Jason Croom's mom speaks again

[MSU124]

http://sixpackspeak.yuku.com?topic=70842 - you can find the original post there.

After she said that, someone made a topic and said:

To the poster MZ Terry, I do not know if you are really Jason Croom's mother but from your post it certainly looks like you are.

Going on that, you said this:

"Would he be #4 or 5 going into MSU or much higher at UT? Even a poster here stated that MSU really didn't need Jason. It wasn't a major blow losing him. I respect that, and we felt the same way. He fit the program, but he wouldn't be major there."

I and many MSU fans totally disagree! It would be a MAJOR blow to lose Jason. Here's why. We do not have any WR's with Jason's size & skill on the roster. That's why he was clearly MSU's #1 priority at WR this season, certainly not #4 or #5.

Sure, MSU has several WR's on the roster, but none that can do the things he can do. Other than Jason, MSU has exactly ONE WR taller than 6-2, Joe Morrow, and he's a true freshman. The rest are all the smallish quick type.

Chad Bumphis 5-10, Brandon Heavens 5-10, Ricco Sanders 6-0, Jameon Lewis 5-9, Michael Carr 6-0. Perhaps our 5 best wideouts are all under 6 feet tall and weigh around 200 lbs.

Tennessee, on the other hand, has a lot of WR size & depth. Both Justin Hunter & Da'Rick Rogers are tall WR's, 6-4, 220 lb. type guys. And, are young.

So, in my opinion, Jason Croom fits our program, he's the perfect big WR for the spread offense, and would absolutely positively without a shadow of a doubt be major here.

Now, Tennessee may be in his heart. If so, then I hope he follows it all the way to Knoxville and has a wonderful career. But, I just hope that choosing the Vols wasn't for the wrong reasons. Given their desperate need for TE's and the fact they run a pro style offense, I fully expect Jason to be asked to play TE very early.

I close with this. Watch both offenses this fall. Look at who is out there at WR for both. Watch the situation with the NCAA closely. Don't rule out MSU.

She responded and said this:

Hey darlin'

The past few days have been crazy... I do sooo appreciate and respect your concern and comments. You've said some things which I won't tell the specific that were never told to me.

There were some underlined concerns that I couldn't work out on my end and I didnt feel at home with MSU. I felt like a visitor.

I'm I apologize to having to compare, but I felt pushed off at many of the schools we visited. Miami, I LOVE their coaching staff... they were very personalable, they showed me everything I wanted to see, they had the stats laid out for me when I walked through the door. Tenneessee did the exact same thing plus some.. it was like they had cameras on the car as we pulled on campus. Whether it was staged or not.. i dont know, but LORD have mercy.... Jason was lagging behind me as I walked in the door. They had spoken to me on the phone but had never seen me prior to; "Hey Ms. Kay" where's are boy, coming on in.. I have this this and this ready for you to review. This day is yours... tell us specifically what you need to know and see right now. we have a schedule but we dont need to follow it to a Tee if thats' not what you want.

Every question and concern that I had regarding my son was answered specifically. I know being a TE is possibility, but I've made it clear where I stand with that without dictating how they run their program.

UT got to know my entire family. they took time to stay in contact with Jason's coach, FBook with me all the time; I pick up the phone and voice my concerns; they're addressed and we move on; they keep their finger on Jason like his father would.

In regards to MSU coaching staff: what I know of them, they're nice professional people, I have only spoken to Mirando I believe 2x on the phone and once for a few minute while I was down there. I spoke to Mullen 1x on the phone and 1x at the end of visit down there, and he fbook me as we got closer to committing day. Knox fbook every couple of weeks and ask how we're doing, but I don't know him either. I have daughter the same age as Mirando....and Jason felt like that's his roadie; let's go hang out... If Jason was their #1 kid they told him that not me or my husband. I dont have that relationship with them. I'm black and white...no gray area for me. I dont know what you're thinking until you open your mouth.

I left the door open for my son swing in the direction he felt most comfortable in. MSU had 90% of what we wanted in a school; no doubt, but the missing 10% were my concerns that could not be addressed.

