I'm not convinced
by BixBeiderbecke on Jan 2, 2009 10:32 AM PST
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Wow! What a game! Although we won in convincing fashion last night, those Nittany Lions deserve a HUGE ROUND OF APPLAUSE for never quitting, never giving up. They fought and fought. Daryll Clark is for real. That Stephfon Green is as good as ours.
What can I say about our O- and D-lines? They just flat out dominated.
Here's the rub: we are the 5th ranked team in the nation. Not the #1 or #2. We lost early to a very good Oregon State team and they're for real too! (3 - 0 bowl victory might not change the minds of Pac 10 haters, but a bowl win is a bowl win). All the talk about elevating us to a "split-national" champion with whomever wins the BCS-title game between Florida and Oklahoma is . . . . not even funny. Yes, a team would be hard-pressed to beat us today. But Coach Pete Carroll, with a month to prepare our team is always gonna make ANYONE who plays us under those circumstance an underdog on the Las Vegas betting odds/lines.
Let's keep things under perspective. I wish we could play one more game. Anyone, anywhere, anytime. I wish the voters saw to it to not severely punish us for losing to Oregon State in the early part of the season, thereby putting us in the BCS title game. I also wish all those Pac 10 teams didn't lose to the those MWC-teams on that fateful Saturday during this past season. But I also wish a frog had wings, so he wouldn't bump his ass a' hopping!
In other words, it's useless to go there right now.
We've won the Rose Bowl 3 consecutive years! Now that's an accomplishment in and of itself. We beat the venerable Coach Joe Paterno's mighty Nittany Lions. They weren't roadkill. Those guys are through-and-through FOOTBALL PLAYERS!
Let's keep our heads held high. Let's hope the AP writers are kind enough to give us a little love in their final end-of-season rankings, because just like ParagonSC wrote at the end of his post-game write-up, ". . let the debate for the AP #1 begin." But, let's praise the winner of the BCS Championship game and give them the respect the winner of that game deserves as the honorable 2008 college football champion that they are.
Fight On!
PS: Matt Hinton (aka: SMQ) writes an awesome column today touching on our victory over PSU. Give it a read. For a Southern Miss-fan, this man writes with a ton of respect towards Coach Carroll and our beloved Trojan football team.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Conquest Chronicles' writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Conquest Chronicles' writers or editors.
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You’re #5 in the country and just beat the #6 by 14 in your back yard…I watched the game and SC did look good…in the 2nd quarter. In no way should SC be given a split of anything. The winner of Florida and Oklahoma is the NC….
Just to go a little further…
If Bama destroys Utah…Texas loses…should Bama be given the #1 ranking…NO!!!!
Come on Bix..you’re better than that!
When you are an Alabama fan you are expected to hate Auburn, I hate Tennessee because I want to.
Hey now bammer. . . .
. . . .are you drankin’ ALREADY? (or are you STILL drankin’ since New Year’s Eve?) Read my post again. It clearly states that we shouldn’t consider ourselves a split-champion or lobby for it either. If you’re thinking I’m wanting the AP writers to elevate to that level because of the “hope the AP shows us some love” or Paragon’s quote of “let the debate for the AP #1begin”, we’re merely implying that we hope we garner a good number of #1 votes from that balloting, at least more than what we were given at the end of the season voting.
Even “if” we get a large or unanimous vote for the #1 team, it’s beyond ours or anyone else’s control. Should that happen and we actually are given the AP #1, it will be not unlike what happened when we shared it with LSU back in 2003. Back then, not a whole lot of fans or coaches lobbied (publicly) for it. It was a wonderous surprise to ALL OF US. Including the general public. Seriously, we maintained our class and integrity back then, no reason for us to lose it today. That’s all my post is trying to convey.
Are you telling me bammer, that if our treasured Tide are given the AP #1 (if they blow out Utah, Texas loses, and OK/FL play a dud of a game)- the ‘Bama-faithful won’t accept it?
"I was INVERTED!" -Maverick in Top Gun
by BixBeiderbecke on Jan 2, 2009 2:57 PM PST up reply actions
Oh..
