The only reason I question the playing time angle is because it doesn't make sense that he would decide he wants to come back to the same situation. He wants to get out of Iowa so bad because he's not playing, then a few weeks later he wants to come back so bad that his dad moves halfway across the country to make it possible? That just doesn't add up either.
Willies Gone....again
- Thread starter Travisam
- Start date
The only reason I question the playing time angle is because it doesn't make sense that he would decide he wants to come back to the same situation. He wants to get out of Iowa so bad because he's not playing, then a few weeks later he wants to come back so bad that his dad moves halfway across the country to make it possible? That just doesn't add up either.
This is pure speculation on my part, but we all know how much Kirk has a soft spot in his heart for "good stories". Did he really handle the situations the same?
Eda
Well-Known Member
He originally decides he's going to leave to be with his dying father. His dying father then moves to Iowa. He returns to the team. Could have a bright future. Hollywood couldn't write a better story.Call me skeptical… But I don't think this is about KirFer liking a story or KirFer's terms being too severe.
Eda
Well-Known Member
Not necessarily... I'm sure KirFer would call (or perhaps did call) Greene a good story. Left school to get academics in order, returned and had "some success".
deanvogs
Well-Known Member
LTP and Angerer were both more sought after recruits than Willies was.....so I'm not sure where you are going with this. I think we all saw what the death of KF father did to him with the emotional Penn St. game, so I doubt very much the health of his father is lost on KF. To me this sounds like KF laid out the path for Willies to rejoin the team, and Willies decided to go another route.
Ferentz said he spoke with Willies several times in December. The health of Willies’ father, Derrick Willies Sr., was mentioned by teammates as part of the reason Willies left. Ferentz was asked if Willies was offered a chance for a conditional return.“We had a conversation about what I thought was fair,†Ferentz said. “Bottom line is, I think, he gave it some thought and decided he’s going to explore some other paths.â€
1977Hawkeye
Well-Known Member
There's a lot of gray area there. Without more detail, there's no way to know exactly who was being unreasonable. The only thing that seems like a safe assumption is that KF & Willies couldn't find enough common ground for it to work out.
RocknRollface
Well-Known Member
He would rather lose than give in.
deanvogs
Well-Known Member
Why does either one have to be "unreasonable"? KF told Willies what he expected out of him (doesn't have to be unreasonable). Willies felt it was best to move on (doesn't have to be unreasonable).
Eda
Well-Known Member
Please help me to understand something… Why is it that Willies should be able to come and dictate the "terms of his return"? Is he owed a right to be on this team? He needed to earn his way back.
Just because you have athletic talent, doesn't mean you get to have your way whenever you like.
1977Hawkeye
Well-Known Member
I didn't say any of that, or even imply it.
What I DID say is that KF's comment was vague, so there's not enough there to judge whether he or Willies was being fair.
Maybe "unreasonable" was not the best word to apply to either of them.
You seem to be under the assumption that I am automatically blaming KF here, which is not necessarily the case. We'd need more info.
Last edited:
HawkPrdatr40
Well-Known Member
Exactly..
Yea I'm not sure I want to get into my thoughts on what classifies as a good story to Kirk. As far as the quotes from your post goes, if he chose to leave because of the path Kirk layed out for him, he must not have wanted to be here too bad anyway. Sucks for us but oh well.
WinOneThisCentury
Well-Known Member
Willies wants to come back. KF needs playmakers. How and why does he not find himself on the team? What could the coach possibly have said that would force him to leave. You have to earn it? Willies stays. You are going to start at the bottom of the depth chart...Willies stays. You need to keep your nose clean? Willies stays. You need to keep your mouth shut about playing time and stick to the talking points. Willies leaves.
Seems people are upset because KF wont tell us what was said in private coversations. Come on, he would never do that. If Willies wanted the conversation public he could tell it. So you have to assume two people want their private conversation kept private. Deal with it
WinOneThisCentury
Well-Known Member
I doubt Willies or someone in his camp stays silent. He needs to land somewhere first, then it will come out. Maybe KF can tell us why he keeps losing what appear to be playmakers. CJ is next. Or shall we keep that private too.
DesMoinesHawki
Well-Known Member
His 3-yard outs were a thing of beauty ... and will be sorely missed. 
