Five Questions/Things | The Return from Ethiopia

I don’t have five things…just one. Congratulations on your new family, Seth. I know this has been a long, sometimes frustrating, sometimes exhilarating journey for you and your wife. But it has paid off. If being a dad for you is anything like being a dad is for me, I’m guessing your time here on DTN will be much, much reduced. And that’s the way it should be : )

You just detailed is way more important than the two losses and the subsequent reaction. But..here is a try:
1)aggies are drama queens- see fish bait
2)nancy scored a td..and cost a td
3)both games were close against ranked teams…..
4)special teams bit us in the ass last two games
5)snyder has some pact with the devil to give hem wizard like abilities to make ksu relevant.

Seth, congrats to your family and you. As someone who was adopted, I know you guys are special people. Blood is one thing but love is stronger – my parents took me when my birth mother couldn’t take care of me and their love can’t be quantified, defined – it’s truly a gift from God – sorry to go off on a tangent but adoption is one of the most unselfish things a couple can do, thanks for stepping up, Bless Y’all!

My five thoughts:

1) We lost two games to ranked teams at home in two weeks. Unacceptable. Crazy? A little but odds are in our favor to at least win ONE of the two. These were not Top 10 teams.

2) Aggies are sorry folk from the players to their administration. Fake injuries to slow down Tech’s offense, cheap & late hits like the one that ended Eric Stephens season and going off on wild tangents to Bill Byrne on their buses the night before the game.

3) Tuberville and Crew has some ‘splaining to do……Both losses were frustrating because Tech could have won it but going for FGs over TDs and running the ball when you should be throwing it due to LACK OF TIME just added to the fans’ collective frustration.

4) Special teams is FUBAR! ONLY bright spot was the succesfull onside kick and recovery late in the KSU game, which Tech proceeded to go 4 & OUT. A&M blocked FB returned for TD, bad onside kick as well. KSU returned a kick 100 yards….oh so not special.

5) Lack of fans support – aggie game was not a complete sellout. KSU was a higher ranked team than aggie AND homecoming = less than 50K?!?!? Things are slipping – we need to right the ship.

So happy yall made it back safely and can start a new chapter in your life. I’m sorry about your dog though, that’s very sad. Sadness is also what I feel about our red raiders. The zone read and hitch passes are making me sad.

Glad to hear that you and your family are back home safely. I have two little girls and I can tell you first hand, there is nothing like the kind of love that children give. No matter what, those little ones will always be waiting with open arms and an open heart.

I hear that changes as they become teenagers, but we are not there yet, so I am enjoying the here and now! LOL

Congratulations on the growth of your family. Sorry about your dog – like most dogs – they are family too.

Welcome back and Welcome home!! You have been very much missed.

5 things:

1. Tech VB has struggled and not won their Conference games

2 Tech Soccer beat OK in Norman and UT yesterday in Lubbock

3. The football games have been back and forth emotional roller coasters with losses on both.

4. In the Kansas State game we had a chance to save the win when we kicked the perfect onside kick with Torres’ help but then we tried to "run" the ball and didn’t make it. Four and out and the game belonged to the Wildcats.

5. Field Goals have become Tuberville’s favorite method of getting points even though 2/3 of them have been blocked.

Tell your wife she will see Olive again at the Rainbow Bridge in heaven.

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Congratulations on your new family, Seth. Beautiful boy.

First and foremost – congrats on the new member of your family. Unforutnately sometimes life presents a loss with a gift. Eventhough you lost a love one it sounds as if your pug lived a good life. Now you have another life to take care to raise in the world.

5 thoughts:
 
1. Youth – we show flashes of what this team will be but overall there’s just too much youth to expect mistakes won’t be made. The only way out of this would be agressive play calling (no more field goals) which Tuberville seems to be consistently hesitant. Under Leach we either blow average teams out or get blown out by talented teams (OU. Tuberville’s strategy is keeping us in every game so I’ll be very curious to see how this weekend ends up.

2. Special teams – our skill players have improved dramatically however the coverage of field goals needs some serious work. Regardless, this unit has improved from last year and will only get better.

3. I have plenty of Aggie friends but its hard to defend their dirty play of bending the rules in dropping plays like a euro soccer team and wreckless play. KSU’s football team is the Cleveland Indians of the 80s flick Major League. Their play is about as ugly/boring as it gets but they get the job done.

