Space Coyote Appreciation Thread

Submitted by JimBobTressel on

Congrats you sniveling morons, you're on the verge of driving him off. I'd say 90% of you know way less football than you think you do and that's generous.

Space Coyote, as anyone who follows him on Twitter knows, literally breaks down the X's and O's of a game faster than anyone out there. Insanely intelligent.

My suggestion is to shut up and read. Literally the first time I've ever heard him driven to cursing.

This constant, idiotic, bull shit attitude where about a dozen people look at things Borges says and twist it, act like he's stupid and doesn't know shit, is really, really annoying. Someone the other day bitched about Hoke saying "most teams have 4 base runs and 4 base passes". "Haha, how stupid is that? How much are our coaches out of touch, eh?" Well guess what, most teams have about 4 base runs and 4 base passes.

People on this thread bitching about "we'll lock into some plays". Guess what, every coach at this level will lock into some plays. Why is it stupid for Borges to say, "alright, I don't want my college QB to get into a chess match with one of the best DCs in the country?" Why is it stupid to think Michigan's OC, that has tons of experience, might have a better idea of what's going on? Why is it, that if Borges calls a pass play that has a single high beater to one side and a two high beater to the other, that he needs to have DG have the ability to check out? 

People are bringing PSU nearly three weeks after it happened and still don't understand shit about what happened despite the attempts by some to explain "maybe it wasn't the greatest, but it was far from the worst. Very far from the worst." People keep bringing up "27 for 27" and don't even understand what half of it fucking means, don't understand the game situations that corresponded with it, don't understand that Borges in fact called 14 runs to RBs in the first 54 minutes, which if Michigan weren't trying to eat clock at the end, amounts to a very modest 17 runs in the game.

And then people use a bunch of BS logic. "How many QBs does Borges have in the NFL?" How many has Tressel had? Maybe Pryor? How many does Rich Rod have? Zero? How many does Meyer have? One from his Utah days? What the hell does this even have to do with successful college QBs? But let's bring up how a RS FR, for the first time ever, won the Heisman. Then lets disregard any actual knowledge of anything. Did he check into better plays? Did he run the offense against Alabama? Why are we comparing our QB to maybe the best QB in college football as if that is exactly what Michigan's QB should always be because it's the way it is in your NCAA football game.

But no, it's way too much credit to think an OC that's been in the game has even a functional knowledge of football. I think that the people that think this is his first time seeing a football game since he played Tecmo Bowl as a child are on to something. Oh God he's so fucking stupid that half the posters on here know he's an idiot and see things and understand things he has no idea about.

Honestly, this is getting beyond annoying. The posters here, at least a lot of the outspoken ones, are complete fucking morons that think because they are outspoken they are right. Maybe I should take a break from these boards, from these sites, and let it just degrade into idiocracy. Because I'm sick of every thread even tangentially about Borges turns into this "Hurrr duurrrr Borges dumb, he don't even know that you no can run out of formation not called spread". The wave of stupidity and ignorance mixed with unentitled arrogance that has washed over the board is overbearing. I don't mind debate, I don't mind different opinions, but opinions stated repeatedly time and again without even the effort to have any damn clue what your talking about, and then ignoring people that try to say "wait a second" time and again is exhausting.

Am I done here? Yeah, I think I'm done here.

Erik_in_Dayton

October 29th, 2013 at 11:58 PM ^

I really want him to stay. I replied directly to his rant by trying to say what I tried to say here, which is that you've just got to let a bunch of stuff go (something I am still working on myself)...The criticism that Coach Rod received here (some of it deserved in content but not tone) and the criticism that even Coach Beilein has received has burned into my brain the belief that this place will never be a tranquil resting place in which we do nothing but civilly exchange well-thought-out ideas. SC needs to narrow his focus as far as what he pays attention to on the board - and I advise that in the spirit of friendship. I haven't intended anything I've said as a knock against him.

StephenRKass

October 29th, 2013 at 11:35 PM ^

I love space coyote's analysis.

I also happen to think Borges is a great OC, who is particularly hamstrung by the turrible OL recruiting under RR. Even Brian saw this coming, and no one should be surprised by it.

Fortunately, saner heads (i.e., Brandon and Hoke and Mattison) will prevail. Borges isn't going anywhere.

However, the discourse and content on the board definitely is going down. I've never really cared about the lack of negbangs, but I think they are badly needed at this point.

I do want space coyote to stay, although you have to have a thick skin and be ready to ignore the lunatic fringe.

