Leaving With Dignity

by Nestor on Dec 1, 2006 6:44 AM PST in Football

Karl Dorrell continues to humiliate himself and UCLA in public leading up to tomorrow's big game. As antipimp noted in the diaries Karl Dorrell - like a coward - did not bother to show up at last night's "bonfire" (while across town the Humantiarian was firing up his devotees at the Trojan bonfire). Not only that, per DD the Thinker has been all but waving the white flag (at least in public) going into tomorrow's game:

Perhaps the most stunning news today came before the rally at a Rotary Club event for the `rivalry' in the morning. According to television report by Eyewitness News, Dorrell addressed the Bruin-Trojan audience by saying something to the effect of "we hope to give them a game." WTF?? Did anyone see the news reports and get the exact wording? Please send it in. The news report, apparently (we did not see it, it was reported to us), mocked Dorrell for basically conceding we did not have a chance against such a superior team. The report also stated that Pete Carroll followed with comments to the effect of "he's selling his team short!" WTF? Is this some tricky mind-game the Thinker is playing or is this real?! It's definitely not on, and it's not on that Eyewitness News is mocking him and, by extension, us.

Again we are going to do everything we can (at least on the homepage here on BN) to bite our lips till this game is over. I am not sure if we can make it clearer that we are not going accept nothing less than a victory at the Rose Bowl tomorrow afternoon. If Bruins lose a close game tomorrow and if any surrender monkey comes on here to glorify a true moral victory or wax poetic about a good game, then his or her account will get instantly banned.

This is a sacred game for Bruins Nation. And for those who haven't yet tasted a Bruin victory in this game, you may want to read this article from Bill Witz, DN's former Bruin beat writer on the 1996 game, in which the Bruins rallied from a 17 pt 4th Quarter deficit to pull out an incredible win. Here is Witz on this sacred game:

It's been 10 years since that day, when R. Jay Soward was every bit as electric as Reggie Bush, when Koffler looked as if he'd be USC's answer to Norm Dow and John Barnes, and when the Bruins were the first to discover a left-handed quarterback who would own the town.

It's a day that will still cause Trojan fans to gnash their teeth at the mention of LaVale Woods and Adam Abrams, and Bruin fans to raise their glasses to Kusanti Abdul Salaam and Rodney Lee.

Mostly, though, it's a day that serves as a reminder of when USC and UCLA was really a rivalry.

Nowadays, USC has been so dominant, there isn't much sport in it.

The 1996 game concluded a 10-year span when the games were decided by a total of 49 points or two more than the Trojans won by last year, 66-19. Since Pete Carroll arrived six years ago, the Bruins' 29-24 loss in 2005 is the only time they've lost by less than 25.

"The only thing I can hang my hat on is at least we were close," said Koffler, who lost to UCLA all five years he was in school.

As good as USC has been, it used to be that in this rivalry you could throw the records out. Three times the Bruins beat Rose Bowl-bound USC teams and on another occasion tied them.

"They've had all the Heisman Trophy winners, but they've always had those names," said Lee, a reserve receiver whose diving, 23-yard catch set up the touchdown that forced overtime in 1996. "They had Keyshawn Johnson, who was the best player in the country and they were going to the Rose Bowl - in 1995 - but we weren't going to lose because of him. It didn't matter who had the better talent, it was who had more desire. We were the underdog, but we never heard it. I don't see that now."

Lee is a good example of the type of stories that have been missing for much of this decade.

Where ever you are LaVale Woods - you are still my hero.

Anyways the subliminal message that article is sending, tracks closely with the brutally honest article from the Daily Trojan two days ago, which calls out Karl Dorrell for sullying this rivalry. Karl Dorrell has not only sullied the tradition of UCLA football by driving down the expectations and standard for this program to unfathomable lows, he has also played a huge part in sullying this sacred game by leading like a total coward and reducing it to a "second-rate rivalry". He ought to be ashamed of himself for his behavior during this week.

