(04-20-2022 10:52 AM)ruowls Wrote:  Rice was just a couple of plays away from more favorable outcomes

We have been a couple of plays away for six decades now.

"I don’t think we utilize our talent to the best of our ability,” Cooper said. “He likes west coast [concepts with a] power run offense. Personally, I don’t think that will work at Rice because we can’t recruit the linemen to run a power run offense. I feel like every coach needs to adapt to their team and Bloomgren does not do that. He sticks to his philosophy and it doesn’t work here. I think if he realized that, we could be really good, but he’s just too stubborn.”

(04-20-2022 11:41 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  I have no doubt that there is some truth to this article, but I also think the Thresher writer had a POV (like many of us) and found a couple former players (if, in fact, they are real) to fit his narrative. Given they're no longer with the program, why remain anonymous? Also odd that the author didn't bother to seek out comments from either Bloomgren or Karlgaard. I wonder if he even bothered to alert them in advance of this story.

As to anonymity - in this era of everything you have ever said or typed is recorded for eternity, and can and will be used for or against you - not attaching a name to it seems as astute a tactic as any that someone who could get into Rice would take.

Somewhen down the line, someone who does allow their name to be associated with complaints such as these might very well find that bridges were burned, regardless of whether the complaints were facts or opinion.

I am reminded of how members of the swim team succeeded in removing five-time SWC coach of the year Kris Wingenroth from her leadership role.
The complaints that I saw seemed petty, to me, and as there wasn't a huge financial hit, the AD let her go. Apples and oranges - yes - but the student-athletes made themselves heard in that case.

(04-20-2022 11:41 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  I have no doubt that there is some truth to this article, but I also think the Thresher writer had a POV (like many of us) and found a couple former players (if, in fact, they are real) to fit his narrative. Given they're no longer with the program, why remain anonymous? Also odd that the author didn't bother to seek out comments from either Bloomgren or Karlgaard. I wonder if he even bothered to alert them in advance of this story.

1) What gives you the impression that they are no longer with the program? I didn't read that in the article.

2) It does seem the author reached out to them both for comment... and he DID post a 'counter' to the narrative.

3) I assume the thresher author is a current student... and at least on the whole, has an interest in Rice athletics. That seems rather rare air for us.

Other than the fact that EVERY article CAN have a bias, why do you assume this one does? Maybe he just asked a question and got this answer?

(04-20-2022 12:20 PM)Hambone10 Wrote:  

(04-20-2022 11:41 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  I have no doubt that there is some truth to this article, but I also think the Thresher writer had a POV (like many of us) and found a couple former players (if, in fact, they are real) to fit his narrative. Given they're no longer with the program, why remain anonymous? Also odd that the author didn't bother to seek out comments from either Bloomgren or Karlgaard. I wonder if he even bothered to alert them in advance of this story.

1) What gives you the impression that they are no longer with the program? I didn't read that in the article.

2) It does seem the author reached out to them both for comment... and he DID post a 'counter' to the narrative.

3) I assume the thresher author is a current student... and at least on the whole, has an interest in Rice athletics. That seems rather rare air for us.

Other than the fact that EVERY article CAN have a bias, why do you assume this one does? Maybe he just asked a question and got this answer?

re: 1)

Rice Thresher Wrote:Former players (emphasis added) have expressed that they see a disconnect between what Bloomgren says and how he interacts with his locker room.

“I don’t think he believes or means what he says most of the time, if it’s a positive thing,” said Eli*, who categorized Bloomgren as difficult to talk to and someone who struggles to connect with his players. “You talk to most of the kids on the team and they’ll say they’ve never had a normal interaction with him.”

Bloomgren often touts the strong culture that he is building at Rice. Eli said that Bloomgren, who received accolades for his recruiting skills as an assistant at Stanford University, sells this vision to potential players, but over time they begin to realize that it’s all an act.

“In the recruiting process he’s super smiley and friendly, and then the more you interact with him you’re like ‘there’s something really off with this guy,’” Eli said. “When he doesn’t follow through on the things he promises, you start to see through the facade that he has.”

At least some of the players who spoke to the Thresher, implicitly including this "Eli", are no longer with the program.

For those looking for 2), Bloomgren's statement is quoted in the paragraph immediately above the section I left here.

(04-20-2022 11:37 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  when is the last time you've actually attended a game or spoken to anyone within the Athletic Department?

Couple of months. Been doing chemo for prostate cancer this spring, so have laid pretty low.

But I'm not really talking about recent history so much as 60 years of mismanagement. What's going on now is just the logical consequence of what went before.

I still wish Rice had hired Tommy Prothro instead of Bo Hagan when Jess retired. I think the entire trajectory of the program would have been vastly different. I don't think that anyone who wasn't here for the Hagan years can properly understand just how badly he screwed things up.

