The Talent Excuse

by Nestor on Oct 16, 2006 5:44 AM PDT in Football Comment 13 comments

So some KD apologists are haplessly trying to advance a pathetic argument that it wasn't a surprise UCLA lost last weekend because Oregon had more talent on the field. And no doubt these losers (I can't think of a better word for describing people who are happy and content with supporting a loser head coach) will advance the argument should Notre Dame (and then Cal) embarrassed us in the coming weeks that we didn't enough talent on the field.

Well is that the case? Remember the recruiting class breakdown we did this summer to show how UCLA is failing to close the talent gape with Southern Cal in terms of talent based on recruiting classes from 2002 to 2006? Well let's see the average rankings, and number of 5, 4, and 3 star recruits, and rating averages of Southern Cal, California, Notre Dame, UCLA, and Oregon from last five years:

Avg. Rank	Team	5 Stars	4 Stars	3 Stars	Avg.
3.8	Southern Cal	19	57	33	3.78
16.25	Cal	2	28	46	3.16
23.2	Notre Dame	4	33	52	3.28
24.8	UCLA	3	29	59	3.11
32.8	Oregon	4	17	54	2.81

All numbers from Rivals.com database.

What do you see? Of course thanks to Toledo and Dorrell's buffoonery we have fallen way behind Southern Cal in terms of elite recruiting talent on our roster. We have slightly fallen behind Cal but by not all that much.

Again if you want to snicker about the importance of Rival's recruiting rankings and their predictions on 5 star recruits, then I urge you to read this must read post from Brian at MGoBlog.

Although a UCLA football program based should never have less talent on its football team than Cal. But still it's manageable.

But you can see how ND barely has more talent on its roster than UCLA and how we have way more talent than Oregon on our roster?

So what's the deal?

Why is there the perception that Cal, ND, and Oregon are unwinnable games for Bruins on the road?

It really comes down to coaching - doesn't it?

And you know it wouldn't have mattered even if we have more talent on our roster than these other teams. Because by the end of the day we still have a quitter posing as our head coach, who will surrender before the game is over, and will always play not to lose (his job).

In a reality based Bruins Nation this stupid and mind boggling talent excuse will never fly.

GO BRUINS.

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ND...

I'm going to the game this Saturday, and I NEVER THOUGHT I'D SAY THIS but I am halfway hoping for a Bruin loss so the media can keep the pressure on our ass-clown head coach. I can deal with a loss here and there, but when you don't even try to win the game then it's just spitting in the face of loyal fans. Players take their cues from coaches--when is DG going to finally realize he has another Lavin on his hands? Constantly unachieving with good talent, and then getting a free pass when that talent gets them a big win here and there.

by uclaike on Oct 16, 2006 5:51 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Also

If you guys see DG you should definitely convey your displeasure with our head coach. I am sure he is hearing it from the boosters.

But when you guys see him on the road you need to let him know status quo will simply not be acceptable.

I certainly plan to do so if I see him a future event here on the East Coast.

by Nestor on Oct 16, 2006 5:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And

I'm afraid you don't need to resort to that kind of hoping. I suspect that Angelides has a better shot in November than the Bruins under KD have in South Bend.

Of course, a fluke win would change anything anyways. We already know about all we need to about KD. I always knew he was green. I've learned he's hopelessly incompetent. Now I know he's a total quitter. What a delightful combo to have as head coach for UCLA.

by Menelaus on Oct 16, 2006 8:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nah

Angelides = Dorrell.

Inspiring leaders.

Not.

by Nestor on Oct 16, 2006 8:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

Just trying to keep it a little light. I suspect things won't be too much fun for a while in Bruin land, at least as far as football is concerned. (Thanks God for Ben Howland, and Savage, and...)

by Menelaus on Oct 16, 2006 8:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Excuses

well there will always be excuses for the losers who are always satisfied with mediocrity. I'd bet lot of the KD supporters are UCLA "fans" who didn't even go to UCLA. They are more Dorrell fans than UCLA fans.

by bluestreet on Oct 16, 2006 7:21 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

KD

I simply cannot believe that any fan who has actually watched the football team play a game in the last year and a half could still want Dorrell as the head coach. And to think that anyone would consider himself a Dorrell "fan" is simply incomprehensible.

by SactoBruin on Oct 16, 2006 7:46 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeap

People who support Dorrell on the message boards - majority of them didn't go to UCLA. Lot of these losers wouldn't know wtf the term "excellence" means because none of these losers were ever good enough to get into UCLA.

by bluestreet on Oct 16, 2006 7:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

As an ND grad, I feel your pain....

Greetings Bruins,

That ND ranks with Dorrell-led UCLA and Cal gives you an idea of what a terrific recruiter Mr. Willingham was. When we visit you folks next year, we will starting primarily freshmen and sophomores....

Word of warning, though: If your school manages to jettison Dorrell, be prepared for charges of racism. "UCLA went 10-2 last year! They had integrity! He didn't have enough time!" (the last of which could be plausibly appended with "to run the program into the ground"). It doesn't matter how many times your biggest rival mopped the floor with you (3 straight 31-point losses to SC for Ty at ND) or how lousy a recruiter he was (Ty's last 2 classes were 2 of the worst in ND history), you will hear it. It sucks, and won't be true, but it will happen.

Anyway, for those venturing to ND for the game, have a safe trip and I hope you enjoy your visit. One tip: don't count on getting cell phone service on Saturday. South Bend has enough cell towers for the 358 days of the year when 80,000 extra people are not in town for an ND game, but not so much for the 7 days when they are. If you are trying to coordinate with others, find another method....

Good luck on Saturday....

by GeronimoRumplestiltskin on Oct 16, 2006 8:28 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

It has already started

Trojan tools from Southern California who love KD are already accusing writers on this blog for being racist in their critcisms of Dorrell.

by bluestreet on Oct 16, 2006 8:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here's a little food for thought.

If KD is as good at finding "diamonds in the rough" as he says he is, then shouldn't his team be OUTPERFORMING their recruiting rankings?
Yep, which is just one more data point that suggests that KD can't coach!!!

by bornagainbruin on Oct 16, 2006 12:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Why would a recruit choose Oregon over So. Cal!!??

Because they weren't recruited by SC . . . and that's pathetic!!! How can we not get the recruites purely on our location?? Dorrell is doing a "decent" job . . . if he were coaching a WAC conference school!!! He can't recruit for you know what. He is letting this program go furhter into the ground.

Donahue = Good recruiter

Toledo = Average recruiter

Dorrell = Pathetic recruiter

Nice downhill slope there KD!!

by TheStick on Oct 16, 2006 12:22 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Toledo was actually a good recruiter

His classes in the late 90's were consistently in the top 3, one year ranked #1. He just wasted the talent that he had, and then, predictably, his recruiting tailed off at the end.
It has been truly pathetic what Dorrell has done. Every top local recruit chooses USC, even when players know they may not get PT. South Central over Westwood? That speaks volumes right there.

by godblesstyus95 on Oct 16, 2006 3:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs