[NU Sports] Spring Ball

[WildElk2 at aol.com]

Has any one noticed Spring Ball starts this week? Before I  talk about 
football, kudos to our lacrosse team who have a 42 year winning  streak going.  
Awesome to say the least.
   One message board says that a fan who attended the  NU-  Georgetown 
lacrosse game Friday night ran into some players, who told him our  offense is going 
to, or employing more often, the no huddle ala 2000,  2001.  As our purple 
gang may be short on numbers but long on memory, the  subject has already been 
raised that the no-huddle puts more stress on the  defense, and the last thing 
our defense needs is more stress.
   But one sage pointed out that despite the no-huddle's  shortcomings in 
2000, we were co-champs of the conference.  I'll add that  the no-huddle in 2001 
was still an offense that produced prodigious numbers,  albeit they seemed to 
fall asleep for a quarter each game. 
   I'm intrigued what Hankwitz will do with this group.  And  what will 
Hankwitz do with Jerry Brown, if anything?  My word, if we cut  6,7 points off last 
year's per game yield, we ought to be 8-4 at the very  least.  On paper, 
we're solid up front, but I said that last year and we  were shredded.  We lose 
Kadela, but linebackers have been easy to replace,  as well as offensive linemen.
   Weaknesses:  Inexperienced offensive line.  QB who  threw too many picks, 
especially the second half of the season, and oh Lordy,  that defense.
   Strengths:  A QB who also had some terrific games.   Tyrell.  Better 
special teams.  Solid defensive back play (except OSU  game).
   Can Hankwitz shave 7 points off our 31 ppg. average?   (Note: our avg. was 
26 ppg.)  Or even 4-6 points per game?  Or play  better in the 4th Q. where 
we blew 3,4 games last year.  
   2007-  I've brought this up for discussion twice, with  little response.  
Say we beat Duke and finish 7-5.  As Indiana was  bowl-starved , and the Motor 
City wanted Sparty, I say we still would have  stayed home at 7-5.  Then, we 
really would have been  torqued!  The 2 big wins were Indiana and Michigan 
St., but as I said  the big fix was in, especially when Mich. St. beat Penn St. 
and Indiana beat  Purdue.
  As usual, the basketball team provided comic relief for a few  months.  GO 
CATS and Fightin' Phils !!
 
                            Eric



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