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Around SBN: Yankees Deny Rumors That Team Is For Sale

Our Offensive Signals: Not Smarter Than a Fifth Grader

As I watched the Rebels lose by twenty points to Louisiana Tech, I began looking for any reason to stick around in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium just before halftime, as I'm not one to leave games early. After quickly scanning the field and then the stands, and realizing that I would have nothing more interesting to do, I thought I'd watch the coaches call plays. I figured that maybe I could put all of those years playing EA Sports games to work to actually decipher what exactly our scheme is. 

I casually glanced at the sign someone - a graduate assistant, perhaps - on our sideline was holding up at the moment to signal what I would presume was a play call to our players. At that moment, we had the ball on offense, and the signaler happened to hold up a sign that read "T.S."

I joked with the people unfortunate enough to still be in the stadium at that moment that I would bet that freshman wideout Tobias Singleton would be getting the ball.

"Ha," I thought. "Wouldn't that be hilarious?"

Then..... he did. On a speed sweep.

"No big deal, "I thought. "I just sorta lucked into that one, right?" Then we quickly noticed a pattern as we watched the playcalling signs for the rest of the game.

Star-divide

 

I should point out here that the only time a sign was held up on a passing play was when we had scripted a screen pass to a halfback. Aside from that, someone who looked like a student worker was holding up a sign on every running play with a few letters on it. Those letters would tell the offense (AND THE DEFENSE) who was getting the ball.

Here are the signs I noticed:

Brazz - Nick Brassell - This sign was used to show Brassell would go in motion though he never actually touched the ball.
B.B. - Brandon Bolden
E - Enrique Davis
T.S. - Tobias Singleton
J.S. - Jeff Scott
Speed - Speed option
Phillies logo - Bell formation triple option which always went to Brandon Bolden

I realize that to many of you this is unbelievable. It's so insultingly simple that I must be lying, right? Well I'm not. I didn't take pictures of the signs because that's actually against SEC regulations - I think - so just trust me. I wish I were kidding when I say that we hold up the initials of the player who will receive the football on running plays.

Let me say this: I guess there's a very small possibility that it was coincidental. Perhaps the signs just so happened to share the same initials of the involved player. Maybe it's just a wild circumstance of chance that each of the fifteen signs I saw held up matched the player who would get the ball.... even in times when it made no sense for that player to get the ball. If there's that much of a coincidence, they need to change the "random" letters on their signs because we somehow magically lucked into the most predictable playcalling system imaginable outside of the "Madden opponent who very slowly chooses which play he is going to run" method.

I for one was dumbfounded by this, and I know that everyone around me was too. Some of you sat with me and can back me up on this. It was absolutely absurd, and I'm surprised that nobody has noticed this until now.

But, what are we to do? Nutt's fired anyway, so, whatever.

[A side note: I didn't take any pictures because I'm pretty sure that's against SEC guidelines and could get us in significant trouble.]

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Who knew Crash Davis

was calling our offensive plays?

by JimHalpert on Nov 14, 2011 12:07 PM EST reply actions  

"A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to."-Gandalf

by Mexter Dccluster on Nov 14, 2011 12:12 PM EST reply actions  

This reminds me (not in a good way) of in the early ’80’s when we lost a game to Florida, 15-3 I think. After the game, the media interviewed FL defenders who told them. On running plays. the Ole Miss lineman would line up on their toes, on pass plays they’d line up on their heels, EVERY time.

by Runner1 on Nov 14, 2011 12:17 PM EST reply actions  

Except that was subtle

I won’t even begin to try and explain how ridiculously obvious this is…

by stampman4390 on Nov 14, 2011 12:23 PM EST up reply actions  

Reading this seriously makes me want to throw up

This is absolutely pathetic and sickening. This might be one of the biggest WAOM moments.

www.twitter.com/blakekirbyreb

by hottytoddyrebs on Nov 14, 2011 12:22 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions   1 recs

That would in part explain

why we couldn’t score after the first drive. As if we needed to help the other teams out any… In case the coaches haven’t noticed, we just aren’t that good. Thanks Juco, you just took any hopes I had left that any of our coaches knew what the hell they were doing. We are offically the “Bad News Bears”. (Except that shit was mildy amusing when I was a child.)

by OleGAReb on Nov 14, 2011 12:23 PM EST reply actions  

My first reaction was...

that I wanted to run and complain to my super LSPoop fan cousin about this. Then I remembered that we play them this weekend. Then I realized that there’s some odd possibility that the mad-hatter just stupidly overlooks this. So I have to just hold it in. :(

by stampman4390 on Nov 14, 2011 12:26 PM EST reply actions  

I wouldn't worry about that one.

This weekend will be ridiculously embarrassing.

by OleGAReb on Nov 14, 2011 12:31 PM EST up reply actions  

Unfathomable

I just had a discussion with my Auburn grad coworker after reading this and he and I both decided that this may just be the reason why we can’t seem to win any football games. Wonder if anyone on the team staff reads this blog. Wonder if the Honey Badger knows any of our player’s names and can read above a third grade level. If so, he will surely have several solo tackles and takeaways this weekend in Oxford.

by Marty McReb on Nov 14, 2011 12:33 PM EST reply actions  

Oh, there are staffers that read this blog. I know that because of the witch-hunt they went on during Fall camp...

after I was taking notes for my practice reports. Anyone that is stupid enough to telegraph who’s gonna get the ball on every play doesn’t deserve to coach in the SEC.

by EtOHReb on Nov 14, 2011 12:36 PM EST up reply actions  

Yep...worth repeating.

