Wednesday update
Posted on September 24th, 2008 – 6:46 PMBy Kent Youngblood
Greetings on a Wednesday evening.
Just came back from practice with a few updates and thoughts for you.
First: Left tackle Dom Alford (ankle) and center Trey Davis (hand) are both practicing and available to go Saturday. The decision on who will start at left tackle will be based on whether Alford is 100 percent.
We’re not allowed to watch practice much past the stretching portion at the beginning, so we’ll have to take coach Brewster when he says that Wednesday’s practice was particularly intense.
”The guys were feisty today at practice,” Brewster said. ”We had a couple of fights. Guys were getting after it in a big way. That means it’s Ohio State week.”
If that’s true, that’s very good news. I do believe the team has a good level of confidence entering this game.
But, in talking with defensive coordinator Ted Roof about the game, you get an idea of what the Gophers have to prepare for. Now, the record shows that Ohio State is not the national contender many thought it would be when the season started, and I’m not trying to build them up too much.
But Roof has a point. When you prepare for the Buckeyes these days you have to prepare for the gamut of offensive football. Chris Wells is going to be back for this game, and that means Ohio State, with it’s big offensive line, is capable of just lining up in two backs and pounding you.
Pages: 1 2
45 Responses to "Wednesday update"
It is going to be a very interesting game. I wish it were Saturday morning. Go Gophers. Let’s make Ohio Stadium the quietest place in the country.
Thanks for the update Kent. I also wanted to say that was a really good story on Simoni Lawrence in the paper today. Go Gophs!
It is just too bad Pittman is not 100% (according to the other paper). If the hype was right on the guy, he is sorely missed at the moment.
It sounds like Ted Roof actually spends time researching the opponent and preparing accordingly, as opposed to his predecessor.
Excellent update, Kent.
GO GOPHERS!!
david_allen_coe says:
September 24th, 2008 at 8:13 am
Jumbo … By the way, I did come to your section last Saturday. Talked to a couple of guys decked out in Gopher gear, thinking maybe I had found you.
But both denied being the Jumbo who fought off the North Dakota woman last year.
————–
Correction: That would be North Dakota women, not woman.
Jumbo … I acknowledge you are the only man in history to defeat a female tag team … by yourself.
And I would not get complacent, were I you, over the fact we do not play NDSU this year. I suspect that Panty Hose Cruding is right now preparing a marauding band of hog-like Iowa women to assault you in November.
Cruding Panty Hose must really be smarting over the thrashing the Hogeyes took from Pitt.
Not to worry, d_a(sp)_c. I avoid confrontations with the Iowa women by giving them Iowa Hawkeye scrunchies for their armpit hair.
It is curious that we haven’t heard from Crudeboy since the criminals lost to Pitt.
“Not to worry, d_a(sp)_c. I avoid confrontations with the Iowa women by giving them Iowa Hawkeye scrunchies for their armpit hair.”
___________
I threw up a little in my mouth when I read that!
Scooter … But ya gotta admit old Jumbo has a contingency plan for everything, including a marauding band of hog-like Iowa women.
My prediction: 4-4 in conference play, all wins at home, all losses away. I mean, look at the schedule:
Home: Indiana, Northwestern, Michigan, Iowa
Away: OSU, Illinois, Purdue and Wisconsin.
That’s really uneven, especially with Michigan in shambles this season. The two games that could flip from win to loss or vice versa: NW & @Purdue.
On a lighter note (lighter than Cruding Panty Hose’s gal pals), I said after watching the first two games that Simoni Lawrence was the best of the new talent, followed closely by Brock.
That could change as others emerge with experience but I doubt any of them will prove more valuable to the defense than Lawrence.
We have seen that he has the speed and quickness to drop back into coverage. He has the knowhow to break in front of the receiver as proved last week and the footspeed to take it to the house.
But what is most impressive is to watch him up close to the line of scrimmage. He makes the other guys jittery not knowing if he is coming or filling a hole. This kid is really tough nosed.
BEWilder—one game at a time.
Bewilder … I am not arguing your point but I do think “shambles” is a bit strong to use with respect to Michigan.
Yes, it’s a new coach and new system. Yes, they are looking for a QB who can run the spread. But we can’t ever forget that in terms of football talent and athleticism Michigan always by default has some of the best players and depth in the country.
The Wolverines have struggled and may struggle some more but by the time they get to the Dome they may be playing near the potential of their talent base. In which case, we will have all we want from the Maize and Blue.
Tex … Good point. There is only one game on the schedule that matters right now .. Saturday.
Jimbo says:
September 25th, 2008 at 11:36 am
It is curious that we haven’t heard from Crudeboy since the criminals lost to Pitt.
