Cutcliffe: This Might Be O’Brien’s Only Year to Chirp (Updated 2:15pm, Grobe’s Comment)

'08 Football Future Opponents Tom O'Brien52

With all due respect to the Duke football program, I found this little gem laugh-out-loud funny:

“If I were Tom O’Brien, I’d be saying that,” Cutcliffe said. “This might be the only year he can ever chirp like that. When you’ve got chirping right, you better chirp.

Thing is, if there’s any football program in the country that ought to have a huge dose of humility, it is Duke. While Cutcliffe might have Duke improved, the Blue Devils are still at the base of the mountain and are looking up at the four other D1 programs in North Carolina and probably the Mountaineers of Appalachian State too.  If I were him, I would have stayed dead silent and not made many waves.

UPDATE 1:

Yesterday on local sports station 850 The Buzz, host David Glenn asked Wake Forest head coach Jim Grobe his thought on O’Brien’s comment of NC State being the ‘best program in the state.’  Grobe said

“Well they beat us and beat UNC pretty bad. I think he can say whatever he wants. I don’t have a problem with it.” 

That’s an interesting take, because Grobe’s Demon Deacons are the only North Carolina D1 program to win the ACC and to play in BCS bowl.

'08 Football Future Opponents Tom O'Brien

52 Responses to Cutcliffe: This Might Be O’Brien’s Only Year to Chirp (Updated 2:15pm, Grobe’s Comment)

  1. Redblogger 11/26/2008 at 9:21 AM #

    I liked the guy…..until now.

  2. ncsumatman 11/26/2008 at 9:22 AM #

    I think his words may be taken out of context by us Wolfpackers.

  3. ADS95 11/26/2008 at 9:23 AM #

    I read this as more of a shot at BMFD for taking exception to the comment. I see it as “hey, he won ’em all, and that ain’t easy. He’s got every right to say he’s the best in this State this year”.

    Everyone should have happy thoughts about Cutcliffe and Duke this week. They have a chance to put the Heels at 3-5.

  4. foz 11/26/2008 at 9:27 AM #

    I think this is more of a “look at me” as all of the in state program attention over the past couple of days has been on NCSU & UNX.

  5. Alpha Wolf 11/26/2008 at 9:28 AM #

    ^ Yes, but if anyone should say that, it would be Grobe and the Deacons. In reality, they have a very legit argument for ‘best program.’

  6. CarnifeX 11/26/2008 at 9:41 AM #

    …or, he may be right.

    eek.

  7. Wolfpack F-14 11/26/2008 at 9:42 AM #

    I have seen the video of this comment several times. Cutcliff was DEFINITELY not saying anything positive towards NCSU. He was visibly emotional about it and went on to talk about there was a big difference between winning one game and talking about the best PROGRAM….

    Quote “But listen now, program’s a big word. You’re good that day, you won that game – program’s a different animal. Let’s go look all the way through that program and see what we have, OK?”

    I think he is already setting up TOB words as motivation for his team during our meeting. I got the quote from an article on WRAL and if you look up the article there is some video attached you can look at.

    GoPack

  8. Girlfriend in a Coma 11/26/2008 at 9:46 AM #

    I actually think the most interesting/controversial thing he said BY FAR was not that quote but this one:

    “But listen now, program’s a big word. You’re good that day, you won that game – program’s a different animal. Let’s go look all the way through that program and see what we have, OK?”

    Wow. WTF does he mean by that?

  9. PackerInRussia 11/26/2008 at 9:50 AM #

    “You’re good that day, you won that game – program’s a different animal. Let’s go look all the way through that program and see what we have, OK”

    Except that it wasn’t just “that day” or “that game”. It was all 4 games against North Carolina teams. It’s always the same thing. The winner says, “Hey we won; nothing else matters” and the losers try to make the win (or wins in this case) seem not so important.

  10. Texpack 11/26/2008 at 9:50 AM #

    I wonder if visitors locker rooms are included in Cutcliffe’s “big word” program? Should the program that literally can’t provide a pot for their opponents to pee in be talking at all? I think not.

  11. Wolf-n-Atl 11/26/2008 at 10:13 AM #

    So when they talk about the “whole program”, do they mean the fact that we were able to win against all of the in state teams despite the fact we had a slew of injured players on an already thin team? Or that we were able to do it with a freshman qb who was protected by 2 d-linemen?

    Sour grapes.

    I like the fact that all of the coaches in the state are on notice and we will start to have some real rivalries. Could you imagine if all the programs in the state were actually doing well?

  12. nitewolf 11/26/2008 at 10:14 AM #

    Personally, I think it’s kinda nice to see a Duke football coach with some outward, competitive fire in him for a change…can’t say I’ve seen that since the Spurrier days. Butchie’s comments on the other hand…

  13. GAWolf 11/26/2008 at 10:21 AM #

    I saw this over and over on the News 14 loop last night. The chirp statement was made as a congratulatory statement in my eyes and he was admitting that he, too, would chirp if given the chance. However, like Butch Davis he questioned the program statement. and if we look at that objectively we should be able to see their point. I also understand TOB’s and for those who want more “emotion” out of him they need not look any further than this statement. It’s a bold statement with his choice of words and that’s how some show emotion. he could have literally screamed something else that didn’t sting as much to the other coaches and players at the other Big 3. I like it. It’s the truth from our perspective and it’s a great recruiting measure. But I do see why the others would take objection to it. Cutcliff is right…program is a big word.

  14. GAWolf 11/26/2008 at 10:23 AM #

    By the way, I laughed and it did not make me dislike Cutcliff. Just as TOB is doing his job, so was Cutcliff. BD sounded much more smug saying “give us a couple of years to measure ‘program'”. His statement was much more crybaby-like.

