FanPost

BTN Tweets Northwestern Practice at Great Lakes Naval Station


In an annual tradition, BTN visited Cats' practice today at Great Lakes Naval Station, and tweeted their impressions.

If you've seen the Northwestern preview shows on BTN before, you know that the crew (Howard Griffiths, Gerry DiNardo, and Dave Revsine) do a pretty excellent job covering each team, their impressions, etc.....and frequently have been dead on in predicting Northwestern to succeed (2008 and 2009) or struggle (2010, to a degree).

So what did they think this year?

Northwestern will be....pretty damn good — they gave huge props for the O-line, D-Line (most talent and depth in 5 years!), and secondary. Looks like our team is more talented, deeper, and hungrier than we’ve ever seen them. Some highlights:

@gerrydinardo:
- Good work out.You could tell it was last day of camp A little shorter practice,working on some opponents & some tired legs.
- The season depends on the performance of O Line because they need a run game, no dynamic TB,protect Persa and time of poss
- Kain Coulter second QB gives the offense another running threat which would allow the offense to evolve some
- Overall this could be a very good offense if Persa healthy,O line plays to potential,RB develops,explosive plays on flank.
- D Line-depth & talent best in 5 yrs. As we’ve said at many other stops, if the D line is getting better usually so is the program
- They obviously lack experience at LB. The OLB can run, ILB will be tested vs. the downhill running teams of the Legends
- Secondary looks very good and will be one of the strengths of the team.

@BTNDaveRevsine:
- They are still limiting Persa’s involvement – though he certainly participated in a lot of what they did. Backup QB Kain Colter looked good
- No clear-cut leader at the RB spot. Trumpy, Adonis Smith, Jacob Schmidt all involved – freshman T Green may have a shot
- OL looked better than it has in recent years – in fact, they seem to have improved depth on both lines. Obviously, a lot of talent at WR
- Howard and Gerry were both very impressed w/DB’s – particularly with Campbell and Peters. LB is the biggest ? on D – but Ellis stood out
- Interesting to talk to V Browne and M Hankwitz – both made it clear they were embarrassed with what happened late last year
- All external talk about how bad the “D” was down the stretch may be providing the motivation they need internally

 I, for one, am suddenly WAY more excited for 2011! GO CATS!