And BTW…Taylor Maze is a punk. I don’t care how good he is. That hit was terrible. He led with the helmet ON PURPOSE. You know it…everyone on this board knows it and the 15 yard penalty shows the refs knew it. At least he could have helped his fellow player up off the ground after going helmet to helmet with him to. Punk!
If that had been me refereeing…that would have been his last play of the game.
When you are an Alabama fan you are expected to hate Auburn, I hate Tennessee because I want to.
Dude http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLD33s7V7EU
Taylor Mays is 6’ 4", 225 lbs! Jordan Norwood from PSU is 5’11",171.
TayMay is known as a hard-hitting safety, his job IS TO CLOCK people trying to catch over the middle. Besides, IT’S FOOTBALL!
Listen, was it an illegal hit? Yes, and USC was penalized for it. Could it have been prevented? Yes. If Clark hadn’t thrown that football, if the OC chose a different play to call, and/or if Jordan Norwood was 5 whole inches taller! And that’s the only way!
I won’t apologize for TayMays’ hit, but I’ll defend his right to play his position, and play it well.
Is he really a punk bammer? Anyone who’s 6’ 4" and 225 lbs can hardly be called a punk. A bully? Thug?
I’ll reiterate what you said to me in the previous comment. . .C’mon bammer. . . .you’re better than that! (and I really mean it. you’ve played ’ball. you know the drill)
"I was INVERTED!" -Maverick in Top Gun
by BixBeiderbecke on Jan 2, 2009 3:11 PM PST up reply actions
Aww, let him back in
I would LOVE to hear what he has to say for himself today.
I will never for the life of me understand the compulsion to wander over to some other football team’s fansite (not even a rival team, no less) just to sniff that said team is not that great.
It’s the same kind of insecurity that drives that other site to post a game day thread for their rival team’s game and get hundreds of posts.
A.) I can’t imagine Paragon posting a UCLA basketball Final Four Gameday Thread.
B.) I can’t imagine anyone here caring enough to post.
Moral of post? Paragon says it best. Worry about your team and we’ll worry about ours.
From my point of view
I go occasionally to other team’s blogs simply for discussing and other view points. As long as they are reasonable. Some times it sucks when you only hear one side of a game’s story. Thats why I like the “Enemy interrogations” that Mike at BSD does, its interesting to get insight from other die hards.
Nice
Way to outright ban someone who questions one of your team’s good players. Its one thing to be a tough hitting safety its another thing to intentionally try to hurt people, including your own hard working teammates, take that head down to the waist oe chest, you don’t go for peoples heads. It didn’t bother me personally because I know the toughness of that 5’11" reciever who happened to come in for a TD catch later.
Taylor Mays is a bad dude, but please don’t anyone question Jordan Norwood’s toughness and resolve if you knew him you would appreciate him even as an opponent. He did actually catch that ball by the way, shame it wasn’t reviewed, hindsight is great isn’t it?
Once again I congratulate on the victory, but don’t be arrogant about it, that bammer guy didn’t curse or call out anyone’s momma, he was simply disagreeing with the tactics of a certain didrty play. I wouldn’t say Mays is a punk , he’s great, but that was a cheap shot.
Best wishes
I doubt he was banned specifically for that post
He basically came on here to trash USC, as evidenced by his posts in another comments section.
by Laughing Stock on Jan 3, 2009 11:31 PM PST up reply actions
Yes, he was banned for that post specifically....
the guy only comes around once and a while. He offered nothing of substance other than to call Mays a punk and he couldn’t even spell Mays’ name right!
Who needs that…I’ve wasted more time on this than it deserves…now where do I get that time back?
