A Chip on Your Shoulder

You've heard the phrase, "A Chip on Your Shoulder." It means you're carrying some attitude, even anger. I thought about this a lot after the Air Force CSU game after Freshman Matt Mooney was rightfully ejected for punching Rams player JJ Avilla in the back during a skirmish. There's no room for that in sports or anywhere else. However, there is symbolism in Mooney's action I need to address. For years the Falcons have been a basketball team that has played hard, even though they are outsized at times and out-muscled. They play against bigger, stronger, physical and more athletic clubs all the time. The Falcons worked hard and give it their all. What I am about to say is not a criticism of any players and coaches. But after watching Colorado State, and other teams physically get after the Falcons its time for Air Force to come out and play with a little more snarl in their game. I'm not saying they don't do this now, but I do believe you see it very infrequently from Air Force. I would love to see the Falcons come out with more attitude, more swagger, and more of the moxy of, "That's our ball, and this is our game, and we're gonna get in your face for 40 minutes and see who's better." Cadets are amazing people, both physically and mentally. I don't see anything wrong with having a little more chippiness or anger in their game. Too many programs see Air Force as soft. Mooney's punch was wrong. He was coming to the aid of a teammate who was being held in a headlock. That was right. Air Force almost beat CSU because they were angry after the incident. It couldn't hurt to show some of that fight and spirit the rest of the season.