Who knows perhaps he is playing some kind of glorious mind game? Let's hope he is. However, because of his own shortcomings he has boxed himself into a corner, and if he wants to leave (majority of us want him gone even after we win tomorrow afternoon) Westwood with dignity than he needs to win tomorrow's game.

He has no other options.

More roundups (game/personnel notes) on this sacred game from the LA Times, the OC Register, and Dump Dorrell.

GO BRUINS.

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I'm Watching In Texas

Nestor,

I live for this game every year, like I have since freshman year in 1977. I am friggin pumped for tomorrow. I will not let, cannot let, that friggen piece of rotting milktoast of a coach ruin this game for me tomorrow. This rivalry is in my soul, my sleep, my dreams. I am driving out to my place in friggin West Texas (god I miss Cale), this afternoon. I am icing up the beers, putting up my UCLA Flag on my boatdock flagpole, marinating steaks, getting ready Baby! I will have a restless sleep tonight in anticipation of tomorrow. My kids and wife will come up tomorrow, both will be wearing their MJD jerseys, UCLA hats and playing XBOX (UCLA vs. USC of course). I will tip my first beer when Gameday comes on (Herbstreet is a 'Mo).

I look forward to the HATE which fills me when I see the friggen horse, the "Sweatermeat" cheerleaders, and that "showpony" PC, the F'in Band and the SC F'in faithfull.

I will believe and have faith the Good will truimph over evil.

God bless the Players and All Bruin Faithful,

Youcla
Class of '81

by youcla on Dec 1, 2006 6:37 AM PST 0 recs

Greetings from a Bruin in Exile in Houston

If you're anywhere near here, you can come watch on my big screen TV.

I fly my UCLA flag after every victory, and I've got it ready to fly.

It stands out in a neighborhood of Texas, Oklahoma and A&M flags.

I, too, will not let this coach or his trevails ruin my anticipation of this game. Right now, the focus is on beating SC. After the game, I'll go back to the coaching issues.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Dec 1, 2006 10:39 AM PST up 0 recs

Your Flag...

You should fly it proudly the entire week before the SC game. It is tradition in my family to put the flag up the Monday before the game. That way everyone knows, this is Bruin Country DAMN IT!

Im so F'ing pumped right now, I can't even put it into words. I havent been able to sleep since Wednesday. I'm ready! Our boys will be ready! and we're going to kick some ass tomorrow.

Be loud and proud tomorrow. Win or lose, WE ARE BRUINS, the assholes across town can never compare to what we are and what we have.

Go Bruins!! FUCK SC!!

by UCLA Jay on Dec 1, 2006 8:00 PM PST up 0 recs

Let's think this out...

First

"Again we are going to do everything we can (at least on the homepage here on BN) to bite our lips till this game is over. I am not sure if we can make it clearer that we are not going accept nothing less than a victory at the Rose Bowl tomorrow afternoon. If Bruins lose a close game tomorrow and if any surrender monkey comes on here to glorify a true moral victory or wax poetic about a good game, then his or her account will get instantly banned."

Amen to this! You can have until tomorrow to dream... Want to do an over/under at what minute point in the game you will no longer bite your lip?

Also, has anyone stopped to consider that maybe, just maybe, Dorrell knows he's on the way out no matter the outcome? (or he's been told he's gone if he loses and he knows he has no chance in this game? Which might make him cut lose and have a chance... now I'm confusing myself... because he has no chance)

by badfootballschool on Dec 1, 2006 7:32 AM PST 0 recs

OT, not to hijack a thread

but this isn't long enough for a new diary -
On AM570 this morning (Roggin & Simers), Dan Guererro said KD will be back next season.
The link isn't updated yet though.

by McCloskey on Dec 1, 2006 7:35 AM PST 0 recs

His exact words

If someone can transcribe the interview I'd like to read it. I want to see the exact words.

