Question for the Board...

[DiehardGopher]

I apologize for the poorly thought out post of mine, I had a bunch of ideas and opinions and they sort of ran into one another. My post was also an attempt to shine light on a more casual fan than I with statements about kickoff times. The comment about economy was meant to show that some students, especially in this economy, may not have the money to spend on luxuries like season football tickets. I almost had to take this semester off due to lack of money, and at the end of last semester I had professors that were saying that there seemed to be a significant drop in enrolled students based on the fact that the university was canceling sections of classes that ordinarily fill up very fast.

Now, I still maintain that excitement about the program is up compared to when Mason was here; however, the casual fan needs to see a product worth buying before they put the money down. Perhaps a better phrase would be cautious optimism, but the point holds. Say what you want about people leaving, as long as we are at the metrodome that would continue to happen. Riding the connector is by far the worst part about gameday, it makes me sick thinking about it. People seem to think that with a new coach you can turn a program around in 2 years or less and get pissed off when it hasn't happened as fast as they wanted.

Finally, onto the recruiting class ranking question. It has been widely stated that we are lacking in scholarships from what we had last year to give out. Also, these recruiting sites rate points per recruit. We had 31 recruits last year, and only 18 this year, that means that 13 additional players got points added to our total boosting our rank. Another point about this class is that there are a lot of kids rated 5.7, the very highest 3 star. Is it possible that these players might not start? sure. Is it also possible that we could get some kids that develop into all-stars in this class? Sure. In the end, this class provides quality depth, something we lacked at the end of last year. We will be a better team with these players.

 

[thetruth]

Recruiting "stars" are a lot like preseason polls. Meaningless until you see how it all plays out. An example is Iowa, which is regularly ranked from 5th - 9th in recruiting and last time I checked they have been to an Orange Bowl, Cap One Bowl, Outback Bowl and Alamo Bowl since 2001 and just came off another Jan. 1st bowl appearance.

 

[NC 2 MN]

Well said

To those of you still infatuated with Mason.

First of all, as a longtime Gopher fan I appreciate his helping to bring us to a level such that on most Saturdays I thought we had a chance. I also enjoyed the running game - it was a lot of fun watching us roll up yards (though we rarely could get those yards in the 2nd half, when needed, against top teams). I also enjoyed watching the talent many of you often reference - Maroney, Barber, Spaeth, Eslinger, Ben Hamilton (though I don't think Mason recruited him), etc.

Here's the problem: most of us can name from memory those players you consistently reference who were great players who succeeded beyond their "recruiting stars" - over ten years!!! If you look at the number of players Mason put in the NFL over his ten years (as of Fall 2007) he had only developed more talent than two other Big Ten programs - Indiana and Northwestern. So, he really didn't bring in or develop talent to the level that is going to have us competing for a Big Ten championship, even every 4-5 years.

Many of you also like to state that he did more with less. If so, why did Northwestern go to Rose Bowls with less talent - on paper through recruiting and in the NFL?

I don't know if Brewster will be successful or not. Like Schnoodler said, I thought I was one of the last supporters of Mason, but ultimately had to see a change following that last year. I had lost hope and wanted more than being average (I'd seen enough of that after ten years with Mason, and felt like we were right were we'd been before with Stoll and Gutey, both of whom would have gone to bowls on a regular basis such as Mason should they have coached in the current bowl environment and non-conference schedule as Mason).

Brewster has hope and big goals - a leader needs both of these. It will take time to see if he can realize that hope and goals, but I am enthused by the quality of talent he is bringing in so far. Again, we'll see....

Quit being so bitter and enjoy the ride. If you could support Mason all those years, you'd think you could give Brewster more than two years. Remember, he did not fire Mason. He only replaced him.

Precisely, Ozzy and Ray. Well said

 

[GophersInIowa]

I apologize for the poorly thought out post of mine, I had a bunch of ideas and opinions and they sort of ran into one another. My post was also an attempt to shine light on a more casual fan than I with statements about kickoff times. The comment about economy was meant to show that some students, especially in this economy, may not have the money to spend on luxuries like season football tickets. I almost had to take this semester off due to lack of money, and at the end of last semester I had professors that were saying that there seemed to be a significant drop in enrolled students based on the fact that the university was canceling sections of classes that ordinarily fill up very fast.

