I am posting to inform our viewing public that this blog will be taking a break to reevaluate and assess its progress and future. I am sure you have notice the lack of posts and analysis, yet you must also understand that as recent graduates we are involved in starting families, careers and basically new lives.

BYU and it’s fans have been great to us, and the blog has been a blast. Hopefully a “break” will give us the desire and the time to build up some ideas for the future of deepshadesofblue.com. Until than enjoy the off-season -if that’s possible- and get out to the Marriott Center and watch the basketball team.

Cheers, Q. Gooch

To give you a little background on the song.  Troy Sheide and I walked on the team in the fall of 2005.  We were 2 of 13 that made the walk on squad that year.  After you try out in the afternoon of the first day of school, the coaches post the list of who made the team on the second floor doors of the SAB going into the football offices.  It was nerve racking and exciting.

After making the team and going through all of the fun but horrific experiences as a walk on scout teamer.  Troy and I decided to write a song about it. So enjoy.

I’ll give you more details on how this all came to fruition and the details about the life of a walk on in my book that I hope to release in August of this year!

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

Criddle

Finally, the B[S]CS exhibits a measure of brilliance!

A modern day lesson in how to simultaneously minimize both scrutiny and risk of embarrassment

Even Al Capone or John Gotti would be impressed by this one. Never mind that their credibility remains firmly entrenched in the sewer, but the organizing committee shows some creativity in the way they managed to handle two habitual system busting conferences without risking another Oklahoma or Alabama debacle.

Doug had the same feelings and thoughts as I did as I read about the BCS bowl allocations. I believe it is a slap in the face not to put both TCU & BSU against a supposed big-name BCS conference opponent. By allowing this type of match-up manipulation the BCS will simply discredit the winner by saying “they only beat BSU/TCU. If they would have played Florida or Cincy, it would have been a different story.” Or even worse they’ll continue to exclude these school from the possibility of playing for a National Championship. I hope both Gary Patterson and Chris Peterson voice their opinions and feelings about not getting a shot at a “big-time program”.

This is just another way the BCS cartel is sticking it to the smaller conferences and it solidifies the fact that money/face are the only factors in selecting the BCS games.

Games I would have liked to see:

Florida vs. TCU

BSU vs Cincy

Before the Utah game I started to reflect on my career at BYU.  I asked myself if I had any regrets, if I had left everything on the field?  Had I worked as hard and as smart as I could to help my team win and to be successful individually? I then turned my thoughts to the Seniors and how they probably don’t know what’s about to hit them.   Maybe some of them do, maybe the fact that they only get one chance to experience college football, the sites, smells, food, fans, brotherhood, sacrifice, blood, sweat and tears.

Ask Quinn about how devastated he was when he wasn’t able to finish his Senior season due to a ruptured ACL.  Its unfortunate that we don’t realize what we have until it’s gone sometimes.  I’m not saying Quinn was this way, because I know for a fact that he did savor every moment and it was displayed in his work ethic!

I just hope each player on BYU’s team realizes just how special these years are and that they take full advantage of them.   I hope they prepare for this bowl game like it’s their last game that they’ll ever play.  I hope they leave it all on the field.

I have a few regrets, but not as many as I’m sure most do.  I still get teary eyed and emotional when I see the team running out of the tunnel and I’m not with them.  Maybe it’s my Uncle Rico Syndrome.  I don’t know, I just want my team to know that it will go by too quickly, so don’t have any regrets.

I remembered last year’s lack luster performance against UofA.  We weren’t prepared.  We didn’t put in the time, emotion or effort that we needed to in order to come out with a win in Vegas.

That won’t happen this year.  These Seniors won’t let it happen.  Nor will the coaches.  BYU still has so much to prove on a national level and this bowl game is just another stepping stone.

Criddle

At least our rivalry hasn’t stooped to this level, yet….

Anyway, I don’t have much to say about Max. He’s a passionate guy who spoke his mind. I just hope he has a better game against whom ever BYU plays in the Las Vegas Bowl. Yeah, I said it Las Vegas Bowl -new sponsor who doesn’t care who comes just as long as seats are sold out. (At least I heard the Bowl has a new sponsor, but I could be wrong.)

All I know is that Mr. Nelson better have a tough banker because Max wrote a big check that Riley is going to have to cash.

To: Utah University

You played a great game, it was fun to watch.

It is no secret that BYU fans and players don’t like Utah fans and players, if anything Max has made next years game that much more intriguing. You will get to wear your black uniforms and the Muss will get creative with the signage -I’m sure it will be very classy- and then the fans will get to watch young men from various states in the USA decide which way of life is better: the Happy Valley or Salt Lake Valley way of life. Until then, get that basketball program back in shape.

Picture by Douglas Pizac

If Harline Is Still Open…George Is Still Running!

