Happy New Year Griz Nation, we can now put 2012 behind us and while there is a ton of uncertainty ahead for our beloved Griz there’s also a lot of upside and potential for great things to come. By no means to I expect everything to be rosy and bright, however I have faith in the drive and resiliency of this year’s team. And here are a few reasons why:
1. Have you looked at the 2013 senior class? On offense: Oiland, Hines, Poehls, Kistler, Hines, Pierson, Warren, & Maguire. On defense: Goodwin, Bienemann, Tully, Kanongata’a, Miles, Tripp, Coyle, Rominger, & Murray. On offense you see we’ve got our three best/most experienced O-linemen who will be rounding out their Griz careers and looking at a shot to keep playing on Sundays. The Grizzly OL has been stout and steamrolled its way for a lot of great running backs. The talent is there and with all the turnover of the last few years it’s been one steady constant. Before anything else, give me a strong and confident O-line to build an offense around, this team has it. On defense one could easily argue some of the best players will be seniors, Bienemann, Tripp, Coyle, and JP. The amount of senior leadership SHOULD be very strong with this group. I say should because leadership is earned through the actions and examples of these men, they’ve got a long off-season to reflect and build this. It’s vital to have, the 2013 team needs this. I believe the team has it, many of these seniors have a fire and passion to motivate and help everyone around them get better. I hope that all of the players, especially the leaders on this team have learned from 2012. Far too many times did I see those who should be showing strong determination in the face of adversity lose control and thus weaken the confidence of all of those who look up to them.
2. The QB situation has time to play itself out. Looking back at 2012 our QB situation was a mess, largely due to the uncertainty of Jordan Johnson’s status. In 2013 that issue won’t be there, by the time spring ball starts we will presumably know Jordan’s fate and where the team stands with potential QBs. Looking at just the 4 on the roster now we’ll be able to see who is the best fit for the offense. Depending on what Gragg and Kfense have put together it’ll be wide open and it will allow the best QB to win the job. Look out for Gustafson, I know the scout team kids and many outgoing seniors were raving about what a QB he could become.
3. The coaches, team, and administration have felt the same pain as all of us and then some. Do you all realize that the 2013 season has started already for the Grizzlies? Think about the amount of work that goes into a season, right now the players are lifting and working out, in a few weeks “winter conditioning” starts, and the guys will be hosting/touring recruits for the next few months as well. When you take into account the amount of prep-work and dedication these guys put into a single season, starting right now, you know this last season has put an extra fire in everyone’s belly. These guys are going have a framework to analyze the shortcomings of 2012 and they’ve got to be coming into 2013 with the desire to not have that kind of a repeat. The old saying, “you learn from your mistakes,” stands out to me here. These are smart players with an experienced staff – the letdown of 2012 should build the foundation for what motivates this team to improve and move forward.
4. This group of players and coaches find themselves in a unique position with a great opportunity to become THE group that takes the crucible moment that was the 2012 season and turn things around for the program as a whole. This squad has a chance to etch itself into Grizzly history as the group that helped get things back on track. I would be willing to bet that long after memories fade of many Grizzly teams that achieved the “status quo” success we’ve seen in the past – a team that put the program back on track will stand above many others. These guys have that chance, to be remembered as the team that bounced back/saved Grizzly football/etc.
5. Distance makes the heart grow fonder. Have we, as a fanbase, become too complacent with the ongoing success of Grizzly football? 2012 sucked as a fan, to watch the team I love have its most difficult season (on and off the field) that I readily recall. After this last year I know that I will cherish wins, success, and cheering for the Griz just a little more – knowing that a return to greatness will make 2013 even more fun.
6. This team is deep, and the 2012 freshman class which has been heralded as one of the better in Griz history will either be returning as sophomores with plenty of in-game experience or RS freshman looking to make their impact for the Griz. In the recent GF Tribune article on the 2013 Griz it was pointed out that very few of the team’s 2-deep is graduating. The amount of experience and potential that this team returns is impressive.
So what does all of this wishful thinking / sugary hope get? Absolutely nothing. This team has all of the potential in the world and I believe a championship-caliber roster but that equates to a grand total of zero wins. There’s plenty of uncertainty and nervous feelings in the air, however as I see it these men of the 2013 Grizzlies can go as far as they want – if they adapt, improve, and stay focused. If this team focuses on controlling only the circumstances they can control themselves, and not allow the external distractions to hit them, the sky is the limit. 2013 will not be without very difficult tests and challenges but I’m happy to support this team more than ever.
