Another MSU early commitment
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Po Monkey Lounger
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Po Monkey Lounger
- Duck South Addict
- Posts: 5975
- Joined: Tue Jun 19, 2001 12:01 am
- Location: Sharby Creek
"how many early committments do both msu and um have.. "
as of today MSU has 17, and UM has 16
And all this coming from a coaching staff whose head coach recently said back in February, right after Ashley decommitted: ....."In the future, if someone commits to Miss State, they will not be allowed to visit any other school." And then said, after an announcement of all the early UM 07 commits, the following: "That's why our evaluation process is a lot slower than other people's. There is no way you can thoroughly evaluate a prospect, take care of the players that you have, recruit the players for one year and offer 100-150 scholarships that you don't have available and do a proper job on that while honoring all those commitments when that time comes. I won't do it that way because I will not put my word out there and have to back up on it. "
Big, sorry to lump you in with the sheep. No offense intended. We all know you are an independent thinker with re the all things MSU, and are not a homer.
as of today MSU has 17, and UM has 16
And all this coming from a coaching staff whose head coach recently said back in February, right after Ashley decommitted: ....."In the future, if someone commits to Miss State, they will not be allowed to visit any other school." And then said, after an announcement of all the early UM 07 commits, the following: "That's why our evaluation process is a lot slower than other people's. There is no way you can thoroughly evaluate a prospect, take care of the players that you have, recruit the players for one year and offer 100-150 scholarships that you don't have available and do a proper job on that while honoring all those commitments when that time comes. I won't do it that way because I will not put my word out there and have to back up on it. "
Big, sorry to lump you in with the sheep. No offense intended. We all know you are an independent thinker with re the all things MSU, and are not a homer.
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Po Monkey Lounger
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The double standard with respect to Coach O that currently exists throughout this state and throughout the rest of the SEC is absurd. When MSU has 17 early commits, it is the result of a masterful recruiting plan by a hard working, dedicated staff, which has been able to exite kids into wanting to sign with MSU. But, when UM has early commits, it is labeled a joke, and to the extent any of the players are coveted by other schools, a clear indication that UM is cheating. 
Doubt what I am saying? Think I am just paranoid and exaggerating? I wish I were. Read the next post.
Doubt what I am saying? Think I am just paranoid and exaggerating? I wish I were. Read the next post.
Last edited by Po Monkey Lounger on Mon Jun 26, 2006 9:39 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Po Monkey Lounger
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After UM jumped out early with a lot of early commits, here is the take on it by the CL (which mirrored or was mimmicked by posters on this board and others throughout the SEC):
April 23, 2006
1st grade could be gold mine for talent
By Rick Cleveland
rcleveland@clarionledger.com
NEWS FLASH: Thomas Joseph (T.J.) Johnson, a 6-year-old first-grader at Jackson Academy, has committed to Ole Miss and is expected to enroll in the fall of 2020.
"My favorite colors are red and blue," Johnson told The Clarion-Ledger. "I just decided: Why wait? Daddy was getting tired of all the phone calls. Mommy wanted me to concentrate on school: you know, learning to read and write and color."
A commitment is a non-binding oral agreement, but T.J. insists that he knows what he wants and intends to carry through on his pledge.
"It came down to Ole Miss or Mississippi State, and, Mister, I just don't like maroon," Johnson said.
REALLY BIG HITTER
To date, young Johnson has played only T-ball in organized sports but led his league with 35 home runs in 36 at-bats.
"T.J.'s just so much bigger and stronger than the rest of the kids," his coach, John Chance, said. "Most times, he crosses home plate before the other team even picks up the ball."
One factor in Johnson's pledge to Ole Miss might be that Mike Bianco has agreed to let him try to play two sports.
Young Johnson will begin YMCA flag football play next fall and projects as a quarterback or safety. Or defensive tackle or tight end. Or offensive tackle or middle linebacker.
NCAA guidelines prohibit Ole Miss coaches from commenting on an unsigned, prospective student-athlete, but insiders say Ed Orgeron considers Johnson's commitment a huge recruiting coup. He believes Johnson's upside is tremendous because of the size of his feet and hands.
Sources close to the Ole Miss program say that the Rebels are joining a growing trend of universities around the nation that are trying to stay ahead of the recruiting curve by projecting a youngster's growth potential and by looking at family history.