==========
Add Wayne WRENdahl to the list as well.
How about Kyle Theret? I think he’s playing like a man posessed. He seems to have adapted quite well to Roof’s defense. What do the rest of you characters think?
Scooter, grossing you out has become a bit of a hobby for me.
I have to admit that my hatred of Iowa’s football program doesn’t even come close to my hatred of Wisconsin’s. I disliked them under Alvarez, but actually had a little respect for Barry. This Bielema guy is totally obnoxious, besides being hard to look at.
Jumbo … Theret’s greatest asset is football intelligence. He is a thinking man’s safety. But he does not have the footspeed and athleticism of Lawrence, Brock, Sherels, and Simmons. Nor does he have the strength and explosiveness to deliver jarring tackles like the others.
But I expect Theret to keep his job all year. A couple of the freshmen safeties may develop in time to be better players than Theret but not this year.
Oh, I agree that he’s not as athletic as some of the other d-backs, but really has his head in the game. He reminds me a lot of Bobby Bryant, but bigger.
This has been brought up before, but the youth of this team is unbelievable. The next time these guys go to Columbus they will be seasoned veterans.
Tex, it is crazy how young this team is, especially on offense. One way to look at it is they are playing pretty well. Now just imagine how they will look in the future when they all start to really figure out what the heck they are doing. They could be scary good in the near future. Go Gophs!
Jimbo, I agree that Theret is playing alot better, and I think he will improve alot. The needs to tackle alittle better,but that will come. Here is a case of a kid that probably shouldn’t have played last yr. but he is a smart kid and didn’t let it beat him down. he still has this yr and 2 more, unless I miss my guess, he will be a very good player before he is done.
TX and G1, think about how good this team could be in 2 years, when Weber is a senior, the linemen have been playing together for a couple years, Bennett is healthy and running, etc., etc. Heck, think how good they could be next year, with Decker as a senior, Weber a junior, Bennett back, etc. It’s fun to think about, wouldn’t you say?
Jimbo, it is a day I have been dreaming about for a long, long time. I hope it all comes to fruition.
Guys … You are missing something. You are imagining how good these very young players could be as a team in a couple of years. Right, the sky’s the limit for these guys.
But look what a difference one recruiting class made from last year’s team to this year’s team. What you are not factoring in is how many more good young players we will have two seasons from now after two more recruiting classes land.
That, my friends, is scary.
You’re right again, d_a(sp)_c. I have a good feeling right now about this team and its future. Absolutely things look positive for achieving and sustaining a very good football program at Minnesota. And I know there are a number of you who have waited as long or longer than I for it.
I have been following the program since the mid-1960’s, and I will say without reservation that I have never been more optimistic. I’m looking forward to Saturday, the following Saturday, the rest of the season, 2010 in our new stadium, and beyond.
GO GOPHERS!!!
Oops! I meant to say 2009 in our new stadium.
I hope the state will start to rally around the team. A certain state-wide buzz will hopefully ensue if the team keeps making progress. I hope the day comes when a Gopher FB game is the toughest ticket to get in the entire state. That would do more to keep blue-chippers in state than just about anything. Unfortunately, my brothers tell me it is still pretty quiet (for now??).
Tex … As long as the biggest newspaper in the state devotes two pages of stories and pictures on Monday to the pro team and one little story on Sunday on the Gophers, it is uphill to create the kind of excitement we want.
But, despite the non-caring media and worse, the negative media, the team will do it on the field and real football fans will take notice.
I hope you’re right, TX. Quite honestly, the media hurts the Gopher program more than any other force. Sure, the Strib assigns Kent, a really good guy, to cover the Gophers, but there are at least 4 full-time guys covering the Viqueens, plus all the time Sid the Moron, Fatboy Reusse, etc. dedicate to the Viqueens and the NFL. And then, of course, whenever Fatboy decides to write about the Gophers, he rights a negative sarcastic piece.
So right now the Gopher following is almost like a cult. I think if the local papers get behind them (maybe they will with the Gophers showing promise, and lots of people buying tickets for the new stadium,) there is a possibility of what you say, that a Gopher football ticket will become a hot commodity.
And maybe the Strib will get smart and fire the Fat Man.
I liked the old Sunday Peach section with action picture sequences with the names beside the player. It was awesome for the players and the fans. Anytime you can send your picture and name in print home to the folks and friends it is a great recruiting tool. It also got the fans of the state to know the players names.
Hmmm. Great minds obviously think alike.
You’re scaring me, d_a(sp)_c.