Dude, I like Katy Perry and watch "Glee." I’m pretty much a lost fucking cause.

by Queen Hoka-Hotty-Toddy on Nov 14, 2011 2:25 PM EST up reply actions   2 recs

Signgate

When Nutt promised to simplify the offense he sure as hell wasn’t kidding.

by goulajamz on Nov 14, 2011 12:37 PM EST reply actions  

Just don't tell me that

the defense had signs reading “man”, “zone”, and “blitz”

by goulajamz on Nov 14, 2011 12:41 PM EST up reply actions  

Nah,

No need. We only ran one defensive “play” all game. Soft zone no blitz.

by astaylo1 on Nov 14, 2011 1:12 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

This is truly unblievable.

I wonder how long it takes the opposing defensive coordinator to figure out that this is actually what is going on and that our guys are not trying to “psych” them?

I’m telling you friends, this is without a doubt the bottom of the barrel. And here is one thing I don’t understand. In the business world, when a company fires someone, the last thing one wants is for that person to hang around and mess with things. Its obvious that the job has failed. Its fairly clear why. The person responsible for the mess has been canned. Why is he still here? To perpetuate idiotic shit like this?

Our place with the catfish and mullet of the college football world, feeding on the bottom in the obscurity of darkness, is being further solidified by an even more unbelievably stupid action of the bone headed leaders of this University. Does Pete Boone have nekkid pictures of somebody? How can such an insane policy exist in the modern world of football? How can this situation approach tolerance? Give me a break!

 I’ve actually lost the desire to watch football of any kind. This is what you’ve done to me Dale, and it saddens me to no end. The only reason I have for sticking around is to see what kind of hilarious bullshit they come up with next.

by Loxley Rebel on Nov 14, 2011 12:44 PM EST reply actions  

You took the words

right outta my mouth!

"No matter if we win or lose this game, we will still be winners in the game of life, because when our opponents waken up tomorrow they'll still be [insert name of Ole Miss Opponent] and we won't."

by RedVelvetCupcake on Nov 14, 2011 3:32 PM EST up reply actions  

Is Nutt still doing his weekly pressers?

If its allowed, an EotC should ask him what this shit is all about.

BrandonBP likes men

by hottytoddy07 on Nov 14, 2011 12:45 PM EST via mobile reply actions  

yeah....

because surely he would answer that truthfully and not blame losses on our blog.

Red Cup Rebellion - An Ole Miss Blog
Turns out that we're not very good at football.

by Juco All-American on Nov 14, 2011 12:49 PM EST up reply actions  

Well Thats Great...

We’re not a bad team, just Retarded. Wonder if that’s why the Dolphins are “a tiny bit” better cause the opposition doesn’t know what play they are running now. Those DC’s could just show up and look across the field. No film time needed for the Rebels cause I’ve got a binoculars…LOL…SIGH

by Totty Hoddy on Nov 14, 2011 1:06 PM EST reply actions  

Totally awesome.

And the pictures were perfect…your art work fit my “I’m absolutely fucking speechless” state of being to a T.

A Football Program is a Terrible Thing to Waste.

by sutpens100 on Nov 14, 2011 1:23 PM EST up reply actions  

reccity, rec, rec.

At least that would have taken a bit longer (i.e. 2 more plays) to decode…

by AR Rebel on Nov 14, 2011 1:34 PM EST up reply actions  

If only

Enrique had someone standing in the endzone to run towards. Maybe then he’d avoid slamming into the first opposite-colored jersey he saw.

"A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to."-Gandalf

by Mexter Dccluster on Nov 14, 2011 2:10 PM EST up reply actions   2 recs

Ghost,

I would like to nominate this for Comment of the Year and possibly Comment of the Decade.

Only two people in the world have the easy-flow elbow, and one of them happens to be named Bruce Willis...

by 7thYearJunior on Nov 14, 2011 3:18 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

Wow,

I appreciate the high praise. I’m flattered.

The saddest part is that I’m pretty sure we actually ran some kind of fake reverse earlier this season with a backup QB that was the starter at the beginning of the season. Only Brunetti isn’t as fast as Rev.

by Operation_Masoli_Freedom on Nov 14, 2011 7:31 PM EST up reply actions  

I joined just to rec this.

My Tumblr, where the photoshops and other crap go. EDSBS steam group.
"Damnation seize my soul if I give you quarters, or take any from you." - Edward Teach

by RjTheMetalhead on Nov 14, 2011 3:40 PM EST up reply actions  

Thanks for telling our opponents our secrets.

Everyone knows Les Miles and Dan Mullen religiously follow RCR to gain insight into our program. Might as well let them pick our plays now.