What a phenomenal game and end to the regular season.  Yes, the game was sloppy at times for both teams and both sides of the ball, but I’m elated with the win.

Max had a subpar performance, but will still be remembered as one of the BYU greats.  Do his post game comments create a black cloud or mar his legacy as a great BYU quarterback?  Nope, I don’t believe so.  During the radio show with 1280 last night we had many callers state that he is a spokesman and role model for the LDS church and now the church’s image is tarnished somehow by his statements and that those non members outside of Utah will view Mormon’s and the church in a bad light.  People feel that ESPN is going to eat it up and expose the contradiction between what Bronco teaches within the program (flag bearer of religion etc..) and what actions and words are being displayed by his players.  In my humble opinion… outside of Utah, people really don’t care about what Max said.  They really don’t!  I’ve called a number of good Non LDS football fans and asked them what they thought.  All they said in summary was “What’s the big deal…? he hates everything about his opponent, did he go overboard?  Sure but, that’s what rivalries are all about.  The select vocal minorities that incite competition, but people outside of Utah will forget about this ever happening because it’s BYU vs Utah”  Is the Church and Gospel tarnished by his comments?  Did he act very Christlike as a good BYU football player should in his post game interview?  No and no, but he will come out on Monday and explain why he said it and apologize because people make mistakes and we in turn forgive them for it.  Mind you, I don’t think he should have said the second comment about the “University” in general.  I thought if he would have just stuck to the football program he would have been just fine and dandy b/c it’s ok to hate your opponent, but he did make a blanket statement and he will have to apologize for it plain and simple.

Moving on.  We once again showed our lack of depth at offensive line.  We weren’t able to protect Max very well and it showed.  Anae did come out with a conservative game plan though.  They wanted to give Max high percentage throws so as to not put him in risky situations.  And give a lot of credit to Utah’s defense and their game plan.  Every time they didn’t get pressure on Max their D line and linebackers were efficient in stopping their rush, getting in the passing lanes and breaking up passes a the line of scrimmage.. and their were a slough of PBU’s last night.

Harvey had a great game and Tonga blocked well for him.  It’s rare to see Tonga drop balls, but I’m still looking forward to seeing him in the NFL next year.

Ashworth had two surprise drops in critical situations.  This kid has hands like glue.  I don’t think he ever dropped a pass in high school, but man he needed some stickem on those two plays.

Defensively, I have mixed emotions.  Roderick and Utah wanted to stretch the field from the beginning as I suspected.  On 5 or 6 different occasions they had us beat vertically.  Wynn luckily overthrew almost all of them…whew!  What you didn’t really see though was our corners collisioning and sitting at about 8-10 yards.  When you do this, it disrupts timing of the QB and the WR by a step or two.  As a corner you can make contact with the WR down the field and deviate him from his original course while the ball is still in the QB’s hands.  I use to do it all the time b/c it’s so effective.  Both Bradley and Logan did this and deviated the WR’s course just enough to disrupt the timing of Wynn and his WR’s.  But , what they didn’t do was collision and transition well enough to be in the WR’s hip pocket and therefore they were beat by 2-3 steps almost everytime.

Our run defense looked decent especially in the first half.  We gave up too many yards In the second half, but I it was great to see Jordan and Jan have great games!

Cougar Nation! I love this rivalry and all that it entails.  It was great to get a win and have bragging rights until next year.  Lets go win a bowl game and gain momentum for next year.

Criddle

My concerns stem from earlier performances against FSU and TCU. Where I have no doubts about the teams preparation or level of intensity. No matter who you are as a player, when the lights turn on and you crowd stands up, your blood is pumping and your emotions are high. I am not concerned about the emotion of the game, but more how that emotion is harnessed to produce a win. I am know going to say something that no BYU fan wants to hear….YES I do think it is sometimes necessary to rein in a players emotions. I do think that certain positions on the field need to exercise levels of restraint when playing in a big time rivalry game. The main reason is maintaining a level of composure and focus. I have personally only met a couple of players who could go buck wild before a game and still remained focused. Those types of players are few and far between.

For me the extra emotion didn’t manifest in my outward actions, but rather with a sense of focus and calm. I understood who I was as a player and I understood my role and responsibility to the defense. The recognition of the type of player I was helped me remain focused and unchangeable when playing UNLV or UTAH. I simply brought the same attitude each week.

BUT, I also understand that each team need a crazy S.O…gun that has no restraint on the amounts of emotion they can display. Those types have their place on the field and without them there would be no unsportsmanlike penalties and consequently no fire or emotional intrigue involved in the games.

In my personal opinion most of the players on BYU’s team are the focused and composed types of players. But I also think BYU will rely on players like Max Hall, Manase Tonga, O’Neal Chambers, Logan, Andrew Rich, Scottie Johnson, Jan Jorgenson, Harvey Unga, Dennis Pitta, and Andrew George to show a little more emotion -for some of these players it will be difficult, not as natural, but non the less important. Not too much emotion needs to be on display, but enough to insure that the BYU underclassmen and the team in red and white understand, these Cougars have rewritten the BYU history books and it should not go unnoticed or disrespected.