(04-20-2022 11:48 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(04-20-2022 11:47 AM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  

(04-20-2022 11:41 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  I have no doubt that there is some truth to this article, but I also think the Thresher writer had a POV (like many of us) and found a couple former players (if, in fact, they are real) to fit his narrative. Given they're no longer with the program, why remain anonymous? Also odd that the author didn't bother to seek out comments from either Bloomgren or Karlgaard. I wonder if he even bothered to alert them in advance of this story.

They did seek out comment from Bloomgren and the athletic department and both provided statements.

I wouldn't call them statements.

And that would be on the AD and the department, would it not? Not on the reporter or the staff.

(04-20-2022 11:41 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  I have no doubt that there is some truth to this article, but I also think the Thresher writer had a POV (like many of us) and found a couple former players (if, in fact, they are real) to fit his narrative. Given they're no longer with the program, why remain anonymous? Also odd that the author didn't bother to seek out comments from either Bloomgren or Karlgaard. I wonder if he even bothered to alert them in advance of this story.

Be better than this. Implying a Rice student reporter might have lied in his article is a bush league move. You don't like the article or its slant? Criticize the content.

(04-20-2022 01:40 PM)Brookes Owl Wrote:  

(04-20-2022 11:41 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  I have no doubt that there is some truth to this article, but I also think the Thresher writer had a POV (like many of us) and found a couple former players (if, in fact, they are real) to fit his narrative. Given they're no longer with the program, why remain anonymous? Also odd that the author didn't bother to seek out comments from either Bloomgren or Karlgaard. I wonder if he even bothered to alert them in advance of this story.

Be better than this. Implying a Rice student reporter might have lied in his article is a bush league move. You don't like the article or its slant? Criticize the content.

Walt will carry that water for his boy Karlgaard to the bitter end.

(04-20-2022 01:14 PM)franklyconfused Wrote:  

(04-20-2022 12:20 PM)Hambone10 Wrote:  1) What gives you the impression that they are no longer with the program? I didn't read that in the article.

re: 1)

Rice Thresher Wrote:Former players (emphasis added) have expressed that they see a ...

At least some of the players who spoke to the Thresher, implicitly including this "Eli", are no longer with the program.

Thank you. Somehow I understood these were former players intuitively, but when I read it, I couldn't find it.

That said, I understand completely why someone on the team as recently as last season wouldn't want to be 'outed'. I'm sure they still have lots of friends on the squad. More to the point, I'm glad that they understand there could be consequences for what they say beyond the moment... a lesson lots of younger people on social media don't seem to understand.

I know that I've been somewhat black-balled as a result of some of my comments on here. Not completely as Joe has always been professional with me, but I'm certainly not 'on the inside' anymore.

(04-20-2022 01:59 PM)Hambone10 Wrote:  I know that I've been somewhat black-balled as a result of some of my comments on here. Not completely as Joe has always been professional with me, but I'm certainly not 'on the inside' anymore.

I don't think I've truly been black-balled. I still have cordial relations with department personnel when the occasion presents itself. I recently had lunch with Tanner Gardner, where I laid out 60 years of Rice athletics history from my perspective, and he was very cordial throughout and seemed genuinely interested in the perspective that I provided.

I just spent so many years being totally frustrated by the insanely stupid crap I saw happening on almost a weekly basis, and I just don't care to be involved any more.

I will continue to maintain that had Rice hired Tommy Prothro when Jess retired, instead of Bo Hagan, the entire trajectory of the program over the last 60 years would have been vastly different. I think there is a fair chance that Rice athletics would be where Baylor is, without the murders and sexual assaults.

The only way it could be worse is if he had called his wife ugly.

(04-20-2022 02:22 PM)mebehutchi Wrote:  The only way it could be worse is if he had called his wife ugly.

But if you make an ugly woman your wife
you'll be happy for the rest of your life
An ugly woman cooks meals on time
And she'll always give you peace of mind

If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life
Never make a pretty woman your wife
So from my personal point of view
Get an ugly girl to marry you

--Jimmy Soul

(04-20-2022 11:47 AM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  

(04-20-2022 11:41 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  ... Also odd that the author didn't bother to seek out comments from either Bloomgren or Karlgaard. ...

They did seek out comment from Bloomgren and the athletic department and both provided statements.

FTR, here are the four quotes from "statements" attributed to Bloomgren or the Athletics Dept. that were provided to the Thresher and published in the article:

Quote:In a statement provided to the Thresher, Bloomgren reiterated his dedication to the members of the Rice football team.

“I am proud of the tremendous young men in our football program, and I fully stand behind our commitment to their well-being,” the statement said.

. . . . .

Quote:According to a statement from Rice Athletics, playing time and play calling are the sole prerogative of a team’s coach.

“Who a coach elects to play in a game and what players are called are at the sole discretion of our coaches and while it is our hope that all Rice student-athletes have a positive experience, we recognize that there will always be some student-athletes across all sports who elect to continue their education and athletic careers at another institution and we wish them well,” the statement said.

. . . . .

Quote:According to Bloomgren’s statement, while some players do choose to transfer, others find Rice to be fulfilling both athletically and academically.

