[NU Sports] Cat report card

[Dennis W. Brandt]

Before the first game, I offered a pre-season report card by position.  Time to compare my final evaluation with my predictions.  The first grade listed was the predicted value, and the second is the end-of-season value.


OL - C+/D  They were often manhandled.  Given there were three seniors, they were a disappointment. 

QB - C+/C-   LOTS of yards passing but WAY too many interceptions (19), bad passes, fumbles, and struggles with the rush.  He can still be a "B" quarterback, maybe even A-, but he has to stop making so many errors.

RB - A-/C-  Sutton's injury hurt, and he wasn't dominant when he returned either.  The OL wasn't opening giant holes.

WR - C/B-  Peterman is a tough, clutch possession receiver.  In fact, they were all good possession receivers who played better than I thought they would.  But they lack a deep threat, a stud, and anyone who can get yards after catch.

DL - C/F  They did improve slightly against the run but not enough.  John Gill is the lone bright spot in this group, but the ends did not cut it.  It was another year without a pass rush.  Wooten had one sack all year, and Ngene had five.  As usual, the DL was the weakest portion of the team and the principle reason we were not better than .500.

  
LB - C/C  They were average.  Kadela did yeoman's work at middle linebacker, and the OLBs were not fast enough.

 

TE - nr/C We actually have one, what little we saw of him, and he appears to be a decent receiver.


DB - B-/D  The play of the DLs hurt, but these guys did not cover well and sometimes not at all.  They can't play off blocks on runs and screens.  This group was the biggest disappointment to me.

ST - I/C

KR - C+  Our kick returns weren't bad and included one TD.

P -    B    Punting was generally effective, if ugly to watch.

PR - D-   What punt returns?

PK - C    Improved but still doesn't scare anyone.

KO - F   Just kick the damn thing out-of-bounds

Depth - D/D+  What else is new?  

 
Coaching - B-/C  I  know some of you hate the coordinators, but I still don't think they are the problem, although the defensive coaches probably should go.  Fitz seemed to have it more together this season.  But coaching success depends on the caliber of player on the field.  Ask Ron Zook.  The big issue will be how well they can recruit.

Intangibles - C/D  While they never gave up and won three late, they also failed to win three more games in which they were ahead in the final quarter and lost one more against a weaker Duke team.  The seats remained largely empty and those filled were largely from the opposition.

 

Prognosis - The bottom line is what it always has been:  Insufficient talent, especially on defense.  Losing three seniors from the offensive line and the return of a mediocre defensive line, I am not optimistic that next season will be any better barring some super frosh arrivals, but I will not be holding my breath.  I believe Bacher and Sutton will be better if the OL will support them.  There HAS to be a new era of recruiting, but with our facilities, puny little stadium, academic standards, and weak fan support, I don't see that happening.  May I please be wrong about that.