From: kevink@fugitive.soac.bellcore.com (Kevin Klinge)
Subject: Re: Va Tech and UVa predictions
Keywords: 1 more week, 1 more week...
Organization: Bell Communications Research
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 92 19:41:47 GMT

In article <1ebdboINN9u8@rave.larc.nasa.gov>, goodrich@lynx.larc.nasa.gov (Mike Goodrich) writes:
|> 
|> Hey, uh, Kevin ... lighten up!

Puff,  puff.  Ah, I feel better already...

|> All of your responses are just the same "None of your obseravtions make
|> sense 'cause their 2-7-1". 

Not really.  I personally don't care what their record is (and I first posted
this BEFORE this past week's 13-12 choke, when they had only blown 4 late-game
leads).  My response was based on observations on HOW they have lost their 
games, not HOW MANY.  It's one thing to argue that "I think VT can pull it 
together this time where they haven't before", but what you said "However I 
beleive they've established a trend of putting it together" is what I 
disagreed with.  

All the trends I've seen this season has suggested otherwise, that's my
observation.  When we were up 12-3 in the late 3rd quarter against So. Miss
this past weekend, how did the team "put it together" then?  I just don't
think our team's performances this year suggests what you stated your belief
on why you predicted VT to win.  That's all.

|>                            Further, I'm not convinced that the Hokies are
|> doing all that much "choking". I think they are suffering from at least as
|> many coaching miscall's and mistakes (how many punt returns has Tech had
|> penalty free all season ? - I don't call this a "choke"). 

Whether it is the players fault or the coaches, the fact remains that VT
has yet to prove this year that it can consistently hold onto a lead in the 
4th quarter against teams that play somewhat on the same level.  We had the
same problem in 1990, and I've seen it all to much this year as well.  I, 
and plenty of other VT faithful I have talked to at the games, call this a 
"choke".  Whatever you want to call it ("a lack of killer instinct" maybe), 
they sure do it consistently.

|>                                                           In fact as I've
|> told others, I've seen plenty to be excited about with this team. DeShazo
|> continues to play with a lot of heart. The Hokies have practically NO
|> seniors in key positions, they have a new defensive coord. this year, they
|> have some fast talented recvrs and backs, ... etc. So while my optimism
|> may irritate you, I stick by my original opinions...

I wouldn't say "irritate" is a correct word to use in this case.  Let's 
just say I didn't agree with your reasons to predict us to win because I 
don't think the things I've seen this year from this team exhibit "handling 
adversity" or "putting it together".

You're certainly entitled to your opinions, so I'm sorry if I sounded more
sarcastic and biting than warranted.  Allow me to plead the 31st...  

of October, of course.

|> ...mike

-- 

Kevin H. Klinge
Bell Communications Research
kevink@soac.bellcore.com

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