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Topic: Why all the negative comments?

Topic: Why all the negative comments?

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Bobcat1996
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Member Since: 1/2/2017
Post Count: 923

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Why all the negative comments?

Posted: 1/2/2017 8:50:38 PM

How many of you would like to continually get criticized at your place of work? I know I wouldn't appreciate the daily criticism at my place of work. Many of you "so called Bobcat fans" constantly criticize or look to badger our coaches, athletes or staff every chance you get. Some of you are currently receiving a paycheck from this university, or have been employed as a Bobcat at one time in your career or have family members that have worked on campus. Why would you bite the hand that feeds you? It sickens me to see the constant criticism on this message board. The next time you think about criticizing a coach, administrator, player or staff member of Ohio University, remember to look in the mirror and put yourself in there place. Ask yourself, would I want to be treated like this?

cbus cat fan
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Member Since: 12/2/2011
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RE: Why all the negative comments?

Posted: 1/2/2017 10:10:43 PM

A very interesting post Bobcat 1996. A couple of things to consider; I would argue that most of the posts here, including mine are observations about the state of the team, the MAC and sports in general as well as fond memories of years past. Occasionally, there are posts that are negative, perhaps people blowing off steam. As for whether we like criticism. In my profession, we are constantly criticized, far more than this board and we receive far less money than most coaches or university administrators.

Have you ever read rate my teacher, rate my doctor websites? How about for restaurants, plumbers and handymen? I know people in all of those professions who have to deal with negative reviews that are very undeserved, which are a detriment to their business. Unfortunately, it is the world in which we live. There's a great scene from the original Rocky movie when Mr. Gazzo the loan shark that employs Rocky has to break up a heated exchange between Rocky and Mr. Gazzo's very foul mouthed and negative driver. Rocky yells this guy is always in a bad mood and negative and Mr. Gazzo replies that some people just seem to hate and be in a bad mood. I am not trying to defend that but sadly it is the world in which we live. I really don't think this board has one tenth as bad as most sports board. Just my two cents worth.

Doc Bobcat
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Member Since: 12/20/2004
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RE: Why all the negative comments?

Posted: 1/2/2017 10:21:29 PM

The criticism of OUr team by OUr fans doesn't bother me.

What bothers me is that someone makes a comment and then someone who doesn't agree with them makes a you suck comment then the other person makes a no you suck more comment.

Is this junior high?

L.C.
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Member Since: 8/31/2005
Location: United States
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RE: Why all the negative comments?

Posted: 1/2/2017 10:36:31 PM

cbus cat fan wrote:

... I really don't think this board has one tenth as bad as most sports board. Just my two cents worth.

At one time it was quite different, and better, than other sports boards. Now it's about the same as others.

�We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.� ― Epictetus

oucs 1986
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Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Mason, OH
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RE: Why all the negative comments?

Posted: 1/2/2017 10:47:12 PM

L.C. wrote:

cbus cat fan wrote:

... I really don't think this board has one tenth as bad as most sports board. Just my two cents worth.

At one time it was quite different, and better, than other sports boards. Now it's about the same as others.

I would agree with this.

I think it comes from "expectations".

I have none, so I stay pretty happy.

Peace,
-john

Go Bobcats!

RSBobcat
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Member Since: 8/22/2010
Location: Columbus, OH
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RE: Why all the negative comments?

Posted: 1/2/2017 10:53:53 PM

Bobcat1996 wrote:

Ask yourself, would I want to be treated like this?

So i guess it's safe to assume you did not speak in place of SP in the locker room during halftime of the Urbana game?

Edit - Forgot I was on the FBall board. NM - Maybe you did speak in the locker room at a half time..... :)

Per "treated like this"? For - uh - A $100K scholarship? A $500K salary? Like criticism could be something I might have to deal with? Jeesh.....Can't take the heat then go NAIA.....

Last Edited: 1/2/2017 11:03:53 PM by RSBobcat

RS Bobcat

cbus cat fan
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RE: Why all the negative comments?

