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Why the Infatuation?

  • Personally, I don't get it.

    What is 'it' that I don't get you say?

    That 'it' is the infatuation with players that shunned Nebraska and/or players that were highly rated coming out of High School that don't live up to expectations. When they supposedly 'fail' our fanbase somehow rejoices in their failure.

    A player transfers to Nebraska, he is a hero and in the right place.

    A player de-commits from Nebraska he is the very existence of evil. (See Blaine Gabbert and Josh Freeman, both playing in the NFL and 1st round draft picks.)

    We are talking about 17,18, and 19 year olds kids with hormones running through their body like no other time that they will have in their entire lives.

    And we sit by and judge them by decisions they make at that age.

    Ever make a bad decision? Ever try to reverse that bad decision and keep digging a deeper hole?

    We all have.

    It is part of being Human. We err. In fact, we err... a lot.

    Fortunately for us, our bad decisions aren't made public. Or for that matter, really known.

    For these 18, 19, and 20 year olds, they hold the balance of a fandom of millions of people in their hands and minds.

    Whether they win or lose, we herald them or berate them. Whether they choose our school or not, we parade them and their greatness or beat them down with their weaknesses.

    I'm getting the feeling that we are now the jaded program with a chip on our shoulder that is begging for the greatness we once had and not recognizing what has been going on around us.

    We try to belittle recruiting and despise those that get the 5 star recruits. And when those kinds of recruits don't pan out, we feel some kind of goodness that we didn't get them, and are somewhat satisfied that they didn't give us a 2nd look.

    I guess I don't get the infatuation.

    We are Nebraska. Winning and losing matters for our football team. I'm butthurt about our last decade.

    Doesn't mean I'm butthurt so bad that I need to call out some 19 year old.

    I'll reserve that for the coaches to either get it done on the field or in recruiting.

    Skerz

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    justwinnebraska ●

  • wow... what brought this on? For me, I just hope we don't lose out on all-american because of it to be honest. And heck yeah I root against them if we play them (i.e. Blaine Gabbert/Josh Freeman). It's nice to beat them when they've reneged on you. I'm sure most fan bases react the same way.

    Personally, I like Josh Freeman in the NFL, I want him to do well, and yeah, I rooted against him when he played for KSU... why should I root for him? I wouldn't expect a KSU fan to root for a Nebraska player shrug Too much is made of it either way.

    Sometimes I rejoice when a kid leaves (like Lacouture) because I think he has a bad attitude. I was pissed McWilson left and to this day don't understand the choice of Kentucky over Nebraska but hey, that's water under the bridge. I hope he has an okay career there, unless we play them then I hope we beat Kentucky.... because i'm a Nebraska fan.

    klein12 ●

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    justwinnebraska ●

  • This post is for members of HuskersIllustrated or All Access VIP members only. Start Free Trial

    Skerz

  • klein12 said...

    wow... what brought this on? For me, I just hope we don't lose out on all-american because of it to be honest. And heck yeah I root against them if we play them (i.e. Blaine Gabbert/Josh Freeman). It's nice to beat them when they've reneged on you. I'm sure most fan bases react the same way.

    Personally, I like Josh Freeman in the NFL, I want him to do well, and yeah, I rooted against him when he played for KSU... why should I root for him? I wouldn't expect a KSU fan to root for a Nebraska player Too much is made of it either way.

    Sometimes I rejoice when a kid leaves (like Lacouture) because I think he has a bad attitude. I was pissed McWilson left and to this day don't understand the choice of Kentucky over Nebraska but hey, that's water under the bridge. I hope he has an okay career there, unless we play them then I hope we beat Kentucky.... because i'm a Nebraska fan.

    This'll be the 20th school he's "committed to"

    Really? Kiel was a consensus 5-star QB so it's not out of the realm of possibility that someone did say that

    You want him to fail.

    He was a former 5 star recruit that you want to see fall flat on his face. You want that to happen. The 20th commit comment is exactly pointed as to why you want him to fail.

