I posted this back after a beer soaked day following a beat down, and I have never been happier to admit that I was wrong. I am so happy how things seemed to have changed and I think it probably all flows from Nelson and an improvement in execution. My complaints were:
“The reasons why I am disappointed:
1.) Nelson - I was hoping that Nelson could develop into something very special and be a 4 year starter. If you remember his first couple of games last year, the board and media was really high on his potential to finally bring a real B1G QB to the Gophers. Now, I will admit that I am an Adam Weber fan so I would have been ecstatic if Nelson had just turn in similar numbers over his career here (I know for a lot of people here, that is not close to enough). Now, not even 5 games into his second season and he is an after thought.”
Nelson's poise, leadership, and control of the offense put that concern to bed and I think the chances of him being a 4 year starter and producing numbers on Weber’s level are very realistic. In college, a better than average QB can get you 6-7 wins on that fact alone. An all B1G QB with a decent supporting cast can get 10+ wins. I think Nelson can be that type of player if he keep progressing (less poor throws mainly/stays healthy).
“What I hated about Brewster is that he took the one part of our team that actually worked - ZBS, and change it to something that would not work with the players we had on the team. I would have much more faith in Kill if he had a system like the ZBS where we are able to compete with bigger/stronger DL from the better teams and truly make it simply about execution. If ZBS is executed correctly, you can win with smaller, less talented players. With Kill's system, we need both superior player development versus other teams and execution because we are going strength on strength....we aren't going to win that way. “
I am going to give myself partial credit on this one. Gameplanning was the missing x-factor vs. Iowa and Michigan. Against NE, our coaches won the game. Further, with both running and passing games executing, it really is a 1+1=3 (recruits, this isn't the answer on your SAT) situation. Our running game really opened up the passing game this week and if Nelson keeps it going, we are going to be able to move the ball against pretty much anyone.
I doubt anyone made to the end of this, but if you did, I think you would share my enthusiasm about the way this team has really turned around the issues that were the biggest factors in the losses. I know most of you will laugh when I say I would love to have Nelson ring up stats close to Weber, but I think the Gophers could be 10+ wins if he did now that we finally discovered how to play defense for the first time since Hoffman and crew graduated.
“The reasons why I am disappointed:
1.) Nelson - I was hoping that Nelson could develop into something very special and be a 4 year starter. If you remember his first couple of games last year, the board and media was really high on his potential to finally bring a real B1G QB to the Gophers. Now, I will admit that I am an Adam Weber fan so I would have been ecstatic if Nelson had just turn in similar numbers over his career here (I know for a lot of people here, that is not close to enough). Now, not even 5 games into his second season and he is an after thought.”
Nelson's poise, leadership, and control of the offense put that concern to bed and I think the chances of him being a 4 year starter and producing numbers on Weber’s level are very realistic. In college, a better than average QB can get you 6-7 wins on that fact alone. An all B1G QB with a decent supporting cast can get 10+ wins. I think Nelson can be that type of player if he keep progressing (less poor throws mainly/stays healthy).
“What I hated about Brewster is that he took the one part of our team that actually worked - ZBS, and change it to something that would not work with the players we had on the team. I would have much more faith in Kill if he had a system like the ZBS where we are able to compete with bigger/stronger DL from the better teams and truly make it simply about execution. If ZBS is executed correctly, you can win with smaller, less talented players. With Kill's system, we need both superior player development versus other teams and execution because we are going strength on strength....we aren't going to win that way. “
I am going to give myself partial credit on this one. Gameplanning was the missing x-factor vs. Iowa and Michigan. Against NE, our coaches won the game. Further, with both running and passing games executing, it really is a 1+1=3 (recruits, this isn't the answer on your SAT) situation. Our running game really opened up the passing game this week and if Nelson keeps it going, we are going to be able to move the ball against pretty much anyone.
I doubt anyone made to the end of this, but if you did, I think you would share my enthusiasm about the way this team has really turned around the issues that were the biggest factors in the losses. I know most of you will laugh when I say I would love to have Nelson ring up stats close to Weber, but I think the Gophers could be 10+ wins if he did now that we finally discovered how to play defense for the first time since Hoffman and crew graduated.
