Freeze, Gopher!

DWGinNE · Post by **DWGinNE** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 11:07 pm

Minnesota fan here -- the AP story gives a fairly decent overview of the incident, but to answer one of the early questions in this thread the U of M has been has been very strict on addressing off-field behavior, both conduct and grades. Coach Brewster did about the only thing he could by dismissing all four players -- even though the three originally arrested will most probably not be charged and Dominic Jones has a decent chance of not being convicted. They should be gone -- Coach and the University waited until the DNA and forensic electronic evidence came in, then acted quickly as all four were in violation of team rules and eventually, University student policy. This was a pretty tough situation for a first time head coach three months into the job but Coach handled it well.

Previously Coach Mason had more than once dismissed players that were arrested and not charged and two that were acquitted after a jury trial. Mason also encouraged the players that didn't want to go to class to transfer -- Greg Pruitt, Jr. was one of those casualties. Mason wasn't perfect or totally evenhanded in his enforcement of team rules but he did stick to a pretty high standard, especially compared to our close neighbors in the B10.

The ironic thing is that moving out academic and personality problems has put us on the edge of the NCAA grade standards -- the players that stay are not the problem but the transfers that don't graduate and the number of early exits to the pros has dragged down our NCAA score.

Anyway, let me know if you have any questions about the Gophers or the Twin Cities if you are heading up for the opener -- I'm sure I'll have some questions for you after I study your returnees a bit more.

Flipper · Post by **Flipper** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 12:29 am

Welcome to the site DW...looking forward to talking to you and other Gopher fans.

Three issues dogged us last year. Our defense gave up way to many big plays on 1st and 2nd down, our QB play was erratic at best and our special teams...specifically kick coverage on both kick off and punts...were terrible.

I'm pretty confident the defense will be better (partcularly if we can get a couple of injured Dlinemen back) and reasonably confident our ST's will be better. I have no idea about the QB situation.

TG1996 · Post by **TG1996** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 12:36 am

Welcome aboard, gopher!

Flipper's about right on in his Cliff's Notes on our expectations...he's usually pretty good about that.

Power tool instructions? Not as much.

DWGinNE · Post by **DWGinNE** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 1:15 am

Minnesota's biggest question marks (Cliff's Notes version):

1. No experience at QB to go with a switch from a pro set to the spread (Dunbar ex- of Northwestern & Cal is the new OC).

2. Nine starters returning from the #113 total defense in the country last year -- is that good or bad? (Yet we were #2 in turnover ratio?)

3. A thin defensive backfield became paper thin with the loss of a starting CB and a nickel back to the off field problem.

4. A lack of wideouts that made us sign 5 right before & after LOI day (but we may have gotten very lucky...)

To be expanded upon later...

reyray82 · Post by **reyray82** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 1:38 am

I sure hope macman is never incharge of anything important. Its clear that his reasoning skills and sense of empathy are far below average. With that said, ya maybe Turner should be off the team but he's not and there is nothing we can do about it. If macman wants to whine and complain about our weak standards he can do it to the NCAA.
Society is full of double standards, deal with it. Its called PRIVILEGE and I'm sure you are benefitting from atleast one right now weather you want to admit it or not.

"Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone"

Dayons_Den · Post by **Dayons_Den** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 8:34 am

DWGinNE wrote:3. A thin defensive backfield became paper thin with the loss of a starting CB and a nickel back to the off field problem.

I hope our offense is opened back up and we can start hitting receivers downfield!

Falconfreak90 · Post by **Falconfreak90** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 10:33 am

DWGinNE wrote:Minnesota fan here -- the AP story gives a fairly decent overview of the incident, but to answer one of the early questions in this thread the U of M has been has been very strict on addressing off-field behavior, both conduct and grades. Coach Brewster did about the only thing he could by dismissing all four players -- even though the three originally arrested will most probably not be charged and Dominic Jones has a decent chance of not being convicted. They should be gone -- Coach and the University waited until the DNA and forensic electronic evidence came in, then acted quickly as all four were in violation of team rules and eventually, University student policy. This was a pretty tough situation for a first time head coach three months into the job but Coach handled it well.

Previously Coach Mason had more than once dismissed players that were arrested and not charged and two that were acquitted after a jury trial. Mason also encouraged the players that didn't want to go to class to transfer -- Greg Pruitt, Jr. was one of those casualties. Mason wasn't perfect or totally evenhanded in his enforcement of team rules but he did stick to a pretty high standard, especially compared to our close neighbors in the B10.

The ironic thing is that moving out academic and personality problems has put us on the edge of the NCAA grade standards -- the players that stay are not the problem but the transfers that don't graduate and the number of early exits to the pros has dragged down our NCAA score.

Anyway, let me know if you have any questions about the Gophers or the Twin Cities if you are heading up for the opener -- I'm sure I'll have some questions for you after I study your returnees a bit more.

Welcome DW,

I, unfortunately, won't be able to make the trip up for the game but I am really looking forward to the opener. Seems both teams have major question marks so who knows what will happen. I'm excited to see the Gophers come to the Doyt in 2008. I applaud Minnesota for hitting the road to play MAC schools in the past...especially cuz there's a few Big Ten teams that absolutely refuse to play road games at MAC schools.

Thanks for your honest preview of the 07 Gophers. It's tough for us fans to point out the shortcomings of our teams. Flipper pretty much summed up what BG needs to do this season to be successful. I am pretty confident our Defense will be solid. Offensively, we need consistent QB play to move the chains and score. I feel good about our running game that averaged almost 180 ypg last season. We have one of the best lines in the MAC to help open those holes.

ST's? Ugh.

What a sore spot the last couple years...we MUST improve the ST's or we'll struggle again.

Here's to an injury free game and good luck in the Big Ten...

GO FALCONS!!!

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