Mangino's contract outlines probe

I am not going to re-hash earlier posts from this week. This is a sad situation that regardless how it turns out, is likely to set the program back from a recruiting point of view in the immediate future.

However, I do have a response for nckhwk - While I realize that basketball is and likely always will be king around here, where is it written that you can't be great in BOTH football and basketball? For evidence, I give you Florida (natl titles in both same year), Ohio St, Texas, Wisc, OU, and others have had excellent programs in both sports for many years to name a few.

We need all of Jayhawk Nation to stay on the fb bandwagon regardless of what happens here. The new facilities, recent bowl success (3 wins in 4 yrs), sellout crowds, great tailgating atmosphere. These are a few of the things that will continue to help going forward, and everyone must stay on board.

Yes we are the big boys in bb. I have said it before and I'll say it again - you want to be one of the big boys in fb, you have to act like it. Starts in the program, and carries on down to the fans. Rock Chalk!

November 21, 2009 at 11:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Not-so-gentle reign

Tribehawk - first of all, I did not say that MM was blameless in this deal, and I didn't say that players should not say anything at all if they believe there is a problem.

If a problem like this does happen, it should be brought to the attention of the athletic dept right away. Not five years from now, but now. When you do something like this in the middle of a five game losing streak in a season where much was expected, it just gives the appearance of a disgruntled player popping off.

Also, let's not say the players are blameless when problems occur. How quickly we forget about fights with basketball players, or getting tickets for drinking outside the Hawk, or domestic dispute incidents. Coaches are put in a bad situation when things like this occur. They obviously want their best players on the field at all times, but often they have to sit a player who themselves created the problem in the first place by breaking team rules, or the law (some guy named Randle comes to mind).

Interesting that players want to throw their coach under the bus now, yet he didn't suspend any of them for the fb vs bb team fights. Yes there were no charges filed, but we all know it happened (twice in different campus locations) and both groups are lucky nobody was suspended as a result.

Sorry, but when something like this happens, everyone gets hurt, and the program is the one who suffers the most. If you are or were a part of this program, it's future welfare and success should be something you should care about. Rock Chalk!

November 19, 2009 at 4:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Not-so-gentle reign

This is really a sad situation on many fronts. I am particularly miffed about this coming out after things have gone south this season, and not some time in the past when these things occured. While I sympathize with their feelings on this, I hope these players realize what kind of damage they are causing to our program. Do they not realize they are, and always will be, Jayhawks as well? They should want their program to be successful in the future, and doing this does not help in that regard.

From a recruiting point of view, we are likely screwed either way. If MM stays, then other coaches will play the "he doesn't treat his players well card". If he goes, then we may not only have trouble keeping recruits who have made oral commitments, but we potentially will lose others who had us in the mix. We could also have guys transfer out as well. If the latter items happen, we are going to be back where we were before MM was coach.

I for one do not want things back where they were before MM arrived. Regardless, I hope our fans stay with the program. We must continue to grow things and help the program become one of the big boys. Rock Chalk!

November 19, 2009 at 2:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

The great escape

I was at the game last night as well. I can add a couple things on the crowd.

Memphis did have a good number of people there, more than either Ark or UL, but we still had all three other schools way outnumbered. We had people all thru the arena, while the other three were mostly in their sections.

Our crowd was good, certainly when the good plays were there. We kept trying to get pumped up, however, it seemed like we were all waiting for the big runs that never came, and that kind of had everyone back on their heels so to speak.

Kingpin, you nailed it with your comparison to the Davidson game. I had almost the same angle from my seat last night that I had in Detroit, and as soon as the shot went up, I immediately thought of that. The guy last night probably got a little better look than the Davidson guy did.

Last night is evidence that despite our lofty ranking and predictions, this will not be as easy as it seems. You always need some breaks to win it all, but I think we have a good chance to get it done. While I agree the team will get better as we go along, we will need to bring it strong when the better teams come along.

Frankly, I think we will do well to get out of our own conference, and did you see what Tenn did to UNC-Ashe last night? UCLA lost at home to Fullerton, so that doesn't look as tough, but you know they will be up for that game at Pauley. Temple? Hard to make a judgment, as they lost to G-town 46-45. The next few weeks shouldn't be difficult, so this will give the guys ample opportunity to improve. Rock Chalk!

November 18, 2009 at 12:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

FINAL: KU's defense collapses late in 31-17 loss to Nebraska

I don't want to spend a lot of time rehashing all the problems of the day. Has been stated several times here today. Like many of you, I am very discouraged after today, for a lot of reasons.

Yes, this team has a valid chance of not winning again this year. It pains me to say that, because I consider myself an optimist. But it always seems to be something with this team. Todd takes care of the ball all day, but then Kerry fumbles early second half, if not a turnover then a bad penalty. Not a lot of penalties today, but it seemed like almost every one had a factor into eventual points for NU.

Now, you know it's coming from me on the fans, so here it is. First to everyone, I share your frustration. I have come to games for many years, and I will continue to come in the future. This talk of people bailing after a bad year has got to stop. Predictions of low crowd #'s next year also must stop. We have to get to a point of selling out in advance every year. You want to be like the big boys, then we need to act like it and be there win or lose, good weather or bad. Other places in our league that have crowds every game of 70-100K have no problem with this, why should we?

