Jack’s Blog

There are college programs in certain sports that are considered rebuilding jobs - constant rebuilding jobs.  It’s not that these colleges are simply losers; in other sports, they might even dominate.  Coaches (either assistants, head coaches at lesser levels who want to move up, or those who’ve lost their jobs) can tell you the teams in rebuilding modes.  They’re were they are trying to get hired.  Some schools are fine institutions but have close to zero tradition in a certain sport - or maybe a couple sports).  Just a few examples would be: in basketball - Arizona State, Penn State, Rice, Toledo; in football - Kentucky, Duke, Minnesota, New Mexico after watching them play today, I decided to examine the New Mexico Lobos.

The Fresno State-New Mexico game was a perfect example of a derailing of a rebuilding project - because it began so great for the underdog.  The Bulldogs are, themselves, playing under first year coach Tim DeRuyter and are experiencing a rebirth from last season.  Former coach Pat Hill, except for last season, had a successful run after he replaced legendary coach Jim Sweeney whose program had slipped during his last couple seasons.

The down years in Fresno would look like championship performances if exchanged for many of the seasons in Albuquerque.  Although coach Rocky Long took the Lobos to five bowls in seven years, going to a bowl game only puts your club in the top 55-60% of all the FBS schools (is that what the big guys are still called?)  Also consider this is a program who, in 2010 lost to Oregon 72-0.  Tradition is in short order at UNM, especially when compared with the Lobos’ basketball history.

They now have Bob Davie, former coach at Notre Dame, heading up the program and his guys have been competing - to the tune of a 3-3 record - which had their fans about ready to carve Davie’s bust into the Sandia Mountains.  With Davie attempting to build a (semi-)winner at UNM, due to its horrific tradition, they need every break - and certainly can’t miss golden opportunities when they present themselves.

Well, yesterday started off great and the Lobos jumped out to a 21-0 lead - in the first quarter!  This was no fluke; the Lobos were in command of the game.  But football is a long game and they still needed to, as football coaches love to say, “make plays.”  What happened next was indicative of teams who are close to turning the corner, but just can’t (or, maybe, subconsciously don’t) really want to win.

In order were four plays that sealed New Mexico’s fate.  First was a sure touchdown pass the Lobos’ running back (running a wheel route) dropped.  His hands were backward (at least according to the coaches who taught me in the late 1960s), i.e. thumbs together instead of pinkies together.  Next was a receiver running a slant pattern, wide open, dropping another certain TD.  Subsequent to one of these they went for a field goal and the kicker hooked it right, which was followed by a Fresno State touchdown, the drive lasting 1:36.

The next two were as bad because they could have stemmed the tide since the momentum had swung to the Bulldogs’ side of the field.  One was a deep pattern in which the Lobo receiver had a couple steps (in announcer’s verbiage, “wide open”) on his defender but the up-until-then accurate QB overthrew his man by at least three yards.  The last play was the absolute clincher.  It happens to teams like this year’s New Mexico squad and just takes the wind out of their sails.  It’s almost like, “We surrender.  You were gift wrapping that one for us and we’re going to refuse it.”

Apparently, the Fresno State receiver ran a “go” route when the Bulldogs’ QB thought he was going to stop.  Consequently, the corner linebacker for UNM was standing directly in the path of the ball.  Ahead of the corner was nothing but green.  His eyes must have gotten so big, they got in the way of his hands as he tried to catch the on-the-money-but-to-the-wrong-guy-throw.  It hit him in the stomach before he dropped it.

To New Mexico’s credit, it took four plays to bring them down.  Some teams fold after just one or two.  That bodes well for Davie and his troops.  A football renaissance may take place in Albuquerque after all.  It’s not an impossible place to win (see San Jose State).  Lobos hoops always fields a formidable squad.  It’s just that, after the fourth “lost” play, the floodgates opened and Fresno State, with its vast array of skilled people, scored seemingly every time they got the ball.  The determination of the ‘Dogs was too much for UNM.

Oh yeah, did I forget to mention the Lobos lost their first and second team QBs to injury?  If someone is unsure of the impact that would have, take into account that a passing game most of all depends on timing.  Exactly how much timing would you guess the third team guy gets with the first team wideouts?  Hint: the answer’s zero.

There are bound to be a heck of a lot of failures ahead for new coach Bob Davie.  He just needs to keep in mind the quote by Winston Churchill:

“Success is measured by your ability to maintain enthusiasm between failures.”

