krichunaka
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Some of you might recall that we (though I'm not an alumni) once had a quarterback - Peyton Manning. We could discuss his pros, cons, ad nauseam, but I'd still be convinced that he is one of the greatest football players of all time. At some point, Peyton moved on from U T and landed in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts. This lasted for 14 amazing seasons, at which time, and in a somewhat surprising "cost-cutting" move the Colts said goodbye to our beloved Peyton Manning, which made him a viable commodity for any number of the other NFL franchises, not named the Patriots. Peyton visited a few teams - it was must watch entertainment - but eventually settled in to play out the remaining years of his celebrated career for the team that I cheered for since the mid-seventies Craig Morton days ...the Denver Broncos.
However, this signing didn't happen without considerable back-and-forth; the primary stipulation being that Manning had to annually pass a physical examination. Nothing new, of course; but noteworthy is the fact that this demand was initiated by Peyton Manning. Because, that's the kind of person he is; because he wanted to be certain that he was still ...good enough.
So, moving on to the Meet Peyton Press Conference: At this celebrated meet-and-greet, Broncos General Manager John Elway (he and Peyton are one, and one-A on my all-time list; but I digress) was rolling right along after his opening remarks, the introduction, etc., until someone in the press audience had the nerve to ask a vital question concerning Peyton's health. Because Peyton had, to date, had four neck surgeries. FOUR! So, there was some risk. And, you should know that Manning had just inked a five-year, $100.000,000.00 deal (A hundred-million-dollars was still a good bit of money back then).
Anyhow, it went something like this: (paraphrasing, of course) "John, what if Peyton gets injured, or simply cannot go on playing, and certainly not at the level we've all become accustomed to seeing? What is your Plan B?" To which Elway brilliantly responded, "We're going with Plan A!" It was classic. It was funny. It was hopeful. But, to think that Elway and the organization he represented hadn't given considerable thought to such a towering "What if" scenario, would be naive at best.
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Some of you appear to literally despise John Adams. I used to read his articles, and with this coaching search, and hiring, I watched a couple-three episodes of the "Off The Hook Sports" show. In long ago retrospect I vaguely recall thinking that his articles were very well written, if not a little too "objective" by U T fan standards. So, love him, hate him, that's up to everyone to choose.
But, to celebrate the "slap down" by our new coach? It goes without saying that Recruiting is first and foremost on the prerequisite list. Or is it? John Adams asked the most relevant and important question that our Coach Kim must answer. And sooner than later. If she had been, as someone suggested, "readied" for the question, then all the more reason to give a rational and courteous response.
John Adams will be fine and dandy. I doubt that he'll harbor a grudge. He probably didn't even take it as personal as some might hope. I wouldn't have. And, FWIW, I think Coach Kim will do well for The Lady Vols. Let's just hope that her "Plan A" is as good as John Elway's.
Cheers.
However, this signing didn't happen without considerable back-and-forth; the primary stipulation being that Manning had to annually pass a physical examination. Nothing new, of course; but noteworthy is the fact that this demand was initiated by Peyton Manning. Because, that's the kind of person he is; because he wanted to be certain that he was still ...good enough.
So, moving on to the Meet Peyton Press Conference: At this celebrated meet-and-greet, Broncos General Manager John Elway (he and Peyton are one, and one-A on my all-time list; but I digress) was rolling right along after his opening remarks, the introduction, etc., until someone in the press audience had the nerve to ask a vital question concerning Peyton's health. Because Peyton had, to date, had four neck surgeries. FOUR! So, there was some risk. And, you should know that Manning had just inked a five-year, $100.000,000.00 deal (A hundred-million-dollars was still a good bit of money back then).
Anyhow, it went something like this: (paraphrasing, of course) "John, what if Peyton gets injured, or simply cannot go on playing, and certainly not at the level we've all become accustomed to seeing? What is your Plan B?" To which Elway brilliantly responded, "We're going with Plan A!" It was classic. It was funny. It was hopeful. But, to think that Elway and the organization he represented hadn't given considerable thought to such a towering "What if" scenario, would be naive at best.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Some of you appear to literally despise John Adams. I used to read his articles, and with this coaching search, and hiring, I watched a couple-three episodes of the "Off The Hook Sports" show. In long ago retrospect I vaguely recall thinking that his articles were very well written, if not a little too "objective" by U T fan standards. So, love him, hate him, that's up to everyone to choose.
But, to celebrate the "slap down" by our new coach? It goes without saying that Recruiting is first and foremost on the prerequisite list. Or is it? John Adams asked the most relevant and important question that our Coach Kim must answer. And sooner than later. If she had been, as someone suggested, "readied" for the question, then all the more reason to give a rational and courteous response.
John Adams will be fine and dandy. I doubt that he'll harbor a grudge. He probably didn't even take it as personal as some might hope. I wouldn't have. And, FWIW, I think Coach Kim will do well for The Lady Vols. Let's just hope that her "Plan A" is as good as John Elway's.
Cheers.
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