Honestly, I don't know what your injury is supposed to be this week and honestly I could care less if you want to kick my *** after reading. I'm sure you'd hurt yourself in the process of getting up from your computer anyway. But anyway, back to my original point. Coach said after the game you just didn't think you could go. He said maybe it was the cold weather that affected your injury. Ok, I'll buy that. But what are you? 80? Here's the deal Tobias. You are perhaps our best lineman. I can tell noticable difference when you aren't playing, which is often. Guess what, I get up many days and don't feel like going to work. But when people rely on you then that's what you do. I'm not your coach but I really would have to question a guy coming to me before the biggest game of the year in your home state and telling me that "you just couldn't go". It's late November. Everybody's banged up. Now obviously, I'm being sarcastic but there is zero sense in this type of stuff. If Mullen wants to seriously make me believe we are becoming a top notch program that stresses accountability and dare I say it .... Relentless Effort, then this stuff ends now. I want people that would march on the field on 1 leg if they had to. Freeze is right. We are soft and it makes me sick. Watching their D Line whip guys outweighing them by 30 pounds on average makes me sick. Watching our D-Line look like molasses being poured out of a jar makes me sick. It's time for Mullen to force accountability in every phase of this team. That's how real teams are made and how they last the test of time. Allowing a starter to just decide he's not up to playing in the biggest game of the year is outrageous. Flame away
Open letter to Tobias Smith.
- Thread starter Phil Wenneck.sixpack
- Start date
You might get flamed
But not from me. I was shocked that he couldn't even make an effort to start the Egg Bowl. Tobias- you have an entire month or so to get ready for the bowl game. To me, it's like the World Series- some games you just have to try to play through the pain and play hurt. This was one of those games. It should be noted that he did play later on in the game. Tobias basically wussed out on us.
But not from me. I was shocked that he couldn't even make an effort to start the Egg Bowl. Tobias- you have an entire month or so to get ready for the bowl game. To me, it's like the World Series- some games you just have to try to play through the pain and play hurt. This was one of those games. It should be noted that he did play later on in the game. Tobias basically wussed out on us.
For a normal player, I'd be questioning this decision, but Tobias seems to be pretty much made of glass. If he comes back next year (which I understand he wants to do), I'm not sure how you can bash him. He's basically going to be walking like an old man when he's 30 because of the injuries he's had at State. I think he just has one of those bodies that wasn't built to handle sports.
That's just it. If he wants to come back, I admire him trying. But....
If it hinders the team, then we may be better suited without him. Look at reps that are taken away from other guys. Look at times like last night when low and behold, he just couldn't go. He's a good lineman and I take nothing away from that but in the big picture, when you factor schemes, plays, and game planning, is he a hinderance to the team? How can you put a guy as a starter who you don't know week to week what his status is?
If it hinders the team, then we may be better suited without him. Look at reps that are taken away from other guys. Look at times like last night when low and behold, he just couldn't go. He's a good lineman and I take nothing away from that but in the big picture, when you factor schemes, plays, and game planning, is he a hinderance to the team? How can you put a guy as a starter who you don't know week to week what his status is?
If that's the case, he needs to quit football
But if you're going to play football, don't come out during the biggest game of the year and say "I can't go". In certain big games you find a way to go. If this is South Alabama- that's fine. But this isn't South Alabama. And the fact that he came into the game later tells me he probably could have started.
But if you're going to play football, don't come out during the biggest game of the year and say "I can't go". In certain big games you find a way to go. If this is South Alabama- that's fine. But this isn't South Alabama. And the fact that he came into the game later tells me he probably could have started.
This whole post is full of fail. Tobias is the heart of our team. He loves msu more than any other player we have and helps this team out with things you will never see.
If he didnt play, it was because he just couldnt play. **** you.
If he didnt play, it was because he just couldnt play. **** you.
Yeah he proved his love for his team and MSU last night. If he can come into the game later, then he could have started. Period. Honestly, I'm a little ashamed that I'm lowering myself to reply to someone with your avatar. If Tobias is the heart of this team, don't you think he could have nutted up and started in the biggest game of the year?
Thanks for lowering your standards Phil. Yall are just making assumptions on the most well liked player on our team. I apologize for you not knowing what the **** you are talking about.
Carry on calling him a ***** though. It is the internet afterall....
Carry on calling him a ***** though. It is the internet afterall....
17 you too
I know my *** would have been out there. Like I said- if he can not play- he needs to quit.
I know my *** would have been out there. Like I said- if he can not play- he needs to quit.