    You hate that he was a 5 star recruit, and after a RS year in college you are pegging him to fall short of expectations.

    And now transfer becuase he has failed.

    Skerz

  • Skerz said...

    This'll be the 20th school he's "committed to"

    Really? Kiel was a consensus 5-star QB so it's not out of the realm of possibility that someone did say that

    You want him to fail.

    He was a former 5 star recruit that you want to see fall flat on his face. You want that to happen. The 20th commit comment is exactly pointed as to why you want him to fail.

    You hate that he was a 5 star recruit, and after a RS year in college you are pegging him to fall short of expectations.

    And now transfer becuase he has failed.

    When did I ever say I wanted him to fail? If you would read that in context I was saying this:

    1st - That he's "committed" time and time again, only to commit to ND and THEN transfer... so my point was that the kid has commitment issues.

    2nd - if you would actually LOOK at the context of what I wrote the post I was quoting YOU who said that no one said Kiel was the best pro-style QB to come out of high school in years... you're the one that was disparaging what the kid was coming out in high school. I merely said that he was a consensus 5-star so it would make sense for someone to have said that about him.

    How exactly does that show I want him to fail? do tell?

    klein12 ●

  • Skerz said...

    Personally, I don't get it.

    What is 'it' that I don't get you say?

    That 'it' is the infatuation with players that shunned Nebraska and/or players that were highly rated coming out of High School that don't live up to expectations. When they supposedly 'fail' our fanbase somehow rejoices in their failure.

    A player transfers to Nebraska, he is a hero and in the right place.

    A player de-commits from Nebraska he is the very existence of evil. (See Blaine Gabbert and Josh Freeman, both playing in the NFL and 1st round draft picks.)

    We are talking about 17,18, and 19 year olds kids with hormones running through their body like no other time that they will have in their entire lives.

    And we sit by and judge them by decisions they make at that age.

    Ever make a bad decision? Ever try to reverse that bad decision and keep digging a deeper hole?

    We all have.

    It is part of being Human. We err. In fact, we err... a lot.

    Fortunately for us, our bad decisions aren't made public. Or for that matter, really known.

    For these 18, 19, and 20 year olds, they hold the balance of a fandom of millions of people in their hands and minds.

    Whether they win or lose, we herald them or berate them. Whether they choose our school or not, we parade them and their greatness or beat them down with their weaknesses.

    I'm getting the feeling that we are now the jaded program with a chip on our shoulder that is begging for the greatness we once had and not recognizing what has been going on around us.

    We try to belittle recruiting and despise those that get the 5 star recruits. And when those kinds of recruits don't pan out, we feel some kind of goodness that we didn't get them, and are somewhat satisfied that they didn't give us a 2nd look.

    I guess I don't get the infatuation.

    We are Nebraska. Winning and losing matters for our football team. I'm butthurt about our last decade.

    Doesn't mean I'm butthurt so bad that I need to call out some 19 year old.

    I'll reserve that for the coaches to either get it done on the field or in recruiting.

    Hey partner you are ALL OVER THE PLACE man! I ask you a simple question whose side are you on? JC!! comon man!

    Seems to me you may have a lot of hostilities in your mind and you wanna blame Nebraska Nation? Tell us what EXACTLY you want!

    I recommend this thread be LOCKED not ASAP but RIGHT NOW: it's toxic and anti-Nebrsaka for no apparent reason! IMO!!

    This post was edited by Khoolshady on 3/7/2013 at 9:46 PM

    Khoolshady

  • And if anybody did say that, then the title of 'expert' should no longer be tagged with their opinion

    Looks like YOU want him to fail more than me.

    klein12 ●

  • Khoolshady said...

    Hey partner you are ALL OVER THE PLACE man! I ask you a simple question whose side are you on? JC!! comon man!

    Seems to me you may have a lot of hostilities in your mind and you wanna blame Nebraska Nation? Tell us what EXACTLY you want!

    I recommend this thread be LOCKED not ASAP but RIGHT NOW: it's toxic and anti-Nebrsaka for no apparent reason! IMO!!

