[NU Sports] The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

[Dennis W. Brandt]

Yes, we had sacks, but none came from the front three/four unless someone 
was credited with one on the bring-the-house blitz sack.  No blitz, no pass 
rush from the front.  I did see someone getting into the backfield on 
several occasions, but he could not quite get to the QB.  Maybe next week he 
will.

Larscheid's first punt was 27 yards.  Others he got yardage because Miami 
didn't field them, and they rolled.  Yes, he did have a nice punt inside the 
5 late in the game.  That's why I said he ran hot and cold.  I did not see 
him booming us out of deep holes, which is where we were often in the first 
half.

For whatever reason, the running game went nowhere in the first half, it 
went nowhere.  Eight and nine in the box is going to be the norm until if 
and when Mr. Kafka starts scaring the crap out of defenses.  He just might 
do that.  Meanwhile, the OL has to live up to pre-season hype as possibly 
the best in the league.  They were being manhandled early but seemed to wear 
Miami down.  And that, as Martha might say, is a good thing, especially now 
that the ankle bracelet is off.

I only heard since the game that Thompson broke a bone.  That's a loss.

Good teams bang up on the little guys 44 - 0 and let up in the second half. 
We rarely ever do but should next week, if all goes according to script.

With all the what-ifs facing this team, they performed better than I 
suspected they might, and the offensive game plan was what was necessary 
under the circumstances.  I'm still worried about that defensive line, 
though.