Craig James.......

OC Mustang · Post by **OC Mustang** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 11:57 pm

Here is my question.

When since the DP (and since he has taken up broadcasting) has he had the opportunity to play color or anything else for that matter when SMU Football has been playing?

Hey, based on what I hear 2ndhand, I am very disappointed with his attitude toward SMU. However, that said, I understand his frustration, if not his point of view.

I figure the guy gets a mulligan until Halloween. We ought to be able to gauge his thoughts and feelings much better after the 31st.

J.T.supporta · Post by **J.T.supporta** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 12:08 am

Neither CJ or ED have come back to SMU since their departures from the school in the 80s.

You hear and see all the times when school legends come back to their college to give a speech or pep talk to a team for which they use to play for.

In the past decade, CJ and ED have not set foot on the SMU campus.
Neither of them have tried to aid the SMU Football team with onhand help.

You would think that to former greats, one a NFL legend (ED) and the other a decent pro player (CJ) would come back to their schools to give talks or to host campus or even to watch their team play on any given saturday.

The day that CJ and ED have given back to SMU will be the day the walk through campus reminicising on their days hear and give a pep talk or some sort of inspirational speech to the team...They need to do that soon with such great youngsters we have on the team this year.

RGV Pony · Post by **RGV Pony** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 6:58 am

J.T.supporta wrote:Neither CJ or ED have come back to SMU since their departures from the school in the 80s.

You hear and see all the times when school legends come back to their college to give a speech or pep talk to a team for which they use to play for.

In the past decade, CJ and ED have not set foot on the SMU campus.
Neither of them have tried to aid the SMU Football team with onhand help.

You would think that to former greats, one a NFL legend (ED) and the other a decent pro player (CJ) would come back to their schools to give talks or to host campus or even to watch their team play on any given saturday.

The day that CJ and ED have given back to SMU will be the day the walk through campus reminicising on their days hear and give a pep talk or some sort of inspirational speech to the team...They need to do that soon with such great youngsters we have on the team this year.

I guess you missed the CUSA press conference, which had as its keynote speaker Craig James. I'm sure CJ was on campus more than a few times to move his daughter into and out of her dorm as well.

03Mustang · Post by **03Mustang** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 7:36 am

RGV Pony wrote:
J.T.supporta wrote:Neither CJ or ED have come back to SMU since their departures from the school in the 80s.

You hear and see all the times when school legends come back to their college to give a speech or pep talk to a team for which they use to play for.

In the past decade, CJ and ED have not set foot on the SMU campus.
Neither of them have tried to aid the SMU Football team with onhand help.

You would think that to former greats, one a NFL legend (ED) and the other a decent pro player (CJ) would come back to their schools to give talks or to host campus or even to watch their team play on any given saturday.

The day that CJ and ED have given back to SMU will be the day the walk through campus reminicising on their days hear and give a pep talk or some sort of inspirational speech to the team...They need to do that soon with such great youngsters we have on the team this year.

I guess you missed the CUSA press conference, which had as its keynote speaker Craig James. I'm sure CJ was on campus more than a few times to move his daughter into and out of her dorm as well.

Both of them were also on campus a few years ago during a game...unfortunately the fiasco with Navy, I believe....for the 20 year anniversary of the 10-0-1 season. As RGV mentioned, CJ was also on campus for the CUSA conference, and he said a lot of positive things about the program at that time.

That being said, ED is pretty much a [deleted] based on every interview I've ever heard. The guy has a complex and was scared to death a couple of years ago when Jamal Lewis was threatening his single season rushing record. Don't ever expect to see him around.

Hopefully this team is the start of something good, and they can be the ones talking to our team for years to come.

SMU Football Blog · Post by **SMU Football Blog** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 8:04 am

Eric Dickerson was on the sideline for the 1994 SMU-UCLA game.

EastStang · Post by **EastStang** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 11:11 am

There are times I would rather forget that Craig was an SMU grad. He is not that great a color analyst and his grammar isn't that great. However, he is telegenic and energetic and for that he gets a passing grade. I much prefer listening to his color than some of the other analysts they have on ESPN. When people say he is an SMU alum, he gives weight to our program. He is a visible sign that playing football at SMU can get you places. Despite his criticisms of the program (many of which are well founded by the way), he always says he's a Mustang (when he could choose his high school or the New England Patriots). So, he isn't perfect, but he's ours. Eric Dickerson was embarrassing as a sideline reporter on Monday night football because you could never understand him. But he still holds the single season NFL rushing record and for that reason alone, we'll claim him.

mrydel · Post by **mrydel** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 11:26 am

I expect to be pleasantly surprised with James during the Halloween game. He will be in Dallas, at SMU and he knows that. I think he will mention the past problems with the program and not sugar coat it but I think (and this is where hoping comes into play) that he will speak of the upturn in the program and the future prospects. I think that will give it an overall positive spin that will be beneficial. The key to the best of all possible worlds will be a good showing on the field and will be bolstered even more if we come in on top of a win at ECU.

MustangStealth · Post by **MustangStealth** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 11:29 am

Someone needs to wear a Craig James costume.

mrydel · Post by **mrydel** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 11:31 am

MustangStealth wrote:Someone needs to wear a Craig James costume.

Preferably one of our running backs.

Post by **PonyPride** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 11:43 am

Craig James' first broadcasting job (I think) was as color commentator for the radio broadcasts of SMU football in 1989. For a new announcer, I thought he did a decent job.

How nice would it be if the Ponies can beat ECU this weekend and then become bowl-eligible with a win over UAB with Craig in the announcers' booth? He'd be obligated to gush then. I mean "I'm so proud of my alma mater, congratulations to Coach Bennett, this is a great academic school and football is back, recruits should be lining up at the door" -- that kind of enthusiasm.

Big10Ponyfan · Post by **Big10Ponyfan** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 11:55 am

PonyPride wrote:Craig James' first broadcasting job (I think) was as color commentator for the radio broadcasts of SMU football in 1989. For a new announcer, I thought he did a decent job.

How nice would it be if the Ponies can beat ECU this weekend and then become bowl-eligible with a win over UAB with Craig in the announcers' booth? He'd be obligated to gush then. I mean "I'm so proud of my alma mater, congratulations to Coach Bennett, this is a great academic school and football is back, recruits should be lining up at the door" -- that kind of enthusiasm.

It might kill him to say it.

ponydawg · Post by **ponydawg** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 12:07 pm

Wonder if Craig'ers even knows some smu fans are not happy with his comments? He might think he is speaking for a lot of us. Should be interesting, will have to tivo.....

codered28 · Post by **codered28** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 12:08 pm

yea im sorry im not giving craig any benefit of the doubt...if you bash your university as much as he did on national tv...you lose respect for him

SMUstang · Post by **SMUstang** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 3:10 pm

FordtoTolbert wrote:...why are we starting a new "Craig James thread"??...is it sort of the "my thread is better than your thread" syndrome??

Does anybody know what happened to the old Craig James thread? I posted to it and now I can't find it.

jtstang · Post by **jtstang** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 3:18 pm

SMUstang wrote:
FordtoTolbert wrote:...why are we starting a new "Craig James thread"??...is it sort of the "my thread is better than your thread" syndrome??

Does anybody know what happened to the old Craig James thread? I posted to it and now I can't find it.

It was deleted as a result of a firestorm of infighting, cursing and general mayhem, which may or may not have been set off by your post.