It just seems a little silly to be getting so riled up over this. The thread definitely isn't
positive or
constructive per se, but isn't it more or less harmless? Nobody's crucifying these guys - they're just pointing out that there are players that are lower on the 'popularity scale' than others. I mean really, who do you like more? Archie Griffin or Marco Cooper? Mike Doss or Nate Clements? To suggest that they all deserve equal applause and respect is asinine. Tyson Walter
sued LeCharles Bentley - dragging both their names and the University's through the mud - over a punch in the nose. Him, or Orlando Pace? I will definitely agree that it's not really a 'cool' thing to do to just overtly shit on specific players for their various mistakes or poor play, but if we can't be honest about these types of things, then what will we ever have to talk about? There will always be criticism. Some of it will be warranted, some of it will be unwarranted. When the latter is the case, you should feel free to come to a specific person or player's defense. As far as finding some sort of 'cruelty' or 'evil' in the very
mention of criticism...again. Just plain silly.
The only other comment I have is about this:
BuckeyeSoldier said:
if all of the fans dispensed as much hate as some of the ppl on this board i cant imagine why any player would want to come here..
...I'm gonna take a stab in the dark here. Most players don't care to use the internet for anything other than IMing girls, and those that do aren't usually on long enough to browse around fan sites doing searches for their names. Every athlete on the planet who's good enough to garner attention from fans and media knows that they are going to have some detractors. In my experience, they appear not to give a shit, and are far more concerned with what their
coaches and
fellow players think about them. Anyone who thinks Nate Clements and Tyson Walter are lurking in the shadows shedding silent tears over these comments needs a pretty severe reality check.