Double-T nation Daily Diatribe :: 09.28.09
by Seth C on Sep 28, 2009 6:01 AM CDT
in Texas Tech News, Notes and Links
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Strange Day: I got up especially early yesterday, wrote my post game thoughts article, and then get away from the computer for the entire day.
I check back after dinner last night and the first thing that I see is that RG Brandon Carter is suspended for 1 game, post a quick FanShot, promote a FanShot regarding Robert Griffin's injury (I hate that good players get injured, especially ones that I enjoy watching), read through some comments (which by the way I know I appreciate everyone's opinion, even if I disagree), and check out for the evening.
I wake up early again this morning and find out that Brandon Carter is now suspended indefinitely.
It's the past two days that make life as a blogger somewhat tough, especially in the sense that there are fans who have views that are directly opposite of other fans. Trying to keep in mind that we're all on the same team. More on Carter below.
Carter Suspended Indefinitely: Last night, I posted a FanShot about LAJ's Don Williams who broke the news that RG was suspended for one game, probably based on the content of Carter's Tweet:
I am not a captain anymore and will not be playing this week. Good luck red raiders ill still be cheering on my family from the stands!!:)
I think for a period of time, it was one game, and then something happened last night, I have no idea what it was, and would appreciate it if no one tried to speculate at this time, which required the official Texas Tech site to send out a press release about Carter and his suspension and for Don Williams to revise his article to reflect the official press release.
Williams article also details the Twitter account from LB Marlon Williams, who tweeted the following:
Wondering why I’m still in this meeting room when the head coach can’t even be on time to his on (sic) meeting.
It turns out that last night's regularly scheduled Sunday meeting was canceled and would imagine that the coaching staff loves Marlon, but I would expect that all players will no longer be allowed on any sort of social media website here in the very near future. And for the record, Marlon's twitter account is still up, I won't link to it, but you can find it if you really want.
Lots to digest here, and to be honest, this wasn't what I was expecting to write about today.
Trying to Rebound: LAJ's Don Williams and FWST's Dwain Price both write that head Captain Mike Leach expect this team to rebound. This from Williams article:
"We just need to tighten up," Leach said. "We’ve got a group that’s made a lot of progress since (preseason) camp. We just need to play sharper. We need to keep working and stay positive and keep getting better. We’ve done a lot of good things, and now we’ve got to keep sharpening up and keep getting better."
And this from Price's article:
"The biggest thing that we need to do is go hard and improve," Leach said. "Unfortunately we have to leave this game with some regrets for not having done better, but we’ve got a great group of players who care about one another and play hard, and I think went out there and really played well.
Taking Responsibility: This comes from Price's article above, but thought that it deserved it's own subject line. Price's article seems to make it clear that Leach did take responsibility and admit that he should have kicked the field goal on the 4th and 1 from the Houston 1 yard line:
Leach took the blame for passing up a short field goal on fourth-and-goal from the Houston 1 with 10:56 left.
At the time, the Red Raiders were clinging to a 28-23 lead, and a field goal meant the Cougars would have had to convert a 2-point play after their final touchdown to tie.
But Leach gambled and quarterback Taylor Potts was stopped on a sneak play.
"If I put the field goal team out there, at that point in the game that’s the better thing to do," Leach said. "And I didn’t do it."
Beating C-USA: LAJ's Don Williams writes that the Red Raiders cannot be an elite team of the Big 12 South when losing to a Conference-USA opponent and LB Bront Bird feels that 3rd downs are killing the Red Raiders:
"Definitely,’’ linebacker Bront Bird said as he and his teammates trudged out of the visitors’ locker room on a sweaty night at Robertson Stadium. "We weren’t very mentally tough today. We should have won this game. We had every opportunity to. We were up pretty much the entire game. We didn’t come through in the clutch situations. That’s something we’ve got to improve on as a team.
"It happened last week against Texas also. Third downs are killing us on both sides of the ball. We’ve got to get off the field (on defense), and we’ve got to convert on offense. We didn’t do that tonight. It really hurt us.’’
New Mexico Lobo Links: Only one today, as the New Mexico Daily Lobo recounts the Lobo's loss to in-state rival, the New Mexico St. Aggies . . .
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Marlon Williams Tweet
looks like he deleted the actual tweet though…smart move…
Wreck 'Em Tech!
