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Don't forget that there are two underlying reasons for us having fewer upperclassmen:

1) The Malin probation - probation limited scholarships
2) Lack of Cavan redshirting players - 4 years to play, played in 4 (so the players are smaller and less mature).

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

Because older players are generally better because they make fewer mistakes, and they are physically bigger and stronger.

WHAT DO WE HAVE TO LOOK FORWARD TO?

Bennett has redshirted most of his initial class and will redshirt much or most of this second class. The guys that are playing today as RS-FR and FR are essentially better than or take the place of people we don't have in those position that are upperclassmen - probably more the latter.

The RS-FR and FR are good recruits. They are getting valuable playing experience NOW and it WILL pay off later. It is only unfortunate that we cannot redshirt ALL of our good recruits to allow them time to mature.

We will end up having a rash of graduation in 2006 because of this (the RS-FR + FR being played this year > 25 players, therefore we are going to have a HUGE senior class in 2006).

THE POSITIVES?

HUGE JR class in 2005, and SR class in 2006 with hopefully good recruits (we shall see if 2004 and 2005 come to fruition) backing them up.

Those are the years to judge Bennett. I know it's a ways off, but those are the credible years, especially 2006.


[This message has been edited by GoRedGoBlue (edited 09-22-2003).]

Good points - the season we went 6-5 under Cavan, the roster was full of juniors and seniors. We weren't necessarily better than a lot of teams, but our players were as big as other teams and had more experience than almost any team on our schedule. And it showed. When these young pups grow up, they're going to be strong. Real strong.

Does this guy have Multiple Personality Disorder? Sunday's and Monday's he's saying wait until 2006-while in the preseason on Thursday's and Friday's he's predicting winning seasons and possible upsets. GET A GRIP! Some of us actually do have a grip already.

Yeah, I hope for a win, and you degrade that.

BTW if Mike Cavan hadn't played freshman like Alex Pahulu, the WR (whose name escapes me) and several others SMU would have ZERO winning seasons since the DP. Once again you are looking for scapegoats. Mike Cavan didn't play any more freshman than your average coach but you continually have to blame the coach for our pathetic seasons. HE PLAYED FRESHMAN BECAUSE THEY WERE SO MUCH MORE TALENTED THAN THE USUAL SMU RECRUIT. So should Bennett-or he will find that recruiting success in your first two are much easier to come by than success in future years if the program does not show improvement.

[This message has been edited by Stallion (edited 09-22-2003).]

Jack Brewer

[This message has been edited by MizterTea (edited 09-22-2003).]

Yes, I understand that STALLION. You are Mr. Obvious.

I am not DOGGING CAVAN for playing the FRESHman other than by doing so was in DETRIMENT to the future, which is where we are TODAY.



[This message has been edited by GoRedGoBlue (edited 09-22-2003).]