4. Eric Stephens – he’s an important loss but it was definitely not the reason for our losses in either game.

5. Tuberville and Brown are still learning how to manage this team vs their competition. Our D-Corrdinator is the only one that I’m seeing who is getting his unit to make adjustments on a consistent basis. Unfortunately it tends to take him an entire half before the adjustments are made. All of this will improve as they continue to gel as a team with these experiences to learn from.

I have put all thiings Tech football out of my mind for the moment….for obvious reasons…but…

1. Rangers going to there second World Series in 2 years powered by Napoli and Cruz…

Welcome to the exciting world of parenthood!

What you missed for tech….in a nutshell:

We have talent to be 6-0. Poor play from mental lapse combined with bad coaching decisions = 4-2.

The loss of a dog can be every bit as painful as any other family member. Dogs give us the same unconditional love as children. The best people in the world maintain this ability to love unconditionally as they grow up. Instilling this in your children is the best way to make a mark on the future.

1) We lost two winable conference games by shooting ourselves in the foot. Penalties in the last two games were at comparable levels to what we did in the Leach era. Simple execution in blocking on field goals has failed miserably. These are unacceptable if you expect to win games in the Big 12.

2) Play calling is suspect. Perfect example is calling two straight goal line runs late in the fourth when down two scores. Then running again after recovering the onside kick. I agree with the need to add a second dimension to our offense, and it has been good. However, there are times when it is not the smart call, and the coaches need to stop forcing it.

3) We failed to execute a simple two-minute offense. Too many bad play calls (see above) and too many plays when receivers or backs did not get to the sidelines. Conserve the clock and move the chains.

4) I’m ready to be done with fishbait polytechnic u. Sadly, we will continue to have to deal with their cultish fans because they’re always around. I just want them gone because ut fans are obnoxious enough for us to deal with on a daily basis.

5) Some of our fans need to keep things in perspective. I agree coaching has been an issue and we as fans are in a bit of emotional turmoil from a major culture shift. We can still be critical, but it is pointless to call for the coach’s head at this point. Keep our expectations that we are capable of winning a lot of games this season, but the highest expectations should not be until next season. Remember we started the season with a brand new QB, another brand new DC installing a new scheme, and should expect growing pains, but could look forward to continuing to be a winning team that maintains bowl eligibility.

I think EthansDaddy pretty much summed it all up very nicely. We lost 2 games by a very close margin of which could have gone our way if we played better special teams and probably coached a little less conservative.

We could be 6-0 going into the Oklahoma game ranked. Instead we are 4-2 with little home games left to salvage a bowl invite. Iowa State is a likely win but who knows what kind of shape we’ll be in physcially and mentally when that one arrives.

The good news is that the Texas Rangers are in the World Series! This is a nice boost for my sports vice. I’m very depressed about the Dallas Cowboys and Tech’s season but I’m shifting gears to baseball for therapy. Seth congrats on your adoption. Parenthood definitely has it’s challenges but raising children is a blessing. Embrace the good and the bad times.

Don’t even worry about 5 things about Tubs and Crew today, because none of it is good. Like, you know, none of it.

Just enjoy your baby. I’m so happy for you!

I have a cousin that adopted a child she and her husband are doing a spectacular job raising that child. I believe you and your wife will be spectacular parents also. Raising children can be trying at times, but are some of the best times of your life. I’ve raised 2 and would not trade those times for anything.

As far as the Raiders go:

Mistakes mistakes mistakes: Costly mistakes happening in 2s and 3s, off the wall crazy stuff.
Defense has played 2 good halves: The last half of the A&M game and 1st half of the K State game
Offense has looked panicked at times: We move the ball well but play calling in critical times has hurt
A&M still has that better than thou attitude: They can kiss my butt
K State beat us because: They don’t make game changing costly mistakes and we do. And I believe they wanted it more . We tend to play uninspired at times.

1. The power above (God in my case) has a way of bringing great joy to help us cope with sorrow. God bless little boy Fitsum and and sweet Olive.

2. People have a way of remembering ONLY the good things from the past. And it’s tough to be a Red Raider fan sometimes!

3. I have been to every home game, and our defense is improving. And it is exciting to watch, for me anyway. Mackey and Smith bring some leadership to this defense that we needed due to our youth.

