A Word On Criticism
by Peter Bean on Sep 13, 2006 1:02 AM CDT
in Football
28 comments
We've been uncharacteristically critical of the Longhorn football coaches this week. Those criticisms have elicited passionate responses across the board, from "I totally agree" to "You're being too kind" to "I expect better from BON."
I only want to address the latter of the three right now.
The comments that run along the line of "I'd expect Burnt Orange Nation not to swoop into the mud of excessive Mack Brown criticizing" are, I think universally, from long-time readers. With that critical qualification in mind, I can't help but cry foul on the charges at hand.
Why? Because the comments themselves imply a rational, reasonable approach to Texas fandom and analysis here at the website. I like to think that the characterization of this blog as a rational forum for discussion is accurate. We've praised Mack Brown joyously, but maintained the credibility of this site by avoiding charges of being a pure "homer" forum for Longhorn fans to hide in. We're quick to praise our heroes, but we're never shy about bringing down the hammer when we're disappointed.
As such, I'm not clear why the criticisms surrounding Saturday, and Saturday's aftermath, are being judged as over the top. A freshman reader of this site might make that judgment, but they'd do so without the body of evidence that's preceded the last four days. But I don't understand how longtime readers of this site can think this site is anything short of pro-Mack Brown.
One needn't look any further back than July 17th, when I wrote this piece defending Mssr. Brown. Or August 10th, when we wrote this.
More importantly, none of this week's criticisms have even remotely approached "Mack Brown sucks" status. We've called out players and coaches alike for mistakes made on Saturday night. We've been clear about how good our opponent was, we've insisted that readers not head for the nearest bridge to contemplate a panic jump, and we've reiterated our support for Mack Brown as the best possible man to coach this football team.
This is a tough time for all of us. I'm certain that the sting of our first defeat in 21 games has elicited a bit more sourness than is usual around these parts, but that's mostly a product of circumstance, not philosophy.
At the end of the day, we do feel Greg had a subpar evening. We think that Gene Chizik - BON hero - got outcoached. And we think that Mack Brown blew it by even responding to a clock rule quesiton in the manner that he did. As we've praised him endlessly for his media relations before, we'll ding him for this blunder. (And to Link, who left this idiotic comment, you've shown your age again. It's not the same thing by any stretch of the imagination. I'll let the gallery handle specific rebuttals.)
Anyway, I just want to preempt any more "BON should be above this" comments by noting that the respect we've earned during times of glory is only as good as it remains consistent during times of struggle. We're talking about the difference between criticism versus praise, but the foundational philosophy remains the same. We won't let irrational boneheads diminish what Mack Brown did. And we won't let our immense Texas and Mack Brown pride prevent us from calling out mistakes. They're equally valid, and equally important.
For those of you who are out there, reading every day, and making sure we stay on task... well, thank you. Even though I don't think this particular criticism is valid, the reason this site has been designed to be so community-oriented is because we want it to be a discussion. And we want to be told when we're wrong.
Hook 'Em
--PB--
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I prefer my dog poop analogy more
Secondly, after listening to the teleconference, do you still think Mack's comments were a mistake?
by the other Andrew on Sep 13, 2006 1:13 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
You're getting old, my friend
My point is that you're mischaracterizing my criticism. Media management is what it is. Mack's answers sounded bad, even if I knew what he was saying. He's one of the smartest media managers I know; that response would definitely be in the "do-over" category, if you gave him the opportunity. He didn't say anything wrong, per se. It's just that, given the circumstance, he'd have been far better off saying something much more Mack-like, such as, "Well, you know, it's hard to even talk about this rule right now because it wouldn't have made a difference in this game. I don't like the rule one bit, and you can already see how it's going to limit the opportunity for teams to come back. Still, this is probably not the week to ask me. It was a non-factor in this game."
I guar-an-TEE you that's what he'd have preferred to say. That's all.
by Peter Bean on Sep 13, 2006 1:18 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Mack knows exactly what he's saying, though.
