Sam Vincent probably got screwed.

He won't tell you that, of course. He'll speak in coach-tongue, delicately handling the situation and expressing only how proud he was of the Charlotte Bobcats' effort last year, and how thankful he is to the ownership group and front office for the opportunity. That said...

He probably got screwed.

Given the reins of a young team without a legitimate superstar, Vincent took the team for one season, lasted through season-ending injuries to Sean May and Adam Morrison, then suffered through a 20 game lapse without Gerald Wallace due to a concussion, along with the usual brash of injuries, and still managed to beat the Boston Celtics, LA Lakers, and 30 other teams during the season, staying with range of the East's eighth seed until the last month of the season. And then after all that hard work and suffering through bad luck, after all that patience, he was rewarded.

With a pink slip. They fired Vincent almost immediately and brought in "young-guy fuzzy wuzzy"  Larry Brown.

Vincent had worked in the D-League before, that's how he got the Charlotte gig. So he went back to looking at D-League jobs for next season while he gathered offers.  He first had been reported to be a lock for the Reno Bighorns job, but that fell through. Instead he ended up as coach of the Anaheim Arsenal. He's not sure where he'll be in a year, but one thing's for certain, he's just glad to be back on the floor.

Coach Vincent agreed to a brief phone interview a few weeks ago, and we talked about Charlotte, Anaheim,and the future of the D-League.

MM: What prompted you to take the head coaching position in the D-League instead of an assistant job somewhere else?

SV: I really believe that the way you operate as a head coach is really so different from an assistant coach. The opportunity to continue with that kind of dialog, with that kind of experience on the floor working with the guys was what I wanted to do at least over the next year or so. AFter this season, epending on what opportunities there are, and what coaches I have the opportunity to work with, that could change, but that's how I felt about this season.

MM: What's the biggest difference between an assistant job you'd take and a head coaching opportunity?

SV: As an assistant coach, your full role and responsibility is to understand the vision of your head coach and to be able to fullfill your role in helping that mission become a reality. Ostensibly, you're adding defensive input. You have to do your homework, or whatever your assignments are. You have to bring whatever your assignments are to the table. If it's player development, you have to know how to reach those guys to make them better. As a head coach, you're bringing all those aspects together. Player development, game development, all of that and managing relationships with the players and so forth. That was an area where I wanted to gain experience and improve.

MM: What are some things you think the D-League needs in order to be successful?

SV: I think number one, there needs to be some sort of increase in the players' salaries, because I think if the salaries increase a little bit you're going to get that next level tier of player. Right now those players will go overseas. They may be committed to staying in order to chase the NBA dream, but we're losing them. Number two, the affiliate teams need to be able to work even closer witht he NBA teams in order to understand strategically what the NBA team is trying to accomlish. There needs to be a synergy between the two teams towards a common goal. You need to be able to mimic offensively and defensively, your parent NBA squad. So with time, the NBA teams will feel comfortable sending a player down, and they won't feel like it's wasting time. They'll feel like it's getting that player valuable experience.

MM: sometimes getting through to a D-League player in a way that motivates him to concentrate how he needs to in order to improve his difficult. What are your thoughts on player development and the challenges it entails?

SV: Player development is something that I really enjoy doing. I feel like I have a good ability in identifying a player's strengths and weaknesses and charting a program on how to improve on the weakness areas. I enjoy doing that, I feel like it's something I'm good at. And it's something that's obviously important for the D-League for the players to get where they're trying to go.

I think that first of all at the D-League level, getting the guys to buy in to the fact that you're trying to help them improve, not only to get to the NBA level, but to help them get to a higher paying position, that's something you have to get through to them for them to trust you. Some of the guys in the D-League look at the NBA and if they don't really gain any ground, they lose their focus after a couple of weeks. So I tell them "We're going to help you get to the point where you're going to make more money no matter where you go. Whether it's Europe, whether it's the NBA, you're going to make more money." That helps them get involved. If we say "At the end of the year we want you to be a 20% better ballhandler", we'll give themd drills that will help them. We'll give them drills that specifically help their areas of concern.

MM: You were originally reported to be signing on as the coach of the Reno Bighorns. What changed your mind?