Really, this is a letter to Mullen. I'm not flaming, but that's who the accountability lies with. Tobias, shameful as it is if that is what really happened, simply got away with what was allowed. I'm not on the "get rid of Mullen" team, but I definitely want to see him kick some asses up around some necks and get this team back on track.
He doesn't hinder the team. Did you happen to see what happened against UT when he didn't play? We were better when he played, and if he hadn't been there, in addition to maybe losing the UT game, the only difference would have been Malone got more playing time. But Malone has gotten plenty of playing time as it is, and I don't think taking the time that Tobias played would have made a big difference in how much he improved over the course of the year. Hopefully, with an off-season, Tobias will come back next year and it will turn out that his injuries really have just been flukes, and not simply a reflection of his body not being able to handle football.
Can somebody tell me his official diagnosis? I don't understand how he could further injure himself. Do we not have access to MRI machines?
Don't coaches and trainers make that call?
As we've seen all year a 50% Tobias is better than anything we've got. If you are a leader you lead by example. You know, if he doesn't start but gives it a shot in the second half, he's a hero - with as little as one play. I don't know why but all I can think about is Byron Leftwich having an injured leg late in the game and his teammates carrying him down the field to win the game.
The players are not the millionaires on this team. Those kids want to win worst than any coach. They are the ones that work their *** off. Most know that they will never make a dime playing football. They love the game. They play for cheers and pats on the damn back. Criticize the ****-talking millionaire.
THIS IS OUR PROBLEM. EVEN OUR FANS ARE SOFT. JESUS CHRIST
You people literally amaze me. One minute Freeze is nuts for calling us soft. Now look at what you sound like. Taking up for these guys like they are kids. It's incredible. He's a kid, not making millions, boo hoo, boo hoo. My God, it's no wonder we are soft. If you can suck up enough to play, then you can suck up enough to start. I'm done petting these guys. Look at Banks. He hasn't done squat in ages. Some of it of course because of being avoided by opposing offenses. But after last night's game, he called Moncrief a "decent receiver". Really? Just decent? I'm sick and tired of our mouths overloading us from the head man down.
You people literally amaze me. One minute Freeze is nuts for calling us soft. Now look at what you sound like. Taking up for these guys like they are kids. It's incredible. He's a kid, not making millions, boo hoo, boo hoo. My God, it's no wonder we are soft. If you can suck up enough to play, then you can suck up enough to start. I'm done petting these guys. Look at Banks. He hasn't done squat in ages. Some of it of course because of being avoided by opposing offenses. But after last night's game, he called Moncrief a "decent receiver". Really? Just decent? I'm sick and tired of our mouths overloading us from the head man down.
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I agree and should have written it to Mullen. I just want to see us practice....
what we are preaching. You can't pump yourself up with this relentless effort and accountability talk then allow players to play if they are feeling up to it or not. That's what it's all about to me. Accountability. And you are right, it starts with the man in charge. I'm a Mullen supporter 100% and still trust in what he's doing. All I want now is the same accountability across the board from coaches to players. I trust he will make proper evaluations because again, this is where long term programs are made. How people are accountable for their actions, performances, the whole 9 yards. We've come way too far to back peddle now.
what we are preaching. You can't pump yourself up with this relentless effort and accountability talk then allow players to play if they are feeling up to it or not. That's what it's all about to me. Accountability. And you are right, it starts with the man in charge. I'm a Mullen supporter 100% and still trust in what he's doing. All I want now is the same accountability across the board from coaches to players. I trust he will make proper evaluations because again, this is where long term programs are made. How people are accountable for their actions, performances, the whole 9 yards. We've come way too far to back peddle now.
I don't think there's one person on the team with more heart for MSU than Tobias. He completely blew his knee out against LSU last year, and there was word he might not be able to play again because of the seriousness of the injury. He's fought like mad to get back, and has done admirably well. He goes through periods of significant swelling and that dictates his playing time. There's only so much a 300 pound man can do on a bad knee.
Tobias gets a free pass from me, he's more than earned it.
Tobias gets a free pass from me, he's more than earned it.
You were in the 17ing band. And you don't know **** about football. Shut the hell up.
Tobias, along with Banks and Lawrence, is the heart and soul of this team, albeit it is a team that lacks much heart and soul. NO ONE on the team cares more about winning than Tobias. No one. When healthy, he is our best OL by a wide margin, and he's also a great recruiter for us. Most guys who have suffered through what he has would have quit a long time ago, but he loves MSU so much he is going to gut it out and come back for a sixth season. Go back and watch the replay of the pick six Russell threw against LSU. Watch the large, clearly-injured dude chase the LSU DB down the field in a game that was already over.
