Keep it up, Blitz and MLF.
We've been on this message for a long time now. Wally eventually does act, when his very good survival skills tell him he must let go of loyalty for the good of the franchise.
Twelve years of this regime. And we see the same headaches with the O Line. It was not Chapdelaine. Is it Khari? No. Dan D has sway in the organization. He has been able to avoid direct scrutiny or accountability. Bad pass protection? Blame the OC. Blame the O Linemen for poor execution. How about the OL coach with lifetime job security? There are a long list of issues, discussed here for years. (Like the sports writer said, you can look it up.) He seems to be beyond the authority of the OC. He knows a million things about O Line play. And his young charges get the full load. Paralysis by analysis. It is my opinion that a veteran group would rebel. One wonders about the curious situation when we had two O Line coaches, Dorazio and Bates. Was it deemed necessary to modify and simplify the mental demands on the players? Get more of the feel of an ex pro O Lineman? And then Bates was removed from OL coaching and made RB coach? Too much of a contrast? Too threatening?
Wally will do what Wally wants in his own good time.
But at some point, all the evidence on tape, for years, has to bring about some change. Should Benny have cleaned house? Yes, based on poor performance, two more should have been replaced, but Benny may be part of the problem. Should Khari have demanded total control of the O? Absolutely. Does he have total control? It does not look like it. And if Khari is sacrificed? Well then there is Joe Pao Pao to try to pick up the pieces. It won't be Benny trying to be architect of the offence, something Hufnagel, Austin and Milanovich can do by second nature.
As I have indicated a number of times, in years past Wally dominated with superior personnel, and excellent coordinators. Now the personnel has reached parity, with great national and international talent available. And an easy ratio to satisfy. The difference nowadays is coaching. Hufnagel raised the bar. Austin raised it. Trestman raised it higher. Milanovich is very sharp. He unleashed C Jones and O'Shea into the HC ranks. Chamblin is no slouch, although struggling now. Great Xs and Os guys out there. Outcoaching us very often. Surprising us with adaptations, based on tendencies.
As noted we will probably belatedly adapt and progress. But it might be too late for this year. C Jones and O'Shea are leaving us in the dust. Hufnagel ain't about to backslide. Regina will probably get it together for their rabid fans. We are looking fifth place, or fourth place, right smack in the face.
Coaching. Strategies. Tactics. Playbook. Game plans. Play calls. Practice preparation. That is where it happens.
And one more thing. Wally chose Mike Buonovides. He should let him run his ship. I expect Wally presents a giant, looming shadow over his protege, from the roof at practice, in tape review, and even in deportment on the sideline.
Do some people on this site have a vendetta? No. Consider ... Are TV guys going to rip a coach on air? No. Are newsprint guys going to rip a coach? No. Are players going to rip coaching? No. Although some stuff does slip out. If stuff needs to be looked at, questioned, criticized, this might be one of the only places it will happen. Stay silent? Not likely. One of the huge benefits of being in one of the best democracies in the world, freedom of speech.