    Why should it be locked?

    How am I all over the place?

    Instead of vague comments, what do you disagree with?

    Can you give exact comments you would like to discuss or will you stand behind vauge comments yourself?

    Skerz

  • In kind of curious what brought this on as well?

    I try not to wish a kid ill, I may want to play where ever he goes and beat them, but I don't wish them injury or failure. I think if Gabbert would've came to Nebraska we would've had a legit chance of another title in 09. I know some fans go a little over board and they stick out, but most, I think, are pretty level headed about decommitments.

    Bills2

  • Bills2 said...

    In kind of curious what brought this on as well?

    I try not to wish a kid ill, I may want to play where ever he goes and beat them, but I don't wish them injury or failure. I think if Gabbert would've came to Nebraska we would've had a legit chance of another title in 09. I know some fans go a little over board and they stick out, but most, I think, are pretty level headed about decommitments.

    And this response is exactly why.

    "I think if Gabbert would've came to Nebraska we would've had a legit chance of another title in 09."

    And then you go on to say other fans 'stick out' in their comments.

    Skerz

  • Skerz said...

    And this response is exactly why.

    "I think if Gabbert would've came to Nebraska we would've had a legit chance of another title in 09."

    And then you go on to say other fans 'stick out' in their comments.

    So I can't be bitter that he didn't come here? Just talking about Gabbert, we would have had a better offense with him then with Zac Lee. Add that to our defense that season we could have contended for a title. Now this is a game of if and could, but the great thing about sports is we are allowed to do that.

    I'm not calling Gabbert evil, I'm not wishing that he would fail or get injured, and I'm not saying he made a stupid choice by going to Missouri. All I'm putting out there is that our offense would have been better with him. Saying what could have happened and saying I wish he would get a season ending injury are two completely different things.

    Bills2

  • Skerz said...

    Personally, I don't get it.

    What is 'it' that I don't get you say?

    That 'it' is the infatuation with players that shunned Nebraska and/or players that were highly rated coming out of High School that don't live up to expectations. When they supposedly 'fail' our fanbase somehow rejoices in their failure.

    A player transfers to Nebraska, he is a hero and in the right place.

    A player de-commits from Nebraska he is the very existence of evil. (See Blaine Gabbert and Josh Freeman, both playing in the NFL and 1st round draft picks.)

    We are talking about 17,18, and 19 year olds kids with hormones running through their body like no other time that they will have in their entire lives.

    And we sit by and judge them by decisions they make at that age.

    Ever make a bad decision? Ever try to reverse that bad decision and keep digging a deeper hole?

    We all have.

    It is part of being Human. We err. In fact, we err... a lot.

    Fortunately for us, our bad decisions aren't made public. Or for that matter, really known.

    For these 18, 19, and 20 year olds, they hold the balance of a fandom of millions of people in their hands and minds.

    Whether they win or lose, we herald them or berate them. Whether they choose our school or not, we parade them and their greatness or beat them down with their weaknesses.

    I'm getting the feeling that we are now the jaded program with a chip on our shoulder that is begging for the greatness we once had and not recognizing what has been going on around us.

    We try to belittle recruiting and despise those that get the 5 star recruits. And when those kinds of recruits don't pan out, we feel some kind of goodness that we didn't get them, and are somewhat satisfied that they didn't give us a 2nd look.

    I guess I don't get the infatuation.

    We are Nebraska. Winning and losing matters for our football team. I'm butthurt about our last decade.

    Doesn't mean I'm butthurt so bad that I need to call out some 19 year old.

    I'll reserve that for the coaches to either get it done on the field or in recruiting.

    Couldn't have said it any better. If I could give you all of my upvotes for today I would. It doesn't make much sense to me why Randy Gregory is a savior while Dominic Walker is the devil. Will the people that were ripping Trevell Dixon on Feb. 5th calling him a head case still cheer for him on the field?

    Juke17

  • IMO, people are way too infatuated with recruiting in general. Most here would probably disagree.

