But on to football, as we soldier through the muck of what’s left of 2009. This week’s release is out, and not really any huge stories here. There is an “or” next to Jeff Tuel’s name, and that isn’t a surprise given Grippi’s report that his MRI was negative on any further damage to the knee. Not out of the woods yet by any means, but getting a clean MRI is a good start. We’ll see what he can do this week. And Chima Nwachukwu gets the “or” next to his name as well. If he can’t go, looks like Myron Beck is once again sliding on back to safety. I know they like his ability to play between the backfield and the linebacker position, but I think he’s a much better fit as on outside linebacker. But what else can they do? They are that thin back there. It’s not like this is by choice.
But does it really matter right now? Aren’t we just shuffling deck chairs on the Titanic at this point? I think we know the answer. There just isn’t much to hang your hat on right now. From the now-12 frosh starting a game this year (a new team record, beating 11 from ’99), or seven different combinations starting on the O-line, it’s just one blow after another.
That said, I was wondering as I looked through the depth chart as to what, exactly, happened to the O-line in ’09? I mean on paper, coming into the season, this was one position I think we all believed could be a real strength of the team. After all, nine out of 10 from last year’s two-deep roster were back up front. They supposedly had depth coming into the year, and with another year in the new offensive system, it looked promising. And given the nice number of running backs in the fold – remember how many of you thought we would run the ball like crazy with guys like James Montgomery, Dwight Tardy, Chris Ivory, Logwone Mitz, etc? – and with an unsettled QB situation, you would have definitely thought things would be good up front and in the running game.
Injuries are a good place to start. Zack Williams has barely played half the season after dealing with an injury in the Hawaii game. This was a guy they talked up quite a bit, possibly as the most talented lineman on the team, but he’s been missing for almost half our games. Remember Brian Danaher? The guy was thought of as one who could provide depth inside, but instead, an ongoing problem with concussions have limited him to just ONE start. BJ Guerra, Joe Eppele, Tyson Pencer? All guys who dealt with injuries at some point this year, all in and out of the lineup. The only two players who have started every game are Kenny Alfred at center and Micah Hannam at right tackle. Everywhere else, it’s been major-shuffle time.
But why all the injuries? There is no clear answer, but you probably already knew that. It’s a collision sport played by big dudes who throw their bodies into each other at full speed. Ligaments, tendons, muscles and bones are going to strain, tear, or break. It’s an unavoidable reality for the sport, and it will never change. But that said, I don’t know if I’m totally buying into the “these guys are too small or weak” theory, are you? Remember, again, all the promising hype in regards to the weight gains and eating right from the offseason? At last check, BJ Guerra, Zack Williams and Steven Ayers, three of this week’s starters, are all listed at well above 300 pounds. Maybe they aren’t going to pass the NFL draft eye-test in terms of dream physique’s chisled from granite, but isn’t that big enough to be at least competitive at the PAC-10 level? And it’s not like every team they play has first-round NFL talent up and down the defensive line (…..it just seems that way).
Meanwhile Kenny Alfred and Micah Hannam, both guys who have started every game, happen to be the “smallest” – 289 for Alfred, 290 for Hannam. They seem to be holding up fine, don’t you think so? So maybe the whole idea of being small and not strong enough is overrated a bit. Maybe they already are big and strong enough, and well, they just aren’t very good right now?
For example, Zack Williams had the buzz coming into the year, but as of right now, today, the guy has only started FIVE division one games, all this season. I don’t care how talented he is, he’s got to have a chance to learn in the heat of the battle, even if he is a JC guy who redshirted last year. It’s not like we should have expected another Steve Hutchinson at left guard, right out of the chute. And B.J. Guerra and Steven Ayers are familiar to us, but they are still just sophomores. And neither guy has a ton of game experience either. Both started just five games all of last season.
All for now. GO COUGS!
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