Posted: 1/2/2017 10:59:42 PM

I took a glance around other boards and I still think people here behave themselves far better than others, but I guess it is up to interpretation. Sadly our society has become coarse and rude. Some years ago, I had a friend whose son was on a SEC team (not a player or coach but a videotaper or trainer.) Anyway, they had a game in South Bend and their parents drove to the game. Both the student and parents were shocked that when the bus arrived, though they heard cheers for Notre Dame they weren't inundated with profanity (often at other SEC schools by children) and or batteries or urine etc. It is sad what we become accustomed to in our world today.

Somehow in sports it is like some late night cheap sci fi movie where some people lose their moral compass. We could all debate how and why, but it is what it is, and I would like to think we are better than most.

allen
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RE: Why all the negative comments?

Posted: 1/2/2017 11:10:10 PM

It is the freedom of speech, freedom of thought and expression. Not everybody sees the team's progress in the same way. This is a very tamed message board, civil compared to other message boards. There is a fraternity of old timers, I go back to the Grobe days. The only time I ever heard the coaching staff being questioned was during the knorr day's. Some people love this coaching staff to no end and will justify anything that happens and some people question everything. I hear people say it is not fun anymore, I wonder how can people take others joy that easily. It's like everybody wants a constant Solich parade and can't handle criticism. It's just part of life, don't be so troubled. there are some funny posts on this site, laugh and enjoy yourselves. If we want new loyal fans, we have to respect where they are coming from. You just can't always get what you want. God bless

Nobody despises to lose more than I do. That's got me into trouble over the years, but it also made a man of mediocre ability into a pretty good coach. Woody Hayes

OhioCatFan
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Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Athens, OH
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RE: Why all the negative comments?

Posted: 1/2/2017 11:21:56 PM

I would agree with Allen that we are not nearly as bad as many other boards that I've visited -- rather infrequently. Therefore, I disagree with L.C. that we have descended to the level of the average board. I think we are worse than we used to be, but not as bad as many boards.

The only BLSS Certified Hypocrite on BA

"It is better to be an optimist and be proven a fool than to be a pessimist and be proven right."

Note: My avatar is the national colors of the 78th Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, which are now preserved in a climate controlled vault at the Ohio History Connection. Learn more about the old 78th at: http://www.78ohio.org

The Optimist
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Location: CLE
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RE: Why all the negative comments?

Posted: 1/3/2017 5:32:50 AM

Speaking negatively about the program negatively impacts the program. For me, it is that simple.

More than anything, this bothers me on the recruiting board. I've seen it mentioned "nobody reads this" which just isn't true. If I'm a recruit and I see a fanbase speaking negatively about the program or myself, it definitely makes me think twice about that school.

I've seen crazier things happen.

Robert Fox
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Location: Knoxville, TN
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RE: Why all the negative comments?

Posted: 1/3/2017 9:03:40 AM

The Optimist wrote:

Agree. I think that is most definitely a factor.

L.C.
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Location: United States
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RE: Why all the negative comments?

Posted: 1/3/2017 9:48:41 AM

Let me retract what I said, mostly because I haven't frequented other boards that much in the last few years. While Ohio's board is not as much of a special place as it once was, no doubt the other boards are worse, too. We seem to be descending as a society into a harsher, less civil place.

As far as criticism of the coaches, I think no one would object to it if it were confined to on-topic threads. The problem is not the criticism itself so much as the fact that it becomes tiresome to read the exact same thing in every thread. When I post on a topic, I usually try to confine my comments to the topic that thread is about. I do have 7,000 posts, but I like to think that they are about a wide variety of subjects, and that they aren't all the saying the same thing.

The Optimist wrote:

Yes, this is a question mark for me as well. For example, when Ohio has a need to recruit quality quarterbacks, is it helpful to post "Would you want your son play QB here?" during peak recruiting season? If one wants to have that discussion, February or March, after signing day, might be a better time.

�We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.� ― Epictetus

GoCats105
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RE: Why all the negative comments?

Posted: 1/3/2017 9:55:08 AM

You guys seriously think recruits read these message boards before they decide and use these as a deciding factor in where they go? If they really do, good for them. Someone prove me wrong but I can't imagine that being the case.

If it is, let's just blame myself, Monroe, bshot and 695 and whomever else for negatively impacting this staff's recruiting prowess.

