Everything you said involves coaching, specifically on the field football coaching. Something Sling Blade is extremely weak in. Many of these players are Sing Blade's players, young recrits or transfers. Regardless, a good coach coaches what he has. But like most coaches in most sports, Sling Blade has his system, so to speak, and is either unwilling or unable to change, thus square peg, round hole, just like last year. Or you hear the "gotta get his players" argument, yet they all recruit 95% of the same players. Sling Blade obvious shortcomings will never be remedied by the absolute best talent. Even those teams with the absolute best talent are coached and differences can be seen. As you mentioned even with inferior talent, it is clear to see if that team is well coached, even if they are not a high caliber team.