Giving Opinions On Recruits

[hotelgator]

I find it interesting that there is an argument between some on this recruiting board about wether a poster has a right to give there opinions on how a recruit can improve. First unless you have watched a player in several games, discussed a recruit with his coaches, viewed his HS transcripts (this is usually the first question or step, can he get in to UF), sat down with the young man and his family to have a conversation, than you may in fact be in a position to offer some type of critique of a players abilities.

If you have watched a couple of videos offered online, looked at a recruits measurables during a one day (or several day) camp, read some free information offered by a "recruiting guru" on a website that was free in order to entice you to become a paying cutomer in the future, or surfed several websites for any information such as a players twitter or "recruiting gurus" twitter than you probably should not make any negative comments about a 17-19 year old kid whos just trying to make it through high school or junior college.

Its facinating to see posters taking shots at kids to prop themselves up or to somehow become the new recruiting poster with all the info. I find it just as surprising that someone would ask for a write up on the current recruits committed and finding someone wanting to interject there opinions about a young man they have never met nor have seen in person. SOS always said that these kids need not be booed or harrassed for there mistakes, inabilities, and growing pains. In turn Gatorcountry and its mods did not allow anyone to do the same. I have been banned once in the many years I have been here because I argued with UGHairy about him coming on a gator board and starting trouble, my short sightness did not allow me to see he was a decent poster and in time I came to respect his contributions. During the Zook tenure things changed and we saw more leeway with taking shots at kids in the name of "its just my opinion". UM also took the SOS aproach toward respecting these kids and allowing them to grow into young men without condiscending comments. Today were gravitating toward the Zook years. Last year a poster ripped Skyler M as not being a good QB. This year we have a poster stating our QB and WR committs are not good.(and yes in past posts the one who others ask questions of referred to our WR class as weak and Staver as subpar)

My point is let the coached decide for Lords sake. If they do not make it then so be it. SOS used to say I con't make them all superstars and AA. There will be some young men that can't make it physically, mentally, or just won't mature. That is life, taking shots (and I see negative comments about HS football players as shots) is not needed and just causes issues. My hope is that every young man that signs a letter of intent in Feb. (at any school) graduates and makes something with there lives. The more positive we are all about these young man can only help them and the school we love. JMHO.

[MadduxFanII]

So, no criticism, at all, whatsoever, no matter how reasonable? Posters aren't allowed to say "Player X has displayed poor hands" or "Player Y isn't all that fast?"

[G8torsRUL]

;-/ I agree we shouldn’t tear down recruits, but a simple “need for improvement” write up, while also adding positives, is not tearing a recruit down. They all need improvement and they wouldn’t read anything on here that the coaches prob won’t tell them anyways. Now, if they are bashing the character of that recruit, then yes shame on them. If it’s “harsh” (Starver situation), then I don’t see a need for that. However, constructive criticism is not tearing a recruit down. Guess it depends on who you’re referring to on here. JMO Seems a lot of people on here just enjoy arguing for the sake of it. I say my peace and usually don’t even return to respond to anything someone says to me. Why? Cause I could care less. lol Bunch of internet bullies around here that would prob get the beat down if they popped off the the wrong person in person. Entertaining to say the least. Again, agree we shouldn’t bash kids tho.

[hgators]

No one really cares what a bunch of nameless, facelss fans on a message board says.

Having said that, to tear down a kid, yes a kid, for being fat, slow, dumb, lazy, is pitiful. He is someone's kid, he is likely in a very exciting time having a wondeful choice ahead of him.

Maybe we could show a little more integrity once in while.

[candymanfromgc]

I had watched a recruti several years ago in several HS games. Knew his dad and my kids were friends of his. I gave an simple evaluation in that he had size but was very slow and needed strength. Not strong for his size. Was I being critical-turns out I was right and he only got mid level offers and quit after a year.

[hgators]

That can be done without be cold, and acting like these guys are just commodities.

[G8RNTN]

There is a way to tell a kid his strengths and his areas that needs to improve. I don't think any REAL coach or recruiter tells a kid "your to fat"

[Lawdog88]

I hope not.

[hgators]

I agree, but who are we to do that?!

[swampbabe]

I had watched a recruti several years ago in several HS games. Knew his dad and my kids were friends of his. I gave an simple evaluation in that he had size but was very slow and needed strength. Not strong for his size. Was I being critical-turns out I was right and he only got mid level offers and quit after a year.

You may have been correct but kinda douchey just the same.

[Tebowism0823]

I blame Addazio personally

[uflawyer]

I like cheese.:wave:

[gatordee]

There is a way to tell a kid his strengths and his areas that needs to improve. I don't think any REAL coach or recruiter tells a kid "your to fat"

This. I doubt GC cares if you share a negative opinion as long as it is done in a respectful manner. Can anyone here give me an example of a post that was negative on a recruit that was posted in a respectful manner that was deleted?

[MadduxFanII]

This. I doubt GC cares if you share a negative opinion as long as it is done in a respectful manner. Can anyone here give me an example of a post that was negative on a recruit that was posted in a respectful manner that was deleted?

No, and I'm very grateful for the level of free expression we're allowed here. I like that AZ can be so repeatedly dismissive of Tebow. I like that Avatar can rant about Muschamp. These are good things, and it speaks well of the board that they're allowed here.

