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Topic: Bates MIA

Topic: Bates MIA

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Paul Graham
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Location: The Plains, OH
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Bates MIA

Posted: 8/12/2011 1:55:25 PM

Arkley says that Bates has missed two days of practice and Frank says that it's a "personal issue". I, of course, don't respect anyone's privacy so I want to know what's going on. Frankly (no pun intended) I'm a bit worried that Bates is unhappy with his status as backup/Wildcat QB. Any thoughts?

L.C.
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Location: United States
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RE: Bates MIA

Posted: 8/12/2011 2:32:49 PM

I'd say give him the benefit of the doubt. Certainly I hope he can deal with whatever those issues are and come back and help the team in some capacity, whatever that might be.

�We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.� ― Epictetus

OhioCatFan
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Location: Athens, OH
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RE: Bates MIA

Posted: 8/12/2011 10:21:19 PM

Yes, I hope that the young man deals constructively with whatever challenge he is facing.

The only BLSS Certified Hypocrite on BA

"It is better to be an optimist and be proven a fool than to be a pessimist and be proven right."

Note: My avatar is the national colors of the 78th Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, which are now preserved in a climate controlled vault at the Ohio History Connection. Learn more about the old 78th at: http://www.78ohio.org

Bobcat Grad 86
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RE: Bates MIA

Posted: 8/13/2011 8:41:56 AM

If he has walked away because of his place on the depth chart or role running a wildcat offense, he can keep on walking as far as I am concerned. I would just as well see the younger quarterbacks get more reps in practice. I want to root for players who are committed to their teammates and school and not pouting due to a lack of playing time if they are unable to earn it with any combination of talent, desire or work in the film room.

I understand the limitations of being a MAC school and I surely don’t expect to run the table each year in conference play. With that said, our QB last year had some off the field issues late last year and that is what made some of the losses frustrating at the end of the year. I would hope for leadership from all positions, but in particular from a senior who is a QB.

I would have been thrilled to have been born with the physical talents to play Division I football even if I was not a starter and getting a lot of playing time.

Take Brandon Jones for example. When he was recruited, most of us thought he would be a starter for two or three years and really excel. Things did not turn out as many of us hoped and I am sure he wished things had gone better. With that said, by all accounts Brandon contributed on the field and off the field in his role and always played hard when given the opportunity. Now that his career is over, that positive attitude will serve him well in life.

As stated by another poster, hopefully Phil can deal with whatever his issue is. If it is related to his family, his focus should be on his family and not the team. If not, he needs to make a decision whether or not he wants to be a team player. Phil seems to be a very nice person and I hope that things go well for him now and in the future.

Suga Fries
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RE: Bates MIA

Posted: 8/13/2011 11:46:45 AM

So let's all

O Zone VP- 09-10
WT/LT 09-10
B.A.- Poli Sci 10

anorris
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Location: Bristol, CT
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RE: Bates MIA

Posted: 8/13/2011 12:01:08 PM

Suga Fries wrote:

So let's all

Ahaha! Love that movie.

I'm with yout though, I think the previous post was WAY out of line.

Ted Thompson
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RE: Bates MIA

Posted: 8/13/2011 11:21:41 PM

Bates was at practice Saturday morning and actually stayed after to work on WR skills.

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OhioCatFan
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RE: Bates MIA

Posted: 8/13/2011 11:25:24 PM

Ted Thompson wrote:

Bates was at practice Saturday morning and actually stayed after to work on WR skills.

I''m very happy to hear that. Good decision, young man!

UpSan Bobcat
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RE: Bates MIA

Posted: 8/13/2011 11:58:32 PM

OhioCatFan wrote:

Ted Thompson wrote:

Bates was at practice Saturday morning and actually stayed after to work on WR skills.

I''m very happy to hear that. Good decision, young man!

I caught about the last 45 minutes of practice this morning. Bates played mostly in the slot and did take a few snaps to run wildcat plays. He did drop one pass but also caught a few balls. It seemed he was working on his footing and precision of his cuts immediately after practice ended.

Bobcat Grad 86
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RE: Bates MIA

Posted: 8/14/2011 8:48:14 AM

Ted Thompson wrote:

Bates was at practice Saturday morning and actually stayed after to work on WR skills.

Good to hear!

SBH
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RE: Bates MIA

Posted: 8/14/2011 11:09:38 AM

Ted Thompson wrote:

Bates was at practice Saturday morning and actually stayed after to work on WR skills.

But did you notice Bates' demeanor during that extra session? He was asked two or three times whether he was here to work or to stare off into the distance.

BattleCat
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RE: Bates MIA

Posted: 8/14/2011 12:21:24 PM

Just a question, but could the extra session be punishment for missing two days of practice? I hope the young man buys into the program, because he could be a stud in that position.

MonroeClassmate
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RE: Bates MIA

Posted: 8/14/2011 12:43:10 PM

I have no facts of the situation at hand. But it seems a young man, like many of us have experienced, has been told his life's ambition is no longer a possibility for him.

