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Karl H -> RE: Gopher Football (12/13/2010 12:36:16 AM)
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Tim & Karl good discussion looking for a rebuttal
No problem, Fargo! Finally back home after the snow storm and almost caught up! [:)]
I don’t agree with this aspect at all. Kill is in a position to make a statement right out of the gate. He needs to show that he can step in and make a program better from day one. For all of his warts Brewster recruited a higher level of talent. There are 16 returning starters and some very good underachieving talent. There is enough talent there for a good coach to get back a bowl game. If there are any incoming freshmen that can make us better on the field right away they should not be red shirted. The better the record and potential bowl he can achieve in year 1, makes recruiting that much easier. He can walk into any recruit’s living room and say “see, players get better under my coaching. We won with the same talent that only won 3 games the year before. This will also get the alumni and media off his back.
Some good points, Sweens and I hear what you are saying. But we will have to agree to disagree on the redshirting. As stated we have most of the returning starters back in 2011 along with expirenced reserves. We don't need to burn up a true freshman unless the guy is truely, truely elite; a massive difference maker. Very few guys fit that description (no one in the Big 10 last year). It's a short term gain and long term loss IMO. Brewster was not very good at this (and Mason also) at some positions. Not redshirting the DB's was and is a constant problem that has yet to be solved. It has led to postion changes to those spots (T. Stoudemire & S. Solomon) and needed Junior College players (Traye Simmons, T. Brock, C. Lewis) over the last few years. We have several players who STILL haven't redshirted (M. Carter, J. Manuel, K. Henderson, B. Vereen). You win in the Big 10 with 5th year Seniors, not true freshmen. Yeah, those freshmen might get you an extra win next year but it's not like we are going to win the Big 10. Now how nice would it be to have those guys as 5th year seniors? Then it really could mean the difference of a Rose Bowl appearance.
I don’t see any benefit to red shirting Eskridge. LaMont Edwards has the highest ceiling of the bunch and needs to be developed quickley.
Edwards was recruited as an Athlete by many, a RB by some. If he's a real stud, and all other things are equal, I prefer the best athletes to play defense. Now if he's a better RB than a defensive player, then yeah, put him at RB. Last fall, if my memory is correct, there seemed to be more buzz about Kirkwood than Edwards at RB. Although I believe Edwards was banged up at some point in the preseason? As for Eskridge, if you don't redshirt him this year, you have him, Bennett, Kirkwood and Edwards all very capable players. Not enough footballs to go around IMO. Then in 2012 you would have just Kirwood and Edwards. Why not have 3 each year? Of course that's assuming Edwards remains at RB.
Let me also add that, IMO, the pass rushing DE spot was and is...by far...the biggest problem this team has. Last year D.L. Wilhite started 8 and played in 12 games. Matt Garin started 6 and played in 12 games. They are the smaller, rush DE's. Together they combined for 3.5 TFL and 1 QB sack. Those numbers are totally unacceptable if we want a winning football team. Anthony Jacobs is more of a big, base end and he doubled those numbers with 10 starts in 12 games. If Lamonte Edwards proves to be our best pass rusher, even at..say 230 pounds, then he needs to be in the game on passing situations.
Olson’s younger brother could be the best OL from day 1 as a freshman. I think he will force his way into the starting lineup. Kill was apparently the first coach to offer Ed Olson a scholarship, so he is
familiar with him already.
Really? I hope he's that good! It looks like Ed was just named to the Big 10 all-freshman team this week. I believe Jimmy Gjere was at least as big a recruit last year as T. Olson is this year, but was overshadowed somewhat by Seantrell Henderson. Maybe Gjere will start at RG as a RFR, and T. Olson will take over for Bunders at LG in 2012.....as a RFR. The O-line is a spot we've done a great job of having 5th year seniors.
Rashede Hagmen is the guy Kill needs to develop to potential. The kid has all the size, speed, strength and athleticism to be a force of nature. Assuming he is back from whatever got him suspended for the last few games.
Rumor was grades last year. I've heard (read) that he's not crazy about school...or playing defense. I agree though, he could be a perfect DE in an NFL 3-4 defense.
There are always some blue-chip freshmen who can make an impact, and if they don't get the promise to play right away somewhere else, we may be able to make that offer.
Yep, could be a problem if we require freshmen to redshirt. I think only two true freshmen played last year though?? I guess if a player is dead set on playing right way (the Me generation!), then hell...let him play if he's good enough. It's not worth losing him to somebody else. Hopefully a good coach could sell him on the benefits of redshirting though. Again, short term gain; long term loss.
One question I have is ... how much apologizing will we have to do to Brewster when we realize the guy did bring in a better group of athletes than we have seen in quite awhile?
There's no doubt that Brewster left a much better team for Kill than Mason did for Brewster. None at all. I predicted a 6-6 record last year with a bowl win (7-6). Officially we were 3-9 but I think the last 2 games showed that we could compete and even beat the fringe bowl teams. Bottom line is.....outside of recruiting, Brewster just wasn't a very good coach.
Next topic: How important is it really to keep Minnesota kids home?
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