  15. TOBtime 11/26/2008 at 10:46 AM #

    At least ‘Ol butch-slap put together a DECENT program at Miami. What exactly is Cut going to look at? All the programs he has resurrected (ala BC & NC State)? BMFD is right, it WILL be interesting to see the results in a couple of years. Wonder if he’ll be in chaple hole to view them?
    TOB IS building a program.

  16. RickJ 11/26/2008 at 10:59 AM #

    Here is my take on O’Brien’s comments. We have been recruiting up hill all year because of our tough start. UNC’s coaches have been busy telling everyone that would listen that they had left us in the dust. This was not unjustified on their part and they fully expected to add to the story last Saturday. 41 – 10 was not the ending they were expecting and I’m sure O’Brien enjoyed pointing this out. Duke is irrelevant to this discussion.

  17. Sw0rdf1sh 11/26/2008 at 11:00 AM #

    I’m with Texpack, what kind of talking can Cutliffe do about the Duke Program? What a sorry excuse for a facility for a D1 “program”, I can’t remember EVER going to a HS facility that didn’t have AWAY team locker rooms….even if it was a girl’s locker room……..and that is only 1 example.

    Our Fan base kicks the shit out of their 7 football fans.

    I absolutely LOVE what TOB said and the reactions that he is getting from it. He SHOULD be proud and state the facts, the man GETS IT and what our program is about…..the other guys just can’t believe it after the media has blown so much smoke up their asses that they were something more.

    In the words of Dennis Green, (in the way it should have been stated), “They are who we thought they were!”

  18. El Scrotcho 11/26/2008 at 11:01 AM #

    Good stuff. All the programs in NC need to stoke the rivalries. That’s what makes it worth it.

  19. tractor57 11/26/2008 at 11:02 AM #

    It’s nice to be thought of as a program on the rise (as evidenced by the various comments from Cutcliffe and Davis).

    Earlier someone wanted TOB to show more emotion. I think his statement lays down the gaunlet.

    As Bob Lee Swagger said – the Marine 2, the Mercenary 0

  20. Sweet jumper 11/26/2008 at 11:14 AM #

    I hope that Cutcliff has reason to chirp after this Saturday’s game!

  21. ryebread 11/26/2008 at 11:33 AM #

    It’d be good to see State, Wake and Duke all improve. I’d actually prefer UNC to never win another conference game but go 4-8 into eternity, but that’s another topic entirely.

    Truthfully, while I’m one to walk softly and carry a big stick, I understand why TOB pointed this out. We’re playing catch up in recruiting and the local kids need to see that we beat all 4 of the other D1 local programs and handily beat the “program on the rise” (according to the media). Truthfully, for most of these kids, that’s really who we’re competing with.

    As for the shots back and forth in the media, I personally like it. Rivalries are good when the schools and coaches don’t like one another. It’s great to respect one another, but the high points are really when there’s some “fire in the belly.” It personally made me sick to listen to guys like MOC and HWSNBN who down played the importance of rivalry games. That’s the best way to lose a fan base, lose the recruiting wars and lose your job.

    As for Cutcliffe, I think he’s great for Duke football and thus for the league. We need as many good coaches as we can get.

  22. Cosmo96 11/26/2008 at 11:53 AM #

    This kind of thing isn’t unprecedented for TOB after a big win. Does anyone remember the incident a few years ago when BC went to Boise to play in the bowl game there (MPC Computers Bowl, I think)? Their opponent happened to be Boise St. There was a pre-bowl banquet to honor both participating teams that was hosted by folks such as the Mayor of Boise. Well, since the hometown team happened to be one of the participants, the whole thing basically turned into a big pep rally for Boise St., which was a bit disrespectful to the BC team in attendance. If I remember correctly, they were openly making fun of Mathias Kiwanuka, as one example.

    BC went on to win the game, and afterward, through the media, TOB thanked all those who had a hand in that banquet for providing his team with extra motivation. The man knows how to push the right buttons.

  23. Cosmo96 11/26/2008 at 12:03 PM #

    Here’s the link that recaps that incident:

    http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/bowls05/news/story?id=2275267

    “We go to a banquet that turns into a pep rally. I ought to thank the mayor and the people of Boise for getting this team ready to play,” O’Brien said after the game. “There wasn’t anything I had to do to get this team ready.”

  24. wufpup76 11/26/2008 at 12:34 PM #

    “…or, he may be right.

    eek.”

    I really doubt it … And, this is the first time in a long time I can really say with full confidence that we will not only compete to always be the best program in the state but also compete to be the best / one of the best programs in the ACC about an N.C. State team (football, basketball, whatever)

    Plus, some back and forth in the media from the coaches isn’t necessarily a bad thing (at least to me) … It makes it all the more fun … I actually admire that Cutcliffe man’s up for his team … I wouldn’t expect anything less from our coaches

    Now compare that to the HWSNBN / Fowler regime … “It’s really tough to compete! Our neighbors are SOO much better than us – it’s a privelege just to lose to them!” … I’ll take TOB’s attitude and the type of reaction from Cutcliffe every time over pathetic “can’t compete!” sh***y drivel from our AD and some previous regimes

    Fun! 🙂

  25. wolfbuff 11/26/2008 at 12:45 PM #

    The comment was directed right at recruits. Nothing more, nothing less. Was it bold? Of course. But you have to be bold and show some bravado to compete against 4 other D-1 programs for the best in-state talent. It was not meant to be chirpy as Cutcliffe suggested. He’s just putting it out there. The chief and coach Cut were technically right about “program” vs “team”. But they have to say something, even if they’re grasping. The same recruits TOB targeted are listening. What are they supposed to say, “yeah, they do have the best program”? Not likely. But recruits probably won’t make the distinction and the fact that we’e still talking about it 4 days later is good. Point made.

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