No spring game?

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

I just heard this rumor from my brother, has anyone else heard this? There can't possibly be any truth to it can there?

If BYU doesn't play a spring game, when BYU goes 7-5 this year that will be his "fly to Nevada on game day" moment. Something that doesn't really matter in the end, but the critics will use to start to bash him endlessly.

[SteelBlue]

SU had a thread on this a couple days ago. I got this quote from a link in his post:

"There's a great chance — a great chance — that the spring game won't be held, period. I'm a traditionalist and LaVell Edwards Stadium is where the spring game ought to be," Mendenhall said. "With the field under construction, I haven't quite come to terms with the idea of playing it elsewhere. Most likely, that won't change and we might end up starting to work on our first opponent the first week of practice, knowing the stadium won't be available. Most likely, we won't hold the game."

[Goatnapper'96]

I just heard this rumor from my brother, has anyone else heard this? There can't possibly be any truth to it can there?

If BYU doesn't play a spring game, when BYU goes 7-5 this year that will be his "fly to Nevada on game day" moment. Something that doesn't really matter in the end, but the critics will use to start to bash him endlessly.

Flying on game day is stupid as flying makes most human beings tired and one is physically more prepared to play when fly the day before and then getting a decent night sleep. That seemed like a legitimate criticism of Crowton's inability to plan and run a program.

Not utilizing every available practice for a bowl game is also stupid and criticizing that would be legitimate. The short practices also might be legitimate but I think there were depth concerns that motivated that decision. The slogan qfp also was shortighted and deserves criticism.

However, what more does a program get from a spring game over another practice session?

I also doubt BYU goes 7-5 next year. The worst I forsee is 8-4.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

SU had a thread on this a couple days ago. I got this quote from a link in his post:

Yeah just after I posted this I read his thread. I suck.

[Donuthole]

I just heard this rumor from my brother, has anyone else heard this? There can't possibly be any truth to it can there?

If BYU doesn't play a spring game, when BYU goes 7-5 this year that will be his "fly to Nevada on game day" moment. Something that doesn't really matter in the end, but the critics will use to start to bash him endlessly.

This just provides Bronco another excuse to be lazy. Just like not spending the time to recruit kids who are not "BYU material" as well as shortening practices in the name of limiting the physical abuse players take. If Bronco can find a way to justify not having to do his job, he'll take full advantage of it.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

This just provides Bronco another excuse to be lazy. Just like not spending the time to recruit kids who are not "BYU material" as well as shortening practices in the name of limiting the physical abuse players take. If Bronco can find a way to justify not having to do his job, he'll take full advantage of it.

This a serious donuthole post or a sarcastic one?

[All-American]

Then have another practice in lieu of the game. Isn't that what thy are doing, anyway?

[Donuthole]

This a serious donuthole post or a sarcastic one?

Both, if that's possible. I'm not really in love with Bronco these days, not because of his W-L record, but because of his inability to understand fans, and the role they play. You don't play the spring game for the team. You play if for the fans. The fans didn't boo you because they hate you, they booed you because you made a bad decision. Get over it, already.

That said, my post was merely an attempt to sarcastically set forth the arguments we'll hear once the general fan base starts calling for his head.

[TripletDaddy]

Both, if that's possible. I'm not really in love with Bronco these days, not because of his W-L record, but because of his inability to understand fans, and the role they play. You don't play the spring game for the team. You play if for the fans. The fans didn't boo you because they hate you, they booed you because you made a bad decision. Get over it, already.

That said, my post was merely an attempt to sarcastically set forth the arguments we'll hear once the general fan base starts calling for his head.

I think what we are seeing is another confusing lesson in Broncology (the study of all things Bronco Mendenhall related).

As you said, the Spring game serves only one purpose.....generate hype/pub. Be it for the fans or the media, the team wants to give a little preview, generate buzz, and ultimately sell more tickets/merch for the upcoming season.

Bronco wants to cancel it.

OK, Bronco, I can be reasonable. Give me your reason why you want to cancel it? Did the players take a vote? Did the Prophet tragically pass away the day before the game? Was there a 9-11 event in NYC?

No. It turns out that the sod in Cougar Stadium won't be ready.

So here is an idea. Have it somewhere else. And instead of playing somewhere else as "last resort," sell it like a cool change of pace. Use it as a marketing ploy. Go up to SLC and play your spring game there. Infiltrate the enemy market, a la The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Use it as a spring board for more ticket sales and leverage your fantastic schedule as a means to generate hype.

I just don't understand Broncology. I really don't. It seems like Bronco takes the easiest things and turns them into the most dififcult problems.

[Goatnapper'96]

Both, if that's possible. I'm not really in love with Bronco these days, not because of his W-L record, but because of his inability to understand fans, and the role they play. You don't play the spring game for the team. You play if for the fans. The fans didn't boo you because they hate you, they booed you because you made a bad decision. Get over it, already.

