[NU Sports] It's over

[neonrye at aol.com]

 Let's look (again) at what we faced going into yesterday's game:  TT had a SENIOR QB--big, experienced and dangerous (albeit he got off to a shaky start).  We had a redshirt FROSH and a true FROSH.  And what had we lost--a JUNIOR QB, who, until his severe injury, was elevating himself to the point where he was going to be on the "in the mix" list for next year's Heisman (He still could be, depending upon the extent, and timing, of his recovery.).  All you have to do is look at Auburn against us in Outback vs. Auburn with Cam Newton to appreciate how much a multi-talented, dual-threat QB can mean to a team.  That we made such a stirring comeback with Colter and Watkins at the helm is a tributre to (a) our team's perserverence and (b) McCall's creativity (something I have not always been willing to salute--and Fitz comes in for share of credit there as well).  However, I recognize that the "O" lacked a "down the field" attack mode (without Persa), as Dunsmore and Ebert basically played "decoy" yesterday (for want of a better term).

On the other hand, the lack of any semblance of a pass rush (just like the malady currently plaguing my other beloved team, the NY J-E-T-S) has become endemic.  Coach Hank used to play a "pressure" defense, but now we seem to have reverted to "bend, don't break"--although the "don't" part seems to have fallen out of the calculus, as we are giving up TD's in bunches.  I assume it is because the ability of the replacements for our "stars" that graduated (Corey and Sherrick) and other players who got their degrees falls below their predecessors.  Whatever it is we MUST develop schemes to pressure the QB or we will be consigned to be bottom-feeders in the BT in the coming years.  That has to be PRIORITY ONE for this team--pressure the QB.  Fitz must know this in his heart--and his head--and I choose to believe that he will remedy this problem before our first game on Sept. 3rd against Boston College (which I can't wait to see in person).

Although all of us are sick of "moral victories" (not only on the gridiron, but in hoops), we have to be proud of a bunch of kids who never quit until the final whistle--thereby dispelling the foul smell of the Wisconsin debacle.  Compare our boys to the two squads from Michigan for one moment, and then smile a little in Purple pride.

By the way, RichRod should be gone by the end oif this week, which is a shame, since our Division "rival", Michigan, will now likely resume its "rightful place" in the Conference.  Will it be Harbaugh or a surprise "stealth" candidate to succeed him?

Finally, I just want to note that I watched game at "Blondie's" in NYC, which was packed with roaring 'Cat fans, belting out "Go U Northwestern" with gusto on every 'Cat score.  Same place I watched The Alamo Bowl two years ago.  Same sad ending.......

Paul Levinson

 


 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Dennis W. Brandt <tbng at comcast.net>
To: Beamsley, Jeff <Jeff.Beamsley at covisint.com>; nwu-sports at tssi.com
Sent: Sun, Jan 2, 2011 9:37 am
Subject: Re: [NU Sports] It's over


<The real question is are we getting the most out of the players that we have.  I think the answer there is yes. 
 
I agree and have said so many times here.  However, a small, private school whose football team was wearing purple uniforms won the Rose Bowl yesterday. It wasn't Northwestern.  Another private school with a strong academic reputation will be playing in the Orange Bowl this week.  It won't be Northwestern.  And another small, top-notch academic school won the Sun Bowl.  Academics and victory are not oil and water.  A strong defensive line can be manned by guys with 3.5 averages, although 2.8 isn't bad either.  I believe Fitz can do it if anyone can, but the question as to whether it ever will be done remains unfulfilled.  I just hope I live to see it. 
 
<NU will have a much better team next year that it did this year. 
 
Maybe.  I hope.  Could be.  If the redshirts are better than those they replace.  If we get a stud frosh or two who can step into the lineup.  If we get some breaks.  Lots of maybes.  Too many maybes.  I thought after the 2009 season that we would be better in 2010.  Turned out that both lines showed zero improvement - worse, in fact - even though most of their starters returned, which is why I'm not sanguine about those groups for 2011 barring the arrival of new, stronger blood.  I hope I'm wrong this year, too, in the opposite direction.  I'm weary of waiting for "next season." 
 
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