Now, I still maintain that excitement about the program is up compared to when Mason was here; however, the casual fan needs to see a product worth buying before they put the money down. Perhaps a better phrase would be cautious optimism, but the point holds. Say what you want about people leaving, as long as we are at the metrodome that would continue to happen. Riding the connector is by far the worst part about gameday, it makes me sick thinking about it. People seem to think that with a new coach you can turn a program around in 2 years or less and get pissed off when it hasn't happened as fast as they wanted.

Finally, onto the recruiting class ranking question. It has been widely stated that we are lacking in scholarships from what we had last year to give out. Also, these recruiting sites rate points per recruit. We had 31 recruits last year, and only 18 this year, that means that 13 additional players got points added to our total boosting our rank. Another point about this class is that there are a lot of kids rated 5.7, the very highest 3 star. Is it possible that these players might not start? sure. Is it also possible that we could get some kids that develop into all-stars in this class? Sure. In the end, this class provides quality depth, something we lacked at the end of last year. We will be a better team with these players.

Just to add to what you said about the recruiting rankings. If you look at a team like Penn St. who is ranked 4th in the conference (we're ranked 7th), they have 26 commits to our 18, and that makes a big difference in overall rankings. We have 16 players at 3 stars or more, they have 18. Their recruits average 2.92 stars while our's is 3.00. The 4th-7th ranked classes are really close, we just don't have the scholarships to offer this year.

 

[Izatys98]

Quote: "Third, these last two years have not been exciting. Regardless of whether or not you believe the cupboard was bare, it certainly wasn't 1-11 bare."

I have two points:

1. Are you naysayers going to be the judge of what many of us find to be fun and exiting? Do I need to revise my personal feelings about the last two years to suit your negative view of the world? I will readily admit the last 4 years of Mason's tenure were very depressing for me, and the contrast might have unduly affected how I looked at Brewster's first two years. Nevertheless, I have had a hell of good time with Brewster as our coach. It would have been better if more fans would have gotten involved. And of course it would have been much better if we had won more games. Nevertheless, I personally have never been as into college football as I am right now. Brewster deserves most of the credit for that. The rest of you people who are so afraid of "drinking the kool-aid" are only hurting yourselves. What it tells me is that the only way you will be happy is if the Gophers have a coach you approve of, who runs an offense you like, and defensive schemes that are in line with your personal philosophy. God help the coach that doesn't meet all of your expectations if the team struggles on the field.

My current positive feelings about Gopher football will continue as long as the University Administration has a commitment to improving the program to a level that is at least equal to Wisconsin's and Iowa's. Anything beyond that will be gravy for me. Whoever the coach may be will have my support as long as I believe he is trying to do whatever is necessary (within the rules) to improve the team. If after 5 years he has failed, it will be time to find another coach. After all, someone said about 60 posts ago that we are "fans of the team and not the coach".

2. During the 1- 11 season the Gophers started a Redshirt Freshman at quarterback, and three True Freshman in the defensive backfield against Ohio State in the Horseshoe. I am sticking with the "cupboard was bare".

Up:

1) I don't really care if the combined 8-17over the last two years has been a titillating ride for you. I really don't. That, however, is not passing judgment on your judgment. I have found the last two years of on-the-field performance to be revolting. I'd have the same opinion had it been Mason, Holtz, Urban Meyers, or Bud Grant at the helm. Turn the finger around and point it at yourself. Don't tell me that it's been exciting, that I'm a naysayer, and I should simply get with the program...

2) I don't care that it took Brewster to get you into Gopher football. For me it was watching the Gophs beat Michigan at Memorial Stadium back in 1977. Been here ever since. Please do try to stick around awhile, won't you?

