Shouldn’t we all be golfing?
Posted on October 30th, 2008 – 11:56 AMBy Kent Youngblood
Could be the last good day for it. But we’re all probably working, looking out the window at the sun.
Since there is no access to the players today, I’m working on my story on Brandon Green for Saturday and my college football notes for tomorrow. I’m trying to sort out the rules regarding all the bowls.
Anyway: I think this will be the Gophers’ biggest test of the season since Ohio State. I know the ‘Cats are banged up, but I think they’er well-coached. I also think that Northwestern’s strength — the ability to get pressure on the quarterback from the front four — plays into what has been a Gophers weakness. Plus I think Northwestern will be very motivated. Fans should hope the Gophers aren’t looking past this one because of the Wildcats’ injuries.
I have a call in to the U for an update on ticket sales. I’ll add that when I get it.
Have a good afternoon
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59 Responses to "Shouldn’t we all be golfing?"
Kent, regardless of how this season was going, it looks like you’ve gotten into a pretty good rhythm covering this team. You appear to be more comfortable. I’m sure being around Brewster and Co. for some time, there’s been a certain level of trust established. And thanks for talking to the assistants on stories — always like getting their perspective.
As for recruiting, suggestion (I know they can’t name names per NCAA regulations) but can you update how many are coming on visits — official or unofficial — over the next couple of weeks. They’re sitting at 10 commitments, and I have to think that needs to pick up. How many scholarships can they give this year?
Thanks in advance.
Gopher Nation says:
October 30th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Kent, regardless of how this season was going, it looks like you’ve gotten into a pretty good rhythm covering this team. You appear to be more comfortable. I’m sure being around Brewster and Co. for some time, there’s been a certain level of trust established. And thanks for talking to the assistants on stories — always like getting their perspective.
As for recruiting, suggestion (I know they can’t name names per NCAA regulations) but can you update how many are coming on visits — official or unofficial — over the next couple of weeks. They’re sitting at 10 commitments, and I have to think that needs to pick up. How many scholarships can they give this year?
Thanks in advance.
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The big recruiting weekend this year will be for the michigan “Gold Out” game. Be Bold Wear Gold.
Gopher Nation … Kent can answer your questions with more expertise than I can, but in case he doesn’t see your post for awhile let me take a crack.
In the past we have had the names of the recruits coming to visit so I don’t think there is any NCAA rule prohibiting that. We know the name of the Juco wide receiver coming this week.
The biggest recruiting weekend will be our home game against Michigan. I have heard there will be a dozen or more guys coming that weekend.
And if you recall how things played out last year, Brewster got a fair number of commitments immediately after the guys were on campus.
Sorry, I can’t type. Tyrone Carter’s cousin…
grunk … I don’t recall the message you are referring to, but sent you brought up Michael Carter, this could be the biggest recruit for Roof and the defense. I think he is coming for the Michigan weekend.
Michael Carter has been called a “bigger and stronger” version of Tyrone Carter. That is a scary thought.
Thanks, DAC and Derek on the info. I think we’ve got to get into the high teens with commitments by the December dead period.
Beat Northwestern!
What I meant by the names is that the coaches can’t talk about them publicly. I know they can feed Kent the names and Kent can get in touch with them.
Goph ,… I understand, now, your point and that may very well be correct.
This was the excerpt from the Midwest recruiting Blogger from ESPN:
Midwest Notes
This weekend will not be a big recruiting weekend for any of the Big Ten schools. The next big weekend will be Nov. 8, a weekend Tim Brewster has targeted as a key one for his Minnesota Golden Gophers since the top two prospects in the state of Minnesota, wide receiver Bryce McNeal (Minneapolis/Breck) and tight end Ra’Shede Hageman(Minneapolis/Washburn), are among close to a dozen prospects who will make their official visits. Defensive back Michael Carter (Pompano Beach, Fla./Ely) is also scheduled to visit; Carter is one of the top cornerback prospects in the South and it would be a huge coup if Brewster can land him.
Minnesota plays Michigan Nov. 8.
McNeal is going to Oklahoma for the game against Nebraska this weekend. Does anybody else want to see the Huskers pull an upset?