Winning Big Ten games will make alot of things right.
lbb, that brings back fond memories. My Dad, brother and I would fight over the “Sports Peach” every Sunday. Of course, I would always read it 3rd, unless I got up at the crack of dawn (which I did on occasion.) Obviously my Dad had priority, and my brother was older and quite a bit bigger than me.
Do you also remember that when they had a photo of someone scoring a touchdown, they would superimpose a football somewhere on the picture, with the word “TOUCHDOWN” printed on the football. I loved that.
Bud, I believe the Gophers will beat Indiana and Northwestern, have a really good chance against Iowa, and a reasonable chance against Michigan. In other words, the Gophers Big Ten road schedule is brutal. If they could win 2, 3 or 4 Big Ten games, I would deem that as tremendous progress.
Speaking of recruiting, DAC or anyone, do you have any sense of how it is going? The nine commits according to Rivals look good but other Big Ten programs seem to be further along. Is TB keeping things under wraps or what?
Kent, maybe you could goback and look at what we are talking about. In the 60’s. Use your clout and try it again.
Jimbo my statement was only toward those who seem to think that the world is against us. Winning Big Ten games will make alot of things right. As far as your predictions on Big Ten wins this year I will take them one at a time. If I was to pick a MAC north/south champion I would go with Ball State and Centeral Michigan at this time. BG’s win over Pitt does not look so good now. If they can win at Wyo. they are a middle of the pack MAC school. If they lose to Wyo. they are a bottom MAC school. YOU never know in that league until the en of the season.
DAC I am looking but not seeing what you mean about this team. Offensive starters who have made the 4-0 posible. Wynn, Bunders, Davis, Tavale, Burris, Tow-Arnet, Alford, Weber, Decker, Kuz, Bennet, Simmions, N. Tow Arent. Ofensive new guys from last year DE, Shady. Defensive players who have helped this year WV, Small, G. Brown, L. Campbell, Hightower, (you say Davis) RC. New Brock, Theret, Simmions, Lawrence, Dandridge. Where is this great wealth of talent. Most of the difference makers where recruited by the past staff. And they didn’t know what they were doing. I am very surprised that Cooper is not a good enough player to come in and beat out our Free Safety. Theret had a walkon offer to Wyo. and Cooper had the world recruiting him. What is up with that?
What has my head turning is how bad is the PAC-10 or how good is the Mountain West? The scholarship limits at division one have pushed some pretty good players down to the next level of division one football. The 2 and 1 star rivals guys are showing what they are made of. I would put more stock in a player who says he is being recruited by Boise right now then three quarters of the BCS schools. You could throw TCU, Utah, ECU, and a few more schools into that mix.
derek (aka known as maturi) your obsession with the me is pretty funny. Now that it is Big Ten season, there is only one thing to think about or write about: the number of Big Ten wins vs. the number of Big Ten losses. One at a time we shall examine each Big Ten game. I want WINS. I want improved ACT scores. I want ever increasing numbers of student athlete football players graduating. I also want a completely honest and above board football program.
When the team wins Big Ten football games I will be very happy. When the team loses Big Ten games, I will not be happy. So long derek (aka maturi…)
Wren a post like this shows your still stuck in a rut! Still boring!!!!
Where is this great wealth of talent Bud? Three fourths of the secondary he recruited? The fourth kid he moved to corner from wr. Our pass coverage, a weakness forever, finally looks good.
Simoni looks awfully good. The Onwuachi kid starts at DE. That’s five of eleven starters on d.
The Edwards kid and the Kirksey kid look real good on the d=line depth.
Also, Stoudermire has big time speed on kick returns. The Eskridge kid looks solid.
Sounds like they want Cooper to play the hybrid safety linebacker position they’ve got Simoni playing and will red shirt him if possible.
“And maybe the Strib will get smart and fire the Fat Man.”
__________
They can’t. He is in the union. Like all walks of life controlled by unions, intelligence, performance, intregrity, and decency are optional.
d_a_c (aka this brewster) you go right ahead and hate unions and belittle the people who are union members. That is very much like this brewster character you represent and stand for, it would appear.
As for me: I HATE Big Ten losses. I LOVE Big Ten wins. I will praise ANY Big Ten win and will be outraged by ANY
Big Ten loss.
So, d_a_c (aka this brewster) when ever you start your name-calling episodes remember that people realize that you never appeared as a poster until this brewster arrived on the scene. d_a_c (aka brewster) every word you use is testimony to what you are and stand for. Your words represent you d_a_c (aka this brewster.) Your words are very ugly and out of place.
Go ahead: the floor is yours! Hang yourself…
:0)
Newspaper Subscriptions
eEdition
RSS
Newsletters