Well, my thread about RGer's having favorite people, admin, coaches, and players, to bash (disdain thread) was met with some hostility initially. I obviously did a poor job of communicating the intent of the thread. I do not bash players, under any circumstance, as I know that they are most likely giving their all and are most likely the best available option we have. The intent of the thread was to call attention to the FACT that certain players, coaches, and admin, have been criticized, unfairly most of the time, much more than others. I then listed individuals that I had NOTICED over the years as favorite punching bags on this site. Several of you pointed out some that I left off, Luke Logan for example. How I omitted him is pure oversight. That young man took more abuse on this site than should be allowed...like he tried to miss those kicks. Anyway, the thread eventually caught on a little bit and hopefully it will make people think a little before they blow their stack on this site about some player this fall. Now, with that out of the way, let's reverse the engines and discuss players, coaches, admin, that have been treated as if they are beyond reproach, with kid gloves, walked on eggshells, holier than thou. Same rules as before, must have played or been employed at Ole Miss since 2012. People that I have observed as being above criticism on this site, IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER:
1. A.J. Brown - The mayor of Starkville didn't catch very much flak for his social media comments in 2020, or for his role (yes, he had one) in the hire of CML.
2. Laremy Tunsil - The guy was a generational talent at his position, and performed up to his billing, when available. He had one set of drama after another, and always came out rosy on this site.
3. Chad Kelly - Possibly the best talent we have EVER had at QB (he should be a top 10 NFL QB RIGHT NOW), but just couldn't get out of his own way. We knew what we were getting on the front end, and it was as advertised. I witnessed his behavior at the Sugar Bowl,...WOW! RGer's, myself included,...crickets.
4. Robert Nkemdiche - What could have been, what should have been, will never be. What he did at Alabama in 2015, just DESTROYING Alabama's OL, was one of the most dominant performances I have ever seen at that position. He should be on the short train for Canton, but he can't even make a roster. Didn't get held to much of a standard as a player, or here either.
5. Denzel Nkemdiche - He and Big Rob probably would have been better off if they had gone to separate institutions. Together, they were out of control. He was unstoppable in 2012, but pretty much meh after that. Never had his feet held to the fire much on here that I witnessed.
6. Jordan Wilkins - Missed an entire season due to an academic technicality. How does that happen? The academic staff shares some of this responsibility, but dang, he was a grown man. If you aren't looking out for you, then who is? RGer's, I recall put all the blame on the academic staff and gave him a pass.
7. Elijah Moore - Yeah, what he did worked out for Ole Miss, but his act was still one of the most selfish things I have ever seen a player do. What if it had meant a trip to Atlanta? What he did WASN"T ok, yet, RGer's want to build a statue. SMH.
8. Coach Kevin Smith - I never understood the RB rotation these past 2 seasons. Why did Henry Parrish get so many reps? Snoop Conner was a load, but would go series after series on the bench. RGer's mostly silent on this topic.
9. Tom Luke - I don't have anything against him, and have made it clear that I like his brother on a personal level, but still, how is this possible? He is the Assistant AD for Player Development. This has to be awkward for everyone involved. RGer's, quite surprisingly, have hardly questioned it.
10. Coach Derrick Nix - He has survived at least 4 HC turnovers. Has been assigned to coach different positions on the offensive side. I get it, recruiting, but still. RGer's, again including myself, were mostly silent.
11. Coach Lane Kiffin - This will get a lot of stingers out, but he did everything he could to get out of here last year. He quit recruiting and lobbied intensely for both the LSU and the Miami job, and possibly others. RGer's walked on eggshells about this for the most part. It will be interesting to see what the reaction is if he campaigns for the Auburn job (I think he will) when Harsin is canned this season.
12. Coach Andy Kennedy - Not football, but the affinity shown to AK on this site is mind-boggling at times. He had some good moments, but he also had some really bad stinkers too.
Who did I miss? Who am I wrong about? Remember, this is just trying to make a thought-provoking conversation. That is all.
1. A.J. Brown - The mayor of Starkville didn't catch very much flak for his social media comments in 2020, or for his role (yes, he had one) in the hire of CML.
2. Laremy Tunsil - The guy was a generational talent at his position, and performed up to his billing, when available. He had one set of drama after another, and always came out rosy on this site.
3. Chad Kelly - Possibly the best talent we have EVER had at QB (he should be a top 10 NFL QB RIGHT NOW), but just couldn't get out of his own way. We knew what we were getting on the front end, and it was as advertised. I witnessed his behavior at the Sugar Bowl,...WOW! RGer's, myself included,...crickets.
4. Robert Nkemdiche - What could have been, what should have been, will never be. What he did at Alabama in 2015, just DESTROYING Alabama's OL, was one of the most dominant performances I have ever seen at that position. He should be on the short train for Canton, but he can't even make a roster. Didn't get held to much of a standard as a player, or here either.
5. Denzel Nkemdiche - He and Big Rob probably would have been better off if they had gone to separate institutions. Together, they were out of control. He was unstoppable in 2012, but pretty much meh after that. Never had his feet held to the fire much on here that I witnessed.
6. Jordan Wilkins - Missed an entire season due to an academic technicality. How does that happen? The academic staff shares some of this responsibility, but dang, he was a grown man. If you aren't looking out for you, then who is? RGer's, I recall put all the blame on the academic staff and gave him a pass.
7. Elijah Moore - Yeah, what he did worked out for Ole Miss, but his act was still one of the most selfish things I have ever seen a player do. What if it had meant a trip to Atlanta? What he did WASN"T ok, yet, RGer's want to build a statue. SMH.
8. Coach Kevin Smith - I never understood the RB rotation these past 2 seasons. Why did Henry Parrish get so many reps? Snoop Conner was a load, but would go series after series on the bench. RGer's mostly silent on this topic.
9. Tom Luke - I don't have anything against him, and have made it clear that I like his brother on a personal level, but still, how is this possible? He is the Assistant AD for Player Development. This has to be awkward for everyone involved. RGer's, quite surprisingly, have hardly questioned it.
10. Coach Derrick Nix - He has survived at least 4 HC turnovers. Has been assigned to coach different positions on the offensive side. I get it, recruiting, but still. RGer's, again including myself, were mostly silent.
11. Coach Lane Kiffin - This will get a lot of stingers out, but he did everything he could to get out of here last year. He quit recruiting and lobbied intensely for both the LSU and the Miami job, and possibly others. RGer's walked on eggshells about this for the most part. It will be interesting to see what the reaction is if he campaigns for the Auburn job (I think he will) when Harsin is canned this season.
12. Coach Andy Kennedy - Not football, but the affinity shown to AK on this site is mind-boggling at times. He had some good moments, but he also had some really bad stinkers too.
Who did I miss? Who am I wrong about? Remember, this is just trying to make a thought-provoking conversation. That is all.
