smu diamond m wrote:Thats one thing that struck me about JJ from the beginning -- the fact that he makes people believe in what he's saying. It's a lot easier to do when you believe in it and know you can do it.
Complacency is the first step towards failure.
True. That's definitely what came off again tonight.
It was enjoyable to see Mike O'Neal and his son John. Good to see my man Jack Sanders... and good to finally meet that 94 guy.
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Orsini was effusive and engaging as ever. His finest line of the night came when he was introducing the new football coach thanking us all for all the
advice we gave him during the 71 day coaching search.
Though Orsini's demeanor seems just the same as all my previous meetings with him... I could just tell that he was again enjoying the moment. Yes he always seems on top of the game, a step ahead. But there was an undercurrent, that could have been real or imagined, that was kind of like -
you see? C'mon, you knew I was the man! I'm the man!
I made sure to thank Orsini post haste. I walked up and said, something along the lines of, THank you, Steve. Thank you, Mr. Orsini." We chatted for a bit and when it was done, I turned to LF68 and said, "Okay, I've done all I came here for we could go, but might as well enjoy the open bar."
Coach Jones seemed a whole lot more comfortable in this environ than I have as to date seen him, though still looking uncomfortable in his clothing - to which LF68 commented, "C'mon! The dude's been wearing a lei for the past ten years!" .... that was before we even made it to the event, which allows me to step back for a moment.
LF68 tagged along this evening, and I was grateful for it... he had some good insights - I won't steal his thunder I will allow him to share them later.... you know after he has some wife time. I joked to 94 that he was my date tonight, but LF68 put it best when we were at the sign in table:
ThadFilms: Hi, I'm Thaddeus Matula.
LF68: I'm 'And Guest'.
Anyhow, back to Coach Jones... it was nice to hear him drop in a few wry remarks here and there. Which is what I loved about him on Todd Wright All Night on ESPN Radio. Just kind of the unexpected funny.
I can't do any of them justice because it's not about
what[/] he said being funny - just more how he said it. The best of the bunch was talking about Taylor Thompson, at 6-6 looking like an NFL player... 250 pounds.... just looks like the real deal - "We're gonna' have him get off the bus first."
Or about B.J. Lee - "If you look there," we all had signing day recruit lists in our hands, "he's listed there at 5' 5". That's wrong," a small pause. "He's more like 5'4"." .... Probably a, you had to be there moment, but Coach Jones was on point tonight.
He spoke about the players and it was, to most of us who have paid attention to this site, things we have already heard. Save for maybe perhaps the note that he thinks that 15 or 16 of these guys are going to play right away..... I must note here, he was nearly as effusive as he has been about Bo Levi Mitchell in the [i]first go around (still generously lauding him, mind you, but by the time we got to him, he was kind of trucking while running through the recruits) but...
Only one question was asked during the Q&A portion.... starting quarterback -
June Jones immediately started talking about our backup quarterback. About all the great things he's heard and seen... "And, of course" he's seen a lot of Willis. But, this "kid from Katy", he went on, is really good. He has a chance to come in immediately as a true freshman "and do some things".
That was probably the biggest news of the night.
I only got to speak with JJ at the end of the evening, LF68 was present as well, and I am sure he will chime in with his thoughts as well.... I didn't go into much, just thanked him and told him that I used to listen to him on Todd Wright All Night... back when my insomnia was at it's peak. We joked about his All Night appearances, which he still does, but that was about it.
All in all it was a fantastic way to spen an hour and a half.... and if you ever find yourself in Austin - Saba Blue Water Cafe.... their hors d’oeuvres are awesome. I knew this before, but I was so glad that they catered (they're right up stairs). Just brilliant. And if you are currently an SMU student, should you move to Austin.... or date a girl in Austin.... it's the perfect first date place. Especially if you take her during happy hour - all the hors d’oeuvres are half price. Zing!
Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 10:35 pm