Oxford: Hot Beer, Cold Bitches.

by 18 or under on Nov 14, 2011 1:29 PM EST reply actions  

Ha.

I’m not sure our intricate system was fooling them anyway.

Red Cup Rebellion - An Ole Miss Blog
Turns out that we're not very good at football.

by Juco All-American on Nov 14, 2011 1:34 PM EST up reply actions  

Please tell me that this is a joke.

This is the same thing Academy A ball coaches do…

by p-willie'snewtubes on Nov 14, 2011 1:46 PM EST via mobile reply actions  

Sorry for Triple posting there… Damn mobile telephone.

by p-willie'snewtubes on Nov 14, 2011 1:47 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

i enjoyed your triple-post. i thought it was a RCR-blog remix or somesing

and i went to a single-A academy school… we weren’t that crafty.

Ole Miss: Making Other Teams Feel Good About Themselves Since Forever
chelseaLhelms on the twitters yall

by Sideline Snead on Nov 14, 2011 3:14 PM EST up reply actions  

You make me

I never get Chicken on a Stick at Chicken on a Stick, but I love Chicken on a Stick.

by David. on Nov 14, 2011 3:47 PM EST up reply actions  

You make me complete

I never get Chicken on a Stick at Chicken on a Stick, but I love Chicken on a Stick.

by David. on Nov 14, 2011 3:48 PM EST up reply actions  

You make me completely miserable...

I never get Chicken on a Stick at Chicken on a Stick, but I love Chicken on a Stick.

by David. on Nov 14, 2011 3:48 PM EST up reply actions  

Lit anyone?

I never get Chicken on a Stick at Chicken on a Stick, but I love Chicken on a Stick.

by David. on Nov 14, 2011 3:48 PM EST up reply actions  

great song. forgot all about it.

Ole Miss: Making Other Teams Feel Good About Themselves Since Forever
chelseaLhelms on the twitters yall

by Sideline Snead on Nov 14, 2011 4:29 PM EST up reply actions  

Come*

Only two people in the world have the easy-flow elbow, and one of them happens to be named Bruce Willis...

by 7thYearJunior on Nov 14, 2011 3:53 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

Goddammit

This reply system sucks! Or something. Whatevs.

Only two people in the world have the easy-flow elbow, and one of them happens to be named Bruce Willis...

by 7thYearJunior on Nov 14, 2011 3:54 PM EST up reply actions  

Haha.

I, too, went to a single A academy. And our team sure as hell wasn’t crafty either. We literally ran 8 rushing plays and 4 passing plus. All of them out of the same formation.

by p-willie'snewtubes on Nov 14, 2011 4:42 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

Someone did figure it out.

Namely: Alabama, Arkansas, Vandy, Kentucky, Auburn, La Tech, Georgia, and BYU.

But serously, this is crazy if this is what is happening. I wish we would get someone (lawyer) to look into not paying Nutt because I swear the man is just not doing his job anymore.

by Crootin' on Nov 14, 2011 1:50 PM EST reply actions   1 recs

Any more?

A Football Program is a Terrible Thing to Waste.

by sutpens100 on Nov 14, 2011 3:01 PM EST up reply actions  

You are right about that.

But I was (unclearly) referring to your comment “the man is just not doing his job anymore.” He hasn’t been doing it for a long time…since he started celebrating his big win over Jacksonville State a bit early last year.

A Football Program is a Terrible Thing to Waste.

by sutpens100 on Nov 14, 2011 3:50 PM EST up reply actions  

Jesus Christ jumping on a pogo stick: this is the worst team in the world.

There used to be walk-ons (or something) with pads and off-colored jerseys (eg, red if we were white) signing in plays to the quarterback in just about every previous game I can remember. This is pathetic.

If true, at least the coaches are losing with some gusto. They are fully embracing their incompetence by expressly stating who will get the ball. Plus, they’re not trying to confuse the talent by inventing new plays or challenging the players’ understanding of the current play book. They’ll be blank slates for the new coaches. Thanks guys!

If I were Bolden and again if this were true, I would fucking quit to work out for the draft. Why risk getting hurt if the D knows your getting the ball? I hate to say it, but I have really enjoyed Bolden’s career at ole miss, and I really hate this season (and last season) for him.

Houston Nutt coahes for BRAINS!!!

by Old HWY 6 on Nov 14, 2011 1:51 PM EST reply actions  

You have NO idea how bad I needed that laugh.

See? The Internet CAN be awesome sometimes.

Can we just forfeit the last two games, clear the boards and have a two-week bender in the grove?

Dude, I like Katy Perry and watch "Glee." I’m pretty much a lost fucking cause.

by Queen Hoka-Hotty-Toddy on Nov 14, 2011 2:30 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

And I FULLY INTENDED to capitalize "Grove" there.

Dude, I like Katy Perry and watch "Glee." I’m pretty much a lost fucking cause.

by Queen Hoka-Hotty-Toddy on Nov 14, 2011 2:30 PM EST up reply actions  

Aye!