L.C.
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Member Since: 8/31/2005
Location: United States
Post Count: 10,470

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RE: Why all the negative comments?

Posted: 1/3/2017 10:08:20 AM

Considering that I've had PM conversations with family members of potential recruits, I guess its not hard for me to believe that recruits are aware of things posted here. How much credence they give to the posts, I don't know. I also don't know how the negativity here compares to what they find on the boards for other schools.

Last Edited: 1/3/2017 10:09:30 AM by L.C.

�We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.� ― Epictetus

The Optimist
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Location: CLE
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RE: Why all the negative comments?

Posted: 1/3/2017 10:51:22 AM

I don't think any recruits are going online to read a message board as the "deciding factor" in where they go to college. I do know that know that many recruits and their families will read message boards and even if they aren't consciously thinking "let me see what this fanbase is saying" before they make their college decision, what is said will still have an impact.

My biggest issue is when people start questioning grades or character. I'm not arguing that "grade concerns" shouldn't ever be mentioned on a message board, but I think it is very important to give a lot of thought into how you word a post like that. For a lot of players, a supportive fanbase is a factor in their decision. Some kids likely would brush it off, but I also couldn't fault a kid who took it personally. "Why would I want to go there" seems like a reasonable response when you've got a page on the internet of "fans" talking about how dumb you are. Would you walk up to a recruits face and ask him why he would bother coming here as a QB since our staff is such a joke? If you'd walk up to a recruit and ask that, I assume you aren't really a fan of the program.

I've seen crazier things happen.

allen
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RE: Why all the negative comments?

Posted: 1/3/2017 10:57:24 AM

We talk about so much crazy stuff on this site lol/ I know recruits read our site, heck we have players that join our site. The site has to be real, it can't be too rosy, too wonky or too off topic. Every site has what they call haters. If I were a recruit and I saw people celebrating close losses and the fact that least we are not last, I would be slightly turned off. The site will not make the decision for a recruit, but it can be a tipping point. I always try to speak to our potential being real about our performance. Case in point, we were playing Tulsa in basketball and they had just beat a top 25 team and the medi's started saying we would get crushed and that it is good to get crushed early on and even quoted our former coaches and it pissed me off so I responded. We ended up losing the game by two, a game that we were up the whole time. The same thing with Tennessee this year. Kids don't come here to lose, they want to make a difference and win. We have to be real about the offense, the recruits are not stupid. The fan base needs to be energetic and hungry in my opinion. The players need to get a lift from us. When we play a tough game, nobody should tell the team they have to play a perfect game because as soon as they make a mistake, they start feeling as if they would lose. You have to encourage them and tell them to punch back. Go Cats, my two cents.

Last Edited: 1/5/2017 9:14:50 PM by allen

Nobody despises to lose more than I do. That's got me into trouble over the years, but it also made a man of mediocre ability into a pretty good coach. Woody Hayes

Robert Fox
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RE: Why all the negative comments?

Posted: 1/3/2017 10:59:14 AM

GoCats105 wrote:

You guys seriously think recruits read these message boards before they decide and use these as a deciding factor in where they go?

In a word, yes. Not as as the deciding factor, but certainly as a barometer of what they're getting into.

allen
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RE: Why all the negative comments?

Posted: 1/3/2017 11:13:20 AM

Robert Fox wrote:

GoCats105 wrote:

You guys seriously think recruits read these message boards before they decide and use these as a deciding factor in where they go?

In a word, yes. Not as as the deciding factor, but certainly as a barometer of what they're getting into.

Nobody despises to lose more than I do. That's got me into trouble over the years, but it also made a man of mediocre ability into a pretty good coach. Woody Hayes

bshot44
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RE: Why all the negative comments?

Posted: 1/3/2017 11:35:27 AM

IF YOU ARE A RECRUIT AND YOU ARE READING THIS:

Disregard about 99.9% of the nonsense on here. We are all goofballs that have varying opinions of Ohio football....but we have ZERO control on anything except showing up and cheering...which I will say the majority do.

Whether we agree on the direction of the program or specifics.....we are simply fans. Nothing more.

