[NU Sports] Our 2005 schedule in retrospect ...

[SjT (Stephen J. Truog)]

> I think that the grade any coach receives should
> reflect the results at the

:) - maybe you should develop the new BCS formula,
Jeff -- you really broke this down well!

> Any more points would be for improvement in previous
> problem areas, or
> deterioration in previous strong areas.  Defense and
> special teams continue

I'm really hoping this improves next year -- the
losses of Castillo/Clark and in Kenosha Howard just
killed our D-line this year. Cofield was amazing
considering he was alone most of the year ...
hopefully next year we get better up front.

As for LB, losing McGarrigle will be huge, but we'll
have Roach ready to step into the monster LB role NU
has developed the last decade plus.

Where I expect to see the most improvement is our
secondary -- losing Heinz and Backes hurt (as did a
lack of pass rush). We have some speed back there now
and Henderson improved throughout the year. Hopefully
next year will see leaps and bounds here.

Special teams? Well, maybe that new kicker is all
that's advertised. But definitely a need area all
around.

> did QB play.  The
> running game was about where it was last year, which
> was a pleasant
> surprise. (up to B+).

Definitely -- considering Sutton wasn't even our
backup before the season began, it was a nice
surprise. Hopefully TS won't suffer the sophomore
slump Peterson at OU had this year and our line will
continue to improve.

> Finally you have to look at what RW is doing to
> generate revenue for the
> program in the same ways that every BT coaches

I know that's technically part of the coach's job, but
I really think our problems run deeper than a head
coach here. We've all discussed the factors ... many
of which Walker is powerless to change (early start
times, pro sports city, etc.). His teams are exciting
and he's building a winning tradition. If that doesn't
earn more fans in our situation, who knows what will
(I see from the Stanford-ND game that Stanford is
remodeling their stadium and shrinking it to 50,000 or
so ... I don't think we need to shrink Dyche, but you
see the problems they have in a pro market with many
more alumni nearby than NU has ... on a side note,
flipping channels, maybe our NC game at Nevada next
year isn't a gimme).

> because they generate a lot of money.  There are
> plenty of no-nonsense
> all-football coaches who have figured out how to do
> this (Carr, Tressel, Ferentz, etc.). 

Not sure I buy this. Carr walked into his situation
and really hasn't had to do much (or done much) to
deal with the off-field state of the program. And all
Tressel did was beat Michigan (which was enough in
Columbus:) ). These guys all had ready-made situations
to step into and really don't face the situation or
circumstances Walker does.

Again, I know you don't want a total a-hole who
alienates fans ... but so what if the guy's not Mr.
Personality flashing a smile around town. The media
may love that guy for 15 minutes, but the sword is
double-edged and can turn fast (ask Barnett or
Neuheisel). I don't want a snake-oil salesman. I want
someone who builds a winning program, and if Walker
does that by thriving on an "us vs. them" and
tight-shipped atmosphere that doesn't exactly win him
personality points, fine with me.

> If we win a bowl game it should go up to B+.  If we
> lose, C-.

Well that's a bit harsh - little upside, big
downside.:)

I do want that bowl win though - we'll see who we play
and how the matchup rates. In fairness to Barnett and
Walker, in 3 of the past 4 bowls, we've played a
preseason #1 so it's been a tough matchup. Thankfully,
even if UCLA blows out SC this year, I don't think the
Trojans will slip to the Sun Bowl.:)

GO CATS!!!
-SjT

* * * * * * * * *
STEPHEN J. TRUOG
sjtruog at yahoo.com
GO CATS!!!


	
		
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