On the Willies Front
- Thread starter JonDMiller
- Start date
As far as playing time factored into his decision to leave goes, I wonder if he meant that he's not really letting his team down because he doesn't play anyway. If he was an every day receiver it would be hard for the team to replace him.
I know if I was in that situation it would be easier to justify leaving if I knew the team wouldn't really be worse off if I did.
Also I think people can quit with the "he left mid season" talk. It's apparent now that the sick dad story wasn't just an excuse and I think being with dying family is more important than worrying about letting your team down.
I know if I was in that situation it would be easier to justify leaving if I knew the team wouldn't really be worse off if I did.
Also I think people can quit with the "he left mid season" talk. It's apparent now that the sick dad story wasn't just an excuse and I think being with dying family is more important than worrying about letting your team down.
Honestly, this shouldn't affect our performance one way or another. We better not be that fragile. If anything, it might be a positive lift.
Who's to say the media didn't come to him. For all we know, he quietly made his way to IC to get his classes in order. It sounds like he hasn't even approached Kirk yet and it might be for the very reason you stated. He clearly can't think he will be playing in 4 days, and after that there is only 1 game left so he probably understands that this season is shot.
herkeye
Well-Known Member
This. It's one thing to leave the team mid-season, but to change your mind and advertise to the media rather than the man in charge that you want back on the team is in poor taste. In Willies' case, I'll chalk it up to a kid that was getting impatient with his lack of playing time and making a rash decision to leave. He's obviously realized that he made a mistake and If I were in his shoes, I would keep my nose clean and in the books for the remainder of the season and not make a peep about his status with the football team on any social media outlets until anything is confirmed. He's obviously a great talent, but has a lot on his mind. For his sake, I hope it all works out for the best.
Kf is an absolute fool if he does not let him come back. The kid has done nothing wrong and only left the team because if his ailing father. You cant blame the kid. I bet his father talked him into coming back and not giving up. Kirk dont tick the fanbase off more than it already is!
He's still in Iowa City correct? He hasn't moved to Arizona, correct? That tells me all I need to know about how much of this really had to do with being with his dad. I have no doubt that it played a large role in his mental state but as the cause of him wanting to leave then rather than at the end of the season, that I highly doubt.
HawkeyeWalker
Well-Known Member
As should we.
trj
Well-Known Member
^^^^^^^ Unless more info comes out I am leaning this way. this feels like a disgruntled player not satisfied with his role in the offense.
hawkfan2679
Well-Known Member
Maybe this is why (message from Willies to Rob Howe this morning, per Rob's site)...
"I'm a Hawkeye. I thought I was putting my family first only after time did I realize I'm leaving my family here... My team. It's a lot to deal once all at once when the man you look up to your whole life tells you he only has a little time left. My father is going to move here and I am going to try and get my place back on the team. That's all I have to say on everything."
Knight78
Well-Known Member
Agreed. Now, where are the HN posters who were convinced it was a coverup? They need to come on here and apologize to DWillies.
Wow guys. The kid sounds like a real d!ck huh?
Even after my post people are saying he used his dad as an excuse. Pretty elaborate for a dad to move to IC just to help cover up a kid's regret over a decision.
cornfedcowboy
Well-Known Member
I am assuming the staff is fine with his departure. If true that he first went to social media rather than the coaches, then he at a minimum needs to mature. Hope Willies does well wherever he ends up. I for one could understand he staffs sentiment.
tweeterhawk
Well-Known Member
Are we (again) seeing a collision of old-fashioned notions of communicating -- ie, knock on the door or pick up the phone and speak privately with the coach -- and mediums more familiar to young people (social media, online, speaking with reporters)?
it looks to me like word got out that Willies wants to get back on the team, a reporter for an online site called and asked him about it, he confirmed he WANTS to return to the team, and now we're all putting him back in uniform before he's had a chance to talk to the staff.
Either way, we all look foolish fussing over the thought process of a 19- year-old.
it looks to me like word got out that Willies wants to get back on the team, a reporter for an online site called and asked him about it, he confirmed he WANTS to return to the team, and now we're all putting him back in uniform before he's had a chance to talk to the staff.
Either way, we all look foolish fussing over the thought process of a 19- year-old.
DP5555
Well-Known Member
Well regardless of what order these events are taking place in I think it's safe to assume Willies and Ferentz will be having a chat at some point to discuss his return to the team. We can argue the semantics of it all we want, but that doesn't really do any good. So here's where I stand:
1. Ferentz is an idiot if he doesn't let him back. Maybe the kid made a mistake, but he seems like he realizes it and he has the right mindset in order to "work his way back". In football terms... Iowa needs guys like Willies now and in the future. He's likely learned a lesson. Now let him earn his way back.
2. As long as Ferentz takes him back I won't judge how he decides to handle him. Maybe he'll make him sit out a game or two. Maybe he'll make him sit the rest of the season because he left his team at a crucial point. Maybe he'll leave it up to the team to decide. Whatever they decide is fine by me as long as he lets him back.
1. Ferentz is an idiot if he doesn't let him back. Maybe the kid made a mistake, but he seems like he realizes it and he has the right mindset in order to "work his way back". In football terms... Iowa needs guys like Willies now and in the future. He's likely learned a lesson. Now let him earn his way back.
2. As long as Ferentz takes him back I won't judge how he decides to handle him. Maybe he'll make him sit out a game or two. Maybe he'll make him sit the rest of the season because he left his team at a crucial point. Maybe he'll leave it up to the team to decide. Whatever they decide is fine by me as long as he lets him back.
1977Hawkeye
Well-Known Member
Willies could have done far worse things. Seriously. Sure, sounds like he made a dumb move here, but if he isn't allowed back on the team for something as petty as this, all I can say is WOW. Not like he got arrested or something.
But yeah, I guess we have talented WR's growing in the cornfields and don't need him anyway....
I'm sure another program would be more than happy to take Willies if KF sees him as unworthy of the black and gold.
But yeah, I guess we have talented WR's growing in the cornfields and don't need him anyway....
I'm sure another program would be more than happy to take Willies if KF sees him as unworthy of the black and gold.
We live in a world where success and stardom are measured by how many people are following you, and how many people are talking about you. The ratio of ink spilled and twitter meltdowns and forum posts, when compared to the on-field production, for Willies is off the charts. We are still talking about a catch he made in a Spring Game, against who-knows-what-defensive-back. Its like Duck Dynasty, the show is terrible but if people are talking about it then its a success and they win. Willies can start his own internet marketing or public relations firm at this point. We still don't know why he left, who the mysterious caretaker was on facebook, who "liked" his photo or what they were trying to do by "liking" it. Its still just a mystery. People who have products that want to promote them and get people talking about them, just look at Derrick Willies.
