3 games into this season, we own the record of a winning team.  This past Saturday, Nevada showed us that we do not yet own the identity of a winning team.

I've been as hopeful as anyone about the "Russian Coffee" factor, the 4-2-5, the coaching experience that was to wake us up from our defensive nightmare of last season.  Neal has been growing into his role, and seems to be more effective at using the incredible wealth of talent he inherited here.  

However, I don't think any of us expected to watch another season where players struggle with the prime objective, the key to the identity of Tech football throughout the most exciting decade in school history. At this point we do not have that huge edge we gained over superior talent, when we were committed to being  "the most excited to play the game".  

I was reminded of this after watching the OU vs Mizzou game, and marveling as the fans voice their concern over this very issue, while rolling for over 600 yards.  But it was clear something was missing, even in that win.  Some OU fans were quick to make excuses, to point to the injuries, to the tough game last week.  Other OU fans remind us all that if the goal is truly a NC, there can never be any excuses, ever.  The #1 ranked team in the nation didn't come out as the most excited to play on that day.  And it showed.

None of us know what happens in the locker room, what coaching tools are used to achieve this goal of being the most excited to play, if it even is the goal.  In past years, at least externally we were given a glimpse of how this identity was built in from the very first scrimmage.  We were programmed to expect superior effort from every player, and not excuses related to being young or having injuries.

 Here's just an example of what I mean,  from a presser with Leach talking about the first scrimage in 09.  We got this message then...

"I thought it was pretty competitive,'' Leach said. "We've been alternating workouts, really, as far as who comes out on top. The biggest difference with whoever comes out on top each day is who's most excited to play. Defense was far more excited today, but I thought a lot of young guys on both sides of the ball showed some promise.''

And Ruff gets in on the theme...

I thought we were excited to play, excited to practice, which is always key,'' defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill said. "I thought the kids did a good job responding. If some bad things happened, they kept playing the next play, which is what coach Leach preaches to the team. I thought we did some things well as a team defensively.''

I'll not do the full compare and contrast here, as I honestly don't want this to turn into a bash fest of everything Tubs has said to the media.  But it is apparent that we were not the most excited team to play on Saturday.  It's clear that at least in the approach to communicating to fans thru the media, we are getting a completely different message under Tubs.  Instead of expectations for young players to come out and compete, and for backups to step in and perform, we are getting the message that we don't have the necessary players here to perform at the highest level. And it shows.

Where do we go to find our identity?

There are players who look like leaders, and who helped us remember something of our identity on Saturday just in the nick of time.  Doege can come from behind and win even when some bad things happen.  He'll take us there with his arm or on his wheels, and I'm pretty sure he would kick the winning field goal if we need it.   McRabbit may bring some excitement to the return game if opponents continue to kick to him.  Stephens looks like he is all effort, and a good answer to the hustle we got from Batch. 

But to move forward and recapture this identity as a team, we may have to overcome more than just our opponents on the field.  There are questions now about what it means for the team to select as its captain the epitome of a player that gives the least possible effort, while expecting the most preferential treatment.  There are questions about players leaving the team, and ongoing suspensions, (and serious questions about how long Scotty can keep hitting on other dudes girlfriends in local establishments before starting an all out brawl). 

Finding our identity was never going to be easy given the bat-shit craziness surrounding this team, thank you very much Craig James and your belltower lackeys.  But as we search for the answers to the biq question mark, I hope we are not afraid to go back to the thing that was once our prime objective. I hope we can become again the team that was consistently the most exciting team to watch, but  I especially hope we get back to being the team that is the most excited to play.    

Just a brief reminder of where all the venom, hate, nastiness and dip cup projectiles needs to be directed this week.  Texas Fan posts this gem, just to get you and I engaged.

"All Tech road game newbies: be very careful in Lubbock. That stadium is a den of d bag barbarians with nothing to lose. Tech fan is looking for any excuse to go or dump a dip cup on your head; sometimes both."  

billfromlaketraivs now with paragraphs! Hook ’em 2009."

