Note to players: Make a statement

cloneaholic · 10-14-2007, 12:12 PM

In almost all cases when a new coaching staff takes over a program, it's because things have pretty much hit rock bottom. So a new foundation has to be built. You have an opportunity to be that foundation! And a truly sturdy foundation is not built on a 4 or 5 win season. A solid foundation is built on creating a new mentality, a new attitude - a desire to keep pushing when all seems hopeless, to keep pushing when you're sure you don't have an ounce of energy left, to keep pushing when nobody else believes in you.

You have an incredible opportunity to make a statement next Saturday, and it appears possible that much of the nation will be your audience. What will your statement be? I'm not talking about a win on the scoreboard, or even a moral victory. I'm talking about completely selling out, about giving everything you have and then some. I'm talking about the Sooners walking off the field and knowing they had to battle against the most determined team they've played this year.

I'll be there screaming my lungs out for you. Make a statement!

Drive4cy · 10-14-2007, 12:16 PM

I agree. I realize we are up against the eight ball in so many aspects against a team like OU but it's a great opportunity for these guys.

dinger · 10-14-2007, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by cloneaholic

In almost all cases when a new coaching staff takes over a program, it's because things have pretty much hit rock bottom. So a new foundation has to be built. You have an opportunity to be that foundation! And a truly sturdy foundation is not built on a 4 or 5 win season. A solid foundation is built on creating a new mentality, a new attitude - a desire to keep pushing when all seems hopeless, to keep pushing when you're sure you don't have an ounce of energy left, to keep pushing when nobody else believes in you.

its encouraging to know that at least some of us realize this-rep added

Flag Guy · 10-14-2007, 02:58 PM

Amen! And so on and so forth... since I have to have atleast 8 characters in my post and "Amen!" is only 5...

ripvdub · 10-14-2007, 03:46 PM

I don't think the players can create a new attitude on the field in midseason. It will have to come this spring/next fall with new, more vocal leadership on the field.

We might have addition by subtraction next year by losing Meyer, Blythe, Bowen. Sure in the past they put up good numbers individually, but we need a good team, not a few good players.

Cyclonick182 · 10-14-2007, 06:09 PM

Thats all I've really wanted to see was the effort. Wins are nice but being a realist about the season, effort has meant almost as much as a W to me.

Detasseler · 10-14-2007, 06:53 PM

The players were making quite a statement last night as virtually the whole team was at Bali Satay, partying like they just won the Big 12. From years of playing football myself, the last thing I wanted to do after getting pounded was to go out and party. Somebody needs to step up as a leader, and I don't see anyone taking that role. Until that happens you'll see beatdowns like we just absorbed yesterday.

jahfg · 10-14-2007, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by Detasseler

The players were making quite a statement last night as virtually the whole team was at Bali Satay, partying like they just won the Big 12. From years of playing football myself, the last thing I wanted to do after getting pounded was to go out and party. Somebody needs to step up as a leader, and I don't see anyone taking that role. Until that happens you'll see beatdowns like we just absorbed yesterday.

There were a few players, but to say "virtually the whole team" is not even close. Some of the bigger names were there, but the majority weren't. They are still kids, and I would never fault them for going out and having a good time.

dinger · 10-14-2007, 07:15 PM

they were probably there for the same reason you were....to help ease the pain

cloneaholic · 10-14-2007, 07:34 PM

Call me naive, but I really believe the vast majority of the players on this team have strong character. There might be a few upper-classmen who've packed it in, but I think we have have a strong core of players who are willing to pay the price. For our seniors, it's not about wins and losses anymore. It's about how they want to be remembered.

travman23 · 10-14-2007, 07:48 PM

Originally Posted by cloneaholic

For our seniors, it's not about wins and losses anymore. It's about how they want to be remembered.

WHAT??? Ok you are remembered more when you WIN! What these guys currently have going for them are a Independence Bowl win in 2004, a Houston Bowl loss in 2005 and both years blowing chances at a Big 12 Championship game appearance, an embarassing 2006 that got their coach basically fired, and a 2007 where they very well could only win 1 game. The heralded Meyer and Blythe combo never lived up to potential and expectations and Shaggy is basically John Neal Jr. where he could never make the big kicks but we'll be damned he made a big one to beat Iowa!

These last 2 seasons have not given them much to be remembered for. Beating a team like Texas and Oklahoma would maybe help their legacy out right now but at this current rate even with the stats Meyer and Blythe racked up in 4 years they don't have a whole lot of accomplishments to show for it in the W/L collumn.

Drive4cy · 10-14-2007, 07:55 PM

Meyer beat Iowa and Kansas State twice, Nebraska, and has a win in Kyle Field. Not to mention he's the career leader in passing and total offense. He will be a hall of famer here and his legacy is already in tact. I'm not saying he's the greatest player ever(far from the truth), but he accomplished some nice things here. Plus he was a model student athlete and represented ISU well.

In the long run its probably better than this senior class is moving on. I can't imagine all they've went through in their time here. Being on the cusp of winning the Big 12 North twice, only to pee it down their legs. Then the coaching change occurs. These guys have to have damaged minds at this point.