Tweet
Re: Good old-fashioned hard work paying off for Hoke
OK, so first off: I said that I don't have the complete picture that the coaches do in deciding who plays, and that I obviously defer to them. That being said (as I said earlier too), 16-1 is not just a coincidence. When the media used to harp on Polamalu's record when playing/when injured for example, they didn't account for the fact that (a prime) Aaron Smith happened to be gone during the same times (i.e. they didn't think that maybe that's an Aaron Smith record too).
But sticking to the Hampton issue, there really are no glaring extenuating circumtances. It's not easy to explain why we have basically been unbeatable with Hoke in the lineup vs. Hampton, in 17 games over the years. That means something.
I also stand by the comment about not signing Hampton to this last contract. At the time even, I was VERY reluctant, seeing him as a classic case of diminishing returns for a former star player (i.e. paying for reputation instead of production). To the notion that he had a great year last year and our D had a great year, I think he may have had a solid year considering. I don't think he was a difference-maker that we have seen from him in his prime. And I certainly think we can patchwork a Nose Tackle out of Chris Hoke and a younger guy (McLendon) that could reasonably replicate Hampton. And don't get me wrong: I like(d) Hampton. I thought he was a key player back in the early/mid 2000's.
OK, so first off: I said that I don't have the complete picture that the coaches do in deciding who plays, and that I obviously defer to them. That being said (as I said earlier too), 16-1 is not just a coincidence. When the media used to harp on Polamalu's record when playing/when injured for example, they didn't account for the fact that (a prime) Aaron Smith happened to be gone during the same times (i.e. they didn't think that maybe that's an Aaron Smith record too).
But sticking to the Hampton issue, there really are no glaring extenuating circumtances. It's not easy to explain why we have basically been unbeatable with Hoke in the lineup vs. Hampton, in 17 games over the years. That means something.
I also stand by the comment about not signing Hampton to this last contract. At the time even, I was VERY reluctant, seeing him as a classic case of diminishing returns for a former star player (i.e. paying for reputation instead of production). To the notion that he had a great year last year and our D had a great year, I think he may have had a solid year considering. I don't think he was a difference-maker that we have seen from him in his prime. And I certainly think we can patchwork a Nose Tackle out of Chris Hoke and a younger guy (McLendon) that could reasonably replicate Hampton. And don't get me wrong: I like(d) Hampton. I thought he was a key player back in the early/mid 2000's.
Comment