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Harsh letter
Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 9:52 am
by wbtfg
Wow...I really think that this dude needs to get a life. Calling for the firing of our coaching staff when we are tied for first place w/ two regular season games to go?
This dude must be spending too much time on egriz.
Sports letters: Time for MSU football coaches to produce
To: Mike (Kramer), Don (Bailey) and Pete (Kwiatkowski):
Well boys, I have had about all I can stand. This year is your last chance to pull the rabbit out of the hat.
You have a team that is loaded on offense and very good on defense, yet you still can't get the job done to
anyone's satisfaction.
To: Don
I have said for the last three years that you should be replaced. Up until this year, your idea of a game plan was to run the same three plays over and
over again.
This year you have mixed it up a little, but everyone watching the game in the stands and at home along with every Big Sky coach knows that on first down you will run a running play up the gut 80 percent of the time. The only thing that the other defense should expect is the unexpected.
To: Pete
I have given you the benefit of the doubt for a long time.
Since the Idaho State game, where it took you an entire half to figure out how to counter a
trap play, and then the abysmal showing with NAU, I am convinced you need to go also.
To: Mike
You are a great guy. I think I can say that most people love you.
You of all people should be seeing these problems. The buck stops with you.
Your most recent comments about the team “being afraid of the dark” is just plain wrong. It is not a failure of the team. It is a coaching failure.
When I see mass confusion getting a play into Travis Lulay, when I see confusion getting a play into the defense, that looks like a problem with coaching.
Why don't you let Travis Lulay call his own plays? He is a smart kid. I think he can do just as well as Don.
And let your defensive captain call the defense. Again, he is most likely a smart kid.
Let them do it.
I realize that you have some giant ego problems on your staff. This is your last chance. You have a team capable of going deep into the playoffs.
It they don't win the
next two games, all of you should pack your bags and move on.
One more point: A .500 record does not a winning coach make.
Denis Grigsby
Bozeman
Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 9:57 am
by El_Gato
Where did this come from?
Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 10:03 am
by wbtfg
Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 10:06 am
by El_Gato
I have a couple of questions for Jeff Welsch,
Is it the Chronicle's policy to print ANY letter to the editor? Are there some that DON'T get included? If so, for what reasons?
Based on the fact that this one got printed, I'd have to believe that you must print any/all that are submitted.
Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 11:07 am
by BWahlberg
Wow, looks like Wolfman is now a cat fan.
Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 11:12 am
by grizdoc
Here is the policy on their website, pretty standard, sign your name, address and your phone number
http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/letters/
Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 11:47 am
by gtapp
Anyone that into Bobcat Sports must be on Bobcat Nation.
Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 12:14 pm
by bobcatmaniac
Keep your fingers crossed that those three read the letter....I agree 100%
Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 12:17 pm
by Jeff Welsch
El_Gato wrote:I have a couple of questions for Jeff Welsch,
Is it the Chronicle's policy to print ANY letter to the editor? Are there some that DON'T get included? If so, for what reasons?
Based on the fact that this one got printed, I'd have to believe that you must print any/all that are submitted.
To answer: The only letters we don't print are those that are libelous or have errors in fact or are intensely personal (in other words, we're not going to run a letter by someone speculating on a coach's married life or announcing that one was seen at a bar late Friday night, etc).
As purveyors of, and believers in, The First Amendment, we don't censor. The newspaper is a forum in which to freely express ideas and opinions. It's a cliche, but it truly is part of what makes this country special.
People often have asked me why I'll run letters blasting me, some of them far nastier than anything I've experienced on any message board. Frankly, there's more value in letting the world know who's out there and how they think; readers can see what I, and coaches for that matter, are up against.
That said, just because we print a letter doesn't mean we necessarily endorse what's said.
For the record: This guy's looking at MSU's coaching through a different lens than I.
P.S.: That thread about Tim Dumas' article on Nov. 2 and there being a "policy" about requiring some "negative" stuff so that we're "fair and balanced" about the Cats? Please. Where do people come up with this stuff?
We will always strive to be fair, but as I'm repeatedly reminded by the Griz faithful in the Gallatin Valley, nobody looking at the Chronicle would say our coverage is balanced. It's 95 percent 'Cats, 5 percent the rest of the Big Sky -- as it should be.
