They Mystery of Graham Spanier

David Jones is in the middle of a three column mini-series (the first two can be found here and here) regarding not only Joe Paterno but also Graham Spanier. I suppose this insight will lead to a greater understanding of Paterno-Contract-Situation. I'm sure these sorts of interviews could certainly shed light on not only the mystery that is Graham Spanier and also, by extension, illuminate more of the turbid waters surrounding the contract negotiations. However, if one takes a step back you realize that we are talking about a school President in a football context!



Don't get me wrong, I want to find out the inside scoop on the contract scuttlebutt as much as the next guy, but do we need a trilogy of articles so I can retreat to my basement lair (of course) to psycho-analyze the man? Also, we are talking about a School president in the context of a college football story. A college football story which would be over if one question would be asked and answered candidly:

Hey, what is the deal with Joe's contract?

If Spanier would actually answer that question candidly we could put down our mini-series and start thinking about football. This is as close as this thing has gotten to talking about football:

"When we talk, it is, 90 percent of the time, about things other than football. I don't think we've ever talked about a particular play or strategy."

I should hope not! No offense, but Joe Paterno seeking or taking Mr. Spanier's advice in a football setting would be like Coca-Cola talking marketing with Jack, the shifty ex-con who hangs out on street corners.

I, however, can give some real insight into Graham's life. This is because I delivered the man's newspaper for a year in the mid to late nineties. First, the man's driveway is about a mile long. Second, he was always up as I dropped off the paper. There you have it. Big Driveway = successful but also overcompensating. Early Riser = Hard Worker.

GO STATE! PSYCHO-ANALYZE HARD!