    Obviously, you need good players to compete at a high level, but when you start doting on every move and utterance of hundreds of kids, and over analyzing things to the nth degree, you need to get some perspective.

    In the final analysis, only about 10% of the guys we offer, (if that) ever end up here. Out of the kids we do sign, only a few turn out quite the way we thought.

    If that's the case, why all the hand wringing over this stuff?

    At any time during his career, did Marlon Lucky look like a 5* running back?

    Who really thought a 3* athlete out of California would go on to possibly start more games at QB than any other player in Nebraska history?

    Who got excited when Spencer Long walked on?

    The list goes on and on of the players who under-achieved and over-achieved based on their supposed value during the recruiting process. That's why I only have token interest in the whole process. The real assessment comes when you see these kids play on Saturday's in the fall.

    As far as bad mouthing guys who bailed on their commitments or otherwise spurned the Huskers, it's all brought about by the over-analysis of recruiting to start with. We get who we get, we miss on who we miss.

    In most cases, the real value of a recruiting class doesn't come until 2-3 years after they sign, and by that time, people are busy over analyzing the newest recruiting class and forgetting that they totally missed the mark judging most the kids from 2-3 years ago.

    I know it's all meant to be fun, but you only have to follow this stuff for a short time to see how bent out of shape people get over the coming and going of these kids.

    TheUnknownFan

  • Skerz said...

    And this response is exactly why.

    "I think if Gabbert would've came to Nebraska we would've had a legit chance of another title in 09."

    And then you go on to say other fans 'stick out' in their comments.

    how the heck is that comment in any way demeaning to Blaine Gabbert? Bills was WISHING that Gabbert would have come here because he would have made Nerbaska a better team. Sounds more like an endorsement of the kid's skills than a disparagement. You're twisting words to fit your argument, just as you did with me. Putting words in people's mouths so that you can have a soap box to stand on with "evidence" underneath it.

    I agree that people take commits and decommits entirely too seriously, I still would have taken Dominic Walker's talents, but not a big issue he's gone either. Then I was pissed we lost McWilson because he was a really legit safety and committed to us for so long. I still don't understand his decision but I don't wish him to fail at Kentucky, unless we play them, but that has nothing to do with who he is and everything to do with Nebraska playing Kentucky. I felt the same way about Gabbert and Freeman, and I'm sure Purdue fans feel the same way about Gregory.

    I agree that disparaging a kid just because he chose elsewhere is wrong, but nobody who has responded to you on this thread has done that. Stop reading what you want to read into there comments.

    klein12 ●

  • +1 TUF! Game...set...match

    GBR

    TyWebb

  • Skerz said...

    Personally, I don't get it.

    What is 'it' that I don't get you say?

    That 'it' is the infatuation with players that shunned Nebraska and/or players that were highly rated coming out of High School that don't live up to expectations. When they supposedly 'fail' our fanbase somehow rejoices in their failure.

    A player transfers to Nebraska, he is a hero and in the right place.

    A player de-commits from Nebraska he is the very existence of evil. (See Blaine Gabbert and Josh Freeman, both playing in the NFL and 1st round draft picks.)

    We are talking about 17,18, and 19 year olds kids with hormones running through their body like no other time that they will have in their entire lives.

    And we sit by and judge them by decisions they make at that age.

    Ever make a bad decision? Ever try to reverse that bad decision and keep digging a deeper hole?

    We all have.

    It is part of being Human. We err. In fact, we err... a lot.

    Fortunately for us, our bad decisions aren't made public. Or for that matter, really known.

    For these 18, 19, and 20 year olds, they hold the balance of a fandom of millions of people in their hands and minds.

    Whether they win or lose, we herald them or berate them. Whether they choose our school or not, we parade them and their greatness or beat them down with their weaknesses.

    I'm getting the feeling that we are now the jaded program with a chip on our shoulder that is begging for the greatness we once had and not recognizing what has been going on around us.

    We try to belittle recruiting and despise those that get the 5 star recruits. And when those kinds of recruits don't pan out, we feel some kind of goodness that we didn't get them, and are somewhat satisfied that they didn't give us a 2nd look.

