year), but that's what my eyes tell me.
Coaching wise with Frost so far - man, I have been disappointed in how sloppy we are. We are almost the polar opposite of a T.O. team. Mistakes galore, penalties, terrible special teams - it is extremely hard to watch how we have played as a team these last 5+ years. I honestly can't believe T.O. wouldn't be on the horn or meeting with Frost and staff about this, at least to talk about it. It has to be driving him crazy to be so bad at these extremely important concepts and part of the game.
I am also not very impressed with the coaching staff in regards to scheme and adjustments. Seems like we do fine the first few series often, but after the scripted plays are done, we start to struggle. Also don't think we have a consistent game plan. And I dislike trying to play up tempo, primarily because we are so undisciplined, there is no way we can play up tempo when we are already sloppy as fuck. Martinez also is far too slow getting in to the next play, and we all know he isn't seeing things well enough to make reads in plays a lot, well you can also see he struggles to get the play called and team lined up to have any kind of successful up tempo strategy. Slow it down and give these guys a chance to get comfortable executing the plays that the coaches send in. Rushing is only magnifying the issue, IMO.
We don't seem to develop players well, either. Just hasn't been happening for these last 5 years or so. Development of talent, and utilizing that talent, is what separates coaches.
Defensively, I have long said I am not a fan of the 3-4 defense. I don't think it fits us well personally. I would prefer a 4-3 scheme with plenty of nickel. Get some big safeties up at OLB or nickel and let the 4 guys with hands on the ground bring the heat on the QB. Honestly, a lot like Mcbride had us doing in the 90's. But that isn't what Chinander wants to do, at least not as our base. I realize we are often not in our base 3-4 anyway, but I just am not fond of the 3-4 in general. Our defense should be better this year though, and we have a really good D Line and some super seniors back, so I think this years D should be improved. We will see.