Words have meaning, they are symbols, and a part of who we are and how we communicate. So, if someone calls you a big fat-ass, it’s gonna hurt your feelings. Fat-ass has a meaning-and not a good one.

While this is true, it is also true that actions speak louder than words. Early 90’s soft rockers Extreme said it right in their definitive power ballad-More Than Words (served up on over 20 million neighborhood bar jukeboxes by jilted lovers since ‘91). The point is, doing it means much more than saying it.

Perhaps this truth has hurt Charlie Weis more than anything else. 6 words that he boasted back in 2004 that have not come to fruition on the field.

Decided Schematic Advantage. This phrase is the holy grail to sports writers everywhere. You hear about this anytime they talk about Weis. It is always fodder for the cannon, and a writer could probably make a career just re-hatching and commenting on that claim over and over (as long as Weis coaches). How lucky are they that Weis said this? It is equivalent to buying a house and finding oil underneath.

Tough, Intelligent, Nasty. What Weis said his football teams would be.

These words have not been backed up by actions. Weis offenses have been predictable more than once (though I have often defended him by saying that plays were there, but the players didn’t make them). The Nasty quote is even more damning, as Weis-coached teams have never been particularly tough, and are often man-handled in the trenches.

This is why Charlie is where he is. Strong words and soft actions. Maybe he regrets what he said, maybe he doesn’t. Maybe he has tried to pound toughness into his players-and they simply do not have the physical ability to carry it out on the field. Who knows. But whenever he has the time to contemplate his situation, I bet the guys from Extreme have some sound advice.