Griz Injury Excuses?

[catatac]

This may get moved to the Smack section but what the hey...

We keep hearing (usually from Hauck) over and over and over again how bad the Grizzlies had it with injuries this year. If you look at the starting lineup for them in their first game, and compare that to the starting lineup in their final game, there’s not much difference. Offensively, they lost Jason Washington (And most Griz fans wanted CB to be the starter anyway!) and that was it. So in reality you could say that they actually remained extremely healthy on Offense, and that was where the majority of their problems were. Defensively, using the same approach they lost Loren Utterback whom was replaced with Kyle Ryan, and Kevin Edwards whom was replaced with Jimmy Wilson? Edwards and Utterback were both back and playing at the end of the season but were not listed as starters. What am I missing here? Maybe there were a bunch of 2nd and 3rd stringers injured or something but looking at starting lineups tells me that this injury thing has probably been blown out of proportion. OK Griz fans… blast away.

[anacondagriz]

This may get moved to the Smack section but what the hey...

We keep hearing (usually from Hauck) over and over and over again how bad the Grizzlies had it with injuries this year. If you look at the starting lineup for them in their first game, and compare that to the starting lineup in their final game, there’s not much difference. Offensively, they lost Jason Washington (And most Griz fans wanted CB to be the starter anyway!) and that was it. So in reality you could say that they actually remained extremely healthy on Offense, and that was where the majority of their problems were. Defensively, using the same approach they lost Loren Utterback whom was replaced with Kyle Ryan, and Kevin Edwards whom was replaced with Jimmy Wilson? Edwards and Utterback were both back and playing at the end of the season but were not listed as starters. What am I missing here? Maybe there were a bunch of 2nd and 3rd stringers injured or something but looking at starting lineups tells me that this injury thing has probably been blown out of proportion. OK Griz fans… blast away.

What does this have to do with the Griz being 7-1 in basketball?? He he.

[grizbeer]

I think there were several players who were not 100%, but they were mostly on defense, and really probably not more than the usual number of injured players for any team at the end of the year. The biggest loss on the Griz offense was Talmage, who even though he played after getting taken out during the EWU game, was never the same. To make matters worse after he came back the other receivers, who had stepped up in his absence, faded away again.

The only thing I have heard that makes any sense at all, is the coaches were worried about Cole getting hurt with Washington out, and adjusted the playbook to take fewer chances with him. I don't know if I buy it, but it might have some truth to it.

To be honest I don't think Hauck needs to use the injury excuse, and it bothers me a little bit that he does. He should just say being co-champs and a first round exit was all he could get from this years group - yes it is a let down from expectations, but without a seasoned, star QB the offense just doesn't work. This years results were foreseeable during the spring drills when neither QB really stood out.

I don't mean this as a slam on Hauck, like it might sound. Recruiting can be a tough gig, and sometimes kids don't have as much potential as you thought, and sometimes you don't get the guys you thoughts you would. I think Hauck got caught a little short when Jason Washington was the best drop down he could get, and while he hoped he would do better, and the season ended on a disappointing note, overall it still wasn't terrible. I would love to have a NC appearance every year, but the Griz were not a NC contender this year, regardless of injuries, and watching the semi-final rounds last weekend confirmed that.

[94VegasCat]

Not to make any excuses for the griz because I really do hate them, but I do know first hand that at least 2 of the offensive lineman had really sore neck injuries of some nature. One of them had a bad neck, bad knee, bad back and a sore shoulder. He is a whale of a warrior in my opinion. Maybe the griz o-line isn't as deep as we all thought.

[catatac]

Not to make any excuses for the griz because I really do hate them, but I do know first hand that at least 2 of the offensive lineman had really sore neck injuries of some nature. One of them had a bad neck, bad knee, bad back and a sore shoulder. He is a whale of a warrior in my opinion. Maybe the griz o-line isn't as deep as we all thought.

Maybe that is what Hauck kept referring to - starting players not playing at 100% due to injuries. I was just looking at the starting lineups from the 1st game to the last and they weren't much different. If that's the case - then you're right Vegas - that speaks to depth.