We had even discussed revisiting both schools before the 18th. So happen we went to Michigan on vacation and passed by UT and decided to drop in unannounced. Looking crazy coming off the road... I told the assistant who I was and bombarded with love; like a long lost cousin... Hey Ms. Kay... "JCROOOOOMM" yelling through the halls.. U didn't tell us u were coming but it's cool.. is everything good.?" We just dropped by because they were right there off the highway we were on and my husband hadn't seen the campus.. no other reason. Dooley came out met my hubby, CB hugged Jason like it's his grandson. TJ made me and my husband like cousins.. Deal closers. I never felt as if they were selling me anything like I felt at many of the other schools that we had visits with.

Now if UT is staging and lying to me... they have a poker face that I need to learn.

I respect MSU fans and appreciate you all so much. Thank you for the concerns.

MZterry

 

[MSU124]

http://sixpackspeak.yuku.com?topic=70842 - you can find the original post there.

After she said that, someone made a topic and said:

To the poster MZ Terry, I do not know if you are really Jason Croom's mother but from your post it certainly looks like you are.

Going on that, you said this:

"Would he be #4 or 5 going into MSU or much higher at UT? Even a poster here stated that MSU really didn't need Jason. It wasn't a major blow losing him. I respect that, and we felt the same way. He fit the program, but he wouldn't be major there."

I and many MSU fans totally disagree! It would be a MAJOR blow to lose Jason. Here's why. We do not have any WR's with Jason's size & skill on the roster. That's why he was clearly MSU's #1 priority at WR this season, certainly not #4 or #5.

Sure, MSU has several WR's on the roster, but none that can do the things he can do. Other than Jason, MSU has exactly ONE WR taller than 6-2, Joe Morrow, and he's a true freshman. The rest are all the smallish quick type.

Chad Bumphis 5-10, Brandon Heavens 5-10, Ricco Sanders 6-0, Jameon Lewis 5-9, Michael Carr 6-0. Perhaps our 5 best wideouts are all under 6 feet tall and weigh around 200 lbs.

Tennessee, on the other hand, has a lot of WR size & depth. Both Justin Hunter & Da'Rick Rogers are tall WR's, 6-4, 220 lb. type guys. And, are young.

So, in my opinion, Jason Croom fits our program, he's the perfect big WR for the spread offense, and would absolutely positively without a shadow of a doubt be major here.

Now, Tennessee may be in his heart. If so, then I hope he follows it all the way to Knoxville and has a wonderful career. But, I just hope that choosing the Vols wasn't for the wrong reasons. Given their desperate need for TE's and the fact they run a pro style offense, I fully expect Jason to be asked to play TE very early.

I close with this. Watch both offenses this fall. Look at who is out there at WR for both. Watch the situation with the NCAA closely. Don't rule out MSU.

She responded and said this:

Hey darlin'

The past few days have been crazy... I do sooo appreciate and respect your concern and comments. You've said some things which I won't tell the specific that were never told to me.

There were some underlined concerns that I couldn't work out on my end and I didnt feel at home with MSU. I felt like a visitor.

I'm I apologize to having to compare, but I felt pushed off at many of the schools we visited. Miami, I LOVE their coaching staff... they were very personalable, they showed me everything I wanted to see, they had the stats laid out for me when I walked through the door. Tenneessee did the exact same thing plus some.. it was like they had cameras on the car as we pulled on campus. Whether it was staged or not.. i dont know, but LORD have mercy.... Jason was lagging behind me as I walked in the door. They had spoken to me on the phone but had never seen me prior to; "Hey Ms. Kay" where's are boy, coming on in.. I have this this and this ready for you to review. This day is yours... tell us specifically what you need to know and see right now. we have a schedule but we dont need to follow it to a Tee if thats' not what you want.

Every question and concern that I had regarding my son was answered specifically. I know being a TE is possibility, but I've made it clear where I stand with that without dictating how they run their program.

UT got to know my entire family. they took time to stay in contact with Jason's coach, FBook with me all the time; I pick up the phone and voice my concerns; they're addressed and we move on; they keep their finger on Jason like his father would.

