How far we have come, how soon we forget. To quote Urban: this is life in the big city.
That being said, I do think we could all benefit from taking a step back and re-learning how to enjoy our favorite time of the year.
Do you guys remember when the right injury to the right player would have spelled a 3 loss season? Especially under Tressel. His O-line depth alone (or lack thereof) was enough to spike the blood pressure, and we might have taken for granted how crucial it was that each of his starters were healthy when they needed to be. Ultimately, my point is that it’s just tiring to hear criticism of the current coaching staff when considering the relative adversity that this season has presented.
I for one, have an absolute renewed appreciation for how difficult it is to actually go undefeated and win a Natty in this sport. I then also shudder to think how the current system would have viewed our beloved 2002 team. We live in this new “beauty pageant” cfb world, where within an injury to Chris Gamble, Mike Doss, or MoC (during the postseason) would have been an absolute disaster to that team. There was luck involved there, because Tressel’s recruiting approach was to completely lean on a couple of superstars each year.
The real point though, is that we need to appreciate more sincerely what is happening in Columbus right now: be less critical and be more supportive. Because quite frankly, if this litany of injuries had occurred pre 2010 to any one of the teams that live in buckeye lore - they would not exist in buckeye lore. This is a testament to the unbelievable job that each current coach has done in evaluating and developing talent.
We sit here, undefeated heading into the penultimate game of the regular season, consistently finding the reasons why this team can’t win it all. 20 years removed from watching our team scrap and claw their way to our first national championship in decades, barely beating decent teams in the most stressful fashion.
It’s time to shift the focus.
Our top receiver, our top running back, and key members of our defensive secondary have all missed substantial time - yet we stand unbeaten. What other team can say that they have a former walk-on taking snaps for an injured 5 star RB, only to run for nearly 100 yards in 3 plays during a conference tilt? What other team has played multiple first year starters in the secondary, yet still boasts a top 10 defense? Can anybody else replace the forgone “best WR in America” with the next best WR in America? What about subbing one of the highest graded OTs in the country for an entire game and then posting season high rushing production?
Guys, all I’m saying is that maybe we should be more proud of the football staff for what they have accomplished, and stop holding them to a standard that doesn’t take into account natural adversity. We are past September, it’s time to stop criticizing and time to stand behind this team. These kids can read, they’re on here, they’re on twitter - how would you want them to feel? How would you want to feel? Criticized unfairly, or supported unconditionally? These kids made a commitment, not only to this program, but this fanbase.
I wish, so wholeheartedly, that this community would rally behind a team that has been through more than most - expected to do more than most, and transfer that belief of unity to the team that we love. Rather than find every reason why this team will fail.
I haven’t posted here in a while, but I remember the dark days of hineygate. And how that forum quickly became a pissing contest between those with the most grievances, constantly criticizing the entire program. 11w is a fantastic forum of well intended discussion, so let’s keep it that way.
As I read here lately, it’s more Ohio vs. Ohio than Ohio vs. The World. And while there’s no need to put on the scarlet glasses, there’s even less need to do anything but support the guys that we only get to watch for a couple more weeks.
Enjoy this season, it will be over soon. Appreciate this coaching staff, it won’t always be this good. Type things you’d want your favorite player to read, because they just might.
/rant