Did Rory McElroy come closer to convincing everyone he’s the #1 golfer in the world?  Not sure, but with his career winnings, how about buying a reliable alarm clock - one that has all the time zones?

Does the enormous amount of tour money lessen the pressure?  Dottie Pepper, commenting at the 17th hole yesterday, made the comment, “It seems like there’s no oxygen here in Chicago.”  So the answer seems to be the pressure is astronomical because this is the only time all year these guys are not playing for cash?  There’s nothing more difficult than knowing if you fail, you’re letting down millions of people, in particular the guys you see on a weekly basis during “business” hours.

Terrific, to the point of almost exasperating, sportsmanship displayed by both sides.  It appeared like there was more positive acknowledgement of good play than laser focus on the next shot.  Don’t they care as much, do they respect their opponents to the point of so much public admiration or is it a method of masking a kind of fear?  Or maybe it was just a select number that caught my eye.

After Saturday’s Ryder Cup concluded, the United States held a commanding 10-6 advantage, needing only 4 1/2 of the 12 possible Sunday singles points.  The Americans would need to win another 4 1/2 points to reclaim the Cup.  To put it in another context, nine all-squares and three losses would mean victory for the US.  Harken back to Saturday when the score was actually 10-4.  Going into Sunday down 6-10 isn’t so bad when your team won the final two points, the last of which coming from Ian Poulter who broke from the gates with five straight birdies.  Talk about a serious shift of “Mo.”

Speaking of Poulter, England’s favorite son (as of today) went 4-0 in Ryder Cup play and probably would have earned the MVP but that’s more of an individual honor for someone from a team sport, whereas the Ryder Cup is a team award for an individual sport.

Brandt Snedeker played much below his normal game.  Could it be because he had a letdown after just winning $10,000,000 in the FedEx Cup?  Yes, the zeros were included for effect.  It’s tough to tell as the sample size for that particular problem is too small.

So, was it an amazing European comeback or a classic US collapse?  Depends upon which team you’re pulling for or where your money was.  Also, how you look at life.  Are you a “There must be a scapegoat” type of person or “Unless it was just an out-and-out gift, congrats to the winners” kind of guy?  Before you answer, ponder the comments from former UNC offensive line coach, Howard Mudd in the 9/24/12 edition of Sports Illustrated.  What he was saying was directed to the “incredible psychological stability” of future Hall of Fame center, Jeff Saturday.  Take from it what you will regarding the clutch vs. choke argument:

“The really good players don’t rise to the occasion, as people like to say; they’re just not as adversely affected by the situation.”

Golf got it right.  The best players play in all the majors and most of them play in the big tourneys.  It’s world-wide competiton that, because it’s an individual sport, naturally produces stars.  They’re recognizable, they’re “understandable,” and they’re all over the place - TV, magazines, billboards.  It’s always been a rich man’s game but more and more “lesser income” kids have been getting involved.  Now, a program called “First Tee” is reaching out even more.  Imagine better athletes who couldn’t afford to play golf deciding, “This is a pretty cool sport - and I can play it a loooong time, making BIG bucks into my 50s and 60s.”

Golf also has the Ryder Cup.  The Ryder Cup is team golf- the US vs. Europe.  The twelve best from each group.  Intense is a perfect word to describe the competition.  Millionaires playing a game in which other people (not their posses) are dependent on them.  Other people as in their peers.  It’s not just “I do well, I reap the benefits.  I fail, I don’t get paid.”  Now it’s, “Hey, how I do affects other golfers beside just me.”  The pressure increases exponentially.  Missing a five foot putt and losing a half a mil pales in comparison to missing it and losing a point for your partner.  And your team.  And your country.  Note: I wasn’t very good in world geography but this blog is written for residents of the US of A only.  When my international numbers skyrocket - or enter single digits - I’ll make the post geographically correct.

Plus, it’s not overdone.  The Ryder Cup is played only every two years.  Make the people wait - increase interest, increase excitement, increase pressure.  Of course, the Ryder Cup’s success begat the Presidents Cup which is the US vs. non-European players - also biennially, during the off-years.  There’s no reason to think America’s fan base can’t handle this team format on an annual basis.  Heck, every other sport is so saturated, mainly because if there’s a buck to be made, somebody out there will sponsor it, corporations will buy blocks of tickets, television will air it, etc., etc., etc.