"No matter if we win or lose this game, we will still be winners in the game of life, because when our opponents waken up tomorrow they'll still be [insert name of Ole Miss Opponent] and we won't."

by RedVelvetCupcake on Nov 14, 2011 3:47 PM EST up reply actions  

Not to worry Rebel fans

Houston and the Ole Miss coaching staff are hard at work this week devising a genius game plan:

That was a called play, and I called it Brotha!!! HYYAAAAAAAA!!!!!!

by Catfish Powe-boy on Nov 15, 2011 12:37 AM EST up reply actions  

You guys are seeing this all wrong

This gives me hope.

If our coaching is this bad – maybe we have the talent to do something next year.

My guess is that our next coach will be SEC Coach of the Year next year after a 6-6 year.

by Me and Paul on Nov 14, 2011 1:55 PM EST reply actions  

We are suffering greatly at some key positions.

But, yeah, we do have better talent than we’ve shown this year. Any coaching staff worth a shit wins at least six games with this team. Next year’s schedule is tougher, though.

by ssmund on Nov 14, 2011 1:57 PM EST up reply actions  

6-6 and COTY is what we're aiming for this year

So why not?

Look, i won’t lie, i’m glad the SEC has someone besides us to beat up on, but good grief. No fans, especially pretty good ones among the Ole Miss faithful (such as the authors of this site), should have to deal with a staff that just doesn’t care any more.

You’ve brightened my day with this story, but you really do have my empathy too.

by PhilipVU94 on Nov 14, 2011 3:35 PM EST up reply actions  

Can we have your coach?

COTY back-to-back seasons at two different doormats…now THAT would be impressive. Good luck with Wake & Vols – 7-5 is very doable.

A Football Program is a Terrible Thing to Waste.

by sutpens100 on Nov 14, 2011 3:42 PM EST up reply actions  

Contra Mr. SEC.... mmmmmno.

Don’t see it happening. One miracle rebuilding job per decade should be enough for anyone. But thanks, it would be huge if we could go into Neyland as a slight betting favorite and win.

by PhilipVU94 on Nov 14, 2011 3:54 PM EST up reply actions  

Actually, Mr. SEC convinced me

that it was a good idea…and that it wouldn’t happen. Maybe we can get him for the rebuilding job after this one.

A Football Program is a Terrible Thing to Waste.

by sutpens100 on Nov 14, 2011 3:59 PM EST up reply actions  

Jesus.

This is worse than the Brent Shaeffer mouthpiece thing.

by DuNing on Nov 14, 2011 2:33 PM EST reply actions  

This reminds me.

I remember that a few of my friends and I were discussing this some years ago. We actually came to the theory that the huddle consisted of Schaeffer running into the huddle, and either saying “pass” or “run”. That was it.

Unfortunately his mouthpiece may have not coordinated correctly with the play call.

And we thought that was rock bottom…

by AR Rebel on Nov 14, 2011 2:40 PM EST up reply actions  

rec'd

this one brought the lulz

by AR Rebel on Nov 14, 2011 2:35 PM EST up reply actions  

DUH, silly, we won't lose because of THIS.

We’ll lose due to a combination of the mascot, lack of Dixie, and me wearing the wrong-colored underwear and forgetting to bring the right cheese to the tailgate!

/sarcasticpostissarcastic

Dude, I like Katy Perry and watch "Glee." I’m pretty much a lost fucking cause.

by Queen Hoka-Hotty-Toddy on Nov 14, 2011 3:00 PM EST up reply actions  

And by "lack of Dixie"

I mean my cat, “Dixie Darling.” She doesn’t like travel.

Dude, I like Katy Perry and watch "Glee." I’m pretty much a lost fucking cause.

by Queen Hoka-Hotty-Toddy on Nov 14, 2011 3:01 PM EST up reply actions  

She must be drinking again......

Damn you black rum…..stay away…..Do you know how crunk I am?

by GraveSituation on Nov 14, 2011 5:23 PM EST up reply actions  

Seriously, I could not have been more embarrassed that day.

I’m a grown-ass woman, and I spent the whole game sitting under the tent trying to sober up. I have not been that drunk in a LONG, LONG time. I have sadly regressed back to a lightweight, apparently.

Dude, I like Katy Perry and watch "Glee." I’m pretty much a lost fucking cause.

by Queen Hoka-Hotty-Toddy on Nov 14, 2011 5:51 PM EST up reply actions  

and Mr. Snead

"I solemnly swear to tell the truth as I know it, the whole truth as I believe it to be, and nothing but what I think you need to know."

by TX_HogFan on Nov 14, 2011 4:32 PM EST up reply actions  

And drugs?

I think he referenced that with the horrible attrition rate.

by p-willie'snewtubes on Nov 14, 2011 4:48 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

I'm banking on a fake field goal

on third down. Our ineptitude has been a ploy leading up to the point that we send our field goal team out on third down with 7:38 left in the third quarter. Mullen, realizing that we are obviously incompetent enough to think it’s actually 4th down, sends the field goal block unit out thinking “I’ll get these fuckers.”

Then, without warning, BOOM! Bryson Rose scores a 31 yard touchdown. All the misery of the La Tech and Vandy games will go out the window as we realize that we have let a genius go.

"A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to."-Gandalf

by Mexter Dccluster on Nov 14, 2011 2:42 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

I must see this happen.

