My recruiting observation

[Herd Backer]

BUS, I appreciate the compliment & would like to credit you for my username in your references to building "The Herd". Also, I happen to have a very close affiliation to an incoming member of "The Herd" as well as 'Stangmom'. I feel this is a really good class of recruits, especially the Big Uglies. We are very excited to be a part of the Mustang family & are looking forward to becoming members of the Mustang Club & supporting SMU Football.

[ponydawg]

hey Johnny [deleted],
No one here is saying to be nice to the administration, in fact I am pretty sure that we said to bag on them, just choose different words when you are talking about the players that have committed themselves to work their [deleted] off on and off the field for you and me. Just be smart, recruits and parents read this board, talk [deleted] about the administration fine, we all do. In fact in Griders first post he says to blame it on all the other reasons, just not these recruits.

[jtstang]

Just be smart, recruits and parents read this board...

I for one am absolutely sick of this sentiment. The fact that parents and recruits read the internet should in no way squelch the expression of anybody's point of view, good or bad. So parents and recruits, if you don't like what you are reading here, no offense but I suggest you change the channel.

[EastStang]

Sure JT free speak away, and when a rival recruiter uses our words to talk a recruit into going to Bum F U, we'll be the ones who suffer. I agree that the administration has put us on a 17 year toilet flush that only now are we beginning to grab the rim, and paying players did not help either, but these kids are coming here to play football for SMU. They may not be the prettiest class of recruits in the world, but their ours and they certainly are better looking than some classes of recruits we've had in the past. Any upgrade over what we've had is an improvement for the future. I'd like it to happen faster, but we've screwed it up so royally the last 17 years, lets at least start to climb out of the crapper before we get sucked down the drain. By the way did any of you read about the Memphis player whose coach was offered big $$$ by an Alabama booster to talk this player into coming to Alabama. There's a trial going on, and the coach testified that got similar offers from Tennessee, Memphis, Michigan State, Michigan, and Mississippi. That is a playing field that we can never go back to, yet we are still competing with those schools for players. Its amazing to me that we do as well as we do.

[jtstang]

Sure JT free speak away, and when a rival recruiter uses our words to talk a recruit into going to Bum F U, we'll be the ones who suffer.

Just for the record, I'd be surprised if you can go back an point to any negative comment I've made about any particular recruit because I don't think I have. And I don't encourage others to do so either, but also I don't begrudge them the opportunity to do so for fear of hurting somebody's parent's feelings. Besides I don't know that I want a recruit who puts any stock at all in the "talent evaluation" he reads on this board.

And I'll bet if you go over to the Bum FU chat boards you will see the same stuff going on over there so I don't buy we're running off recruits by posting opinions here.

[ponyboy]

Your consistent negativity may not point to a particular recruit, jt. You choose to employ more of a broadbrush approach.

[jtstang]

Your consistent negativity may not point to a particular recruit, jt. You choose to employ more of a broadbrush approach.

You say negativity, I say reality. Its just semantics, sunshiner. By the way, since I don't recall making any "broadbrush" comments regarding our football recruiting class one way or the other, can you point out where I made these "negative" ones?

[Col. Nathan R. Jessep]

Just be smart, recruits and parents read this board...

So parents and recruits, if you don't like what you are reading here, no offense but I suggest you change the channel.

Great line, JT.

Perhaps Bennett should include that as a quote in his marketing brochure next season? I am sure it would impress.

If someone wants to critique a dumba$$ play call, some player's dropped catch, or challenge when the team tanks, have it at.

But when 20+ kids, turn toward the Hilltop and say 'I'm with ya', I'd think it would be decent to say "welcome" rather than hear from some on this site quoteing some foolish drool from a website about some recruit who's better than the guy we got.

In the very least, let these Newbies get to 2-a-days before the ridicule starts.

[Mike Damone]

Coach of Rival: "I know you like SMU and think it would be great place to play, love the facilities, coaching staff, etc.; but did you hear what Stallion and jtstang said about the program on ponyfans.com?"

Recruit: "Who??? Where???"

Coach of Rival: "Don't you worry about it son. All I can say is it was bad and it was on an internet message board."

Recruit: "You're right coach, I don't think I like that place anymore. Where do I sign up for your school?"


Too funny. If you really think this message board is bad you should get on other schools boards. And they have about 1/100 to [deleted] about.

[jtstang]

Damone, I laughed out loud at that one. Now I need two tickets so close to the stage I'll probably scare the band.

[Webmaster]

Johnny Rock needs to go on PonyFans sabbatical.

My 2 cents. I'm a fan of Mitch Enright. Anyone who can start 4 years at Southlake (and get All-State recognition 3 of those years) is probably going to be a player. Also, you can't get your center too tall or our QBs won't be able to see over him <insert sarcasm>.

[stangmom]

To those of you "negative" people......shall I quote JT, I have the right to voice my opinion and thoughts without fear of upsetting other.....so as I was saying.....to those of you "negative" people, the world is full of those like you that see the glass 1/2 empty. It is only those that see the glass 1/2 full that make a positive and constructive difference. We can all sit here and complain about the past but as we adults all know, the past is 20/20 vision. And I must say to you "negative" individuals, THANK GOD you are not the coaches because your negative attitude would take this team straight to HE*#! Let's try and look at the positive and focus on what is, not what could be not where we wish we were, but reality of where we are and the direction these kids are trying to get us. Do you think for a minute that anyone signs a scholarship and thinks "Wow, I am signing with SMU, wow I can't wait to be apart of a losing team and continue to lose the entire 4 years that I am there! WOOPIE" I don't think so, these kids (and keep in mind they are kids, most the age of 18 or 19) taking a chance on a program that is trying desperately to rebuild after the death penalty.......they are putting their hearts into trying to make a difference. BE THANKFUL! If it weren't for those guys willing to take a chance then SMU would have NO CHANCE!!! As for the administration, I have never known a leader in my life that was liked by all.

And finally a quote from the wisest man I ever knew (my dad) he would tell me and this goes for all of you......"Opinions are like a@@holes.....everyone has one......some stink and some don't"

Have a great day to all of you both negative and positive people. I personally see the SMU glass 1/2 full!!!!

[Cheesesteak]

Posted by stangmom:

If it weren't for those guys willing to take a chance then SMU would have NO CHANCE!!!

I believe that SMU's football coaches are recruiting young men who generally have good character and a strong desire to win in addition to being among the most talented football players that presently are interested in playing for SMU.

Go Mustangs!

[jtstang]

......shall I quote JT, I have the right to voice my opinion and thoughts without fear of upsetting other.....

Not really a quote from me, mom, but I get your drift. You can certainly come on here and spout off as you see fit as far as I'm concerned.

In fact, you're a good test case. Your kid just signed on to play football for SMU, right? He knows what our recent win-loss record is, met the coaches, presumably liked what he saw and made his decision with all of that relevant knowledge in hand. Did you and/or he ever come over to this board and read posts, both good and bad? If so, why didn't the "negative" posts run y'all off to another school as some here have theorized?

[ponydawg]

My worries about the negative post are not that they will run off recruits, I don't think that is the case at all, it is more about right and wrong. You just don't tell a kid who has just decided to come work for you that they are not as good as others and that Tulanes recruits are so much better than ours. That is going to be the coaches job next year to say "YOU SUCK!" and yell at them while trying to whip them into shape, and then if they are playing bad in game we can come and bitc# all we want to on here. But at least give them some kind of honeymoon first.

It is kinda like if you were on a first date with a girl and you say "See that couple over there......how come you are not hot like her....fatty?"