Second, to all our fans that were there today, thank you. I thought we were great today until it got away at the end. To those of you who sold out or gave your tickets to NU fans, frankly you don't really want to know what I think of you for that. Without beating a dead horse, you want to be like the big boys - well, see the previous paragraph. I thought we were past this, but apparently we still have a lot to learn.

Frankly I wish there was some way that our so called fans could be penalized priority points for selling out to other schools. I know you buy the tickets and you can do with them what you want. Well, I hope the extra $10-20 you made was worth it to sell out on your fellow Jayhawks. Disgraceful! Maybe these premium games should be about $150 each. Another reason to have season tickets.

Finally to the people in my section who got mad at me for standing up, cheering, and trying to help push our team along in a positive manner, sorry - I'm not sorry. Why would you buy tickets and sit on your a$$es all day? Good thing you all are not ticket holders in other places around the league where all the fans stand up most of the game, not just on third down. You wouldn't know what to do with yourselves. I can see it now - Mr Usher, would you tell these several thousand people to sit down, I can't see. @#$% unbelievable!

People, I agree with your right to complain, state your opinions, etc. But we can't go away. That won't help. I urge you to not only attend the Arrowhead game, but to buy future season tickets. We must have Jayhawk Nation in the stands, not those fans of the other teams. We need to become one of the big boys, and this is a major step every season in making that happen. Rock Chalk!!!

November 15, 2009 at 12:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

KU football's final three games will be on ABC

Actorman, I will agree with part of what you say about the fair-weather fans. Everyone is indeed entitled to their opinion, and we should have expectations and be able to hold the team accountable (for those that missed my post Saturday night after the game, I encourage you to go back and read it. It was late and not many may have seen it, but it discusses a lot on this very issue).

However, I will repeat again that there have been a number of posters the past few weeks who go beyond voicing their opinions. They want to dump their tickets, they say they won't be back next year, they say x players and x coaches are now the worst ever, when the past two years everyone thought they were great. There is a difference in being a passionate fan, and just plain hateful. I go nuts over bad games as much as the next guy, but you won't see me being hateful in my posts here.

What we cannot let happen is for the growth this program has experienced on many levels to go backwards in the future because of a few bad weeks now. This is the very thing that has hurt us for many years. Recruits want to see full houses and play for good programs. Jayhawk Nation, we must continue to keep the house full and also continue to be supportive win or lose, not just in years when things were better than expected. It does no good for anyone to go away after one or two years, just because things didn't go as we hoped.

One of the last things I said in my post late Saturday was about people who said they wouldn't pay $90 to watch this game Saturday. Best way around that? Buy season tickets, averages to $50 a game. This also creates a permanent situation of more of our fans and less of the ones from other teams who will buy up the unsold seats.

I will be there Saturday, as I have for many Saturdays for many years, to support our team win or lose, and especially for the Seniors who have given us all so much, even though this year did not go as hoped. There are still things to accomplish, and I hope we can find a way to achieve them. Rock Chalk!!!

November 10, 2009 at 5:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

FINAL: Daniel Thomas runs for 183 yards in KSU's 17-10 victory over KU

Ok, I am going to say this again for all of Jayhawk Nation, whether you are a fair weather fan or hard core fan.

I appreciate that everyone has their opinions, win or lose.

I appreciate that you want to hold the staff and players accountable.

I appreciate that most of us agree we have flat given away most of the losses this year and that things should have gone better.

I appreciate those of you, who like myself have been coming to football games win or lose for three decades (or more).

I appreciate those of you who have joined us on the bandwagon the past few years and grown our attendance to what it should have been for years.

Now everyone, listen up !! - There is no time, particularly now, for abandoning ship. We are all wanting to see a program continue growing, so that we can compete for titles with the big boys. If anything, we need for more Jayhawks to get on board.

Did you see Nebraska fans abandoning their team the past several years when things got bad? No, they still bring 80K+ to every game in Lincoln, and still travel as much as they ever did.

Remember how bad OU was before Stoops arrived? Did they jump ship? NO, they expanded their stadium by another 10K or so, and continue to sell out every game.

Texas wasn't as good either in early Big 12 years. They fired their coach, and brought in a guy who has had them on or near the top most years since he got there.

Yes, be mad, scream, stomp your feet, whatever, when things don't go well. But do not go away. We need everyone to be a part of this, win or lose. There is no rule that says you can't be really good in more than one sport. Heck, I'd like all our teams to be as good as bb has. Be a part of the growth, don't be someone trying to tear it back down. I don't want to see any more days where our house has 1/3 to 1/2 or more fans of another team. We can control that doesn't happen by supporting win or lose.

One more thing, if you don't want to pay $90 for a home game ticket, become a season ticket holder. Cost averages out to $50 a game. If we sell out the house before the season, not as many fans for the other teams. We must continue to grow this program, not tear it down.

I appreciate all of Jayhawk Nation for being with me on this. Rock Chalk!!!

