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NC Game Broadcast Team
- Thread starter mtgrizrule
- Start date
Livininthebush said:
So much like you, then.
MillerHallCrew
Active member
Rial Cummings wrote this years ago. Every time someone brings up Ryan Leaf I think Bart Simpson would be pissed 
Quarterbacks Ryan Leaf and Dave Dickenson danced their little jig with the San Diego Chargers last week, and all you could do was giggle at the irony of it all.
Big, strapping Ryan Leaf, the classic underachiever. Diminutive, cerebral Dave Dickenson, the classic overachiever. Leaf, who has been called the biggest quarterbacking bust of modern times; Dickenson, who invariably has exceeded everyone's expectations - except his own.
They'll always be separated by immense differences in talent and temperament. But they'll also be linked, not only as two professional athletes from a sparse, rural state that doesn't produce many pro athletes, but, remarkably, as former standouts from the same high school: Great Falls Russell. Dickenson, the class of '91. Leaf, the class of '94.
San Diego released Leaf - the second overall pick in the 1998 draft - after three turbulent seasons, during which he managed to throw more than twice as many interceptions (33) as touchdown passes (13) while ticking off, not just his teammates, but an entire city. And this is San Diego we're talking about, Lotus Land, where the forecast is always 72 degrees and sunny.
In other words, Leaf did the impossible.
"I don't think I've ever been around anybody in my whole career who has done more to hurt himself and less to be a player and a leader than this guy," said former San Diego general manager Bobby Beathard after the Chargers released Leaf. "He went to great lengths to do everything the wrong way."
A few hours before Leaf received his pink slip, the Chargers signed Dickenson, the former Montana Grizzly who guided Calgary to the Canadian Football League's championship game two years ago, and was named the league's outstanding player last season when he threw 36 touchdowns against just six interceptions.
According to The Associated Press, the Chargers still owe Leaf the final $2.95 million installment of an $11.25 million signing bonus.
Dickenson came much, much cheaper, reportedly for a signing bonus of $35,000 with minimum base salaries for two years. If he takes 60 percent of the snaps this year and next, and meets various incentives, he could earn as much as $2.54 million.
The assessment of Dickenson? Well, one San Diego sports columnist summed up the city's underwhelming reaction this way, just before Dickenson signed on the dotted line: "If Dave Dickenson turns down the Chargers' offer and goes back to the CFL, it's going to be tough for them to find another 5-foot-10 quarterback who can't run and admits he can't throw the deep ball."
Anyone who has followed Dickenson's career knows that such pot shots are predictable, and laughable.
Dickenson has seen CFL grads Doug Flutie and Jeff Garcia become productive NFL quarterbacks, and he is confident he can play at their level. However, they've had the benefit of solid teams at Buffalo and San Francisco, respectively, not a mess like the 1-15 Chargers. Dickenson also knows it would be tough to thrive in a vertical passing game, throwing only 15 or 20 times a game. He needs to be in a system where he'll pass 25-30 times, find a rhythm and go with, as he puts it, "right read, quick throws."
There really are only two concerns for Dickenson: 1) He's a small man, about to be surrounded by the poorest team in the NFL. 2) He's going to a team that likely will choose a quarterback, Virginia Tech's Michael Vick, as the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. The Chargers say they'll give Dickenson an opportunity, but will it be a realistic one?
No matter what happens, it'll be fascinating to see what happens to both Dickenson and Leaf, who was picked up for the $100 waiver fee by Tampa Bay.
Dickenson will make the most of his situation, guaranteed. Leaf probably will find a way to screw it up.
Put Dickenson's head on Leaf's body, and you have an NFL Hall of Famer. Put Leaf's head on Dickenson's body, and you have Bart Simpson.
Such is the sweet mystery of life.
Quarterbacks Ryan Leaf and Dave Dickenson danced their little jig with the San Diego Chargers last week, and all you could do was giggle at the irony of it all.
Big, strapping Ryan Leaf, the classic underachiever. Diminutive, cerebral Dave Dickenson, the classic overachiever. Leaf, who has been called the biggest quarterbacking bust of modern times; Dickenson, who invariably has exceeded everyone's expectations - except his own.
They'll always be separated by immense differences in talent and temperament. But they'll also be linked, not only as two professional athletes from a sparse, rural state that doesn't produce many pro athletes, but, remarkably, as former standouts from the same high school: Great Falls Russell. Dickenson, the class of '91. Leaf, the class of '94.
San Diego released Leaf - the second overall pick in the 1998 draft - after three turbulent seasons, during which he managed to throw more than twice as many interceptions (33) as touchdown passes (13) while ticking off, not just his teammates, but an entire city. And this is San Diego we're talking about, Lotus Land, where the forecast is always 72 degrees and sunny.
In other words, Leaf did the impossible.
"I don't think I've ever been around anybody in my whole career who has done more to hurt himself and less to be a player and a leader than this guy," said former San Diego general manager Bobby Beathard after the Chargers released Leaf. "He went to great lengths to do everything the wrong way."
A few hours before Leaf received his pink slip, the Chargers signed Dickenson, the former Montana Grizzly who guided Calgary to the Canadian Football League's championship game two years ago, and was named the league's outstanding player last season when he threw 36 touchdowns against just six interceptions.
According to The Associated Press, the Chargers still owe Leaf the final $2.95 million installment of an $11.25 million signing bonus.
Dickenson came much, much cheaper, reportedly for a signing bonus of $35,000 with minimum base salaries for two years. If he takes 60 percent of the snaps this year and next, and meets various incentives, he could earn as much as $2.54 million.
The assessment of Dickenson? Well, one San Diego sports columnist summed up the city's underwhelming reaction this way, just before Dickenson signed on the dotted line: "If Dave Dickenson turns down the Chargers' offer and goes back to the CFL, it's going to be tough for them to find another 5-foot-10 quarterback who can't run and admits he can't throw the deep ball."
Anyone who has followed Dickenson's career knows that such pot shots are predictable, and laughable.
Dickenson has seen CFL grads Doug Flutie and Jeff Garcia become productive NFL quarterbacks, and he is confident he can play at their level. However, they've had the benefit of solid teams at Buffalo and San Francisco, respectively, not a mess like the 1-15 Chargers. Dickenson also knows it would be tough to thrive in a vertical passing game, throwing only 15 or 20 times a game. He needs to be in a system where he'll pass 25-30 times, find a rhythm and go with, as he puts it, "right read, quick throws."
There really are only two concerns for Dickenson: 1) He's a small man, about to be surrounded by the poorest team in the NFL. 2) He's going to a team that likely will choose a quarterback, Virginia Tech's Michael Vick, as the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. The Chargers say they'll give Dickenson an opportunity, but will it be a realistic one?
No matter what happens, it'll be fascinating to see what happens to both Dickenson and Leaf, who was picked up for the $100 waiver fee by Tampa Bay.
Dickenson will make the most of his situation, guaranteed. Leaf probably will find a way to screw it up.
Put Dickenson's head on Leaf's body, and you have an NFL Hall of Famer. Put Leaf's head on Dickenson's body, and you have Bart Simpson.
Such is the sweet mystery of life.
BadlandsGrizFan
Well-known member
Man those are some insane quotes.
I am obviously not going to change people's minds on Ryan, but for some of you it feels like Ryan walked into your house and crapped in your grandma's casket during a wake. Lighten up there a bit Francis.
He's a professional broadcaster these days, and he's a guy that unlike the vast majority of professional broadcasters who'd do the FCS championship game isn't going to sound like he read press-releases and wikipedia 30 minutes from the game. He'll provide color, from a Montana statewide perspective, that few can offer. He and his extended family have a pretty incredible football tradition in Montana and he's no dummy when it comes to the game of football.
I've moved on. There were a lot of people that Ryan stepped on and climbed over on his way to the top and pulled a lot of people down with him into the hole he fell into (including family). If a lot those people have forgiven him for behaviors in 1993 or after that, the masses of people he treated terribly, it would probably be good idea maybe some of us should too.
I for one am happy that he found his way out of that opiate induced hell hole that he was in. Few people do and from an educator perspective I've seen what it does to families. He had to serve some prison time to do so, but he at least deserves some grace for figuring shit out. Maybe it took him until 40 to do so, but I've been around a lot of people in my personal and professional career who haven't taken the 85 lifelines they were given and gotten themselves straight. Addiction is a struggle, even if you were gifted the genetic lottery and had millions to throw at the problem.
Glad to see Ryan on the mic. He'll do a great job.
He's a professional broadcaster these days, and he's a guy that unlike the vast majority of professional broadcasters who'd do the FCS championship game isn't going to sound like he read press-releases and wikipedia 30 minutes from the game. He'll provide color, from a Montana statewide perspective, that few can offer. He and his extended family have a pretty incredible football tradition in Montana and he's no dummy when it comes to the game of football.
I've moved on. There were a lot of people that Ryan stepped on and climbed over on his way to the top and pulled a lot of people down with him into the hole he fell into (including family). If a lot those people have forgiven him for behaviors in 1993 or after that, the masses of people he treated terribly, it would probably be good idea maybe some of us should too.
I for one am happy that he found his way out of that opiate induced hell hole that he was in. Few people do and from an educator perspective I've seen what it does to families. He had to serve some prison time to do so, but he at least deserves some grace for figuring shit out. Maybe it took him until 40 to do so, but I've been around a lot of people in my personal and professional career who haven't taken the 85 lifelines they were given and gotten themselves straight. Addiction is a struggle, even if you were gifted the genetic lottery and had millions to throw at the problem.
Glad to see Ryan on the mic. He'll do a great job.
mthoopsfan
Well-known member
Nice post, 24. I have always defended Leaf, to the extent he could be defended. The comment of Beathard was probably accurate at the time. Leaf always was good at shooting himself in the foot, if not the head. Leaf always had good and bad in him, but seemed to show his bad too much at times. He has the potential to be good on this broadcast, and I hope he is. I've heard him inn the past, and thought he was good. As I have said before, I had kids in high school with him and his brothers during the CMR days. We went to the Rose Bowl when he played for WSU, not necessarily just to see him play but partially. His less-athletic brother was a very nice kid, and good friends with our daughter. I haven't run across Leaf for years, but the last time I saw him, he bought me a beer.