Everyone in this thread who things Tobias pussed out is either a 17ing moron or a ***** themselves. Ask any of our DL who had the baddest dude on the team is, and they will all say Tobias. Our coaches, and anyone on the team or who has spent much time around the program, would punch you in the face for criticizing one of the few players on the team who gives his all every time he is physically able to do so.
Tobias, along with Banks and Lawrence, is the heart and soul of this team, albeit it is a team that lacks much heart and soul. NO ONE on the team cares more about winning than Tobias. No one. When healthy, he is our best OL by a wide margin, and he's also a great recruiter for us. Most guys who have suffered through what he has would have quit a long time ago, but he loves MSU so much he is going to gut it out and come back for a sixth season. Go back and watch the replay of the pick six Russell threw against LSU. Watch the large, clearly-injured dude chase the LSU DB down the field in a game that was already over.
Everyone in this thread who things Tobias pussed out is either a 17ing moron or a ***** themselves. Ask any of our DL who had the baddest dude on the team is, and they will all say Tobias. Our coaches, and anyone on the team or who has spent much time around the program, would punch you in the face for criticizing one of the few players on the team who gives his all every time he is physically able to do so.
You get it. Not only is he our best player and team leader, he is our best recruiter. That includes coaches.
Dont even try with these idiots. Anyone who knows him, a coach or anything remotely going on within the program would never question his loyalty or "effort".
I hope Tobias kicks your @#$
because we all know that he could.
Any internet desk jockey in this thread that agrees with this is just a joke. Tobias is tough as #$(@, and playing through injuries depends upon the injury.
Now it was an extremely wuss move for Mullen to basically call out Tobias during his press conference. This coming from a guy who rode the pine in D.III football (Mullen). Maybe our last coach who played center for the best team in the SEC could say something, but not Dan Mullen.
The real problem? Dan Mullen has been here four years and can't recruit one lineman 50% as good as Croom recruit Tobias Smith.
because we all know that he could.
Any internet desk jockey in this thread that agrees with this is just a joke. Tobias is tough as #$(@, and playing through injuries depends upon the injury.
Now it was an extremely wuss move for Mullen to basically call out Tobias during his press conference. This coming from a guy who rode the pine in D.III football (Mullen). Maybe our last coach who played center for the best team in the SEC could say something, but not Dan Mullen.
The real problem? Dan Mullen has been here four years and can't recruit one lineman 50% as good as Croom recruit Tobias Smith.
Enlighten us then since you are so familiar with the situation. Why couldn't he go in the biggest game of the season? And band smack? What authority are you? Todd knows more about the ins and outs of sports than 99% of the posters here. We're simply going on the head coach's explanation. And when our starting QB is lucky to be walking, I think it's a fairly legitimate question as to what the heck is going on. How does one injure themselves or reaggrevate an injury over Thanksgiving in what was more than likely one of the lighter physical practice weeks all season? And forgive me for not taking much of what our DL says to heart.
I have no clue why he said he couldn't go, but I promise you Tobias didn't ***** out. And it isn't just this year's DL that has said that. It has been said for all five years Tobias has been here.
Serious question: Of all the people to blame for last night's debacle, why are you attacking the guy who has laid it on the line for us for his entire career? Siddoway and Clausell were the ones getting absolutely raped last night. And they were healthy.
Todd seems like a good dude and I like his baseball insight, but he is the last person who needs to be talking smack about how, if he was in Tobias' shoes, he would have played. That's ridiculous. Besides, Todd is the same guy who wanted us to run an Air Raid offense. Football isn't his forte.
Serious question: Of all the people to blame for last night's debacle, why are you attacking the guy who has laid it on the line for us for his entire career? Siddoway and Clausell were the ones getting absolutely raped last night. And they were healthy.
Todd seems like a good dude and I like his baseball insight, but he is the last person who needs to be talking smack about how, if he was in Tobias' shoes, he would have played. That's ridiculous. Besides, Todd is the same guy who wanted us to run an Air Raid offense. Football isn't his forte.
I guess he's also gonna kick his OC's *** too then since he has no idea why he..
couldn't suck it up and play from the onset. In fact, I took half of my quotes from him. He is the one who said everyone's banged up this time of year and you need to play. His words, not mine. But feel free to continue your cute cleat chasing if you want. What's Mullen supposed to say post game? Would you have been better satisfied if he lied and said he was serving a suspension? As for your last comment, Dillon Day and Gabe Jackson disagree.
couldn't suck it up and play from the onset. In fact, I took half of my quotes from him. He is the one who said everyone's banged up this time of year and you need to play. His words, not mine. But feel free to continue your cute cleat chasing if you want. What's Mullen supposed to say post game? Would you have been better satisfied if he lied and said he was serving a suspension? As for your last comment, Dillon Day and Gabe Jackson disagree.