A lot of posters, however, would rather not allow such a free exchange of ideas, and I think it's important to stand up to them when they try and shut things down.

[Gatorrick22]

There is no need to tear down a high school kid period, even if you've read a lot about him.

But, constructive criticism isn't always happy and flowery either. :wave:

[gymgator]

Close down the boards is what he is really saying.

[woltes]

I like big Butts and I cannot lie.

[NoahBeanBizzel]

I don't read everything that AZ posts, but I've never thought of his posts to be blatantly disrespectful to any recruit I'VE ever seen him comment on. If he-or anyone else-doesn't think a kid will pan out at a certain position, what's wrong with him respectfully saying he's not impressed with that player?

This is a message board. People are entitled to their own opinion if they can defend it logically. Name-calling, on the other hand, by labeling people as "internet bullies" or "nameless, faceless fans", while also saying they'd get beat up if they popped off to the wrong person, is pretty asinine-and it's hypocritical.

A lot of these athletes are old enough to jerk coaching staffs around, commit and de-commit, play games at press conferences, and manipulate the media by pulling outrageous stunts off at the expense of the schools going after them, and you're honestly going to act like a couple of comments that offend you and a couple of others is a major problem? No, guys like Merrill Hoge and Rob Parker are a problem.

It's a message board. People are allowed to give their non-politcally correct opinion if they want to. As long as it's not an all-out assault on somebody, or excessive shots taken at an individual's character, you should be allowed to say what you want to.

[ofmgator]

My hope is that one day all of the critics will have the courage to step up and tell someone to THEIR face ,not THERE face. The point is thatnegative coments show how little confidence the naysayers have in themselves.

[gatordee]

My hope is that one day all of the critics will have the courage to step up and tell someone to THEIR face ,not THERE face. The point is thatnegative coments show how little confidence the naysayers have in themselves.

You forgot your lol or "roll". Some people may think you were serious. If a person cannot take constructive criticism, then that person has a hard road ahead of them. How does an employer keep his company moving in the right direction without this? And I am willing to bet that the employee that cannot take the criticism is not employed for very long. So I guess we should go through life telling everyone they are perfect. When WM called our team soft last year, Foley should have fired him? Or did the players take a look at themselves and toughen up and have one of the best years in Gator football? Do you think WM called the team soft because he feels he is soft?

[teebone7200]

.........it's all in the presentation!

[Jupgator]

One of my pet peeves on here is when someone tears down a recruit or commit. They and their family are in to the recruiting game and read message boards. My attitude is to express our views and share info, but just be smart about it.

[ofmgator]

I was being serious. Having an employee who has problems with criticism is entirely different then how a 17 year old kid feels when supposed fans are negative. When a recruit is selected by Florida (becasue the coaches see things in them that posters have no idea about) then that's good enough for me and most adult fans. Emmitt Smith was criticized by the sports media as being too small, too slow and not a firts rate talent. How'd that work out? My sole point is that we all need to give recruits and existing players some slack. No we should not call everyone perfect but what's the point of selecting someone for criticism when their is no good to come from the criticism.

[cocodrilo]

Only the opinions of coaches count.

I'd like to know who on the UF coaching staff had the bright idea of trying to recruit Teddy Bridgewater as a WR. (Teddy said, "No, thanks.")

[gator1986]

Freedom of speech.... MERICA!!

[Gatorrick22]

My hope is that one day all of the critics will have the courage to step up and tell someone to THEIR face ,not THERE face. The point is thatnegative coments show how little confidence the naysayers have in themselves.




:laugh::laugh::laugh:

[LimeyGator]

Only the opinions of coaches count.

I'd like to know who on the UF coaching staff had the bright idea of trying to recruit Teddy Bridgewater as a WR. (Teddy said, "No, thanks.")

Didnt UF already have Driskel, the No.1 rated QB committed at the time though?

[candymanfromgc]

You may have been correct but kinda douchey just the same.

I don't get how I was being "douchey". Are you one of those who doesn't keep score and everyone should get a trophy?:whoa:

[swampbabe]

No, I have better manners than to knock a kid to his parents. That's just me, though. :joecool: If you think that that's helpful, go for it.

[candymanfromgc]

His dad told me that he knew his son needed to get stronger and work on his speed. His desire was to get an offer from FSU and guess what those coaches told him to work on? FYI, I never knocked the kid to anyone, so get off your soap box of superiority.

[swampbabe]

His dad told me that he knew his son needed to get stronger and work on his speed. His desire was to get an offer from FSU and guess what those coaches told him to work on? FYI, I never knocked the kid to anyone, so get off your soap box of superiority.

Perhaps you should read your original post. Did Dad ask for your "professional" opinion? My guess is that the kid's shortcomings were no surprise to his dad. When my daughter was part of the A relay for her HS team, she was the weak link. She knew that, I knew that and I didn't need another parent to tell me, but she did. I thought that she was an a**, too.

The view from here is great, by the way :laugh:

[themistocles]

Excellent points hotel.

Admittedly, a WR prospect who is 5'7" tall, weighs 135 lbs, and runs a 5.0 40 might earn a critique just on the measurables, but otherwise, you are right on the ball.