Glanville; The Old College Trey

It will take five months before we know for certain whether the installation of Jerry Glanville as defensive coordinator for the UH Warrior football team will result in improved stats. But it’s already obvious that there is a new attitude on the defensive side, and let’s face it — attitude is at least half the battle.

What Glanville has done is show a blueprint for changing the mindset. He announces right off that he will not watch last year’s tapes.

“I don’t know what was asked of those guys,” Glanville says. “I don’t know what they were told or what their assignments were.”

The effect has been that third stringers feel they can show they should be starters, and first teamers need to prove that they deserve to start, and the intensity level has skyrocketed.

The next stop was to inform everyone associated with the defense that there would be a “hunt” mentality — they will attack rather than defend.

Third, and most important, he has won over the staff, including last year’s coordinators George Lumpkin and Rich Miano. You might think that would be an awkward situation, but you’d be wrong.

“It’s been an adrenaline shot for all of us,” says Miano. “To work with someone who knows so much and is really creative, it’s a great learning experience. I can’t remember when it’s been this much fun going to work.”

In just about three weeks, Jerry Glanville has everybody on the same page. This defense will be fun to watch.  Following the fabulous NCAA basketball tournament, there has been a clamoring from some quarters to increase the distance of the three-point goal. This is disturbing for philosophical as well as practical reasons.

The practical: Teams shot under 34 percent on average this year, hardly a threat to the stability of the game.

The philosophical: Shooting a basketball accurately can only be the result of hard work and perseverance. First to establish proper form, and then hundreds of hours of repetition to perfect your stroke. Shouldn’t we reward hard labor and determination, values that lead to success in the culture? Reducing the importance of the trey gives advantage to Godgiven virtues — size and raw athleticism. Punishing the hard workers sends the wrong message and makes the game less inclusive.  The recent outburst by longtime malcontent and Philadelphia Eagle receiver Terrell Owens comes as a surprise only to those who believe in the Tooth Fairy.

Yes, he enjoyed a magnificent season and, yes, he played hurt in the Super Bowl. But, no, he’s not sure he will honor the contract he signed prior to last season. In the process of demanding re-negotiation, he has managed to insult his quarterback Donovan McNabb.

Time for Eagle management to stiffen the spine and demand that T.O. do what he contracted to do. Has anyone noticed that wide receiver has become the prima donna position in the NFL? Many of the marquee pass-catchers seem to have forgotten that one receiver does not a touchdown make.

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