You shut the hell up
You know what I know? Our "toughest o-lineman" didn't play in the biggest game of the year- and then somehow was OK enough to play later.
At least I was good enough to be in the band. What are you good at? Hanging out with football players and buying them beer? I guess that makes you a wannabe.
And if any of those football players want to take me on, they're welcome to try. They may kick my ***, but I'll show them what relentless effort is- which someone apparently needs to show them what it is. And I wouldn't be the first undersized guy to kick their *** this past week judging from their Egg Bowl performance. Actually, I think I'm bigger than CJ Johnson so maybe they should be worried.
Like I said- if he's too hurt, he needs to be a grad assistant. He can stay on scholarship and get a medical hardship or whatever it is.
You know what I know? Our "toughest o-lineman" didn't play in the biggest game of the year- and then somehow was OK enough to play later.
At least I was good enough to be in the band. What are you good at? Hanging out with football players and buying them beer? I guess that makes you a wannabe.
And if any of those football players want to take me on, they're welcome to try. They may kick my ***, but I'll show them what relentless effort is- which someone apparently needs to show them what it is. And I wouldn't be the first undersized guy to kick their *** this past week judging from their Egg Bowl performance. Actually, I think I'm bigger than CJ Johnson so maybe they should be worried.
Like I said- if he's too hurt, he needs to be a grad assistant. He can stay on scholarship and get a medical hardship or whatever it is.
Probably because your arch rival biggest game of the year draws more attention..
than whatever he did against South Alabama, Midd Tenn State, or whoever else. Leaders have to lead. Really no other way around it. I'd rather see a guy come out and start and decide he just can't go than a guy tell the coaches before game he can't start but then come out later on for a few plays. If I didn't think he was a quality player that could help us, I wouldn't be disappointed.
than whatever he did against South Alabama, Midd Tenn State, or whoever else. Leaders have to lead. Really no other way around it. I'd rather see a guy come out and start and decide he just can't go than a guy tell the coaches before game he can't start but then come out later on for a few plays. If I didn't think he was a quality player that could help us, I wouldn't be disappointed.
Dude shut the 17 up....you are just an outsider looking in.....has it ever occured to you that there may have been issues going on that you KNOW NOTHING ABOUT....I understand you are upset we lost but damn....do yourself a favor and next time you get the urge to judge something without knowing the whole story, do us all a favor and go take a long walk on a short pier..
Hahahaha... If Todd had an injury, like say his lips were chapped and it hurt to play his flute, he'd totally sack up, put some vagisil on them, and fight through the pain to toot his horn.
Whole story? I'm all ears. The story is this is SEC football....
Either you can play frequent enough or you're a liability. That's the harsh reality of a numbers game. There's only so many scholarships to go around. I hate it for him since Day 1 that evidently his body can't hold up. I really do. I hate it that we obviously haven't recruited well enough at his spot so that we can't plug other people in so that we aren't dropping off so far. That's not his fault. My whole point is with signing limits and such, at what point does it become a liability? He's a good player and you can't tell me we don't design stuff around his side due to being a good blocker. Which brings me back to my point. When he's not in there, at what point is this situation a liability for the team? I guess the coaches just sit around and game plan around, well maybe he's gonna play?
Either you can play frequent enough or you're a liability. That's the harsh reality of a numbers game. There's only so many scholarships to go around. I hate it for him since Day 1 that evidently his body can't hold up. I really do. I hate it that we obviously haven't recruited well enough at his spot so that we can't plug other people in so that we aren't dropping off so far. That's not his fault. My whole point is with signing limits and such, at what point does it become a liability? He's a good player and you can't tell me we don't design stuff around his side due to being a good blocker. Which brings me back to my point. When he's not in there, at what point is this situation a liability for the team? I guess the coaches just sit around and game plan around, well maybe he's gonna play?
I have no problem with Tobias not playing. He has missed so many games this year that not playing Saturday has to have some validity to it.
Never said I knew the whole story...but the fact is..you don't either...you are on the outside looking in..all I am saying is be careful what you say without knowing the whole issue with him...You might very well be right in your analysis but I wouldn't go as far as throwing him under the bus on here without knowing....