Gopher Pops -- By OK, I meant a mix of BCS conf. and non-BCS ... don't read too much into that ... and Les Miles won a national title, and still takes heat with people saying that he only did it with Nick Saban's players.
I am not normally an attacker on these forums, Doogie, but it seems to me that it may be wise to be a little more careful in how you articulate your points, whether in the startrib or here. There are no flippant words or attitudes in public forums, yet it seems where you get most nailed is in the supposed witty comments you have a habit of making. Where Ruesse, Souhan and others get under people's skin is the same thing...their supposedly clever snide remarks (or in Souhan's recent article idiotic comparisons) is where readers seem to respond most to. Maybe that is the point behind the stupid comments, but the only reaction I have for it is to stop reading and consider the writer not worth wasting my time on.
I will speak for myself, as others have their own say, but personally I perfer
1. Professionalism - by professionalism, I mean with dignity and respect for who you are writing about. If the subject is not deserving of praise, at least articulate the reasons why not rather than snide remarks.
I must confess to being amazed at Ruesse's article on the Twins drafting Mauer rather then Prior. The problem is he (and others) felt so absolutely correct in their judgment of the Twins they felt entitled to spew whatever they wanted. Four years later, after the MVP award, Ruesse finally swallows his words. Maybe if he would have not felt so full of his own opinion, he would be able to swallow his words a little easier. Even with the article, integrity of writing is not something I would consider when thinking of Ruesse.
2. Articulation of argument, not snide comments (especially against Brewster since he has become the current whipping post). I do enjoy clever, but not at the sacrifice of truth or fairness.
3. Just a little depth of thought...please...Coaching a college football team, having to get the athletes you want is far different then being a pro football coach (see Souhan and what most rightly consider an absolutely stupid comparison). I am by far not saying that every move Brew has made is correct. I am just saying that the kids need time to develop and get adjusted to what he is doing. Though he got rid of Dunbar and the OL coach last year (which I did not think was necessarily a bad move), the kids have to relearn their positions from a new system. It takes time. The DC I do not hang against Brew. I am certain he was thinking he would retain Roof.
I personally enjoy articles that cover more then one point. John Castino, the Twins second baseman was continually degraded by one writer for his new contract just prior to being laid up and finally having to retire due to injury. Finally John took him out to lunch and I have no idea what was said, but the writer backed off.
Writers get one stick and start beating on it with the Gophers, or others, and fail to articulate or appreciate the whole story. Like writers ragging on Favre's throwing last year in teh second half without any mention he had an injured shoulder that needed to be operated on.
4.Personally I am fine with critical thinking/writing, it can be very beneficial. but I am not with irresponsibility. It is awfully easy to sit back and have an opinion. The only thing you risk is maybe a little hate mail, emails, or comments on forums like this.
Before writing, and I would say this to Ruesse, Souhan, and others...ask "is it correct? is it fair? Is it responsible?
It is my hope that Brew bounces back with a successful year next year if for no other reason then to let his critics know they are not that clued into what it means to be a successful coach. One would think Childress would have gotten that message across, but maybe Brew has to shout it a little louder.