MillerHallCrew said:Rial Cummings wrote this years ago. Every time someone brings up Ryan Leaf I think Bart Simpson would be pissed
Quarterbacks Ryan Leaf and Dave Dickenson danced their little jig with the San Diego Chargers last week, and all you could do was giggle at the irony of it all.
Big, strapping Ryan Leaf, the classic underachiever. Diminutive, cerebral Dave Dickenson, the classic overachiever. Leaf, who has been called the biggest quarterbacking bust of modern times; Dickenson, who invariably has exceeded everyone's expectations - except his own.
They'll always be separated by immense differences in talent and temperament. But they'll also be linked, not only as two professional athletes from a sparse, rural state that doesn't produce many pro athletes, but, remarkably, as former standouts from the same high school: Great Falls Russell. Dickenson, the class of '91. Leaf, the class of '94.
San Diego released Leaf - the second overall pick in the 1998 draft - after three turbulent seasons, during which he managed to throw more than twice as many interceptions (33) as touchdown passes (13) while ticking off, not just his teammates, but an entire city. And this is San Diego we're talking about, Lotus Land, where the forecast is always 72 degrees and sunny.
In other words, Leaf did the impossible.
"I don't think I've ever been around anybody in my whole career who has done more to hurt himself and less to be a player and a leader than this guy," said former San Diego general manager Bobby Beathard after the Chargers released Leaf. "He went to great lengths to do everything the wrong way."
A few hours before Leaf received his pink slip, the Chargers signed Dickenson, the former Montana Grizzly who guided Calgary to the Canadian Football League's championship game two years ago, and was named the league's outstanding player last season when he threw 36 touchdowns against just six interceptions.
According to The Associated Press, the Chargers still owe Leaf the final $2.95 million installment of an $11.25 million signing bonus.
Dickenson came much, much cheaper, reportedly for a signing bonus of $35,000 with minimum base salaries for two years. If he takes 60 percent of the snaps this year and next, and meets various incentives, he could earn as much as $2.54 million.
The assessment of Dickenson? Well, one San Diego sports columnist summed up the city's underwhelming reaction this way, just before Dickenson signed on the dotted line: "If Dave Dickenson turns down the Chargers' offer and goes back to the CFL, it's going to be tough for them to find another 5-foot-10 quarterback who can't run and admits he can't throw the deep ball."
Anyone who has followed Dickenson's career knows that such pot shots are predictable, and laughable.
Dickenson has seen CFL grads Doug Flutie and Jeff Garcia become productive NFL quarterbacks, and he is confident he can play at their level. However, they've had the benefit of solid teams at Buffalo and San Francisco, respectively, not a mess like the 1-15 Chargers. Dickenson also knows it would be tough to thrive in a vertical passing game, throwing only 15 or 20 times a game. He needs to be in a system where he'll pass 25-30 times, find a rhythm and go with, as he puts it, "right read, quick throws."
There really are only two concerns for Dickenson: 1) He's a small man, about to be surrounded by the poorest team in the NFL. 2) He's going to a team that likely will choose a quarterback, Virginia Tech's Michael Vick, as the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. The Chargers say they'll give Dickenson an opportunity, but will it be a realistic one?
No matter what happens, it'll be fascinating to see what happens to both Dickenson and Leaf, who was picked up for the $100 waiver fee by Tampa Bay.
Dickenson will make the most of his situation, guaranteed. Leaf probably will find a way to screw it up.
Put Dickenson's head on Leaf's body, and you have an NFL Hall of Famer. Put Leaf's head on Dickenson's body, and you have Bart Simpson.
Such is the sweet mystery of life.
Great post.
Man, Rial was SUCH a terrific writer. I miss those days of sports coverage, and that quality of a columnist.
Grizfan-24 said:
I, too, am happy he has conquered his demons, and I fully respect him for that.
But I can separate that from the fact I don’t care for his analysis, and that in many respects it doesn’t seem he has fully matured yet. His tweet copied above is an example. Could you ever imagine Tony Romo tweeting that his biggest challenge would be to avoid calling Eastern Illinois Southern Illinois? It just shows a potential bias right out of the gate. Never a good look for a national broadcast team.
Mick Belker
Well-known member
Leaf has been called many things, but 'professional' was never on the list.
From Google:
What it means to be professional?
Professionalism involves being reliable, setting your own high standards, and showing that you care about every aspect of your job. It's about being industrious and organized, and holding yourself accountable for your thoughts, words and actions.
Things Leaf has nothing in common with, never has, never will.
From Google:
What it means to be professional?
Professionalism involves being reliable, setting your own high standards, and showing that you care about every aspect of your job. It's about being industrious and organized, and holding yourself accountable for your thoughts, words and actions.
Things Leaf has nothing in common with, never has, never will.
Douche Nozzle= RL