Only two people in the world have the easy-flow elbow, and one of them happens to be named Bruce Willis...

by 7thYearJunior on Nov 14, 2011 3:50 PM EST up reply actions  

The ultimate rope-a-dope

"A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to."-Gandalf

by Mexter Dccluster on Nov 14, 2011 4:05 PM EST up reply actions  

LSU is only a 28 1/2 point favorite...

Triple your mortgages and bet everything you can scrape together on the Tigers to cover.

A Football Program is a Terrible Thing to Waste.

by sutpens100 on Nov 14, 2011 2:58 PM EST reply actions  

This thread of sadness brings the lulz.

Only Ole Miss can turn a thread of absolute, complete and total failure into win. FUCKING WIN BABY!!!!!!!!!

by OxpatchReb on Nov 14, 2011 3:00 PM EST reply actions  

Lord knows we've had enough practice to get it right.

Tyler Campbell for Heisman.
Official Member of the Busch Stadium Squirrel Fan Club.

by Wild Rebel on Nov 14, 2011 7:25 PM EST up reply actions  

YES!!

I actually pointed this out to my wife a few weeks ago and she thought I was crazy. They hold up a sign that says “BRZ” all the time. Anyone with half a brain knows the ball is going to Brassell. Sure enough every time to Brassell. I also saw the T.S. and J.S. signs. So your run of the mill average college football fans are figuring out the plays. You dont think all the coaches that watch HOURS of tape are figuring this out. No wonder we are a joke.

Bring on the Pirate!!! Arrrrghhh!!!

by RufusFrenchForHeisman on Nov 14, 2011 3:05 PM EST reply actions  

I say...

I say we use these code word signs:
“Throwing it to Tobias”,
 “Thorwing it to Moncreif”,
“Running it with Mackey”,
" Running it with Brazzell",
“Running it with Enrique”,
“Running it with “Jeff Scott”,
“Running it with Bolden”.
There, bet they can’t figure that those awesome code words.

by Totty Hoddy on Nov 14, 2011 3:22 PM EST up reply actions  

What the fuck...

Every single coach sould be shot… This makes me feel stupid to be a fan of Ole Miss.

by Bubba D on Nov 14, 2011 3:22 PM EST reply actions   1 recs

For real?

First of all, I am NOT a masocist but I did watch the ENTIRE “event” on my 55" wide HD tv. I jumped over to other games during the commercials but I did watch the entire “happening.” I will NOT say game due to there never being a game but only an “event.”

My wife and I were calling the plays almost immediately and we did not have the signs either! Our offense is so predictable that it is not even funny any more just soooooooo sad!

by BeastButler1865 on Nov 14, 2011 4:04 PM EST reply actions  

if this is true and which I do believe it is

This might have some correlation with us having the lowest graduation rate among football teams in the SEC. I would say: if you recruit “not so bright” minds, you’re probably not going to have a great team but then how would one explain Vandy’s lack of success.

by TD's and Beer on Nov 14, 2011 4:19 PM EST via mobile reply actions  

On the other hand

if you treat them like they’re too stupid to figure out the offense, you’ll end up with a team full of stupid people who put no effort into learning anything about your system.

Demand excellence every time and see where that gets you. Allow mediocrity and you’ll get it or worse every time.

by JimHalpert on Nov 14, 2011 4:22 PM EST up reply actions  

Self-fulfilling prophecy.

Tyler Campbell for Heisman.
Official Member of the Busch Stadium Squirrel Fan Club.

by Wild Rebel on Nov 14, 2011 7:24 PM EST up reply actions  

Vandy's issue was that until 2008,

they were accidentally recruiting mathletes instead of football players.

All jokes aside, I think that is an issue to take up with Mississippi’s public education program. Rod Walker had an article in the Clarion Ledger some time this past offseason detailing how few of the Dandy Dozen players ever made it to D-1 schools and were successful because so few (literally less than half) were able to qualify academically right out of HS. Once they go the CC rout, most either drop out within a year or are exposed for certain deficiencies in their game.

Just read a scout article detailing most heavily recruited juniors in MS. It seems like it always says “X scored a 14 on the ACT their first go-round as a junior, but plans on retaking the test in the spring.”

"A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to."-Gandalf

by Mexter Dccluster on Nov 14, 2011 4:30 PM EST up reply actions  

This has got to be more about Mackey than anything else.

I know he had trouble with the plays at EMCC. From what I’ve heard, the WR called the plays in the huddle for him down there.

by Crootin' on Nov 14, 2011 4:23 PM EST reply actions  

Believe me, I agree this is a coaching failure, even if it is about Mackey.

I am not trying to attack him personally, but this has been an issue for him for a while.

From an article in the CL on this situation:

“Here are the nuts and bolts: Mackey has had some trouble actually uttering the words of a play call in a huddle or calling an audible at the line of scrimmage. Mackey said he suffered a concussion in an eighth-grade game in Louisiana and has had to deal with the issue ever since. Mackey says the bigger problem is at the line of scrimmage, but Bolden said it would present itself both in the huddle and at the line. Mackey isn’t too worried about it, he said, essentially because his athleticism always seems to take over.”

