Serious question

[Jeffrey_Martin]

We're thinking about revamping our college football gameday preview page, and we might do a dry run for the spring game. What do you want to see? What are you interested in? More Xs and Os? Quirkier silly things? Any and all advice is appreciated. We're looking for more ideas in general terms, not specific. For instance, yes, we'll write something at some point about Josh Freeman. But do you want more profiles or analysis? Do tell...

[michigancat]

More profiles and behind-the-scenes type stories (think: Bennett wants to grow braids).

I'm not a big fan of x's and o's stuff unless it's coming from an ex-coach, myself.

[pissclams]

I agree with Rusty that the behind the scenes stuff is cool but- there's only so much behind the scenes.  Also note that a lot of behind the scenes stuff isn't particularly interesting at all.

[WildCatzPhreak]

I'm the opposite of Rusty. 

While it'd make an interesting read during the week to hear about the behind the scenes stuff, on gameday the last thing I want to read about is the hairstyle of some player, what they ate that morning, the trouble their grandpa went through getting to america, etc etc.  I'd rather hear about the matchups, who has the advantages in certain areas of the game, why they perform the way they do(ie: "Their stout defense is lead by senior john smith, who averages 500 tackles per game and suffocates any running game by jamming any holes" etc etc.)

[cas]

Quirkier silly things?

Yeah that and behind the scenes stuff, like the rest of the guys said would be cool.

[Jeffrey_Martin]

I like the behind the scenes stuff - but only if there is interesting stuff. With access being the disaster it is, that makes it especially challenging.

But the idea of an ex-coach talking about the team or the opponent is intriguing. Maybe another assistant coach from the Big 12 or the opponent's conference providing some insight, but unidentified, of course.

Anything else?

[Jeffrey_Martin]

I'm the opposite of Rusty. 

While it'd make an interesting read during the week to hear about the behind the scenes stuff, on gameday the last thing I want to read about is the hairstyle of some player, what they ate that morning, the trouble their grandpa went through getting to america, etc etc.  I'd rather hear about the matchups, who has the advantages in certain areas of the game, why they perform the way they do(ie: "Their stout defense is lead by senior john smith, who averages 500 tackles per game and suffocates any running game by jamming any holes" etc etc.)

I think we're going to have you covered, man. What I think we're going to do is a visual component where we break out one matchup - whether it's Jordy Nelson against an opposing corner, or Ron Prince against Mack Brown, or the kicking game against the elements - and blow the hell out of it. Break it down from all angles, cram as much analysis into that one matchup as we can. That way, the Xs and Os component is catered to, but it also sheds light on what we think will be a pivotal point in the game. Plus, the visual aspect will make it look cool.

Then we can still have fun with the goofier things, which is what I love...

[FBWillie]

Onion styled Gossip column?  written by KSUFans.com posters?

Seriously though; I think I'm on the same page with everyone else here; Behind the scenes stuff is fun; as long as I get my X's & O's / matchups / head to head history stuff...  

[KSt8er]

whether the uni's are changing and if so pics.  Who Prince has called a f#cking p#ssy lately.  Where the band will be sitting.  

[FBWillie]

whether the uni's are changing and if so pics.  Who Prince has called a f#cking p#ssy lately.  Where the band will be sitting.  

Which S&C coach/equip manager had his locker cleaned out...   Techno or rap....   brick or limestone.... 

[Kat Kid]

I like the behind the scenes stuff - but only if there is interesting stuff. With access being the disaster it is, that makes it especially challenging.

But the idea of an ex-coach talking about the team or the opponent is intriguing. Maybe another assistant coach from the Big 12 or the opponent's conference providing some insight, but unidentified, of course.

Anything else?

Absolutely.  ESPN had Bob Davies do a Coach's X's and O's 101 thing explaining plays, offenses, defenses (The Option) etc.  If you do it, do it right with actual imbedded internet .pdfs of plays etc.

Behind-The-Scenes is awesomeness.  Quirky is awesomeness.  Snarky 'Bill Simmons' references to Wildcats of past (throw in some 'Crash' Eckler pirahna story flashbacks to explain something now).  But X's and O's should be done right, the rest kind of do themselves and you've proven your ability in them.

I want some sh1t on Prince's philosophy and what he says to the players etc.  Does he really throw in those b.s. "non-fic. business Suzy Olman/Big Idea w/ Donny Douche" stuff in his pre-game speechs?

"Our Offensive Line should define synergy!!!11"

Pleeeeeease spend some time on that.

[WildCatzPhreak]

But the idea of an ex-coach talking about the team or the opponent is intriguing. Maybe another assistant coach from the Big 12 or the opponent's conference providing some insight, but unidentified, of course.

Bill Snyder?

 

Anything else?

Funny stuff is great.

When preparing for the Nebraska game next year, quoting pieces of the Jim Rose meltdown when Freeman decommitted would be priceless.

Using the nicknames works pretty well to, if the situation is right.  "Is Soul Glo powerful enough to clean up black shirts?"

Mangino jokes never get old either.

