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OK, we dislike greatly the Oregon Ducks! They have a very disagreeable Coach, Athletic Director and Team generally. We were overjoyed when Auburn won the National Championship last year and beat those Ducks with impunity. The Ducks are into to dirty tricks, dirty play and play the rules on the edge and beyond. Their “Electric Green Highlighter”- “Glow in the Park” socks, shoes, helmet O’s and the rest are especially bugging.
Well, having never been that excited about LSU before, they certainly endeared us yesterday, when they soundly defeated the Oregon Ducks….and their evil Nike paid for uniforms and sporting equipment. Les Miles, who is the Coach of LSU many times was too abrasive or condesending for our taste, but yesterday he did it just right. Thank you LSU……if you meet those nasty Ducks again – give them the same treatment.
Then there was Georgia, who we usually we had not thought that badly of…..until they came up with “their” new “Electric Red” Uniforms. Very bugging…..all Electric Red – head to toe. Now, we can’t stand Boise State that much and their stupid new helmet design is a joke. Looks like a 10 year old got loose in the clubhouse. Yet, having said that – the boxboy quarterback tore up the Bulldogs and soundly defeated those new evil “Nike Ugly” Uniforms from Georgia.
Finally, there was mitagation. Big Blue, University of Michigan who has a history of great disappointment since the departure of Coach Bo Shimbeckler decades ago; are now trying to change their luck. The problem: The Uniforms have been changed so that the Yellow part of the uniform has become “Electric Yellow”. Michigan trounced Western Michigan….but we can’t blame the uniforms for that. We will hold our evaluation of the success or failure of the Michigan program as the season progresses.
Let’s just say, School colors have never included “Electric Highlighter Glow in the Dark” color schemes. Never! Allowing those very distracting additions to football uniforms when those colors are not used for Baseball, Basketball, Track or Swimming Programs or are any part of the Official School Colors should be rejected. The NCAA….again, is way behind the curve. Oregon used the “Glow in the Park Uniforms” last year for the National Championship Game. No action was taken and the NCAA just dummied up. Using uniforms as distractions to the game should not be allowed. By the way, last year TCU also used a breed of Nike Uniform – helmets and shining jerseys, although we didn’t see their opening game this year…..but they lost too! Let them take those Glow in the Park Uniforms to the Salvation Army or the Goodwill.
*One caveat to the color issues on uniforms. There is little doubt that the “Think Pink” program that the NFL put together to identify and support Cancer Research and the various charities that help women suffering was a nice touch and greatly appreciated. That program however, in no way was a distraction to the game of football, but did illuminate respect for Cancer survivors and their struggles. As we recall, Chicago Bears Quarterback Jim McMann was one of the first to place a Peace Sign on his helmet at the end of the Vietnam War. Several sports companies then jumped onboard and wanted players to put their logo on helmets and uniforms. The NFL in its wisdom banned those activities and make sports companies pay for the privelege directly to the NFL for use on all uniforms and for all teams. No unfair advantage for anyone!
Do not denigrate my beloved Ducks. They are not a nasty playing lot! Their uniforms yesterday did leave much to be desired and perhaps it stifled their regular style of play. As for their coach and other staff, they are fine gentleman.
I know you are addressing uniforms but while you were on the subject of color, you ought have mentioned that horrifying smurf-colored field of Boise State’s.
GO DUCKS!!!!
*Dr. Laura,
We agree…..but the Ducks do “head hunt” a great deal. They go after other folks legs and knees constantly. This is a coaching style. Tedford at Cal, Riley at Oregon State and several others are resorting to this “knock out the important folks” style of play.
If you did watch the game yesterday, you may have noticed two LSU Linebackers lying on the ground after a particular targeted play. When Coach Miles let their boys start to return the favor……several Duck stars were starting to hurt and then the game became obvious. The Ducks had several “pass interference” penalities which were not called last year…but when playing in other venues are finally starting to be called.
You do need to let your Alumni Association know…..that you do want to win….but not at the price of crippling opposing players and cheating the system constantly. Thank God for Video Replay….in College Sports and Challenges and Unchallenged Referee Reviews in the last few minutes of games. The uniform deal is ridiculous.
We appreciate your comments and don’t mean to denegrate any Duck fans. No, and they are not the only ones messing with the system…..as we attempted to point out.
Well, we’ll agree to disagree about players intending to injure — hell the LSU (and Auburn for that matter) line outweighed and outheighted the Ducks substantially. Not advocating violence, how are they supposed to be taken down? I did see the play with the two downed linebackers; and I didn’t see any “illegal” tackles. I will agree that the PI penalties were a complete lack of discipline and uncalled for and I’m sure Coach Kelly will address that this week.
And, it’s not the players’ fault that Mr. Knight is an alum and showers the sports program at U of O with gazillions of dollars. Personally, I think most of the uniforms are hideous; especially last night’s. As to what colors teams choose, I really don’t think it’s a NCAA issue. Let them look ugly if they choose. What have you got against highlighters???
And, what about Boise State’s horrifying field!!!!! When their players are wearing the identical color, you can’t even see them. Now that’s not fair!
*Dr. Laura,
Sorry we didn’t outright agree sooner on “the Boise field schemes”. You are right of course! Highlighter Colors? No, the issue needs to be “representing your school”. What are your school colors? Fine, use those for your school uniforms…no conspiracy there. The reason why the NCAA involvement should be forthcoming…is the technology, the psychological impacts and a variety of off the issue – issues. Nike has done lots of research on what will take others teams eye off the ball.
Let’s just keep it all simple. Play the game with your best players and leave the “video game stuff” – for video games!
When it comes to season or career ending injuries – the NFL this year after week two of Pre-Season had already lost 18 players just to ACL breakage. The kids that go to colleges will not have a career if taken out because of aggressive injury coaching. Believe us, those plays are taught by the coaches, inspired by fans calling for blood and supported by Alumni that want more wins…for more bowl games. The players are not the most important part of the money tree. Lot’s of good players…..all looking for bigtime careers in the NFL. Coaches like Kelly……could care less who gets injured on his team…..he has them standing in line to play for a bigtime team. So, if he doesn’t care about his own players….imagine how he feels about the opposition.
Many of these Coaches pick out one or two of their Defensive Players as Hit Men! They do the dirty work on selected opposing Wide Receivers, Running Backs or super productive Tight Ends. The Quarterback always has a target on his head, ankle, knee or shoulder.
Believe us – this is taught behavior and condoned or directed by the Coach….nothing less!
*Dr. Laura,
One last thought….certain Offensive Players are selected to knock out productive
opposing Defensive stars….just the same as for the offense. Football is a very exciting sport to watch……but very violent. Being hit by anyone 300 pounds will certainly get your attention. Even if they just twist your leg after they land on you.