04/18/24
August 19, 2006
Turning over a new Leaf?: A bust as the second overall pick in the 1998 NFL draft, Ryan Leaf is finding redemption as the volunteer quarterbacks coach at Division II West Texas A&M.
Don't go away mad, just go away...just as easy to click the back button, pal.
posted by mjkredliner at 08:07 PM on August 19, 2006
Nice to know he was able to get past his previous mistakes and be able to go on to do something noteworthy. Thanks wfraz.
posted by steelergirl at 08:08 PM on August 19, 2006
A three year old story about a horrible nfl qb who's an asst. coach Where do you get "three year old" from?
posted by yerfatma at 08:12 PM on August 19, 2006
I think he means since Leaf left the NFL. Still, pretty weak objection IMO. What, we can't discuss anyone who's not currently on a pro roster somewhere? Catfish, you're wound a little too tight on this one.
posted by ctal1999 at 08:38 PM on August 19, 2006
I am not going to make excuses for Leaf as a player but he in one way and a guy like Clarrett in a totally different way emphasize just how hard it is to be successful as a pro athlete and how many different things could go wrong anywhere along the way. Best of luck to Leaf on his coaching career
posted by kyrilmitch_76 at 08:40 PM on August 19, 2006
It's nice to know that a person can fail at professional football and still move on to a successful and happy career. Like the old saying goes: "Those who can, play. Those who can't, coach." Or something like that. Best of luck to Ryan Leaf.
posted by wingnut4life at 09:17 PM on August 19, 2006
Chuck Long did something similar after his terrible career as a pro QB. Now he's worked his way up through the coaching ranks and is, I believe, the head coach at San Diego State. Not exactly Michigan, but still not bad and he has many years of coaching to go. Best wishes to Leaf on his career choice.
posted by commander cody at 09:52 PM on August 19, 2006
Quality of actual play aside, Chuck Long is pretty much the best name of a quarterback ever. Man, paging Central Casting. I totally admit I would have picked Leaf over Manning. And Leaf wasn't really any more disappointing than Heath Shuler. He's on a long list of people I'd like to see do well despite not measuring up to the hype (a list that includes everyone in the world except A-Rod).
posted by BullpenPro at 10:21 PM on August 19, 2006
His name is pretty much like it's from one of those old football books of the 40's and 50's for youths isn't it. Always loved that name.
posted by commander cody at 10:32 PM on August 19, 2006
Kick me off this site. Please. A three year old story about a horrible nfl qb who's an asst. coach of a div 2 team. Christ. Someone do this guy (and Cyr) a favor and get rid of both of them.
posted by wfrazerjr at 09:48 AM on August 20, 2006
"Those who can, play. Those who can't, coach." Historically, in practically all sports, aren't the players that never really made it the ones who make the best coaches? Leaf knows what it's like to succeed, and knows what it's like to fail miserably. Seems to me he's a great person to keep Division 2 athletes with a sense of perspective.
posted by dyams at 10:38 AM on August 20, 2006
So just because it's Division II means it doesn't matter, huh? At many times, Div. II, Div. III, Div. I-AA and the NAIA have more exciting games to watch than Division I which is constantly packed with blowouts. Sports is sports and this is a good story.
posted by tim at 12:33 PM on August 20, 2006
All of this hate, I just say KNOCK IT OFF.
posted by Clevelander32 at 02:24 PM on August 20, 2006
"The people in San Diego did not move on," said Leaf, who was booed and benched regularly while losing 14 of 18 starts with the Chargers. "They would never say anything to my face. It was always behind my back, or little punches in the paper." "I don't want to coach in the NFL," he said. "I don't want to be anywhere near the NFL." Those two comments lead me to believe that he's still not a very happy person, and that he never really got over the abrupt fall from golden boy to pariah. For his sake, it'd be nice if he became a happy, well-adjusted guy who really wants to help the youngsters become better, but once you've screwed up enough times, you're always going to be doubted. It's a vicious cycle, and I'll be impressed if Leaf can really break out of it. All of this hate, I just say KNOCK IT OFF. You do realize this is a sports discussion site, right? A place where people are free to express their opinions, no matter what you think about it. So, how about you knock off telling other people what to do.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 06:04 AM on August 21, 2006
Man, if you were Ryan Leaf, wouldn't you be pissed too? I mean, talk about being the suckiest suck that ever sucked. Isn't he pretty much statistically the worst QB of all-time? Doesn't mean his a bad coach. And were I in his shoes, I probably wouldn't be a huge fan of the NFL either. Call it sour grapes, but that's a pretty normal reaction. I wonder how much money he made...
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 08:56 AM on August 21, 2006
Weedy, apparently he has most of what he got paid, notice I didn't say earned! I read an article in S.I. saying that he had put his money into G.I.C.'s . He ignored the dotcom frenzy that was going on at that time. I believe about $14 million would be the career earnings. Good for him for not trying to make a killing in the stock market, I'm sure there's lots of atheletes from the last decade who wish they'd chosen the same investment strategy.
posted by tommybiden at 10:03 AM on August 21, 2006
I'm sure there are a lot of athletes from the last decade who wish they'd HAD an investment strategy!
posted by ctal1999 at 01:30 PM on August 21, 2006
I put all my money into Amalgamated Buggy Whip and Wagon Wheels Inc. I'm sure it'll pay off someday.
posted by commander cody at 01:37 PM on August 21, 2006
tim. nothing wrong with div 2. What bothers me is this press release has now been printed aug 04, 05, 06. I wish mr leaf all the best & I shouldn't have posted to begin with.
posted by catfish at 05:10 PM on August 21, 2006
You know what they say CC, buy and hold.
posted by ctal1999 at 10:52 PM on August 21, 2006
lol. I was going to buy Consolidated Lint, but some guy named Gomez Addams had it all.
posted by commander cody at 11:32 PM on August 21, 2006
Kick me off this site. Please. A three year old story about a horrible nfl qb who's an asst. coach of a div 2 team. Christ.