THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2014
PAGE 11
+
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"The truth is, I don't really think my walking away is that big of (a) deal. For me it's saying, 'Football was pretty cool, but I don't want to play anymore.'"
Rashard Mendenhall Huffington Post
FACT OF THE DAY
The average NFL running back's career tastes only three years.
Bleacher Report
TRIVIA OF THE DAY
Q: Which running back had the longest NFL career?
A: Marcus Allen played 16 seasons from 1982-1997
THE MORNING BREW
ESPN
Controversial NFL player retires early
Rashard Mendenhall has long been one of the NFLs more intriguing players. He's raised eyebrows off the field with controversial comments concerning Bin Laden's death and the authenticity of the 9/11 report, rarely shying away from speaking his mind.
Clearly not one concerned with popular opinion, the 26-year-old running back announced his retirement from football in a piece he wrote on Sunday for the Huffington Post. He played six seasons in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals, winning the Super Bowl in 2009.
In the article, Mendenhall explains the factors that weighed into his decision: disapproval of the direction the league is heading, refusal to sacrifice his body for entertainment any longer and desire to pursue other interests. No lingering injury issues, no legal troubles — he simply wants to be done.
and mats okay. Or at least it should be. Comments such as "I don't want to hear you complain about how hard the NFL is when I work 50-60 hours per week to make ends meet!" and "What kind of idiot would walk away from millions of dollars?" have flooded the internet in response to Mendenhall's early exit.
In an age where athletic accomplishments are placed on the highest pedestal, it's easy to forget that professional athletes are human beings with interests just like the rest of us. For Men-
He may be one of the few to choose this route, but I believe Mendenhall marks the beginning of a changing mindset within NFL culture. A mindset that has slowly shifted to realizing there is a life outside of football filled with many opportunities.
denhall, those interests include writing, poetry and traveling the world. He plans to do all three in his retirement.
We're just now starting to gain a clearer picture of the long-term effects that football has on the body and mind. From Jim McMahon's early onset dementia to Junior Seau's CTE-prompted suicide, current players are forced to face the reality of post-NFL struggles early in their careers.
McMahon has stated in numerous interviews that he wishes he would have chosen a different career. Players
are only now starting to listen.
The NFL culture is rapidly changing, and players' concerns and values have been morphing with it. Football isn't necessarily the career-long commitment that it once was fendenhall's decision
reminds us of that.
While he wasn't considered a top-tier running back, Mendenhall certainly had more left in the tank. His decision to leave the game in the prime of his career is shocking for most, but expect similar stories to come about over the next few years.
Edited by Nick Chadbourne
This week in athletics
Tuesday
Men's Golf
Louisiana Classics
All Day
Lafayette, La.
Softball
South Dakota State (DH)
1 p.m.
Wednesday
Softball South Dakota State (DH) 3 p.m.
No events
Baseball
Oral Roberts University
3 p.m.
Lawrence
Thursday
Men's Basketball TBD Kansas City, Mo.
Friday
Men's Basketball
TBD
Kansas City, Mo.
Softball Northern Illinois 3:30 p.m. Lawrence
Track NCAA Indoor Championships All day Albuquerque, N.M.
Women's Golf
Inspirity Lady Jaguar
Intercollegiate
All day
Augusta, Ga.
Women's Tennis
Iowa State
3 p.m.
Ames, Iowa
Saturday
Baseball
Texas
6 p.m.
Austin, Texas
Men's Basketball
TBD
Kansas City, Mo.
Women's Golf
Insperity Lady Jaguar
Intercollegiate
All Day
Augusta, Ga.
Softball Jackson State 10:30 a.m. Lawrence
Women's Rowing Louisville Invite Day one Oak Ridge, Tenn.
Track
NCAA Indoor Championships
All day
Albuquerque, N.M.
Women's Golf Insperity Lady Jaguar Intercollegiate All day Augusta, Ga.
Sunday
Baseball
Texas
1 p.m.
Austin, Texas
Women's Tennis
West Virginia
11 a.m.
Morgantown, W. Va
Softball
Nebraska
1 p.m.
Lawrence
Women's Rowing Louisville Invite Final results Oak Ridge, Tenn.
Baseball
Texas
1 p.m.