IT'S ALL IN GENES
"T.J.'s daddy was an All-State tackle before he tore up his knee. His mama played basketball and ran track," the source told this newspaper. "We believe it's in his blood. We don't think this acorn fell far from the tree."
Mary Johnson, T.J.'s mother, told The Clarion-Ledger that she just wants what's best for her son.
"You know, I guess I always knew T.J. was going to be a football player," Mary Johnson said. "It's been six and a half years now and my stomach is still sore from all that kicking.
"T.J.'s always been active," she continued. "He was crawling at three months, walking at nine months. When he was just a toddler, he wanted to play with the big boys. At first, I was scared he would get hurt. Now, I'm scared he's going to hurt some other mother's son. But the thing about T.J. is that he's such a sweet-natured kid. He wouldn't hurt a fly."
Ole Miss coaches are said to be confident they can change that part of Johnson's makeup should he develop into a linebacker.
"You can teach a kid to hit, but you can't teach him to be 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds," one Ole Miss assistant said. "Man, did you see the hands on that kid?"
Johnson is Ole Miss's ninth commitment for the recruiting class of 2020. The Rebels would like to convince at least five or six more 6-year-olds this spring.
"We've got more openings than usual because we lost a couple of commitments for 2019," one assistant coach said.
"One kid decided he liked soccer best," the coach added. "The other changed his favorite color to maroon."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
E-mail Columnist Rick Cleveland at rcleveland@clarionledger.com. Read his blog at http://www.clarionledger.com/misc/blogs ... dblog.html
__________________________________________________________
BUT, when MSU later has an SEC leading number of early commits, here is the CL take (which will likely mirror or be mimicked by the sheep as well):
June 25, 2006
ADVERTISEMENT
Adding to the List
By Ian R. Rapoport
irapopor@clarionledger.com
File Photo/The Associated Press
Sylvester Croom has changed the culture of recruiting at Mississippi State.
GETTING TRENDY
The Bulldogs have picked up on the nationwide trend of recruiting earlier and earlier. Here is a look at how the 2007 commitment list stacks up to those on June 25 in previous years:
2007: 17
2006: 5
2005: 2
2004: 1
2003: 0
Source: Scout.com
STARKVILLE — This time, there is no need for a map. When Mississippi State assistant coaches search for prospects inside their areas, they won't need to ask for directions, either.
Most members of coach Sylvester Croom's staff are recruiting their part of the state for the fourth year. There is a comfort level they say they've reached, a knowledge saturation point.
Without having to feel their way around, the coaches have evaluated earlier, targeted prospects earlier, and recently, gained commitments earlier.
Lots of them.
The Bulldogs boast 17 non-binding oral commitments for the 2007 recruiting class, second-most in the country behind national champion Texas' 22. At this time last year, State had five.
"A lot of building relationships in recruiting takes time," Croom said. "People get tired of hearing that, but it does. When you come in, you need a map to go everywhere. Now, our guys know our areas, we've seen the film and know who'll fit our schemes. It didn't happen overnight, but our recruiting is ahead of schedule."
It's impossible to know how it will translate to success for a program looking for its first winning season since 2000. Prospects can always change their minds.
But in an atmosphere moving coaches and recruits toward early action, MSU is apparently at the forefront. After facing recruiting questions last year, while Ole Miss reeled in a Top 20 class, the outlook has changed.
Croom said his principles are solid and is adamant that no one is cheating. So why?
Coaches, prospects and analysts point to scores of reasons: faster evaluations, improved facilities, a larger in-state pool, and momentum gained from a season-ending win over the Rebels.
Of the 17 commits, 12 are from Mississippi. Four are junior college players, led by receiver Co-Eric Riley, a former C-L Dandy Dozen considered the best in the state at his position. Of the high schoolers, Jazzmen Guy, the Hazlehurst defensive end, and Lee Chambers, the Coffeeville running back, are the most coveted.
Recruits have noticed.
"I'm on the Internet every day, checking everything out after another one commits," said Jamariey Atterberry, a receiver from Kosciusko who committed on May 8. "I always look at the highlight videos to see what they're all about. I've seen some pretty good ones. It makes me excited to know I'll be playing with so many great players."
Said MSU commitment Ethan Stockett, a fullback from Arkansas: "It's like Mississippi State has twice as much as anyone else."