J.T.H.
Well, that was a dissapointing loss.....
and I think the team is taking it pretty hard. I’ll go ahead and make the assumption that Carter was pissed and blew off some steam. Not really sure what happened after that. Hopefully, he will be back. I hate to lose him.
" Answers -- Become Resources."
Without Questions; There are limited Resources...
Carter... i found out what happened
I was talking to some friends in the goin band including one who aparently talks to carter directly. Though still take this as rumour…
My understanding is that at the end of the game brandon carter was so pissed that he smashed his helmet against a wall… And friends, when I say smashed… Don’t mean tapping it… The damn thing litterally shattered. Heard that from 2 eye witnesses seperately. Then another, a girl that talked to him directly said that he will only be out for this week. The “indefinately” was just a press release saftey… He’ll be back after NM game.
Wreck 'Em Tech!
J.T.H.
by redraidersax on Sep 28, 2009 10:09 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
God I hope you're right...
Thanks for the info!!
" Answers -- Become Resources."
Without Questions; There are limited Resources...
Why would you suspend anyone for showing frustration? It’s not like he destroyed a lockerroom or punched a coach. He busted a helmet (news flash, some players go through two or three a year anyway).
Hell no I wouldn't, but I don't know what the team policies are either.....
" Answers -- Become Resources."
Without Questions; There are limited Resources...
Additionally
I’ve heard that a lot of offensive players (potts never mentioned) were acting similarly as a reaction to bad play calling. They felt that they could and should have wom but that the wrong plays were sent in.
My guess from hearing that is that because carter was captain, he SHATTERED his helmet (additional 2 witnesses in my last class) and is frankly the next leader on this team next to potts… He was made example of… Thankfully just for NM…
I don’t know how I feel about this yet…
Wreck 'Em Tech!
J.T.H.
by redraidersax on Sep 28, 2009 11:30 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
seems kind of harsh...
to suspend him for smashing a helmet. I could see it if he tipped the bus over but a helmet.
i'm sure it didn't stop there
Who knows what happened in the locker room…
Wreck 'Em Tech!
J.T.H.
by redraidersax on Sep 28, 2009 11:41 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
That's true
that big SOB might have tied a few guys in knots and left em there. I seem to remember him being a fan of wrestling. Maybe a Boston Crab or Full Nelson?
" Answers -- Become Resources."
Without Questions; There are limited Resources...
full nelson all the way! lol
Wreck 'Em Tech!
J.T.H.
by redraidersax on Sep 28, 2009 11:52 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Maybe I'm wrong...
I know I am a serious homer when it comes to Brandon Carter, but if I were the coach of this team (which aren’t you glad I’m not!), I would rather have some passionate players who actually care about winning and losing, even if it means they are going to occasionally act out and run their mouths, rather than a group of apathetic players. I love BC’s fire and intensity and if we had a team full of young men just like him, I think we would be 4-0 right now. I know that part of being a coach is coaching these young men not to let their tempers get the better of them, but I’m not sure that suspending a player for showing emotion (if that’s all that happened, we of course may never know) was the right call. We need leaders on this team who get fired up when we win and more fired up when we lose. I’m behind you Carter!
I'm just thinking out loud here......
I love Leach and what he does, but for him to be fired up occasionally might not be a bad thing.
I had a coach in highschool that would head butt you after a good play and I would still be wearing my helmet. That’s damn motivational to me. He’d be covered in blood and screaming……..those were the days…..
" Answers -- Become Resources."
Without Questions; There are limited Resources...
Maybe Leach should sit Potts for a game and play Sheffield. It’s not like NM is going to beat us. Swindall, Batch, and Lewis all reacted great after a little bench therapy.
Might be worth...
a shot at mixing it up a bit. It’s a mercy game and shouldn’t produce many challenges for Tech on either side of the ball. I don’t think it would hurt to see Sheffield seeing some play time.
At least Leach...
owned up to his boneheaded mistake by not kicking the ball. I’m happy he’s not making excuses for not kicking the field goal. Damn I wish we could have this one back!
It's easy to Bench Potts...
…But im telling you thats the wrong move, Yeah maybe Swindall, Batch and Lewis all had great games following a benching, but this a quarterback were talking about here. He is, without question or excuse, a leader. Even if he never says a damn word to anyone of his teammates. Every team looks at their quarterback, and if you bench him during rough times, that kills EVERYTHING they have built since the Texas game.