I am excited for the rivalry game. In every way I regret that I was unable to participate in my final rivalry game. I would have substituted just about any game during my career to play in one more game against Utah. A game with “meaning” is more exciting, more intense and more unpredictable. Personally I hope the game is close. I hope it comes down to BYU needing to make a play to win the game. Those moments are when players are defined and remembered. Who could forget Coach Doman’s legacy against Utah, or Luke Staley’s moments, Jenaro’s interception or Aaron Fransico playing his last game against Utah with a torn MCL. I would expect similar moments this weekend. If there isn’t, well…then I guess a win will do.

Things that concerned me was Max’s unpredictable nature when something doesn’t go his way. He lost his head for a few series and the offense suffered as it took some time for him to regain his composure. I understand your emotional and competitive, but don’t forget that your performance drives the outcome of the game. Keeping your cool takes precedents over how tough you appear to your linemen or fans.

I don’t want to give Max too much crap because he has moved up a very prestigious ladder to etch his name in BYU history right next to Jim, Ty, and Steve. That’s not a bad short list.

Also congratulations to Harvey Unga and Dennis Pitta for the respectable contributions to BYU history and the legacies they will leave behind. BYU’s offense really has been something to behold as this trio has left their mark.

I am looking forward to next week, it will be a spectacular game with a lot of fire, intrigue and two good team laying it all on the line for…..well, second place. But hey, TCU deserves it and hopefully the conference championship will find its way back to Provo.

OK here’s the question of the day: In the history of BYU vs. Utah who can outline the worst cheap shots handed out by either team?

I’ll start it off with both Curtis Brown and Eric Weddle in the game every BYU fan loves to rub in a Utes face, and yes, he is still open.

Anyway, I think reading about others comments and insights is valuable and for that reason you are welcome.

But before you leave a comment please stop, think, and formulate an appropriate response. Go F&&& yourself doesn’t fly.

Thanks. #25

Some might say AFA is like the little brother that has some skills, but just can’t mix up the peaking order. Yeah the little brother might sneak past you every once in a while, but if the “big brother” plays up to his potential than it shouldn’t be a close.

But with the way the Cougars have been performing this year, you never know what your going to get. As mentioned before I feel as if the Cougars have lost a little identity as they’ve worked to overcome the two losses at home. What I mean is, the Cougs had finally beaten a top 5 or 10 opponent, when they beat Oklahoma. Then they found out Oklahoma was over rated. The Cougs are then smashed by a FSU team that hasn’t been able to string two good plays together since they left Provo. Basically you have a team that is highly ranked, but still hasn’t really gotten over the hump of beating a really good team -case and point TCU…enough said. Our offense doesn’t really have a star -some might argue that this is a good thing- and our defense doesn’t have that trusting, ah…don’t worry feel. I’m really looking for someone to take a game over. Max did this against SDSU, but it hasn’t been consistent. Harvey looked great against a few teams but hasn’t gotten the touches to really shine. Dennis and Andrew and both great athletes and potential game breakers, but they just haven’t blown me away. Our defense, as a whole is good enough to win game, but I don’t think teams are intimidated by them. Who is BYU? Are they a team that wins the games they should and losses the game they should? Are they a before Christmas Bowl game team or will they start towards change? Are we a top 25, 10, 15 or do we not belong? I want a player on the BYU Cougars to take the flag and make a statement….

Looking at the three games remaining -AFA, UT, Bowl game- the Cougars need to reestablish themselves as a consistent football team that can perform up to standard week in and week out. Our young players need to start thinking of themselves as starters and experienced and they need to begin preparing, and playing like they are the future -because they are.

One day when I was a sophomore Coach Mendenhall said something to the defensive backs that was very interesting. He was talking about Dustin Gabriel. Coach pointed out a play during one of our practices -in the middle of the week- where Dustin was running and making a play, and it looked like everyone else in the picture frame was standing still. Coach turned on his pointer and said, “I can win football games with players like that. That is a guy who I don’t have to recruit past.” (And we watched the clip over and over…and over) Meaning: I like his effort, speed, and ability and I can count on him producing while he’s in our program. It was something that always stuck with me. I always thought, and feared I was a player that he had recruited past. It forced me to work harder day to day. It made me focus more when I ran onto the practice field. It was a small bit of motivation that crept in every know and then and reminded me that there is always someone better, working harder. It forced me to be good, all the time.

The point of that story is to illustrate the fact that the Coaching staff has filled positions and backup positions on the depth chart and these last few games are when players need to identify themselves as players that can be produce. Otherwise, the Coaching staff is going to find a “new” guy that can hopefully produce in your place.