Derek-I didn’t even read your full post and I missed your question about scholarship numbers. The firm number comes down to how many people leave (graduation, transfer, etc) and whether we give any to walk-ons that have earned it. I believe 85 is the total number of scholarships available and the last number that I heard was that we have about 21 available next year.
Bud … Hope you had a great trip to Chicago.
This is a serious question .. not confrontational.
Who do you think among the offensive linemen may not have the talent to step up? Who does?
My own view is that Tow-Arnett is playing well at center. I have been a little disappointed in Tavale at times. Not sure about the other guys. What say you?
Also, since I know you watch some high school football, have you seen the Edina QB? Thoughts?
Where is this updated ticket number?
It would nice to get an accurate number.
From the other side of the river,
“The Gophers and Northwestern are among schools recruiting Chaska record-breaking senior wide receiver Derrick Engel, who has been clocked in 4.34 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Engel will attend Saturday’s Minnesota-Northwestern game at the Metrodome as a guest of the Gophers.”
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4.34??? Are you kidding?
Exactly what record(s) did Engel break? From what I can tell he is a likely walk-on candidate although I’m not sure if Northwestern is willing to give him a scholarship.
Football gods
Loon has mentioned how the football gods have been kind to us. Especially, since what’s happened to Northwestern in losing their quarterback and running back. When you take a closer look, you soon realize the Gods may not have been too kind.
1. Injuries
a. Running Back - Everyone knew going into the year since Thomas and Whaley were injuried at RB, that Bennet was our best Running back by far. Yet, we lose him the second game into the season and now we rely on two true freshmen.
b. Cornerback - We lose our top conerback against the best offensive team in the Big Ten and that’s Illinios. We even have to go and play them on the road. Talk about misfortune.
c. O-line - Every time we run an offensive play someone from our O-line limps of the field. Our O-line this year has been a Mash unit.
2. Spotting the ball - Everyone this year has talked about the terrible spots we have gotten in games. At crucial times refrees have not been to kind to us at spotting the ball.
3. Hunted - Now our last four games we are going to be the hunted instead of the hunter. Teams like Michigan, Wisconsin, and Iowa are always geared up to play us. Now with our record they for sure are going to be gunning for us.
In the end the gods have at times been kind to us but at times not as kind.
Seems like the StarTribune is listening to you guys about more coverage of the Gophers.
Three articles in today’s paper.
I am still not convinced this team is a legit contender for a Jan 1 bowl. We have made hay on other teams mistakes and also have made some terrific D plays to cause takeaways. Some call it luck but I call it making our luck ala Sheres strip INT and Brock totally dismantling Sheets from the rock.
I want to see the guys beat a team that takes care of the ball. One of these games, our “luck” or “making our luck” may run out.
If we had a big play running back then I would say we are a legit contender for a Jan. 1 bowl. I know people cry about the O-line but a big play back would help. I still think 9-3 will be our record. I certianly would not mind if we go 11-1.
The only saving grace we have is the development of Green. If he continues to develope that would give Weber 5 legit players who are recievers and tight ends to throw the ball too. Green would be able to stretch the feild some. We may pass alot like Texas Tech but play a much more controlled passing game.
Minnesota needs to recruit Mr. Lee, the Edina QB. IF they let him get away they will be losing a very smart, athletic qb who has been running the type of offense that would make him ready for this dunbar’s offense. He would look very good in the Maroon & Gold, assuming that the Gophers still are the Maroon & Gold…He is a MUST recruit! He’s also one heck of a good hockey player, but he would be a leader kind of like another Weber on the football field. Go Gophers!
;0)
Wren—do you know if he is fielding any offers and who has expressed interest??
gold04
This team is still in the developmental stage and is a work in progress. You have ID’d some of the needs which I agree.
The facts are, we don’t have a star RB, a good OL, experience at WR, etc. at this time. This team will be fortunate to win two of its remaining four games and all we know is our record will range from 7-5 to 11-1. NU will be a stern test as I think they are better than us in the trenches and that worries me. Iowa will be our toughest game.
