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Goble: Football team’s leadership restores faith

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By Clark Goble

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Statements to the media are made for numerous reasons.

They can be made to apologize for wrongdoing, like Brady Morningstar’s letter after his drunken driving.

They can be a glorified “no comment.” See Tiger Woods’ Web site.

But the statement that was issued by next year’s senior class on the football team Monday morning is unlike any I’ve ever seen or heard about.

To briefly recap, Sal Capra, Drew Dudley, Chris Harris, Jake Laptad, Brad Thorson and John Wilson composed a statement directed toward Jayhawk fans on behalf of the junior class. They expressed their “unwavering confidence” in the team and excitement for next season. They also asked fans for their “continued support in our football program and the athletic department.”

That’s all well and good, but I don’t think the fan support has declined since coach Mark Mangino’s resignation. I think people might be more supportive than ever. They want to see a new coach come in, use what Mangino built and create a program that competes with the best in the Big 12.

If Mangino had stayed on as head coach, that might be different.

What this issued statement tells me is that this junior class wants to make amends for this season. With perhaps the most talented Kansas team in a decade, the Jayhawks finished 5-7.

That might cut it in Waco, but for a football program that wants to make a consistent mark on the college football landscape, that just isn’t good enough.

And with no Todd Reesings, Kerry Meiers or Darrell Stuckeys on next year’s roster, pundits are sure to rank the Jayhawks in the doldrums of the Big 12 North. And before this statement, I was right with them.

Now I’m not so sure.

The statement reaffirms my belief that the team will work extremely hard to get better in the offseason.

After the Missouri game, you could tell just by looking at Harris that he was legitimately angry. It was striking because Harris usually shocks interviewers with his energy. Harris seemed as if he wanted to sneak around Arrowhead Stadium, find a weight room and start working for next season.

Thorson echoed a similar sentiment when talking about the offensive line’s excitement for next season.

“If we could be the first group to get back in the weight room and keep preparing, we would,” Thorson said. “But everybody’s going to be there right along with us.”

The team is working today, tomorrow and probably every other day until August to make up for this season’s disappointment.

They didn’t say it in the statement, but 5-7 will linger in players’ minds until they open next season Sept. 4 against North Dakota State.

— Edited by Samantha Foster

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