Ryan Leaf on Dave Dickenson and being recruited by the Griz

[argh!]

My view and experience with Leaf (some direct, some indirect) is that, during high school, college and probably beyond, there were two different sides to him. He seemed to handle things at WSU fairly well, other than some things he could have said differently in interviews and probably some of the arrogant side.

My theory is that he was put in a very stressful situation at San Diego, due to his high profile notoriety and being in the starting role too soon. And, he was not able to, and probably not equipped to, handle the pressure and stress. The taped locker room scene where he blew up was a good example of that. It was clear after that, that he was struggling and it was going to be very hard for him to perform at a high enough level while under that kind of scrutiny and stress.

I do think the injury to his hand, or whatever it was, did have a negative impact on his throwing and game, but, by then, most of the media and public was focusing on his other problems, melt down, etc. and just overlooked the impact of the injury.

I have never dissed Leaf, and never will, but I do wonder how he would have done if he had had more strength of character, or more of something, and less of the other stuff. It just seemed like he wasn't strong enough withstand the pressure. I suspect that a lot of people could not have withstood the pressure he was under, including some of which was caused by himself and his antics.

I was truly saddened to read about his legal and pill problems. I hope he has pulled out of the tailspin and can now stay ahead of his demons.

good post, greenie. i agree with your last statements.

 

[ilovethecats]

it's weird. it's almost as if guys in their teens and twenties on drugs can change a bit in their 30's and 40's and are sober...

 

[Gaeilge1]

Whenever I see or hear anything about Ryan Leaf I am always reminds of the quote from his HS coach when a reporter asked him if Ryan Leaf was the best quarterback to ever come out of the State of Montana? Coach Johnson said, "Hell, he's not even the best quarterback to come out of CM Russell High School!"

In sort of a convoluted way, I admire Ryan in what he has accomplished the past few years and what he will be able to do in the future!

 

[Ursa Major]

it's weird. it's almost as if guys in their teens and twenties on drugs can change a bit in their 30's and 40's and are sober...

This quote makes me sorry there isn't a Brinty Award for Best Gibberish.

 

[Grisly Fan]

it's weird. it's almost as if guys in their teens and twenties on drugs can change a bit in their 30's and 40's and are sober...

This quote makes me sorry there isn't a Brinty Award for Best Jibberish.

Just as weird, when I read it I immediately though of the Ursa -- minus the sober part of course.

 

[Ursa Major]

it's weird. it's almost as if guys in their teens and twenties on drugs can change a bit in their 30's and 40's and are sober...

This quote makes me sorry there isn't a Brinty Award for Best Jibberish.

Just as weird, when I read it I immediately though of the Ursa -- minus the sober part of course.

:thumb: Meh . . . typical cat.

 

[CrunchGriz]

Every time I hear anything about Ryan Leaf, let alone something about him discussing DD, I'm reminded of the old joke:

What do you get when you cross the mind of Dave Dickenson and the physical skills of Ryan Leaf? An NFL Hall of Famer.

What do you get when you cross the mind of Ryan Leaf and the physical skills of Dave Dickenson? Bart Simpson.

 

[dupuyer griz]

I never thought I’d see so many Leaf apologists. He’s a dumpster fire piece of shit and that’s really all there is to the story.