Sure would be something if all those potential recruits coming for the Michigan game could see an 8-1 Gopher team take the field. Never thought I’d see the day, but I think the Defense will again rise to the occasion this weekend and be the deciding factor.
BFG—that is what makes the whole situation so encouraging. The Gophers are currently a young, inexperienced,raw, still learning the systems/schemes team.
wisky wants him tex. Also, Harvard for hockey is a prtty tough situation to turn down. A Harvard education is big time in every way, shape and form when you are thinking about a lifetime of making things happen!
Look out for wisky as a real outside possibility should Big Ten Football win out over Harvard and hockey. This brewster can’t let that happen because I think that Mr. Lee could be a real asset to the Gophers in SO many ways. My sources tell me that he has so many positive qualities that surpass just what he makes happen on the football field. He is a true scholar/athlete and has great leadership qualities. I really do hope he decides to stay at the U of M. He would bring a LOT to the table!
Of course, tex, one must ALWAYS remember that high scool recruits are high school recruits. One can only tell after three or four years just how much a recruit will have contributed to a program until they have actually made a contribution to a program. Some recruits bring significant value added to your program just by “being there.” They contirbute in quiet, ways that are cumulative in nature. What they do on the practice field, in the class room, as good citizens can help make a team a better team.
I wouldn’t be too surprised if iowa tries to make a run at Mr. Lee either, that usually happens. Mr. Lee is one of the top potential skill players in the state of Minnesota, that is sure. He is also a tough kid. I think that Minnesota should have some inside advantages and I think he has a teammate who has committed to play hockey for the Gophers. I think his buddy is a pretty good football player as well!
Ps. You never, know: Notre Dame might also make a pitch for Mr. Lee. I haven’t heard that, but he did play at St. Thomas Acadamy in his formative years, before transferring to his home area school, Edina. You know…ND also offers the hockey thing, just as Minnesota and wisky.
Have any of you ever taken a tour of ND with perspective students? I have, and, it is impressive. For general students they like ACT’s of 33-34 with lots of AP and honors courses. That can be a turn on for pretty decent students and pretty decent student athletes. Of course, IF they want a top-notch student athlete, as long as that student appears to have a chance to compete and succeed in the classroom, they will go after that student.
The U of M needs to develope that kind of competetive advantage academically to compete for top studens…and student athletes. That would be the BEST thing this prexy b could strive for in the undergraduate programs at the U of M.
We hear a lot of doubts here about whether this team can compete in a decent bowl game. Some have gone so far as to say the rankings are wrong and the Gophers are, maybe, the 35th or so best team in the country.
All of the above could be correct. I don’t know. But the point I was making yesterday is that with such a young team you have the opportunity and potential to improve each week.
My advice to skeptics is to wait until we have played 12 games to judge what level of bowl we could compete in.
The feature this morning on Garret Brown is a good example of what I am talking about. This guy is growing as a defensive player by leaps and bounds. He’s not at the top yet. Who knows how good he will be after four more Big Ten games.
The young offensive line can’t be judged yet. They have a chance now to be much better, especially if the nagging injuries stop. Our running game should improve by the end of the season. Green has shown we may have a much more diversified passing game by bowl time.
And most importantly, the defense is still jelling as the guys get used to playing together. This defense is getting better every week. Watch them.
NYC, I almost fainted when reading today’s Strib. And every article was positive. Thanks to the Star Tribune for affording the team some decent coverage. Great article by Rachel Blount. Thanks, Rachel!
Gold04, thanks for your 6:59 AM post. I agree wholeheartedly. “Luck” runs both ways.
GO GOPHERS!!!!
Tex … Anders Lee is a good looking quarterback. He’s big and strong and throws the ball well. He reminds me of a younger version of Weber.
Unfortunately, hockey has always been his favorite sport.
The question is, is he a good emough football prospect that the Gophers should really try to convince him to come for that. It seems to be generally conceded he is good enough for bigtime hockey.
Kent, your article on Brown is another reminder of how poor the fans are at evaluating football talent. Just last year we had people of this board saying how there weren’t any players past Decker on our roster who had the talent to play on a Big Ten team. Now we clearly have a ten or eleven returning players playing at a good Big Ten level or better.
