Rutgers fans, recruits, and community - -
Saturday was miserable: There was rain, an offensive offense, and a defenseless defense.
That said, I have a simple message: Relax. These things take time.
It was just two years ago that Rutgers defeated Michigan at home. As hopeless as things might seem now, let's remember that. These things take time. Less time than we fear. But also more time than we'd like and hope. Two years ago Michigan lost to us. Now they're ranked in the top 5 and pasted us. Life happens fast.
Emotions aside, I think it's pretty simple how we got here:
First, the quality of the last few recruiting classes has been below our decade trend and far below our B1G peers. It will take a couple of classes to overcome, but this year's class looks like a terrific start. The first brick in our rebuilding.
Second, there have been huge departures from the team. During Carroo's suspension last year, the offense played miserably. Consider Carroo's graduation (and the lack of recruiting behind him), Grant's injury, and the wave of dismissals and attrition from the program since we last beat Michigan. That's no joke, and it's decimated the talent base.
Finally, Ash has installed new schemes. That's always a rough process, but the difficulty is amplified by the skillset mismatch. While some have said it's a mistake to change from the "pro style" offense if this is the result, I disagree. There isn't the talent on the team, with this schedule, for that half-measure to be worth it. Instead, we're taking our lumps and getting our team (and young offensive coordinator) situated. It's painful, but these are the growing pains. These beatdowns are investments in the future.
That's reason 1, 2, and 3. I think it's pretty simple. Always darkest before the dawn. Two nights ago, in a soggy stadium, in an embarrassing loss, that was our football team scraping bottom. There are plenty of reasons for optimism: the team's strength and conditioning is noticeably improved. Tackling has improved. This incoming recruiting class led by Lewis & Clark looks awesome. Oden has the speed, with some strength and experience reading defenses, the potential looks good. Hester is finding his way on defense. Grant might be back next year.
These things take time. Breathe. Be optimistic. It's enduring the adversity that makes the nectar of success so sweet. The incoming recruits and our players who fight to better themselves, will taste a satisfaction they couldn't have experienced if they fled Jersey. Part of the reason I loved our 2006 season so much was because I sat through the 1999-2002 seasons as a student in that miserable stadium. Without those years, I wouldn't have relished it as much.
The future is bright!
surya
Saturday was miserable: There was rain, an offensive offense, and a defenseless defense.
That said, I have a simple message: Relax. These things take time.
It was just two years ago that Rutgers defeated Michigan at home. As hopeless as things might seem now, let's remember that. These things take time. Less time than we fear. But also more time than we'd like and hope. Two years ago Michigan lost to us. Now they're ranked in the top 5 and pasted us. Life happens fast.
Emotions aside, I think it's pretty simple how we got here:
First, the quality of the last few recruiting classes has been below our decade trend and far below our B1G peers. It will take a couple of classes to overcome, but this year's class looks like a terrific start. The first brick in our rebuilding.
Second, there have been huge departures from the team. During Carroo's suspension last year, the offense played miserably. Consider Carroo's graduation (and the lack of recruiting behind him), Grant's injury, and the wave of dismissals and attrition from the program since we last beat Michigan. That's no joke, and it's decimated the talent base.
Finally, Ash has installed new schemes. That's always a rough process, but the difficulty is amplified by the skillset mismatch. While some have said it's a mistake to change from the "pro style" offense if this is the result, I disagree. There isn't the talent on the team, with this schedule, for that half-measure to be worth it. Instead, we're taking our lumps and getting our team (and young offensive coordinator) situated. It's painful, but these are the growing pains. These beatdowns are investments in the future.
That's reason 1, 2, and 3. I think it's pretty simple. Always darkest before the dawn. Two nights ago, in a soggy stadium, in an embarrassing loss, that was our football team scraping bottom. There are plenty of reasons for optimism: the team's strength and conditioning is noticeably improved. Tackling has improved. This incoming recruiting class led by Lewis & Clark looks awesome. Oden has the speed, with some strength and experience reading defenses, the potential looks good. Hester is finding his way on defense. Grant might be back next year.
These things take time. Breathe. Be optimistic. It's enduring the adversity that makes the nectar of success so sweet. The incoming recruits and our players who fight to better themselves, will taste a satisfaction they couldn't have experienced if they fled Jersey. Part of the reason I loved our 2006 season so much was because I sat through the 1999-2002 seasons as a student in that miserable stadium. Without those years, I wouldn't have relished it as much.
The future is bright!
surya
