[terry]

I agree that humor is most likely to be up-voted, but strong, evidence-based comments get the most support.  For instance, Terry is not particularly humorous on this board (even though he has a sparkling personality in person) but his posts are so often on point and supported by evidence that his posts receive a lot of votes.  (I owe you a beer at the next meet up for calling you out Terry!) 

Geez, I think that was worth at least two beers!  ;D

[terry]

I agree that humor is most likely to be up-voted, but strong, evidence-based comments get the most support.  For instance, Terry is not particularly humorous on this board (even though he has a sparkling personality in person) but his posts are so often on point and supported by evidence that his posts receive a lot of votes.  (I owe you a beer at the next meet up for calling you out Terry!) 

Geez, I think that was worth at least two beers!  ;D

[yvonne]

1.  I can't believe people pay any attention to +/- votes or up/downs or whatever they're called.  Let me just say that I hate all you guys and think you're idiots, so go bugger yourself!

Thumbs up just for that, although I will have some difficulty completing your request.

[yvonne]

1.  I can't believe people pay any attention to +/- votes or up/downs or whatever they're called.  Let me just say that I hate all you guys and think you're idiots, so go bugger yourself!

Thumbs up just for that, although I will have some difficulty completing your request.

[Leftcoast]

I agree with Terry's points but in this one case I'm going to publicly lobby for up voting.

I just up-voted the two VFRings  posts on (page 1 and 2) that were at the -10 level that gets them censured.    (Censured posts are displayed gray and without content.)  I suspect a stifled voice is an unintended consequence for some down voters.

While you may disagree with the VFRing's posts he is not a troll, has contributed over the years and, most importantly, his posts didn't contain the troll-bait or player-bashing that we want removed from our forums.  If you agree give 'em an up vote so they remain under the censure level and we keep the conversation complete.  (Or just tell me to take a flying leap ...)

I'm a strong supporter of Shaw's views on this but appreciate the thoughtful comments of those who see the world differently.  Rational dissent keeps this place from looking like a near classic model of Group Think, no?

[Leftcoast]

I agree with Terry's points but in this one case I'm going to publicly lobby for up voting.

I just up-voted the two VFRings  posts on (page 1 and 2) that were at the -10 level that gets them censured.    (Censured posts are displayed gray and without content.)  I suspect a stifled voice is an unintended consequence for some down voters.

While you may disagree with the VFRing's posts he is not a troll, has contributed over the years and, most importantly, his posts didn't contain the troll-bait or player-bashing that we want removed from our forums.  If you agree give 'em an up vote so they remain under the censure level and we keep the conversation complete.  (Or just tell me to take a flying leap ...)

I'm a strong supporter of Shaw's views on this but appreciate the thoughtful comments of those who see the world differently.  Rational dissent keeps this place from looking like a near classic model of Group Think, no?

[martyup]

My memorable public humiliation came in 1st grade.  You see, I was raised on a large farm where urination urges were quelled at the nearest bush.  Well, finding myself on the far side of the playground, distant from the restrooms but conveniently close to some large shrubs, without any mental calculation of inappropriateness I relieved myself forthwith.  Despite the fact that my back was duly turned on other students so that only the bushes could view my privates,  at least one fellow student took exception to my choice of location for urination.  I was called to the Principal's office and for several weeks thereafter subjected to sessions with a psychologist armed with a stack of Rorschach cards.

[martyup]

My memorable public humiliation came in 1st grade.  You see, I was raised on a large farm where urination urges were quelled at the nearest bush.  Well, finding myself on the far side of the playground, distant from the restrooms but conveniently close to some large shrubs, without any mental calculation of inappropriateness I relieved myself forthwith.  Despite the fact that my back was duly turned on other students so that only the bushes could view my privates,  at least one fellow student took exception to my choice of location for urination.  I was called to the Principal's office and for several weeks thereafter subjected to sessions with a psychologist armed with a stack of Rorschach cards.

[CTcard]

3.  CTC, generally agree with your thoughtful posts; however, I completely DO NOT BUY that "college sports would suffer" if the best football players eschewed college and went to NFL D League.  To use the hoops example:  if every one-and-doner (i.e., Kentucky's starting five) on every college team this past season instead went to the NBA D-League, do you think the NCAA tournament would be any less popular?  Of course not!  That's because the value proposition is in the college system.  That's what drives the passion/support/$$, not the individuals wearing the unis.  To be sure, better players are more appreciated by the fan bases, but if the better players all bolted for the professional developmental ranks, college sports would be just fine.  And you know what, it might even be better.