As to what you think he should have said, why would a coach admit that he had given up half way through the 4th quarter? How much trust would his players have in him if he said "it wouldnt have mattered if we had a thousand more plays we still wouldve lost."
by the other Andrew on Sep 13, 2006 1:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Semantics
I know Mack knows what he's doing - I said as much. But everyone slips up SOMETIMES. I have to think this is one of them. I think the better message after a defeat like that is "We were beat and let's get back to work on fixing it," rather than, "More time might have meant a potential comeback."
When you're beat, you're beat. Mack knows that. And after the fact especially, it's probably best to tell the kids, "You were beat. What are we gonna do to fix that?" So in that sense, I don't think he was just being protective.
(And once more, this coming from a guy who just LOVES Mack and Mack's media-management skills. He missed this one. It happens.)
by Peter Bean on Sep 13, 2006 1:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Mack knows
Mack can say anything he wants to reporters because they eat out of his hand. His whining/lobbying can sometimes be good for our program. We don't mind when it helps us. But it can also be embarrassing. This is an example of it being an embarrassment.
by T Keaton on Sep 13, 2006 7:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Right On..
Keep up the good work BON....
by burntorangenance on Sep 13, 2006 1:23 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Thanks Peter
by USCLink on Sep 13, 2006 4:04 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Criticism is deserved.
For those criticising GD alone, I disagree. He wasn't out there dropping passes or fumbling. He wasn't giving Tony Gonzalez 10 yards of breathing room to make sure he caught the ball.
For those that put the blame on Mack and his cold sore (he was hit with a freakin' helmet - idiots), poor form. Mack brought this team to the level where we expect to win every game. Remember the Mackovic era?
For those criticising Colt and his inexperience, you're absolutely wrong. He made a couple poor decisions in a firestorm comeback attempt. It was his second start. He can't be perfect. Give him some time.
All to say this: Peter, you are absolutely correct in your assessment that Mack was wrong in his comments. He should be criticised for even implying that it might have played a part in the loss.
And comparing Mack to Matty boy? That's a stretch for even you Link.
by GoHorns on Sep 13, 2006 7:51 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
comments
My main beef is more for the current culture of sports media with the advent of 24/7 ESPN and, to a lesser extent, blogs. Everything has to be news or newsworthy now and a lot of times, the issue is forced in order to create "hits."
I think that's the case here. ESPN putting "Mack Cries and Whines" on their website is going to create a lot more traffic than "Mack Points out Differences in New Clock Rules."
I'm all for criticizing coaches, players, etc., when the situation calls for it. But when a story is fabricated like this one was, it irks me a little.
It's refreshing when a coach is candid and gives honest answers instead of cliches, but everytime a coach or a player gets beaten up for something unfairly (as is the case here), eventually cliches are what everyone will be reduced to. And as long as people eat these stories up, the media will never suffer the consequences for constantly biting the hand that feeds it.
by Jason Mayer on Sep 13, 2006 8:34 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Frankly
Mack's game plan for tOSU was a mistake.
GD's game plan for the Texas offense was a mistake.
Chizik's game plan for the Texas defense was a mistake.
Were Mack's comments a mistake? I'd say the intent of the comments were not (I truly HATE the new rules), but the delivery (we could have won under the old rules) was.
Is this "whining Mack" as bad as the "begging Mack" from the post-Texas A&M 2004 game, making the case for why Texas should jump Cal in the BCS rankings? That remains to be seen.
I'm much more interested in talking about what we want to see in the Rice game, and debating whether you still root for Major when he's on the other sideline.
by patienthornsfan on Sep 13, 2006 9:12 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
F*ck the f*cking f*ckers
If somebody makes a comment that gets you all hot and bothered, then counter it with some whit and wisdom. Don't sit there with that weak-ass "I thought you were better than that" pansy ass response. Guess what, if we were better than that, we wouldn't be writing here, we'd be contriving some trumped up bullshit sports collumns for ESPN or the NY Times. And we'd be getting paid for it.
by 54b on Sep 13, 2006 9:28 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
<Clap, Clap, Clap>
by GoHorns on Sep 13, 2006 9:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's another thing
Just a theory, but I'd say the simultaneous rise in popularity of blogs and death of newspapers and other mass media outlets has a lot to do with the fact that no one in the Associated Press gets to write what needs to be written anymore. Everything is watered down so it can be deemed "palatible" to everyone thus making it relevent to no one.
Do you think Chip Brown at the Dallas Morning News is going to call Mack Brown out for complaining about the clock rules? Not if he knows where is bread is buttered. I'm not advocating being controversial for the sake of shock value, simply stating that if the Emperor has no clothes, tell the fucker to put some pants on.
by 54b on Sep 13, 2006 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
"if the Emperor has no clothes..."
by GoHorns on Sep 13, 2006 12:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Tribune
I think they will relook the rules. Coaches are startng to see the effects and aren't liking it one bit.
by EYESofBEVO on Sep 13, 2006 9:32 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Wrong Message
What I think most of the coaches have said this week has been the right thing, especially Chizik, "There were a lot of bad things at critical times, and a lot of that falls on me," Chizik said, adding for emphasis, "Ultimately that falls on me. We didn't get the job done on defense, and that starts with me."
Identify mistakes, take responsibility, promise to do everything you can so that they won't happen again, implement new plan, move on.
Obviously, neither PB nor I are on the coaching staff at UT. So we are not in charge of anything. But we have been doing our part for the last two years shouting compliments and criticisms when the time is right. After a 17 point home loss, the time is right for criticism.
BON has been identifying and accepting the mistakes that we saw from our gameplan on both sides of the ball. If we didn't criticize the coaches after a 24-7 loss at home, it would come across as acceptance and we would be the biggest UT homers with the darkest burnt orange glasses.
We are huge and objective UT fans that will continue to try to produce posts and dialouges for you the readers in both good times and bad.
--AW--
by awiggo on Sep 13, 2006 10:05 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Improve and move on
#30!!
by peterdraggin on Sep 13, 2006 10:18 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Just couldn't help it...
by mags on Sep 13, 2006 10:41 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
i'll second Peter
by kicker on Sep 13, 2006 10:59 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
question
There was no controversy here until one was created out of thin air.
by Jason Mayer on Sep 13, 2006 11:03 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I Knew you'd question that
Your point is, for the most part, valid. I agree that Mack had all the right in the world to answer the question and I give him credit for answering with his honest opinion. I question the validity of him tying it to the OSU game. The clock problems remain, but to insinuate that the clock had anything at all to do with the loss is not even close to correct. I agree with awiggo on this one. If the score was close, ok there's a definite maybe there. But the game wasn't close. Don't tie this game to your arguements on how the clock rules suck. That's my only problem with his statement.
by GoHorns on Sep 13, 2006 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
re: McCoy
by Jason Mayer on Sep 13, 2006 11:05 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
A break in your televised program
This is the "did you know?" fact of the day:
When Greg Davis was the OC at North Carolina in 1996 and 1997 his offenses averaged 32.5 and 31.4 points per game.
Against FSU in 96 & 97(ACC's version of OU):
0 and 3 points scored in each respective game
FSU was allowing 15.8 and 16.2 points per game in 96 and 97.
The shutout in 96 was FSU's only shutout.
The shutout by OU in 2004 was only duplicated against Baylor, so Texas wasn't alone.
I know, I know.... for all the "I heart GD" people out there, just wanting to give him one more chance......facts can be a bitch.
by EYESofBEVO on Sep 13, 2006 11:22 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Shit yeah EoB
also let it be noted, no one is saying that GD didn't create the best offense possible to use VY's talents.
by MMHorns on Sep 13, 2006 6:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Right on, BON
by EddieTheAlbinoSquirrel on Sep 13, 2006 1:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Not in my case
My perspective is like that of Jason's above. Mack's answer to the question, in my opinion, had no controversy until the AP spun his comments.
by the other Andrew on Sep 13, 2006 2:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thats right Eddie
by Wells on Sep 13, 2006 3:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
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