Scott Kennedy, Scout.com's director of programming, said MSU's evaluation process was ahead of his, so it's difficult to gauge what it means.
He cautioned that State may struggle to hold onto out-of-state prospects if big-name schools come calling, offering last year's example when Southern Cal swiped former MSU commit Kenny Ashley on signing day.
"If an in-state school, a traditional power comes in," Kennedy said, "nine times out of 10, you're going to lose the kid."
Kennedy points to the nationwide trend of early commitments, but that doesn't explain why State's list is longer than that of any other SEC school.
Croom, a third-year coach in his fourth year recruiting, thought back to his first year, when neither he, nor his staff, knew any of the in-state programs. Now, there is a sense of familiarity.
If Mississippi State was recruiting at a high school since Croom was hired, a senior has seen them for three years.
"The kids know us, and a lot of them have been calling us," Croom said. "We establish relationships that way."
At Hazlehurst, MSU coaches dropped in on the school, even though it had no big-time prospects in the last few years. It has at least two now, and Guy and cornerback Damein Anderson say they're headed to State.
"In the past, we didn't have any SEC players," Hazlehurst coach Willie Brown said. "But they came around anyway."
It goes further, because it helps for the players to know a school is interested, even if the coach can't call them.
"If a prospect is a senior, I've watched him for at least two years," recruiting coordinator coach Shane Beamer said. "I've been able to get him up for camps or junior days. The more opportunities a player gets to come on campus, the better chance you have of getting him."
For example, D.J. Looney, a center from Oak Mountain (Ala.) who committed Monday, said he's been following MSU since it began recruiting his friend, signee Mark Melichar. Atterberry began coming to State games with his uncle as a kid.
Coaches and analysts say the talent in Mississippi has improved, and that the Dogs are taking advantage of that.
"I don't doubt schools when they recruit their own states," Kennedy said.
Beamer estimated that for the 2005 class, his staff offered 13 in-state high school players. Ten signed, five qualified academically. This year, the number of in-state prospects exceeds 30, he said.
As for why those players have committed, answers abound.
Stockett said he was impressed that MSU offered him first, and the same with linebacker Maurice Crutison of Port Gibson. More important for Crutison was that he's coming off major knee surgery, and Croom said his offer stood anyway.
That's the way State plucked touted 2006 signee Chasman Davis, who'll sit out the season after undergoing major knee surgery.
"I didn't think anybody was going to offer me because of my knee," Crutison said. "Then Mississippi State still wanted me."
Everyone has a story.
Several prospects credited the facilities as a reason. That includes the Palmeiro Center, a $3.8 million indoor practice facility, and the Holliman Center, a $7.8 million structure with a new locker room and weight room.
Coaches said that drew the team even with their SEC brethren. That's why a campaign to improve the practice fields and coaches' offices is in the works.
"We're going to be proactive with facilities," said defensive backs coach Melvin Smith, who brought his recruiting prowess to MSU in February. "We're constantly looking to improve. The kids notice."
Some think there is momentum in recruiting. Players interviewed said the growing list of commits was not a factor. Yet, as Beamer said, "They know a school can only sign so many."
Others guess that MSU is building on the enthusiasm created with its win over Ole Miss. The Dogs have had five straight losing seasons, but prospects say they believe the victory shows an impending turnaround.
"Beating our rival like that," Beamer said, "that showed the players we're close."
_____________________________________________________________
This double standard is almost UMBELIEVABLE and laughable.
April 23, 2006
1st grade could be gold mine for talent
By Rick Cleveland
rcleveland@clarionledger.com
NEWS FLASH: Thomas Joseph (T.J.) Johnson, a 6-year-old first-grader at Jackson Academy, has committed to Ole Miss and is expected to enroll in the fall of 2020.
"My favorite colors are red and blue," Johnson told The Clarion-Ledger. "I just decided: Why wait? Daddy was getting tired of all the phone calls. Mommy wanted me to concentrate on school: you know, learning to read and write and color."
A commitment is a non-binding oral agreement, but T.J. insists that he knows what he wants and intends to carry through on his pledge.
"It came down to Ole Miss or Mississippi State, and, Mister, I just don't like maroon," Johnson said.
REALLY BIG HITTER
To date, young Johnson has played only T-ball in organized sports but led his league with 35 home runs in 36 at-bats.
