[NU Sports] out of control optimism

[Roy S. Lamberton]

To add to all of this, I do have concerns...

1. We still haven't seen this linebacker group perform under game conditions.
The Backups played like, well, backups and you can sense Colby's displeasure
with their performance.

2. Everyone who was calling for Backes head last year will miss his coverage
this year. Cole was the prime candidate for elevation last year, and this year
will have to prove his ability.

3. Baz demonstrated his ability to pick the secondary apart - I certainly hope
that reps from Ohio and NIU were not in the stands because I'm sure they'd see
something to exploit.

4. The play of the Safeties in passing situations is critical, and they got
burned a few times.

5. In the scrimmages we did not see any of the blitz packages that Colby likes
to run. Either the guys aren't ready to run any of those yet, or he was holding
them back for the opponents. 

6. I'm worried about Ohio U coming in with fire in their eyes, ready to make a
statement in Evanston. 

7. I'm also worried about NIU coming in [same as above] ready to make their
statement to the Chicago Press. Don't kid yourself, this game will be their
first shot at making a bowl and Novak will have them ready.

On the other hand...

I am sure that the coaches will take it easy with the tricks and complicated
defenses. They will only blitz against Ohio is they really need to blitz,
otherwise they'll save the really complex defensive schemes for ASU and the Big
10.

Unless someone in the Big 10 truly solves the spread, NU should be capable of
outscoring anyone if we're within 6 and have the ball in the final 2 minutes.
This year we have 3 RB's with breakaway speed, and an O-Line that is at least as
big as it was in the past. 

What Baz did show during the 11 on 11 sessions that I watched was the ability to
find and hit receivers. The other great thing was that we are knee deep in wide
outs. While we didn't see Fields so far this year, we got to see several others
perform and perform they did. Nobody is talking about T.J. or Ross Lane, but
they're going to be a critical part of this O if they continue to improve.

I also saw Erryn Cobb out there knocking folks down, Frayne Abernathy had a few
critical grabs in the 2 minute drills - folks this team has all the tools and in
some cases is deep enough to weather a few injuries.

I guess the first 3 games will tell the tale - 2-1 or 3-0 and this team is on
its way, but if I'm concerned its about NIU - they have a lot to win in the
game, maybe more than we do.

rsl 


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Roy S. Lamberton - Senior Associate
Computer Applications & Support Associates
and Publisher of Purple Reign, 
The Scout.com Northwestern University Site
(http://www.purplewildcats.com)
AIM Handle: CoachRoy74

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