"Postby 1976griz
My concern is that Stitt truly did not understand the enormity of the Cat-Griz rivalry. He stated that Jeremy Calhoun did not play in the first half because the plan was to get Nguyen and Counts the reps because they were seniors. That does not compute when this is an absolutely must win game. Play the best players until you get the game out of reach...then you can let your spare senior have his opportunities. Calhoun was the guy alternating with Nguyen for most of the season.
Counts only got in because of Calhoun's injury. Just seemed like the wrong thought process to me."
Sorry, but respectfully need to disagree with your assessment here for two reasons:
1) Calhoun is coming back after sitting out because of a serious concussion. Can't help but think Stitt and staff were hoping he would not be needed and rest him some more, not only if we made the playoffs, but more importantly, his future as a Griz player. He can't admit that in a press conference, but....
2) Sitting behind the Griz bench gives me a unique perspective as to the emotion of the team as a whole, or lack there of. Honestly, I just did not see as much intensity from this team as in the past Griz/Bobcat rivalry games, as addressed here and on other threads. The exception was Joey Counts. As a senior, he wanted this game, and his play during Calhoun's absence earned him that opportunity. Sure, some of you have and will continue to dis him because of some of his off-field decisions, but you can't question his or Nguyen's heart(s)..I also think Coach Stitt and Coach Green took this into account when formulating a workable game plan. Counts was one of the few players I saw who continued to encourage all his teammates throughout the game, and it was extremely tough for this Griz fan to watch him, Nguyen, and Coach Green give each other one last hug as the final seconds ticked off in their Griz football career. Thank-you both for giving your all in every snap of every game. You did us all proud.. :clap:
My concern is that Stitt truly did not understand the enormity of the Cat-Griz rivalry. He stated that Jeremy Calhoun did not play in the first half because the plan was to get Nguyen and Counts the reps because they were seniors. That does not compute when this is an absolutely must win game. Play the best players until you get the game out of reach...then you can let your spare senior have his opportunities. Calhoun was the guy alternating with Nguyen for most of the season.
Counts only got in because of Calhoun's injury. Just seemed like the wrong thought process to me."
Sorry, but respectfully need to disagree with your assessment here for two reasons:
1) Calhoun is coming back after sitting out because of a serious concussion. Can't help but think Stitt and staff were hoping he would not be needed and rest him some more, not only if we made the playoffs, but more importantly, his future as a Griz player. He can't admit that in a press conference, but....
2) Sitting behind the Griz bench gives me a unique perspective as to the emotion of the team as a whole, or lack there of. Honestly, I just did not see as much intensity from this team as in the past Griz/Bobcat rivalry games, as addressed here and on other threads. The exception was Joey Counts. As a senior, he wanted this game, and his play during Calhoun's absence earned him that opportunity. Sure, some of you have and will continue to dis him because of some of his off-field decisions, but you can't question his or Nguyen's heart(s)..I also think Coach Stitt and Coach Green took this into account when formulating a workable game plan. Counts was one of the few players I saw who continued to encourage all his teammates throughout the game, and it was extremely tough for this Griz fan to watch him, Nguyen, and Coach Green give each other one last hug as the final seconds ticked off in their Griz football career. Thank-you both for giving your all in every snap of every game. You did us all proud.. :clap:
