Great article and a lot of fun to read. For those taking it way to seriously, lighten up a little. It's not like anyone is saying Mack is some kind of witch doctor with a real ability to curse. It's just remarking how it's all played out. If it bothers you, why did you read it? It's not like I couldn't tell what it was going to be about when it's titled "Breaking Down the Best of the Mack Brown Curse".
Posted on 11/10 8:42 AM | IP: Logged
That is hilarious. Well done.
Posted on 11/10 8:43 AM | IP: Logged
Originally posted by Texas Diesel: Great article and a lot of fun to read. For those taking it way to seriously, lighten up a little. It's not like anyone is saying Mack is some kind of witch doctor with a real ability to curse.
The irony that Ketch is being "ripped" at other sites is pretty funny considering at least one of those sites is best known for it's humor not it's relevance.
jeez folks, lighten up. Guess their mad they didn't think of it.
Posted on 11/10 8:44 AM | IP: Logged
Originally posted by Ketchum: BTW, I see that a few people are not a fan of the article. This is a pretty well-known topic that's been discussed in the media all of the nation.
Mack's been asked about it at various times, although he's declined to really comment as you might expect.
The bottom line is that we're not breaking new ground in the discussion. We're just looking back at the topic that people are already discussing quite a bit.
I have never heard it mentioned anywhere but on this site.
Posted on 11/10 8:48 AM | IP: Logged
Marty B????
Posted on 11/10 8:51 AM | IP: Logged
Put me down as another who has no problem (and even enjoyed) most of it, but wish it had only involved the players who were unethical or intentionally jerked Mack around.
That said, Bobby Reid? My recollection is he wanted to come to UT and we gave him the cold shoulder and put all of our eggs in the Bomar basket. When we lost there we went back to him with hat in hand. I believe (could be wrong) that he had already committed to OkieSt and told us no thanks. If my recollection is correct, I would say that is someone who handled the situation very ethically.
Posted on 11/10 8:58 AM | IP: Logged
Just because a kid makes a bad decision (in our opinion0, goes somewhere else, and doesn't pan out doesn't qualify them as being cursed. The curse falls on those who jerk Mack and Co. around during the recruiting process and dis Texas. And they deserve what they get.
Others who are honest and respectful, play it straight and stand by their commitments when they actually make them, those are just good kids who made the wrong choice and will have to live with not being part of the family or or enjoying the post-career benefits of the Longhorn Nation.
Posted on 11/10 9:00 AM | IP: Logged
Originally posted by skihorn: Put me down as another who has no problem (and even enjoyed) most of it, but wish it had only involved the players who were unethical or intentionally jerked Mack around.
That said, Bobby Reid? My recollection is he wanted to come to UT and we gave him the cold shoulder and put all of our eggs in the Bomar basket. When we lost there we went back to him with hat in hand. I believe (could be wrong) that he had already committed to OkieSt and told us no thanks. If my recollection is correct, I would say that is someone who handled the situation very ethically.
I'm pretty sure Bobby Reid thought bad things about Texas along the way and Mack Brown channelled into his brainwaves.
Posted on 11/10 9:01 AM | IP: Logged
Originally posted by skihorn: Put me down as another who has no problem (and even enjoyed) most of it, but wish it had only involved the players who were unethical or intentionally jerked Mack around.
That said, Bobby Reid? My recollection is he wanted to come to UT and we gave him the cold shoulder and put all of our eggs in the Bomar basket. When we lost there we went back to him with hat in hand. I believe (could be wrong) that he had already committed to OkieSt and told us no thanks. If my recollection is correct, I would say that is someone who handled the situation very ethically.
I don't disagree with that. I took him out of the article.
Posted on 11/10 9:02 AM | IP: Logged
Originally posted by Old Tascosa: Just because a kid makes a bad decision (in our opinion0, goes somewhere else, and doesn't pan out doesn't qualify them as being cursed. The curse falls on those who jerk Mack and Co. around during the recruiting process and dis Texas. And they deserve what they get.
Others who are honest and respectful, play it straight and stand by their commitments when they actually make them, those are just good kids who made the wrong choice and will have to live with not being part of the family or or enjoying the post-career benefits of the Longhorn Nation.
I think there's a collateral damage impact.
Posted on 11/10 9:05 AM | IP: Logged
What people call the MBC is actually just low character guys self selecting themselves.
Posted on 11/10 9:06 AM | IP: Logged
It lives!!
GM
Posted on 11/10 9:07 AM | IP: Logged
Originally posted by Ketchum:
Originally posted by RLong68: Exactly what was the criteria? Seems like a lot of those players simply chose to go elsewhere. Not all of them were circus acts. I bet you could come up with a pretty salty roster of those who chose not to come here but still impacted highly. Harris, Peterson, Lendale White, Reggie Bush, Mark Sanchez, Jeff Byers, Jacob Hester, Eli Manning just to name a few.
The beauty of an imaginary curse is that you can arbitrarily select various inconsistent criteria.
Well said!
GM
Posted on 11/10 9:13 AM | IP: Logged
Come on guys. This article is in poor taste, particularly coming from OB management.
Posted on 11/10 9:15 AM | IP: Logged
Originally posted by HugeTexFan: Geez, some of you self-righteous fools will complain about anything. Don't listen to the haters, Ketch. I enjoyed it. For the complainers, if you don't like the topic, don't read the article.
Seriously? That's what you take away from the complaints?
I love this site to death and think very highly of Ketch, but this site's entire value is predicated on having access to and building relationships with recruits, their families, their coaches, etc. Without those relationships and the trust that exists within them, we get no information. So it's a very dangerous precedent to write something that can so easily be perceived as mean-spirited, whether you in your infinite wisdom perceive it that way or not.
In the short term though, I guess it's no big deal as long as you enjoyed reading it.
And before I get blasted by the tough guys on the board, let me reiterate that I too enjoyed reading it and was laughing hysterically at times. I just won't be surprised if Ketch and company start getting some icy receptions from parents in the future. And I also won't be surprised when many of the same tough guys around here complain about this site getting scooped or recruits only talking to other sites.
Posted on 11/10 9:17 AM | IP: Logged
Some have asked for a list of those that spurned us and went on to stardom. I am more interested in a list of those that did come here where other schools felt disrespected or poorly treated. Of course, my selective memory prevents me from thinking of many of those since when they decide to come to UT it is universally thought to be a great decision.
I am sure Tenn fans would put Chris Simms on that list since he bailed on them at the last minute. While he didn't quite live up to number 1 recruit billing (few do) he had a very good career.
I can't think of others but I am sure there are some. I know the Aggies used to have a lot of decommits. How many of those came to us? How did they pan out?
This post was edited on 11/10 9:31 AM by skihorn
Posted on 11/10 9:20 AM | IP: Logged
Originally posted by PVPantherFan84: Was Xavier Lee really an option? His film was impressive. Then again, look where he went, FSU sucks offensively, so I wouldn't put all the fault on him.
We'll see what their new highly touted freshman can do now that Ponder is out.
Yes, he really was an option, but I don't think anybody around the FSU program ever expected him not to go to Florida State.
There is a lot of fault that is on Xavier's shoulders. He didn't dedicate himself on the practice field, and in the film room. Lee seemed to be a little bit more in love with the night life than the football field.
Still though, from a pure physical tools standpoint there haven't been many prospects like him. His arm strength was right up there with Ryan Mallett's.
Fred Rouse needed to get out of Tallahassee. I'm not sure if his problems would have been the same in Austin, 6th street dwarfs anything Tallahassee has to offer, but he was a guy that really could have used a change of scenery.
Not sure where Whitney Lewis comes in. He was a FSU silent, and would have committed to the Seminoles if his mother didn't force him to stay close to home due to a learning disorder.
Dajleon Farr thought he'd join the long list of great Miami tight ends, but he made no impact.
Posted on 11/10 9:20 AM | IP: Logged
Good stuff.
