No shortage of "expert analysis" at the

[CyberBull]

So I do google search on Rod Smith and lo and behold I run into this piece of trash commentary by something called Michelle Casumanus. Hey Mikey....stick to your recipe of the week column b/c U don't know nothing about sports.

---

Getting offensive

Mike Camunas

commentary

June 01, 2005

Well, it's about time. Not only did it take long enough, it seems the USF football team had to jump through more red tape than a student trying to meet graduation requirements.

As of Tuesday, Jim Leavitt and Co. finally established who would be taking on the offensive play calling for the historical step into the Big East in the fall.

Rod Smith, former quarterbacks coach, has been promoted to offensive coordinator for the 2005 season.

For the Big "Are U Ready?" East season.

For the future.

The countdown began on April 18 -- two days after the lousy Spring Game -- when Mike Hobbie, wanting to spare his reputation as a businessman, took a hike after four seasons. But due to the simple process of elimination, Smith was quickly picked over Carl Franks, the current running back coach for the Bulls.

Hobbie wasn't ready for the Big East; perhaps Leavitt isn't either. It took him way too long to decide on a promotion. McDonald's night managers get promoted faster than Rod Smith did.

Almost two months later, the high school players -- including the so-called QB 'gem' Carlton Hill -- graduated from high school and soon those incoming freshmen will be here.

Perhaps there shouldn't have been a promotion that took longer than Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith to come out in theaters. A trilogy was completed on May 19, but on May 31 only two parts of a three-man team had been completed, with the starting quarterback position wide open for approximately five players.

Hobbie leaving was probably the last thing Leavitt needed after a horrific Spring Game that had about as much excitement as the credits to The Longest Yard circa 1974. Outside help is needed -- that much is obvious -- because good recruits are coming in, but there were few -- if any -- outside applicants for a job that starts at the bad end of the plank over the Big East Sea.

Time to swallow some pride, Jim. Get some help and come Oct. 1, it won't taste so bad after walking out of the Orange Bowl. It will actually go down pretty easy with a mojito on South Beach.

Pinch your nose and suck it up, coach.

The clock to the Big East is more than three and half months away; it's been running like a time bomb since the 43-14 loss to Pittsburgh on Dec. 6.

Tick. Tick. Tick.

[Brad]

I think Camunas is from the Oracle....

[No_Willie_Jokes_Yet]

About the Oracle

The Oracle Staff - Spring 2005

January 10, 2005

The Oracle

4202 E. Fowler Avenue, SVC 0002

Tampa, FL 33620

813-974-6242

fax: 813-974-4887

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thomas Pedicini

Editor in Chief

Brad Bautista

Associate Editor

Matthew Pleasant

News Editor

Mark Lennox

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Mike Camunas

Sports Editor

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Features Editor

Jenn Pfaff

Assistant Features Editor

Sebastian Meyer

Opinion Editor

Harold Valentine

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Entertainment Editors

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Haya Radwan

Business Manager

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Production Assistant

[Guest BasketBull.]

I will never read that piece of trash for a school newspaper again!

Why?

As the official school paper for USF, it has a responsibility to uphold the school's image.

© 2005 University of South Florida

The Oracle Newspaper

All rights reserved.

There's a huge difference between someone voicing their opinion on the message board and the school's own paper attacking USF football and its staff.

That's BULL treason!  >

[smazza]

the truth hurts

[Jim Johnson]

I will never read that piece of trash for a school newspaper again!

Why?

As the official school paper for USF, it has a responsibility to uphold the school's image.

© 2005 University of South Florida

The Oracle Newspaper

All rights reserved.

There's a huge difference between someone voicing their opinion on the message board and the school's own paper attacking USF football and its staff.

That's BULL treason!  >

First, like others on this board, I agree that Smith might not have been the best choice... but then, we don't know that.  Second, this opinion writer is just trying to provoke a reaction from his readers... the sensational language is meant to rile people.

That being said, there are some other things to consider:

1) The job of a school newspaper is to provide real-world experience for journalism students.  They are not the publicity arm of the University (that would be Media Relations -- the ones that put out USF Magazine four times per year)...  They will make mistakes, and this looks like one of them.

2) This was his "opinion" ... see the word "Commentary" in the post??  By virtue of the writer's position at the Oracle, he has the opportunity to write an opinion column.  We can all wish that he was more informed, but he is entitled to share his opinion.

3) If you don't like it, write a letter to the editor.  For alumni, I would suggest you also include the year you graduated as well as your major (and hometown).

Bring letters to the editor and guest columns to The Oracle newsroom, Room 0002 of Student Services.

- Fax us a letter at (813) 974-4887. Letters also are accepted by e-mail at oracleopinion@yahoo.com

- Letters and guest columns must be submitted with student’s name, year and major. Faculty and staff members must include rank and department. All others include author’s hometown.

- Please include a phone number (not for publication) so we may verify authorship.

- All letters and columns are subject to editing.

- The Oracle reserves the right to not publish any letter or column.

Plus, even the people on campus that read this fish wrapper don't like it all that much.

Just a little perspective...

[NAM37]

I think Smith was a horrible choice.....

....but what's with the HATE?

>> the so-called QB 'gem' Carlton Hill

>> suck it up, coach

>> a job that starts at the bad end of the plank over the Big East Sea.  

>> Time to swallow some pride, Jim.

>> Hobbie wasn't ready for the Big East; perhaps Leavitt isn't either.

Who IS this idiot, and why does he write for MY school ?? ??

Is there NOONE on campus who is an actual FAN of our team?? ??

[WoolyBully]

That's the thing you have to remember about The Oracle. There's very little "news" you're going to get there (relative to the Trib or Times), but it is a great opportunity to put out an op-ed piece that gens some sort of response. These youngin's are just practicing...putting together a package for interview time.  Gotta remember...interest in the Oracle's football take falls way off once the season cranks up.  Right now, we're all just honing our keyboarding skills to a razor sharp edge.  

[RJWGoBulls]

If the Oracle keeps spouting crap like this then I dont see why anyone in the athletics department should provide them with interview time when it is requested

[Bullpride08]

I think Smith was a horrible choice.....

....but what's with the HATE?

>> the so-called QB 'gem' Carlton Hill

>> suck it up, coach

>> a job that starts at the bad end of the plank over the Big East Sea.  

>> Time to swallow some pride, Jim.

>> Hobbie wasn't ready for the Big East; perhaps Leavitt isn't either.

Who IS this idiot, and why does he write for MY school ?? ??

Is there NOONE on campus who is an actual FAN of our team?? ??

I have to agree.  A good commentator has the ability to get his scintillating point across using wit and poetic symmetry not using hopped up 4th grade analogies and name calling.  Read the tribune, and while I don't necessarily appreciate the fact that Martin Fennelly jumps in and out of topics like a kangaroo, or that he uses little fact when forming his opinion, there's no denying his style is silky smooth.

Smith's a tough choice, and it brings quite a bit of criticism, and at this juncture rightly so.  Everyone always wants to blame coaches after the season and players during the season.  However, that's no reason to attack the coach's integrity, and anyone associated with the program (so-called QB 'gem'- I'd be willing to bet anyone that he's never seen a glimpse of Hill play).  We all know there was extenuating circumstances surrounding this hire, which may not have made it easier to accept it definitely makes it understable.  These circumstances Camunas refuses to address and in turn, this article just comes off as an inflammatory attack on Leavitt and his choices.  This was a very malicious article.