RANDOM MUSINGS
I will forever love the University of Iowa and I'm sorry they lost yesterday but, that was not a "trap" game. NU is a talented, aggressive, smart and well coached football team who out-physicalled the Hawks. NU also exposed the one real weakness the Hawks had at the Backfield positions, they'd run out of depth. To call this a "trap" game is to minimize the effort of a mighty fine NU team.
Got mention from Stevie Dirt today. Thank you, I think. BTW, I'm actually in a Fantasy Sports 12 Step Program.
Yesterday, my broken foot and I spent the morning honoring my brother veterans in the parade and accepting the thanks of parade-goers for my own service. Last Night, I attended a fund-raiser for the Islamic Worship Center (If Gonzo were still AG, this would probably make me an "Enemy Combatant") here in Quincy. There is nothing inconsistent about these two activities. Two days after Ft. Hood, a large room full of Christians, Jews and Muslims shared a wonderful evening of food and fellowship. I was especially proud to be an American yesterday.
When Brown County H.S. gets over the pain of their elimination from their State Football Tourney run, I hope they can savor and enjoy their outstanding performance this season. They put their school on the map. One got the sense watching them that this was more than a talented bunch of kids. Somebody had put together a football-specific off season training plan and these kids had carried it out. They showed up ready to play ball from minute one. A credit to coaching and to the determination of the kids.
posted by UMRBlog @ 10:00
17 comments
17 Comments:
It's tough to win in the Big 10, then throw in the fact you are having to play your second string QB, your third string RB, and you're missing your most talented offensive linemen...
It is kind of funny though how everyone in Hawkeye nation seems to have just forgotten Ferentz's alleged role in the sordid Satterfield affair. Last year folks are talking about firing him, this year, greatest guy in the world.
Uhhhh .... didn't Northwestern have their backup QB in the game? Iowa was the most overrated team in the country, and Northwestern deserved to win.
I am sorry the Keokuk kid had such a rough start, but he got thrown to the wolves, or Wildcats, as it were.
I do like Coach Ferentz, though, and kudos to Iowa for sticking with him.
NU's "backup" QB had some blood experience and that's a credit to Fitz.
About four games in, Iowa was one of the most UNDERrated teams in the nation. By the time they lost their key peeps over the last three weeks, they were an elevation change waiting to happen.
Truth be told, they were probably never better than TCU.
My bigger point is this was not some kind of go-to-sleep "trap" game. They just got beat by comparable football team who wanted it more.
And, yes, I hope it doesn't damage the kid's confidence because he's talented. An inopportune time to be blooded.
TYFCB.
Kirk Ferentz may be a good guy, or he may have totally tried to sweep his players raping a girl under the rug to protect his job and program. It's just sad that people only care about it when the team is going 8-8.
I've heard of rapes happening in some unusual places but never under a rug.
1033,
Value Free Question: What did Ferentz do wrong in the Everson/Satterfield caper?
I think he did something that was dumb (interviewing the then-players without first getting advice of counsel, who probably would not have allowed it.)
I'm not really well versed in the case though. What did he do to cover anything up?
Truly want to hear your take.
TYFCB
On a different topic...
I missed the Islamic Center fundraiser this year, much to my regret. That event is always one of the highlights of my year from the "massive amounts of incredible food" perspective, matched only by my family reunion.
And you are right, it's a great event from the community-building standpoint as well. Plus if you collapse from overeating, there are about 20 doctors in the room to tend to you.
It is tough to say who did what and why. Essentially Ferentz was present at a meeting where University officials met with the mother of the victim and stated their desire to deal with the matter "in house"- meaning no cops. Whether this was Ferentz's desire as well is unclear. He stated he didn't want to be a part of that meeting and was there at the request of the parents. At some point he asked two players to move into the room where the rape had occured, and these players reportedly cleaned up the room and threw out some used prophylactics and stained bedsheets. It all just looked very very bad. Whether it was or not, we'll never really know. The larger point I was getting at is that when programs are struggling, not just at Iowa but in general, coaches seem vulnerable to criticism about incidents like this, but once the team starts winning everything is forgotten. If the Hawkeyes were 6-6 and not making bowl games I imagine there would be more heat around this.
0837,
The evidence at the motion to suppress the statement of Satterfield was that the players had already been questioned by peace officers when the "get in there and clean it up!" command came down and when the Mother meeting happened.
None of which touches your basic valid point. Reggie Bush gets a $900k house to matriculate at USC and nobody's looking very hard at Pete Carroll. Just run another article about Pete's Gang prevention activities and the kid with Downs' Syndrome.
With the possible exception of track, the two most riveting and beautiful games, NCAAF and NCAAMB are the filthiest.
Just curious ... when was the last time Iowa went 8-8 in football?
"There is nothing inconsistent about these two activities. Two days after Ft. Hood"
What is inconsistent is that Hasan was known to have terrorist connections, had expressed many anti-American thoughts, had bad reviews, etc.; but apparently was immune from normal protocol because he was part of a protected class ...
Yes there are mostly very fine Muslims ... they don't need special privileges. Perhaps Muslims should even be a little more outspoken than Christians when one of "their own" commits a terrorist act in the name of their religion.
But I guess speaking up about how tolerant and diverse you are says something ...
I'd be even more proud to be an American if political correctness didn't protect certain groups much more than the majority, in the name of the god of diversity.
1450,
The only true workplace diversity and tolerance is when everybody is held to the same standards.
Because you're running some long laps here, I can't tell whether your third para. is a shot at me. In my private life, I still get to decide whom I choose to call "friend".
I'm going to write at least twice about the Ft. Hood Shooter sequence and I invite you back then.
TYFCB
8 and 8 was 1937. They only played four games but adopted match play scoring (Like the U.S. Amateur in Golf). That was the number of quarters won.
I noticed it too, but I'm just too warm and fuzzy a host to go all numerical.
TYFCB
Yeah...I get my .500 record confused on Sundays..6-6, 8-8...sister kissing is sister kissing
I was just saying that I didn't think most would find your two activities inconsistent, (you seemed to think your readers would).
Illinois has shown a little juice lately, but I doubt they'll be crushing any big dogs.
Big Ten basketball looks pretty strong this year ... six teams in the AP top 25, with the Illini at 23.
Happy Veteran's Day. Thank you for your service to our country, both in the military and out.
What a nice way to close out this thread. Thank you.
Post a Comment
<< Home