This year’s Ryder Cup has its own identity, from Bubba Watson encouraging fans to cheer, i.e. scream during his opening drive to Keegan Bradley exhibiting the enthusiasm of a college substitute who hit the game-winner to send his team to the Final Four to . . . Tiger Woods.  The former #1 in the world (and, at one time, talked about as, gasp, the best golfer of all-time) has hit the skids professionally, stuck on 14 major titles (we should all be “stuck” in such a tough place) and struggling to find, or remake, his game.

Tiger is 0-3 so far this Ryder Cup (this blog is published prior to his Sunday single pairing against Francesco Molinari).  If you’re a Tiger fan, it’s agonizing to see him, along with friend and partner Steve Stricker self-destruct each time out - although Friday afternoon I’m not sure any pair in the world could have beaten Nicolas Colsaerts and . . . anybody.  Or even nobody.  As any competitor knows, when things aren’t going your way, the last thing you need is to play against a guy who’s having a career day.  Colsaerts’ eight birdies and an eagle - by himself - qualified.  So if Tiger is not your favorite, did/do you root against him, meaning the team he’s on - representing your country - could also lose?  Really?

In the 1920s Samuel Ryder was so impressed with the US playing against their European counterparts, he donated food, champagne, prize money and, oh yeah, a cup to insure more meetings.  The Ryder Cup is a true example of Thomas Watson’s quote:

“The great accomplishments of man have resulted from the transmission of an idea of enthusiasm.”

As mentioned in yesterday’s blog, a number of campers (and their parents) get an opportunity to win free shoes.  Mostly, Michael will select a camper but every so often he’ll yell out for a relative of a camper.  Same deal pertains: make it and that team gets kicks gratis of His Airness (and Nike); miss and the shooter is the goat - and not the kind they refer to MJ as: the Greatest Of All Time.

Parent time.  A mom was chosen and quickly makes her way down from the second level.  She decided on the steps rather than the elevator.  When she arrived, there was the usual chit chat between host and contestant.  Then she was handed a ball.  The goal she was to shoot at for this demonstration was one of the giant portables that’s used on the four courts that run perpendicular to the main court.  Her style of shooting was the two hand chess pass method, not the preferred type nine out of every ten any shooting instructor in the world uses.  Ever!  

Not surprising, she missed.  Wide left.  Following her miss she turned and headed for one of the four make shift training rooms.  She explained to any of the trainers who would listen (they all did - one of the keys to the MJ Flight School camp is that everyone has a defined role and each is expected to perform it as described in the camp binder).  Apparently, her problem was that she was so excited when Michael picked her, she fell running down the steps, hurting her elbow.  And (as my completely unofficial statistics illustrate), she used the excuse altogether too many of this generation lean on: “THAT  is why I missed.” Maybe it’s hereditary.

As the saying goes:

“If you don’t admit to a problem, you’ll never find its solution.”

Anytime an individual or team with a big lead loses, the word “choke” surfaces.  That was the scenario in yesterday’s PGA Championship when Keegan Bradley came from five strokes down with three holes to play, rallied to tie Jason Dufner and then beat him in a three-hole playoff.  So which was it - was Bradley clutch or did Dufner choke?  Without trying to psychoanalyze, probably both.

Dufner played sensationally (although the commentators had mentioned some of the short putts he made did look a little shaky) . . . until he had the five stroke lead - which he obtained when Bradley triple bogeyed the par three 15th hole.  Dufner was a hole behind Bradley and bogeyed 15 (and, ugh, 16).  Bradley birdied 16 and Dufner watched him birdie 17 as well.  After Dufner bogeyed 17, the tourney was tied.  Bradley closed out his round with a par.  With the pressure on - and momentum against him, Dufner was forced to par - or lose.  For someone who had bogeyed three consecutive holes - on national TV, in a major, Dufner could have . . . choked.  He parred the hole which forced a playoff.

On the first playoff hole, Dufner hit his shot close but Bradley knocked one inside him.  Dufner missed his birdie attempt, Bradley made his and went on to win the PGA.  As for whether Dufner choked, Henry Ford’s quote sums it up best - without disparaging anyone:

“There isn’t a person anywhere who isn’t capable of doing more than he thinks he can.”

Whether reading accounts of the World Cup and the British Open, or watching television or listening to talk radio about them, one theme was discussed over and over - the subject of choking.  Did the U.S. women choke?  Did Phil Mickelson choke?

