Thoughts from the underground

Wow the 2011 season was fun!  The most enjoyable season since the 03 season. It is fun being the underdog.  The offense made great strides and ready got an indentity and played with a purpose. Coach Kiffin grew into a more mature play caller. Nothing showed  this more than the play calling at ND and Oregon. You saw Kiffin set up plays for later in the game use. He maximized the talents on the offense. On defense you saw a much improved pass rush and secondary. Linebacker play was also better. The Trojan D swarmed the ball. As a head coach I thought Kiffin did the best job in America. A very young team under probation with nothing to play for went into hostile environments where the opposing team did everything in their power to make it into a superbowl type event.(ND and Oregon) and the young Trojans looked unfazed!! Great job. How Kiffin got NO consideration for COY is crazy! He wasn’t even in the 5 final candidates.

Next year we lose Kahil and Perry and those are big loses but I expect the Trojans will be fine. I think Barkley will have a stellar season and the Trojans will complete at a high level. Kiffin has also done a great job at recruiting. The biggest challenge will be dealing with the target on their backs. The media will no longer overlook them and they will deal with outside distractions. I will make a more in depth preview closer to the start of the season when recruiting and depth charts are finalized.
I leave you with these great videos recapping the Trojans 2011 season..FIGHT ON!

Wow…someone please make sense of Laker fans and so called analysts telling me that the Lakers are doomed unless they trade for D12…Let’s see, entering the playoffs last season, the Lakers were one of the favorites to win the championship and 3 Peat!! Yes 3 Peat and now they are destined to be a middle of the pack team? Don’t they still have the most skilled 7 footer in the league? One of the top 3 centers in the league if not the second best center? Dont they have the best closer and still a top 5 talent at shooting guard? They lost Shannon Brown..who was inconsistent as best. Someone I dreaded making a 3 early in the game because if he made one of his first 3 he would continue to shoot them all game long. The lost the sixth man of the year who was at best the 4th best player on the team. And now the Lakers suck???? Their biggest loss was coach Jackson.  That might be an issue to overcome but guess what folks. The Lakers embarrassing exit from the playoffs last season had more to do with tired legs and minds then lack of talent.  Phil didn’t want to come back before last year. He was tired of coaching but felt compelled because the Lakers were going for a three peat. Dr. Buss didn’t want to have a payroll of 91 million but felt compelled to do so because the Lakers were going for a 3 peat. They didn’t do it so things changed…what is the big deal?

The CP3 would have been a great trade. CP3 would have made Bynum and Kobe’s life alot easier. Look at what great point guards do for teams? CP3 almost beat the Lakers with nobodies, he made Tyson Chandler a star, David West a star.  Let’s see how far David West’s numbers fall now that he no longer has CP3. Remember, “the Matrix”? Boris Diaw, Barbosa? I though these guys were pretty good. Then they left Steve Nash…and now not so much. I actually preferred CP3 to D12..too bad Stern killed the deal.

But LO was so hurt by the thought that they would trade him..that he demanded a trade? What a classic example of a pampered athlete. Lamar..you were not that valuable. We liked you yes..but frankly if we thought you were that good there would be a no trade clause in your contract. Sorry. Why is everyone freaking out that he went to Dallas? Dallas is the Oakland Raiders of the NBA. Always looking to add star way past their prime to the roster. J Kidd, Matrix, Vince Carter and now 32 year old LO. Sorry I am not that worried about it. LO biggest asset was his potential and not his production but we all know he rarely lived up to it..and no sixth man of the year is not his potential.

And know we hear that if there Lakers dont make any moves and they start slow Kobe will ask for a trade…really Kobe. For a guy that wants to be regarded with the likes of Magic, Jordan and Bird..go look up how many times they asked to be traded? and maybe one of the reasons why the Lakers cannot get a big name is because you make 25 mil, 28 mil and 30mil when you are 33,34,35…Frankly Kobe, I think it would be hard to find a suitor with those numbers.

Lastly, LA is going crazy over the Clippers after the CP3 trade. Looks great on paper. But wake me up when Blake makes a 15 footer consistently.  Wake me up when Jordan does anything but dunk … Chauncy is great but he is an old 35..guards do not age gracefully. There is a reason why the Knicks let him go. I am not saying the Clippers wont be great and exciting but over taking the Lakers?? come on. Can anyone say the Phil Eagles? Let’s see them play first.