Surprisingly, I have no problem with banning him
He was acting like a tool after all
by Laughing Stock on Jan 4, 2009 2:57 PM PST up reply actions
Damn. . . . . here's the thing-
I’m sure you guys over at BSD have got some rivals and rivalries. I’m sure there’s a little bit of ribbing, and put-downs, and clownin’, and. . . .to some degree: hate. It’s a natural element to fandom in general, and teams from coast to coast. Now in saying that, I’ll ask you —just— —this-one— these few questions: Do you guys have a Bruin up your ass? And like, ALL THE TIME? Are you in a “can’t-win-can’t-lose” situation with them 24/7-365 days of the dag-gum-year? (you see, it’s a funny thing Roland86, we share a common rival: The Notre Dame Fighting Rash. we both love AND loathe them. mostly. . . .we respect the hell outta that institution. sports AND academics. coaches? that’s a different story)
However, in the context I’m trying to draw from- the school known as the University of California, Los Angeles (fUcla)- with the Bruin as their mascot, ihas a student body/fanbase that can be defined as being: an evil; vindictive; and odious collection of cells wrapped in unknown, but toxic icky-ness. And trust me, I’m being “nice” with that description. Not kidding.
And they HATE.
Especially us!
They’re the type of fans and students that can’t possibly be happy if they aren’t hating US.
Do you have THAT kinda rival fan in your life? (that’s what I mean when I ask, “Do you guys have a Bruin up your ass?”)
Stay with me here will ya? We get that “punk” shit ad nauseum! We get that “South Central” crap with our morning coffee. We get that “cheating”, “thug”, “SUC”, “spoiled children”, “arrogant”, “BMW-driving”, “classless”- bullshit ALL THE TIME from them. I promise you, if you go over to ANY pro-fUcla blog/website, HALF THEIR CONTENT involves USC in some accusatory, mean-spirited, and/or envious way. (there’s a few exceptions, but they’re hard to find. when you do? lemme know. i’ll eat a bug)
Look. We just won a football game. We’ve had some great success and have been experiencing a fantastic run with Coach Pete Carroll. As sure as the blood is red in our bodies, our coaching staff AND our players DO NOT
1. Teach
2. Preach
3. Coach
4. Play
5. Practice
6. Refine
7. Espouse
8. Indoctrinate
9. Condone
10. Allow
. . .our players to play dirty or perform illegal hits on our opponents.
Since this incredible roster of defensive players have played for us (Mays, Ellison, Pinkard, Harris, Maualuga, Cushing, Maiva, Wright, Griffen, Moore, Matthews, Thomas, Moala) they have been known to be- throughout our conference- hard-working, well-coached massively strong, and yes- at times an undisciplined (holding, offsides, false starts, etc) group of guys. But, (and I don’t care what the circumstance nor perspective is in this matter) you’re talking about one of the more well-mannered, well-raised, highly respectful, and hardest-working student/athletes ON OUR TEAM! Yes, he speaks his mind- and he does so with a confidence that should not be confused with cockiness. He walks, talks, plays, and embodies FOOTBALL!
Calling him a punk (the other commenters, there were 2 or 3 on this blog- and countless others on numerous other sites) or labeling THAT play as a “cheap shot” is an incredible disservice to the player, the game, and our relations as fans for both teams.
I won’t even get into some of the stuff I read regarding what some of the PSU players were quoted as saying post-Rose Bowl game. (hint: they admitted to being so flustered and out-played that they professed to resorting to grabbing our players face masks and attempting horse collar tackles because our players were just running right by them or powering through their technique). The fact of the matter, it seems a little trite and banal to have to answer for “this play”, or “that player”, or any one of whatever number of (mis)perceived imperfections that our team exhibited on New Year’s Day.
I’m sorry to know you actually feel this way Roland86. It’s a bit disappointing to know that you feel the way you do about that Taylor Mays/Jordan Norwood play. (man, oh man I’m trying NOT to be “smug”, “sanctimonious”, or otherwise “retarded” here with this! . . .so . . . anyway. . .) Yes, it was a play that was penalized. We were deservedly punished. Yes, young Mr. Norwood could have been hurt on that play. No, Taylor Mays wasn’t head-hunting. But, it’s football. Every player playing on that field realize that pain, injury, sweat, misery, disappointment, and elation are possible consequences when they suit up to compete. They do so knowingly, and we (as fans) delight in their competition and are entertained by their heroic ability and unfathomable resolve, in hopes that they bring victory back to their school, faculty, student body, alumni, and fans all over the world.
