[Geno H]

Originally Posted by MplsTom

It's interesting. I'm not picking on Norbert here because I think he's an excellent coach and great tweaker.

I've played him 3 times and each time I would dare say that he's had the stronger team. Each time I've come out on top, yet when people talk about top coaches in the hobby, seldom is my name mentioned. This hobby is based somewhat on big tournament results (of which I only have a Bash title but have made 4 finals and countless other semifinals but have a winning or 500 record against Chalmers, Pratt, Raiderman, etc) and tweaking reputation.

In our games, I don't think Norbert would say I'm being arrogant when I say that he and I coached at a similar level. I don't think he'd say it was all luck or anything as I don't remember a kickoff return TD or anything in our games. He's an excellent coach and has the hardware to prove it but I also think I'm being honest, not cocky, when I say that I believe I can go toe to toe with him.

Did I have bases that were good enough to compete with him...sure. Some were even his (and many were mine). But when I later played Adrian in the semi-finals, one of his first comments to me was, "How the heck did you beat Norb with no strength?"

The topic strikes a nerve with me as I've heard the whispers because the bases on my squad are not 100% mine...but then I try to go back to the quote of Teddy Roosevelt where he gives credit to the guys that are in there coaching it up, tournament after tournament like yourself Karim and many other worthy guys:

It is not the critic who counts, nor the man who points how the strong man stumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly...who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at best, knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.

Tom,
I have never heard you mention the name LANCE WILLIAMS........??????



Geno H