Some people wonder about why I'm excited about this team. They talk about "Drinking the Koolaid", which, really, is drawn from the Jonestown massacre, having blind faith and just doing what you're told--and is intended to be dismissive. Not how I feel at all. I have good, rational and justifiable reasons for having reached my conclusions--and my general level of excitement.
Frankly, I've been following Cyclone recruiting longer than I really care to admit. I've seen the faces come and go, I've seen potential made real, I've seen success, failures, and heartbreak--along with players who simply disappeared. And yes, I've followed recruiting on the national front as well, and just as long.
So when I look at these Cyclone youngsters, I see something different. Not just "promise", not just "potential" for both of those are present as well. When I look at a great many of these player, I see faces. Cyclone faces. And I know what a change, and how long it's been, since I've seen those faces--and most certainly not all at the same time.
Take Sedrick Johnson, for example. He is doubtless our best (and I'm not saying "most highly rated") offensive recruit since Jim Walden wheedled Troy Davis out of Miami. Maybe even better--though he'll hardly touch the ball as much. And in truth, Austen Arnaud might be our second best in that period. And he's still tussling with Phillip Bates.
Who is another story, as well as reminiscent of another "face". I find myself suddenly, completely aware that the coaching staff seems to have taken great pains not to compare Phillip with another great Cyclone quarterback. Oh, the adjectives are there. You hear "One of the fastest on the team", and "great throwing on the run", but there isn't even a whisper of comparison with Seneca Wallace. Remember, Seneca made an art form of accuracy while on the run--at the same time I was hearing analysts in other college (and pro) games talking about how impossible it is to throw on the rollout. And I don't think that it's just because this staff didn't coach Seneca--or that Phillip is about twenty pounds heavier. They just don't want to put any extra pressure on the young man.
Then we have another face, Keith Sims. He was probably the most athletic Cyclone lineman since I've been watching the team. And I haven't seen a whole lot of "athletic" in that time.. And yet I'm pretty sure I can put Hayworth Hicks, Scott Haughton (especially once those two are in shape), and maybe Kelechi Osemele and Trey Baysinger right up there with them. Ben Lamaak? I'll go back to Bruce Reimers and Karl Nelson for him. And maybe a couple of other youngsters on the squad, too.
Of course, there are some who break the mold. I can't say we've ever had a tight end with Collin Frankin's size who runs nearly as well. I'd have to combine a couple of "faces" for that one. Like Andy Stensrud and, uh...well, you're on your own for that one. No way Andy ran that well.
And of course, the "faces" don't end there. J.J. Bass reminds me of Blaise Bryant. A-Rob--I'm still working on that one. A little bit of Darren Davis--but faster. And of course, shades of pulling Troy Davis out of the talent hotbed of Florida, we have Bo Williams waiting in the wings. The list goes on and on.
Oh, defense, you say? That's a little more difficult, since there have been some pretty good athletes on that side of the ball lately. But take the best Cyclone linebacker you have seen in the past thirty years. From, say, Dennis Gibson through Tyrone McKenzie (however momentarily) and Alvin Bowen. And Cameron Bell might beat them all. So unless you really want me to--don't get me started on the defense. :wink:
So, "Drinking the Koolaid"? Blind faith in what I'm told? I don't think so.
Just wait. Sit back and watch the past made future.
Frankly, I've been following Cyclone recruiting longer than I really care to admit. I've seen the faces come and go, I've seen potential made real, I've seen success, failures, and heartbreak--along with players who simply disappeared. And yes, I've followed recruiting on the national front as well, and just as long.
So when I look at these Cyclone youngsters, I see something different. Not just "promise", not just "potential" for both of those are present as well. When I look at a great many of these player, I see faces. Cyclone faces. And I know what a change, and how long it's been, since I've seen those faces--and most certainly not all at the same time.
Take Sedrick Johnson, for example. He is doubtless our best (and I'm not saying "most highly rated") offensive recruit since Jim Walden wheedled Troy Davis out of Miami. Maybe even better--though he'll hardly touch the ball as much. And in truth, Austen Arnaud might be our second best in that period. And he's still tussling with Phillip Bates.
Who is another story, as well as reminiscent of another "face". I find myself suddenly, completely aware that the coaching staff seems to have taken great pains not to compare Phillip with another great Cyclone quarterback. Oh, the adjectives are there. You hear "One of the fastest on the team", and "great throwing on the run", but there isn't even a whisper of comparison with Seneca Wallace. Remember, Seneca made an art form of accuracy while on the run--at the same time I was hearing analysts in other college (and pro) games talking about how impossible it is to throw on the rollout. And I don't think that it's just because this staff didn't coach Seneca--or that Phillip is about twenty pounds heavier. They just don't want to put any extra pressure on the young man.
Then we have another face, Keith Sims. He was probably the most athletic Cyclone lineman since I've been watching the team. And I haven't seen a whole lot of "athletic" in that time.. And yet I'm pretty sure I can put Hayworth Hicks, Scott Haughton (especially once those two are in shape), and maybe Kelechi Osemele and Trey Baysinger right up there with them. Ben Lamaak? I'll go back to Bruce Reimers and Karl Nelson for him. And maybe a couple of other youngsters on the squad, too.
Of course, there are some who break the mold. I can't say we've ever had a tight end with Collin Frankin's size who runs nearly as well. I'd have to combine a couple of "faces" for that one. Like Andy Stensrud and, uh...well, you're on your own for that one. No way Andy ran that well.
And of course, the "faces" don't end there. J.J. Bass reminds me of Blaise Bryant. A-Rob--I'm still working on that one. A little bit of Darren Davis--but faster. And of course, shades of pulling Troy Davis out of the talent hotbed of Florida, we have Bo Williams waiting in the wings. The list goes on and on.
Oh, defense, you say? That's a little more difficult, since there have been some pretty good athletes on that side of the ball lately. But take the best Cyclone linebacker you have seen in the past thirty years. From, say, Dennis Gibson through Tyrone McKenzie (however momentarily) and Alvin Bowen. And Cameron Bell might beat them all. So unless you really want me to--don't get me started on the defense. :wink:
So, "Drinking the Koolaid"? Blind faith in what I'm told? I don't think so.
Just wait. Sit back and watch the past made future.
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