Laker fans..a little pataience and a lot more prospective please. You might actually remember how well Bynum and Gasol play off each other. You might remember how good Kobe really is…The best thing to happen to the Lakers was REST. That trade exception could come in handy at the trade deadline for a decent point guard.

 2011 USC vs Stanford

What a game!! It has been a long time since I was as emotionally involved with my Trojans but last night was an awesome atmosphere. It felt like the good old days and I mean 2002-2005. The energy and excitement could be felt miles away. As soon as I got off the freeway there were people walking to the Coliseum from miles away. There was no parking anywhere.That was indication number one that the stadium would be rocking….The crowd at the game was electric. I tell people all the time that nothing compares to college football and last night was the classic example. When Robely got the pick six…the Coliseum went nuts. We were jumping around high fiving everyone..it was crazy. A night to remember how fun a Trojan game can be…

There were alot of questionable plays in the game. I do not blame the refs for the loss but I certainly question some of the missed calls. An oblivious pass interference play in the end zone on Robert Woods,  a questionable personal penalty call on McDonald on the Farm’s game tying TD drive, the tauting call on Lee and of course the missed timeout at the end of regulation. How do you correct the call on Lee..”Listen son..I know you are 18 and are playing in front of 100k plus on national TV. You just made a play that put your team up late in the game. DONT SHOW THAT YOU CARE???”..I would know what to tell Lee regarding that play if I am coach Kiffin. When I walked out of the stadium last night I felt the Trojans were robbed. Completely robbed.  Now after emotions have settled, i still feel the same way but recognize that the Trojans also had their opportunities to win the game and they didnt seize them.  One thing I would say is that coach Kiffin needs to reign in his players mouth and his complaining. Leading into the game all we heard was the notre dame quit. When coach Kiffin tried to address some other player would tweet something..I really wanted coach to kill the talk. Does Kiffin have a point about the time out? Yes..but guess what coach? All the complaining will get you a written apology from the Pac 12..at best..and that’s it. You lost the game regardless…STOP BITCHING! let it go. Talk about your teams and how it rose to the challage. The players will look to you and your reaction for direction after this tough loss.

Offense: Woods was off early in the game and never seems right the whole game. Hard to critize the guy that has been your offense at times. Maybe the kid is tired. Kiffin should soften his load and take him off kickoffs and punt returns. You have alot of talnetd playmakers on the roster coach..use them before you burn out your best player. I thought that the offense went away from the run game for long streches in the game. They failed to use the middle of the field with their tight ends.  Of course Woods should downed the play in regulation with time running out..that was a bad decision.

Defense: I really dont have much to say for the defense other than congratulating them on an awesome game. Coach Kiffin (dad) did an excellent job. 2 sacks, 3 delays of game, 1 pick and multiple hurries and knock downs. Luck had been sacked 2 times all year..picked 4 times all year..Their offense was rolling huge nunbers on the offense and on the scoreboard. Yet the defense kept them way under their averages. They left the middle open for Luck scambles and ran out gas by the second overtime but my hats off to them. Great game…

Overall it was an exciting game. One that I will remember for a long time. Not so much the outcome but the energy, the excitment, the passion with which the players played that had nothing to play for but pride. I had not seen or felt that in a long time. Even towards the end of Pete’s era..that part of the game day experience was missing. Kiffen is still growing as a coach but if the last 2 weeks are any indication the program is headed in the right direction.  Coming off his most impressive game under the glare of College gameday..he had the players focused, prepared and ready to play. The kids played their hearts out last night and left it all on the field. That is the mark of a great coach. Some people will always have something to complain about but I for one am in Kiffins corner…fight on coach.

On a side note…Trojan post game show with Darrell Rideaux is terrible. I dont know what it is with former players in broadcasting but Petros and Darrell Rideaux are terrible when talking about Trojan football. It seems like they go out of their way to not be Trojan homers. Rideaux especially tries way too hard to by wordly..tough to listen too..

Fight On!! and the Buffaloes !!

 Well….do I have egg on my face. Coach Kiffin proved alot of people wrong(me at the top of the list) and had his most impressive win as head coach of the trojans. Notre Dame did everything but wear the green jerseys: First night game in 20+ years, biggest recruiting trip ever at notre dame, handed out towels, played Ozzy before 3rd downs…and yet the fighting irish did very little fighting. USC looked very prepared.