Loon … You are, as always, very confused. The debate last year was about how many actual Big Ten-calibre players we had on the roster. Meaning, ready to play.
Brown, like a lot of other Gophers last year, had potential but was not ready to be a difference maker. Thanks to the coaching staff, he was motivated, directed, and led during the off-season to develop his strength and quickness. Then during the course of spring ball, summer, and fall practice he was developed into a darn good defensive tackle.
Garret Brown gets the credit. He had natural ability but he also chose to do the hard work to get to where he is today. The coaches also deserve credit for player development.
Don’t forget, for the Gopher program now, recruiting is 50%, player development is 30%, and game prep and game day coaching is 20%.
One season thrown away is one thrown away season too many. RIP 2007 Golden Gopher Football season.
Those losses that should have been and could have been wins become ghosts in the closets of the coaches who threw the season away. I believe that Michigan fans are currently being cheated by this richrod character with his 2008 throw away season. He has made a terrible mistake with all the talent that Michigan has on their squad that has been wasted in 2008.
It is bad precedent for college football…for a coach to assume he/she has ANY throw away season EVER. Most college kids only have 4 or 5 years to play. To have a coach feel that he/she has the right to not worry about the record in their first year of coaching at a school means that all the players on that team have WASTED 20 or 25% of their college careers just because their coach is trying to force pieces of the team into situations that do not work well for them, they are not ready for and/or they are not suited for. By having a coach completely go with the make the players fit the system rather than to the modify the system to fit the players, some kids get screwed out of a whole year of being a competetive football team. IF it happens during their senior season or final season, that coach who throws it away to suit himself has taken away something from those kids they can NEVER get back.
Throw away seasons stink. Throw away season coaches have guilt all over them. Being as competetive as one can possibly be right now is the only way a coach should EVER coach.
The Garrett Brown artice was written by Rachel Blount. Let’s give credit where credit is due. I know it’s astounding that Gopher football would have more than one reporter writing about it, but it actually happened! Even Souhan wrote a positive article!
I feel like I’m in the “Twilight Zone.”
GO GOPHERS!!!
Wren–why would any coach “throw away a season?” Just give me one good reason why a coach would intentionally want to lose games.
Michigan’s problem is that they let Mallet go. Their current QB’s are subpar at best.
Michigan put all their cookies into one jar by trying for Pryor and I’m sure Mallet didn’t appreciate it and bolted.
The Gophers need a plan B at QB for next year if Gray doesn’t return. We would have Appilate, Pittman, and Staudimire? I think a JC backup would be smart?
Clint Brewster? That transfer isn’t looking as good right now. Having him back would make me feel much better.
wrenbawlblabbers … It is a terrible thing for college football that Jim Tressel purposely threw away two consecutive national championships and wilfully threw away the game at USC this year. Can you believe he did that?
Can C. Brewster transfer back to the U of M??
GoGophs … Mallet left Michigan because of Rodriquez’ spread offense, not because they were trying to recruit Pryor. And they were trying to recruit Pryor because of the spread offense.
It will not be a good idea for the Gophers to have a true freshman as backup to Weber. Alipate should be redshirted and not counted on next year. That leaves Gray (if he gets into school) Pittman, maybe Stoudermire, or better, a decent juco on the recruiting list.
tex, I see it being a very shameful thing to have put players and fans in, You KNOW that I totally oppose the “throw away season.” I see NOTHING to gain and only hurtful things happening because of a season that was not executed to it’ss fullest potential. I think a coach has the RESPONSIBILITY to put the players that he currently has in the BEST position to win as many football games as he can help them win. The 2007 Gophers should have NEVER been 1-11 overall an 0-8 in Big Ten play.
However, if you recall, this brewster came to Minnesota totally advertising the fact that when ha had been at North Carolina with Mac Brown that for the first TWO seasons the team had 1-10 records (I believe it was…they only played 11 games a season back then.) Now, to me he was advertising his own 1-11 recrod of 2007 in advance. In fact, it appeared that he was lobbying for the possibility of TWO 1-11 seasons…just in case. It was obvious in 2007 the team SHOULD have…COULD have won 6 or 7 games because they played a schedule that SET UP for wins, just as this 2008 season is set up for wins. In fact this 2008 season is playing out in a way even MORE conducive to being set up for wins. However, this brewster for what ever his own reasons were did NOT have his team ready to play in so many of the 2007 games. They would get down by 14…17 points in the first quarter. They were not ready to play at kick off time all too often. Hence: the coaching staff threw away too many opportunities for wins because they insisted on doing things the way they did things…and were not ready themselves.
