Idiots Write About Sports

Ray Ratto’s column today is about Joe Ayoob, Steve Levy, and the Tedford dilemma. But he also takes a couple of shots at bloggers.

“Actually, I don’t have to decide anything until after the coin flip,” he said, smiling unconvincingly. “I may not even tell them.”

“Them” is Joseph Ayoob, the beleaguered starter, and Steve Levy, the fresh-faced backup. “Them” also can be the media, the alums, the bloggers, the chat-room regulars and the student section denizens, all of whom have helped set Tedford’s nerves on edge…..

Fans have their vote, especially now that they can boo and blog without ever dropping their beers. And this wouldn’t be an issue, except that Cal fans are apparently really good at voting. They have questioned, sometimes with exquisite cruelty, just how much Ayoob’s well-documented dyslexia is affecting his play.

First, my apologies to Coach Tedford for setting his nerves on edge. (Am I buggin’ you? I don’t mean to bug ya. Okay, Edge, play the blues.)

A brief Google search shows me no indications that bloggers are exquisitely — and cruelly! — documenting Ayoob’s dyslexia. Who’s doing that? And if you are doing that, stop it, you cruelly exquisite bastard-coated bastards.

The funny thing is, as someone who has been off the Ayoob train for some time, I am not one of those people who is insanely convinced that Levy is the answer. I mean, let’s be serious here — Levy is a guy who was converted to running back, and then later converted back to quarterback. He’s got some interesting skills, but he’s definitely no Joe Montana. He’s more like Joe Average. He’s a guy to root for because he’s gone from being third-string to potentially starting the Big Game, but I am not even remotely convinced that he’s capable of winning a game.

Cal might be able to win the Big Game simply by handing off the ball to Lynch, Forsett, and Manderino, and having someone like Levy back there throwing short passes and threatening to run himself could be an interesting wrinkle. But he’s certainly no savior. And he’s certainly doesn’t have a sliver of the potential that Ayoob has (and has failed to deliver on).

John Madden always likes to cart out the old adage that the most popular guy in town is the backup quarterback. He never makes mistakes, and is full of unrealized greatness. If only he could get his shot… he would, in most cases, expose why he’s the backup quarterback.

The only glee I take in Cal’s QB controversy is that it indicates that even Tedford now realizes what a horrible thing it’s been to watch Ayoob running the show. It’s a crack in the wall of support for Joe Ayoob, who’s going to put it all together any… minute… now… eh, or maybe not.

But people gleefully bouncing up and down about Steve Levy are just asking for it. He’s a heartwarming story, absolutely. But is Steve Levy gonna go 19-for-24 with 3 TD passes and no interceptions against Stanford? Not a chance in hell.

At least Ratto didn't misquote anybody.

He did make a good observation that Stanford's defense isn't really a run stopping one.

Still, whoever's going to start on Saturday better keep the number of interceptions down.

I was watching a 60 Minutes profile of Tom Brady recently. And they noted that Brady (who I believe turned down a Cal scholarship) started off as the 7th-string quarterback at Michigan.

So the question goes: how come we don't have a 7th string? Why isn't there anybody below Ayoob and Levy (besides red-shirting Reed)? And who is this Bryan Van Meter fellow who is allegedly a "QB"?

jason, interesting article, made me temporarily exit my self imposed exile.

while i am sad to say it, ray *may* be referring to some emails that i sent both he and bruce adams along with several journalists vaguely referring to ayoobs condition.

anyone who doesn't realize how difficult it is to learn all those plays, "doesn't really know football" i guess.

Posted by Seth at November 17, 2005 11:22 AM

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