The Snake Oil Salesman Is At It Again

[ajmc]

Hhmm, seems like I might have struck some nerves. BasketBallRef, you didn't miss any threads and haven't been appointed nor am I running for "God of the football forum", but just like you, I feel I have some right to complain about things I find distasteful, or excessive. Of course, if that's alright with you.

Like most of the readers of these forums, the whole issue of the A-11 generates some interest and I've paid attention to much of the pros and cons. Personally, I don't think it's a formation that will survive under it's own weight, but it's not up to me whether it does, or not.

Actually, I think some of the negative aspects of this argument, make sense. My problem is with how some opposing opinions have been expressed. I'm going to take a wild guess and assume I've been doing this a lot longer than you, and I've never been impressed with arguments that try and make their point, just by shouting or by personally attacking those they disagree with.

I don't know Coach Bryan, so I don't have any reason to doubt his sincerity, even if I might think he's wrong. From what I've seen, however, he has pursued his advocation of this formation civily, respectfully and ardently. Regardless of whether he will be ultimately proven right, or wrong, he has shown the good manners to remain respectful, despite some good reasons not to.

Step off your high horse for just a moment and consider, just the possibility, you may be simply wrong. Allow me to make a suggestion, one official to another, when you allow your argument to be propped up with unnecessary baggage (insults, personal attacks, speculating about motivation, mocking) all you accomplish is weakening your position.

For the most part, officials as a group, are able to remain calm when emotions and tempers flare, rationally digest all the views of the issue in question, and render an informed decision based on the facts. Jumping to conclusions, screaming and insulting opposite view points are attributes more normally associated with fans. We're usually able to stay above that, or at least should try to.

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by ajmc

Hhmm, seems like I might have struck some nerves. BasketBallRef, you didn't miss any threads and haven't been appointed nor am I running for "God of the football forum", but just like you, I feel I have some right to complain about things I find distasteful, or excessive. Of course, if that's alright with you.

ajmc, it was a joke. Note the at the top of the post.

Your comments were just as excessive, if not more so, than the ones you criticize.

"Spare me all this "spirit of the rules" BS, that seems to apply ONLY when your specific viewpoint is offered. "

You're allowed to voice that others' opinions are BS but someone else can't voice his opinion that this man is a carnival huckster? Sorry but I don't buy that.

"Some of the pure "crap" comments made on this subject are way over the top, and getting worse."

No one made any "pure crap comments." Daggo66 used the term "Holy crap" in humor. I guess you're not a rerun fan of "Eveybody Loses Raymond" or you would better understand.

And I'm sure you didn't mean all the italics and boldface to be attacking, did you?

"I'm going to take a wild guess and assume I've been doing this a lot longer than you....,"

Not sure who you're addressing with this but it's nothing more than arrogance.

In any case, be careful, lest you fall off that high horse you've climbed on.

[daggo66]

I disagree with your point that KB deserves respect. He claims that his only intention is to allow everyone to use this revolutionary new offense he created to help the small schools compete. The bottom line is that he is selling this concept. That fact destroys his crediblity in my opinion and opens him up to attack. The only reason, again in my opinion, that he has done all of his so called research is to sell more product. If he just went about his business with the A-11, no one would know about it outside of his league and the Fed really wouldn't care. However he obviously wants to make money off of this so he has to make it as public as possible, while at the same time making sure that the NFHS doesn't make it illegal. IMO establishing an entire offensive according to a rule exception is wrong and clearly not in the spirit of what that exception was created for. What I am strongly against though is his entire approach. He originally came on this board pretending to see if any officials had heard about this exciting new offense and what we thought of it. He was fishing for testimonials. Eventually it was discovered what was going on and he disappeared from here. I applaud KB's ability to discover how to exploit that rule exception. My issue is that he is selling it while acting as if he is not.

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by ajmc

I'm going to take a wild guess and assume I've been doing this a lot longer than you

Maybe yes, maybe no. What relevance does this have?

I don't know Coach Bryan, so I don't have any reason to doubt his sincerity, even if I might think he's wrong. From what I've seen, however, he has pursued his advocation of this formation civily, respectfully and ardently.

Guess you missed his numerous "LOUD MINORITY" rants.

[archangel]

Originally Posted by ajmc

My problem is with how some opposing opinions have been expressed. I'm going to take a wild guess and assume I've been doing this a lot longer than you.....

Is this a good example of an oxymoron?
I'm not addressing the yahs and nays of this topic, or the merits of ajmc's statements, just the belief that one who uses the "experience or age" angle to back up their opinion, is usually operating from a perceived weak position.

Or maybe its the anti-authority streak in me...I've just never liked the "I'm right cause I've been doing it longer" response...