C
CougarbibWhomever ends up winning the Jake Heaps Derby will have him by the short hairs. He cannot leave again. He really cannot. That is actually - probably - a good thing for him and his entourage of advisors that would like to tell coaches how to coach and what offense to run and who to start. Hopefully his advisors have advised him of this. The next coach can tell him to pound sand if he wants. Unless he goes to a dog program with no alternatives.
There has been innuendo that Jake's father and lately, mother, have put huge demands on BYU coaches and Jake- apparently armed with advice from said advisors. Is he even allowed to be himself? Does he know who he even is? There has been innuendo about marital problems, family problems, lack of support from teammates, politics, lack of talent around him, poor play calling by both Anae and Doman. Innuendo about ego and self-interest and being aloof, training with his personal trainers with his nifty wardrobe enhancements rather than with teammates. Not working hard enough. And yet at times he has been a rising tide lifting all boats. He has seemingly thrown around his leverage for better or worse. Press conferences - but recruiting some really good players. Accountability. Leadership. Talking too much. Great play. Poor play. Playing in fear rather than to have fun. Boring. Potential. All kinds of words flying around about a very prized recruit.
Let me throw some words out.
Selfish - I am not claiming I would not be selfish myself in his situation. This has always been about Jake Heaps and a shortened trip to the 1st round of the NFL draft. The advisors and props have always been there. There has been a plan. NFL. Three Years. Big bucks. Really, really big bucks. Pick a system and situation that ensures that not one year of those big NFL bucks is missed and that it highlights Jake's strengths while hiding his weaknesses. Even the friends he recruited were part of a plan to surround himself with superior athletes in his camp to further his success. Can't blame him - better talent makes you look better.
Impatience - The plan did not include patience or even stopping to smell the roses along the way. Leave high school early. Spring practice. Start immediately. Skip mission. Grab a wife right away. Everything geared to being in the NFL Fall of 2013 drafted high. Anything that got in the way was a huge problem and his advisors made sure it was dealt with.
Unaccountable - when shortcomings came along, he always talked about confidence that his guys would step up. Nothing about Jake needing to step up. Confidence that they would soon be worthy to grace the field with him. Meanwhile, they were a boat anchor on his success. Didn't want to be held accountable for carrying an imperfect team.
Divisive - Sorry DM and others. This was the divider. Players have now been quoted as having been told by Jake as far back as the USU game that he would probably not be here for the bowl game. Hidden message - this team does not provide an appropriate supporting cast and coaching for me to reach my potential. Good enough for most of you but not for me and two or three of my prized friends. Maybe a ploy to put pressure on the coaches to give him back his job without having to earn it. Maybe an attempt to recruit more defectors. Maybe just out of touch with his teammates perception of his 5 stars.
Unpopular - at least in the locker room and is it any wonder. And eventually even with many fans who grew tired of the excuses.
Smart - his skills have gone the way of the dinosaur. Certainly at BYU who is now enamored with the notion of a mobile QB that can also throw. He might not compete well in 2013 at BYU if the team identity continues to morph from finesse to tough, physical play and grit and playmaking.
Timing - Jake got this one right. He stayed in case he was needed at Hawaii, but has to move on now to make his new bed - the one he now has to sleep in - short hairs and all.
I do not think Jake made the best decision if he is in fact as good as he thinks he is. But if he is that good, he will do well wherever he goes - and he already found his wife - hopefully a good one. I wish Jake well - my unsolicited advise is to take a good look in the mirror - get rid of the entourage - that baggage will kill you whereever you go - learn how to make plays within your own strengths and abilities. Park the family ego. It is killing you. Never forget the good that BYU did for you. After you soul search and discover it, of course. And stop trying to divide this team. Your credibility re looking out for anyone but your own best interest is shot in that locker room.
There has been innuendo that Jake's father and lately, mother, have put huge demands on BYU coaches and Jake- apparently armed with advice from said advisors. Is he even allowed to be himself? Does he know who he even is? There has been innuendo about marital problems, family problems, lack of support from teammates, politics, lack of talent around him, poor play calling by both Anae and Doman. Innuendo about ego and self-interest and being aloof, training with his personal trainers with his nifty wardrobe enhancements rather than with teammates. Not working hard enough. And yet at times he has been a rising tide lifting all boats. He has seemingly thrown around his leverage for better or worse. Press conferences - but recruiting some really good players. Accountability. Leadership. Talking too much. Great play. Poor play. Playing in fear rather than to have fun. Boring. Potential. All kinds of words flying around about a very prized recruit.
Let me throw some words out.
Selfish - I am not claiming I would not be selfish myself in his situation. This has always been about Jake Heaps and a shortened trip to the 1st round of the NFL draft. The advisors and props have always been there. There has been a plan. NFL. Three Years. Big bucks. Really, really big bucks. Pick a system and situation that ensures that not one year of those big NFL bucks is missed and that it highlights Jake's strengths while hiding his weaknesses. Even the friends he recruited were part of a plan to surround himself with superior athletes in his camp to further his success. Can't blame him - better talent makes you look better.
Impatience - The plan did not include patience or even stopping to smell the roses along the way. Leave high school early. Spring practice. Start immediately. Skip mission. Grab a wife right away. Everything geared to being in the NFL Fall of 2013 drafted high. Anything that got in the way was a huge problem and his advisors made sure it was dealt with.
Unaccountable - when shortcomings came along, he always talked about confidence that his guys would step up. Nothing about Jake needing to step up. Confidence that they would soon be worthy to grace the field with him. Meanwhile, they were a boat anchor on his success. Didn't want to be held accountable for carrying an imperfect team.
Divisive - Sorry DM and others. This was the divider. Players have now been quoted as having been told by Jake as far back as the USU game that he would probably not be here for the bowl game. Hidden message - this team does not provide an appropriate supporting cast and coaching for me to reach my potential. Good enough for most of you but not for me and two or three of my prized friends. Maybe a ploy to put pressure on the coaches to give him back his job without having to earn it. Maybe an attempt to recruit more defectors. Maybe just out of touch with his teammates perception of his 5 stars.
Unpopular - at least in the locker room and is it any wonder. And eventually even with many fans who grew tired of the excuses.
Smart - his skills have gone the way of the dinosaur. Certainly at BYU who is now enamored with the notion of a mobile QB that can also throw. He might not compete well in 2013 at BYU if the team identity continues to morph from finesse to tough, physical play and grit and playmaking.
Timing - Jake got this one right. He stayed in case he was needed at Hawaii, but has to move on now to make his new bed - the one he now has to sleep in - short hairs and all.
I do not think Jake made the best decision if he is in fact as good as he thinks he is. But if he is that good, he will do well wherever he goes - and he already found his wife - hopefully a good one. I wish Jake well - my unsolicited advise is to take a good look in the mirror - get rid of the entourage - that baggage will kill you whereever you go - learn how to make plays within your own strengths and abilities. Park the family ego. It is killing you. Never forget the good that BYU did for you. After you soul search and discover it, of course. And stop trying to divide this team. Your credibility re looking out for anyone but your own best interest is shot in that locker room.