The unofficial online home for fans of the Western Michigan University Broncos. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

(08-19-2014 10:12 AM)DesertBronco Wrote:  God you're easy.

Likewise.

(08-19-2014 09:31 AM)DesertBronco Wrote:  

(08-19-2014 06:43 AM)MajorHoople Wrote:  C'mon, Waldo - you know writers are only "objective" and know what they're talking about when they write what fan boys want to read - "happy talk" as CD calls it.

BAM!

Suck on that Fleckapologist deflectors of issues, projectors of emotions and masters of unaccountability.

More thought went into writing a critique of this crap article, than went into the actual article.

(08-19-2014 06:05 AM)WheresWaldo42 Wrote:  OK, so I reread your posted definition of objective. I would say that our writer in this case has no dog in the fight and thus would be MUCH more objective than the rest of us.

Was he incorrect in saying that the fan base didn't take to PJ's antics in a 1-11 season?
Was he incorrect in saying that our program had been considered a solid contender for many years?
Was he incorrect in saying that a return to .500 would be a positive step?

Obviously, I am paraphrasing his comments rather that looking them up and retyping verbatim.

So, I will attempt to objectively answer those questions.
1. If you simply look at this board, you would see that, I would estimate, 80 - 90% of the comments last year regarding PJ were directed negatively. As the season progressed and the losses piled up, so did the negativity regarding the coach, his antics and the team performance. There is a thread on here that I believe has reached 87 pages entitled FIRE FLECK. It was started early in the season and added to with great frequency. Many in our community, Bronco fans or not, have expressed a negative opinion of Coach Fleck, simply due to his verbose comments and perceived attitude coupled with a 1-11 record in his first season. From the simply statements I have just typed, I would say that our writer has fairly and accurately depicted the feeling of the majority of Bronco fans after last season.

2. Over the last 20 or so years, that I have been blessed to be a Bronco fan. I would say that for the most part, we have been considered a contender in the MAC West. In the late 90's and early 2000's we in fact represented the West in the MAC Championship game. After a few years that saw a downturn in success under Gary Darnell, a change was made to Bill Cubit. During Bill Cubit tenure, our program was nearly always considered a contender to compete for the West title again. Unfortunately for Coach Cubit, during some of his most promising years with some of his most talented teams, he was forced to deal with the likes of Dan LeFevour at CMU and Nate Davis at Ball St, falling just short of winning the West Title. During Cubits era, the Broncos were granted 3 bowl appearances. WMU has sent several of its players to the NFL over the last 20 years. After the program seemed to begin a decline under Coach Cubit in his final season, it was decided that a change need to be made.

3. And finally, as is evidence from several threads earlier in the summer. Many Bronco fans realize coming off a 1-11 season that a return to respectability starts with getting back to .500. Will this satisfy all of the Bronco faithful? No. As has been pointed out on a number of occasions, going from a solid contending program as discussed in item 2, to 1-11 and then HOPING for .500 simply isn't good enough for some. However, looking at where the program has fallen to in recent years a return to .500 would give the fan base hope that the phoenix is rising from the ashes. And, that potentially, there is some substance to the coaches talk of becoming ELITE and once again filling Waldo Stadium with 40,000 adOARing fans.


I'm sorry, I don't see you how ANY of his statements were either incorrect or not objective. They are what they are and unfortunately we are where we are at.

As for the biggest loss from last season. Jamie Wilson never played last year. So maybe he should have been considered LAST YEARS biggest loss. And on a team that went 1-11, if what PJ started telling us all half way through last year that there just wasn't any talent on the team. Then maybe there really wasn't a big loss for last seasons team. I agree with you that its not TVT, because he also barely played last year and in fact that could be considered a positive going into this year as well if Terrell makes a huge jump because of the experience gained last season.

In regards to PLAYERS TO WATCH. As I said previously, the ONLY player to watch last year was Davis. And I have a silly suspicion that he is going to be the guy that we all want to watch again this year. If his performance as a freshman is any indication, he is going to be a must see performer as he continues to develop and mature. I would liken him to Greg Jennings (who didn't play as a freshman) or Jordan White or any of the great Bronco WRs of the last 15 years. Those were the guys that you came to watch. Even though we already knew they were good. That's why we had to watch them, because we knew they were going to be great and do something to amaze us.

This x1000.

(08-19-2014 07:04 AM)Hoekjeness Wrote:  We aren't going to see eye to eye on this one (we usually don't), but I do give you credit for always coming back with well thought out responses when you get challenged on stuff.

Thanks. I honestly try to not get personal if I disagree with people. Its not really that big a deal. But obviously, I have my thoughts and opinions and would rather try to express them semi intelligently rather than turn it into a b!tching match. I'm pretty good at those to, but its not worth it.

(08-19-2014 09:00 AM)Broncobelt Wrote:  

(08-19-2014 06:05 AM)WheresWaldo42 Wrote:  In regards to PLAYERS TO WATCH. As I said previously, the ONLY player to watch last year was Davis. And I have a silly suspicion that he is going to be the guy that we all want to watch again this year. If his performance as a freshman is any indication, he is going to be a must see performer as he continues to develop and mature. I would liken him to Greg Jennings (who didn't play as a freshman) or Jordan White or any of the great Bronco WRs of the last 15 years. Those were the guys that you came to watch. Even though we already knew they were good. That's why we had to watch them, because we knew they were going to be great and do something to amaze us.

I'm hoping for more than just Davis to watch on the field this year. Braverman looked great in last Saturday's scrimmage and he may well be an exciting player come game days. Terrill had a lot of poise and good accuracy on most of his throws. Had time in the pocket to find a target and even made a great scramble once when it collapsed. I did not have a roster with me so could not identify defensive players, but there were good plays made there also.

Bottom line, we should have more weapons this year than in 2013. As is usual for WMU, the talent is there. Lets hope they can be coached up come game day.

Yeah me too. Because last year, he was literally the only thing worth watching, period end of story.

Lets hope a few others can step up and make us take notice whether that be another WR, a RB for the first time in 15 years or a QB. I don't care who, I just want it to be interesting to watch again.

(08-19-2014 12:47 PM)WheresWaldo42 Wrote:  

(08-19-2014 07:04 AM)Hoekjeness Wrote:  We aren't going to see eye to eye on this one (we usually don't), but I do give you credit for always coming back with well thought out responses when you get challenged on stuff.

Thanks. I honestly try to not get personal if I disagree with people. Its not really that big a deal. But obviously, I have my thoughts and opinions and would rather try to express them semi intelligently rather than turn it into a b!tching match. I'm pretty good at those to, but its not worth it.

There's a big difference between debates and p!ssing/b!thcing matches. Glad we can agree on that.