Ben Mathis-Lilley

October 29th, 2013 at 11:37 PM ^

Though one thing that's getting lost a little here is that 100% of college football coaches "know more" or have more literal knowledge about the details of football than any of the people posting or writing for the site. But that doesn't mean that some coaches don't fail or underperform, and it doesn't necessarily take someone with an equally detailed knowledge of offensive line foot positioning or coverage terminology to make a judgment about their success or failure or to make an insightful point about their style.

You don't have to know how to pick the right camera lens or have written a subplot to know that the movie you're watching isn't very good.

(FWIW, my own position, which I reserve the right to change constantly as events warrant, is that Borges is smart and obviously capable but a little too stubborn.)

MI Expat NY

October 30th, 2013 at 11:19 AM ^

I was looking for someone to make this point.  I'm sure most people know someone in their respective fields of employment that is high ranking, far more knowledgeable about the subject matter than 95% of the public, maybe even generally respected, but also terrible at his or her job.  

Second, you don't have to necessarily have the same level of knowledge as professionals in a particular field to be able to identify someone who is not good at his or her job.  In fact, I'd argue that being in the field often hinders some people's abilty to objectively consider a fellow professional's job performance.  

I have no problem with SC correcting technical mistakes that he can correct based on professional knowledge.  But people shouldn't act like others can't reasonably believe Al Borges isn't good at his job (despite the inartful and stupid ways some use to explain that belief) because Borges obviously knows more about football than pretty much everyone on this board.  After all, Borges was essentially fired by Auburn despite his initial success there.  

As an aside, I agree with SC's main point that people shouldn't read too much into press conference quotes.  Yes, the post-PSU one had my blood boiling a little bit, but some of the other comments people harp on have way, way too much read into them.  

BiSB

October 29th, 2013 at 11:41 PM ^

Even as someone who has been highly critical of Borges, I agree that the Borges hate has reached unreasonable levels. That said, trying to keep message board posters from saying dumb or uninformed things is a Sysiphisian task.

Sopwith

October 30th, 2013 at 12:08 AM ^

BOOM!  Spelling Nazi'd!  

I kid.  I kid because I love.  I'm a little sour on Borges post PSU but he has put together some great work here and there.  I thought the South Carolina gameplan was nothing short of brilliant.

FreddieMercuryHayes

October 29th, 2013 at 11:41 PM ^

Personally, I hope he continues to contribute here. If he feels he can't, then Ill jut read his stuff at his own blog. I like when anybody can come with an informed analysis, and he certainly contributes a lot. That said, maybe he just needs to step away for a while. I do when the stupid gets to be too much.

mejunglechop

October 29th, 2013 at 11:44 PM ^

I love having Space Coyote's comments, but if he's going to be an Internet Sports Guy he can't let anonymous ignorant comments bother him so badly. I think he's right. Maybe he should take a break.

jayburn23

October 29th, 2013 at 11:44 PM ^

From the posts I've read Space Coyote seems to know his stuff and his posts appear to be well thought out.  I don't agree with everything that he says but he gives good food for thought. That being said this is a message board. Peoples opinions will differ. The quoted post sounds like someone having a breakdown because people don't like Al Borges. Who gives a crap. Whether they are right or wrong does it really matter? I think a little perspective is in order.  I'm looking forward to watching the game on Saturday. I can't wait.  Anyone else hate bye weeks?

StephenRKass

October 29th, 2013 at 11:59 PM ^

SC isn't "having a breakdown because people don't like Al Borges." The problem isn't just people who don't like Borges. The problem is people who irrationally hate Al Borges, want him fired, without much in the way of analysis or reason. I sure can't speak for SC, but I'd bet money that he can easily deal with reasoned opposition to Borges. Unfortunately, way, way too much of the opposition is not reasoned, thoughtful, sane, sensible, intelligible, etc. Hence the breakdown.

There was a short clip posted last week from south park . . . "boo wendy testeburger." It describes too much of the discourse here, especially that against Borges.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jimPXzGaY6w

EGD

October 30th, 2013 at 12:38 AM ^

I think what happens is, once somebody declares "Borges ought to be fired," then that person has crossed some kind of mental Rubicon and thereafter tends to interpret everything through the Borges-must-go lens.  If something bad happens, it's Borges' fault, of course.  But if things go right, they went right despite Borges.  Offense scores 5 TDs in 8 possessions?  They got lucky.  Offense scores 63 points and breaks all-time school yardage?  It was against a lousy defense.  If Michigan's offense has another good game this week, I am sure we will see some new rationalizations for why Borges must still be fired all the same.

