Perfect Day for Football
With eight hours until game time, it continues to look like we'll have a beautiful day here in New York even though the high winds are expected to kick in just around the 3:30pm kickoff.
Please come out to the game, support the team, and make Columbia look good in front of the Versus cameras on national TV.
L'Estat est Moi?
At last night's pre-Homecoming dinner, Columbia Board of Trustees Chairman Bill Campbell talked about "those attacking the football program."
I certainly hope he's not characterizing those of us who feel we need a coaching change as people who are "attacking the program."
It appears any serious criticism of the coaches is being taken by some as an attack on the players, the school, Mr. Campbell, and probably Roar-EE the mascot too.
Puh-lease.
This use of the players and the rest of the football program as a human shield is disgusting and indicative of a bunker mentality that will make things worse.
So let me make this perfectly clear:
First and foremost, I want Columbia football to win. I can't wait to eat crow publicly if the Lions beat Penn today, beat Dartmouth next week and so on and so on and so on...
I'd be happy to be the first one to admit he was wrong if somehow this very talented team pulls itself out of a funk that's left them losing 9 of their last 10 games.
We're not winning now, and as even the writers at the student newspaper are beginning to realize, the stubborness of the coaching staff is reason #1.
Until then, I demand better for these players, this school, the alumni, etc.
And I'll be putting my money where my mouth is.
I'll be at the game today with a party of 10.
I'll be cheering my head off.
And I'll be spending time with the players and their families afterward, thanking them for their commitment to Columbia football whether we win or not.
I hope everyone reading this will join me.
posted by Jake @ 5:34:00 PM
18 comments
18 Comments:
Tomorrow's headline will read:
"Columbia stuns Penn 34-27
Columbia's offense came to life on a windy saturday at Baker Field. Capitalizing on two key first half Penn turnovers, Columbia took an early lead and held off a second half comeback for a heart pounding win. Columbia was finally able to establish a running game, amassing 174 yards on the ground behind the combination of Brackett, Garrett, Chao and Gerst."
Hey, you never know
GREAT post Jake! You are right, the Staff and Administration would like nothing better than to use a diversion technique to mask the real issue; Norries' record and Diane's failure as an administrator.
You are a guiding light of this program, yet they are blinded by their own hubris. Jake, I see you as an ADVOCATE for the players (and the parents); as well as alums. I know that you must be getting notes from parents and ex-players telling you as much! Keep it up!!!
By the way, I like the post about divesting in Apple now that Bill Campbell (Board Member) is still backing Norries. Shows a tremendous lack of managerial prowess. Maybe there is room for Norries at Apple, or Intuit? Yes, that would help the program.
Love the optimism! Not sure if Columbia and Penn are playing WII Football though? Since we live in the real world, I see it more like Penn 44 - Columbia 21.
Interestingly, the difference (more or less) between my score (first poster) and yours (third poster) are the two turnovers converted to TDs....that's what it will take
Hitting the sack now so I can wake up for the game. I know the odds are stacked against us, but am eternally hopeful and supportive of this team
Chen '82
from HK
Obviously with this blog Jake has done nothing but help the football program and anyone who sees it differently is seriously out of touch.
As I've mentioned before, when I was at CU Penn was a doormat. Well, how does it look today, and how has it looked for the past fifteen years or so? Why did it happen for them and not for us? Any lessons there?
The good news is, Penn's example demonstrates that a program can be turned around. When that happens, everyone will benefit, especially the players whom we all support.
Good luck to them today.
I am alarmed that the administration would attack Jake!
Jake has helped these kids get jobs, brought to light the staff's/administarations shortcommings (as well as praised their accomplishments), and has become a voice of reason in an otherwise uninformed administration. He should be honored, not attacked!
JV lost yesterday 33-34 .... they wer down by 11 and came back to take the lead but gave up a score with left .... Silvio looked pretty good yesterday and ripped off several 9-10 yd runs behing Proctor .... Hunter Little looks like a Phil Mitchell clone, I suspect he will make an impact next year ... Childress played pretty well too, but was double teamed a lot ... a couple other freshman did well too and will upgrade team talent next year ....
Frank F '70 C
I've got it... If West Coast AD Bill Campbell wants to keep Norries that much, then he should hire Norries to coach their Flag Football Team. We can even promote Marinio to head coach of Apple's team. I assume that it would end in a 0-0 tie thouh... Diane can be in charge of the band.
