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Seems to me a clear statement is being made…
Posted on 1/2/26 at 1:38 pm
Posted on 1/2/26 at 1:38 pm
…by the number of players announcing they are NOT entering the transfer portal. No reason in and of itself to publicly declare you are staying.
I could be reading more into it than it’s worth, as I am a confessed over-thinker so that would be the norm for me. But reading between the lines, it feels like there is a core group of players who are disgusted about the culture of the last few years who are sending a subtle Dipshit/Delightful Derek Stranger Things message to those entering the portal (suck my fat one!) and who are committed to changing the culture and being the foundation of the turnaround we are so desperate for.
Like I said, it could mean nothing and I’m just full of it. A man’s gotta hope.
I could be reading more into it than it’s worth, as I am a confessed over-thinker so that would be the norm for me. But reading between the lines, it feels like there is a core group of players who are disgusted about the culture of the last few years who are sending a subtle Dipshit/Delightful Derek Stranger Things message to those entering the portal (suck my fat one!) and who are committed to changing the culture and being the foundation of the turnaround we are so desperate for.
Like I said, it could mean nothing and I’m just full of it. A man’s gotta hope.
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Posted on 1/2/26 at 1:46 pm to BhamTiger98
I like that philosophy! It’s like- “this is my home. Why would I want to call attention to myself. Let’s get to work.”
Posted on 1/2/26 at 2:01 pm to BhamTiger98
There were 4 yesterday to make statements of coming back. 5 Total so far, all on the Defense. Riddick, Jourdin Crawford, Autry, Elijah Melendez and Xavier Atkins.
This post was edited on 1/2/26 at 2:03 pm
Posted on 1/2/26 at 2:16 pm to BhamTiger98
I hope that we are seeing a culture change. It seems that things were allowed to go to seed under Hugh Freeze.
Posted on 1/2/26 at 2:53 pm to LRB1967
The Defense was like a whole nother team. Those guys announcing their return was a "this defense isn't going anywhere". The defense is much more compelling than the offense. I took it as were gonna have a Durkin D again with an overhaul on offense.
Without any of the roster settled, its hard not to be optimistic if you contemplate what we would have looked like last year had we had USF offensive production
Without any of the roster settled, its hard not to be optimistic if you contemplate what we would have looked like last year had we had USF offensive production
Posted on 1/2/26 at 3:06 pm to FahQGump
The defense and the offense were night and day. I don't know how DJD motivated the D to keep that putrid offense in the game for the entire season but he must've been doing something right.
Posted on 1/2/26 at 3:16 pm to mckibaj
Deas said he was staying too
Posted on 1/2/26 at 3:54 pm to BhamTiger98
IMHO, I think you may be right (and hope you are).
I HATE the transfer portal and NIL and think that the existence of both, at least without some really strong guardrails, are doing a major disservice to these children. And yes, they are children. How can we possibly justify paying 18 to 22 year olds $50K to $5M to play an amateur sport? Contrast that with medical residents who have had seven years of rigorous academics in a very competitive environment and are now working poop hours for poop pay.
That said, not sure we can blame the kids for acting on what they perceive as their best interests based on the incentives in front of them. I've long maintained that there's always a bigger fish; there's always a better price, and there's always a greater fool. And the fools are willing to write checks for seemingly unlimited amounts of cash.
I HATE the transfer portal and NIL and think that the existence of both, at least without some really strong guardrails, are doing a major disservice to these children. And yes, they are children. How can we possibly justify paying 18 to 22 year olds $50K to $5M to play an amateur sport? Contrast that with medical residents who have had seven years of rigorous academics in a very competitive environment and are now working poop hours for poop pay.
That said, not sure we can blame the kids for acting on what they perceive as their best interests based on the incentives in front of them. I've long maintained that there's always a bigger fish; there's always a better price, and there's always a greater fool. And the fools are willing to write checks for seemingly unlimited amounts of cash.
Posted on 1/2/26 at 3:54 pm to AUin02
I had heard the defense was more of a true team. Hung out after practices and did some fun things with the staff. The offense left. DJ stopped them in his first day as interim and made them stay. Told them it’s one team, not two separate teams. Also heard some offensive guys thought it was a bunch of BS.
Posted on 1/2/26 at 4:12 pm to Beatleaholic
quote:
I had heard the defense was more of a true team. Hung out after practices and did some fun things with the staff. The offense left. DJ stopped them in his first day as interim and made them stay. Told them it’s one team, not two separate teams. Also heard some offensive guys thought it was a bunch of BS.
It doesn’t surprise me. I bet the ones who thought it was BS are in the Portal now. Glad they’re gone.
Posted on 1/2/26 at 4:36 pm to AUin02
quote:
The defense and the offense were night and day. I don't know how DJD motivated the D to keep that putrid offense in the game for the entire season but he must've been doing something right.
DJ is high energy and can be tough but he's also able to relate well with players. The good kids want to be coached hard, the soft ones wear designer watches during games.
Posted on 1/2/26 at 5:42 pm to borotiger
Yall got to get off the watch thing that was true NIL. He had a G-Shock contract. Thats much better NIL than us fans ponying up $2m for him.
Posted on 1/2/26 at 5:46 pm to CorchJay
quote:
He had a G-Shock contract.
I somehow did not know that.
Posted on 1/2/26 at 5:54 pm to BhamTiger98
Seems there is a reason the AD wanted to retain DJ other than keeping the defense intact. Probably to help Golesh implement his plan, visision and style that compliments DJ's style. Got a feeling AG is going to run a tight ship and put in the effort, and the ones transferring want no part of that. Sad part is many think the grass is greener and will find out it is not. I doubt other HCs will not put up with what Freeze put up with. Good luck to the transfers. I wonder if Freeze coddled Cam too much afraid to upset him.
Posted on 1/2/26 at 6:21 pm to BhamTiger98
Thing that stuck out like a sore thumb to me is, defensive players are staying. It's the prima donnas on offense that are hitting the trail. Speaks volumes about Durkin. So happy we kept that guy!
Posted on 1/2/26 at 6:23 pm to BhamTiger98
Thing that stuck out like a sore thumb to me is, defensive players are staying. It's the prima donnas on offense that are hitting the trail. Speaks volumes about Durkin. So happy we kept that guy!
Posted on 1/2/26 at 7:04 pm to greygoose
There is an old saying about changing jobs. There are only two good places to work at. The one you are leaving for and the one you wish you had stayed at.
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