We as fans (somewhat justifiably) expect 5-stars to come in and be instant impact players. But it just doesn't always happen. Two recent examples:
Everyone was down on Phillips - his attitude and lack of production
Everyone was down on Richmond - his attitude and lack of production
Now both of them are playing and playing well. Now, Preston Williams is an opposite example - never fit in and couldn't cut it.
But I'm of the opinion that a) there's a reason Kongbo was a 5-star wanted by FSU/USC et al, b) his being from a different country and culture likely are exacerbating the issues he's having, and c) Butch has a pretty damn good history of getting guys like this to fit in and live up to their potential OR moving on from them before they become too much of a cancer to the team.
Kongbo has too much potential and we have too much of a need for a bigtime DL to just throw in the towel, so Butch is going to do everything he can to make it happen. He's going to get a longer leash than a 2-star or an absolute malcontent. I'm not guaranteeing that Kongbo can turn it around, of course. But you can bet that Butch is going to give him every opportunity to do so, and I wouldn't be shocked (and will be thrilled) if he does.
Everyone was down on Phillips - his attitude and lack of production
Everyone was down on Richmond - his attitude and lack of production
Now both of them are playing and playing well. Now, Preston Williams is an opposite example - never fit in and couldn't cut it.
But I'm of the opinion that a) there's a reason Kongbo was a 5-star wanted by FSU/USC et al, b) his being from a different country and culture likely are exacerbating the issues he's having, and c) Butch has a pretty damn good history of getting guys like this to fit in and live up to their potential OR moving on from them before they become too much of a cancer to the team.
Kongbo has too much potential and we have too much of a need for a bigtime DL to just throw in the towel, so Butch is going to do everything he can to make it happen. He's going to get a longer leash than a 2-star or an absolute malcontent. I'm not guaranteeing that Kongbo can turn it around, of course. But you can bet that Butch is going to give him every opportunity to do so, and I wouldn't be shocked (and will be thrilled) if he does.