SV: I originally looked at Reno. I have a good history with David Kahn. I have a lot of trust in what he's trying to do with the D-League and I'm comfortable working with him. So we started communication. I was leaning in that direction. But it came down to a decision with my wife and family. We don't have friends in that area. We don't have connections in that area. And moving from Dallas, where we've built a life, that was a little rough. Then the California situation came up, she has contacts, she has friends, she was much more comfortable moving to that area. It was a more realistic situation to go to California than Reno.

MM: General plans for the Arsenal next year?

SV: It'll depend on the draft. I want to be an asggressive defensive team that gets the ball up and down the court.

MM: With all the injuries you wen through in Charlotte, and as competitive as the team was, I just wanted to get your thoughts on what happened with the Bobcats.

SV: My overall thoughts are that I'm still thankful to Michael and Mr. Johnson to have that opportunity to come in and coach for a year. The experience is something that you can only get having done the job. I will always be in debt to those guys for that opportunity. The way this season ended, I personally feel, and several other people I communicate with agree, that we had a good season to get to 32 wins with the injuries that we suffered. With Adam Morrison and Sean May being out, but also, Gerald Wallace, our second leading scorer was out 20 games as well. We went through a ton of injuries. We had guys that worked hard the whole way. And no one talks about how many games we lost in overtime or by 4 points or less. The guys came out and played hard every single night. We came out a lot of nights very short handed. I was happy with the way the guys performed. I was happy with the season, I was happy with the effort. I was disappointed we didn't make the playoffs, but I felt overall it was a solid year.

MM: What do you take away from working with Gerald Wallace?

SV: I think Gerald Wallace is a very talented basketball player. I think he has unique skills that afford him the ability to really help the team. But I think Gerald Wallace, he decides how effective he is going to be. If he accepts the role, and understands that that role can make the team a whole lot better, he's going to become even better. But it's when he steps out of that box, he decides to do a little too much and it sometimes hurts the team. Last year, we went out to LA, beat the Lakers, he had a great game, he had three games on that roadtrip where he was phenomenal and we won all three. When we had Gerald in that kind of role and Jason doing his thing, we were a pretty good team. We just didn't have the chemistry to do that for a whole year, and part of that was I was learning the guys and they were learning me. But a lot of the reports of the relationships with the players being strained and we couldn't get along, that was just false reporting. I'm a coach that will discipline his guys, because I believe that's part of coaching. But I never lacked any respect for those guys or showed any excessive discipline for them. I just tried to do the best job I could.

MM: Are you excited to be back on the floor next year with the Arsenal?

SV: Yes, I really am. I love coaching. And whether it's Capetown in South Africa, or Charlotte, or Anaheim, I love coaching. This gives me an opportunity to get back on the floor. This gives me a chance to help guys improve their games and get to the next step. That's what I love doing.

Coach Pinkel was on ESPN Radio with Scott Van Pelt this afternoon. They'll have the archive up after while, but I jotted down what I heard.

On adjusting to expectations:

"Expectations come from the respect we're earning. You get expectations by working harder. Our kids are pretty focused. We'll see if we can have back to back high level years."

On his success keeping the same coaching staff together and that impact on recruiting:

"Every one of my coaches have been in the same area for 8 straight years. Our guys will talk to janitors, they'll talk to cooks at these schools. They're good guys."

On Missouri's record against the top Big 12 teams:

"I think you earn that. People should question that. Certainly we've made progress. We won the Big 12 North, that was a goal for us. OU played better than us, and they deserved that win. Our next goal is a big 12 championship. Anything after that is gravy. We're going to work hard and see what happens. I tell all my players, "you can talk all you want about football. You have to go do it. "

On goals coming into this weekend's game with Illinois:

""I think you just want to play well. You want to do the things that got you where you were in the past. You want to protect the ball and not have mental errors. We've known they're on the schedule fr a long time. Illinois' a great team, it's going to be a bowl-type atmosphere."

John Anderson was apparently egging Van Pelt on to ask about the gold pants for this year:

"That decision is up to the seniors and captains. John can call me directly if he wants to talk about that. (laughs)"

Three straight bowl games where you've scored 38 points. Do you think you could be scoring 38 points in a game with "BCS" in the title in January?

"I don't know. We'll find out. Hopefully we can make that kind of progress."

Do you think you have a chance?

"Oh, yeah. We've got a chance." 