by Nestor on Dec 1, 2006 7:53 AM PST up 0 recs

Agree. I was in the car so, obviously I wasn't

transcribing the show. T link has yesterday's shows on it. Hopefully later today they add the podcast for today's show, so we can hear exactly what the wording was.

by McCloskey on Dec 1, 2006 8:00 AM PST up 0 recs

Didn't hear the interview

but I wouldn't be surprised if Rogin and Simers took DG's words and used them to reach their own conclusions that DG is giving KD one more year. I wonder if DG said something to the effect that the offense needs to perform better and that he wants to see more victories.

These radio personas are bunch of tools who come in with their own biases and then twist other people's words to fit their own pre disposed notions on UCLA.

by bluestreet on Dec 1, 2006 8:14 AM PST up 0 recs

The link has been updated

At the 11:30 mark, after DG has been explaining that the QB situation was a problem this season, this exchange occurs:

Simers: It's fair to say though, that Karl Dorrell is not in trouble this year in any way, shape or form?..Down the road, it's just like every program...you expect more consistent results.

Guererro: Absolutely.

Simers: That's a fair description?

Guererro: You bet.

by McCloskey on Dec 1, 2006 10:59 AM PST up 0 recs

tough to say what he meant

there's bad and then there's good in his comment. Simers didn't apparently let him get an answer in to the first part of his statement (the question). Simers made two statements essentially, then DG responded. So it's tough to confirm what exactly DG was responding to; that KD is 'not in trouble this year' or that DG 'expects more consistent results.' Still, it's not encouraging. Simers is smarter than that ... there is something not right about this exchange.

Well the game is tomorrow. We can focus on that for the time being.

I truly hope for a great season, but if we dont have one we must dumpdorrell.com

by DumpDorrell on Dec 1, 2006 11:07 AM PST up 0 recs

DD

If you guys do a post on this, please x-post in the diaries. I am going to leave this one alone for next 24-30 hours at least.

by Nestor on Dec 1, 2006 11:08 AM PST up 0 recs

so this could be real?!

shite! I thought the post about this on another board was just some bs by an apologist. Damn that would suck!

I truly hope for a great season, but if we dont have one we must dumpdorrell.com

by DumpDorrell on Dec 1, 2006 8:53 AM PST up 0 recs

Bonfire Etal

He couldn't make it because he:

A. was "Thinking"

B.was worried that the crowd would actually through him in.

Disconcerting news if DG actually said KD would be back.

I'm just a mere mortal, I don't know if I can take another year of this kind of (we are making progress) Coaching.

I have had my tickets since 1980 and am seriously thinking of giving them up if he is back.

And to think, I was the optimist.

GO BRUINS
Win in spite of the coaching.

by artybruin on Dec 1, 2006 9:00 AM PST 0 recs

Heard the quote on the radio

Not sure if it was KFWB or KNX, but did hear Dorrell say the words on the top of the article. Perhaps it is archived on one of their sites?

by Free the 16 on Dec 1, 2006 9:20 AM PST 0 recs

FOLLOW THE MONEY

For a take on reality, I gather y'all have heard the radio ad for the westside furniture store that has the offer that if you buy more than $2000 of their furniture prior to the kick-off and UCLA wins tomorrow, you get the furniture free.

The furniture store guy probably has a better take on reality than all the chest pounders and towell wavers on both sides.

Is it true that Koach Karl's wife was seen at the furniture store loading up?

by uclagradscdad on Dec 1, 2006 9:46 AM PST 0 recs

It's true

I forget the name of the store, but it is in Culver City in the old Helms Bakery building on Venice Blvd.

by bruinbabe2000 on Dec 1, 2006 11:06 AM PST up 0 recs

HD Buttercup

I truly hope for a great season, but if we dont have one we must dumpdorrell.com

by DumpDorrell on Dec 1, 2006 11:11 AM PST up 0 recs

I wish KD was taking this seriously

Quoted in this AP article:

"We can't be too involved in what they're trying to do -- only ourselves," Dorrell said. "I really enjoy being the underdog. There's a lot less pressure and people aren't expecting as much."