November 7, 2009 at 11:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

FINAL: Daniel Thomas runs for 183 yards in KSU's 17-10 victory over KU

Just back from kittykatville. Another in the long line of you've got to be @#$% me games this season. Pretty unbelievable when we are losing games when we only give up 17 points on the road.

First of all, BPSkelly you've also got to be @#$% me. Mangino's first team was 2-10 and was so bad across the board they were lucky to win any games. The second team somehow snuck into a bowl and then gave up 56 points to NCSt. So to say they had decent D-1 defenses back then just isn't true. However, I will add that I expect much better from today's teams.

That being said, the biggest disappointments for me on defense today (and most of the season) was simply not finishing plays. There were many times they had someone in position to make the play and the gain would be small. Instead they either arm tackled, got run thru, or just didn't finish. Yes, the big runs were bad, but there were a couple of those where if we finish after the hit, they don't have as many big plays. The defense is getting better, but they must learn to finish these plays and get off the field.

Yes, I am with all of you that Todd is struggling mightily right now. Everyone wants to either change QB or RB. I am not hearing many of you say anything about the OL. This is a big part of the problem. These guys have not been as good this year. Granted Todd's fumbles were on downfield runs, but he has been taking hits all over the field, as have the RB's. He is not only psyched out right now, but he has to be somewhat gun-shy also. I will say though that he needs to be a little more aware of what is going on around him. While Jacob should make those kicks, it hurts when you take an 11 yard sack when you're inside the 10.

Emphasis on strong play by the lines on both sides of the ball has got to be a priority, not only the rest of this year, but for many years in the future.

Finally, I must also ask, where are the downfield plays? I was sitting fairly high at the game, and it appeared on several occasions that these plays were there, and these were times that Todd had pretty good protection. Yes, don't like the turnovers, but one early INT should not deter you from continuing to take shots.

Still ask for everyone's support next week against NU. Yes the season has been a disappointment, but again we can't give up the ship just because the division is out of reach. Wins against NU & MU will help in future recruiting in addition to finishing with a good record. Our fans still must continue to support the program. Don't sell your tickets to NU fans, wear plenty of blue, and be loud for your team. Rock Chalk!!!

November 7, 2009 at 6:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Reesing deserves courtesy

I for one think that Todd and the offense will come out of this funk they have been in and have a great game. All of Jayhawk Nation attending the game Saturday needs to bring it strong as well.

Don't know how many are still left, but it was advertised yesterday there was still about 3K tickets left. Jayhawk fans should be all over this and increase our support.

Finally, it was brought up when we played in Manhattan two years ago that KU fans should wear red to this game. Someone suggested blue blends in with purple too well. Not that I am superstitious or anything, but I will be wearing the same red shirt I wore two years ago to the game. I encourage all of you going to the game to wear Jayhawk red as well.

Let's make it four straight over the Cats, and Rock Chalk!!!

November 6, 2009 at 2:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

FINAL: Reesing benched in 4th quarter of 42-21 loss to Texas Tech

Agree, that the offense is still struggling. I said this last week, and I'll say it again. After the Colorado disaster, it is my opinion that the entire offense is "psyched out" right now. They are all making bad plays, not just Todd. Other than the fumble by Todd in the second quarter, I thought maybe we were finally going to get past it as we played three pretty good quarters. Then disasters galore in the fourth. Dropped passes, fumbles by Kerry of all people, on and on.

Everyone who thinks we have no chance the next few games, I have news for you. We can win some of these games, and this offense can still move the ball, but they absolutely must take care of it for us to win. If we don't turn the ball over against both CU & Tech, we probably win both games by double digits, we'd be 7-1 right now and no one is complaining (much).

This slew of turnovers the past three games just shocks me compared to everything else. We didn't turn the ball over in '07 and while we had a few more in '08 they still didn't have the problem we are this year. Correcting this problem will cure some of our other problems.

The defense is definitely making headway. The offense hurt them a great deal in the fourth quarter today, or their stats would have been a lot better. Still have areas of improvement needed. Surprised the run defense was so wide open the 4th qtr. Thought they were pretty aggressive most of the day until then. Amazing what happens when you play aggressive most of the time.

One play that has been very overlooked was missing the chance to recover a fumble by Tech on the last play of the 3rd qtr. If we get that, chance right there with getting the wind in the 4th qtr to go up two scores, and maybe things are different after that.

Despite KSU scoring some points on OU tonight, their offense overall does not scare me. NU has scored 10 (Tech), 7 (ISU), and 20 (Baylor) the past three games and just changed QB's. Texas - no comment. Tigggers, inconsistent at best. For awhile today, I thought they actually might blow a 33-0 lead. CU cut it in half and had the ball a couple more times.

If the defense continues to improve and the offense takes care of the ball, things can turn around positively in a hurry. Yes, let's be concerned, but let's not jump ship either. Yes 4-4 North record isn't what we hoped for, but that would make us 8-4 overall and we could still get a decent bowl bid. We need blue in the stands the next two weeks (yes in Manhattan too). Let's get them thru this tough time, Rock Chalk!

November 1, 2009 at 1:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )