My family and I arrived in Ames Friday afternoon much to the surprise of my younger brother Darius's knowledge. I was in contact with Sed Johnson for about a month letting him know about our plans to attend the spring game and setting up the wonderful surprise! I wish I would have recorded Money's face:chatterbox:
Anyway, what did I learn last weekend?
First of all I talk to AA periodically at times through text messages and the sort. He's always positive and gives me info on the progression of the team. He's a QB so of course everything always sounds like "We look good, but we gotta get better" which is what I like to hear:yes:. However Friday evening I was exposed to a new bond and mentality that AA never told me about.
We went out to eat, my family, Money, DD (Darks) and Sed. At this round table meeting I experienced what CPR has done to these kids.
In high school I played WR in a highly successful spread attack offense. Each WR was ball hungry and highlight ready. We all talked about ourselves more than anything else. However that night I learned more about the other players strengths and weaknesses, the team's goals and more imortantly the healthy WR competition. I expected each WR to tell me how good they would be this year, instead I heard things like " Man when me and DD are on the same side who gon stop us?" and "You'll be surprised when you see Jeremy Reeves, the young dude be balling" and my favorite was "Man Jake (Knott) is a MAN out there, he gon be a monster". Of course when I asked the 3 who was the "fastest" they all laughed and said "I don't know..." followed by a joint "Me!" and more laughter. Darius Darks is very analytical and told me why specifically he felt the offense would be a lot better this year. He told me why it was important that all WR's were healthy. He explained the critical roles of guys like Jake Williams and the future Donnie Jennert. He told me how important it was that they all fed off each other. Sed on the other hand is just itching to plant his feet on green grass! He was bubbling with excitement everytime I mentioned an away game and the stadiums ISU would see this year. I would say "Texas" he responds "Let's go!" with a Sed smile...I say "Oh boy Oklahoma" he smiles "It's showtime"(...of course the nay saying fans don't care about the jabber and "trash talk" but it reminds me of the fact that these athletes are still kids and they are living their dreams.) So his excitement in my opinion is very much validated. Then there's "always calm" Money...if you can get more than 3 words at a time out of my brother I would like to hear them! His conversation was mainly about the coaching staffs transferable energy and how he hopes his teammates understand the opportunities that are presented with such a tough schedule. "Tough?" he said, "Man this is the type of schedule you want. We just gotta believe in what we are taught and do it. We bout to be playing on the BIG stage, (and Sed jumps back in "SHOWTIME":biglaugh
we gotta compete"
The next day I spoke to coach Luke Wells who summed everything up for me this way "Those 3 guys are the funniest most intense kids I've ever coached. They have a great friendship and they play well together. My high school coach once told me 'Show me your friends and I'll show you your future' and those three guys look to have a bright future."
I honestly believe that the attitude reflected by these guys is a direct reflection of what CPR meant by instilling a "Winning Attitude".
I'm excited for CYCLONE FOOTBALL!!!!
(Side Note: In no way am I elevating anyone above anyone else or making it seem as though these 3 guys are the best WR's we have. It just so happened that they are the ones I sat down with. I would love to eat dinner with Jake Williams, Donnie Jennert, Keith Blanton, Gary, Young, Lenz, or anyone else. Please don't jump to any assumptions. Thank you!)
Anyway, what did I learn last weekend?
First of all I talk to AA periodically at times through text messages and the sort. He's always positive and gives me info on the progression of the team. He's a QB so of course everything always sounds like "We look good, but we gotta get better" which is what I like to hear:yes:. However Friday evening I was exposed to a new bond and mentality that AA never told me about.
We went out to eat, my family, Money, DD (Darks) and Sed. At this round table meeting I experienced what CPR has done to these kids.
In high school I played WR in a highly successful spread attack offense. Each WR was ball hungry and highlight ready. We all talked about ourselves more than anything else. However that night I learned more about the other players strengths and weaknesses, the team's goals and more imortantly the healthy WR competition. I expected each WR to tell me how good they would be this year, instead I heard things like " Man when me and DD are on the same side who gon stop us?" and "You'll be surprised when you see Jeremy Reeves, the young dude be balling" and my favorite was "Man Jake (Knott) is a MAN out there, he gon be a monster". Of course when I asked the 3 who was the "fastest" they all laughed and said "I don't know..." followed by a joint "Me!" and more laughter. Darius Darks is very analytical and told me why specifically he felt the offense would be a lot better this year. He told me why it was important that all WR's were healthy. He explained the critical roles of guys like Jake Williams and the future Donnie Jennert. He told me how important it was that they all fed off each other. Sed on the other hand is just itching to plant his feet on green grass! He was bubbling with excitement everytime I mentioned an away game and the stadiums ISU would see this year. I would say "Texas" he responds "Let's go!" with a Sed smile...I say "Oh boy Oklahoma" he smiles "It's showtime"(...of course the nay saying fans don't care about the jabber and "trash talk" but it reminds me of the fact that these athletes are still kids and they are living their dreams.) So his excitement in my opinion is very much validated. Then there's "always calm" Money...if you can get more than 3 words at a time out of my brother I would like to hear them! His conversation was mainly about the coaching staffs transferable energy and how he hopes his teammates understand the opportunities that are presented with such a tough schedule. "Tough?" he said, "Man this is the type of schedule you want. We just gotta believe in what we are taught and do it. We bout to be playing on the BIG stage, (and Sed jumps back in "SHOWTIME":biglaugh
we gotta compete" The next day I spoke to coach Luke Wells who summed everything up for me this way "Those 3 guys are the funniest most intense kids I've ever coached. They have a great friendship and they play well together. My high school coach once told me 'Show me your friends and I'll show you your future' and those three guys look to have a bright future."
I honestly believe that the attitude reflected by these guys is a direct reflection of what CPR meant by instilling a "Winning Attitude".
I'm excited for CYCLONE FOOTBALL!!!!
(Side Note: In no way am I elevating anyone above anyone else or making it seem as though these 3 guys are the best WR's we have. It just so happened that they are the ones I sat down with. I would love to eat dinner with Jake Williams, Donnie Jennert, Keith Blanton, Gary, Young, Lenz, or anyone else. Please don't jump to any assumptions. Thank you!)