4. Doege was not so “Doege” against KSU. I personally feel he may have some sort of injury (just doesn’t look as comfortable throwing the ball and some of his passes aren’t as accurate as early on), and this coaching staff may not have the confidence in Karam that they need to. I do hope they don’t burn Brewer’s redshirt status. Oh, Jacob Karam got his degree in 2 1/2 years and graduated Magna Cum Laude.

5. Our offensive execution was not stellar. Who would have thought we would say that about our offense and not our defense!

And finally, God bless your happy little family! Even though it can be trying at times, NEVER give up on those you love!!

1. Against A&M we outgained the Aggies by 105 yards. The difference in the game was the blocked FG returned for a TD.
2. Against Kansas State we outgained them by 241 yards. 4 special teams miscues cost us that game.
3. On paper, we have been the more productive team the last two weeks against two ranked teams. We just haven’t produced the points our offensive production should & we have handed our opponents multiple free scores & short fields through return TD’s and blocked kicks
4. So we are a little more discipline on special teams away from being 6-0.
5. So I have not abandoned all hope.

But the head coach really needs to look in the mirror & ask himself how he could be mismanaging a team so badly that he loses to teams he outgains by so many yards. That’s a disturbing trend. We are winning the battles play by play but losing the wars.

1. Thank you Mr Seth & Mrs Seth for working so hard to start a good life for a youngster who had a bleak outlook. Seth, your and my thoughts about Olive, Fitsum, and the cycle of life are congruent. Fitsum is going to take up all the time that had been given to Olive and more. And you have enjoyed your last full night of sleep, likely before you left the U.S., for a long, long time.

2. We did not play well enough to beat Fish Bait at home. That one kind of hurts, both teams wanted to finalize this series, one that goes back to the early 60’s, with a win. Now they are history. But someone did get to their bus and made the day laughable in spite of the football score. That is a big thank you to their mr big in the administration and his tweet(s).

3. Coach Gillispie continues to confuse and confound the Raider Nation with the roster he is building. I wonder what it will look like in two weeks. I get a sense that there is no non-sense tolerated on the bb court, or in the program. Some of the players may not be ready to deal with that kind of person driving his ambitions for the bb program.

4. In the last two football games, there is little doubt in my mind that over-all, the offense played well enough to win. Special team play hurt us badly. Doege, who has the makings of a really good college qb, had a horrible day vs KSU and made foolish errors in judgement. He / they were playing extremely fast the whole game. It reminded me of one of those people who goes to the driving range to work on their golf game and end up going into a zone mentally with just getting a ball on the tee and hitting it as fast as possible without much looking up to see what is happening over all. Whatever the case, he accepted his part in the loss and I can respect anyone who can be open with a truth. I don’t doubt that he is the best candidate for the starting role, but I do believe he has some things to acclimate, even at this point in a season, because the good teams are coming fast and furious at this point. It is all about learning curve.

5. Head coach opened a presser with comments about how poorly the game was coached. He clearly does not like to come out on the short side of the score. It will be interesting to see if we can make some improvements in the fundamentals of winning football. Special teams and red zone offense….plus defense, any kind of defense improvement, any kind.

please do forward my condolences to your wife. Dogs do become members of the family, and are present to share the events of our lives. I’m profoundly sorry that the joyous occasion of Fitsum’s arrival home was tempered by the loss of Olive.

I’m afraid I have little to offer that might assuage the grief of Olive’s passing. Though, I’m certain, for 10 years Olive enjoyed life, and received all the love and support we hope to give to every adored friend and family member. Ten years, a lifetime, of happiness is no small thing. I’m sure Olive enjoyed every minute she shared with you.

You and Mrs Seth are in for a great ride! At 55 years-old, I am the proud Dad of a 1-year-old …nothing in your life will ever be the same – and you’ll be glad.