In regards to MSU coaching staff: what I know of them, they're nice professional people, I have only spoken to Mirando I believe 2x on the phone and once for a few minute while I was down there. I spoke to Mullen 1x on the phone and 1x at the end of visit down there, and he fbook me as we got closer to committing day. Knox fbook every couple of weeks and ask how we're doing, but I don't know him either. I have daughter the same age as Mirando....and Jason felt like that's his roadie; let's go hang out... If Jason was their #1 kid they told him that not me or my husband. I dont have that relationship with them. I'm black and white...no gray area for me. I dont know what you're thinking until you open your mouth.

I left the door open for my son swing in the direction he felt most comfortable in. MSU had 90% of what we wanted in a school; no doubt, but the missing 10% were my concerns that could not be addressed.

We had even discussed revisiting both schools before the 18th. So happen we went to Michigan on vacation and passed by UT and decided to drop in unannounced. Looking crazy coming off the road... I told the assistant who I was and bombarded with love; like a long lost cousin... Hey Ms. Kay... "JCROOOOOMM" yelling through the halls.. U didn't tell us u were coming but it's cool.. is everything good.?" We just dropped by because they were right there off the highway we were on and my husband hadn't seen the campus.. no other reason. Dooley came out met my hubby, CB hugged Jason like it's his grandson. TJ made me and my husband like cousins.. Deal closers. I never felt as if they were selling me anything like I felt at many of the other schools that we had visits with.

Now if UT is staging and lying to me... they have a poker face that I need to learn.

I respect MSU fans and appreciate you all so much. Thank you for the concerns.

MZterry

 

[Incognegro]

and sinker... I'm willing to believe that is really her posting... I can't blame her for being swayed into the ebb and flow but man... that sounded like someone getting caught up in the lights and camera more than legitimately thinking what's the best decision for her son... Good luck to him for his decision but I really didn't like how that sounded regardless of who he decided to sign with.

 

[RougeDawg]

Something very odd about the entire thing. She should have remained quiet.

The Miami comment should be a huge red flag as to what that extra 10% that Tenn was able to offer that we weren't. I know we will never be able to compete with these other schools when it comes to paying players, and it has been shown lately that we aren't even willing to dish out any.

And she said she knew there was a possibility of him being a TE. Didn't her original post say he went to Tenn because he wouldn't be aTE there but might if he went to MSU?

Either this isn't reallyher, it really is her andshe isnt very bright, or she is a terrible liar. Why don't these idiot parents just shut the 17 up and take their paper bag quietly?The more they speak out, retract stories, and back track, the more guilt they show. </p>

 

[Woof Man Jack]

it was like they had cameras on the car as we pulled on campus.

Not sure what she's saying here but I assure you, Croom's committment was nothing more than a blip on the media radar in Knoxville. UT may have blown it out and given them the "star" treatment...wouldn't doubt it. Honestly, I'm not totally convinced that'sMama Croom posting. But what-ev.

 

[drail14me]

it was like they had cameras on the car as we pulled on campus.

Not sure what she's saying here but I assure you, Croom's committment was nothing more than a blip on the media radar in Knoxville. UT may have blown it out and given them the "star" treatment...wouldn't doubt it. Honestly, I'm not totally convinced that'sMama Croom posting. But what-ev.

I think what she was saying was that they knew what she wanted to see before she even got there. Like maybe they were talking about what they wanted to see while driving up and BAM it was there when they got there.

I also don't see anything in what she said that should make anyone assume anyone got paid. Why do we have to jump to that each time we lose a recruit now.

Reading her response just seems like she felt like she had a warm, sincere welcome with continuous communication from UT.

Now, what our coaching staff needs to do is to contact her and Jason throughout the season. They need to watch his film and talk to him about his performance for Norcross. They also need to talk about our games and how Jason would have fit in on different plays.

 

[aTotal360]

Cecil agrees...

 

[codeDawg]

Everything I've read talks about how professional the staff is and blah, blah, blah. But a lot of kid's decisions are really the parent's decisions, and by parents I mean mommas.

This is the one single area where Croom excelled, and I think Nutt is doing a great job here too. Somebody on our staff is going to have to step it up with the families. Living rooms matter as much as camps, if not more.

 

[PBRME]

drail14me[/b]]

it was like they had cameras on the car as we pulled on campus.

