Joanne Ireland of the Edmonton Journal revealed today that thecaptainethanmoreau has been playing with a broken right hand since December. It might explain his inability to deke on clear cut breakaways, and why he only ever seemed to have one hand on his stick most of the time, leading to those awful stick related penalties he would take at critical points late in the games. I understand we've been all over thecaptainethanmoreau in the last while for playing beyond his means and eating precious minutes at the expense of others, but the fact that he's been doing it with a broken hand just makes it all make so much sense now. Earlier in the year, I did a piece on discipline and leadership relating to Moreau. http://bringingbacktheglory.blogspot.com/2009/02/beware-ides-of-march.html It was ill-timed; the next day, he took that stick in the eye and many around the 'sphere thought thecaptainethanmoreau was done for a long time. The idea I wanted to bring up was the analogy that I used to describe both him and the team in a nutshell in the comments section of that post; like a real good buddy who always says he's up for a party or at least a good time, and then ends up either just sitting around stoned playing vids, or flaking out and not showing up after all. It's a disappointment to have such friends; you always want to be hopeful that they'll pull through, that you'll be able to still have those great times like you did in your undergrad years, but then, well, fail. That is our Edmonton Oilers this year, as exemplified by thecaptainethanmoreau. You just know that he's capable of more, both on the ice and off, and you feel let down and a little betrayed. The revelation of the broken hand comes out and now I'm no longer disappointed. In fact, I'm just pissed right off.
Broken hand=stay in lineup, broken eye=three days off. Ladies and gentlemen, thecaptainethanmoreau, poster-boy of your Edmonton Oilers; gritty, fearless, selfish, dumb.
Sorry for the Sunday morning bitterness, but when I read things like Chopper playing with a broken hand since December, it sorta drives me even crazier. Take the time off, let someone like Poo try to prove his worth as potentially the 3C, shift Cogs over to the wing while Moreau recovers to be back at full strength for the playoff drive. That's what true leaders do, they know when to be selfless and do what they can to help the people around them. Cogs might have 25 goals this year if thecaptainethanmoreau has two working hands, and potentially a much better draw% too, with the winger being able to come in for the assist, but you can't do that with a broken hand, can you?! Thecaptainethanmoreau's decision to stay in the lineup was not effective leadership. Instead, he will be made a martyr for his efforts (yes, it is ironic to be writing this on Zombie Jesus Sunday) and avoid being the subject of the wrath of the MSM or the organization due to his "heroic sacrifice" of his body for the sake of the team. Sorry, this time around, the sacrifice has done more harm then good.
Go Oilers
SWS
8 comments:
Well Sheps,
I see that you are in the second stage of a losing season: Anger. I can wait till denial sets in that will be funnier.
But ou do have a point, Moreau's play has looked "gritty, fearless, selfish, [and] dumb" this year. I am wondering how he fought with that broken hand. Some of your comments about Moreau could be attributed to MacT: if he was that hurt why did the coach let him play instead of a health player. There is alot of blame to go around, lets hope Tambo puts some on Moreau, and trades thecaptainethanmoreau to somebody that values the grit he provides, and gets the contract off our books.
perhaps...but that stage will likely set in post thesis when I have more time for thoughtful reflection upon my denial. that's when the collective memory piece I've been developing will come out. Today was simply from the gut.
Awesome post sheps. Unfortunately, your conclusion is correct. He's going to be lauded for this.
Coach, you're too kind!
Considering how frustrated my thesis is making me right now, the praise from both you and JW on his site really helps with the confidence... not so much on killing the writer's block though, sadly.
One more thing about Moreau:
That asshole kept taking faceoffs when the centerman was tossed - even though he had a broken hand.
quite right. thecaptainstupidethanmoreau is my vote for the new name...although considering I did rant on the team's lack of heart, chopper at least showed us he had that in spades... and courage, and he knows where his home is...if he only had a brain!
when the captain is one of only a handful of players with heart, there's a serious fuckin problem.
and while thecaptainstupidethanmoreau was surely a disappointment on many, many nights, I can't blame him too much either. He should never have been named captain. The team fucked up here and for the most part, once you are named captain you are not stripped. Instead, we have to hope he'll be traded even though we'll just need to make up the toughness elsewhere and I don't see too many capable of doing so.
Why would MacT leave him in the lineup and let him play with a broken hand? One would think that common sense should prevail with one or the other?
Here's to hoping that Quinn has the sense or mental fortitude to relegate thecaptainethanmoreau to 4rth line duties.
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