[NU Sports] Keys to Cat success this fall

[Dennis W. Brandt]

In order of their importance (IMHO)

1. Defensive line - If this year's line play is as bad as last year's, it 
will be a long season of watching other teams run/pass up and down the field 
and put our offense into a must-score situation.  The good news is that they 
were young last year and should improve, and Kevin Mims is on everyone's 
watch list.  The bad news is that they did not show even a flash of 
excellence last season.  The pass rush was non-existent, and OLs opened 
gaping holes on us regularly even with one NFL hopeful in the lineup.  If 
this aspect of the team could step up drastically, it would remove a lot of 
pressure from the DBs and the offense, too.  This has never been a talented 
area in the NU football program, although it might have been two years ago 
if it were not for injuries.

2. Quarterback - None of us has a clue as to what will happen at this 
position.  Last year we could anticipate success, but this year I would be 
shocked neither by disaster nor success.  If Baché et al cannot pass and/or 
run, Mr. Sutton will have a very long year, and the defense will run out of 
gas in every game.  All other team units must rise to the occasion to ease 
the new QB's transition.

3. Special teams - Rank, awful, pathetic, disgraceful, etc.  I was tempted 
to put this number 2 on the list because it has cost us several games in the 
past two seasons.  We not only have to kick field goals and extra points 
with consistency, we have got to cover MUCH better.  Last season we 
literally would have had better defensive field position by sending every 
kickoff out of bounds.  Special teams need much more in relieving pressure 
from the offense and defense.

4. Secondary - They cannot get burned as often as in the past.  Yes, they 
did cause turnovers last season, but I recall many of them as being dumb 
plays by opposing QBs rather than great coverage by our secondary (and 
certainly not pressure from our DL).  Much of the DB's success or failure 
will ride on the quality of the DL, but they still must cover better.

4.  OL and Tyrell - The OL is probably the best unit on the team, and they 
have to rise to a high level to remove pressure from the new quarterback(s) 
and make holes for a running game that might have to face 8 or 9 man fronts. 
Tyrell at least has to maintain his skill of last season, and he must stop 
fumbling.  I'm predicting that he will do just that, but life will be tough 
on him if the QB cannot pull his weight.

5. Wide receivers - Must stop dropping so many balls and must get open to 
ease the new QB's job.  They must force defenses to give them respect, or 
Tyrell will have a tough time running.  I have some confidence in this unit, 
but we'll wait and see.