[NU Sports] A big test for Fitz this week

Thu Sep 17 08:03:27 CDT 2009

Harry,

I agree that those programs that need a turn around are willing to take
those chances.  Rodgers, however, was a JC transfer and played for Cal
for two years.  Wilson was a more complicated situation.  He intended to
play for two years but the NCAA objected to his JUCO transfer and he
ended up entering the NCAA supplemental draft.

Jeff

-----Original Message-----
From: hakirsch at aol.com [mailto:hakirsch at aol.com] 
Sent: Thursday, September 17, 2009 8:51 AM
To: Beamsley, Jeff; nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com; Northwestern Wildcats
Subject: Re: [NU Sports] A big test for Fitz this week

One year QB'S can turn programs around.  Wilson did it for The Illini in
the 80's and recently  AAron Rodgers  did it for Cal 

Harry
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

-----Original Message-----
From: "Beamsley, Jeff" <Jeff.Beamsley at covisint.com>

Date: Thu, 17 Sep 2009 08:06:29
To: Northwestern Wildcats<nwu-sports at tssi.com>
Subject: RE: [NU Sports] A big test for Fitz this week

Even if he were the next coming of Joe Montana, you've only got him for
a year.  Wouldn't most established programs defer to the younger guy
with more eligibility?

I think it says a lot about how bare the cupboard was at Syracuse and
how much the football program needed the PR boost of this move.

Don't get me wrong. I think it is great that Paulus has an opportunity
to live out a dream and sell a few tickets for Syracuse.

I'm much more comfortable with the strategy we're seeing play out at NU.
We've got a "one year" QB too, but he's been in the program, earned the
right to start, and his replacement is getting an opportunity to gain
some experience without the pressure of having to win a game.

Jeff 

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From: nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com [mailto:nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com]
On Behalf Of Roy Lamberton
Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2009 11:37 PM
To: 'Joe Thiegs'; 'Northwestern Wildcats'
Subject: RE: [NU Sports] A big test for Fitz this week

I think that Paulus is a better QB than anyone expected, and as Minny
found out, its hard to defense a guy you've never seen play anywhere
before.

Fitz & Hank have the advantage here - they at least have seen him play
twice, and should have a decent idea of how to defend against his base
offense. Of course 'cuse's OC will also have a few new tricks up his
sleeve
- and so the chess game continues.

The big question for Saturday about Syracuse is: "Who is the better
judge of QB talent, the Duke guys or the Syracuse guys?"

rsl

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Roy S. Lamberton - Senior Associate & Unix Guru.
Computer Applications & Support Associates
-------------------- Also ---------------------- Commissioner Delaware
American Legion Baseball Retired Senior Chief Cryptologic Technician [R]
Northwestern University - Speech 1974 - Chi Phi: Pi 1974, KD 1968
Publisher Emeritus: Purple Reign (Fox Sports) ==========  Go Cats -
Beat 'em All  =========== So...
     How's that "hope" and "Change"
     Working for ya?

Don't re-elect nobody, not even yo mama!
================================================

-----Original Message-----
From: nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com [mailto:nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com]
On Behalf Of Joe Thiegs
Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2009 3:50 PM
To: 'Northwestern Wildcats'
Subject: RE: [NU Sports] A big test for Fitz this week

I have a theory--well, several of them, I suppose.  One of them, though,
is that Syracuse is better than anyone outside of upstate New York--and
probably most anyone in upstate New York--believes.  I'm not saying
they're necessarily good, just significantly better than almost everyone
assumes in light of their record the past couple of years, new coach,
new starting QB, etc.  

Consider exhibit 1:  Opening game vs. Minnesota.  After Minnesota scored
quickly and easily to start the game, the Orange really stiffened up,
took a lead, and took the Gophers to overtime before falling.
Minnesota, despite a brutal schedule this season, by most accounts looks
significantly improved over last year's 7-6 team.  In Week 2, even with
worries about distraction with all the hubbub of the grand opening
celebration for the new stadium, the Gophers beat triple-option threat
Air Force 20-13, holding the Falcons to just three first half-points a
week after AFA won 72-0 (sure, it was against Nicholls State, but
scoring over 70 against anyone not in D-II or -III is still impressive
in my book).

Consider exhibit 2:  Second game @ Penn State.  While the Orange only
scored seven points in a 28-7 loss, they had other opportunities to
score (dropped pass in the end zone) and held PSU to no more than a
touchdown in any quarter.  I read that at one point they kept PSU out of
the end zone on four straight plays when the Nittany Lions had
1st-and-goal at the Syracuse 2-yard line.  Against a top-10 team on the
road, it could have been a lot worse.

I fully expect the 'Cats to win, but I believe it will be a
significantly tougher test for NU than Towson and EMU (and considering
we have had a hard time putting opponents away, things could get
interesting).

-Joe

-----Original Message-----
From: nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com [mailto:nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com]
On Behalf Of Mike Nolan
Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2009 1:49 PM
To: Jim Leonard
Cc: Northwestern Wildcats
Subject: Re: [NU Sports] A big test for Fitz this week

> Fitz has better all-around talent than Syracuse and his players aren't
distracted with classes yet. I am hoping and expecting that Fitz can
coach his way to a victory this Saturday. 

I'm not so convinced that NU has noticeably more talent on its roster 
than Syracuse does.   How many 2, 3 and 4 star recruits are on both
squads?

Classes not having started is not always a positive.  I know there is a
limit to the number of players who can practice before the first day of
classes, but maybe that limit goes away after the first game as well?

Having said that I agree that this is a big game for Fitz and the Cats,
in a stadium that has often been a hard place to earn a road victory.

There's a theory that a team improves the most between the first and
second games.  I can't say that I noticed any improvement based on the
radio play-by-play call, if anything the second game was a bit shakier
than the first one, though at least the team now knows it has a field
goal kicker that can come through in the clutch.  
--
Mike Nolan

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