Sound and the Fury: Focus on Today
Seriously, aren't you a little bit concerned about the Hawks as they head into conference play?
My simple answer is KU fans have too much of a "worried Kansas farmer" mentality. You think too much about the future and whether or not it's going to rain. We're 3-1 and we can beat Iowa State. Those top 10 games are a lifetime away and believe me -- Mangino will have us ready to play each and every one. If that's not enough consider the following four concepts:
1) This game is about execution and confidence. Our young guys are getting better at a faster rate then you think and the biggest thing right now is to take out a conference opponent and get to 4-1. Winning becomes a habit and it was good to have SHSU after that showcase game in South Florida. All the focus should be on Iowa State and getting a critical road win in the division to start the real season. I think you'll be surprised at how much a win at ISU will help the confidence of the young players.
2) Todd Reesing is 15-2 as a starter. Some people are basically saying he'll go 1-4 or 0-5 in the big games this year? On top of that a lot of people have called him the fifth best QB in the league. I think TR is pretty balanced in his approach, but this is a competitive environment and I think he likes to finish on top. I'm not betting against this guy.
3) Jeff Spikes and Jeremiah Hatch are going to be good. Jocques Crawford is going to be good. I happen to think Angus Quigley is already good. We know what Jake Sharp can do when utilized properly. It's a matter of time before the running game breaks out again. In my opinion, teams right now are absolutely committed to taking away our run simply as a mental tactic. They know our staff wants to be balanced and they want to get in Ed Warriner's head. Eventually, teams will tire of getting roasted by Todd Reesing.
4) Seems like I've been talking about the pass rush since 2006. Actually, I have. Here's where I stand right now. We underappreciate what Russell Brorsen and John Larson do as run game defensive ends. I don't want to come off negative about that pair in any way. I feel they need a pass rush specialist to compliment their game. This year, I felt like someone between Jeff Wheeler, Maxwell Onyegbule and Jake Laptad would step up. I haven't given up on that and right now I'm giving the edge to Jake Laptad. Re-watching the games it seems like he is just percentage points away from being in the QBs face on a much higher number of plays.
DJ Goodwin
Reader Comments (2)
1)Agreed, what we've done in the non-con doesn't count anymore. Getting that first conference win on the road will help with confidence even if it's against the Cyclones.
2)Todd Reesing....enough said...
3)Again, we're developing. The loss of Fields and Harper were great for us in the sense that the other guys got in. Barfield, Powell, Pendleton, Brown, Patterson...I think I'm missing someone at corner... anyway... On the other hand the loss of Fields and Harper were devastatingly severe. We are 4-0 if those guys are healthy.
4)Charlton Keith where art thou... I like what Laptad has done. I've had high hopes for Onyegbule but he hasn't really become the kind of player the message boards were making him out to be in the offseason....yet...
We've got a lot of talent at wide receiver, but I do think they miss Dexton's experience/leadership on the field With Kerry doing a lot of the possession work, I'm hoping we can see Dexton stretch the field this weekend.
At DE I'm surprised that the next Charlton hasn't shown up yet, heck Jermail Ashley would be a star for this team. I haven't given up on the boys yet. We know Max has the tools ... it still seems like he is thinking too much. Kind of a sympton for the entire team. Just need to get M.O. in front of the big screen for a 24-hour gladiator movie marathon and tell him to go get the QB.