I would have to say that there would be a period of personal healing that would have to take place.
Denial and Isolation>Anger>Bargaining>Depression>Acceptance
(disclaimer: I never took a Psych course at Ohio University)

Putting things together on this topic, Coach S said on the Caravan that since Phil didn't take reps during spring that he would still be given the opportunity to show he could complete passes at an acceptable rate BUT that a decision needed to be made relatively quickly.

So walk a mile in Phil Bate's shoes. You dream of being a college starting QB and everyone tells you you have all the tools with moves to burn. Your first gig doesn't play out like you expected so you make a move to what you hope are greener pastures. You sit out and have to watch the competition for a year and then when you have the chance the injury bug bites you in extremities that are vital to your position. You get a chance to dazzle with your footwork and wrack up yardage on the ground that puts you in the Denard Robinson category for yards per carry, but you cannot throw like you'd like and like you THINK you can. You then miss spring ball when a new hurry up is implemented and fall behind the competition. You probably go home for the summer knowing that you have a very short opportunity to prove yourself and then in a blink of an eye, you don't meet someone's expectations.

Phil Bates is a Bobcat and I hope he gets to Acceptance fast and for all us fans that he take on with great enthusiasm the new opportunities available to him. IMO it is only natural that he has an adjustment period.

Other than watching Gerald Tinker of KSU torch the Ohio defense with his Olympic Gold 4x4 100 meter speed, I have never seen a MAC player on Peden any more exciting to watch with the ball than Phil Bates. I hope we see an enthused Phil Bates taking passes in the seams and seeing 170lbs DB's living the fear of bringing down a 230lbs burner. Run Phil Bates Run!!!

Last Edited: 8/14/2011 12:45:59 PM by MonroeClassmate

Robert Fox
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RE: Bates MIA

Posted: 8/14/2011 2:23:11 PM

Agree completely. Good post.

UpSan Bobcat
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RE: Bates MIA

Posted: 8/14/2011 2:30:45 PM

SBH wrote:

Ted Thompson wrote:

Bates was at practice Saturday morning and actually stayed after to work on WR skills.

But did you notice Bates' demeanor during that extra session? He was asked two or three times whether he was here to work or to stare off into the distance.

I only watched for a few minutes after practice, so I didn't see anything like that. But I'm sure as been pointed out, it's not easy to accept that he's not able to play the position he really wants to play. I hope he really puts his mind to it, though, because he could be great. I think his wide receiver teammates are going to be excited for him to be out there with them.

Ted Thompson
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RE: Bates MIA

Posted: 8/14/2011 6:24:46 PM

SBH wrote:

Ted Thompson wrote:

Bates was at practice Saturday morning and actually stayed after to work on WR skills.

But did you notice Bates' demeanor during that extra session? He was asked two or three times whether he was here to work or to stare off into the distance.

I interviewed him after the practice. At least in that setting, he said all the right things.

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Bobcat Grad 86
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RE: Bates MIA

Posted: 8/15/2011 7:42:23 AM

Suga Fries wrote:

So let's all

What was way out of line about my post? It has been 43 years since we last won a MAC Championship. Since I was a freshman 30 years ago, all of the other schools who were in conference at the time including Ball State and Eastern Michigan have won a MAC Title.

There are many of us who have followed and supported the football program for decades who would like to see a championship. I don't think it is asking too much for those who are healthy and on scholarship to show up for each practice. There are a lot of walk-ons who contribute to this team every practice as a scout player who are paying their own way through school.

I saw on your profile you are 21 years old, so I guess you were not around to see Chad Brinker play or even know of his story. He played the first four games of his junior season with horrible headaches at the result of a large
ackroyd cyst. Chad was averaging over seven yards per carry against teams that included West Virginia and Iowa State. Chad went through a horrible surgery and was back running on the track team that spring but sat out spring practice. Chad returned and was full-go for summer practice his senior year and was even willing to move from tailback to fullback because that is what the coaching staff requested. All of us "old timers" were pretty excited when Chad scored a touchdown against Ohio State earlier in his career, but I would say that most of us were more proud and excited when he scored a touchdown against Pitt his senior year after his surgery. In fact, it is was the moment I was most proud of any Bobcat in any sport since I arrived in Athens as a freshman in 1981. The upset victory against DePaul was exciting, but seeing a dedicated person like Chad overcome his adversity and being a team player is what sports should be about. Chad busted his ass his entire senior year and always put his team ahead of his personal goals just like Brandon Jones and hundreds of other players who have worn the Ohio football uniform.

I have been posting with some of these guys for over 15 years and have posted some dumb posts (drunk or sober) that I later regretted, but I stand behine the earlier post on this thread.

http://www.ohiobobcats.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/041205aaa.html

http://www.packers.com/team/staff/chad-brinker/71033491-e5d6-4144-9e3c-7e3e6f90461b

BattleCat
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RE: Bates MIA

Posted: 8/15/2011 7:56:08 AM

UpSan Bobcat
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RE: Bates MIA

Posted: 8/15/2011 8:07:23 AM

Whatever his reason for missing two days of practice, it was excused by the coaching staff. There's been no indication that they didn't want him to miss or didn't understand. It probably was for a good reason.