Yes, wins are coming this year and that is fantastic. More power to this brewster for that. Perhaps he has learned to win the ames he OUGHT to win when given the opportunity. However, since this brewster started coaching in 2007 with disasterous results, I must always keep his overall record as the top focus here.(8-12 to date overall and 3-9 in Big Ten play. THAT is the harm that 2007 throw away season did.) May the players keep winning these last four Big Ten games, because a schedule like this will not happen again for a very long time…if ever again. The Gophers may have a better team in 2009 and may not win as many games…So, when opportunity presents itself: grab the bull by the horns and make it happen!
DAC:
I will try and answer your question about Anders Lee (Edina’s qb). I am pretty well connected to the program, I played there once upon a time and I have friends on the coaching staff and I get to 4-5 games of a year.
Lee was set to play hockey at Harvard after high school. He wasn’t really being looked at too much for football until he exploded this year for 38 td’s or whatever crazy number it was. He has now received all sorts of football offers. I will say he is a heck of a talent and reminds me a little of Weber and would look good in Maroon and Gold.
With that said, I personally think he would be making a mistake by playing football. You have the chance to go to Harvard, you go to Harvard…but that is just my humble opinion.
DAC–you bring up the name Pittman. I wonder if he was a QB at a JC for good reason. Maybe he really isn’t a WR/RB playmaker type of guy. Does he take any pregame snaps?? Have you or anyone else seen him throw a ball?? How does he look as a QB based on limited info?? He has been a complete mystery to date in my mind.
Nope d_a_c: the woeful tressel’s team just got their brains beaten in. He didn’t go into the games advetising that he and mac brown had be zero for BCS Championship games. He had No chance in those championship games but he had already won a NC. THAT proved that he didn’t think he could throw away a championship game. It is all in how it is sold d_a_c. Tressel didn’t come to OSU saying that he would probably lose NC games in his first couple of seasons. In fact, he won all the games he could, inclding a NC! How’s them apples d_a_c you crabby low rent country singer monikered dude or dudette, which ever the case may be?
;0)
Geee wrenbawlblabbersblubbers … Can you please make up your mind?
First you wrote several million repetitive column inches ridiculing Brewster for having a vision and talking about winning the Big Ten.
Now you have abandoned that line of propaganda to say Brewster came here telling us we couldn’t win. I just don’t remember that.
babbler … What’s up with South Florida, rated No. 24, just throwing away a game last night to Cincy? What’s up with dat, babbles?
Tex asks, quite reasonably,
“Wren–why would any coach “throw away a season?” Just give me one good reason why a coach would intentionally want to lose games.”
_______________
Tex … You may have missed the famous wrenbawlblabbers theory on college football. It goes like this:
There is never a reason to play a game. You can look at the schedule in August and write down the wins and losses. Finished.
So if wrenbawlblabbers writes in August of 2007 a certain number of wins and he wakes up in late November and discovers a different record for the team, he concludes the coach just threw those games away that had already been marked as wins.
It’s actually a pretty simple system if you don’t care anything for football, the players, the games, the work, the coaching, the weather, the injuries, the breaks, the emotion … you just sleep through it all.
Sorry d_a_c: you don’t speak for me. I think you are a repulsive individual and sure as heck don’t give my stamp of approval to ANY word, thought or idea that you so evily intended you may attribute to me.
