ElusiveQB
All American
Posts: 2,626
Joined: May 2002
Reputation: 3
I Root For:
Location:
|
The defense looked sharp in the scrimmage! The new coaches seem to be working wonders.
|
|
08-15-2002 01:57 PM |
|
CMichFan
Moderator
Posts: 7,672
Joined: May 2002
Reputation: 19
I Root For: CMU
Location: SE Michigan
|
Was the D that good, or was the new OL struggling?
|
|
08-15-2002 05:06 PM |
|
Captain Kangaroo
2nd String
Posts: 372
Joined: Jun 2002
Reputation: 3
I Root For: OU's Mascot
Location:
|
Defense looks very good. My buddy went down to the last two practices. He called me from one of them and there was "mayhem" going on in the background. The entire D has a new identity this season...instilled by the new D staff. I spoke with Owens at a golf outing last month and he lamented the fact that the former D coordinator just couldn't get the team fired up for games. "He was a good X's and O's guy, but not a good motivator." That, coupled with injuries and a key academic loss in LeFall really hurt last season. This year we return LeFall (likened to Jason Taylor...doubt he'll be that good, but he is still a VERY good DE), DE Murdock (sat out 2001 for "personal reasons", Amos (top CB from 2000 that we lost in the 1st game of 2001) Earl (top LB, got hurt in the season's 2nd game last year)...I like these guys because they aren't simply JUCO's or Fr.'s that "might" be good...they're proven/known contributors who are returning after missing a year. Some DL's were moved to LB, we have some prop 48's, Fr's and JUCOs added to the secondary so there's actually some depth there...this season's Zip D will bear little resemblance to last season's. I really believe they'll be pretty good, and I try and be as impartial as possible in looking at them.
I spoke with a QB, a few coaches and two RB's at the spring game regarding the "new" OL. They all said the new guys did a great job of opening holes and protecting the QB, and are confident they'll be fine in 2002. Their progress over the next 2 weeks is critical.
There's no way this Zip team wins only 4 games, as predicted by the ignorant pundits that solely look at last year's record. 6-6 is the worst they'll do. 7-5 is probable. 8-4 is possible if we avoid injuries. 9-3 would surprise even me.
There's your Zip update. See you on the 14th, CMU guys? <img border="0" alt="[Cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/cheers.gif" />
<small>[ August 16, 2002, 12:43 PM: Message edited by: Captain Kangaroo ]</small>
|
|
08-16-2002 11:41 AM |
|
ElusiveQB
All American
Posts: 2,626
Joined: May 2002
Reputation: 3
I Root For:
Location:
|
The strange thing was, I went over our schedule, and went through each game - and....
I came up with NO WORSE than 6-6 too...and that includes losses to Iowa, Maryland, Marshall, Miami, UCF, and Virginia.
I came up with a probable 7-5 season.(beating AT LEAST 1 other team on that list)
8-4 is also very possible.
|
|
08-16-2002 12:16 PM |
|
CMichFan
Moderator
Posts: 7,672
Joined: May 2002
Reputation: 19
I Root For: CMU
Location: SE Michigan
|
Thanks for the response. The game should be close and interesting, as it usually has been between our teams.
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">See you on the 14th, CMU guys? </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">That remains to be seen. I may be able to make an appearance and help boost those attendance figures a bit... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="tongue.gif" />
<small>[ August 16, 2002, 11:27 PM: Message edited by: CMichFan ]</small>
|
|
08-16-2002 10:26 PM |
|