[NU Sports] what is happening in Kenosha?

[BSchooler at aol.com]

In answer to the question "What is happening in Kenosha?", I say "the usual". 
Every year Walker has been in charge, I dread Kenosha. First, we hear about 
the three of four players who didn't report ie. quit the team. Then come the 
brutal practices. A few more players quit, like McDole a few years ago. And we 
suffer a whole string of injuries. We always go into the first game of the 
season a beaten up team. And often never recover. Ten years ago, Northwestern went 
into the season a healthy, well conditioned team and look what happened. Last 
year, we lost Loren Howard to injury in an all out scrimmage on the Saturday 
before our Thursday night opener at TCU. That was inexcusable. This year, the 
losses are of a little bit different variety - academic casualties and 
suspensions in addition to the injuries. But I hold Walker responsible. I follow 
college football closely and no other team experiences such losses on a yearly 
basis. Heck, Texas is experiencing a bad year so far; they lost a potential 
starter at DE to academics who will remain in school and a potential starting WR 
for a few weeks who pulled a hammy. Mike, how many players has Nebraska lost so 
far?

This can be debated. I doubt no team enters the season ready to hit like 
Northwestern does. It's the old Bear Bryant model. Whoever survives the pre-season 
is definitely ready for the season. But this is a different era. Teams are 
allowed only 85 scholarship players. So yes, Northwestern players are battle 
hardened by the time first game of the season is upon us, but is it worth the 
injury toll? I say no. I feel the lost players, dinged up players, exhausted 
players and demoralized players are not worth the corresponding advantages in 
conditioning and mental toughness. Good contemporary coaches are able to achieve 
superior conditioning and mental toughness without beating the sh*t out of 
their team, IMHO.

Bob Schooler