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Albert Young is MOTO

Forget George Bush, Hannah Montana, Oprah, and DMX; there is only one ruler of the entire universe. That is MOTO: Master Of The Obvious. The current monarch of the MOTO Universe is none other than outgoing Iowa tailback Albert Young, who broke it down in achingly obvious terms for the Des Moines Register:

"Things definitely have gotten out of hand. There is no way around it," Young said. "And it started happening even before the season."

worse:

"The coaches preach the right things. There is no reason players shouldn't know right from wrong, so if people are blaming the coaches or the university - that's just not right," Young said. "I am not going to name names, but I have seen guys act one way on their recruiting visit, then act a whole other way once they get here and start school. How can you predict that? You can't. It is not only happening at Iowa. I am sure it is happening all over the country."

Yes, the Register is a Gannett-owned shitrag, but AY has a point here. Isn't it insanely obvious that, uh, something's really wrong here?

Now, to be fair, a coach needs to be more proactive than, let's say Stan and Kyle from South Park, who just say "oh goddammit" whenever something dumb happens and it counts as biting social commentary. And Kirk Ferentz has been heavy-handed with both his reactionary discipline and his prevention program (he has, somehow, imposed a 12-day-a-week curfew). So like AY said, he's probably not the one to point the finger at. Still... what the hell? Name one other university where the star running back is compelled to cast aspersions against the state of legal affairs among the players.

Anyway, we thank AY for his candor, even as we bemoan the circumstances that warrant it. We just hope that the criminal element doesn't infect Casey McMillan, because the last thing this city needs is a raging hateboulder throwing a cop car at an elementary school.

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To borrow a phrase from the business world...
Somehow the Iowa football program needs to re-establish a "culture of accountability" among the players, an overriding idea that you don't step out of line, first and foremost, becasue you don't want to let down your teammates and the program you represent.  This doesn't come from the coaches as much as it comes from within, and, for whatever reason, it's sorely missing right now.

This has been evident in comments for some time, for example, when upperclassmen discussed how the class of 2005 came in and didn't seem to show any respect for the juniors and seniors and the way they do things.

I don't know how you cure it, but there is a virus within this program, and it has across-the-board effects.  Players clearly aren't as focused.  My guess is that players aren't working as hard for Doyle.  Players aren't doing the things they did five years ago, and players aren't respecting rules laid out for them.  They should respect these rules not because of fear of retribution from coaches (although some stadium steps at 5:30 a.m. can't hurt as a start), but because of fear of letting down the other guys on the field.  

I agree you can't babysit 100 18-22 year olds.  Guys are going to screw up.  These things will go in cycles, and some of this is "dumb luck" for lack of a better term.  But, and this is only my outside perception, something has changed within this program, and it's causing problems both on the field and off it.  I don't know if you need better peer leadership groups, better access to and outreach from recent alumni who can act as mentors for some of these young men, what you do, but Iowa football needs a culture change.

It seems to me KF is aware of it, and trying to fix it.  Albert Young is obviously aware of it.  Whatever "it" is, it needs to improve, and soon.  

by DonnyDonovan on Feb 27, 2008 1:52 PM CST   0 recs

Virus

Ther IS a virus in this program - and he's basketball's  Big Ten player of the Week!

by YouCanPutYourEddsInIt on Feb 27, 2008 3:30 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

well said, sir

I don't know what it is, either, but it is telling that AY was a senior, knew something was wrong, but apparently couldn't get the point across.  I'm sure it comes down to alot things.  The attrition in recent recruiting classes.  Starting 100 freshmen this year. It seems like it's been a long time since there's been a group of upperclassmen that set the tone for the entire team.  

by telepathetic on Feb 27, 2008 3:43 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

No to nitpick,

...but Casey would throw that cop car through an elementary school.

by Bucketochicken on Feb 27, 2008 3:01 PM CST   0 recs

Or

Or the sheer force of Casey's throwing motion would pulverize the car before it even left his grasp.

Duez I say

by Duez I say on Feb 28, 2008 6:44 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

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