A Quick Note to Londen Fryar
Dear Londen,
Allow me, for a moment, to speak on the behalf of Nebraska fans the world over: We wanted you here.
Many of us have been asking ourselves all week "Why is Irving Fryar's son playing against us?" Thanks to the recent story on mlive.com, we now have our answer: It was all Bill Callahan's fault.
None of us are really surprised, blaming Bill Callahan was named Nebraskan's second favorite sedentary pasttime in a recent Gallup poll, trailing only watching football. I mean, your father had delivered not a grainy game film but a DVD right into the hands of the former head coach and, at least figuratively, he said "Meh." Perhaps it was too technical for him, but I digress.
The point here is that we feel as badly about you being in brown come Saturday as you probably did when you got snubbed. No, really, we're pretty crazy out here. It wouldn't have mattered to us how many stars you had or what other schools we're interested (although WVU and Rutgers aren't bad company to be in right now). No, the lineage would've been enough.
"Irving Fryar's son is coming?"
Great, we'll save him #27.
Alas, it wasn't to be--thanks again, Bill--but you've done just fine on your own. Thorpe watch list? Congratulations.
You won't be playing for Nebraska this Saturday but just wait and see what sort of reception you get when your name is announced on Saturday. Maybe, if just for a moment (assuming it doesn't involve a interception return for a touchdown) it will feel like you are.
Have a good game this week but not obnoxiously good. The only thing we like less than Bill Callahan is losing.
Best,
The Sea of Red
8/27/2008
Of the many, many things that BC could have done, but failed to do, to endear Husker fans to him this seems like the most obvious foul-up.
It’s IRVING FRYAR’S SON for cryin’ out loud!!
Talk about clueless…
Great article, btw.
GBR
8/27/2008
Another great example of Callahan not understanding anything about Nebraska values! In this case, the Nebraska football team is like a family and if you are a member of the family you are treated with respect, friendship, and an open door policy that includes access to practice and getting on the field on game day.
I don’t think that means necessarily that if your father played here you are going to be given a scholarship automatically, but certainly a hard look, a curtious reply, and the benefit of the doubt if you are little undersized (Fryar is 5-11 which is a little short for a receiver, but I think its fairly obvious that his speed and knowledge of the game would have made him a good bet for a solid reciever or cornerback).
Callahan may have had certian strengths, but his weaknesses have become more glaring as more and more of his stupid moves have become public knowledge. And he was an absolute fool when it came to developing and maintaining meaningful relationships amoung alumni, former players, the fans, and the team.
I remember when we hired him how the players for the Raiders absolutely hated him, even after he took them to the Super Bowl. I gave him the benefit of the doubt back then, but I should not have. Somehow, he just doesn’t know how to win friends and motivate people.
Its no wonder that when Pelini was hired they emphasized creating team unity, making NU a family once again, reaching out to former palyers again, giving all players a fair shot at seeing the field, and playing with enthusiasm and all out effort FOR Nebraska and not yourself.
Not wanting to end this rant on a sour note. Let’s all keep in mind that the family atmosphere in Lincoln is back. On that note, I wish Londen a great game and stellar performance on Saturday, but not good enough to beat us. :)
Kansas City, MO
8/28/2008
I’m not defending Callahan, but I’ll tell you exactly why his players hated him at Oakland. The Raiders were one of the oldest teams in the league and he went to ownership and the GM and said, (to paraphrase), “We need to get rid of these old farts and draft a bunch of young guys to build long term success.” Well, the team didn’t like that so the next year, they just stopped trying. The players went and tattled on him and that led to his ousting. And everyone lived happily ever after the end. Oh wait - that’s how it should have ended if not for STEVE PEDERSON.