I sit here on Sunday morning looking at various video interviews from media days. I have watched Coach Fulmer, Erik, Jerod, along with the other coaches and representatives from the SEC. I am thinking back over them and trying to decide, "What are the highlights?" What stands out about this years circus. I have decided that the biggest thing that sticks out is that nothing really stands out as the Must See event.
Sure, everyone wanted to lay eyes on the Bionic Coach(see the Kool-Aid article). Not sure what everyone wanted to see. Would he get kissed? Would he wear a purple shirt? Would he spend his mic time talking about his close ties in Baton Rouge, and what he accomplished at LSU? Nah we have seen and heard all of those before. I know we wanted to hear what he was going to do to set the standard for discipline at the all new and improved structured U of A program. But once again it was something we have seen before, last year as a matter of fact, nothing. In borrowing from the Mike Shula book of punishment, "We are handling this matter in house." In other words, lets get practice started and see how the three players perform, how big of a role they will play in our game plan, then we will make a decision as to when and if we will punish them. Nice . Check and make sure their faces are not too sticky. You know that ice cream melts fast this time of year.
Do wanna comment on maybe one of my favorite interviews from the week . And we stay at U of A. Simeon Castille said that the one moment that haunts him from last year came from his day in the shadows of Neyland. Erik made a very bad throw that sailed a good ten feet over the head of the intended receiver. Right to the waiting Castille. As he made his way up the sideline he met a determined Ainge on the eight yard line. Heckuva lick that prevented a touchdown, motivated the defense to hold the tide to only a field goal. A touchdown could have possibly led to a different outcome for the boys in crimson. Simeon said to this day he cannot watch the play, but promised if the opportunity comes again he WILL SCORE. He guarantees it. Job well done Erik.
Other than that it was really anti-climatic. Spurrier took a shot at Miles. Miles downplayed his rants. Johnson announced Vandy is moving forward. Croom bought himself a little time. Richt ummm. was he there? Oh yeah he talked about the movie he was a part of. Urban well he just had to show up. Tubberville is still trying to be the Hide and Seek champion. Brooks made sure we had been introduced to Woodson. Nutt asked if anyone would let him borrow their cell phone for a couple of minutes. Coach O ripped his shirt off and this is what he said.....(Why could he not do this) come on coach, give Bruce Pearl a call and ask him what playing to the cameras and fans will do for your program. Missed a golden opportunity here coach, tell em Jo Jo. Then there was Coach Fulmer. No Lawyers. No deposition. No plaque giving him the most players arrested in the off season award. In fact some complained he was ...Boring. Read where he was described as old school. Compared to Vince Dooley, show up, tell a couple of stories about your top players, then fend off uncomfortable questions. Like how did you handle the situation of getting Tee Martin ready following the career of Peyton Manning. Hmmm that was ten years ago. Maybe we slipped in some time warp or something.
Interesting tid bits in Eriks Interview. Talked about how the captains decided instead of just doing summer workouts and 7 on 7 drills they would have practice. Himself, Jerod Mayo, and Jonathon Hefney got together and drew up the plays and drills to run full mock practices. When the coaches came back from their "Coaches Retreat" and were informed of what the players had done, they mulled over making that the standard in years to come. I LIKE IT!!! Coaches can have NO involvement in summer programs. If players are taking charge, they are building leadership, teamwork, and unity. In a year where the no-huddle is going to require a comfort level among participants, this is very comforting to hear.
so in closing.......Kinda ho-hum not a lot to talk about. Maybe that is good. Tired of talking about it. Ready to see some ACTION!!!