"T.J.'s just so much bigger and stronger than the rest of the kids," his coach, John Chance, said. "Most times, he crosses home plate before the other team even picks up the ball."
One factor in Johnson's pledge to Ole Miss might be that Mike Bianco has agreed to let him try to play two sports.
Young Johnson will begin YMCA flag football play next fall and projects as a quarterback or safety. Or defensive tackle or tight end. Or offensive tackle or middle linebacker.
NCAA guidelines prohibit Ole Miss coaches from commenting on an unsigned, prospective student-athlete, but insiders say Ed Orgeron considers Johnson's commitment a huge recruiting coup. He believes Johnson's upside is tremendous because of the size of his feet and hands.
Sources close to the Ole Miss program say that the Rebels are joining a growing trend of universities around the nation that are trying to stay ahead of the recruiting curve by projecting a youngster's growth potential and by looking at family history.
IT'S ALL IN GENES
"T.J.'s daddy was an All-State tackle before he tore up his knee. His mama played basketball and ran track," the source told this newspaper. "We believe it's in his blood. We don't think this acorn fell far from the tree."
Mary Johnson, T.J.'s mother, told The Clarion-Ledger that she just wants what's best for her son.
"You know, I guess I always knew T.J. was going to be a football player," Mary Johnson said. "It's been six and a half years now and my stomach is still sore from all that kicking.
"T.J.'s always been active," she continued. "He was crawling at three months, walking at nine months. When he was just a toddler, he wanted to play with the big boys. At first, I was scared he would get hurt. Now, I'm scared he's going to hurt some other mother's son. But the thing about T.J. is that he's such a sweet-natured kid. He wouldn't hurt a fly."
Ole Miss coaches are said to be confident they can change that part of Johnson's makeup should he develop into a linebacker.
"You can teach a kid to hit, but you can't teach him to be 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds," one Ole Miss assistant said. "Man, did you see the hands on that kid?"
Johnson is Ole Miss's ninth commitment for the recruiting class of 2020. The Rebels would like to convince at least five or six more 6-year-olds this spring.
"We've got more openings than usual because we lost a couple of commitments for 2019," one assistant coach said.
"One kid decided he liked soccer best," the coach added. "The other changed his favorite color to maroon."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
E-mail Columnist Rick Cleveland at rcleveland@clarionledger.com. Read his blog at http://www.clarionledger.com/misc/blogs ... dblog.html
__________________________________________________________
BUT, when MSU later has an SEC leading number of early commits, here is the CL take (which will likely mirror or be mimicked by the sheep as well):
June 25, 2006
ADVERTISEMENT
Adding to the List
By Ian R. Rapoport
irapopor@clarionledger.com
File Photo/The Associated Press
Sylvester Croom has changed the culture of recruiting at Mississippi State.
GETTING TRENDY
The Bulldogs have picked up on the nationwide trend of recruiting earlier and earlier. Here is a look at how the 2007 commitment list stacks up to those on June 25 in previous years:
2007: 17
2006: 5
2005: 2
2004: 1
2003: 0
Source: Scout.com
STARKVILLE — This time, there is no need for a map. When Mississippi State assistant coaches search for prospects inside their areas, they won't need to ask for directions, either.
Most members of coach Sylvester Croom's staff are recruiting their part of the state for the fourth year. There is a comfort level they say they've reached, a knowledge saturation point.
Without having to feel their way around, the coaches have evaluated earlier, targeted prospects earlier, and recently, gained commitments earlier.
Lots of them.
The Bulldogs boast 17 non-binding oral commitments for the 2007 recruiting class, second-most in the country behind national champion Texas' 22. At this time last year, State had five.
"A lot of building relationships in recruiting takes time," Croom said. "People get tired of hearing that, but it does. When you come in, you need a map to go everywhere. Now, our guys know our areas, we've seen the film and know who'll fit our schemes. It didn't happen overnight, but our recruiting is ahead of schedule."
It's impossible to know how it will translate to success for a program looking for its first winning season since 2000. Prospects can always change their minds.
But in an atmosphere moving coaches and recruits toward early action, MSU is apparently at the forefront. After facing recruiting questions last year, while Ole Miss reeled in a Top 20 class, the outlook has changed.
Croom said his principles are solid and is adamant that no one is cheating. So why?