Offense:

They  kept the notre dame defense off balance almost the entire game. The game was swinging a little bit at the end of the first half and the start of the second half but USC kepting churning those first downs and surprisingly with the run game.  The tight ends played big, I saw Farmer in the game and he didnt get the ball!!!, as a matter of fact it was a fake toss sweep and Woods was open at the back of the end zone. Excellent playcalling by Kiffin.  Woods had a very quiet 10+ catch, 100+ yards game, 2 Touchdown game!! Curtis and Tyler had a great game as well..but the game ball goes to Barkley. His best game he has ever played as a Trojan so far. He has had better passing numbers, better touchdown numbers..but never has he played as mistake free football as he did last night. He looked every bit the 3 year starter. Great decision after great decision. The best stat line of the game..2 penalities and no turnovers…

Defense:

What can you say about a unit that has been beat up since last season. Pretty much shut out their star receiver who was bigger and stronger than our corners. I would have never believed it if you told me that before the start of the game. They played discipline, controlled, smart and opportunistic football. A heads up play on all three turn overs. Starlings fumble return for a touchdown was tremendous..a 14 pt switch..most likely. Lady luck was not with the irish last night in south bend..Again..a heady play by a 5th year senior linebacker in the second fumble. And 5 8 Robely undecuts the route against 6 3 Floyd..wow..The defense faltered a little on the start of the second half but held together at the end.

The only glaring blemish was the kickoff return for a touchdown. That could have been much bigger than it was. Huge momentum switch.

Congrats to the entire coaching staff and the players on a great win. Both Kiffins and Barkley have been getting killed and I very happy for them. I still think Kiffin should get an experienced OC and that the defense should be simplified but for one night they looked like the Trojans of old.

I often get asked if not Kiffin who? And I have always answered that even though Kiffin has his flaws he is the right coach at USC at the right time. He might be the best long term answer but what program on probation, barely ranked gets College Game Day to come their house??? Kudos to coach Kiffin…Beat the Farm!!

USC vs notre dame

USC faces the Irish this weekend in the arguably greatest rivalry in college football. Before I get    into what I think are the keys to a USC victory I thought it would be a great time to evaluate your 2011 Trojans.

Defense:

This unit was highly criticized last season and seemed to improve this season. Although last Thursday’s seemingly great performance had more to do with the awful performance from the Cal QB than a great performance from USC’s defense.  USC has great athletes on the defensive side of the football. True, they are young and thin at certain spots such as linebackers and the secondary. However, I do not think that is the biggest issue. The problem with USC’s defense continues to be the scheme and the play calling. Monte Kiffin might be a legend in the NFL but I will repeat that the difference between college and the NFL is huge. How many coaches can you name that had success in both? Coach Carroll’s successful performance as a defensive coordinator in both college and the NFL is rare. USC’s biggest problems are that the players do not know where to go and where to be. Receivers and backs are WIDE open most of the time. Monte is so scared of the big play the secondary plays 10-20 yards off the ball. Linebackers do not plug holes on running plays opening the defense up to 20 yard gains. Does USC have the players to be a top defense? Maybe not. But when coach Carroll arrived in 2001 he had less to work with and he made that defense look scary good.  The difference? Coach Carroll had about 6 plays..that was it. Players were told not think but just do what your jobs requires. Their superior athletic ability took over and viola..a top 10 defense. Coach Kiffin needs to follow that mold. The question is..can a 30 year veteran of the NFL suddenly change and adjust? Don’t hold your breath…

Offense:

As much as the defense is under performing..the offense is not doing much better. Ok..in the stats it looks like they are. But the USC offense has even more athletes and yet also suffers from the same poor coaching dilemma. The offense continues to suffer from a lack of identity. What is USC on offense? A power running team? West coast? Pro form? Get the ball to Woods? Yep..that seems to be it. The whole offense seems geared to get the ball to Woods. If he covered..look for Lee. If he is covered…Were doomed. Someone please explain to me how Woods could be bracketed by both safeties..which means he is TRIPLED covered and someone else not be wide open? Don’t mention Lee since he was not wide open, he at least had the other corner on him. I mean WIDE open..A tight end over the middle? A receiver or running back on  a quick slant? Either Kiffin cannot adjust to the defense or Barkely simply cannot go through his progressions..It is most likely a combination of both and that is BAD NEWS for USC.  Please do not get me started on the Farmer and Baxter packages? How many times has Baxter or Farmer came into the game and NOT  gotten the ball? How many times have the actually ran anything other than a play wide? Those formations/packages are the biggest giveaways I have seen since Hackett ran the tank formation. How could a defense not know what you are doing?  To quote a knowledgeable USC observer “Most college offenses rely on 2 fundamental principles:  Multiple plays from the same formation and Multiple formations for the same play.  Multiple plays from the same formation lets you set up future plays.  ”Oh they’re in formation X with these people.  They’ve hit us with a blast every time so far.  I’m going to cheat against the blast and Oh Crap Play action he’s going over my head!”.  Multiple formations for the same play lets your players do something they’re familiar with and master the play without telling the defense what you’re doing.  Our offense is neither.  It seems the me the closest thing Kiffin has to a philosophy is that he’s not going to worry about whether the defense knows what the play is or where it’s going, he’s going to try to be cute with motion to get favorable matchups for his star athletes.  I have news for him, Robert Woods isn’t fooling anybody when he lines up as a running back, motioning out to the slot.  Cal made sure to mark him every time he stepped on the field regardless of where he lined up.  Moreover, this kind of offense is confusing for your own players.  They don’t OWN any plays, they don’t have anything they can fall back on when they’re in trouble… they have a lot of toys and no idea how to use them. “.. The problem with Kiffin is that he is too green for the job he has. He has not been a coordinator long before he got a head coaching gig. It is very tough being the offensive coordinator at a big time university like USC…harder when you are young and inexperienced. It is even harder to be a head coach at a big time university like USC and even harder when you are young and experienced like Kiffin…and it is almost impossible to do both. I don’t know many if any coaches at big time college football that do double duty…much less one as young and inexperienced as Kiffin. I hope that part of the maturation process this off season will be the realization by coach Kiffin that he needs an experienced OC. Doesn’t mean Kiffin cannot be involved and the offense have his mark and influence but someone else needs to take the reins. It is better in the long and short run for coach Kiffin and for USC. Don’t hold your breath…

Notre Dame

I have to admit, I don’t have high hopes. USC has not given me any confidence even with their 5-1 record. Notre Dame’s offense is perfect for USC’s defense. Notre Dame does not have big play capability. They do not have burners on offense. Instead they rely on taking 5-8 yards at a time with big Michael Floyd, the tight ends and a solid running game. With USC playing 10 yards off the ball, Notre Dame should not have much trouble executing their game plan. When they get into the red zone we have NO answer for Floyd. A simple fade to the corner should be successful nearly 100% of the time.

On offense, I think Cal had the blue print and to some degree Minnesota in the second half. Simply take away Woods, keep an eye on Lee and don’t worry too much about the rest. Doesn’t matter if the rest get an occasional pass or even a big play because Kiffin and Barkely will always look to Woods no matter if the defense is giving them other options.  Minnesota stayed in the game because they simply focused on Woods and Barkley simply cannot go through his progression to see that the tight end was WIDE open…or that Brice Butler had beaten his man by twenty yards. Against Cal..Barkely went to Woods no matter the coverage. He had to throw the ball in tight coverage and couldn’t do so…but again, tight ends, backs out of the backfield, other receivers SHOULD be WIDE open.  News flash to Barkley and Kiffin…take what the defense gives you.  You can win with Woods getting 1 catch..if the other receivers are given a chance.

Keys to a USC victory:

Take what the Notre Dame gives you.

Use Woods as a decoy until the defense goes back to reasonable coverage on Woods

Use your tight ends

Use Baxter and Farmer in regular formations and not special packages. A wheel route might be a good idea.

On defense, play bump and run man. Just have McDonald double on Floyd.

Blitz like crazy from all directions and formations.

Predication

SC 30 ND 28

Fight On!!