Reader71

October 30th, 2013 at 2:34 AM ^

My God, why do I write 15,000 word diatribes when I could just have said that?

Of course, this is a pretty anti-Borges blog, so it makes sense that the comments will be anti-Borges.

There are people poo-pooing the Indiana performance, as if Michigan has never faced a worse defense in the history of the program. It is entirely irrational.

RP

October 29th, 2013 at 11:45 PM ^

People on this site have read a few UFRs and looked at some graphs created in less than 10 minutes and now think that they know all there is to football. Pathetic, really. 

mejunglechop

October 30th, 2013 at 12:11 AM ^

I just never see comments like this. Maybe it's because I don't look for them, but maybe you see them because you do. They're certainly not representative of the entire comments section.

I do see you and spacecoyote complain about these alleged comments. I've noticed you both rarely address posters or posts specifically. I find that strange on your part as you're not one to duck a confrontation, but on this subject you clearly prefer to moan generally. 

M-Wolverine

October 30th, 2013 at 10:43 AM ^

But there are people who take that shit that seriously.

And I think I did address them.  And I'm much more of a dick about it than Space Coyote.  So I was contributing ot making the boards a much more miserable place. I'm still not sure I'm a net gain, but I've tried to not argue every stupidity endlessly. Back when it kept track of such things my upvote to downvote ratio was a huge spread, because I didn't downvote things. But it was calmer for the board to just neg somethng that was so stupid it didn't deserve a response. We can't do that anymore. Was healthier for me, and certainly less noise for the boards. Notice how we don't have long multi--day back and forths with guys like Section 1? Because there's no point in it unless there's something said that is outiright false. That type of thing you have to counter, because people hear it and repeat it over and over and it goes from myth to fact. (See things like "Dee Hart left after we fired Rich").  The problem is people will take a nugget off the front page that is actually true, but ignore the other paragraphs of analysis that went with it, and just repeat that part. Probably because the front page has gotten in the habit of that almost eschewing further analysis for memes.

Sometimes I can't help myself, but I try and let more things go just because it's not really making it better for anyone else around here to have everything be an argument. Make 'em laugh rather than groan.

There's also a wonder what the point is when guys like chitownblue get the ziggy for being an abrasive counter, but abrasively towing the company line gets ignored....

FGB

October 30th, 2013 at 12:37 AM ^

there are a ton of posters who played high school football, but never read any of the UFRs, Space Coyote's analysis, Magnus' opinions, Mathlete posts, Chris Brown's breakdowns...

...and stick to the rote "you don't understand you've never played/coached before, trust the coaches, you guys who are critical don't know what you're talking about, this is their job, they have millions of dollars riding on this." 

Like it's impossible for coaches to not be the very best, and not take advantage of all available information.  And yet NFL coaches still regularly opt to punt from the 35 on 4th and 2.

kzooblue2016

October 29th, 2013 at 11:53 PM ^

Who is going to chase the space roadrunner if space coyote leaves? I appreciate the insight he brings to the table, but he has to understand some people run on a lot of emotion, and will continue to do so because that is the way they are wired. That being said, keep doing what you're doing Space Coyote. Maybe we should all just calm down and reflect that we are of the same fandom. 

Sopwith

October 30th, 2013 at 12:01 AM ^

"Maybe I should take a break from these boards, from these sites, and let it just degrade into idiocracy."

Jeebus, speaking of "unentitled arrogance"... so Space Coyote is the only thing standing heroically like the lonely protester in Tiananmen Square between the ignorant hordes and a civilized, entertaining, informative MGoBlog?  Gee, whatever you do, don't shrug, Mr. Atlas.  I enjoy the content of most of SC's posts, but could we just get the guy a cross so he can climb up and nail himself to it?

This just in: the internet is full of stupid people making inane comments.  You can:

A.  Try to argue with each and every one of them until they are swayed by your eminent reason

-or-

B.  Post good, solid comments and let them stand on their own merit.  Paraphrasing both Portia in the Merchant of Venice and Willy Wonka, "So shines a good [internet comment] in a weary world."  Just post, let it suffer the slings and arrows, and quit trying to win every pissing contest.

-or-

C.  Turn off the computer and go walk the dog.  That's what I do when I occasionally see someone characterize "Godfather III" as a worthy finale.  Fuck you, no it wasn't, Coppola made it for the money, and it sucked.

Also, I really dig the Simpson's avatar you (Space Coyote) post with, so I hope to keep seeing it.

