I find it interesting that the offence is learning a whole new system, and they looked good. But the defence should some experience against the spread system, and still got smoked. Maybe our offence is just that good, and the spread is a great fit for them (let me dream, dammit!).
The part Bennett wrote about the open field tackling drill was pretty depressing.

I love the guy as much as anyone, but there are fans out there it seems that are so impressed by the guy’s pedigree, there expectations are so far out of check, a rebound season like UK basketball had this year would be an underachievement in their eyes. Not so much on this board, but others I have heard some ridiculous things.

Therefore, any expecatations outside of 7 wins (still a reach), and you need to be brought back down to this planet. Yet, there are others who see a weeks worth of spring practice, and are saying, “Welp, looks like we’ll suck again….” It’s been a week. This is an entirely new system and style of coaching. And unlike Calipari’s made up “system” the dribble drive, this system is actually complex and is more than just give the ball to the point and let him do whatever he wants with it. In other words, they have until August to get better adapted to this system. Don’t get pessimistic if it isn’t clicking with them right away. It shouldn’t be.

Let’s not also forget that many of next year’s starters have yet to arrive on campus. The 2010 class may be one of the most relied on group to make an instant impact in many years. This is both good and bad. It is good that we have talented players to pick up the slack from the Kragthorpe recruits who came here because there was more PT available than at Georgia Southern. It is good that in the long run, they will be an incredibly solid core. But they are still just freshmen and first year JUCOs. Young talent doesn’t transition as smoothly from HS to college like it does in basketball. Don’t be pessimistic, but don’t expect the world right away either. Just be realistic.

I don’t think there needs to be really low expectations. Expectations should definitely be higher than last year, because we definitely have a better coaching staff. Anything expectations beyond that I’ll have to wait to make after the first real game when we get a better chance to see the actual talent level of the team.

Personally, I think coaching will automatically make us a better team than last year.

I’ll be happy.