[michigancat]

But the idea of an ex-coach talking about the team or the opponent is intriguing. Maybe another assistant coach from the Big 12 or the opponent's conference providing some insight, but unidentified, of course.

Yeah, I really like the "opposing coach/scout's take" you see in SI quite a bit.

I think gp.com's "game breakdowns" have really turned me off from media x's and o's/matchup analysis.  Usually it's just typical mindless drivel rewritten to sound like coachspeak.

[catzacker]

I really like the idea of having an anonymous ex/current coach giving a break down of the game (strengths, weakness type thing).    

Other than that, what else is there to write about that you wouldn't normally write about (i.e. interesting stuff in general).   Maybe have a  "Bold and Daring" counter?  A running count of how many times Prince uses that phrase (or whatever phrase he uses this year if he changes it) during the season.  

[michigancat]

Other than that, what else is there to write about that you wouldn't normally write about (i.e. interesting stuff in general).   Maybe have a  "Bold and Daring" counter?  A running count of how many times Prince uses that phrase (or whatever phrase he uses this year if he changes it) during the season. 

I like it!

Ron Prince's Book of the Week Club would be great.

Maybe set up an Oprah-esque logo.

I have a feeling we'd make the Eagle a little to edgy for the typical "gimmee fluff" powertard.

[fatty fat fat]

great thread.

I'd like to see more media. Pictures, videos press audio etc...

Love the X's and O's but only from legit sources like an ex-coach

how about some sort of blog j-mart?

[sonofdaxjones]

I think you should at least find out the kinds of books that Prince has read and contact either the author and/or the characters/subjects of the book if they're not fictional of course . . . heck even if they are, make something up.   Get their take on KSU Football and Ron Prince. 

If Prince drops lots of names of other coaches: Groh, Beamer etc. etc.   Get their take on Prince.

A Lou Holtz video breakdown of KSU's upcoming game on the Eagle website would be cool as well.

[michigancat]

Have the coach break down a "bread-n-butter" play of the week...something the teams run successfully quite a bit, or will need to run well to be successful.  Have the coach explain how and why it works and why it's important.

[KSt8er]

Have the coach break down a "bread-n-butter" play of the week...something the teams run successfully quite a bit, or will need to run well to be successful.  Have the coach explain how and why it works and why it's important.

I really like this idea, but only post-game.

[sonofdaxjones]

How about a sidebar:

Coach Prince in the Kitchen.

Some of his favorite recipes.

"Buffalo "not for F'ing Pussies" Chicken"

"Bold and Daring Crumb Cake"

"Jack Welch steak tartare"

"Strength and Honor Roast Veal"

[Jeffrey_Martin]

Great ideas. We'll incorporate a few, I believe.

The current/ex-coach angle is a must, I think. Fatty, the pics and extra media is something the company is placing extra, extra emphasis on. It will happen, as will a blog for me, I believe.

I like the book list idea, kind of as a tongue-in-cheek thing. I've heard that he has been giving motivational books to the custodial crew at Vanier.

I like the idea of having a coach give the definitive analysis because I've always maintained I'm not an expert on the game, and I don't want to be. I don't like putting myself out there like I know Xs or Os, either.

What else?

[Kat Kid]

Quick takes on mascot matchups

[Poopley]

The new S&C guy designed a work-out program for the coaches, which they have all chosen to follow. I would like photos and a breakdown of coaching S&C records, as well as before-and-after charts on # of inches lost on guts, 40 times, etc. I would also like Mangino's response to whether he has a conditioning regime for himself, as well as video of his cardio workout. Maybe ku and ksu coaching staffs could do an old-school "battle of the network stars" obstacle course and you could broadcast it on the web.

[michigancat]

I like the book list idea, kind of as a tongue-in-cheek thing. I've heard that he has been giving motivational books to the custodial crew at Vanier.

He's just so wonderfully nutty.

Flash animations of my "play of the day" would be cool.

Something like these, but football.

[fatty fat fat]

Oh, and don't even think about doing those stupid KC star video blog things. worthless.

i'd like a video blog of a practice, or like the video of the pre-game warmups etc..

[coitus]

• nick names - with explanations.  don't leave me hangin trying to figure out how a dude gets called taco.  and i'm not talking about rod.
• physical analysis of how the reduction of the crown of the playing field impacts short skill position players
• more input from coordinators and assistant coaches
• breakdown of recruits visiting
• 3rd string qb updates - who's running the scout team offense?
• bill walker, michael beasley - were they there, did they eat popcorn, how many bitches on each arm, etc.

[michigancat]

• nick names - with explanations.  don't leave me hangin trying to figure out how a dude gets called taco.  and i'm not talking about rod.
• physical analysis of how the reduction of the crown of the playing field impacts short skill position players
• more input from coordinators and assistant coaches
• breakdown of recruits visiting
• 3rd string qb updates - who's running the scout team offense?
• bill walker, michael beasley - were they there, did they eat popcorn, how many bitches on each arm, etc.

Are you john daniels from the old ksf.com?

[coitus]

no

[michigancat]

what happened to that guy, anyway?

[fatty fat fat]

barry mcockner