Cope

October 30th, 2013 at 12:06 AM ^

has leveled the playing field. Three months ago, if Gustavo told Space Cowboy to leave, he'd be -1'd and grayed out to where it's as though he didn't exist, but or a barfly to be swept aside. The posts telling him to leave in return would be +5'd, and a sense of stability would return.

Now anyone's click counts as much as the next guys, so most have devolved to shouting matches back and forth.

Mr. Carson

October 30th, 2013 at 12:07 AM ^

You are being disingenuous. I didn't say that he should leave.  In fact, I specifically said that I did not want him to leave multiple times.  What I said was that if he wants to leave, let him leave.  This thread is a huge waste of time and isn't going to do anything.

Cope

October 30th, 2013 at 12:20 AM ^

Those comments are reserved for posters who join, offer nothing, and throw crap at the walls. Not respected posters. I think I took it at face value. I don't want anyone who's gained a trusted reputation and contributes positively here to leave, and I can't really relate to the position of disagreeing with that.

Edit: btw, I read the first post where you said that- I didn't read through the whole thread. And perhaps you didn't express yourself as you intended in your first post. But I think it's safe to say, a bit more understanding toward contributors like SC is appreciated than came off originally.

Yeoman

October 30th, 2013 at 12:09 AM ^

I think people that don't understand why this stuff would bother S.C. are missing the point. It's not a difference of opinions of Al Borges that's the problem; it's disrespect for what goes into performing the job of offensive coordinator, or of football coach generally.

I've found myself imagining a reality show where random internet dude is followed around by a camera while he works, whatever his job might be. Maybe somebody that used to work in the industry provides some dumbed-down commentary so people in the audience can flatter themselves that they must know something about the work because they can follow the commentary (sort of your industry's equivalent of Gary Danielson, or if you're lucky maybe you get a Gruden). Then we all sit around in front of our TVs talking about what an ignoramus random internet guy is at his job that in reality we know very little about.

As a general rule, people that do something for a long time get to know something about it. I might like beer and have an opinion about what's good and what isn't, but somebody that's been brewing for decades is going to be better than I am at diagnosing what's wrong or right with it--is it ingredients, or a crappy job by the brewer, or just a matter of style preference? It's true for pretty much anything--there probably isn't a single poster here that knows more about my job than I do, and the same's true for everyone else.

You run into asshats like this out in the world, that think they can walk into a business and immediately know what's going on on every single desk better than the person that's been sitting there doing the work for months or years. Then there's people that come in to manage and the first thing they do is try to learn each job from the person that does it, because only then do they know enough to be able to offer any constructive criticism.

This board's been overrun by the first group, and their particular target is a guy that performs at a pretty high level in S.C.'s line of work. Is it any wonder he's irritated by it?

Magnus

October 30th, 2013 at 8:56 AM ^

You might not hear much as a college football coach because of the noise, being in the box, etc. But I can say that as a high school coach, I hear some ridiculously stupid and ignorant things coming from fans at times. They have no idea of the rules, the injuries, the discipline, the plays you can run against certain defenses, the way kids perform in practice, etc. 

Last week, after we forced a turnover, I yelled "Let's go, offense!" Some guy yelled from the fence, "Get your head in the game, Coach! We're on defense!"

Yeoman

October 30th, 2013 at 9:22 AM ^

The wife and kids.

You know exactly what's gone into each decision because you live with it 24/7, and what you don't understand at the time you find out about during the debriefing afterward. But during the game you sit there in the stands listening to people bellow things that make no sense, and when it gets personal it's hard to just sit there but of course it isn't your place to say anything.

At some point I realized that that's what sports is, for some people: a couple of hours spent anonymously in a crowd, where you can say anything you want without fear of social repercussions and you can take out the accumulated frustrations of the week on somebody--a referee, a coach, a player, it doesn't really matter who, but you get to do to them what your boss has done to you. I think that's why out in the world when something goes wrong the first thing you do is try to identify the problem and fix the process, but among sports fans the first solution that comes to mind is FIRE CARR GERG RICHROD BORGES.

I suppose it's sort of like the internet.

pescadero

October 30th, 2013 at 2:35 PM ^

"It's not a difference of opinions of Al Borges that's the problem; it's disrespect for what goes into performing the job of offensive coordinator, or of football coach generally."

 

I just don't get the need to defend a profession as though it's your family name.

 

There are lots of idiots in the world - and I'm sure of them have and espouse highly erroneous information/opinion about my profession.

 

I could let that bother me, or spend time trying to correct it... but I ain't got time for that.

 

It's like allowing other people to offend you, it's a CHOICE you make.