We love Ohio....we argue about a lot of aspects of the team.

But bottom line.....THESE POSTS SHOULD HAVE LITERALLY NOTHING TO DO WITH YOUR DECISION TO COME TO OHIO.

It's a great school...as any of us on here would tell you....and with, for the most part, great fans compared to the rest of the MAC.

The nonsense that eventually gets argued on here should have ZERO influence on a recruit. I would hope they know better than picking a school based on what idiot message boards say.

cc-cat
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RE: Why all the negative comments?

Posted: 1/3/2017 11:49:25 AM

^^^^

And I would add we all actually know very little about the game (many never played, and certainly not at the level and proficiency that you have achieved), but feel as if we are experts because we watch a lot of games on TV - so our "eye ball" test is legit - lol. Think of us as that crazy neighbor of yours that has been trying to tell you "how to play" since you started to get recognition. At least in that case you know who the idiot is, versus most of us that hide behind aliases.

Basically this board is not too bad. Most of the negative comments are reserved for each other - mostly because we get tired of hearing the same old arguments - sorta of like having to listen to the same drunk spew on in a bar over and over and over and over as they watch a game.

Where I do have issue is when the negative comments focus on the questioning of the character or heart of a player - who the poster has never met. But those instances are rare.

bobcat695
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RE: Why all the negative comments?

Posted: 1/3/2017 12:18:59 PM

There is a difference between reality and abject negativity. As someone who attended OU during the dark years (1991-1995), I have seen the bottom of the barrel. I am pleased Ohio Football doesn't reside there any longer, and Frank Solich is the largest single reason why. I am an optimist at heart and believe we achieve more when fear of failure is not the primary motivation.

My criticism is focused on the consistent inability to recruit a QB and the inept offensive scheme. After 10+ years of the exact same problem, there should be a change in the method that each of those two duties is performed. My perspective as an engaged fan is to not tear down what has been built, but to believe that the program can be the best in the conference. The university is great, the facilities are nice and the fan support is near the top. There is no reason that a recruit shouldn't want to come to Ohio. I'm disappointed in the sales job being done in the living rooms.

Being a public figure has advantages, but public criticism also goes with the territory. Several times each month, I am personally asked to contribute financially to either the university or the athletic department. Right or wrong, people that consistently write checks for something typically feel like they have earned the right to voice their opinion. Complete silence would be a much worse indicator of a program than some public recognition of a few areas that could be improved.

"You can't un-fist a fist pump." - Saul Phillips 1/24/15

GoCats105
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RE: Why all the negative comments?

Posted: 1/3/2017 12:28:07 PM

bobcat695 wrote:

This is how I feel, 695. I wasn't trying to say you, I, Monroe or bshot were negative people. However some of the comments we might make can be perceived as negative.

But like bshot said, if you're a recruit, don't pay attention to what we say. We want the best for Ohio, nothing more. There's a reason we're all here...we all have a love for that place down in Athens.

allen
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RE: Why all the negative comments?

Posted: 1/3/2017 12:35:19 PM

GoCats105 wrote:

bobcat695 wrote:

Nobody despises to lose more than I do. That's got me into trouble over the years, but it also made a man of mediocre ability into a pretty good coach. Woody Hayes

L.C.
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Location: United States
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RE: Why all the negative comments?

Posted: 1/3/2017 1:01:48 PM

I agree with most of the comments here. My only point was that it's naive to think that recruits don't read the site.

Similarly, just because parents don't post much anymore, it isn't reasonable to believe that they aren't aware of what is said here. That's why I oppose getting excessively negative when calling out individual players. I've always believed that a good rule is to never say anything about a player that you wouldn't say to that player's face, or to their parents, because you most likely are saying it to them when you post it here. That's one place where I think this board is still way better than most sports boards. There rarely if ever are personal attacks on specific players.

�We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.� ― Epictetus

rpbobcat
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Location: Rochelle Park, NJ
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RE: Why all the negative comments?

Posted: 1/3/2017 1:07:37 PM

GoCats105 wrote:

There's a reason we're all here...we all have a love for that place down in Athens.

Jackie O's ? :-)

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