Opinion with no factual basis: Tom and staff put things in cruise control during some weeks of the season (and preseason), not putting in the work required for an upcoming game. This is just an assumption based on observing how the team comes out to play some games. Many times flat and without an apparent game plan specific to their opponent that week (like some of those teachers in high school who would play a movie or repeat a lesson plan on days that they didn't feel up to teaching). It reeks of an immature staff not experienced with putting in hard EVERY DAY of EVERY WEEK throughout the season. Unprepared for many scenarios. Instead, they choose to feel proud of what they've accomplished thus far, kicking their heels up and thinking they can just show up (conjecture on my part). This rubs off on the team, and the lack of opponent-specific preparation doesn't help. Tom has admitted as much, saying "we didn't expect this...." , "we were surprised by this", or "we had no idea their QB/RB was that good/could run". That translate into, "we didn't do our homework", "we were unprepared", "we didn't do our jobs this past week for which we are overpaid as it is". This is really unacceptable. Imagine if you showed up for work, gave a lackluster effort, and then offered those types of excuses. You'd probably get fired. I'm not saying Tom should get fired. The team has actually taken big strides this year (kudos to Tom and staff for that). But he's still not allowed to take weeks off and turn in crappy performances. It smacks of immaturity, and he needs to correct that ASAP. Just my opinion.