For the USC Trojans and their fans, it’s casually accepted that we’d be ridiculed and demeaned from Bruin-fans following our recent victory (ucladj89 and ryebreadaz, excluded. that ucladj-guy is top-notch, IMHO). We just seem blindsided by the vocal diaspora of transparent-hate brought on by our recent win. Least of which, from someone like you. Whom I, reluctantly still consider a good-guy and newfound friend here at SB Nation.
Here’s the what: I hope we’re and I’d like to continue to be “cool” with each other. I’ll not take offense, as I hope you’ll read these words of mine are written with all considerations of respect.
"I was INVERTED!" -Maverick in Top Gun
by BixBeiderbecke on Jan 4, 2009 12:09 AM PST up reply actions
"vocal diaspora of transparent-hate"
Wow there mister, that thars a four dollar word if I ever heard un’! Lucky I got me one of them fine USC edge-uh-cashions, otherwise I’d a have no idea what yer a sayin’
by Laughing Stock on Jan 5, 2009 9:36 PM PST up reply actions
Plaschke-d it!
Didn’t I? (that’s a perfect bastardization from the Book of Bill).
"I was INVERTED!" -Maverick in Top Gun
by BixBeiderbecke on Jan 6, 2009 6:50 AM PST up reply actions
'Sides? What's the currency exchange rate sayin' these days?
Does $4 work out to 2-bits nowadays? Heyyyyyy???
You a’ sayin’ I gots 2-bit wrightin? Awww now, them thars fightin’ words Laughin’ Stock! (I got ‘nuff of that stuff goin’ on already, and on top o’ all that- . . . I’m a lover. ‘Case you didn’t know? And she’s from Australia. Yup, she gots her fingers in me now after last week. And. . . STILL cooks a mean breakfast!)
"I was INVERTED!" -Maverick in Top Gun
by BixBeiderbecke on Jan 6, 2009 8:58 AM PST up reply actions
Different styles...
different level of tolerance.
I can see where its a helmet-to-helmet hit but he (Mays) has never been flagged for that in the past so the “punk” comment was way out of line for guy who has only 12 comments on this site…that constitutes a flame to me and offers nothing of substance.
You won’t find anyone here questioning Norwood’s toughness….I am frankly surprised you would bring that up as I am pretty sure that never crossed anyone’s mind here.
Wow
I apologize if that particular guy had been causing trouble before, I did indeed only see one out of line comment. Obviously I respect your opinion and thoughts or I would be not here.
Hey, I only meant that that was a singular tasteless play, even by an otherwise fine and classy athlete, I haven’t watched but I haven’t heard anything about Mays being a dirty player so I would say he IS NOT a punk but that play sucked and he was penalized and now its over. Honestly, I reapeat with all my heart, I DO respect Mays, but that doesn’t mean even the greatest competitors don’t have outliers like that.
Also to be honest I took exception to the use of Jordan Norwood’s height to imply that he is inferior to Mays, i mean to me you at least vaguely did, why else bring it up? I’ve seen 6’3" + guys get rung up too, as I’m sure you have as well. As you pointed out, he may not be in Mays’ class in size or strength but he has some of the most heart I have seen and is NOT afraid to take that hit and keep playing, which he did. He also has pretty great hands to make up for his lack in size. He will make a nice possession reciever for someone on sunday’s. Also I would honestly say that he has been my personal favorite player (I’m from near State College where he to H.S.) so I may have taken it more personally than I should have,but I didn’y over-react, this is people’s lives here.
That play was not just a part of football. Same thing with the un-penalized gang celebration on the field. It was also quite un-classy of Deon Butler handing the ball to the SC d-back after his one catch and other less noticed frustrated things PSU players were pulling. I realized that after watching the game again that there was a lot more petty subtle animosty and obnoxious behaviour by both teams than I first noticed. Especially little ticky tack things PSU players were doing to I guess in their minds, get even. Maybe that particular play just was a symbol of it to me. Regardless of team I wasn’t expecting it and it kinda made me sick in this game.
No, we do’t have that annoying whiny bruin to deal with. To a much less degree we still have bitter Pitt fans even though we don’t play anymore, I wish we did. These guys who celebrate their 9-4 season with a 3-0 bowl loss to a team we creamed and assume they are naturally better than PSU because we won our league and got throttled by likely the most talented team in the country, SC. I digress.