Not trying to put all the blame on him, but I don’t think it’s wrong to try and connect these dots.

by Crootin' on Nov 14, 2011 4:33 PM EST up reply actions  

Yeah, you're still missing the point.

“Mackey has had some trouble actually uttering the words of a play call in a huddle or calling an audible at the line of scrimmage.”

His issue was a SPEECH issue. Being able to clearly and loudly voice the play call to the players. Period. Not recognizing symbols, signals or plays. He’s a smart guy with a little bit of a speech impediment (that again, he has completely over come as far as all the reports from the team go). That’s it. How would simplistic, initials based play call signs help him literally speak the words in the huddle?

This is 100% NOT about him and his intelligence, sign reading, memory or play recognition. It is most assuredly wrong to try and “connect these dots”. Let this go before you embarrass yourself.

by OxpatchReb on Nov 14, 2011 4:59 PM EST up reply actions  

I was under the assumption that normally, the QB got the play call, and then relayed it to the other players.

If he had trouble “uttering the words of a play call” then you would have to come up with another system (like holding up simplistic signs) so the team could figure out what play was going to be called.

Not once did I say it was because of his lack of intelligence, sign reading, memory or play recognition. You put those words in my mouth. And I am still not sure why it is wrong to connect these dots.

And I don’t think I am embarrassing myself. Reading someone’s post and then saying they said something they didn’t is embarrassing.

by Crootin' on Nov 14, 2011 5:07 PM EST up reply actions  

All that aside.

Pretty sure having ANYONE ELSE call the plays would be better than holding up a billboard so both teams can see it…

This is just pain stupid coaching.

by Bubba D on Nov 14, 2011 5:15 PM EST up reply actions  

Chip Kelly

would say otherwise.

"A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to."-Gandalf

by Mexter Dccluster on Nov 14, 2011 5:16 PM EST up reply actions  

When Oregon holds up the sign with Jim Rome....

Jim Rome is nowhere to be found in their backfield, so the players get confused and just have to improvise.

by PhilipVU94 on Nov 14, 2011 5:44 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

Yeah

The issue with these signs is their simple translation. As opposed to those with several visusal images of unknown meaning.

Houston Nutt coahes for BRAINS!!!

by Old HWY 6 on Nov 15, 2011 8:29 AM EST up reply actions  

Look man, you made the assumption that this was "more about Mackey than anything else" in your post above.

Of course I talked about his intelligence, sign reading, memory and play recognition. Because those are the only items left in this debate to focus upon. If it’s not speech related, what’s left?

Like Bubba said below, if it was a Mackey thing, we’d have Bolden or another player calling the plays. This is just simply NOT about Mackey. Your suggestion to the contrary is presumptuous, unsupported and in poor taste. That’s all I’m saying. Obviously, Malzhan and Kelly use some badass, black ops type codes n shit.

We have plenty to bitch about right now. Don’t make the mistake of dragging one of our two offensive weapons into this shit storm. Drop the Mackey angle and let’s bash some coaching, shall we?

by OxpatchReb on Nov 14, 2011 5:25 PM EST up reply actions  

I still don't agree that my argument was not speech related. That's what I meant.

Again, I never said it was because of any of the other things. And no I do not believe the speech issue has been resolved. Bolden said as much in August, and it’s something that he’s had his whole life. What do you expect them to say at SEC media days: “we can’t understand an effing word our QB is saying?” No, they’re going to say the “issue is resolved.”

I understand that another player could call the play, and that is definitely a possibility. I don’t want to get into a whole thing with you on this, but I just think that it is a reasonable question to ask. Mackey was our 3rd string QB going into the season – maybe Nutt did not think this was going to be an issue and it was not addressed in the offseason. Then when it became one, he did something stupid. And if it is happening, I completely agree that it is 100% a coaching problem and not Mackey’s.

On the same topic, I would love to hear what the players say/think about these play calling signs. If it’s not a coincidence, I am sure they know how easy to read this would be for an opposing team.

by Crootin' on Nov 14, 2011 5:40 PM EST up reply actions  

Then you did a shitty job of detailing your point in your first post and I did a shitty job of responding in mine.

/bygones

No shit. I’d like to hear the players REAL thoughts. No way they give us the low down while Nutt is still here. But I would love to have been a fly on the wall in that team meeting when the new “play codes” were explained.

I’ll set the over/under on the # of wtf looks/eye rolls at 30.

by OxpatchReb on Nov 14, 2011 6:03 PM EST up reply actions  

No I agree with you. I should have been more specific and not just generally said his name.

Maybe we can get some info on “Signgate” after the season. There is no way the players are cool with this.

by Crootin' on Nov 14, 2011 6:16 PM EST up reply actions  

I had started to feel sorry for Nutt

Till I discovered this prime example of Derp.

The last Rankin Rebel

by Reb on the Rez on Nov 14, 2011 4:28 PM EST reply actions  

If Langston Rogers knew how to turn on a computer

and read this, you’d be banned from Ole Miss athletics FOR LIFE.

by JimHalpert on Nov 14, 2011 4:41 PM EST reply actions  

No worries, then.

