Sometimes I really hate electronics.

About 2 weeks ago I noticed my IMac desktop was not exactly running correctly or well. I had done something kind of stupid. There was a software update and for the longest time I read that given the fact my computer was already pushing 6 years old, the current software update could in theory make my computer more modern and give it more bells or whistles, but if I went ahead with the update, and it could overload my computer’s operating system and essentially fry it. Well, I kept saying “Im sure it will work itself out, I have done this before, I am a relatively confident.” So I updated the software.

After an hour, I had totally messed up my computer. I tried to fix it and just made it worse and worse. So I took it to the guy I had bought it from. He had techincally refurbished it and so I figured what better guy that him to fix it. He plugged it in and said “You really ****ed this up. Badly. You shouldn’t have even thought about this. I mean what part of this did you think this was a good idea? And what is worst is that the second you messed it up you should have brought it in but you just made things worse and harder for me to fix. It’s going to be a few days.”

Now, you might think that what kind of guy takes his computer for service to a guy who cusses him out and makes me look like a fool. Well, first off, this guy is a plain spoken guy from Iraq who fought in two wars, one for Iraq and one for America, and also I know him very well. Plus, he was 100% correct. I had stepped in quick sand and rather than pull my leg out I jumped straight in and created a big mess.

After I got my computer back and very mercifully discounted bill, he said; “I had to do a hard reset. I mean, you wrecked a machine that I basically put together from scratch but just remember when you are in a pinch, consult with an expert because you could have been out of a lot of money and possibly a computer.”

Now that you heard my story of tech malfunctions and my ill fated repair attempts, it had me thinking about this football season. We need a hard reset.

You could look at things like this, we could be 2-2 at this point, and at bare minimum should be 1-3 and by the way, the teams that we played with the exception of Florida State are not that great. SMU is 2-2 with both wins against FCS teams. Grambling lost to Prairie View this past Saturday at the Cotton Bowl, the same Prairie View team that lost to UT-Rio Grande Valley 2 weeks ago. The NC Central team we lost to is a good team, but then after the game when I found out we had 7….thats right…..7 starters out on defense. We officially have a quarterback battle on our hands as Eric Rodriguez almost led us to an unbelievable come from behind victory last Saturday, but Ron Peace threw for 356 yards and despite only throwing for 1 interception, still made some throws that could have been easily picked and has got to learn to go wide when the field gets compressed and buy time, but with that said, the season starts this Saturday with the Southland Conference opener. Lets look at the ingridients for a hard reset-

1. Offense-Open up the Quarterback competitition again. Ron Peace earned the job and had a big game numbers wise but you need to look at this point who turns the ball over the least. Eric Rodriguez might be the guy who can eat up more yards with his legs, and Peace is the guy that is the better passer, though he missed a lot of open throws. I hate two things, two quarterback systems and spread offenses that run the ball too much. We might need to consider both. If Peace has a hot hand, keep him in and go with him. If he is having a catastrophe of a game, put E-Rod in. I think it will help that one guy knows if he doesnt watch the turnovers and mistakes, his backup is in the game. Both guys are competitors and want to play. Perhaps this will be what it takes to motivate them.
2. Offensive Line-The O-Line has not done a good job this year, in any game. This might be a time for Dolezel to call a meeting and say “As of today, every offensive line spot is open, I don’t care if you played last week or last year. You guys have to protect better in pass protection and keep our QB upright and give him time. This is a non negotiable.”
3. Defense-We knew the defense would be harder to go to war with than with previous teams, but when you lost 6-8 starters over a period of 2 weeks (this includes the Florida State game) that really puts a pebble in your shoes. The fact there is that much drop off in effectiveness when you lose a starter and put in your second string shows that depth is a major issue. You might have to make some kind of scheme adjustment or just adjust depending on the team you are playing.
4. Special teams-Ok, our punting and place kickers have been pretty great. Not perfect, but good and the kicker is much better than last year, but its time to fire the deep snapper on punts. I know how that sounds and I know how that can be harsh, but we have had a deep snapper cost us 16 points in two games. Those ended up being major points in both games. I believe Kory Garcia is the Long Snapper and he is just a freshman. We have another long snapper on the roster, a Junior named John Dublin. It might be time to give the other guy a try at it. Coverage units have been good and hard hitting.
5. Coaching-Clint Dolezel knows he has 8 games left to prove he belongs as head coach at East Texas A&M. If the Lions somehow and by some miracle pull out an 8-4 record or 7-5 record which would place the team in the thick of the hunt for their first Southland title and an FCS playoff spot, that would be what it takes for Dolezel to get a fourth year in Commerce. Yes, I know it sounds incredibly far fetched, but when stranger things have happened, and it is going to take little things like having a quarterback that wont turn the ball over and throw untimely interceptions, a defense that is healthy, and a deep snapper that does not give away points. The season starts this Saturday in Northwestern Louisiana, and it is time for a hard reset and remember not to make the same mistakes that put us in this position to begin with.

PS……..Throw away those stupid blue helmets and go back with gold. I swear those things are cursed.