Dawn of the Red

Boy time flies when you’re not paying attention.

Nice to see I can still get under some of your skin, as the hate mail has definitely picked up over the past few weeks. (It's almost as if the Zombies have risen on cue) Funny how the truth sometimes brings that out? And yeah, I realize I ask for some of it. I mean really…I know you feel the same way deep down, but are not ready to admit things like how coaching alone will not help your defense even be mediocre. Or how a career backup with a whopping THREE total starts is going to be one of the “top QB’s in the Big 12” next year.

But in the end, it all boils down to a simple cliché: The truth hurts. Whether or not you choose to accept that pain is up to you. Whether or not you choose to believe that the pain is not going to go away, well….that’s up to you as well.

And don’t get me wrong, there is definitely reason for hope. Clownahan was a huge liability, and I don’t have to tell many of you what a buffoon Steve Pederson was. (Although let the record show that I told you this LONG before you figured it out.) But in the end, it’s all about controlling your expectations.

For example, let’s take the Royals, and my hopes for this season. Now, I’m not about to go crazy and start to let myself think that they have a shot in hell at a division title. I know they have flaws, I know they have history against them. I know all the reasons they should or shouldn’t be good. It doesn’t mean I’m not hopeful, it just means I’m cautiously aware of shortcomings, while optimistic that they’ll be better.

YOU on the other hand contain no such capacity of thought. You…and I mean just about all of you…have no such ability to put your feelings aside and realize what is going on around you. I’m not sure if it’s because many of you are so emotionally attached to the team that you think you actually play for them…or if you’re just butt ass stupid. Regardless, you NEED people like me to keep you grounded. That way, if (God forbid) you were to beat realistic expectations, things will feel all the better. If not, you’re simply asking to be disappointed and despondent. And don’t say I didn’t try and warn you.

** Speaking of delusional and irrational, the Joey Ganz argument with Husker Mike has now spilled to other blogs. (Here) Now, I completely see the reasoning behind most of your completely unfounded and borderline hallucinogenic feelings regarding your 2008 starting QB. And once again, I will admit that Ganz brings a nice mobility dimension that you did not have with J.C. under center.

However, the fact remains that Joey Ganz’s stats are as distorted as Courtney Love after a 3 day bender. Granted, the TD totals are nice, but the fact that 2 of his 3 games were against some of the worst passing D’s in the conference…but that he was consistently playing from behind for ¾ of his time on the field.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that from statistics alone, it’s a hell of a lot easier to rack up big passing numbers when you’re consistently trying to get back into a game. I mean seriously…why is this so hard to understand? OK, so maybe "garbage time" wasn't the right word to use. But then again, I didn't say it was YOUR garbage time. (In this case, it was KU's)

For the last time, Joe Ganz might be a nice QB for you next year. He might be much like Zac Taylor and better help you bridge one shitty era to another. Being a Chicago guy, he might be that hard-nosed leader that is crucial when trying to re-build a program.

Or there might be a reason he was a career backup who can’t handle the 9 bizillion tons of pressure sure to be crushing his shoulders all year.

We shall see.

** Speaking of Husker issues…I’ve heard a lot about how deep NU is at running back. Now granted, Marlon Lucky now has a lot of experience, and despite the fact that he has zero ability to run between tackles, he does make a nice option out of the backfield. The myriad of backs behind him are young, but from what I can see…at least have the potential to be ½ decent.

What does not have the chance to be ½ decent is the pasty dance troupe you have at wide receiver. Now I realize that Matt Davison is a hero to you all. He has parlayed a bad route on an illegal kick into a very lucrative broadcasting and poster signing career. But unless you’ve been stockpiling freshman wide receivers and/or Chris Brooks suddenly throws that karma off his back and learns how to actually catch and run routes…you’re pretty well screwed.

It’s called being one dimensional, and it’s not something you really want to be when your #1 option at running back in injury prone and has the physical stamina of an 70 year old woman.

And to think…that’s one of your strengths.