We’ve all been disappointed at different times of our lives, and I am no exception.Whether it was the passing of two of my grandparents, the Yankees’ collapse in the 2004 American League Championship Series or my first viewing of “Rocky V,” I’ve found myself questioning why things happen.
Even when my Friday night pursuit of a blonde from Tacoma, Wash., was “blocked” after my friend pulled the “I’m a war correspondent and have been shot at multiple times” card, it left me wondering what had just happened. Of course, I was laughing about it and moved on to the next girl. But nonetheless, I thought about it.
The Frogs’ latest defeat was not one of those disappointments in my life.
Sure, we could harp on the team’s fumbling issues (19 in six games) or an offense that has looked fierce one week and punchy and inconsistent the next. And the rush defense? Well, for a unit that once went 21 consecutive games without giving up a 100-yard rusher, Wyoming’s two 100-yard rushers on Saturday sure made the group look downright bad.
But all that kind of talk would be too easy – like shooting fish in a barrel or feeding Paris Hilton another tequila shot.
No, I’m not disappointed. These aren’t the Frogs of last year. So what? To paraphrase Rick Pitino’s legendary rant with the Boston Celtics, Jeff Ballard, Herb Taylor and Marvin White are not walking through the entrance tunnel anytime soon.
No, I’m not disappointed.
Not with Tommy Blake and whatever kind of troubling situation he’s going through right now. By the sound of Thursday’s Dallas Morning News article, Blake’s problem is much greater than football. As a writer, of course I want to report on him breaking men in half, making an offensive coordinator’s life a living hell. And, obviously, I just want to report that he’s playing. But as a person, you want to see him, or anyone for that matter, be happy and at peace. That’s not disappointing, that’s real.
And what’s real is that the Frogs get a Stanford team coming off its biggest win in years.
If anything is for certain about Saturday, it is that nothing is for certain. Let’s hope the Frogs walk into Palo Alto, Calif., not feeling down on themselves.
Disappointment can be contagious and if they are not careful, the Frogs will be another 3-4 team questioning how they got there.