That said, my post was merely an attempt to sarcastically set forth the arguments we'll hear once the general fan base starts calling for his head.

Bronco understands that fans want one thing...wins. The rest is all bullshit. He could massage your inner thigh with nipple hardening spring games until the cows come home, but if he doesn't win, and win more than Utah I think, it will mean less to you than your mothers freshly pushed out gall stone.

You means the casual fan and perhaps not you specifically.

I happen to think that practice makes perfect or that perfect practice makes perfect and choosing to not take advantage of practice opportunities was a bit dumb. There were some other pr mistakes that the dude made last year but IMO, he wins just about as much as BYU is capable. That is not to say that last year was a great year, it was slightly underachieving but given the body of evidence of his work I think BYU is better off with him than without him. If firesides are his way of getting the victories, so be it. Just win, dammit!

[Coach McGuirk]

Both, if that's possible. I'm not really in love with Bronco these days, not because of his W-L record, but because of his inability to understand fans, and the role they play. You don't play the spring game for the team. You play if for the fans. The fans didn't boo you because they hate you, they booed you because you made a bad decision. Get over it, already.

Ditto. He is doing nothing to endear himself to fans. That does not bode well for him when times get tough. Shorter shelf life.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

So here is an idea. Have it somewhere else. And instead of playing somewhere else as "last resort," sell it like a cool change of pace. Use it as a marketing ploy. Go up to SLC and play your spring game there. Infiltrate the enemy market, a la The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Use it as a spring board for more ticket sales and leverage your fantastic schedule as a means to generate hype.

Exactly, play it as Real Salt Lake stadium, play it in St. George at Dixie and have the Cougar Club arrange golf and hotel packages for fans.

The tradition thing is garbage too, when was the last time traditional LaVell cancelled the spring game?

[cougjunkie]

Last I checked it was a tradition to have a Spring game period. Not to have the spring game at LES.

[CJF]

I think what we are seeing is another confusing lesson in Broncology (the study of all things Bronco Mendenhall related).

As you said, the Spring game serves only one purpose.....generate hype/pub. Be it for the fans or the media, the team wants to give a little preview, generate buzz, and ultimately sell more tickets/merch for the upcoming season.

Bronco wants to cancel it.

OK, Bronco, I can be reasonable. Give me your reason why you want to cancel it? Did the players take a vote? Did the Prophet tragically pass away the day before the game? Was there a 9-11 event in NYC?

No. It turns out that the sod in Cougar Stadium won't be ready.

So here is an idea. Have it somewhere else. And instead of playing somewhere else as "last resort," sell it like a cool change of pace. Use it as a marketing ploy. Go up to SLC and play your spring game there. Infiltrate the enemy market, a la The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Use it as a spring board for more ticket sales and leverage your fantastic schedule as a means to generate hype.

I just don't understand Broncology. I really don't. It seems like Bronco takes the easiest things and turns them into the most dififcult problems.

Moving the game is problematic. What locations are available? High School fields? Rice Eccles? The new soccer stadium? If anyone were to get injured on a high school field he would never hear the end of it. Rice Eccles? Ummm....yeah, Dr. Hill and Whittingham are going to open up for that. Soccer stadium would cost money. It's a spring game and not a cash producer. The only thing I can think would be bring in some temporary seating into the IPF and only allow them to play about 30 yards worth of field. Not a good solution either. I'm not sure why they couldn't wait a few weeks to start the field make over, and maybe this was part of Bronco's plan, but moving it doesn't seem like a good option. I'd rather they spend the time working on Oklahoma anyway.

[TheAzzuri]

Bronco understands that fans want one thing...wins. The rest is all bullshit. He could massage your inner thigh with nipple hardening spring games until the cows come home, but if he doesn't win, and win more than Utah I think, it will mean less to you than your mothers freshly pushed out gall stone.

You means the casual fan and perhaps not you specifically.

I happen to think that practice makes perfect or that perfect practice makes perfect and choosing to not take advantage of practice opportunities was a bit dumb. There were some other pr mistakes that the dude made last year but IMO, he wins just about as much as BYU is capable. That is not to say that last year was a great year, it was slightly underachieving but given the body of evidence of his work I think BYU is better off with him than without him. If firesides are his way of getting the victories, so be it. Just win, dammit!

Given that last year left a bitter taste in a lot of fans' mouths, I would think he'd try to pump up the fan base. I think he sees it (the fanbase) as something to tolerate, rather than embrace.

It seems like the B/W game has become increasingly watered-down anyway. It wouldn't shock me if there were no game next year either.

EDIT: It's important to note that the guy has produced three 10 win seasons. It could be A LOT worse. I think most fans are frustrated because they can see our ceiling and it's much lower than they hoped.