The Fanatic Approach

Too many times we forget what the word fan is a shortened version of. It comes from "fanatic," which we sometimes pervert into an even worse word, lunatic, by our actions.

From Merriam-Webster, fanatics are said to be "marked by excessive enthusiasm and often intense uncritical devotion."

But we don't usually adhere to the second part of that definition. Instead we jump to lunacy, which is defined as "wildly foolish, insane."

I'm just as guilty as the next loon when it comes to the enthusiasm in the moment, but I tend to step back and see things in the bigger picture before I jump to conclusions. It's for this reason I was the last of my friends to jump off the Houston Nutt bandwagon and call for his job. It's the same reason I have stayed loyal to the current Arkansas Razorback coaching staff and coach John Pelphrey.

Today on sports radio shows across the state callers will spew nonsense about how Saturday's loss was all Pel's fault and it's just another example of why he has to go. They call themselves fans. After a five game winning streak that apparently had nothing to do with the coaching, these folks will come sprinting out of the woodwork to say once again, I told you so. The coaches are doing what they can with what they have. With two seniors on the team (both play like freshmen) and a true sophomore running the team, the Hogs have a bright future. The year 2010 is not this team's prime, by any means.

Lunatics, those wildly foolish folks, will have you know that everyone on the team is being held back by Pelphrey, or that they suck and have no business on the team. But during the winning streak they were nowhere to be found. You can't have it both ways! If you are a fan, stand up for the team and the players even after a loss, and if you won't, don't try to come back to the other side after a win.

I'm sick of all the negativity surrounding the Hogs basketball team. A 2-14 conference season in 2009 has been expunged from their charge because of this season's 6-4 record as of today. I said 5-7 wins in conference this season would be a reasonable improvement on the disaster of last year, and the great run the Hogs just came off of will not sway me back to negativity.

Look, there are fans that attend games, cheer on the team and may go home upset after a loss.

Then, there are people that shoot their kids after a loss,

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=1626939.

Don't be "that guy."

Please people, grow up a little and have some patience. The season hasn't played out yet and this team still has a chance at an SEC West championship and post-season play. Let's be real fans and not dip into crazy-town, pointing fingers and screaming for heads. At least wait for the season to end before you make up your mind on the future of the program.