   USC lost their 2004 today in the midst of coach Tressel going down at Ohio  State. The NCAA had no smoking gun against USC. There was no email, phone call, receipt that showed that USC and the football coached knew that Reggie was on the take. Should they have known? Maybe. But the NCAA could not prove that USC did know. What was the excuse that the NCAA gave when they refused to sanction Auburn in light of Cam Newton’s father selling the services of his son? They could not prove that Cam or the University of Auburn knew anything about it. Well, this is not the case with Tressell and OSU. There are emails that show that Tressell knew of the transgressions. So what know NCAA? Does OSU get the death penetly? Sure seems that would be apporiate given the evidence and the pattern of discpline set forth by the NCAA…which is why the complete opposite will happen and OSU will get a slap on the wrist in comparison to USC. The NCAA is a fraud and a mafia.

So now that USC lost it’s 2004 championship..where does that leave the legacy of Pete Carroll? He was once talked about as the greatest USC coach in history…surpassing even the great John McKay…now well…I think comparsions to John Robinson seem more appropriate. Nothing wrong with that….

 My boys concluded their frst season together yesterday when they got  their trophies. It was a great season but after soccer, basketball and baseball back to back to back..I have to admit I am beat.

Baseball is a tough sport for kids to play because of the lack of action and the requirement to actually think and make decisions. I find it easier to coach soccer and basketball where the kids just play.

Manuel had a decent season. Nothing specially bad or good. I know he wants to be good but he lacks the patience to play and practice. He is a great athlete so sports come easy for him but I will have to work with a little more on his baseball skills.

Eli had a great season. He was playing with kids twice his age..literally. He was 3 and was playing with 6 year olds. In retrospect I regret moving him up. He did not enjoy playing as much and at times seemed out of place. I am sure he will be a better player because of the experience but I just wished he had more fun.

Lastly, I am approaching the fine line between having fun and winning. My boys played non-competitive baseball until the tournament at the end. Yes, some parents were always keeping score but for the most part let our players play all positions except firstbase. That was only because in first base you have to be able to catch the ball. However, in the tournament I saw some extremely competitive coaches. Coaches that would yell at their players and make demands from 6 year olds. A small part of me wanted to win just to shut these guys up. To end our season..we had 1 at third, 1 at second…our 2nd best hitter up with 2 outs. Every player got 6 pitches from the pitching machine. Our hitter was 6 years old and must have understood the circumstances because you could see the tension in his face. He knew that if he hit the ball into the outfield we would tie the game. He was very capable. But on this game, he had struggled. On this last at bat…he was struggling again. When he whiffed on the 4th ball, tears started rolling down his face. I felt bad for him. He went down swinging and that ended our season. He was crying all the way back to the dugout.

In the end, we have to remember that these are kids playing a game. Yes we want them to be competitive and yes we want to push them to be their best…but we have to remember these are kids. They need to be picked up…we need to build them up.  As my boys grow and advance in their atheltic careers I have to remember the balance betweeen having fun and winning. Fun should always come first.

The Lakers were swept from the playoffs this year…what is the big deal? I am disappointed so many so-called Laker fans went so ballistic. Calling the Lakers a team of no heart….too old. People wake up. The Lakers were going to for a three-peat.  Going for 4 consecutive finals appearances. Know how many teams have made 4 consecutive NBA finals appearances in history? 4..the last one and the only modern team to do it was the Boston Celtics in the 80′s. That team had 3 bond fide hall of famers…top 50 players in their prime. They also had a 5 game first round series instead of the modern 7 game first round series. Pro players could not play in international events. That means that when the 1984 olympics were going on in Los Angeles, Larry Bird was at home watching them instead of playing in them right after playing in the NBA finals and right before training camp for the next season. Kobe, Pau and Lamar all played in international events after playing in the Finals. If the Lakers would have made the finals again…based on that achievement alone they would have to be considered as one of the all time teams in NBA history. If they were to actually win a third consecutive title they undoubtedly go down as one the all time best. Think about that for a moment……Would you pick these Lakers against the Magic Lakers?? The Shaq-Kobe Lakers? The Jordan Bulls? Bird Celtics? I would not even come close to picking these Lakers. I love my Lakers…but have a little perspective here folks. It would be hard for any team to make to the finals 4 straight years….these Lakers are a veteran team. THEY ARE TIRED! and although I am not content with 2 back to back title….they HAVE EARNED a little leeway don’t you think….instead of ragging on them appreciate what they accomplished and the respect the magnitude of the achiement they were trying to accomplish. All this complaining ..belittles their achievements and the bigger goal they were in pursuit of.. Kobe has had multiple injuries..messed up fingers, twisted ankles, knee problems….he never had the time to let them heal…and you are calling out their heart? Give me a break…