You had a hole in your head and you are obviously damaged for a life time. Yur sickness makes your evil intentions even more obvious and predictable, d_a_c or d_a-cette, which ever the case may be. That one “hole in one” you got on your skull on the opperating table certainly left a nasty mark on your personality…
:0)
This brewster was telling the press, the fans and everyone else that he and brown were 1-10 for two years in a row at North Caroline from day one…from long before he had ever coached the Gophers in a game…in spring practice…he was setting the stage, attempting to dummy down expectations just setting up for that 1-11 2007 season. That reeks “throw away 2007″ That reeks just because it reeks…And…what we had was a 1-11 season. That is the way history will recrod the whole deal. This brewster is on take, on the camera, in print selling advertising his 1-10 two year association with North Carolina talking about it as though it was ok. 1-10…1-11 and 0-8 Big Ten is NEVER ok.
Famous last words from wrenbawlbabyblabbers:
“Brewster is an idiot for coming to town and claiming the Gophers could be winners and go to the Rose Bowl. How stupid.”
“Brewster is an idiot for coming to town and claiming the Gophers would never win and we would have throwaway seasons as long as possible. How stupid.”
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Well thanks, wrenbawls, for clearing that up in your own words.
I am calling the Wren vs. DAC fight over. In boxing terms DAC won on a TK0 in the 7th round. Sorry, wren, for your own good, hang it up.
The notion that any coach, including Mason, taught the guys how to lose is always silly. Was silly three years ago, was silly two years ago, was silly last year, is silly this year.
What Brewster did last year was hire the wrong defensive coordinator, allowed him too much freedom for too long and correctly fired him at the end of the season. Additionally, Brewster accepted the notion that installing a new and silly O would require the team to lose a lot of games until that O started to work. That phase we are still in. Brewster did not teach the guys to blow a big lead against NU, he had just made a number of HC mistakes in how the team played.
He has gotten one thing right, he hired Roof.
I agree with Loon. I believe both Brewster and Withers had some difficulty making the adjustment from the NFL to CFB. And made mistakes in made in evaluating the available talent.
The KISS principle was lost in the shuffle on both sides of the ball.
Personally, I think the main reason for an 1-11 season was the lack of proven BT ready talent.
[…] - Kent Youngblood expects Northwestern to be a tough matchup. […]
Texas Gopher says:
October 31st, 2008 at 10:53 am
DAC–you bring up the name Pittman. I wonder if he was a QB at a JC for good reason. Maybe he really isn’t a WR/RB playmaker type of guy. Does he take any pregame snaps?? Have you or anyone else seen him throw a ball?? How does he look as a QB based on limited info?? He has been a complete mystery to date in my mind.
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Torn hamstring, whats not to know? Nasty injury. We should see alot more of Pittman next year.
wrenagain2 says:
October 31st, 2008 at 8:37 am
Minnesota needs to recruit Mr. Lee, the Edina QB. IF they let him get away they will be losing a very smart, athletic qb who has been running the type of offense that would make him ready for this dunbar’s offense.
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Lee would be a nice recruited walk-on, he’s a margional D1 prospect by most accounts. I wouldn’t be opposed to offering him, but I don’t think he’ll get an offer with our lack of schollies this year.
As I stated, in agreement with Loon and Bayfield…this brewster didn’t put players in a position to win in 2007. I’m talking against the MAC teams, NDSU and iowa, Indy and NU during the 2007 season. Obviously, they hung with wisky and they had enough talent to beat teams such as BG, FAU, NDSU, iowa, Indiana and NU. Certainly, they should have won the majority of those games. By not putting the players he did have in schemes to utilize the talent they DID have, they lost a lot of games they should have won. It was because of coaching mistakes and errors in scheming for the 2007 season. THAT is a “throw away season” in my book.
I love this reliable old saw, “didn’t put the players in a position to win”. LOLOL.
Yeah, if players don’t have legs, can’t run, and must be moved by an invisible hand from the sidelines, I guess it must be hard to put them in the right position. ROTFLMAO!!!!!
wrenbawlbabbler … How many throwaway seasons have you had? Boiler quit working, crops were bad, mules didn’t run? Revenooooers came knocking?
Tex … Pittman was a quarterback in junior college because he wanted to be. He was recruited for D1 but nobody would promise him he could play QB. His juco coach did promise that and that is what, and why, he played there.
But he has just had a bad draw this year with the tough injury that resists healing.
Derek, Lee has been offered a scholarship by the Gophs plus a few other schools.