Coaches, prospects and analysts point to scores of reasons: faster evaluations, improved facilities, a larger in-state pool, and momentum gained from a season-ending win over the Rebels.
Of the 17 commits, 12 are from Mississippi. Four are junior college players, led by receiver Co-Eric Riley, a former C-L Dandy Dozen considered the best in the state at his position. Of the high schoolers, Jazzmen Guy, the Hazlehurst defensive end, and Lee Chambers, the Coffeeville running back, are the most coveted.
Recruits have noticed.
"I'm on the Internet every day, checking everything out after another one commits," said Jamariey Atterberry, a receiver from Kosciusko who committed on May 8. "I always look at the highlight videos to see what they're all about. I've seen some pretty good ones. It makes me excited to know I'll be playing with so many great players."
Said MSU commitment Ethan Stockett, a fullback from Arkansas: "It's like Mississippi State has twice as much as anyone else."
Scott Kennedy, Scout.com's director of programming, said MSU's evaluation process was ahead of his, so it's difficult to gauge what it means.
He cautioned that State may struggle to hold onto out-of-state prospects if big-name schools come calling, offering last year's example when Southern Cal swiped former MSU commit Kenny Ashley on signing day.
"If an in-state school, a traditional power comes in," Kennedy said, "nine times out of 10, you're going to lose the kid."
Kennedy points to the nationwide trend of early commitments, but that doesn't explain why State's list is longer than that of any other SEC school.
Croom, a third-year coach in his fourth year recruiting, thought back to his first year, when neither he, nor his staff, knew any of the in-state programs. Now, there is a sense of familiarity.
If Mississippi State was recruiting at a high school since Croom was hired, a senior has seen them for three years.
"The kids know us, and a lot of them have been calling us," Croom said. "We establish relationships that way."
At Hazlehurst, MSU coaches dropped in on the school, even though it had no big-time prospects in the last few years. It has at least two now, and Guy and cornerback Damein Anderson say they're headed to State.
"In the past, we didn't have any SEC players," Hazlehurst coach Willie Brown said. "But they came around anyway."
It goes further, because it helps for the players to know a school is interested, even if the coach can't call them.
"If a prospect is a senior, I've watched him for at least two years," recruiting coordinator coach Shane Beamer said. "I've been able to get him up for camps or junior days. The more opportunities a player gets to come on campus, the better chance you have of getting him."
For example, D.J. Looney, a center from Oak Mountain (Ala.) who committed Monday, said he's been following MSU since it began recruiting his friend, signee Mark Melichar. Atterberry began coming to State games with his uncle as a kid.
Coaches and analysts say the talent in Mississippi has improved, and that the Dogs are taking advantage of that.
"I don't doubt schools when they recruit their own states," Kennedy said.
Beamer estimated that for the 2005 class, his staff offered 13 in-state high school players. Ten signed, five qualified academically. This year, the number of in-state prospects exceeds 30, he said.
As for why those players have committed, answers abound.
Stockett said he was impressed that MSU offered him first, and the same with linebacker Maurice Crutison of Port Gibson. More important for Crutison was that he's coming off major knee surgery, and Croom said his offer stood anyway.
That's the way State plucked touted 2006 signee Chasman Davis, who'll sit out the season after undergoing major knee surgery.
"I didn't think anybody was going to offer me because of my knee," Crutison said. "Then Mississippi State still wanted me."
Everyone has a story.
Several prospects credited the facilities as a reason. That includes the Palmeiro Center, a $3.8 million indoor practice facility, and the Holliman Center, a $7.8 million structure with a new locker room and weight room.
Coaches said that drew the team even with their SEC brethren. That's why a campaign to improve the practice fields and coaches' offices is in the works.
"We're going to be proactive with facilities," said defensive backs coach Melvin Smith, who brought his recruiting prowess to MSU in February. "We're constantly looking to improve. The kids notice."
Some think there is momentum in recruiting. Players interviewed said the growing list of commits was not a factor. Yet, as Beamer said, "They know a school can only sign so many."
Others guess that MSU is building on the enthusiasm created with its win over Ole Miss. The Dogs have had five straight losing seasons, but prospects say they believe the victory shows an impending turnaround.
"Beating our rival like that," Beamer said, "that showed the players we're close."
_____________________________________________________________
This double standard is almost UMBELIEVABLE and laughable.
