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Message: [QUOTE="OrangePA, post: 1189383, member: 204"] Again, I think many are viewing the observation too literally. Obviously, I can't try to compare the Syracuse University Football team to the San Antonio Spurs, with Tim Duncan et al or the Oakland As - with Reggie Jackson, Catfish Hunter, et al. And, as I have said, I can't try to compare our team to Oregon or Alabama. I believe, however, that our team has more talent up and down the roster than we have had in probably 15 years. We are bigger, faster and more athletic than we were under Marrone. And yet, I believe now what I believed after the Villanova game - we are not ready to compete. For all of those who are trying pick apart the original observation with comments like "we are not playing a Big East schedule" or "what about off field incidents" or "hair length does not cause offside calls," remember - this is a team that will likely win 3 or maybe 4 games this year. This is a team that was beaten up by a really mediocre NC State team. This is a team that was dominated by a lower division Villanova team - they had the ball for 40 minutes. And, this is a team that the HC thought could/should win eight games this year. Obviously there is no direct link between beards/long hair and offside calls or delay of game penalties or missed blocks. I understand that. But that's not the point. The point is that with a program of our caliber forcing players to honor a protocol is a part of the process of preparing for success. Again, for the umpteenth time, John Wooden insisting that Bill Walton cut his hair didn't make him a better player. But, it gave him a sense of responsibility and a sense of team that I'm sure had a positive impact. Walton tells the story with relish because it meant something to him. Kids want discipline. Kids want rules. Kids want to tell their friends how tough their coach is. And, as long as the coach is fair, is smart, and helps them improve, kids will thrive with the rules of protocol. I'm not calling for a return to the 1950s. I'm calling for a return to 2009, with strict attention to protocol and detail. [/QUOTE]

Verification: What is a Syracuse fan's favorite color?