The arguments shared by those who claim “choke” by the females are that they were big favorites, missed on early opportunities, gave up goals that could have been avoided and performed poorly during the penalty kick phase of the contest.  Losing as an overwhelming favorite has nothing to do with choking; maybe overlooking the opponent or taking them too lightly (neither of which explanation I believe was the case with the World Cup final), but not choking.   The early lost chances could have been chalked up to lack of focus, not choking.   The first goal for Japan was due to a mistake in clearing the ball, not because the players involved choked.  Granted, the second goal should never have happened but because of a questionable strategical decision, not anything related to choking.  Regarding the PKs, two of the misses were superbly turned away by Japan’s goalkeeper and while the other miss was badly airmailed, to reason that one play caused the loss would be absurd.

Only because Phil Mickelson played absolutely magnificently for the first half of the final round was he even in contention for the Open Championship.  Lefty’s explanation for some risky shots was that he saw Darren Clarke was playing so well he knew taking risks were the only chance anyone would have to beat him.  I’ll take his analysis over some talking head whose golf game is more like mine than Mickelson’s.  He does miss more short putts than any great player but the rest of his game is as good or better than nearly everyone on tour so if that’s choking, he’s a choker.

The word “choke” is overused, especially in these two situations.  A little empathy would be wise in sports, considering our own performances.  As Stephen Covey has said:

“We judge others by their actions, ourselves by our intentions.“

After hearing the ESPN psychologists analysts last night, fans would have thought the Heat were going to a dark corner and suck their thumbs.  Sure, they just (under)performed one of the greatest collapses in NBA playoffs history, giving up a 15 point lead with 7 minutes to go in what would have given them a seemingly insurmountable 2-0 lead in their best of seven series.  But to hear the four guys (who, in my opinion, are infinitely inferior to TNT’s crew), Miami just gave away the championship.  Wasn’t it Jon (I may not act as much of a butthole as my dad did when he played,  but that doesn’t mean I can’t try) Barry who was talking sweep after Game 1 (”who’s going to be the second scorer for the Mavs?”)  Now, he’s preaching doom for the Heat.

To hear Erik Spoelstra and his guys talk about the game, they realize they gave one away but by no means did they sound distraught.  Earlier in the playoffs similar scenarios happened to other clubs and, while not all of them came back to win, in the game that followed, they played as if there was no residual effect.

I’m on record as saying I hope the Mavs win (for, what I think, is the good of the league and all its fans) and certainly I enjoyed the final seven minutes of last night’s game but don’t think for a minute that Miami is dead and gone.  Look for the Heat to come out in Game 3 with tremendous focus and purpose.  And with their talent, the commentators might be singing a different tune, er, actually the same one they harmonized, after Game 1.

“The more things change, the more they stay the same.”

After an agonizing loss to yet another powerful team - and at home no less - Miami Heat coach Eric Spoelstra mentioned in post game remarks that a couple of his guys were crying in the locker room.

Open the flood gates!  Not for the Heat’s tears, but for the torrent of callers, fans and, mostly because they have a pulpit, talk show hosts.  Keep in mind that these people were the ones who were offended that Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and LeBron James had the nerve to form the Evil Alliance so they have an ax to grind.

Count me in that group, but on the outskirts.  I hated that the precedent had been set which will turn the NBA further into a league of haves and have-nots, meaning contraction is inevitable (not such a bad thing since there are so many pitifully bad teams) and that there will be more collusion between stars.  It used to be enjoyable watching teams draft guys - or even trade for them - who would work to make their new club a winner.

As for rooting for others to fail, I realized a long time ago that if you revel in the demise of others, it only makes life more difficult for you.  It means your happiness is in their hands.  If the Heat heard any of the people yucking it up over their recent failures, do you really think that they’d feel worse because Joe Slapdick in Altoona or Podunk or Fresno is happy they’re not doing well?  They can’t feel much worse than they do now.  But when they win and they hear that people are upset, it tends to raise their spirits that much more.

When Spoelstra made the comment about crying, I took it as the tears were those of frustration or fury.  They can’t figure it out and it’s wearing on them.  Does anyone think these guys aren’t trying to win?  What if he had said that the guys were in the locker room and there was nothing unusual about their post game actions.  Then those criticizing them today for crying would be wailing about how they’re overpaid, aren’t producing and don’t even care!  

These guys can’t win - unless they win it all.  And I am with all those who hope they don’t.  But how they do affects me so much less that about a zillion other things going on in my life.