Not sure what she's saying here but I assure you, Croom's committment was nothing more than a blip on the media radar in Knoxville. UT may have blown it out and given them the "star" treatment...wouldn't doubt it. Honestly, I'm not totally convinced that'sMama Croom posting. But what-ev.

I think what she was saying was that they knew what she wanted to see before she even got there. Like maybe they were talking about what they wanted to see while driving up and BAM it was there when they got there.

I also don't see anything in what she said that should make anyone assume anyone got paid. Why do we have to jump to that each time we lose a recruit now.

Reading her response just seems like she felt like she had a warm, sincere welcome with continuous communication from UT.

Now, what our coaching staff needs to do is to contact her and Jason throughout the season. They need to watch his film and talk to him about his performance for Norcross. They also need to talk about our games and how Jason would have fit in on different plays.

That ***** getting old to me too. Let's look at this rationally. Mom is a fan of UT, and sister is starting school at UT this semester. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see UT has an advantage. It helps when the best possible recruiters for you live under the same roof.

 

[olemissbydamn]

In the occassions where money is a factor, I don't think it happens this early. It's too easy for a recruit to take the money in August and change their mind before signing day.

From reading her comments (if this is her), it looks pretty cut and dried. She had a better relationship with the UT coaches and felt more comfortable. It also sounds like she is trying to be very respectful and holding back on saying anything negative. If she continues to interact, someone will eventually push her buttons and it appears she is trying to avoid that.

This is one of those occasions where your fans should refrain from interacting too much and sit back and wait on a possible UT mistake. It's a long way to signing day. Anything could happen. So you don't want someone screwing it up in the meantime.

<span style="font-style: italic;">I felt pushed off at many of the schools we visited.</span>
<br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">UT got to know my entire family. they took time to stay in contact with
Jason's coach, FBook with me all the time; I pick up the phone and voice
my concerns; they're addressed and we move on; they keep their finger
on Jason like his father would.</span>

<span style="font-style: italic;">In regards to MSU coaching staff: what I know of them, they're nice
professional people, I have only spoken to Mirando I believe 2x on the
phone and once for a few minute while I was down there. I spoke to
Mullen 1x on the phone and 1x at the end of visit down there, and he
fbook me as we got closer to committing day. Knox fbook every couple of
weeks and ask how we're doing, but I don't know him either. I have
daughter the same age as Mirando....and Jason felt like that's his
roadie; let's go hang out... If Jason was their #1 kid they told him
that not me or my husband. I dont have that relationship with them. I'm
black and white...no gray area for me. I dont know what you're thinking
until you open your mouth.</span>

As someone else pointed out, it sounds like your staff targeted the player mostly and UT recruited the whole family. If so, that's a small tactical error that your staff will learn from.

 

[maroonmania]

I think its just not that natural for Dan to butter up a recruit's parents or schmooz with them the way a Houston Nutt-type does. I know you can't change your personality but there are definitely some acquired skills Dan could learn in this area. I'm not saying to blow up a guy's ego to get him but not every recruit and his family are going to be blown away by the approach of "here's your scholarship offer, if you come join our program and work your butt off you MIGHT have a chance to play". That might be reality but there isn't much salesmanship in that. I'm not saying give a recruit a ticker tape parade when they come on campus but in today's recruiting you do have to do some things that make an impression on them. Let's face it, one winning season with a nice showing in the Gator Bowl still doesn't get your program to the point that it just sells itself. But, on the flip side, even if you do get Momma on your side that still doesn't automatically guarantee anything, see Barry Brunetti.

 

[FISHDAWG]

question whether or not giving them the no BS straight talk about how things will be here as opposed to the lying sales pitch is the way to go.... there are guys that like that approach and then there are mommas & daddies who want to hear a smoke screen on how good things will be ..... I admire Dan for showing consistency but at the same time it is a sales effort as well .... this truly is a difficult position to be in .... while WE want these highly touted recruits, WE are not the ones pumping false sunshine up thier butts then having to answer to mamma

 

[UpTheMiddlex3Punt]

That's assuming we were actually offered a 10% discount.