Five things -

1. Everyone – Red Raiders on DTN and elsewhere – desperately want Year Two of Tuberville to be like Year Eight of Leach – which is a good thing.
2. The 2011 Texas Tech Red Raiders are not ready to be the “world-beaters” we want them to be – but, they will be.
3. We played two ranked teams that we were VERY competitive against and had multiple chances to win – in spite of way too many mistakes and playing with far less superior and inexperienced athletes than our opponents.
4. Special teams are our curse this year – I attribute the blame directly on the Special Teams coach. No real excuses for it – and he has said as much – publicly.
5. I – and a handul of other DTN’ers – are teaching ourselves a new kind of patience. we’ll need it to survive the rest of this year and still be fired up Red Raider fans for the next two (or more) glory years to come.

Second, I’ve been pretty quiet the last couple of days, primarily because I don’t think there’s that much to say about this game that wasn’t already said in the wake of the A&M loss. The offense regressed which was predictable given the loss of Stephens and the persistent absence of Moore, but the defense improved and I’d say on-balance both units played well enough to chalk a win, which brings me to why there’s not much I can add about this game on top of what I said about the A&M loss: You need to play perfectly on offense and defense when your special teams is a tire fire. Three blocked field goals in two games, and the two touchdowns allowed off special teams plays which are the margin of victory in those two games, it’s indicative of a unit that is in serious need of help from a coaching standpoint. The athletic abilities there, but they keep making mental errors that are inexcusable and have cost the team two potential wins, which leaves a schedule with no gimmes left. Hope Tuberville has an answer.

What a beautiful baby boy! I’m so glad he is finally home! I bet he is keeping y’all busy already!!

I’m so sorry about Olive. I am a TOTAL animal lover & fully belive they are members of the family. Sending good thoughts your way.

Everyone wins in adoption, thx for sharing.

As for our coach, you can’t spell stubborn without the T-U-B-S.

I am thrilled that this leg of your journey is over. Now the work and fun begins! You will be a terrific dad … have fun with it. It will take a while to figure it all out … so don’t forgot to laugh at yourself when you get down and don’t think you are doing things right. Parenting is OTJ all the way.

As far as five things much has been covered from a number of different angles. Here is mine:

1. Strengths: Offense hums along in 5th gear for 90% of the game. Defense is improving each series.

2. Weaknesses: Offense throttles down to 1st gear during the most critical plays of the game. Special teams needs is truly special … the belong in special ed where they can get the one-on-one attention they need.

3. Opportunities: The team is close … we could be 6-0. Coaches need to tighten their plan and pay attention to the details.

4. Threats: Conventional thinking from the HC. If the offense averages 5 to 6 yards a play and we have a 4th and 2 on the opponents 10 yard line and we know we need to score a lot to win. Go for it. The percentages are in your favor. Show some confidence in your offense.

5. Player talent > Coaching ability = 2011 Football Team

1. Aggie game was close and hard fought – no embarassment there

2. Loss of Stephens was huge, took us a long time to “train” a rea RB , the Late Hit you might see some claim is not true, Moore was airborne before Stephens dropped ball

3. Tubs/Brown dont have the “guts” to open it up in the red zone, without the Fade they keep trying to power it in through the middle. We need more red zone plays. Leach was great at resolving those criticisms of the AirRaid. Maybe we should open the splits and run draw plays.

4. Okie state isnt a top ten team ? Top five offense, possibly but the D is very loose. Now I know why we caught so much flack during the Leach Years.

5. It takes about 38 pts to humble a 20-30 something year old drinking in uptown Dallas Texas fan. Just my observations in two years of TXOU festivities

Sorry to here about Olive its tough to lose your family dog.

I haven’t been this disappointed in Tech football since we got massacred in Norman to Oklahoma 65-21 in 2008 after climbing to #2 in the polls.

Against KSU, we fumbled, were intercepted, had breakdowns in special teams, and lost passing accuracy in the 4th quarter. We can’t seem to close out teams when we needed to in the past two HOME games. Now we go on the road against OU. May God have mercy on our souls.

It will not be the same, in a good way now.

I typically do not post on here, but I am a daily reader.

Here are my five things:
1.While you were gone, Tech lost two games they very much should have won – playing the blame game is natural for anyone and I do think that the coaches certainly must take their share of it.

2. We are playing very inexperienced players who have a ton of potential and it shows. A third defensive scheme/coach in three years does not help. Injuries, too, do not help. This is the fastest team we have had in a while – but also the most indecisive.