“Every student who joins our program has the opportunity to challenge himself, both on and off the field, and has the opportunity to re-evaluate his decision at any time,” the statement said. “If a student-athlete decides to transfer, it’s disappointing, but I know that there are many others who believe that Rice exceeds their expectations, both on the field and in the classroom.”

. . . . .

Quote:According to the statement from Rice Athletics, the department fully investigates all concerns brought forward by student-athletes and takes appropriate action, when warranted.

“We are confident that any issues brought forward regarding the Rice football program have been fully examined and addressed,” the statement said.

- - - - -

(04-20-2022 11:58 AM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  

(04-20-2022 11:48 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  I wouldn't call them statements.

What would you call them?

(04-20-2022 01:59 PM)Hambone10 Wrote:  

(04-20-2022 01:14 PM)franklyconfused Wrote:  

(04-20-2022 12:20 PM)Hambone10 Wrote:  1) What gives you the impression that they are no longer with the program? I didn't read that in the article.

re: 1)

Rice Thresher Wrote:Former players (emphasis added) have expressed that they see a ...

At least some of the players who spoke to the Thresher, implicitly including this "Eli", are no longer with the program.

Thank you. Somehow I understood these were former players intuitively, but when I read it, I couldn't find it.

That said, I understand completely why someone on the team as recently as last season wouldn't want to be 'outed'. I'm sure they still have lots of friends on the squad. More to the point, I'm glad that they understand there could be consequences for what they say beyond the moment... a lesson lots of younger people on social media don't seem to understand.

I know that I've been somewhat black-balled as a result of some of my comments on here. Not completely as Joe has always been professional with me, but I'm certainly not 'on the inside' anymore.

I thought that some of the players quoted were current, some former. I also thought all players in both groups were offered anonymity. So I don't see that Eli, Peyton, and Cooper are all necessarily in one group or another.

I think the reporter's use of the names of the three sons of Archie Manning displays a knowledge of football, and therefore probably an interest in it.

(04-20-2022 02:47 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  I think the reporter's use of the names of the three sons of Archie Manning displays a knowledge of football, and therefore probably an interest in it.

Both reporters bylined on the Bloomgren story -- Ben Baker-Katz and Daniel Schrager -- have written Thresher articles about a wide range of Rice sports (and BBK has also written about the Baker Institute director and the financial aid lawsuit).

(04-20-2022 10:50 AM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  ... "square pegs into round holes" pretty much defined my issues with Bailiff ... Bloomgren seems even more stubborn about "square pegs into round holes" ....

Only at Rice can we go from "square pegs in round holes" to "squarer pegs in rounder holes"!!!

This article was both unsurprising, depressing, and particularly depressing because of how unsurprising it is!

(04-20-2022 02:47 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  I thought that some of the players quoted were current, some former. I also thought all players in both groups were offered anonymity. So I don't see that Eli, Peyton, and Cooper are all necessarily in one group or another.

I think the reporter's use of the names of the three sons of Archie Manning displays a knowledge of football, and therefore probably an interest in it.

He couldn't drop an "Arch" for a fourth anonymous player just to show his knowledge of current Mannings being recruited for their athletic prowess?

(04-20-2022 12:20 PM)Grungy Wrote:  I am reminded of how members of the swim team succeeded in removing five-time SWC coach of the year Kris Wingenroth from her leadership role.
The complaints that I saw seemed petty, to me, and as there wasn't a huge financial hit, the AD let her go. Apples and oranges - yes - but the student-athletes made themselves heard in that case.

I am also reminded of the lawsuit that grew out of that firing.

I was talking to an influential Texas alum who was complaining about the 'rich Midland oil boys' who have/had Powers, Fenves, CDC, Dodds, Patterson, etc. on speed dial. When Texas was losing, they would offer to fund buyouts of various coaches (literally in game from DKR) which pressured the Texas leadership to have quick trigger fingers due to the funding of buyout not being a constraint and keeping rich alums happier as the higher priority to get Texas back to where it believes it is entitled to be b/c it is Texas.

Here at Rice, the opposite problem exists. No doubt JK is thinking budget first and I'm sure getting plenty of feedback from north of him saying 'if someone else wants to buyout Bloom, Pera, etc. contracts..that is your call to make a change. But if you have your hat in hand to have the University fund it, then we have a problem as we are already funding an eight-figure annual deficit. Get the rich alums to fund it or figure-out how to fund it w/out asking for more $.'

With the rich alums having interest waned, gone, apathy, lack of confidence in leadership (throw good $ after bad), etc., they are not willing to step-up as JK is not a rah-rah fund it guy like CDC was in first place w/ a vision for change. So the apathy, losing, frustration, continues in the major sports and athletic dept focuses on tier-2 sport success to toot its horn.

Article is not surprising, lack of interest in program not surprising, and results on field not surprising. Starting to see bubbles emerge in the heating pot of water if players quit as well.