B.J. Penn’s place in history … Is any win bad?
October 31st, 2011
By dreardon
By dreardon
Hawaii sports history, that is. Now that he’s saying he might retire, where does the state’s greatest MMA fighter rank among the state’s all-time sports heroes? I imagine this will fall along generational lines.
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Simple question which today’s column addresses. A lot of folks are unhappy about Hawaii’s 16-14 victory at Idaho on Saturday. Were expectations for this team too high going into the season? They’re 5-3 and still have a shot at the WAC championship.
Posted in Uncategorized | 23 Comments »
Quick Reads
October 31st, 2011 at 4:02 pm
the simple question begs the issue–fan expectation is more a function of our football program. on the eve of being admitted to the mwc, our program leaves alot to be desired. mac will enter his 5th year in 2012. now, address the question: were hawaii fan expectations too high to anticipate a program winner in 5 years after paying MAC a record salary exceeding $1.1 m in 2008. the answer is simple–UH flobbed and MAC falls significantly short of the mark….the problem with the star advertiser in particular and reporting in hawaii in general–they adore caesar more than rome.
October 31st, 2011 at 4:38 pm
While it appears that they have a shot at the WAC title, if they continue to play like they have, they will not win or even tie for the title. Their wins have been over the bottom half of the WAC teams, it is likely they will not beat Nevada and Fresno St. They will have a difficult time in beating Utah St. this weekend. They are over-rated and expectations were too high at the beginning of the season when the beat Colorado. Now we know Colorado is a very mediocre team, the PAC 12 teams have beat the hell out of them.
The win was actually given to them since Akey did not attempt the field goal which would have given them a 17-13 lead at that juncture; instead they tried to go for it on fourth and one and got stopped again. Had Idaho made the field goal, it would have forced Hawaii to go for the touchdown on the last drive, which the might not have made it due to the short time or the Idaho defense, who had been playing pretty good all night long. It was their offense which sucked.
October 31st, 2011 at 8:38 pm
1. Where do I “adore Caesar?” I think I’ve pointed out several times over the years that $1.1 million is too much for a football coach, especially in a bad economy, and have been critical of the coach.
2. key words: in your second paragraph: “might not”
October 31st, 2011 at 9:56 pm
RE: Expectations . . . I don’t think the expectations were too high. Coming into this season, we had a starting QB who was touted as a long shot Heisman candidate, more on him later. Granted we entered with an inexperienced o-line, but for all that pay attention, the line was supposed to be far better than the one that overachieved last season. We had a defense that was returning most of its core that was tough as nails last season. We had young, inexperienced, yet VERY highly touted and anticipated receiving corps that was supposed to be just chomping at the bit to show us what they could do now that Salas, Pilares, and company were gone. Not to mention a new found running game that was supposed to feature the next Alex Green in Sterling Jackson. Back to Moniz. He has not shown the leadership and consistency that was expected of him this year. I hate to sound overly critical of him, but I think it comes with the territory. If you want to be considered in the same breath as other Heisman hopefuls, and in the off season get a tattoo on your finger that says finish, you better be darned sure you step up and lead the way. Moniz is too lackadaisical, and that is reflected in his team. Sure he has had good moments this year, but he is consistently a slow starter and at times has looked very mediocre. Sometimes mediocre enough to make you wonder how QB2 or 3 would do coming off the bench.
However, while the season seems a success thus far looking strictly at the wins and losses, many of us are left disappointed. Having watched every UH football this season, the win loss column should really read 8-0. We beat Colorado like we were expected to. We handled UC Davis and Louisiana Tech as well. We had our chances to beat WA, but did not show the grit that would have gotten the job done. We did not show up at UNLV and lost a game that we shouldn’t have. What happened at San Jose St. was unacceptable. Against Idaho, although a win, we are left scratching our heads and exhaling, thankful that we are not reeling from yet another unexpected loss. The expectations were what they should have been.
With that said, I still strongly believe in this team and its potential. I think we are finally starting to see glimpses of what our receivers can do. I am super excited about Davis and Pollard has become who we thought he was. The defense has played good ball as of late, and with the exception of the Idaho game, the o-line has been okay. We still have a chance at the WAC, and have the opportunity to rekindle that old BYU rivalry at the end of the season. Let’s hope that game lives up to what history says it will be. And let’s not forget that there is a chance that grasshopper may get to try his hand against his master in the Hawaii Bowl.
October 31st, 2011 at 10:08 pm
boy that was long . . . sorry Dave.
RE: BJ Penn . . . you are absolutely right that the answer to this question will depend on generation. Here are my thoughts, as a huge BJ Penn fan.
If you keep Penn in the category of “fighter,” he is no doubt right at the top. BJ played an integral role in the rise of the UFC. He is one of the most talented and popular fighters in the sport. Anyone who follows MMA at all knows that a disciplined, well conditioned BJ Penn is one of the most dangerous men in the sport (I think I may have just quoted Dana White and/or Joe Rogan).
MMA has surpassed boxing in interest and draw, thanks to fighters like BJ Penn. A two weight class title holder, not to mention the best LW of all time, BJ Penn is accomplished as well as proven. Not that he has done more per say than Brian Viloria, for example. But in regards to the stage that Penn has performed on compared to Viloria, there is no match. Viloria has fought for I don’t know how many titles. But that’s just it. I am not the only one that wouldn’t be able to tell you. I don’t know if it is his persona, or that of his boss Dana White, but everytime BJ Penn does something in his sport, the world knows.
If there is a knock on Penn it would be that he has not lived up to his potential. That sounds crazy to say, but it is true.
October 31st, 2011 at 10:09 pm
okay . . . that one was long too
October 31st, 2011 at 10:12 pm
btw way, my comment about not knowing how many titles Viloria has fought for was meant as a compliment because there have been many. I just meant from a popularity stand point . . .
November 1st, 2011 at 12:52 am
BJ Penn’s legacy will grow as we all grow older. Heck, UFC was nothing when he started, now its the main MMA venue with credibility and control. BJ Penn is a part of that. Like to hear Dana White’s take on that question. I bet it is unequivocal … Yes!
Expectations are hard to manage. When people are so euphoric over met expectations, they tend to need more drugs [figuratively] to keep them on that high. Idaho reduced our dose of euphoria. I remember all the nail biters with Colt’s last year – ugly and muddy at San Jose, Tyler Gronke saving the season, last minute field goals to win by Dan Kelly, how many times? So I think the term is perspective, and maybe people can adjust that rather than scream for more drugs when the Warriors bring home a W.
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