BigGame

Pickle Ball is one of the best games ever.

Wow, you are absolutely clueless about coaching kids and how it relates to football. Just like your comment about running the ball on 3rd and long, I can't reasonably pass judgement on the call because I was not there. In many situations, 3rd and long might not be possible depending on many variable with the team and the opponent. Sometimes it's better to play field position and not take the risk of turning the ball over and giving your opponent a short field or easy points. That's just one of many possible reasons they may have run the ball. It bugs me a little when people that really don't know whats going on think they have as much or more insite than the coach. You think some of those kids at RR don't here the same stuff from their arm chair quarterback parents? After reading that I started thinking that you must not be a UND football fan, because if you are I am certain you must have seen UND play field position on many occasions.

I haven't had a chance to watch a game in the AL because it took them to long to build, but I know the Fargodome has good sightlines.

I happen to live in Texas and ND football is not terrible. They pump a lot more time and money into the programs down here but the overall disipline of the players seems to be a lot better in ND. I would take an average ND offensive line over 90% of the offensive lines I see in high schools down here. The biggest difference is speed, Lot's of athletes, and lot's of speed in Texas but I bet Dressler would have had big numbers in Texas High School football if he had grown up here. His numbers likely wouldn't have been as good as they were in ND, but he is obviously a player. I think UND should give him some carries, just to see what he can do. It would be stupid to get him hurt so he can't return punts and kicks, as well as make plays at WR when you already have some very capable RB's that can handle the job.

Yes I don't think you have taken the time to comprehend everything I have written. Private schools recruit kids and Minnesota has open enrollment (so they in theory, can also recruit kids) I will stop with this thread now, but I do agree with Ira on many things he points out but I think it will be very difficult to fix the RR football program in 4 years. Maybe if he gets all the support he needs to run a tight program, but I just don't think that will happen at least not right away.

No, I don't think that at all, because Grand Forks isn't nearly big enough to produce a high school full of kids with parents that make a lot of money. But the average kid tends to be better off than most other schools (or at least many of the parents and kids seem to have that attitude) Many of the kids at RR do care about winning and losing, but those kids tend to either be in the minority or they are not blessed with the ability to make a much of a difference. Hockey is #1 at RR, and I understand that. Most schools RR size can put together good teams in all sports, RR biggest problem in football games is most of the players are soft and that is all attitude and effort. Once again because you apparently can't comprehend very well, It's not all kids but most that grow up in the situation or environment they do. The football program at RRhas many, many problems. More than I could ever get into on a message board, but I pushed 2 of the bigger problems out. Like it or not it is the current situation at RR. The school has enough kids that it shouldn't be hard to find 11 tough and aggressive kids to put on the field. Bottineau HS had a similar problem for years, but it was caused by some similar things and some different things. In Bottineu kids were told by the hockey coach if you are a hockey player, you don't play football. Obviously Bottineau doesn't have the school population to not get some kids out for a sport and still be successful. Good for BHS they are turning the problem around. These problems all have many levels, it isn't only the 2 things I went over, but IMO these are the biggest problems. Remember, it's just an opinion base upon my experiences. I have worked at 4 different schools one high school with average kids being above middle class (at least for the area). Good kids, of the 60 kids that played football, about 15 of they worked hard, but of the 60 only about 10 were physical football players, willing to tackle anyone and go in hard. Another HS I did my student teaching at a long way from ND had the richest of the rich, and the dirt poor all in one school. The football team consisted of all lower class or poverty kids with the exception of two players. That school has a very good football team year in and year out and of the 100 kids they have player football, about 90 of them are hittings and very physical players. The coaches at these schools do things very close to the same. (go figure) I have worked at two middle schools, one was very middle class for the area with a few kids that were a little better off financially. Only 30 kids came out the year I was at the school, but 24 of those kids would hit and be aggressive on the field. I currently work at a middle school and for a high school in a very affluent area. They people are nice, and almost all the kids are very good academically. When it comes to football we had 65 kids out, of those 65 I have 5 kids that are aggressive and will hit in practice. Bottom line is that kids that are brought being given things and are the "have kids" tend to be softer than the "have not" kids. The environment can be changed but it takes a lot of work and time, and no coach could do it on their own. They will need help from school, community, parents, and the A.D. and it has to start when the kids are very young (long before they get to high school). I wish RR good luck, they do have a good coach (as several coaches in the past have been) but it will take far more than X's and O's, physical conditioning, and a pre-game pep talk to turn the program around.

How about you post this in the thread where I made the comments. I realize you probably don't fully understand what I have posted, but please put it in the correct thread.

Because they have to cut down the roster, some times they will cut a player and bring them back later for the practice squad. I kind of doubt that is what will happen considering John didn't get much PT during the first couple of preseason games.

Bowenkamp was waived by the Vikings, I hope they put him resign him to the practice squad later.

I think they are somewhat underrated with nationwide fans of D2 football. I am positive the teams in the NCC know exactly how good Minnesota State is and they will not be taken lightly. Especially after knocking UNO out of the playoffs last year.

Wasn't their a girl thrower and RR around 2000/2001 that went to throw at UCLA? Briana something comes to mind, but I am not certain that is correct on the first name.

Someone who has struck a nerve with you.

I don't know if I would like a guy like that in the locker room!

I know some stud high school players in the Houston area, but I don't think UND will recruit this far south.

My guess is slim, they screwed that up all last year.

I so ready, I am listening to NW Missouri/Mankato while I get some work done.

It will take more than that, to turn that program around! I have never said RR didn't have plenty of talented kids, but you are talking about a lot of hockey players which is a rich kid sport and gets a lot more focus and attention is Grand Forks. Casavan was a talented kid, and was recruited because of his size and speed (potential), many D1 schools recruit based upon potential. Glas happens to be a kicker and was a soccer player in HS (not to mention his dad is a coach). Football just isn't important to most of these kids because life is good and it matters very little when they are so well taken care of.

I have seen it first hand in two different places. Some kids at RR work hard but most do not. It is your choice about thinking my point is valid, but I saw it at RR and where I am currently. It isn't only having money that causes kids to be apathetic, but it is one reason for many who behave that way.