3. This season reminds me a lot of 2006 – home losses to Colorado and Missouri (games we should have won), inexperienced players (Harrell’s first year, etc.). The difference is this is probably the most difficult Big 12 schedule Tech has had in a long time – there are no pushover teams like Baylor used to be.

4. Doege has had an outstanding season thus far, this is a fact. However, the Kansas State game was nowhere near what has become common for him. I have to place the blame for all three interceptions on him. With that said, his decision-making so far this year has been excellent.

5. I generally like this coaching staff (Although I am wavering on Neal Brown some). I am hopeful that future success will make these last couple weeks not hurt so bad. Otherwise, I might have to be hopeful about non-football sports.

The five most important things:
1. We’re gonna struggle to make a bowl this year.
2. The Longhorns have really let themselves go and are now walking around the mall wearing sweatpants and flip flops.
3. Jim Adler and his family read DTN.
4. We owe Columbia House for a Thin Lizzy CD THAT I DIDN"T EVEN ORDER, IT JUST CAME IN THE MAIL AND I CAN’T SEND IT BACK BECAUSE THEY ONLY GAVE ME ONE DAY WINDOW. Sorry about that. It’s $18.95.
5. We play in Norman Saturday night. Good times. At least we can listen to Thin Lizzy.

Glad you made it back safely with your beautiful boy. Enjoy every minute because time really does fly.

Congratulations to you all. It has been a long and difficult journey, but you will be greatly rewarded as the years go by. Hopefully, all of us can get to meet the whole family and help you out to get Fitsum interested in the Red Raiders. So sad about Olive. We have lost animals and it is never easy. I hope you can obtain a young dog to grow up with Fits. Talk about memories.

I have nothing to add concerning Tech.

My daughter, who attends UT, turned 21 the day she and friends went to the State Fair instead of attending the Red River Rivalry. This Saturday, I missed Tech’s game as we celebrated her birthday at Matt’s El Rancho. We had a ball. You two will some day be able to enjoy such times with Fitsum. May you all be blessed in many ways.

Congrats on the new edition Seth! You are right, the circle of life is a funny thing. 9 months after my daughter was born my mother died of lung cancer. The one thing I have learned this year is cherish what you have while you have it.

The 5 thoughts from Killeen, Tx
1.You must dominate. Someone. Series by series. This 2011Tech team has yet to bear down and put an opponent on the mat, pile drive him and then take his jersey.
2.Defense is an Achilles heel. The two drives which snuff out the lights, and Tech – you cut it too fine. The 1 drive per game where Russian coffee needed a stop. Versus aTm. In the 4th period 13:42 Tech punt to aggie – deep in Tech end of field 12 yard return to Tech 39.5 yard line – 7 plays 39 (+/- ) yards – on scoring play throw short to TE – 7 points scored, lose game by 5. The 1 x drive versus Kansas State 3rd period, 14:55mark, 22 yard line start – 77.5 yards 8 plays, 4 passes & 4 first downs surrendered. On first and goal throw into the end zone . TD K state. 7 points. Lose game by 7. The thing missing is a consistent pass rush which tips passes, takes away throwing lanes, runs the QB out of the pocket – force him to the perimeter and get sacks or tackles for a loss. 2nd and 3rd order effects of a great pass rush is/are pass break ups and interceptions. The effect of not getting there is letting folks hang around.
3.Offense needs a cold calculating killer mentality. A throttling personality. Choke the life out of the opponent. Again Coaches recognize what you are dealing with here ..going for on 4th down is 3 out of 5 affair.. the odds are in Techs favor on the 5 yards slant and it rests that so, so defense.
4.Its real simple play the guys who really want to skull drag someone on special teams.
5.Focus will carry you far these last 6 opponents are beatable. Norman is an upset, Columbia is an upset. In both of these we are going to need a gimmick and a stellar effort like versus Nebraska in 2009. Tech is better than Baylor in Jerry World – their defense is no better than ours, Raiders are better than the 2011 Texas team in Austin or Lubbock, Okie Lite@ home advantage Raiders look B. Weeden is overdue for a meltdown. Iowa State any venue, any time. Great coach in Rhodes but not enough gas in the tank.

ABC? ESPN?

Thanks to everyone for the good thoughts and comments. Very much enjoyed them and I’m so glad to be back. I missed you guys and gals.