'Now that I see he's not playing around, I'm here 100 percent'
AUSTIN WARD Star-Tribune staff writer | Posted: Saturday, June 27, 2009 12:00 am
There were academic issues.
Greg Bolling paid his own way to fix them.
There have been injury problems.
The Wyoming wide receiver hasn't completely patched those up yet, but for the most part, he's proven capable of coming back in better shape than before.
Now, the senior is dealing with another hurdle before finishing his career with the Cowboys, this one apparently caused by some disciplinary troubles.
Bolling declined to offer any specifics about what caused his two-game suspension on Friday, but like everything else so far in a star-crossed career at UW, he's turning it into one more way to become stronger.
"I'll just say coach Christensen is a tough guy, and what he said about his program not adapting to players, his players have to adapt to his program, that's true," Bolling said. "You're going to have to adapt to his program, and if you want to be here, you have to buy in 100 percent.
"… It's just a matter of knowing he means business and getting the job done when he's asking for it because he's counting on all of us. If he can't count on you, he doesn't want you here. Now that I see he's not playing around, I'm here 100 percent, no matter what."
The talented wideout still isn't there yet in terms of health, but even without the ability to catch a football again until August he reaffirmed his commitment to the Cowboys and Christensen.
The violation of team standards that will cost him the season-opening game against Weber State and the celebrated meeting with Texas could be a major blow to all parties involved though, which seemed to sting Bolling as much as the separated shoulder that has kept him off the field since early in spring practice.
UW's leading receiver last year figured to benefit the most from the new spread offense, and he raved about the performance of quarterback Karsten Sween from the sideline during scrimmages in April.
But Bolling might not even be ready to practice when camp opens, and he certainly won't be able to contribute until UW's third game at the earliest.
"I'm not the type of person to just let one or two little things stop me from doing what I want to do," Bolling said. "I'm going to keep pushing until the end, and I know there's not an end for me in sight right now. I've got a year left, and I plan to play it.
"For any [Division I] athlete, it's going to be an educational process, no matter what they go through. Everybody in D-I, especially in football, goes through something. That's the thing about it - it's a maturation process. You read stuff every day about somebody doing this or somebody doing that, and later on down the road, you see that person doing something big."
Bolling is more than capable of being that guy, and this season appeared to be his best shot after two frustrating seasons for a team that struggled through the air.
First, he has to get healthy.
He'll also have to make clear he's overcome his latest setback.
"I'm not out there trying to have [Christensen] not trust me, I want all the coaches to trust me," Bolling said. "All I've got to say, he's a hard-nosed guy, he wants his guys to be honest and truthful and 100 percent committed to his program.
"I feel like I learned my lesson, and I'm a better man for it."
Eventually, Bolling will get the chance to prove it.
Just not as soon as he'd like.
Contact sports reporter Austin Ward at (307) 266-0634 or austin.ward@trib.com.
COWBOYS TRACKER
FRIDAY: Wyoming receiver Greg Bolling addressed his two-game suspension for a violation of team standards, though he didn't give specifics about what caused it.
WIDE OUT: Fellow senior Donate Morgan will also have to sit out the season opener against Weber State, but the additional penalty for Bolling will cost him the historic meeting with Texas.
The loss of the two receivers could be a big problem for a team trying to establish a new offense more reliant on the pass early in the season.
HE SAID IT: "I feel like I learned my lesson, and I'm a better man for it." - Bolling.