• Win. I think this should probably be pretty obvious.
• Control the quarterbacks. Rollouts are not good for us. The ends need to keep them in the pocket.  Our secondary can take care of the rest. No running.
  
• Ease Coffman in. I know TNU wants to get going in a hurry, but we need him healthy for Big 12 play. He needs to come in, get his touches, but let the other receivers have a chance to shine.
• Hit them hard and fast. It's the first game of the season and we need to slam them quick to show we're not rusty. The slower we are to get off the block, the harder it will be to catch up.
  
• Find a running back. If we don't show that one of the young guns can be a threat, Zook's going to gamble on us. No good. SlapJack? I'm looking at you.
• Spread the ball. Chase is one of the absolute best at distributing the ball, and we need to get the rest of the weapons up to speed. Tommy? Get your hands up, son.
  
• Get nasty.  You always want to play physical in football. It's kind a physical sport, if you haven't noticed. But last year we had Pig who would set the tone. Someone, preferably one of the linebackers, needs to obliterate whatever QB they throw at us, and make a point. We're in control.
  

(Ed. Note: The goal is to make it through this post without a single Shawshank redemption. I think I can do it. Brooks Wuz Here. D'oh!)

The morning has come, and things don't look as bad.  Yes, we sucked. Mightly.  But maybe it was a perfect storm of being on the road, injuries, and us keeping the playbook vanilla. Maybe Brodie just had a bad game. Maybe... here's what I hope this season.  I don't have unrealistic expectations. I'm not hopeful of the playoffs, or of Bowe being a ProBowler.  But here's what I hope.

I hope Brodie gets to work in a system he's comfortable with, that teaches him to limit his mistakes but not be afraid of making them.

I hope the Show gets enough touchdowns for him to feel like he's a central part of this team for the future.

I hope Tony Gonzalez finds some comfort in teaching the new kids how to win, and how to do it with class. Then I hope he gets traded to a contender.

I hope Albert stays healthy enough to pancake a few guys and show Brodie that help is on the way.

I hope LJ stays healthy and motivated, and doesn't get ridden into the ground again.

I hope LJ stays out of trouble.

I hope Franklin, Price, SOMEBODY comes out as a viable #2.

I hope Chan lets the cuffs off sometimes, and Herm lets him.

I hope Tank and Tyler make the jump, and every now and then, just now and again, absolutely crush some quarterback.

I hope DJ takes this challenge as something to commit to, rather than get frustrated with.

I hope Hali makes Herm look like a genius for trading Drunky McDrunkerson.

I hope Pat Thomas turns into Kawika Mitchell 2.0, or at least Mazlowski 1.5.

I hope Brandon Flowers runs a pick six on Cutler.

I hope LaDainian Tomlinson doesn't kill us.

I *really* hope Darren McFadden doesn't kill us.

I hope Page and Pollard just get a _little_ better at attacking the ball and not just the ball-carrier.

I hope Page lights up people.

I hope Gunther makes them belive.

I hope we beat the Raiders, just at home.

I hope we beat the Broncos, just at home.

I hope we keep the margin of defeat under 14.

I hope we play with passion and pride.

I hope I don't drink myself into a coma.

via www.stickergirl.com

The possible #1 pick got busted for public urination the other night. Doors on Beale Street can look forward to Blake urinating on them next year.

Just think, terrible NBA teams. In a year, you'll have a chance at this kid. Those sunglasses look like something I used to get at the merchandising bulk store when I was a kid for a nickel.

Benson has been formally announced as a signee in France. No word yet on how this affects his blogging, but I'm betting it will only make it better.Congratulations on the gig, Rod, Ridiculous Upside wishes you all the best across the pond. We hope you come back soon.

To all NBA GMs currently wasting money on old rebounders that can't get up the floor to save their lives. Throw money at him. Now. You're letting one of the best rebounding prospects in the league get away.  Tragic.

Rod Benson is the most notorious former D-Leaguer.  There's guys that have gone on to play in the NBA with a lower profile.  In his latest column, he discusses the quandry of the blogger-athlete. He talks about how some teams might be concerned about his blog and that could impact his chances of getting signed. It's the usal knock-out that Benson delivers, hot on the heels of Boom Got Them Three.