The comments by Magic are the most distressing….I love Magic but he is way off base when he wants to give up on the Lakers….Let’s review Magic’s career…Lakers win championship in 1980…Lose in ROUND 1 in 81…no talk of breakup. Win championship in 1982…get swept in finals (Worthy hurt) in 1983….Lose in finals in 1984..Magic played terrible and was the Pau of this year..that year…No talk of breakup….To add to the wound…Lakers still had never beat the Celtics in Finals and Bird finally gets revenge on Magic…Win championship in  1985( following the memorial day massacre in Boston Garden) and finally beat the Celtics in Finals…and believe me in LA..that alone was like winning 3 straight titles…Lose in WCF in 1986 in 5 games while having home court advantage (in what would have been 4 consecutive finals appearances)….no talk of breakup…back to back titles in 87-88…swept in 89 with Magic and Scott hurt….Memo to Magic – The only time there was talk of breakup was when Kareem retired.

These Lakers still have alot in them and I expect them to challenge for a title next year. I would not be surprised to see them have the best record in the NBA. Kobe needs to reinvent himself this off season.. Much like Magic and Jordan late in their careers before him…needs to hit the weight room and have more of a post up game. More then ever needs to learn how to be quick..not fast as coach Wooden famously preached.

Have faith Laker Nation…the fellas will be back.

The democratic party’s  greatest accomplishment has been not been any policy or political achievement but rather the manipulation of the Hispanic and African Americanvote. That has been the life line for the party for the last 30 or so years. I have often wondered how this came to be. After all at least when speaking of Hispanics, Hispanics tend to be more conservative than most would think. They have a strong belief in God, church and it’s active role in their lives. They hold strong family values. Most importantly they are hard workers who believe that you should work for what you get and not take handouts. Think about what it takes to come to America in search of a better opportunity coming from Mexico. You leave your family, cross the desert, work for little pay and are constantly running from the law. Yet countless make the trip every year. Some actually make it and become leaders in their American Communities. You are telling that these people and their children are the same ones that ask for affirmative action? for preferential treatment? I don’t get it.  I could only conclude that over time they get caught up in the spell that liberals put out telling them that they could be better but the man is holding them down. Most liberals tend to be from the democratic party. It seems they have done such a good job that most Hispanics are automatically democrats. If a Hispanic happens to mention that they belong to another party and God forbid the dreaded Republican party they are scorned? Treated as if they were traitors. Sad really.

This looks to changing as more republican Hispanics are changing the thinking of the old guard. California has more Republican Hispanic leaders and New Mexico new governor is a Latina republican.  This is very good new for Hispanic voters. Not only are they diversifying their political base but this change will make both parties fight for their votes and put political agendas forward that truly put Hispanics causes and concerns in the forefront. The Hispanic votes was such lock for the democratic party that Hispanics were an after thought for both parties. The tide is changing…I don’t advocate for one to be of either party. Rather I ask readers and in particular young Hispanic readers to think about their beliefs, to think about what is important to them and then to align themselves with the party that they most have in common with. The party that will help them achieve their goals. I think that most would be surprised with the party they come with…just as Republican Susana Martinez newly elected Governor of New Mexico.

The NCAA suspended 5 Ohio State players including the star quarterback for 5 games NEXT season for improper benefits accepted THIS season. How ridiculous is that?  Let’s look at the NCAA scorecard…USC’s Reggie Bush’s parents accept improper benefits and USC gets hit with 5 year probation, loses 30 scholarships and a 2 year bowl ban.  Cam Newton’s dad admits to shopping his son and NO punishment from the NCAA.  5 players for Ohio State get caught accepting improper benefits this season and get a five game suspension next season. Some are juniors and may not even come back next season. Can they play in the upcoming Sugar Bowl???of course!! The NCAA does not want to kill ratings.  2 things jump out from the Ohio State suspension.

1) They were caught selling their school merchandise including Pryor selling his 2008 Big 10 championship ring. One guy got a tattoo in exchange for a autograph. Why is this a violation? Pryor owns the ring…why can’t he sell it?

2) Why in the world would they be suspended next season and not the very next game which in this case would be the sugar bowl??

The NCAA has proven their uneven. unjust and many times silly application and punishment of their rules.