-
Po Monkey Lounger
- Duck South Addict
- Posts: 5975
- Joined: Tue Jun 19, 2001 12:01 am
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I don't. I just think it is hysterical.
I just have NEVER seen all the early and constant criticism of a new Ole Miss head football coach that is currently going on with Coach O. It started well before he ever coached his first game. And has continued unrelentlessly since. Some of the criticism was warranted. But most of it was not ---certainly not for a first year head coach stepping into a difficult situation. And the fact that most of the negative stuff printed about Coach O is based upon rumor and speculation, just makes it even more unfair to this man. IF he does come through and turns around the Reb program into a winner, there is going to be whole LOT of folks with some serious egg on their faces, eating lots of crow.
And the flip side of this, is I have NEVER seen a head coach get such a pass by fans and the media as Coach Croom. Whatever he does is believed to be ok and the right thing to be doing.
The 180 degree level of criticism between these two coaches is staggering, especially when you consider that Croom has had more players in trouble and to leave the program at MSU than has UM during each's tenure. And consider that neither have posted a winning season yet.
These are just my observations. It will be interesting to see how all this plays out over the next couple of seasons.
I just have NEVER seen all the early and constant criticism of a new Ole Miss head football coach that is currently going on with Coach O. It started well before he ever coached his first game. And has continued unrelentlessly since. Some of the criticism was warranted. But most of it was not ---certainly not for a first year head coach stepping into a difficult situation. And the fact that most of the negative stuff printed about Coach O is based upon rumor and speculation, just makes it even more unfair to this man. IF he does come through and turns around the Reb program into a winner, there is going to be whole LOT of folks with some serious egg on their faces, eating lots of crow.
And the flip side of this, is I have NEVER seen a head coach get such a pass by fans and the media as Coach Croom. Whatever he does is believed to be ok and the right thing to be doing.
The 180 degree level of criticism between these two coaches is staggering, especially when you consider that Croom has had more players in trouble and to leave the program at MSU than has UM during each's tenure. And consider that neither have posted a winning season yet.
These are just my observations. It will be interesting to see how all this plays out over the next couple of seasons.
Po Monkey Lounger you are exactly right. When I saw that article in the Clarion Ledger praising Croom about all of the early commitments I immediately thought about the article you posted that was making a joke of Ole Miss getting early commitments. I am a state graduate but I have to admit that the Clarion Ledger is doing everything it can to help Croom succeed. Everyone is learning that Croom talks a big game but he don't have any more integrity than the next coach.
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Deltamud77
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For whatever reason, one small distinction I see that may shift criticism to O and not to Croom (aside from the one huge distinction) is that people in general seem to view State's recruits and early commits as less than stellar athletes with limited D1 opportunities. People view O as grabbing top notch D1 talent away from schools who, from the outside at least, appear to have much more to offer in terms of current winning tradition and recent championships.* In viewing this from an objective standpoint, it is hard to understand why a kid from Dallas with an offer from Texas would choose to go to Ole Miss. There are obvious answers to that like playing time, but most bluechip athletes are cocky enough to think they will get early playing time anywhere, especially when they are good enough to be offered early by Texas or USC or Georgia and the like. This distinction may be completely off base in terms of reality, but I think it is valid in terms of the mindset of many, many Mississippians.
*I mean no disrespect to any State or Ole Miss fans, I am just citing what many have expressed to me in various conversations.
*I mean no disrespect to any State or Ole Miss fans, I am just citing what many have expressed to me in various conversations.
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Po Monkey Lounger
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Going back to other examples of this double standard:
When players leave UM, it means Coach O has unfairly run them off and is a poor reflection of Coach O and his program. Interviews are published with the leaving, jilted or scorned players and their family , letting them vent publicly against UM. Later, upon transfer to another school, follow up articles are written with the players describing how things are much better at the new school. When they leave MSU, it is just part of a needed housecleaning and all part of Croom's ultimate plan to replace the bad with the good ---replace the untalented with the talented ---and it does not matter who recruited them --Croom or Sherrill --its all good. If anything appears in the paper, it is in a short blurb on the margin of page 2 of the sports page. Where do these players wind up? Who knows.