Austin, Texas
Monday
Women's Rowing
Spring Training
TBA
TBD
Kansas needs to get defensive
COMMENTARY
Bill Self loves a good defensive team. Suffocating defense is a testament to his coaching philosophy. You have to be gritty, you need to hustle and you must play as a unit to create the best product.
So when Kansas put up one of its worst defensive efforts of the last several years, surrendering 92 points to West Virginia, including 50 in the first half, Self tried to remain optimistic.
"We were lucky they only had 50," Self said. "I think they were on pace to get 60 halfway through the half, so we really hunkered down defensively."
"We didn't guard at all," he said. "We've gone through stretches this year where we haven't guarded well, but I
Self went on to adopt a more critical tone.
think that's probably as poor as we've been."
Self preaches shutdown defense because, for the most part, shutdown defense is one of the best indicators of post-season success. Notably, the Jayhawk team that cut down the nets in 2008 had the best defensive efficiency in the nation according to KenPom, meaning Kansas allowed less points per 100 possessions than any other team in the nation.
Statistically, Kansas' defense is the worst it has been in years. Kansas ranks 31st nationally in defensive efficiency. This represents the worst the Jayhawks have been since Self came to Kansas. Since the
2005-06 season, Kansas has never been lower than 11th in defensive efficiency.
Kansas' defensive troubles also stem from individual liabilities. Nadir Tharpe has trouble with faster, stronger point guards. West Virginia point guard Juwan Staten abused Tharpe at the point of attack. Self saw him as such a liability that he only played him 16 minutes. Having your
There are several explanations for this. Kansas is relying on five new starters, and defensive chemistry is a gradual process. In addition, Kansas' schedule has been brutal. Finally, the rule changes come to the detriment of the defender.
starting point guard, with a number one seed on the line, get benched due to ineffective defense is extremely troubling.
Wayne Selden Jr. is a solid on-ball defender, but he has not yet mastered team defense. He struggles when the opposition sends his man around multiple off-ball screens. He also gets beat on back cuts, which leads to either points or a foul on the help defender. Kansas' big men cannot afford to use their fouls against opposing guards who beat their primary defender.
In the post, Perry Ellis has improved as the year has progressed, but the natural instincts he shows on offense
just aren't present on defense. He ends up out of place, and when faced with a strong power forward, he either fouls or gives up an easy basket.
Joel Embid's absence has been noticeable, but in an ideal Bill Self defense, one player's absence can be mitigated. This year's team has been unable to do so.
Until Kansas' defense improves, this team has a ceiling. If Kansas buys into a team defense concept, the sky's the limit.
- Edited by Paige Lytle
Naismith Hall, a private student residence hall serving the university of KS, is accepting applications for Resident Director and Summer Resident Director; Apply in person at 1800 Naismith Drive, Lawrence KS
Naismith Hall, a private student residence hall serving the University of KS, is accepting applications for Summer Resident Advisors: Apply in person at 1800 Naismith Drive, Lawrence, KS
Full/Part time workers needed for vegetable farm. Call 842-7941 leave message with your experience.
Sunflower State Games seeks energetic and responsible summer interns to assist in event planning and promotions for Olympic Style Sports Festival. Email sunflowergames@cbgcolab.net or call 785-235-295 or global.net
HOUSING
Large 3BR, 2BA, garage, W/D, FP-
Jana Drive. Call/text 785-331-5360
www.lawrencecom.com
Walk to campus/downtown.
28R/1BA, W/D storage
901 illinois. Call/text 785-331-5360
www.lawrencepm.com
NOW LEASING FOR FALLI
Call for details!
Chase Court Apartments
785-843-8220
HOUSING
3 BR and 48R Available Aug.
Close to KU. All appls. Must see.
Call 785-766-7518.
3 BR, 2BA townhomes avail. Aug. 1
2808 University - $1300/month
Adam Ave. - $1200/month
Deposit - one months rent
Pet Friendly! Call Garber Property
Management! 785-842-2475
Summer lease June-July 3BR, 2
B.A. Near KU, All Applies.
floors
Cnll 785-841-3849
Now Leasing for Summer & Fall
1-4 BR Apts/Townhouses, Bus,
Pool, Quiet, Small Pets OK. 785-
843-0011 www.holidaymargins.com
AVAILABLE ON:
AVAILABLE ON:
APP STORE & GOOGLE PLAY