71 BOBCAT
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RE: Bates MIA

Posted: 8/15/2011 8:49:22 AM

Is this story much different than the Brad Bower story? Both were transfers from BCS Schools and both could not pass well.
I know we all think that Bates is more talented, but isn't Bates really 1 dimensional and that when he is in the game teams will key on him?
Lastly, should we re-examine QB tranfers from BCS Schools? Many of these players could have peaked in high school and just did not have the ability to continue to improve.
While I feel for Bates and his situation it is easy for us mature guys to give advise, which I am sure Frank did. It is another thing for the player to accept his new role.
All the talk about his 2 day absense is just that talk and really serves no purpose.
Phil knows what he needs to do and in all the interviews I have seen of him he does come accross mature, articulate, and confident.
I would like to think that he will work hard and become a major factor in this years offense. Time will tell.

GO BOBCATS

Bobcat36
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RE: Bates MIA

Posted: 8/15/2011 9:15:59 AM

I honestly believe after he understands what he's capable of in this new role and he has a few successful games under his belt, Phil will realize this (while painful in relation to his origninal goals) was the best thing that could possibly happen for him. The visibility his athleticism will bring this year in conjunction with the revelation that he can catch too, could very well lead to an opportunity at the next level that might not have been there had he spent the season behind center.

Big things ahead for him this season!

Last Edited: 8/15/2011 9:54:14 AM by Bobcat36

GoBobcats!!!! Always have been and always will be... Ohio's First and Finest!

L.C.
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RE: Bates MIA

Posted: 8/15/2011 10:07:14 AM

It is interesting that with a position switch he may create an opportunity to play at the next level, if this year goes well for him. By all accounts he has tremendous talent, and I think this move will give him an opportunity to showcase it.

�We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.� ― Epictetus

OhioCatFan
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RE: Bates MIA

Posted: 8/15/2011 11:41:46 AM

L.C. wrote:

anorris
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Location: Bristol, CT
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RE: Bates MIA

Posted: 8/15/2011 11:47:33 AM

Bobcat Grad 86 wrote:

What was way out of line about my post?

Bobcat Grad 86 wrote:

If he has walked away because of his place on the depth chart or role running a wildcat offense, he can keep on walking as far as I am concerned.

Based on nothing but your own assumptions, I think that was out of line.

Bobcat Grad 86 wrote:

I don't think it is asking too much for those who are healthy and on scholarship to show up for each practice. There are a lot of walk-ons who contribute to this team every practice as a scout player who are paying their own way through school.

Nor do I, but again, you're making an assumption that "personal issues" = "doesn't like changing positions." Is that possible? Sure. Is it jumping to conclusions? Yes.

Bobcat Grad 86 wrote:

I saw on your profile you are 21 years old

This is relevant in what way to the discussion?

Bobcat Grad 86 wrote:

so I guess you were not around to see Chad Brinker play or even know of his story. He played the first four games of his junior season with horrible headaches at the result of a large
ackroyd cyst. Chad was averaging over seven yards per carry against teams that included West Virginia and Iowa State. Chad went through a horrible surgery and was back running on the track team that spring but sat out spring practice. Chad returned and was full-go for summer practice his senior year and was even willing to move from tailback to fullback because that is what the coaching staff requested. All of us "old timers" were pretty excited when Chad scored a touchdown against Ohio State earlier in his career, but I would say that most of us were more proud and excited when he scored a touchdown against Pitt his senior year after his surgery. In fact, it is was the moment I was most proud of any Bobcat in any sport since I arrived in Athens as a freshman in 1981. The upset victory against DePaul was exciting, but seeing a dedicated person like Chad overcome his adversity and being a team player is what sports should be about. Chad busted his ass his entire senior year and always put his team ahead of his personal goals just like Brandon Jones and hundreds of other players who have worn the Ohio football uniform.

This is a good story, and I'm glad to have read about it. The entire premise of comparison, however, is still based on assumption.

Bobcat Grad 86 wrote:

I would just as well see the younger quarterbacks get more reps in practice. I want to root for players who are committed to their teammates and school and not pouting due to a lack of playing time if they are unable to earn it with any combination of talent, desire or work in the film room.

...you may begin to see a pattern here in what I'm saying.

Bobcat Grad 86 wrote:

As stated by another poster, hopefully Phil can deal with whatever his issue is. If it is related to his family, his focus should be on his family and not the team.

Hey -- I agree!

Bobcat Grad 86 wrote:

If not, he needs to make a decision whether or not he wants to be a team player.

D'oh!

Bobcat Grad 86 wrote:

Phil seems to be a very nice person and I hope that things go well for him now and in the future.

Last Edited: 8/15/2011 11:50:31 AM by anorris

anorris
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Location: Bristol, CT
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RE: Bates MIA

Posted: 8/15/2011 11:49:17 AM

L.C. wrote:

I agree, LC, I think Bates has the athletic ability to earn a living through his talents -- but probably not at QB.

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