I wasn't aware that this was a topic in national media circles. I thought it to be an OB deal only. To me, thats more interesting than the team.
Posted on 11/10 9:22 AM | IP: Logged
I don't believe in the Loch Ness Monster. I don't believe in Bigfoot. I don't believe in a conspiracy that killed JFK. I don't believe that an alien ship landed in Roswell, NM. I don't believe in an actual Mack Brown Curse.
But good gosh I absolutely love to talk about them all. I will sit and stop down for any show on the History Channel over this, and I was locked in going down memory lane for all for all those that have spurned Texas.
Some people need to lighten up a little. Seriously, they take this stuff way too seriously.
Seriously...
Posted on 11/10 9:24 AM | IP: Logged
Originally posted by Choice Cuts: Marty B????
Really??? Ironically, the argument could be made that he avoided the Mack Brown Tight End Injury Curse by not coming to Texas.
Posted on 11/10 9:28 AM | IP: Logged
Man, some of you need to freaking lighten up. It's an internet article about a mythical phrase in high school football recruiting. Surely you guys have more to worry about than this in your life. If somebody gets their panties in a wad over this, they deserve the stress it causes them.....
Posted on 11/10 9:28 AM | IP: Logged
I would guess that those on this site and others who are upset are a little too close to recruiting, if you know what I mean.
Posted on 11/10 9:30 AM | IP: Logged
Originally posted by Buda Horn:
Originally posted by Choice Cuts: Marty B????
Really??? Ironically, the argument could be made that he avoided the Mack Brown Tight End Injury Curse by not coming to Texas.
Yes, I don't think currently making contributions on the first place team in the NFC East qualifies as the MBC.
Posted on 11/10 9:33 AM | IP: Logged
I am in the middle group. On one hand, it was a interesting read, throw back to the days of the past and pretty damn funny. On the other hand, the old saying of what goes around, comes around. While it may not be in bad taste to many on the board, you can not write an article like that and not get some repercussions from it.
I am torn on whether or not this should have been written, but I think that this should have been insider info for OB only. But who is to say that it would not be copied and pasted all over the internet anyway.
Ketch and co., I love what you all have done here, but I think the article should come down. Not only do recruits and fans read these forums, but if word gets around to the UT Administration or Coaching staff, some credibility that you have worked so hard to build could be forever lost.
Just my two cents.
Posted on 11/10 9:39 AM | IP: Logged
To all those complaining about this article....
REALLY?
Lighten up, do you really have nothing better to do than complain about an article that is meant to be humorous?
Ketch, maybe you should send these types of articles to the sensitive-types on this site to get their stamp of approval before you publish them. God forbid that someone gets offended.
Posted on 11/10 9:46 AM | IP: Logged
I guess my only problem is that the list is too liberal. Unless there are things most of us are not privy to, I wouldn't include several of those guys. As others have said, some kids simply choose somewhere else. I usually reserve the MBC title for the ones who are sketchy about their recruitment (i.e. teasing/jerking Texas around), unethical, switching commitments, or just generally bad mouthing Texas during or after recruitment. I'll give examples, IMO.
Sketchy: (possible) McFarland - One of the weirdest situations I've ever seen for a recruit that had his star dim drastically his senior year. We'll see if he pans out.
Unethical: Scott - Silent commit or not, I put him in this group. Much of the speculation was that there were unethical reasons ($) for his commitment.
Decommit: Perriloux - All time MBC poster boy, IMO.
Bad Mouthing: Bomar - "Mack Brown hugged me!" We'll also reserve a spot for McFarland in this category should he not pan out. That article in the Times was straight up libel.
So, there's my take. I'm sure there are many more as we are not privy to all the information. And though an interesting read, I have to agree with others that I'm not sure it necessitated a documented list. Sorry to be a party pooper.
Posted on 11/10 9:55 AM | IP: Logged
thanks for the hard work! Love it!
