But the last line gives away his bias, he graduated from Cal.

Michael might want to let 2004 go, considering how his bears did against Tech in the holiday bowl.

 Part of this is because, like many former Longhorns who played for notorious enabler Mack Brown (Cedric Benson, please pick up the burnt-orange-and-white courtesy phone), Young had an abrupt transition from his pampered collegiate existence to life in the NFL. Ask most NFL coaches which current collegiate program puts out the most spoiled stars and Brown, for a change, wouldn’t have to beg for votes.

It’s also because Young, for all his obvious leadership skills, is a sensitive dude with a penchant for pouting when things don’t go his way.

I thought this chunk was key to the article. Basically, he includes the first paragraph above to take a shot at Mack Brown because otherwise there isn’t enough meat in the article to make it interesting, and if you say nasty things about Mack Brown, someone will pay attention.

Then his second paragraph is really what the article is about.

And life in the NFL isn’t a pampered existence? WTF is that?

Let’s see… I go to college, I get a scholarship. I may or may not start. If I start, and I’m injured, my career could be over.

I go to the NFL. I get millions of dollars in guaranteed money (if a top draft pick). I will probably start because they paid me shitloads of money. If I’m injured, my career could be over….. but I’ve got a crapload of money!

Consider that the average NFL career is less than 4 years long. So, if a kid comes out of college at 22, by age 26, he needs to stop defining himself as a football player (easier said than done, Brett Favre, hello?), and go find a real job.

Yes, the top draft picks get guaranteed millions via lucrative signing bonuses, but they also get the leeches and hanger-ons that go with that kind of money.

You also have to deal with the media in the NFL; Mack Brown isn’t there to answer questions for you or refuse interviews.

While I see your point, I do think either the writer is correct, and these guys were coddled too much in college, or Mack Brown did a helluva job hiding the fact that three of his star athletes (Williams, Benson, Young) all had insecurities/emotional problems/confidence issues.

one of my main criticisms of Brown is that I don’t think he lets some of his star players (his QBs in particular) face adversity and grow from it. I’m thinking more of Chris Simms than I am Vince in this regard, but I think it has hurt the development of his players ans his team. I think Simms in particular would have been a much better QB for texas had he been allowed to face adversity early on, and grow from it.