In one of the recent open threads, an opinion was espoused that "people come here for the comments, not for the posts." I find this to be sadly mistaken, and it has been bothering me for a couple of days, so I have to get this out there. I'll understand any "tl;dr" sentiment, but I really hope that I'm not the only one who feels this way.

While some may come here for the comments more than anything else, I doubt that is the case for most people. I, for one, am constantly awed by the way that Spencer, Holly, Doug, and all the other contributors here write, and through their writing, connect thousands of people from a wide array of backgrounds, fanbases, and beliefs about football, to say nothing of the hinted at political spectrum they cover or the actual physical distances separating all of us. I could not do it, Most people cannot do it, and while it may go unspoken, I really hope that they know exactly how grateful I am for that.

I've broken the rules from time to time, though I try not to, and that has become clear to me through our recent "summer conditioning". And yet, I'm changing how and what I post, yes because being able to interact with all of you is important to me, but moreso because acting in that way is what the people who run this site want- the people who create beautifully touching odes to former coaches, to family, to the game itself, and, in the next breath, they write wonderfully constructed dick jokes, mix in cocktail and reading recommendations- and they put up with me, when I usually don't deserve it.

Finally, that community that I, and I assume most of you, hold so dear exists only through their benevolence. This place is truly unique among college football sites, and if you think that's because of anyone or anything other than those names on the mastfoot, you're sadly mistaken. It takes a special, extraordinarily giving kind of people to run this place, and while we definitely don't say it often enough, I hold this place precious, and I want to take an opportunity to extend that gratitude to those who make this internet "home away from home" possible.

Spencer, Holly, Doug, Commentariat At Large, I am here what seems like all the time, and I love it. I have fallen short of the expectations held for us, and I apologize for any possible moment of anger or frustration or disappointment or sadness that I have caused you, no matter how minute. I can do better, and I will do better, as an attempt to be worth of the craft so beautifully practiced here.

-MikeLew