Happy New Year Griz Nation and GO GRIZ
1. Have you looked at the 2013 senior class? On offense: Oiland, Hines, Poehls, Kistler, Hines, Pierson, Warren, & Maguire. On defense: Goodwin, Bienemann, Tully, Kanongata’a, Miles, Tripp, Coyle, Rominger, & Murray. On offense you see we’ve got our three best/most experienced O-linemen who will be rounding out their Griz careers and looking at a shot to keep playing on Sundays. The Grizzly OL has been stout and steamrolled its way for a lot of great running backs. The talent is there and with all the turnover of the last few years it’s been one steady constant. Before anything else, give me a strong and confident O-line to build an offense around, this team has it. On defense one could easily argue some of the best players will be seniors, Bienemann, Tripp, Coyle, and JP. The amount of senior leadership SHOULD be very strong with this group. I say should because leadership is earned through the actions and examples of these men, they’ve got a long off-season to reflect and build this. It’s vital to have, the 2013 team needs this. I believe the team has it, many of these seniors have a fire and passion to motivate and help everyone around them get better. I hope that all of the players, especially the leaders on this team have learned from 2012. Far too many times did I see those who should be showing strong determination in the face of adversity lose control and thus weaken the confidence of all of those who look up to them.
2. The QB situation has time to play itself out. Looking back at 2012 our QB situation was a mess, largely due to the uncertainty of Jordan Johnson’s status. In 2013 that issue won’t be there, by the time spring ball starts we will presumably know Jordan’s fate and where the team stands with potential QBs. Looking at just the 4 on the roster now we’ll be able to see who is the best fit for the offense. Depending on what Gragg and Kfense have put together it’ll be wide open and it will allow the best QB to win the job. Look out for Gustafson, I know the scout team kids and many outgoing seniors were raving about what a QB he could become.
3. The coaches, team, and administration have felt the same pain as all of us and then some. Do you all realize that the 2013 season has started already for the Grizzlies? Think about the amount of work that goes into a season, right now the players are lifting and working out, in a few weeks “winter conditioning” starts, and the guys will be hosting/touring recruits for the next few months as well. When you take into account the amount of prep-work and dedication these guys put into a single season, starting right now, you know this last season has put an extra fire in everyone’s belly. These guys are going have a framework to analyze the shortcomings of 2012 and they’ve got to be coming into 2013 with the desire to not have that kind of a repeat. The old saying, “you learn from your mistakes,” stands out to me here. These are smart players with an experienced staff – the letdown of 2012 should build the foundation for what motivates this team to improve and move forward.
4. This group of players and coaches find themselves in a unique position with a great opportunity to become THE group that takes the crucible moment that was the 2012 season and turn things around for the program as a whole. This squad has a chance to etch itself into Grizzly history as the group that helped get things back on track. I would be willing to bet that long after memories fade of many Grizzly teams that achieved the “status quo” success we’ve seen in the past – a team that put the program back on track will stand above many others. These guys have that chance, to be remembered as the team that bounced back/saved Grizzly football/etc.
5. Distance makes the heart grow fonder. Have we, as a fanbase, become too complacent with the ongoing success of Grizzly football? 2012 sucked as a fan, to watch the team I love have its most difficult season (on and off the field) that I readily recall. After this last year I know that I will cherish wins, success, and cheering for the Griz just a little more – knowing that a return to greatness will make 2013 even more fun.
6. This team is deep, and the 2012 freshman class which has been heralded as one of the better in Griz history will either be returning as sophomores with plenty of in-game experience or RS freshman looking to make their impact for the Griz. In the recent GF Tribune article on the 2013 Griz it was pointed out that very few of the team’s 2-deep is graduating. The amount of experience and potential that this team returns is impressive.
So what does all of this wishful thinking / sugary hope get? Absolutely nothing. This team has all of the potential in the world and I believe a championship-caliber roster but that equates to a grand total of zero wins. There’s plenty of uncertainty and nervous feelings in the air, however as I see it these men of the 2013 Grizzlies can go as far as they want – if they adapt, improve, and stay focused. If this team focuses on controlling only the circumstances they can control themselves, and not allow the external distractions to hit them, the sky is the limit. 2013 will not be without very difficult tests and challenges but I’m happy to support this team more than ever.
Happy New Year Griz Nation and GO GRIZ
