[Husker] Players defend Callahan

[Alan Siporin]

On 11/11/05 6:47 AM, "jonlists at cbsol.com" <jonlists at cbsol.com> wrote:

> 
 Let's go back to (from a public
> opinion perspective) last year's goat, Joe Dailey. He had the passing
> accuracy of a four year old blind kid. He replaced Jammal Lord who was
> booed at home and also couldn't complete a pass to save his life, who
> replaced Eric Crouch who was a ball hog so he could win the Heisman and
> then let us all down when he quit in the pros, who replaced Scott Frost
> who had the gaul to go to Stanford first

Please know that I'm not saying anything in a mean-spirited way. It's just
that I'm nor sure I understand you.  I thought maybe you were being
sarcastic, but you seem to weave in and out of seriousness, so who knows? If
one takes you seriously the logical conclusion is that you would actually
blame a four year old blind kid. Think about it. That's what you're saying.
Daily doesn't have the natural skills you desire. Meanwhile, the kid gave up
every waking second of his life to memorize and study Callahan's complicated
play book. And he still couldn't deliver. So, no, I don't blame him. Perhaps
his reflexes were dulled by a brain that was overloaded. But I'm not ready
to blame the coaches, either. I stand by my original point, though, which is
that coaches get fired.

You really blame Frost for exercising his choice as an American - an 18-year
old kid, in this case, to go to a college of his choice? You blame Daily and
Lord because they can't pass as well as .. Who? Joe Montana? The question
is: do they give the effort?  Lord ran himself ragged and was beat up beyond
belief, and you blame him?! And Crouch let us all down when he quit the
pros? Maybe he let you down, but not me. He brought me incredible joy with
numerous amazing runs - and wins. I think his 36 points against Colorado
were enough to win. Maybe a coach named Bhol let us down a little more.
Maybe part of it is nobodies fault, but the bad luck of Bland's injury.

A lot goes into the winning or losing of college football games. And, yes,
players play a key role. They play the game. But back to my original point,
never refuted. Coaches get fired. Ultimately, they are held responsible. And
that's how it should be. Yes, the coaches do have to get players up for
games - against everybody. Part of Osborne's genius was his ability to keep
18, 19 and 20 year old kids on an even keel. He won so many games because he
won the games he was supposed to win. That was coaching. And so is Not
getting kids up enough to counter an opponent who is also getting up for the
game.

Alan Siporin