Sure, the game WAS disappointing and yes we lost by ONE. but we all know now what couldve been done different….remember we have only played ONE Big 12 game. sure it may look ugly to the pollsters, but did anyone see what kind of ugly weekend we had in college football? oops, I meant everyone but Texas and A&M…must be hard to play UAB huh?
The thing is, were learning a lot about our team, and Im still pretty proud. Maybe not of the coaching, but if they come back to get on a roll through the Big 12. Remember Baylor is hurting (speedy recovery for Griffin) and OSU needed Grambling state to pick up what was left of thier confidence. It’s an early season fellas…It aint over….We still have the taste of enjoyment of beating A&M again to look forward to.
I hear what your saying...
and I don’t think benching him is the answer either but I would say that letting Sheffield have some play time might help out in a lot of ways. Potts would still be the starter but we could test the 2nd QB in case things go bad this season. Lots of speculation with how well Potts will turn out but lets make sure we have a plan “b” in case the situation calls for it. I don’t think Potts’ reputation or ego will suffer with a little play time for Sheffield against a team like NM.
i'm with you on this one
I’d like everyone to think back a few years to graham’s first season. Anyone else rember mizzou? How people booed him? How they called for his head?
It’s still his first season. Yes… We want to be able expect more… We want to expect perfection each year, but remember, while we’re better… We’re not the best yet. Leave potts in. Let him grow. He’s had 3 seasons of bench. It’s the real gametime experience that he’s lacking. And you don’t get that from the bench.
Wreck 'Em Tech!
J.T.H.
by redraidersax on Sep 28, 2009 11:21 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
If he throws off his back foot again
I will continue to call for his head. Only pass you concievably throw off the back foot is a screen.
"Help, it's hot and dark in here and someone is laughing." Taco Bell
Some bad coaching, some bad decisions....
I thought we might be over all ths but it appears this was the 2006 game against TCU. CUSA oppent and we have very litte to gain, they have a ton. QB makes some bad decision, coaches make some bad decision we lose 12-3. Samething here except even with all that stuff we still should win. Potts checked to the run game just a few too many times, and he started looking like Harrell by waiting too long. He is at his best when he gets the ball out quickly. I think BC must have gone toe to toe verbally with a coach as well as the helmet smashing cause that should not get you a game suspion. Anyway, we must rebound cause it is still a long season and we still have 7 more conf. games. And by the way so does ut so anything is possible. Wreck’Em Tech.
If he went toe to toe with Leach I commend him. Leach will be here next hear Carter won’t. I know a player should respect a coach, but sometimes you have to make your feelings felt.
I'm curious what he should go toe to toe with Leach about...
For believing in him enough to run a 4th and 1 QB sneak up his back?
I’m not really in agreement with a captain of the team smashing his helmet and causing who knows what kind of damage to a locker room. Also wouldn’t be in favor of one calling out a coach in front of the rest of the team. I’m sure when Brandon is able to get back on the field, he will be positively motivated. And all the outsiders to this program think Leach doesn’t have any discipline….
by Houston Raider on Sep 28, 2009 3:58 PM CDT up reply actions
Yep, that's probably what will happen....
" Answers -- Become Resources."
Without Questions; There are limited Resources...
Just a guess...
The helmet smashing seems to be true and I’m just speculating on the Coach thing but with BC’s fire/passion ( which I love) I just figure a Coach or the Cap’t made a comment and BC came back with something. Anyway, in the end this really might be good for Tech to light a fire under them. Do I wish it would have happen by losing, NO but it did and we still have 8 more games to win and be 10-2 or 9-3 and still sitting very well in the bowl picture! Wreck’Em Tech
I think we have all become addicted to success. I never liked 7-5 or 8-4 seasons. Hell, I never liked anything but winning it all. But I’ve been waiting 40+ years for us to take it all, even just in the conference. But I digress…
After last year, a solid winning season is no longer satisfactory. Now that we know we’re close, we want it all and we want it now (as unrealistic as that seems). If the UH game happened 15 years ago, it would have been business as usual. Now it’s not. Now sitting pretty in the bowl picture doesn’t mean diddly squat.
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