 

[hatfieldms]

I still think it is weird that the mom of a recruit is hanging out on a message board of teh team her son did not commit to. Really, nothing good can come out of that and she knows it

 

[ckDOG]

This woman was a lifelong UT fan and it's pretty clear where she wanted her son to play football. Sometimes you just can't overcome that. How else can you logic that a 4* 6'5'' WR prospect is going to be #1 at UT and #4 or #5 at MSU? You can't. If that's what she wants to believe, there is literally nothing Mullen can say or do to overcome that. She's obviously wanting to hear what she wants to hear and not being objective about it.

 

[BiscuitEater]

ever mentioned in the UT V MSU discussions is the 'sleeping dog' in the corner. 'Does the NCAA get serious and hammers UT especially after the way it just treated GaTech?'

Don't see where this entered the equation at all.

 

[UpTheMiddlex3Punt]

If a preschool wants to stay in business, it has to convince the kids' parents that it's a good place to send their kids. It's not much different for college.

 

[maroonmania]

"If Jason was their #1 kid they told him that not me or my husband."

Wouldn't it make sense that if Croom WAS the top WR target on our recruiting board that we would have shared that with the entire family? She didn't even really definitively say that our staff told Jason that. Is it possible our staff isn't quite as high on Croom as we assume they are? I KNOW we have told other guys we are recruiting that they are our top target at their position. Anybody have any thoughts on this?

 

[DerHntr]

It takes a special breed of person to kiss that much *** when the person's *** they are kissing won't even be playing ball on the weekend.

 

[drail14me]

I still think it is weird that the mom of a recruit is hanging out on a message board of teh team her son did not commit to. Really, nothing good can come out of that and she knows it

....an open mind or maybe she's looking for justification for her decision. So far, this has been a very civil thread. It appears that some of the positive comments may have made her take a second look at some things that TN told her. Who knows. But, if we get one of our regular negative nay-sayers on here talking trash about Jason and how we didn't need him anyway and trash like that, then that could help her justify her decision.

It might seem a little weird to you that she posted on our board but I see it as a very positive thing. First, I see it as a parent that is really sincere about their child's future. I also see it as a very professional thing to do. Why burn bridges when you can be professional about it. I also see it as that maybe she still has some lingering second thoughts that she wants to keep check on.

Whether you believe it or not, internet sports message boards are now a part of college athletics. What better way to get a pulse on the atmosphere of a school than direct interaction with it's fans. Recruits and their parents were fans before they became recruits. If I were going through the process with my child, you can bet your *** I'd be reading the sites of all the Universities that were involved in the recruitment.

February is a long way off and a lot can happen between now and then. I for one welcome MzTerry's presence on this board and hope she stays and reads and posts all season. I hope she feels welcome in this Bulldog family!!!!

 

[karlchilders.sixpack]

It's about how she felt, was treated, etc. While this is truly important,
where does Jason want to go?
Leave the door open, but let's move on...NEXT!

 

[FreeDawg]

Paul jones has a very loyal following. The bdj merger guys who switched to rivals abandoned rivals by the bunches when paul left for 24/7. Maybe one of paul's loyal followers created a new account (its free until dec) pretending to be crooms mama to drum up interest/support for 24/7. Many of these same followers cannot stand m. wardlaw andcould betrying to poach his numbers at rivals.

Might be crazy, but i just cannot see a recruits momma jumping on a message board.

 

[aTotal360]

 

[onewoof]

Lord help us. Remember Mitch Mustain and his Daddy?<div>
</div><div>It's hard enough babysittin a freshman, let alone his momma too.</div><div>
</div><div>I could be wrong but I have a guess on how this will end up at UT for JCroom and Momma.
<div>
</div><div>
</div></div>

 

[RougeDawg]

Why not just tell the truth instead of throwing out some absurd statement about being midway on our depth chart but the top of UT's? Simply stating that, as a family, they felt he would fit better at UT would be much better and wouldn't raise questions like her depth chart response has. Seems similar to the Roger Clemens initial statement before congress that led to his perjury case. Keep your mouth shut unless you want to be questioned.

 

[jackbaddawg]

than Mullen can. Dan needs some theatrical heppin.