Don't bet on it, coach.

by bruinchick on Dec 1, 2006 12:20 PM PST 0 recs

How can this man

continuously make such weak and spineless statements? Not only is this kind of surrender speak disgusting, but even moreso coming from a supposed leader.

KD is right, we don't expect much, only a victory tomorrow. You can pull off just one win, right?

by Tydides on Dec 1, 2006 12:33 PM PST up 0 recs

LaVale Woods...

Yeah, I don't hate him either!

by godblesstyus95 on Dec 1, 2006 1:32 PM PST 0 recs

Is he really this ignorant or acting dumb?

I can't believe he can get away with these statements. I hope that its all apart of some plan to have Pete and SC buy into UCLA not believing it has a chance to win and then we spring Hell on them tomorrow. Unfortunately, I suspect KD's comments are sincere and he would be elated if we didn't embarrass ourselves.

by SinnerBoy 99 on Dec 1, 2006 1:36 PM PST 0 recs

It's clear to me

that we have to start thinking about our future. Deep down, and it pains me to say, I know we're not going to win tomorrow because of our current coach. How can players feel the fire when your own coach is diminishing your abilities to win? Believe me...if we win tomorrow, I'm going to go out to dinner with my trojan friend...and I'm going to sit across from him with my FUSC shirt (red and yellow) and my UCLA hat turned backwards so he can see the UCLA letters written on the hat. I think we need to shoot big when it comes to looking for another coach. We shouldn't settle for anything less. Any big name coach would should feel lucky to coach at a school like UCLA. I personally feel like the sky is the limit on who we approach. Worst possible answer is No, and we move on. What do you guys think of Brian Billick? Again, all I'm trying to do is stir the pot to get us thinking about coaches so that we can feel proud of football team like we are proud of our basketball, soccer, water polo, baseball, and every other sport that has brought home 99 championships.

by bruin78 on Dec 1, 2006 1:46 PM PST 0 recs

sorry

I meant to say "that has contributed to our 99 championships."

by bruin78 on Dec 1, 2006 1:48 PM PST up 0 recs

Brian Billick?

I know you're shooting for the moon here, but the guy has a chance to be in the Super Bowl this year. I can't see a public school with a limit on a salary bringing in a guy directly from the NFL.

All of this is moot, however, until Guererro determines that we have to go in a new direction and start looking at candidates.

I can't believe that UNC got Butch Davis while we didn't do anything. I have to believe that if he's willing to go to UNC, he certainly would have considered the UCLA job.

by Westwood Wizard on Dec 1, 2006 2:19 PM PST up 0 recs

agreed

I am shooting for the moon here, but I still think that's where we need to be thinking to get a good coach. I think Butch would've been our answer, but it's not going to happen. What about Ben Howland for our football program

by bruin78 on Dec 1, 2006 2:37 PM PST up 0 recs

everyone should listen to Guerrero on TJ + Fred

Simers was GREAT (I too was shocked). Called Guerrero on many things, including KD being a bad hire and in over his head.

Big G is doing exactly what he needs to and in no way said KD will be back... In fact, I wish KD had HALF the communications skills of Guerrero. Bottom line: Big G said the team needs to win and he "saw signs" of it last year. But he also said essentially that he knew the team would suck this year / KD needed time to grow / but he would still expect results. Of course the idea that a new quarterback allows you yet another terrible year is a joke. Along with the idea that you're still growing in your 4TH! season. He could still fire KD after tomorrow and next months "performances."

He also talked about redoing Pauly, I hope they understand they need to reconfigure the whole place and not just put lipstick on that beast.

by badfootballschool on Dec 1, 2006 4:13 PM PST 0 recs