The Silicon Vally Conference's gain is Columbia's gain as well!
Silicone Valley Conference:
Intuit
Apple
HP
DELL
Facebook
Expecting big things from Havas to step up this week at WR, just get him the ball!
Also, please play Childress so hat we can see what he can do!
Make that... was a perfect day for football. So. Close. Argh. How do you go from driving the whole field to 1st and goal with 4 to go, to then get three penalties in a row and end up losing in overtime?
The view from Hong Kong:
Obviously disappointed at the loss and yes am annoyed by the goal line penalties that cost us 8 points (4 late in first half and 4 on our last drive)...heart breaking stuff and the difference in the game.
BUT I AM PISSED OFF AT THE REFS for the two ridiculous pass interference calls that extended Penn drives that led to scores. They should be investigated for incompetence, or worse.
Nevertheless, the team that played today can beat Dartmouth next week if it can show up with the defense it showed today and execute the offense without silly illegal procedures.
I give the lads a big pat on the back for playing the reigning Ivy Champs tough.
A heart breaker, but heart warmer at the same time for me.
Chen 82
Chen 82
Your posts ar onl OK , but lets not quibble.
Coaching was the difference today.
Boggs was the Ahole we all know him to be.(My greatest joy today was watching the little runt squirm!! Iwonder what that did for his recruiting on national TV?)
We got 6 points inside their 5 yard line when we should have gotten 14 points.
The last kickoff after we failed to go ahead because of penalties for 2 illegal formations and a DELAY OF GAME (WTF),was pure incompetence. However, we did the same stupid thing at the end of the first half last week.
It was a galling shame for our players to put out such a determined effort and get yet another loss.
Anybody notice the formation used by Penn when they needed 1 yard for a first down? It was not a hand off to a running back form the QB in the shotgun!
still fet up!
Doc/jock
The team played some great football today -- so what did we learn? Physically, they can play with a good Ivy club.
But I have never seen a more striking example of the mental and emotional barriers that a team that's been losing must overcome in order to become a team that wins. The ball on the 4 - or the 2, I've heard different reports -- and then three penalties in a row!? And the ball on the 18?!
You see, that's always the way it is with teams that have been losing. If it's not one thing it's another. They find a way. Last week, a breakdown in placekicking. This week, excellent placekicking and then penalties on the goal line.
Yes, yes, some great plays and gutsy calls that worked... But congratulations should not be in order absent the "w." I'm sorry.
Yes, yes, some very questionable penalties. The correct response: "No excuse, sir."
I'm sorry.
It's such a challenge to get over that hump. It definitely can be done, but it definitely won't happen by itself.
Another embarrassing display of coaching. Give Gerst the ball inside the 5 and end it out of the power I...love those squib kicks giving them the ball at the 45..
WHY sqib kick he ball and give it to them on their 40? Dumb, dumb, dumb! Where were the coaches??? I can tell you where they weren't, at a MENSA meeting!
In spite of the coaching, the team played hard and Luke Eddy made some good kicks! Hopefully, we can win up in Hanover! Please leav the staff in NYC!
In the cloistered and seemingly self-deluded world of CU football, it may not be politically correct to say so, but after today's game there can be no doubt that the glaring lack in our program is intelligent, clear-sighted coaching, especially regarding offense and game management. It won't matter how many talented players we have out there as long as the coaches keep giving it away. The squib kick was just another in a long list of grievous, inexplicable errors (and that one in particular has been repeated beyond belief).
Gotta feel for the kids who are giving their all only to be undone by their coaches. The players' mistakes in crucial situations show that subconciously they doubt they can win. Meanwhile, the administration will say, sadly enough, "Hey, we almost beat Penn!" Sure, it's always been "the agony and the ecstasy" for Lion fans, but this group is bringing us way too much agony. Off with their heads.
Is Wilson deliberately doing unbelievably stupid things because he WANTS to be fired?
Giving the ball away on a squib kick so we can lose in the closing seconds? Chatting about what dumb play to call until the play clock expires for a third consecutive penalty at the opponent's goal line?
Calling a pass that's easily picked off on 2nd and 1, deep in the opponent's territory?
Maybe Wilson has a lawsuit ready to file for unlawful termination,
although I can't think of anything more lawful.
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