PonyFans.com

Are back on the Hilltop behind the SMU bench!

Welcome home guys!

good to see.

Yeah it's good to see them there.

James refused to say that he supports the football program during his interview. He would only say that he supports the "institution" whatever that means and the "kids".

Still a [deleted] and do you think he could have worn a tighter sweater.

reddevil wrote:Dickerson refused to say that he supports the football program during his interview. He would only say that he supports the "institution" whatever that means and the "kids".

Still a [deleted] and do you think he could have worn a tighter sweater.

RD, I think you meant James, not Dickerson.

I was not offended by his comments. I think he is supportive of SMU.

Yes, it was CJ who gave a totally political answer about supporting this program. It was good to see both of them together on the sidelines. We all really need to thank ED for all he has done for this program in the last few years.

A highlight of the game given the performance on the field. James wa being a bit PC, but still good to hear a willingness to get involved again. Dickerson was classic ED.

Don't you think James is still trying to be extremely careful with his comments so he won't offend SMU folk like he has done TexasTech folk these last six months? If the rumors are correct that he actually has thoughts of running for governor of Texas, or Senator, he's got to mend a lot of fences, and be careful with a lot of others. ("I won't say I never took any money while at SMU, but I never took any from the Administration, I assure you." --Craig James)

After that they showed CJ and ED talking unmiked and it looked like ED was giving him some [deleted] about something from the look on Craig's face.

what a bunch of CSI wanna-bees..."ED giving him [deleted]..." right!! HA!

i was happy to see both of them there and to hear them both talking positively about the program. We need all the help we can get - especially after today's performance.

I didn't see the interview, but I would guess that Craig James said he supports "the institution" as opposed to "the football program" because he is still employed as a college football analyst for ESPN.

He seems to take his ESPN role very seriously and doesn't want to come across as a homer. He was also very careful when talking about his Texas Tech ties on-air, before his son was in the doghouse with Leach.

I've got no problem with him showing visible support for SMU - "the institution" - without being rah-rah about the football team. You can't imagine what kind of vile hate mail those ESPN guys get when they show the slightest favor or criticism toward any particular team.

Longtime wrote:I didn't see the interview, but I would guess that Craig James said he supports "the institution" as opposed to "the football program" because he is still employed as a college football analyst for ESPN.

He seems to take his ESPN role very seriously and doesn't want to come across as a homer. He was also very careful when talking about his Texas Tech ties on-air, before his son was in the doghouse with Leach.

I've got no problem with him showing visible support for SMU - "the institution" - without being rah-rah about the football team. You can't imagine what kind of vile hate mail those ESPN guys get when they show the slightest favor or criticism toward any particular team.

You have stated my exact thoughts on the interview.

PoconoPony wrote:

Longtime wrote:I didn't see the interview, but I would guess that Craig James said he supports "the institution" as opposed to "the football program" because he is still employed as a college football analyst for ESPN.

He seems to take his ESPN role very seriously and doesn't want to come across as a homer. He was also very careful when talking about his Texas Tech ties on-air, before his son was in the doghouse with Leach.

I've got no problem with him showing visible support for SMU - "the institution" - without being rah-rah about the football team. You can't imagine what kind of vile hate mail those ESPN guys get when they show the slightest favor or criticism toward any particular team.

You have stated my exact thoughts on the interview.

My post from above has been edited. I did not mean to refer to Dickerson as I think he as been a great supporter of the team.

As for the point that James chose his words because of his job with ESPN, I think that is a weak excuse. He was not calling the game, he was not wearing the ESPN logo, but he was interviewed as a fan and alum. He was not interviewed because he is an ESPN announcer. So why can't a alum vocalize his support of the football team? James did not have to say I can only say neutral things about SMU because I announce other games. In fact I heard Mike Wilbon on ESPN radio today talk about his support of his alma matter, analyze their quarterback situation positively and also promote their basketball program. Futhermore, Wilbon is a much higher profile guy at ESPN than James and Wilbon is also an actual journalist. The position above is off base.

FWIW, I didn't even know James was in attendance until I saw this thread. I was at the game, and CJ wasn't given a closeup on the big vid board in the stadium, and no mention of any SMU notables in attendance - however, if you were paying attention, Dickerson DID get a closeup during the second half, though it wasn't very long, and it wasn't acknowledged by the announcer. Had to be watching to catch it.