VanDelaySports.com > MAC Football > Letter to the Toledo Blade

Patience

Patience.

We need it right now.

I know. I know. Toledo has played two terrible games to open the 2007 season, a season in which many of us predicted 8 or more wins. They have given up 104 points in those two games and have looked out-hustled, undisciplined and out-coached.

But it seems unnecessary to rip into this team.

I know that our defense is not just bad, but downright despicable. Giving up over 100 points in two weeks is nothing short of catastrophe.

I know that our open-field tackling and our tackling in general is questionable, and oftentimes, horrible. Am I the only one who has seen this get worse over the past few years?

I know that our special teams coverage needs a lot of work including personnel changes. However, I don’t think you can play Barry Church everywhere. Some guys just have to step up.

I know that whoever handles our kickoffs has trouble reaching the opponents 20 yard line. If that’s going to be the case just place the ball on the opposite 40 and call it even.

I know that this team finds ways to get penalized or apparently thinks that the team with the most yellow flags gets a secret prize at the end of the game.

I know that questions of discipline are quickly clouding the accomplishments of Tom Amstutz’s tenure. When several players are leaving each year for academic, personal, or criminal reasons, it comes to a point where questions become necessary.

But I also know that injuries and academic casualties have decimated the depth on both sides of the ball. When the majority of your depth chart is filled with freshmen, redshirt freshmen, and sophomores, that is never a good sign.

And yet, I know that this team could conceivably start out at 0-5.

But let’s get a few things straight.

Through the first two games, a total of 35 freshmen and sophomores have seen action for the Rockets. That’s too many and never a positive for a team consistently contending.

Redshirt freshmen Joe Shuler and Greg Harris, along with true freshman walk on Myshan Pettis; all drew their first collegiate starts in the secondary against Central Michigan and will probably start again against Big 12 opponent the Kansas Jayhawks. Injured seniors Tyrrell Herbert and Nigel Morris combined for 57 starts and were the heart of this defensive backfield. They are not replaceable, at least not in 2007.

Sophomore DE Skylaar Constant starts in place of injured senior Sean Williamson,

who had started 28 consecutive games. In fact, the only starter on the line with any real experience is DT Tyree Pollard, a senior who I am still waiting for a breakout game.

So, when at least three senior starters are out along with several other key players who are no longer with the team that creates a problem. As bad as I want this defense to rise to the top, it just might be a year in which some young guys get some valuable playing time.

Thrusting an 18 or 19 year old kid into a Division I game against a BCS opponent when he is really not ready is just as ridiculous as starting a NFL rookie quarterback on the first game of the year.

The only reassurance heading into Lawrence, Kansas is that the Rocket offense may finally be coming together. With the emergence of wideout Stephen Williams and the breakout game of young quarterback Aaron Opelt, the Rockets are finally moving the football. Sticking to a ground game and chewing up tons of clock may be Toledo’s only chance of giving their defense a shot at holding Kansas. Look for Chris Hopkins and Nick Moore to make a few key catches to sustain long drives. If the offense can find some success on the ground and use the pass as a way to keep the Jayhawk defense on its toes, this could turn out to be a competitive game.

There is no doubt that this team is determined to win. Although Saturday night may result in another blowout because of the youth on defense, I’m being patient with this squad heading into conference play. Once the chips start falling the Rockets way, this will be a dangerous team, one that may give Western and Central Michigan a run for the MAC West title.