When players get in trouble at UM, it is Coach O's fault, and a sign that the UM program is out of control. Local media hysteria follows. Articles follow dragging up every past player incident, going back to when Coach O was at USC and just thinking about being a head coach one day. In the event one of these players is allowed to remain on UM's team, it is a sign that UM is becoming THUG U and discipline is lax. When MSU players get in trouble, it is the players' fault, not Coach Croom (how could he possibly be expected to be everywhere and keep teenage kids under control ---kids will be kids), and whatever discipline Coach Croom levels is the proper thing to do ---no questions asked. After all, Croom is a strict disciplinarian ---he said so himself.
If UM gets a lot of early commits, they must be cheating ---ask Mr. Dry Ribs. Or Coach O must be crazy. But, if MSU gets a lot of early commits, it is the product a hard work, great recruiting, proper evaluations, building of relationships, and an up and coming program ---simply a logical culmination of the master plan.
At some point, all of this borders on insanity. At what point can we get beyond the sensationalistic hysteria surrounding Coach O, and the kid gloves, homer-like honeymoon pass surrounding Coach Croom, and move into some real, substantive analysis of SEC football in Mississippi ?
I ask this question to MSU: IF Croom posts another losing season this year, how much longer does the honeymoon last? I don't have to ask that same question about Coach O ---he has been on the "hot seat" since he arrived at UM. No question Coach O needs to turn things around and win this season, or the heat will intensify even more.
Are we back to the days when a win against UM is all that matters for MSU and the retention of its head coach, regardless of what happens the rest of the season? God, I hope not. I thought both MS teams had long gotten past that over simplistic and underachieving benchmark for success.
When players leave UM, it means Coach O has unfairly run them off and is a poor reflection of Coach O and his program. Interviews are published with the leaving, jilted or scorned players and their family , letting them vent publicly against UM. Later, upon transfer to another school, follow up articles are written with the players describing how things are much better at the new school. When they leave MSU, it is just part of a needed housecleaning and all part of Croom's ultimate plan to replace the bad with the good ---replace the untalented with the talented ---and it does not matter who recruited them --Croom or Sherrill --its all good. If anything appears in the paper, it is in a short blurb on the margin of page 2 of the sports page. Where do these players wind up? Who knows.
When players get in trouble at UM, it is Coach O's fault, and a sign that the UM program is out of control. Local media hysteria follows. Articles follow dragging up every past player incident, going back to when Coach O was at USC and just thinking about being a head coach one day. In the event one of these players is allowed to remain on UM's team, it is a sign that UM is becoming THUG U and discipline is lax. When MSU players get in trouble, it is the players' fault, not Coach Croom (how could he possibly be expected to be everywhere and keep teenage kids under control ---kids will be kids), and whatever discipline Coach Croom levels is the proper thing to do ---no questions asked. After all, Croom is a strict disciplinarian ---he said so himself.
If UM gets a lot of early commits, they must be cheating ---ask Mr. Dry Ribs.
Or Coach O must be crazy. But, if MSU gets a lot of early commits, it is the product a hard work, great recruiting, proper evaluations, building of relationships, and an up and coming program ---simply a logical culmination of the master plan.
At some point, all of this borders on insanity.
At what point can we get beyond the sensationalistic hysteria surrounding Coach O, and the kid gloves, homer-like honeymoon pass surrounding Coach Croom, and move into some real, substantive analysis of SEC football in Mississippi ?
I ask this question to MSU: IF Croom posts another losing season this year, how much longer does the honeymoon last? I don't have to ask that same question about Coach O ---he has been on the "hot seat" since he arrived at UM. No question Coach O needs to turn things around and win this season, or the heat will intensify even more.
Are we back to the days when a win against UM is all that matters for MSU and the retention of its head coach, regardless of what happens the rest of the season? God, I hope not. I thought both MS teams had long gotten past that over simplistic and underachieving benchmark for success.
Last edited by Po Monkey Lounger on Mon Jun 26, 2006 1:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.
the clarion ledger is doing everything it can to help croom succeed..
bwabwaaaa... oh yea..
its working.. i swear its working... just look at last year.. i swear its working.. i mean last year was awesome.. offensivley last year against sec competition state averaged 9 pts per sec game.. take out the um game and that number falls to 6 points per game..
see i told ya'll it was working.. i can't wait to see what this year holds for the dawgs.. i'll sleep better at night knowing that the cl is own our side...
for goodness sakes.. first off the article about um was written by rick cleveland. while the article about state was written by msu's beat writer.. its a stretch to say that we're comparing appels to apples..
do you think rick was funnin ya just a bit...
hell it aint gonna matter no way cause winning cures all.. and i see no reason for coach o not to win at least 6 games next year.
memphis
kentuck.
wake forest.
vandy
northwestern state
miss st..