In cases like these, I always recall my late, brilliant mentor, John Savage, who always said:

“You don’t strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.”

Living in Fresno, it doesn’t take long to realize this is Giants’ Country.  And that’s during an average year.  Now that they’re one game away from winning it all, you can actually feel the energy in the entire region.

Not everyone is a San Fran fan but those who are elevate the level of excitement in such a way that it generates a positive feeling throughout the area.  Add to the fact that the Giants won their third game in the World Series on Halloween - as if the San Joaquin Valley needed another reason to wear orange and black - and people are on the verge of jubilation.

I’m from New Jersey and my mother’s side of the family was from Brooklyn.  In 1954 the New York Giants won the World Series and I can truthfully say I don’t remember that event at all - except for the catch Willie Mays made on Vic Wertz.  Even back then the replays were shown over and over.

But a year later, the Dodgers won their first World Series - when I was 7 - and I remember almost everything about it.   I grew up a staunch Dodgers fan and now I think of all the kids around that age who are Giants’ fans and the memories they’ll have (unless they pull a colossal choke).  Even the grownups are acting giddy.  Maybe it’s because, should the Giants manage one more win, they’ll be World Champs.  Their first since . . . 1954.

That is something to cheer about and with the economy in the shape it is, seeing people laugh or smile or even act foolish makes you realize what sports can do.  Sure, the Rangers’ faithful will be disappointed, but in a few days, they’ll be thinking about the wonderful ride their ballclub took them on and they’ll be happy too - although not as delirious as the Giants fans.

Winning feels so good it makes people forget about their troubles - if only for a brief period.  What sports does is brighten people’s attitudes and as Winston Churchill said:

“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.”

For those readers who frequented this site yesterday, you probably know what my feeling is.  Bad day.  Really bad day.  To watch Nick give away his three-stroke lead - on the very first hole (he double bogeyed & Dustin Johnson birdied to pull into a tie) - might have signaled Nick’s day wasn’t going to end as well as the day prior.  His misery, though, was more drawn out than what his playing partner, D. Johnson, would experience - but that’s another story for a blog on golf’s rules.  Note: That blog won’t be posted by me as I don’t know or pretend to understand some of the rules of that sport.

As I mentioned, to watch Nick unravel was painful, but not to be able to witness it was even worse.  I checked the paper this morning which said TNT’s coverage would start at 8:00am Pacific time, but that CBS’ coverage wouldn’t start until 1:00pm, joining the tournament in progress after a 49ers preseason football game.  Was a preseason football game more exciting and a greater moneymaker than the final round of the PGA?  Evidently.

This is one of those times that personal preference and emotion got the better of me.  Would I have been upset had Nick not been the leader at the start of the day?  Probably, because through the years, I’ve come to appreciate and enjoy golf, especially when it’s played by the best in the world, more than a somewhat meaningless preseason football game.  I have to admit that there was a day when I’d rather a re-run of a football game would excited me more than watching golf.  Maybe it’s called old age, maybe maturity, maybe expanding my interests.

However, I became more frantic after my friend, Peter Sharkey (see 6/15/10 for a blog on Peter’s induction into a local Hall-of-Fame), called me and was giving me stroke-by-stroke commentary.  Somehow, he was getting the tourney on some remote channel that I couldn’t find, although I searched through about 700 channels - have I ever mentioned that I’m technologically-challenged?  Since I had a meeting with one of my artists for C.U.T.E. Baby Gifts at 1:00pm (please go to www.CuteBabyNameGifts.com for information on the best, personalized, unique baby - and toddler - gifts you’ll ever find), I gave up searching and drove off to my meeting.

By the time I returned, Nick was so far out of contention, they weren’t even showing him.  It wasn’t until much later that, while he was still in a first place tie (heading into the par 3 7th hole), there was a disturbance that caused him to block his tee shot - into Lake Michigan.  It was too late to check and even googling didn’t help uncover what occurred.   The questions remain, “Did Nick succumb to the pressure of leading a major for the first time, did the crowd disturbance ruin his day (he triple bogeyed the 7th and bogeyed both the 8th and 9th), or did he simply fall out of the three-day zone he was in?

One thing about sports - especially individual sports like golf - there will be another day and another tournament.  For Nick Watney, at age 29, there will be many, many more.  Some day, he might even look back on yesterday and feel it was the turning point of his career.  As Robert Allen put it:

“The future you see is the future you get.”