There were a few comments on our website today about the wisdom of Brian Grandieri’s comments after Saturday’s loss to Howard. I had the chance to ask Glen Miller about it at practice yesterday; here’s what he said:
He’s a captain, he’s been around a while and he’s played on some successful teams, so we’re going to assume that he knows what it takes. He’s led us in the preseason, he’s led us throughout our first three games, so if he feels that way it’s his right as a captain to voice his opinion. It’s nice if it’s kept in the locker room, but what he said is what he said. He was speaking on emotions and that’s the way he felt, so hopefully it will have a positive effect on our team going forward.
Freshman forward Tyler Bernardini took a similar view, but also said that the older and younger elements of the team each need to make some changes.
Hopefully the older guys are starting to look at some of the younger guys and feeling more comfortable with our abilities … It’s more them adjusting to us and realizing, hopefully, that we can contribute as well.
He [Grandieri] is working hard every day in practice, and he’s proven his skills and what he can do, and I feel like it’s time that we all need to step up and start to prove to him that we can help, too. The guys that he was playing alongside with, Ibby [Jaaber] and Mark [Zoller] — they’re storied people in the Penn program. Right now, he’s playing along a lot of guys that are young and have no credibility, so we have to kind of establish that credibility.
What do you think about Grandieri’s actions? Leave your thoughts in the comments section.
Also, be sure to check back with The Buzz later tonight for live updates of the game against The Citadel.
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November 20th, 2007 at 2:47 pm
I appreciate that Brian’s comments. He’s clearly been watching the same games I have and for once someone in the Penn program has the balls to say publicly what needs to be said. With a few exceptions, the effort being demonstrated on that team right now almost embarrassing to the program. It was bad enough when we had to sit through Tommy McMahon’s lackadaisical play last year. I’d trade any of the non-freshmen on that team for him right about now. The only one I’ve seen working his butt off is Joe Gill. What the hell, Glen, put him out there. What do we have to lose.
November 20th, 2007 at 9:52 pm
It is now halftime and Penn is leading 45-35. Live updates? No, you are a liar.
November 21st, 2007 at 9:07 am
What I see in the first four games is timid freshman…..I do not think it is lack of effort, it is fear of making mistakes.
I watched Ibby as a freshman and he too was somewhat timid and at times looked lost out there. LET’S GIVE OUR GUYS A CHANCE.
Admittedly, The Citiadel is not a good team, but there was certainly no lack of efffort last night.
Brian’s comments stem from a hatred of losing and that is what you want in a ballplayer. As Coach said, it would have been better left in the locker room.