6 wins should get um to a bowl game...
bwabwaaaa... oh yea..
its working.. i swear its working... just look at last year.. i swear its working.. i mean last year was awesome.. offensivley last year against sec competition state averaged 9 pts per sec game.. take out the um game and that number falls to 6 points per game..
see i told ya'll it was working.. i can't wait to see what this year holds for the dawgs.. i'll sleep better at night knowing that the cl is own our side...
for goodness sakes.. first off the article about um was written by rick cleveland. while the article about state was written by msu's beat writer.. its a stretch to say that we're comparing appels to apples..
do you think rick was funnin ya just a bit...
hell it aint gonna matter no way cause winning cures all.. and i see no reason for coach o not to win at least 6 games next year.
memphis
kentuck.
wake forest.
vandy
northwestern state
miss st..
6 wins should get um to a bowl game...
"Ya ever work beef Billy?"
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Po Monkey Lounger
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Big, I used the CL as an example of this mindset. But, it is not just limited to the CL --- it seems to permeate the CA, the NEDJ, and the population in general.
But, you are right, winning can cure a lot of unfair perceptions. And UM has a schedule that, given an average team, could produce 6 or 7 wins and propel UM into a rinky dink bowl game ---which would, at this point, be a major step forward from the last two seasons (Cut's last, and Orgeron's first).
Whether you believe it or not, I have no desire to see MSU lose, and would prefer that our sister school do well, except for the last game every season. However, I am not an MSU grad, nor a $$$ supporter. Thus, I have no voice with respect to what goes on at MSU. It just appears to be that the local media (and perhaps national as well) is propping up Croom. The purpose? I think we all know. My question: is this really a good thing for MSU? There is no doubt that the media can influence public opinion. How long does the pass last? It is getting comical at this point.
But, you are right, winning can cure a lot of unfair perceptions. And UM has a schedule that, given an average team, could produce 6 or 7 wins and propel UM into a rinky dink bowl game ---which would, at this point, be a major step forward from the last two seasons (Cut's last, and Orgeron's first).
Whether you believe it or not, I have no desire to see MSU lose, and would prefer that our sister school do well, except for the last game every season. However, I am not an MSU grad, nor a $$$ supporter. Thus, I have no voice with respect to what goes on at MSU. It just appears to be that the local media (and perhaps national as well) is propping up Croom. The purpose? I think we all know. My question: is this really a good thing for MSU? There is no doubt that the media can influence public opinion. How long does the pass last? It is getting comical at this point.
first off big oak you were the one who said that the c.l. is doing all it can to support coach croom.. right.. i was just making fun of how well it was working...
............
as for the media.. remeber folks the media is here to report the news.. and .. and this is a big part.. make a profit... remeber boys don't believe everything you read..
i don't put a lot of stock in media spin.. it will all be decided on the field and it won't matter much as to what the c.l. has to say.. win and losses are the ultimate gauge..
do i think that the media is out to get coach o.. why sure... it all goes back to that bar fight in 92.. (sarcasim noted)..
............
as for the media.. remeber folks the media is here to report the news.. and .. and this is a big part.. make a profit... remeber boys don't believe everything you read..
i don't put a lot of stock in media spin.. it will all be decided on the field and it won't matter much as to what the c.l. has to say.. win and losses are the ultimate gauge..
do i think that the media is out to get coach o.. why sure... it all goes back to that bar fight in 92.. (sarcasim noted)..
"Ya ever work beef Billy?"
Well here is my opinion. Say what you want about Coach O and his past but he has been around successful college football programs and he knows how to win. I look for a major turnaround this year.
As for Croom, the jury is still out. He talks a big game about discipline and building a program the "right" way. How does he know how to build a program the right way? This is a make or break season for Croom. His job is safe for a couple more years but if he does not win this year then I cannot see how he will be able to recruit.
As for Croom, the jury is still out. He talks a big game about discipline and building a program the "right" way. How does he know how to build a program the right way? This is a make or break season for Croom. His job is safe for a couple more years but if he does not win this year then I cannot see how he will be able to recruit.
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