Posted on 11/10 10:01 AM | IP: Logged
Since when is expressing a contrary opinion that is supported by facts "complaining" or "having your panties in a wad"? I thought football message boards were for discussing football. I wasn't aware that everyone had to agree on everything around here. Did I stumble upon the A&M board?
Posted on 11/10 10:08 AM | IP: Logged
Originally posted by Lngnstrt: Did MM just cancel his subscription?
Guys, I'll state again that our intention wasn't to re-invent the wheel. We simply brought some focus into a conversation that is constantly taking place, especially when you consider some of the directions that some of the stories went to.
If we crossed a line with the article for some of you, we do apologize. We're always looking for new and creative stuff to bring you guys and we guessed that this would be an article of big interest on the site.
Posted on 11/10 10:31 AM | IP: Logged
Originally posted by Kevlar1977: To all those complaining about this article....
REALLY?
Lighten up, do you really have nothing better to do than complain about an article that is meant to be humorous?
Ketch, maybe you should send these types of articles to the sensitive-types on this site to get their stamp of approval before you publish them. God forbid that someone gets offended.
Hopefully this will be the last time I post on this topic, and I will try to explain my personal position as simply as possible.
I myself am not overly sensitive. I myself enjoyed reading the article and was not offended by a single thing in it. I myself could talk about the MBC all day and have a great time doing it. And I have no interest in being the mouthpiece for all the people who have problems with the article. I personally don’t give a shit.
I was simply stating an opinion--which to me seems rather self-evident and irrefutable--that it's a questionable business decision for a recruiting website to write an article which (intentionally or not) pokes fun at recruits. I would venture to say that every person mentioned in the article put money in Ketch’s pocket by giving him an interview, and thus satisfying those of us who pay for the information. This isn’t Barking Carnival or Shaggy Bevo. It’s a freaking recruiting site that is able to break stories because the mods have relationships (and corresponding trust) with these kids and their families.
Is it not possible that some parents will want to protect their children from being future fodder for this kind of piece? Will you see a problem if those recruits are not quite as open or accessible to OB reporters in the future? Will you complain about Ketch being scooped if news of their commitment is broken by another site? Is it a stretch to suggest that any strain in the relationship between the mods and the people who are willing to talk to them could lead to less inside information for those of us who love recuiting?
I’m so glad this piece exists and think it should be required reading for certain recruits, but if you can’t see the distinction between one of us writing it and the owner of the site writing it, then it is you who has bigger things to worry about than my opinion.
And again, sorry to be a dick about this and possibly hijack the thread. That was never my intention and I generally detest internet pissing matches. I'm not complaining. I'm not overreacting since I personally don't care about the article or its repercussions. And I'm not flying off the handle like that lunatic whose post was deleted last night. I’m only responding because I am consistently baffled by the logic of many of the posters here.
Posted on 11/10 10:42 AM | IP: Logged
Actually Ketch, what would be of more interest, IMO, would be a list of guys who we missed out on that went big-time elsewhere. I know we all poke fun at Lane but how do we do in '06 if we have him. Or if not him, how 'about Jacob Hester? If we get Peterson we're probably talking two national titles for Mack already instead of one.
Posted on 11/10 10:46 AM | IP: Logged
Originally posted by Ketchum: Guys, I'll state again that our intention wasn't to re-invent the wheel. We simply brought some focus into a conversation that is constantly taking place, especially when you consider some of the directions that some of the stories went to.
If we crossed a line with the article for some of you, we do apologize. We're always looking for new and creative stuff to bring you guys and we guessed that this would be an article of big interest on the site.
Fair enough, and sorry for interjecting myself in the discussion in such a prominent way. It's not something I usually care to do. Hopefully the vast majority of posters can see that my personal position has more to do with a concern for how the site will be perceived moving forward than any of the straw man rebuttals I responded to.
Posted on 11/10 10:47 AM | IP: Logged
Originally posted by FrankBooth:
Originally posted by Ketchum: Guys, I'll state again that our intention wasn't to re-invent the wheel. We simply brought some focus into a conversation that is constantly taking place, especially when you consider some of the directions that some of the stories went to.