By the way, I'd prefer some phrase other than "fair and balanced," the laughable moniker for a network that most people recognize is as fair and balanced as Pravda.
-- jw
Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 12:28 pm
by CelticCat
Was the letter harsh? A little. But can you realy disagree with some of the points he made?
I've always said that Kramer is going to be a victim of his own sucess. Keep telling people how great this team is and that everyone should have high expectations, eventually you are going to have to deliver.
However, it is too early in the season for this kind of talk - at least wait till we are NOT in first place with a good chance of making the playoffs and even hosting a playoff game.
Go Cats, we NEED to beat EWU! Kramer doesn't need any negativity right now, he needs all the positive reinforcement he can to get his troops ready for the Eagles.
Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 12:38 pm
by 083190
Since this is America we are entitled to freedom of expression. That being said Mr. Grigsby has expressed himself and quite publicly. Mr. Kramer, Mr. Bailey and Mr. Kwiatkowski should have the opportunity to do the same. Perhaps Mr. Grigsby would like them to come to his place of employment and provide the world with their thoughts on his performance.
The coaches have done a good job. period! We may not like everything that goes on but any decisions that have to be made will be made by people that have much more knowledge and information than Mr. Grigsby. As fans, none of us will agree all of the time. How is it that as fans, we know so much more about the game than the people hired to do the job. If the average person knew what it takes to be a coach at this level they would probably be less apt to criticize. But to attack the coaches in the editorial pages. Honestly what will that accomplish?
Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 1:51 pm
by lifeloyalsigmsu
083190 wrote:Since this is America we are entitled to freedom of expression. That being said Mr. Grigsby has expressed himself and quite publicly. Mr. Kramer, Mr. Bailey and Mr. Kwiatkowski should have the opportunity to do the same. Perhaps Mr. Grigsby would like them to come to his place of employment and provide the world with their thoughts on his performance.
The coaches have done a good job. period! We may not like everything that goes on but any decisions that have to be made will be made by people that have much more knowledge and information than Mr. Grigsby. As fans, none of us will agree all of the time. How is it that as fans, we know so much more about the game than the people hired to do the job. If the average person knew what it takes to be a coach at this level they would probably be less apt to criticize. But to attack the coaches in the editorial pages. Honestly what will that accomplish?
Don't you think there's a big difference between one's personal place of employment versus one that's well known to all in the form of a head coach? His situation is no different than any other head coach in this country.
The letter was a little harsh but when you really think about it, were his assertions off base? I'm certainly pro-Kramer and I'm happy with what he has done for the program. What I am disappointed in is that with the exception of the SFA game, the Cats haven't played to their potential even closely this year.
We find the potential for a running game in our NINTH game of the season in Evin Groves. How many of us armchair coaches have been decrying all the potential in Groves? Many of us felt that way from the beginning weeks of the season. When our QB has accounted for nearly 90% (or however many) yards in a game or 2, I think that's something to worry about.
Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 2:30 pm
by bozbobcat
I thought that letter was a little harsh on the coaching staff. They've made a lot of us scratch our heads, but these guys have in fact just led the Bobcats to their fourth consecutive winning season and the fifth consecutive winning season in conference play. Yes, I believe that we have a lot of talent and this year should be the year where we go far, starting with a win on Saturday at Eastern Washington. And negativity is not needed at this point when we are in first place in the conference.
Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 3:21 pm
by 083190
Loyal,
You make some of my points for me! Do any of us really respect the football knowledge of the person sitting next to us at a game? Does anyone you know, know more about football than ANYONE on a staff anywhere? As for potential, the only thing potential means is that you haven't done it yet. Groves hasn't played because the staff(who see him everyday) felt he wasn't ready to pick up bllitzes. THat was proven on the only sack of Lulay yesterday. Groves missed the block. The Grigsby assertions lacked merit. Have Lulay and Mollohan call the plays? Is he on medication? THe season has not been perfect, but there should be no issue with sitting first in the Big Sky and around 10th in the polls. As for "personal" places of employment, does anyone deserve to be lambasted publicly. As for our offense, it seems that you want your best player to have the ball. Lulay is a pretty good option. Give him the rock! Even if it's 100% of the time. I trust the coaches want to win as badly as anyone! They have a little more invested than the folks who right harsh letters, posters on this board and anyone else outside the athletic department. Would you like to put your career in the hands of 18-22 year old kids! Didn't think so!
Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 3:23 pm
by Catz Rock
Am I on the griz board?
wbtfg........
I am disappointed with you!
What is your purpose for posting this kind of crap at this time of the season?
There is a time and place fot this crap, and this is neither the time or place. Are you really a griz fan trying to stir things up so we lose sight of the task at hand? This is just the kind of stuff EWU & the griz would hope to see going on. That being said, lets end this stupid post and move on to the task at hand.
Now wbtfg, what are your thoughts on the upcoming EWU game.
Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 4:06 pm
by Catz Rock
Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 4:37 pm
by ButteCat
It's really interesting that he listed his address as Bozeman, when he's actually from Conrad.
(Check him out on Google) Everyone is entitled to his opinion, but now the Grizzly's are saying "Bobcat Fans getting impatient?" Come on, get real, this guy's garbage in no way reflects Bobcat Fan's attitude.
Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 4:47 pm
by longhorn_22
ButteCat wrote:It's really interesting that he listed his address as Bozeman, when he's actually from Conrad.
(Check him out on Google) Everyone is entitled to his opinion, but now the Grizzly's are saying "Bobcat Fans getting impatient?" Come on, get real, this guy's garbage in no way reflects Bobcat Fan's attitude.
Of course friz fans are saying that. They will find anything and everything to take a shot at Cat fans.
Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 7:57 pm
by BelgradeBobcat
Okay, first off I admit getting emotional and worked up during Bobcat games and I've wanted a coach or two ran out of town after a bad loss, or unexpectadly narrow win once in a while-but that's just the emotions of being a fan. I can't cast too heavy a stone at Mr. Grigsby (whoever he is). But anyone who's followed Bobcat football for a long while should be very happy with the current program and its progress.
When you read a letter like that you can see how our school fired Sonny Lubick at one time-and are now somewhat of a laughingstock for doing so. Lubick's years were frustratingly medicore after the Sonny Holland years, but as we saw with the 1984 championship (mostly Lubick recruits I believe) he had the program going the right direction.
Kramer has achieved 4 winning seasons in a row, 2 shared Big Sky titles, 2 playoff appearances (maybe a third this year
) and 2 wins over the griz (maybe a third this year
). We did not have that kind of consistent success in the 80's or 90's. We have also had the Big Sky's top defense and one of the Big Sky's top offenses in that time. Now if we can just have the top offense and defense in the same season-but that might happen next year!
So I say great work coach Kramer and staff-thanks for the great memories the last several years, and here's to many more in the future.
I hope the team takes that letter and tapes it to the locker room wall. What a great motivator!
Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 9:10 pm
by theblackgecko
BelgradeBobcat wrote:Okay, first off I admit getting emotional and worked up during Bobcat games and I've wanted a coach or two ran out of town after a bad loss, or unexpectadly narrow win once in a while-but that's just the emotions of being a fan. I can't cast too heavy a stone at Mr. Grigsby (whoever he is). But anyone who's followed Bobcat football for a long while should be very happy with the current program and its progress.
When you read a letter like that you can see how our school fired Sonny Lubick at one time-and are now somewhat of a laughingstock for doing so. Lubick's years were frustratingly medicore after the Sonny Holland years, but as we saw with the 1984 championship (mostly Lubick recruits I believe) he had the program going the right direction.
Kramer has achieved 4 winning seasons in a row, 2 shared Big Sky titles, 2 playoff appearances (maybe a third this year [-o< ) and 2 wins over the griz (maybe a third this year [-o< [-o< [-o< ). We did not have that kind of consistent success in the 80's or 90's. We have also had the Big Sky's top defense and one of the Big Sky's top offenses in that time. Now if we can just have the top offense and defense in the same season-but that might happen next year!
So I say great work coach Kramer and staff-thanks for the great memories the last several years, and here's to many more in the future. :bow:
I hope the team takes that letter and tapes it to the locker room wall. What a great motivator! :hot:
Does that include the winning season of 2001? Cats were 5-6 that year.