3) You are missing the much bigger picture. It doesn't matter to me what offensive or defensive scheme a coach employs as long as he's consistent. I had fun watching Mason's team run and actually liked watching Wacker's squads at times. Watching Salem's pass-happy last team was really fun too. The hiring of Dunbar and Withers was met with great fanfare but now they're both gone. Brewster stated he would inject the Gopher Nation with the excitement of the spread offense but late last season he said that he's about power running. We were asked for patience as he recruited the atheletes needed to run the spread. Now are we expected to be patient as he pulls in the top level TE's, FBs, and drop-back passers needed to run what one might call a pro-set offense? I don't want 2-3 more years of built-in excuses. Don't tell me Brewster is showing the willingness to adapt. Winners force others to adapt to them. What are we going to do? What are we going to be? Recruit those players and get at it.

4) As good as Wisconsin and Iowa. If that in your eyes restores the glory to Gopher Nation, I'm sorry. I'll let others comment on that one...

 

[littlebigboy]

Only an idiot says this is my system stop it, when it doesn't work you adapt. He is not droping the spread or going to straight smash mouth, wait and watch. Joe Paterno was once asked how he lasted so long, and he said he was willing to change and adapt and not be a bull headed fool.

 

[calminnfan]

Recruiting "stars" are a lot like preseason polls. Meaningless until you see how it all plays out. An example is Iowa, which is regularly ranked from 5th - 9th in recruiting and last time I checked they have been to an Orange Bowl, Cap One Bowl, Outback Bowl and Alamo Bowl since 2001 and just came off another Jan. 1st bowl appearance.

Quick...name the top 20 teams in regards to recruiting rankings and then compare that list with the end of the year/bowl game rankings.

There will always be exceptions to the rule just as there will always be a two star player turning out to be special, like Eslinger or Hamilton. The problem is those are exceptions and not the rule.

 

[Goldy74s]

Sun comes up in the mornings, most heart attacks are in the morning, therefore the sun coming up causes heart attacks.

Name top 20 programs, they do very well in the "recruiting rankings", therefore they do well because they do well in the "recruiting rankings".

My experience has been that the teams that have the big reputations get the players they want and the recruiting "experts" give those players a lot of "stars". Notre Dame being the clearest example. Not the other way around.

 

[grunkiejr]

Up:
3) You are missing the much bigger picture. It doesn't matter to me what offensive or defensive scheme a coach employs as long as he's consistent. I had fun watching Mason's team run and actually liked watching Wacker's squads at times. Watching Salem's pass-happy last team was really fun too. The hiring of Dunbar and Withers was met with great fanfare but now they're both gone. Brewster stated he would inject the Gopher Nation with the excitement of the spread offense but late last season he said that he's about power running. We were asked for patience as he recruited the atheletes needed to run the spread. Now are we expected to be patient as he pulls in the top level TE's, FBs, and drop-back passers needed to run what one might call a pro-set offense? I don't want 2-3 more years of built-in excuses. Don't tell me Brewster is showing the willingness to adapt. Winners force others to adapt to them. What are we going to do? What are we going to be? Recruit those players and get at it.

I don't understand why people like you would join a message board to come and ask a seemingly innocent question with the clear intent to instigate an argument.

And if you are going to write mistruths like the one in bold above I don't think anyone should bother engaging in a conversation with you. Before trying to argue about the direction of Gopher football under Tim Brewster you should educate yourself about what he actually said about the direction of our offense. There is another thread titled "Why do people think we are going to stop running the spread offense?" or something of a similar nature. Go read it and then come back and have a discussion.

 

[GopherGod]

Only an idiot says this is my system stop it, when it doesn't work you adapt. He is not droping the spread or going to straight smash mouth, wait and watch. Joe Paterno was once asked how he lasted so long, and he said he was willing to change and adapt and not be a bull headed fool.

Virtually any offensive system will work(West Coast, Spread, Option, Wishbone) if you have good athletes and execute it to perfection. I will never forgot how the naysayers used to tell Tom Osborne how he needed to throw the ball more, that the option couldn't compete with the speed of teams like Florida. Well 3 national championships later and a 62-24 whooping of Steve Spurrier and his fun and gun offense for the national championship in 1995 with a team voted as the best college team of all time, it proved that wrong.