An interesting note, though. He mentions that a player was banned from the D-League but currently plays in the NBA. Interesting.Benson refuses to say who it is he's referring to, but sources are percolating on it. I'll update when I get it confirmed.

We should have played worse earlier in the preseason. We should look worse when things are more vanilla. We should look worse when we've had less time together. Tonight we played what I am tempted to call the absolute, positively worst football game I have ever seen. I am prepared for losses. Even to the Dolphins. But not ... whatever that was. Because it wasn't football.  I wouldn't use footage of that as a torture technique.  I wouldn't make Raiders fans watch that.  I wouldn't watch that again if it meant Chiefs season tickets for the next forty years on the 50 yard line.

But I digress. We knew it would be bad. And it is still the preseason. We have to hold on to that hope.  We have to cling to it. We have to hold it like it is our last possession, because if we don't, well, we wont' have the heart to watch the kickoff of the Patriots game. It's entirely possible we'll play better in the regular season. Let's go over our goals.

1. To improve. In every aspect. From player development to play execution, to mental toughness. We want progress, nothing more.

2. To be competitive. We do have a number of first round picks starting. We have talent, and a few stars. We should at least be able to be competitive. If the Chicago Bears can be considered even a .500 club with Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton (who I would give an arm or a leg for at this point, preferably one of Huard's), then we should at least be able to be competitive.

3. To answer the questions at linebacker, defensive tackle, and quarterback, about whether we have sufficient talent, and if so, who that talent resides in.

We cannot start freaking out over losses when the regular season starts, because it will do us no good. While nothing we do will influence front office decisions, it will affect the course of discussion here at the Pride.  If you start jumping on Herm Edwards in week one, you'll be dismissed as a Herm-hater, and that's the end of you. If you say Croyle should be released, you're going to be considered an anti-Croyle elment, or worse, a (shudder) Huardite.  We have to give ample time to judge the players, coaches, and front office, before we begin the discussion .  To this end, I suggest the following time limits. 

Calling for Brodie Croyle's benching: AfterWeek 7 vs. Tennessee Titans:

We can criticize his performance for the first four weeks. We can start demanding he improve in the fifth week. If he manages to get outplayed by Vince "The Rose Bowl Will Be My Only Legacy" Young, at home, it's time to start looking at options.  It's after the trade deadline, I fear, which means if we don't have positive news, we should probably make a swing at Sims before, just to be certain. Even with a tough defense like that, he'll have faced the Falcons and Raiders, so we'll know if he has the ability to produce against bad competition. I'm not saying we ditch him after this game, but this is where I think it's open game.

Discussing the Effectiveness of Chan Gailey: Next year.

One season, trying to teach a bunch of rookies, young players, and veterans who are used to one thing a whole new bag? Not enough time. I'm willing to give Chan some time. 

Discussing if Gunther's lost his touch: After Week 12- Buffalo Bills

We'll have a better idea of Dorsey and Flower's potential by now. We can't ditch them by any means, they get a pass for at least two seasons.  But if we've been unable to be competitive defensively against teams and end up having issues with the Bills and Trent Edwards? Time to start looking at whether Gunther's still getting to the players the same way.

Double-guessing LJ: Never

We just gave him a bajillion dollars. We've married the guy, and a divorce is too costly. This is a done deal. Like him or not, LJ is our horse, and we can't trade for another one.

The inevitable Herm Edwards Discussion: After Week 14-Denver Broncos:

The eternal question.  At this point we'll have gotten through our toughest teams. We'll have played Denver and Oakland twice. We'll have gotten through the hardest part of our schedule. It's here that we can look at Herm and ask "How much have we improved? Are the rookies playing up to expectations? Has the offense improved? Do we look better than we did after that preseason game which must not be mentioned? Does it look like the plan is working?"  We can't necessarily answer these questions, but we can look and start to analyze the questions.  We can at least start to discuss them. And if the answer to those questions is yes, then we can quit with asking about Herm for another year.  But until this point, we can't even get a good perspective on it. You can't see the forest for the gigantic pile of crap.

I submit these deadlines to the Arrowhead Faithful for their ratification, this 24th day of August.

Nightmare Ant, or Mad Ant as he's known outside of the internet, is up for election to the Deadspin Hall of Fame.  Vote him in. Vote him in or he will make you pay!