If we crossed a line with the article for some of you, we do apologize. We're always looking for new and creative stuff to bring you guys and we guessed that this would be an article of big interest on the site.
Fair enough, and sorry for interjecting myself in the discussion in such a prominent way. It's not something I usually care to do. Hopefully the vast majority of posters can see that my personal position has more to do with a concern for how the site will be perceived moving forward than any of the straw man rebuttals I responded to.
+ 1. well, except for not usually interjecting into a discussion.
I think your position is well stated FrankB.
Posted on 11/10 10:52 AM | IP: Logged
Originally posted by RLong68: Actually Ketch, what would be of more interest, IMO, would be a list of guys who we missed out on that went big-time elsewhere. I know we all poke fun at Lane but how do we do in '06 if we have him. Or if not him, how 'about Jacob Hester? If we get Peterson we're probably talking two national titles for Mack already instead of one.
we're working on the same type of story as a follow-up.
Posted on 11/10 10:54 AM | IP: Logged
I'm not sure how guys we recruited late in the process who've already gotten love from other teams would be characterized as experiencing the "MBC". For example, Xavier Lee, for even considering us tells me he's an all right guy. As others have mentioned, we were the ones who spurned Bobby Reid only to pick up our recruitment later after Bomar committed to blowu.
In my opinion, the "MBC" is reserved for those who lied to us, bad mouthed us, were of very questionable character, or just plain flakes. Ofa, Rouse, Scott, Periloser, and Bomar are the prime examples of the "MBC" if there truly is one.
Posted on 11/10 10:56 AM | IP: Logged
Originally posted by Mack Tripper: Since when is expressing a contrary opinion that is supported by facts "complaining" or "having your panties in a wad"? I thought football message boards were for discussing football. I wasn't aware that everyone had to agree on everything around here. Did I stumble upon the A&M board?
You answered your own question. People weren't "discussing football." They were discussing some sort of ethical dilemma of this article, which is laughable. It is an internet recruting article. It's no different than when Ketch writes the "looking back at the class of 19XX" article and documents who was a huge bust. This one is just calling some of them out for being @ssclowns on top of being busts. Ryan Perriloux deserves every negative article that is written about him, and maybe more. He was an asshat that blatantly lied to grown men and respectable coaches that just wanted honest truth.
If you want to discuss weather the people in here are truly busts or not, great, but to debate the moral high grounds of major college football recruiting articles is a joke.
Posted on 11/10 10:56 AM | IP: Logged
Originally posted by Ketchum:
Originally posted by RLong68: Actually Ketch, what would be of more interest, IMO, would be a list of guys who we missed out on that went big-time elsewhere. I know we all poke fun at Lane but how do we do in '06 if we have him. Or if not him, how 'about Jacob Hester? If we get Peterson we're probably talking two national titles for Mack already instead of one.
we're working on the same type of story as a follow-up.
Look forward to it. I think that would really be an interesting read.
Posted on 11/10 10:57 AM | IP: Logged
the article is fine, but i do think posters on here go too fart when talking about recruits. its as if no one on here was a kid or has kids that have made mistakes before, these kids are 16-18 years old and most don't deserve to have their failures cheered for and mocked
Posted on 11/10 11:08 AM | IP: Logged
Originally posted by RLong68:
Originally posted by Ketchum:
Originally posted by RLong68: Actually Ketch, what would be of more interest, IMO, would be a list of guys who we missed out on that went big-time elsewhere. I know we all poke fun at Lane but how do we do in '06 if we have him. Or if not him, how 'about Jacob Hester? If we get Peterson we're probably talking two national titles for Mack already instead of one.
we're working on the same type of story as a follow-up.
Look forward to it. I think that would really be an interesting read.
You'll never guess the running back.
Posted on 11/10 11:09 AM | IP: Logged
The MBC is DEFINITELY talked about in a lot of places other than OB. It is talked about on sports radio here in Houston every February or when one of the players is brought up. Remember, sports is superstitious in general and a curse is a hot topic.