I believe we've been through this once before, and I remember you disagreed with this thought. Of course I don't know what would happen, so I used the word "might" in describing a possible slip in popularity. Your basketball gedanken isn't really a great example because, 1) it's equally hypothetical to the football case and we don't know what would happen, and 2) real minor league football would have to take a lot more players than the equivalent of basketball one and doners.

Baseball is slightly less hypothetical as there actually is a functioning minor league system and there is college baseball and we can measure its popularity. However, it's also not a perfect analogy because college baseball has never had the popularity of college football so we haven't seen it go backwards.

I agree that with such a minor league that college sports would be better, that was the point of the post. Part of that better, in a complicated manner, might be less money involved overall and thus less corruption.

The whole discussion also doesn't matter very much as I don't see the NFL rushing out to set up such a minor league system.

4.  The key is to get the Universities across the land to recognize this and put the pressure on NFL to establish its own developmental league.  We know this won't happen - but it would be so awesome if it did - even if it meant shutting down college football nationwide for a season or two.  And THAT's why we are stuck with a broken system.

Aha. We agree it ain't happening.
Nice as the fantasy is, to unbreak the system we may have to consider actual possibilities.


---------------------------
p.s. Somehow I thought you generically disagreed with my posts. I'll try to be more provocative.

[CTcard]

3.  CTC, generally agree with your thoughtful posts; however, I completely DO NOT BUY that "college sports would suffer" if the best football players eschewed college and went to NFL D League.  To use the hoops example:  if every one-and-doner (i.e., Kentucky's starting five) on every college team this past season instead went to the NBA D-League, do you think the NCAA tournament would be any less popular?  Of course not!  That's because the value proposition is in the college system.  That's what drives the passion/support/$$, not the individuals wearing the unis.  To be sure, better players are more appreciated by the fan bases, but if the better players all bolted for the professional developmental ranks, college sports would be just fine.  And you know what, it might even be better.

I believe we've been through this once before, and I remember you disagreed with this thought. Of course I don't know what would happen, so I used the word "might" in describing a possible slip in popularity. Your basketball gedanken isn't really a great example because, 1) it's equally hypothetical to the football case and we don't know what would happen, and 2) real minor league football would have to take a lot more players than the equivalent of basketball one and doners.

Baseball is slightly less hypothetical as there actually is a functioning minor league system and there is college baseball and we can measure its popularity. However, it's also not a perfect analogy because college baseball has never had the popularity of college football so we haven't seen it go backwards.

I agree that with such a minor league that college sports would be better, that was the point of the post. Part of that better, in a complicated manner, might be less money involved overall and thus less corruption.

The whole discussion also doesn't matter very much as I don't see the NFL rushing out to set up such a minor league system.

4.  The key is to get the Universities across the land to recognize this and put the pressure on NFL to establish its own developmental league.  We know this won't happen - but it would be so awesome if it did - even if it meant shutting down college football nationwide for a season or two.  And THAT's why we are stuck with a broken system.

Aha. We agree it ain't happening.
Nice as the fantasy is, to unbreak the system we may have to consider actual possibilities.


---------------------------
p.s. Somehow I thought you generically disagreed with my posts. I'll try to be more provocative.

[71Bear]

IMO, collegiate fan bases would be no less passionate if the players were compensated in some form or manner. 

Heck, in the South, they have been paying players for years and I haven't seen any less passion in the attitude of the fan bases...  :)

[71Bear]

IMO, collegiate fan bases would be no less passionate if the players were compensated in some form or manner. 

Heck, in the South, they have been paying players for years and I haven't seen any less passion in the attitude of the fan bases...  :)

[Spiny_Norman]

I don't know, but I give Spiny Norman an upvote frequently simply because his moniker tickles my Monty Python fancy!

Thank you, CornFed.  As a dull and witless boy (especially compared with the wordsmiths on this board), I gladly accept all the help I can get.

[Spiny_Norman]

I don't know, but I give Spiny Norman an upvote frequently simply because his moniker tickles my Monty Python fancy!

Thank you, CornFed.  As a dull and witless boy (especially compared with the wordsmiths on this board), I gladly accept all the help I can get.

[martyup]

IMO, collegiate fan bases would be no less passionate if the players were compensated in some form or manner. 

Heck, in the South, they have been paying players for years and I haven't seen any less passion in the attitude of the fan bases...  :)

South as in U$C, I presume?

[martyup]

IMO, collegiate fan bases would be no less passionate if the players were compensated in some form or manner. 

Heck, in the South, they have been paying players for years and I haven't seen any less passion in the attitude of the fan bases...  :)

South as in U$C, I presume?

[71Bear]

Well played, Martyup...

[71Bear]

Well played, Martyup...