Aug 4th, 2010
Semantics are an important part of a coach-speak. The good ones – the guys who have been dealing with the media for ages — can seem to say one thing, but literally say something else. It’s the verball hidden-ball trick.
It's easy to fall in love with the words
Sometimes the words may seem innocuous, and they usually are, but if you’re in the sports writing business long enough (a week typically is long enough), you can extrapolate what is being said into a logical conclusion.
The classic case of semantics was provided by Cal coach Jeff Tedford on Monday, when he proclaimed that Kevin Riley is the Bears’ starting quarterback. But he really didn’t. But then again he really did.
Digest this Tedford quote:
“Kevin is the starter. You can write that down. Kevin is our starter and he will be our starter, but there will still be competition from other people. He will be our starter unless someone plays better than him.”
That, of course, elicited chuckles from sports writers, who know a hedged bet when they see one. But when a writer suggested this statement meant little if Riley has the job only until he loses it, Tedford had a nifty semantics rejoinder: “I didn’t say ‘until,’ I said ‘unless.’”
It’s a subtle distinction, but an important one. If Tedford had said “until” it would have suggested that replacing Riley as a starter was inevitable and just a matter of time. By saying “unless,” Tedford allowed that Riley might never be replaced as a starter.
It’s all a bunch of linguistic mumbo-jumbo, of course, because everyone knows Riley will be the starter for the season opener and would have to fall flat on his face to lose the job.
The critical question is, who’s the quarterback?
So let’s proceed to some other quotes that require some analysis to reach a conclusion on what was suggested.
What Cal coach Jeff Tedford said: “Some of you may not know this, but Kevin (Riley) is the leader among active Pac-10 quarterbacks in starts, wins and touchdown passes.”
Logical conclusion: When a coach provides unsolicited statistics on a player, it means the coach knows the player’s public image needs a little boost.
What Jim Harbaugh said: “We strive to be a team that runs 50 percent of the time and pass 50 percent of the time. Last year, it was more 60-40 toward running. But we’ll do whatever it takes to win.”
Logical conclusion: The Cardinal is going to pass a lot more with Toby Gerhart gone. When a coach invokes the phrase “whatever it takes to win,” it suggests he expects to be much stronger in one aspect than another and may give up on the weaker aspect quickly.
What Tedford said: “I watched that Stanford game against UC Davis (in 2005, when Davis won), and that was no fluke.”
Logical conclusion: Tedford knows his team should beat Davis easily, but he is laying the groundwork so people will consider it a significant win, and if, god forbid, Cal should lose, he wants to minimize the embarrassment factor.
What Cal tailback Shane Vereen said, regarding how his body felt the day after the loss to Utah in the Poinsettia Bowl: “It would have been hard to play another week.”
Logical conclusion: Vereen carried the ball too many times after Jahvid Best went down, and the wear and tear showed up in the final two games, which Cal lost. Even Tedford said, “After he carried it 42 times against Stanford, he was not the same guy in the last two games.”
What Tedford said about versatile incoming freshman Keenan Allen, who could play a number of positions: “He’s going to be a wide receiver and may play some nickel back on defense. But if earns a starting spot and plays 70 plays or so on offense, that nickel might not pan out. He’s about as ready-made a receiver as anybody we’ve ever had.”
Logical conclusion: Tedford expects Allen to be a starting wide receiver this season and expects him to be a star before he’s through.
What Cal linebacker Mike Mohamed said about new Cal defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast: “He brings an NFL mentality. He doesn’t have a whole lot of patience for mistakes. I wouldn’t say he’s a yeller, but he’s not afraid to let it out and show you.”
Logical conclusion: Pendergast is lot more vocal and demanding than previous Cal defensive coordinator Bob Gregory, who used a lighter touch to get his point across.
What San Jose State coach Mike MacIntyre said, with a smile: “We have an easy schedule.”
Logical conclusion: You don’t expect us to stay on the field against Alabama and Wisconsin, do you?