I hereby call on all my fellow d bag barbarians, especially those that I have had cross words with, and say "TRUCE" for the sake of the cause.   I say we have a common foe, thereby a common goal.  TTUMAR,  for this week you and I will not cross swords or growl about throwing fellow d bags under the bus, as we will need your finest motivational music video yet.   Tech92, I have your back as the t-sips bring their shiny cars and high held noses to our house, and anyone that that crosses you will have to deal with me.  Sticks fans, I swear that there will be an opportunity to see the swiftness of his feet flash on the field of victory, just as we shall see the deadly accuracy of Potts as he slices thru chunks of yardage and steer, and between them we will cheer as the double edge of our sword slays the bevo beast.  

We have met the enemy my fellows.   He brings the stench of burnt orange and wanton hubris to OUR house.  And I say he shall meet us standing shoulder to shoulder.  

Wreck ALL things Burnt Orange....

(Sorry Nancy, you can still suck it)

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If your gonna call us out for being pouty and whiny, at least show a real effort and swing your sword the way the Captain taught you...

Here's how you do it mates, how a real Pirate calls your out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfs_RnGbk6g&feature=fvw

That's a bitch slapping I would be proud to take any day of the week.

Now do your worst...

Carter goes on to say fans who were quick to pile on James "Don't know the entire story"...

http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/news/story?id=4792320

Batch also comes to the defense of James and the administration...   "You know, I love Adam. I support him 100 percent, and the administration did what they had to do."

All just adding to the big post game hangover I guess, but why do I feel so.....   violated?

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While the inner circle of people that know and care about the actions of Texas Tech in regards to coach Leach are rightfully outraged by  the wrongful termination, a perusal of the vast amount of "twittering" and the blogosphere shows that a large majority of people across the board are not only in favor of the firing, but are saying things like "if it were my kid, I would have personally gone to practice and put my boot up coaches a**".

And it gets worse. Since the interview where Leach went ballistic on the James clan, parents and educators everywhere have come to the defense of the "student", because apparently it offends a large number of people when you call out a brat in public.

The legal team on CNN today hammered Leach for his mistreatment of a concussed student, gleefully saying "Oh how the mighty have fallen". (Happened in a segment at 11:45 or Saturday)

But maybe the most disturbing is that several of Leach's own players came out with the most inflammatory statements possible. When multiple players accuse a coach of treating an injured player like an animal, the court of public opinion will be permanently tainted, right or wrong.

Leach's credibility has suffered such devastating attacks that I doubt he will be able to get a job anywhere, much less in coaching.

What's worse for everyone here is that the people that come to his defense will be seen a psychopathic sycophants. Let the beatings begin..

But who's voice are we missing the most?

Texas Tech Faculty!

Where is the Faculty Sentate that took the administration to task over the hiring of Bobby Knight?

I suspect every Faculty member that has ever applied for another job has read the email exchange that hammered Leach for not being "loyal" because he had the arrogance to apply for other jobs. It's been a common strategy for faculty to use job offers from other institutions in salary negotiations. Why is there no outrage on the part of Faculty on this issue?

Until we see some action, some kind of outrage on the part of this faculty, we'll know that they are simply fearful of action against them, for having done the same thing that Leach did. We'll know something about their "academic integrity".

I've already sent messages to the dozen or so faculty members I am close with, (all of whom have applied for other jobs at one time) and I have been astonished at the negative responses, including several that think Leach was paid too much anyway and are "glad to see such an arrogant colleague gone"...

These are friends of mine, and I am astonished at the power of public opinion to sway normally bright and thoughtful people.

These are dangerous times. Anyone thinking about casually flying the pirate flag in public needs to know, these people aren't just disgusted by your support of Leach, in some cases they intend to do damage to you.

Be prepared, watch your back, take care of each other. Public opinion has moved against Leach, and these people are coming for you too.