I am sorry if something of what I said personally ofended you and am especially sorry if the Bruin fanbase is as tasteless as you portray, but please do not be angry with me because I’ll ask you this, if Anthony Scirotto layed that on Damien Williams, would you be happy, no. I’ll grant you that football is football and I am sure Taylor Mays will go on to be great in the NFL. I have never met him but I am sure he is a great or at least nice guy. But that doesn’t mean that play should be brushed off as nothing when Dante Love of Ball St and numerous others (our own Adam Taliaferro was paralyzed when a OSU RB went up high on him) have nearly died from very similar plays. Also I am positive he wasn’t trying to paralyze #24 or anything like that, but he did get overzealous and I think he would be an even better player if he could corral that talent and control those types of hits. No that he needs much help.
Again, thank you for all for being level headed enough to at least discuss this, because I sure know I would be beating my head against wall if this was a Pitt blog or apparently UCLA one. BTW you might be starting to not like me because you somehow discovered that I very briefly thought about going to UCLA. Not so I could hate on SC, but because I had friends out there. All the best!
Lets not forget
That Mays has 2 personal fouls this year for leading with the helmet, and last year he had 4 personal fouls in the Rose Bowl against Illinois. Most of those fouls were for taunting, but I think 1 or 2 of them were for late hits out of bounds. I don’t think Mays is out to hurt anyone, but I do believe that he wants to hit anyone catching a ball in his zone hard enough so they are thinking about him. There were countless plays this year where a WR ended up dropping the ball because Mays landed a hard hit on him. To me its just playing good hard defense. If he does something illegal hes going to get a flag.
Yes when playing a sport you have to give it your best and things do just happen.
Taylor Mays pretty much plays in a zone when the ball is kicked off, most great athletics do. I don’t know if you guys have ever felt this (playing in zone) but when it happens everything around you slows up and you are totally focused on object, so it is hard to feel what is inbounds and out.
In my little opinion I feel Taylor, Ray, Cush, and Clay play in the zone a lot and in no way try in harm other players.
Paul D. Kelley
by so.cal.native1952 on Jan 4, 2009 10:59 AM PST up reply actions
Totally agree
Even at their most aggressive (or even reckless), our enforcers make their hits out of hustle and hustle alone. Way I see it anyway.
I'll take your word for it
edited (hat tip to you, bluemax)
"I was INVERTED!" -Maverick in Top Gun
by BixBeiderbecke on Jan 2, 2009 3:14 PM PST up reply actions
He mentions all the time that he is a Southern Miss alum
I wonder how he feels about the Angelo Johnson transfer? On second thought, I wonder if he even follows college basketball?
by Laughing Stock on Jan 2, 2009 3:29 PM PST up reply actions
Wanna hear something SCARY?
I kid you not, but earlier this morning. . .I went to read a cocknfire post over at Speed Kills (something like that, I also might have his name spelled wrong too- . . . . .it gets weirder), and I replied to his post and IN THAT comment. . . .I “assumed” he was – initially, he was a Georgia fan. Well, . . . . when, right after my finger hit the “POST” button, . . . I momentarily freaked, and I had to go back and reply to my own reply and write an addendum. . . .So anyway, after I realized the “error of my ways” (go figure? his blog covers pretty much the entire SEC. :-( ) I thought to myself, “Dang! I’ve kinda had a pretty DAMN GOOD TIME since Wednesday afternoon! I might wanna consider calming myself down at some point this weekend?”
So yeah. Scary hah? I whiffed TWICE today. You’d think I’d figured it all out after the 1st one? But, NO! . . .
Pardon that will you, SMQ and cocknfire? (if it’s all just the same) I’m a little woozy today. And all.
And yeah, Laughing Stock- Angelo Johnson transferred to Mississippi State? I didn’t know that? (totally. just. kidding. . . with that one. . ;- )
"I was INVERTED!" -Maverick in Top Gun
by BixBeiderbecke on Jan 2, 2009 7:00 PM PST up reply actions
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