A Football Program is a Terrible Thing to Waste.

by sutpens100 on Nov 14, 2011 5:19 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

Dear lord...

This just easily made my night and this entire feed. Langston is an absolute tool. Someone get that man an abacus! Glad I’m now longer dealing with him on a weekly basis.

by YoknapatawphaPostmaster on Nov 14, 2011 10:43 PM EST up reply actions  

This system worked a lot better

When the initials were “DMc”, “FJ” and “PH”.

A Hoops Fan Lost in the Wilderness Since 1995.

by J. Hawg 3 on Nov 14, 2011 5:26 PM EST reply actions  

I remember them holding up a D Herm sign

And then Nutt and Lee laughed and laughed and slapped high five.

...I'm probably in Hume Hall

by Nerd the Rebel on Nov 14, 2011 5:30 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions   1 recs

No way this happened.

Nutt and Lee are still fist bumping, with the explode ‘em finish. It’s the cool thing now in the >40 crowd.

by OxpatchReb on Nov 14, 2011 5:33 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

Rec'd

That was a called play, and I called it Brotha!!! HYYAAAAAAAA!!!!!!

by Catfish Powe-boy on Nov 14, 2011 6:06 PM EST up reply actions  

Nice.

That boy’s good. Giggity.

by Reb Zeppelin on Nov 14, 2011 6:21 PM EST up reply actions  

At one point during the game I saw Nix holding up

a picture of a German Panzer tank. Obviously, the man was calling up yet another of his “patented” blitzes. I wonder if he knew that we were on offense?

by Reb Zeppelin on Nov 14, 2011 6:37 PM EST reply actions  

This might be the funniest piece + comments in the history of the internet.

I realize it’s not quite so funny to you guys, but well done nevertheless…

2011 LSU Accolades:

"Saban thoroughly outcoached by Miles" -Jen Engel, Fox Sports

"I really like corndogs" -Sparky

"Imperial Intergalactic Overlord Barkevious Mingo" -Andy Staples

"If Alabama's defense is a boa constrictor, slowly sucking the life out of opposing offenses, LSU's is more like a goon that throws the offense into a burlap sack and starts beating it with a stick." -Matt Hinton

"Oregon’s Chip Kelly is generally considered a coaching mastermind. Miles toyed with him here Saturday night." -Dan Wetzel, Yahoo Sports

"I don’t want to say that I think Mo Claiborne is faster than Patrick Peterson…..but I think Mo Claiborne is faster than Patrick Peterson." -Les Miles

by LSU Jonno on Nov 14, 2011 6:39 PM EST reply actions   1 recs

At one point during the game I saw David Lee holding up

a sign that read “Eat Mor Chikin.” The cow costume he wore looked damn real, but I’m pretty sure it was him.

by Reb Zeppelin on Nov 14, 2011 6:47 PM EST reply actions  

At one point during the game I saw Gunter Brewer holding up

a sign that read “I’m with stupid.” He was standing next to Houston Nutt.

by Reb Zeppelin on Nov 14, 2011 6:50 PM EST reply actions  

LOL

We should buy the entire team shirts that say that…

by Bubba D on Nov 14, 2011 6:51 PM EST up reply actions  

At one point during the game I saw Pete Boone holding up

a picture of Donald Trump. “Ah, he’s reminding the coaches that they’ve been fired” I thought to myself. Turns out, he was talking to his barber and just really likes the haircut.

by Reb Zeppelin on Nov 14, 2011 6:55 PM EST reply actions   1 recs

I'mma call you butter,

‘cause you’re on a roll.

Red Cup Rebellion - Changing the Culture of Ole Miss Athletics
Sports are chaotic and stupid; and we're bad at them.

by The Ghost of Jay Cutler on Nov 14, 2011 8:50 PM EST up reply actions  

I've got this coaching issue figured out:

Hire Orgeron again, let him recruit for three years, fire him, hire Leach, and dust a spot off in the trophy case for the Sears Trophy. Its that easy……

by Mark K on Nov 14, 2011 7:00 PM EST reply actions  

There anyway we could get both?

Have Leach do the actuall coaching, let Orgeron do all the recruiting and publicity crap. O’s only job on game day would be to wave at the camera every time it showed our sidelines.

by Bubba D on Nov 14, 2011 7:31 PM EST up reply actions  

Let's don't forget the famous finger pinch

I for one will not miss Nutt doing the finger pinch when calling plays. It looked like he was trying to pinch his nipples right on the sideline. The shit we had to put up with these last four, no last seven, no last twelve years, no last oh i give up, bring on the next nipple pinching, redbull drinking and what in the hell did I just do coach. So we fans can have another good laugh.

by rk9762 on Nov 14, 2011 8:00 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions  

Last one...

At the end of the 3rd quarter, I saw Bradley Sowell with his arm raised, holding four fingers in the air. “Hell yes!” I thought, “Bradley’s signifying that the Rebels are going to own the 4th quarter and we’re going to win this fucking game!” Turns out, Sowell was just announcing how many false starts he would have in the final 15 minutes of play.

by Reb Zeppelin on Nov 14, 2011 8:17 PM EST reply actions   2 recs

In the 3rd quarter Nutt raised a sign that was just a large eclamation point,

and a giant anvil just missed Nutt, but it broke Bolden’s other ankle.

by McReb on Nov 14, 2011 8:44 PM EST reply actions  

I've spent the last 20 minutes....

