Strong should remain at Texas
It wouldn’t be worth it for him to take Miami Hurricanes opening.
Charlie Strong has never had a good poker face, but for one instant on Monday, he left a roomful of reporters wondering if he has improved in that area.
Here’s what happened: An online story mentioned Strong as a possible replacement for fired Miami coach Al Golden (no relation), which led to our own Brian Davis asking Strong about the possibility of leaving UT for the U.
Strong giggled, then asked if Kirk Bohls had made up the rumor, drawing laughs.
“I have the best job in the country,” Strong said, though the giggle came across as nervous.
Is Strong considering making a move from a guaranteed $5 million a year to a more familiar recruiting area, presumably for less money? Not that I could ever be considered objective when it comes to trumpeting my home state, but Strong leaving for Miami would probably blow up in his face, given he would be battling Florida, Florida State, LSU, Georgia and Alabama — among others — for that state’s best players.
To his credit, he did say, “No, I’m not going to Miami,” which should be a comfort for a fan base that sees improvement since that Cowtown Beatdown of three weeks ago.
Texas is on an upward arc. The couple of dozen freshmen who are getting game action this season will be eons better over the next couple of years. That’s why Strong shouldn’t leave before small pups turn into big dogs.
Baylor’s locomotive offense caused me to change my mind from the preseason prediction of TCU to win the Big 12. That is, until Bears quarterback Seth Russell broke a bone in his neck against Iowa State.
OK, give me TCU for the conference championship, Alex.
Russell’s season-ender puts the injury-plagued Froggies back in the driver’s seat with a little nod given to the unbeaten Oklahoma State Cowboys, who struggled to beat Central Michigan and Texas, which are a combined 7-8.
Tough break for a great young quarterback. I hope this isn’t a career-ender.
The Dallas Cowboys aren’t disciplining defensive end Greg Hardy for his sideline outburst. And they shouldn’t. That would be like disciplining a hungry elephant for clearing out the peanut trough.
Jerry Jones knew Hardy was flammable when he signed him, but he was worth the small risk of a nonguaranteed contract that could be worth up to $13.1 million because of his ability to terrorize quarterbacks.
With that said, you know things are bad when Dez Bryant played the role of adult in a sideline dispute and then Mr. Peacemaker after Hardy turned into a 300-pound gas tank after Dwyane Harris’ 100yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
The largest question at play is one of personal vs. professional. Should Hardy’s well-documented domestic abuse issues be brought up after he was shown knocking a clipboard from special teams coach Rich Bisaccia while berating teammates and having what appeared to be a heated verbal exchange with Bryant? Is it fair to Hardy that his outburst could be taken as violent given his behavior toward women in the past?
Fair or not, it’s part of his history. When you hear the words “Greg” and “Hardy” spoken together, his checkered past is often part of the narrative. That’s why he has to be smarter. His postgame interview at his locker was all “No comment. Any other questions?” to different questions, and that’s a better option than wiping the floor with a pot-bellied sports writer.
Coach Jason Garrett told Metroplex radio station 105.3 The Fan that he spoke with Hardy about the incident and that there would be no disciplinary action.
“It wasn’t exactly the right time and place as we’re getting ready to go out on the field,” he said. “We got that conveyed and communicated, and we all moved on.”
That’s the best play. This was an isolated incident that should be viewed through a football lens. As long as Hardy gets after quarterbacks and doesn’t abuse women, he will have a job in this league.
Want proof ? The same station asked VP Stephen Jones if the organization would be interested in signing Hardy long term.
“Absolutely,” Jones said. “Very much a possibility.”