Posted on 11/10 11:14 AM | IP: Logged
Originally posted by Fanofhorns: This article already making the rounds on some other sites and you guys are getting absolutely blasted (as you should) for writting such an article
BOOO.....FREAKINNN......HOOOOOO! get over it, you sound like a girl!
Posted on 11/10 11:14 AM | IP: Logged
I'll take a guess...Adrian Peterson. Ketch??????????????
Posted on 11/10 11:16 AM | IP: Logged
Originally posted by Ketchum:
Originally posted by RLong68:
Originally posted by Ketchum:
Originally posted by RLong68: Actually Ketch, what would be of more interest, IMO, would be a list of guys who we missed out on that went big-time elsewhere. I know we all poke fun at Lane but how do we do in '06 if we have him. Or if not him, how 'about Jacob Hester? If we get Peterson we're probably talking two national titles for Mack already instead of one.
we're working on the same type of story as a follow-up.
Look forward to it. I think that would really be an interesting read.
You'll never guess the running back.
Based on the same loose criteria for the Curse team, there certainly is no shortage of strong candidates. Can't wait to see it.
Posted on 11/10 11:32 AM | IP: Logged
Originally posted by Ketchum:
Originally posted by RLong68:
Originally posted by Ketchum:
Originally posted by RLong68: Actually Ketch, what would be of more interest, IMO, would be a list of guys who we missed out on that went big-time elsewhere. I know we all poke fun at Lane but how do we do in '06 if we have him. Or if not him, how 'about Jacob Hester? If we get Peterson we're probably talking two national titles for Mack already instead of one.
we're working on the same type of story as a follow-up.
Look forward to it. I think that would really be an interesting read.
You'll never guess the running back.
I'd settle for Cyrus Gray right now to be honest.
Is the article going to be players that Texas offered, or players that were interested in Texas that Texas wouldn't offer? Both perspectives would be interesting.
Posted on 11/10 11:36 AM | IP: Logged
Originally posted by Ketchum: BTW, I see that a few people are not a fan of the article. This is a pretty well-known topic that's been discussed in the media all of the nation.
Mack's been asked about it at various times, although he's declined to really comment as you might expect.
The bottom line is that we're not breaking new ground in the discussion. We're just looking back at the topic that people are already discussing quite a bit.
Perhaps - my thoughts on the curse had to do with people who jerked around UT, not just chose to go elsewhere. There are hundreds who just chose to go elsewhere who had great careers.
Posted on 11/10 11:36 AM | IP: Logged
Originally posted by UT-OSU:
Originally posted by Ketchum: BTW, I see that a few people are not a fan of the article. This is a pretty well-known topic that's been discussed in the media all of the nation.
Mack's been asked about it at various times, although he's declined to really comment as you might expect.
The bottom line is that we're not breaking new ground in the discussion. We're just looking back at the topic that people are already discussing quite a bit.
Perhaps - my thoughts on the curse had to do with people who jerked around UT, not just chose to go elsewhere. There are hundreds who just chose to go elsewhere who had great careers.
A similar story focused on those guys is next in line. Eli Manning is a candidate to start at quarterback.
Posted on 11/10 11:39 AM | IP: Logged
Here's a start (the QBs and WRs are pretty noticeable)
QB - Eli Manning, Matt Stafford, Mark Sanchez, Terrelle Pryor RB - Reggie Bush, Adrian Peterson, John Clay WR - Malcolm Kelly, Jeff Fuller, Derrick Williams, Patrick Turner, Damian Williams TE - Martellus Bennett OL - Joseph Barksdale, Bryce Givins
DE - Jarvis Moss DT - Tommy Harris LB - Derek Nicholson, Michael Morgan, Jonas Mouton DB - Myron Rolle
Posted on 11/10 12:40 PM | IP: Logged
wonder about all the big time recruits that committed elsewhere and became successes.
Posted on 11/10 12:40 PM | IP: Logged
Thanks for the article - I really enjoyed it. I'd forgotten about a lot of those players.
Yahoo! Sports