Laughing my ass off at this comment section. I’m also 14% certain that this document will be engraved in stone and filed in the Ole Miss Football Vault for future generations to refer to.

"Everybody relax, I'm here." - Jack Burton

by HottyToddyBraves on Nov 14, 2011 10:37 PM EST reply actions  

at one point during the game

i saw the rebel bear with a box on his face because he was too embarrassed to watch the game..

wait a minute…..

Ole Miss: Making Other Teams Feel Good About Themselves Since Forever
chelseaLhelms on the twitters yall

by Sideline Snead on Nov 14, 2011 11:17 PM EST reply actions  

What an awesome thread.

There’s more green on here than in Patrick Patterson’s nightstand.

That was a called play, and I called it Brotha!!! HYYAAAAAAAA!!!!!!

by Catfish Powe-boy on Nov 15, 2011 12:18 AM EST reply actions  

Awesome thread

Don’t you mean more “green than in Houston Nutt’s bank account”?…

by IslanderRebel on Nov 15, 2011 10:31 AM EST up reply actions  

Someone on the East side

Since my seats are behind the team, could someone on the east side make matching signs and hold them up so I can keep up with the playing calling ( not that it’s that hard to figure out with the signs)? I figure if the coaches can “phone it in” with their job this Saturday I can do the same with my fan participation.
Wait a minute…Wait a minute!!!!
Before I get too negative with my comment, how about this idea!!!!!

We should have a contest!!!!! Everyone (behind the team) makes their own matching signs and holds them up before each play. If you called the player correctly you get one point. The person with the most points at the end of the game gets a bottle of Crown, Jack, or whatever we agree on.

by IslanderRebel on Nov 15, 2011 10:47 AM EST reply actions  

ugh! such short notice...

tonight i will gather my arts and crafts supplies and work on it. you know, poster board, hot glue gun, glitter, sharpies and such.

Ole Miss: Making Other Teams Feel Good About Themselves Since Forever
chelseaLhelms on the twitters yall

by Sideline Snead on Nov 15, 2011 10:55 AM EST up reply actions  

Same Ol' Same Ol' from this Coach

Back in ‘02 when the Hogs played OU in the Cotton Bowl, the OU defense held the hogs to 50 total yards in the game (keep in mind Nutt had a month to prepare the offense). After the game, Rocky Calmus brashly stated, “we basically knew what plays they were going to run”, which was confirmed by Roy Williams. When pressed on it, he said something to the effect that they had time to prepare and it wasn’t that hard to figure out. See quote from article below.

“They’re very, very talented, very fast, and they caused lots of problems,” Arkansas coach Houston Nutt said. “It’s so easy to get behind in the count, second-and-9, third-and-10.”
The OU defense zoomed into the backfield so fast that Zak Clark and Matt Jones seldom had time to find receivers. Clark was 2-of-12 with an interception and Jones was 0-of-1 and fumbled to end the second-to-last drive.

You know, when you are that vanilla and you are able to win, you must have some talent, and in his last few years at AR, Shawn Alexander (probowl) and Jason Peters (probowl) on O line and Darren McFadden, Peyton Hillis and Felix Jones in the backfield, so you are gonna win a few games just running off tackle (and Malzahn had shown up and put in the Wildcat).

by lawhog on Nov 15, 2011 10:59 AM EST reply actions  

I thought Shawn Alexander played for Alabama?

Though it’s not the most uncommon name in the world, I guess.

Dude, I like Katy Perry and watch "Glee." I’m pretty much a lost fucking cause.

by Queen Hoka-Hotty-Toddy on Nov 15, 2011 11:01 AM EST up reply actions  

Sorry, meant Shawn Andrews. Shaun Alexander played for 'Bama.

Sorry, meant Shawn Andrews. Shaun Alexander played for ’Bama.

by lawhog on Nov 15, 2011 11:19 AM EST up reply actions  

It's okay.

It’s okay.

"A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to."-Gandalf

by Mexter Dccluster on Nov 15, 2011 11:29 AM EST up reply actions   1 recs

If this isn't the best "out" for HDN's contract, I don't know what is.

Surely our stable of lawyers could easily defend not paying that jackass the $6m. Sweet Jesus, that’s damn close to intentionally losing the game. I just, WHAT THE HELL?!!!?

SB Nation needs an edit comment button so I can feel better about myself.

by factord_agin on Nov 15, 2011 11:23 AM EST reply actions  

Damn, how stupid do the Southern Illinois coaches feel right now?

Chairwoman of the "Blood Is Thicker Than Tuition Money" Committee for Fan Bigamy

Sometimes I tweet

by allicolls on Nov 15, 2011 2:50 PM EST reply actions  

I have never laughed so hard in my life...thanks for the comments

If Auburn was in New Mexico and we never played them I would still hate them and their dumb coach and their cheating players.

by 5026 on Nov 16, 2011 8:41 AM EST reply actions  

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