    I guess I don't get the infatuation.

    We are Nebraska. Winning and losing matters for our football team. I'm butthurt about our last decade.

    Doesn't mean I'm butthurt so bad that I need to call out some 19 year old.

    I'll reserve that for the coaches to either get it done on the field or in recruiting.

    That's easy. Why cause were fans. And no I'm not challenging you fanhood. But fan is short for fanatic. we have gameday rituals, tattoos, and we call them our team even though their not. When Nebraska losses then no one can talk to me for at least 2 hours and when they win it gives me bragging rights for a week. Now with recruiting going viral same rules applies ernie suttles is the second coming of Christian Peters and mcwilson is the the devil. Is it over the top sure, too much some time absolutely. You have to forgive me it's just the fanatic in me

    mebeinme0831

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    Sonofly

  • klein12 said...

    wow... what brought this on? For me, I just hope we don't lose out on all-american because of it to be honest. And heck yeah I root against them if we play them (i.e. Blaine Gabbert/Josh Freeman). It's nice to beat them when they've reneged on you. I'm sure most fan bases react the same way.

    Personally, I like Josh Freeman in the NFL, I want him to do well, and yeah, I rooted against him when he played for KSU... why should I root for him? I wouldn't expect a KSU fan to root for a Nebraska player shrug Too much is made of it either way.

    Sometimes I rejoice when a kid leaves (like Lacouture) because I think he has a bad attitude. I was pissed McWilson left and to this day don't understand the choice of Kentucky over Nebraska but hey, that's water under the bridge. I hope he has an okay career there, unless we play them then I hope we beat Kentucky.... because i'm a Nebraska fan.

    Well said.

    Kram

  • "Not a memo, a mission statement."

    "But if anybody else wants to come with me, this moment will be the ground floor of something real and fun and inspiring and true in this godforsaken business and we will do it together! Who's coming with me besides... "Flipper" here?"

    -Jerry Mcguire

    Ya better NebrASKa somebody!!!

    Kane Diggity

  • Skerz said...

    Personally, I don't get it.

    What is 'it' that I don't get you say?

    That 'it' is the infatuation with players that shunned Nebraska and/or players that were highly rated coming out of High School that don't live up to expectations. When they supposedly 'fail' our fanbase somehow rejoices in their failure.

    A player transfers to Nebraska, he is a hero and in the right place.

    A player de-commits from Nebraska he is the very existence of evil. (See Blaine Gabbert and Josh Freeman, both playing in the NFL and 1st round draft picks.)

    We are talking about 17,18, and 19 year olds kids with hormones running through their body like no other time that they will have in their entire lives.

    And we sit by and judge them by decisions they make at that age.

    Ever make a bad decision? Ever try to reverse that bad decision and keep digging a deeper hole?

    We all have.

    It is part of being Human. We err. In fact, we err... a lot.

    Fortunately for us, our bad decisions aren't made public. Or for that matter, really known.

    For these 18, 19, and 20 year olds, they hold the balance of a fandom of millions of people in their hands and minds.

    Whether they win or lose, we herald them or berate them. Whether they choose our school or not, we parade them and their greatness or beat them down with their weaknesses.

    I'm getting the feeling that we are now the jaded program with a chip on our shoulder that is begging for the greatness we once had and not recognizing what has been going on around us.

    We try to belittle recruiting and despise those that get the 5 star recruits. And when those kinds of recruits don't pan out, we feel some kind of goodness that we didn't get them, and are somewhat satisfied that they didn't give us a 2nd look.

    I guess I don't get the infatuation.

    We are Nebraska. Winning and losing matters for our football team. I'm butthurt about our last decade.

    Doesn't mean I'm butthurt so bad that I need to call out some 19 year old.

    I'll reserve that for the coaches to either get it done on the field or in recruiting.

    I'm like the rest of you, I love Nebraska athletics to death and following football on all levels is my greatest hobby. However, I think anyone who takes Nebraska football personally and isn't professionally involved needs to get a life.

