Interesting comments on CBS Sportsline...

[Water Pony]

To paraphase: What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger.

If that is the case, PK, I like future for these kids. For this reason, I want them to benefit from the challenges you raised. Thanks.

Go Ponies, Our Team!

[jtstang]

Please drop that signature line--I'm sick of SMU losing and having to start over week after week.

[Corso]

Frankly I am concerned about the apparent lack of improvement, especially in the offensive and defensive lines, the LB position and to some extent the QB and RB positions are understandable,

BUT, even given all that, we do not have a fair basis for comparison to a real program until two more recruiting classes have made their way to the hilltop and we have a full complement of upperclassmen. Despite it all, we need to have two more seasons before making any rash decisions.

I'm concerned, too, but in some cases, I see it as a result of a lack of numbers. There are basically 8 offensive linemen (Johnson, Turner, Kieschnick, Guidry, Urbanus, Poynter, Boren, Peveto) who play. Many schools have 12-15 who PLAY, and more waiting in the wings, lifting and eating and studying to get bigger and better before ever stepping on the field. Because of our numbers, our guys have to learn on the field.

Same deal with the linebackers. D.D. Lee? Out. Reggie Carrington? Out. Rico Harris? Improving every day, but a converted safety who's played MLB for all of about a month. Avery Cleveland? Redshirt freshman. Zach Hall? Redshirt freshman. Wilton McCray? Talented, but too small (so far) and a true freshman. Landon Dyer? True freshman walk-on. Cliff Booker? True freshman walk-on. Todd Alexander (LB recruit) will be a welcome addition, but I think LB has to be a high priority in February, along with linemen.

The defensive line gets mixed reviews from me. The DTs have been OK, actually. Adami and Jones have done fairly well inside. They haven't gotten a bunch of sacks, but they've made plays behind the line of scrimmage. The defensive ends, frankly, have been a disappointment to me. Justin Rogers is a guy the coaches have been talking about for two years, and on occasion he makes great plays, but then he disappears for a while. Is he nicked up? Does he enjoy playing? He shows us flashes of the potential that make Coach Bennett and his staff rave about his ability, but the consistency (or is it the intensity) isn't there. Melvin Williams is the opposite: I don't know if he has the raw ability that Rogers has, but he's a high-motor guy who plays every play like his life depends on it .... he just isn't big enough or fast enough to be a factor on an every-play basis. Brent Karrington and Charlie Berry have been pleasant surprises, especially against the run. Both are stronger than I ever thought they were, and have filled in admirably (although I also wish they were bigger). But somehow, we need to get some pass rush off the edge. Obviously losing Cory Muse was a crushing blow to the defense. Beyond that, is the answer Kyle Griffin? I don't know. I think this year's class needs to include a couple of fast DEs, but those guys are always targets for a lot of coaches. (I still like the idea of taking Andrew McKinney and flipping him to DE. He's got a big frame and looks very strong, and he runs very well. I have no idea about his technical ability, but he at least looks like a guy who could be a legitimate DE.)

[Corso]

And I agree with your assessment that we need two more seasons -- at least one, but preferably two -- before we can make a fair assessment.

[Laura Bush Lover]

Absolutely ridiculous. It's bad enough when local media like the DMN and Ticket bash on us unnecessarily. Now we're expected to put up with national media piling on as well? CBS was already in my doghouse thanks to Dan "Win one for the Fibber" Rather. I've reached my limit. HOW MUCH LONGER ARE WE GOING TO PUT UP WITH THIS?

[PonySnob]

If our program could ever win some games, much of the negative articles would probably go away.