I have waited a week to write about signing day, or as Charlie Batch likes to say, "The first day the signing period." I have come to the conclusion that this process, much like pre-season polls, is for show and really means nothing. Between Terrelle Pryor's not signing to Kevin Hart's signing "hoax," a bunch of 18 year olds got too much publicity. What have they done on the field? Exactly.
Georgia, Ohio State, USC, Florida, Oklahoma, Missouri, all potential #1's in the preseason polls have done nothing for the 2008 season. No wins, no losses, and yet the media want to rank these teams. I understand the desire, heck I love debating the teams before the season too. I would rather the polls be defined as just that - fun blabber, no substance. Unfortunately, this year's Kansas will come from no where and still be left out the "serious" title contender discussion because their team's history is not strong.
Arguing that the 2007 performance of a team defines how a team will do in 2008 is ridiculous. After the loss to Florida in the title game, no one thought Ohio State would make the BCS title game this season, and yet they did with a new quarterback, new receivers, a new defensive line and a rebuilt secondary. A favorable schedule helped their cause, but the young Buckeyes managed to lose just one game during the regular season. Anyone expect two losses from USC? Kansas to lose just one game? Michigan to lose four games? Louisville not make a bowl game? Nebraska to give up 2000 points? Tebow to win the Heisman? No. This is why preseason polls are fun, but mean nothing.
Someday I hope the insanity around signing day stops. Plenty of players end up being stars, but plenty end up on the bench too. I think it send the wrong message to give a player who has done nothing yet (aka earned nothing), the spotlight. I remember a funny Belichick story when he was coaching the Cleveland Browns, and they drafted Craig Powell, LB from Ohio State, in the first round. In training camp, Belichick ripped his (not ready for the NFL) rookie as saying, he's what I thought he was - lost. Powell never made it in the NFL.
A friend of mine likes to quote Keith Jackson a lot, "You still have to play the game." Oh Nellie is he right.
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