    If we want to be honest with ourselves, Nebraska football does not represent the state. Bo Pelini is not from Nebraska. Most of the Nebraska football players are not from Nebraska. They do not really care about this state. They're here because it offered them the best opportunity to benefit them.

    Most of the athletes in division I football are having their education paid for because they are fast and strong. Thousands are on the same literacy level as the average 3rd grader but will still receive college diplomas because of their athletic ability. Let that sink in.

    Football is a game and a form of entertainment. It's nothing more.

    This post was edited by CleetusVanDamme on 3/8/2013 at 4:05 PM

    signature image

    Twitter: dallashartwell Add me if you like football and corny jokes. And because I'm vain.

    CleetusVanDamme ●

  • CleetusVanDamme said...

    I'm like the rest of you, I love Nebraska athletics to death and following football on all levels is my greatest hobby. However, I think anyone who takes Nebraska football personally and isn't professionally involved needs to get a life.

    If we want to be honest with ourselves, Nebraska football does not represent the state. Bo Pelini is not from Nebraska. Most of the Nebraska football players are not from Nebraska. They do not really care about this state. They're here because it offered them the best opportunity to benefit them.

    Most of the athletes in division I football are having their education paid for because they are fast and strong. Thousands are on the same literacy level as the average 3rd grader but will still receive college diplomas because of their athletic ability. Let that sink in.

    Football is a game and a form of entertainment. It's nothing more.

    If you take that approach then all of us need a life. We pay money for this site. Not professional money (my boss won't let me charge it to the company) personal money. To hear about those kids and pelini

    mebeinme0831

  • Because it's fun and speculative. It's not our profession.

    This post was edited by CleetusVanDamme on 3/8/2013 at 6:57 PM

    signature image

    Twitter: dallashartwell Add me if you like football and corny jokes. And because I'm vain.

    CleetusVanDamme ●

  • TheUnknownFan said...

    IMO, people are way too infatuated with recruiting in general. Most here would probably disagree.

    Obviously, you need good players to compete at a high level, but when you start doting on every move and utterance of hundreds of kids, and over analyzing things to the nth degree, you need to get some perspective.

    In the final analysis, only about 10% of the guys we offer, (if that) ever end up here. Out of the kids we do sign, only a few turn out quite the way we thought.

    If that's the case, why all the hand wringing over this stuff?

    At any time during his career, did Marlon Lucky look like a 5* running back?

    Who really thought a 3* athlete out of California would go on to possibly start more games at QB than any other player in Nebraska history?

    Who got excited when Spencer Long walked on?

    The list goes on and on of the players who under-achieved and over-achieved based on their supposed value during the recruiting process. That's why I only have token interest in the whole process. The real assessment comes when you see these kids play on Saturday's in the fall.

    As far as bad mouthing guys who bailed on their commitments or otherwise spurned the Huskers, it's all brought about by the over-analysis of recruiting to start with. We get who we get, we miss on who we miss.

    In most cases, the real value of a recruiting class doesn't come until 2-3 years after they sign, and by that time, people are busy over analyzing the newest recruiting class and forgetting that they totally missed the mark judging most the kids from 2-3 years ago.

    I know it's all meant to be fun, but you only have to follow this stuff for a short time to see how bent out of shape people get over the coming and going of these kids.

    Great response.

    However, there is a reason the SEC has won the last 7 National Titles. ALL from teams that recruit extremely well. It isn't a coincidence when Alabama wins a National TItle.

    It also isn't a conicidence that we have lost our last 2 bowl games against South Carolina and Georgia. For some reason they win when it comes time to winniing. Maybe they have better coaches? Or is it better players?

    If recruiting isn't so important, then why do we ever lose? If we have the best coaches, and supposedly the best players, then losing should be something that rarely happens.

    If recruiting doesn't matter then we shouldn't be beating Iowa, Minnesota, and all our OOC teams on a regular basis.

    So which is it? Does recruiting matter, or can we simply outcoach everybody else?

    Skerz

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