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jhodges
Commentary
Posted
8/22/07
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Commentary: Kenosha Injury Update
by Jonathan Hodges
As reported over the weekend, WR Andrew Brewer, potentially one of the
most electrifying players on the NU offense going into 2007, suffered a
broken arm at Kenosha (while blocking downfield during a practice) and
will apparently be lost for the season. It is never good to see a
player injured, and it is always a hard loss to see someone go down
during practice (and even more difficult when someone is lost during
preseason camp). Obviously the Wildcat nation wishes Andrew the
best of luck in his recovery and hopes to see him on the field again
soon.
While this loss is disappointing and to a potential starter, I noted in
my previous injury commentary how the WR corps was relatively deep was
not a trouble area in terms of losing a player. There are plenty
of talented players waiting to get onto the field in addition to the
current starters of Lane, Peterman, and Thompson: Ward, Jones, Stewart,
and Frymire are all waiting in the wings. The player who has the
biggest opportunity to step up is Thompson who has had injury troubles
himself, but is now staring down the perfect chance to finish off his
Wildcat career on a high note. There are a plethora of receivers
for Bacher to throw to. While the loss of Brewer will possibly
remove some of the potential gadget plays from NU's arsenal, plenty of
firepower remains.
It ended up being pure coincidence that Brewer was injured the very
same morning that I wrote my injury commentary - and ended up being
just one in the long line of Kenosha casualties. While it seems
like it always happens to NU and always has a big impact on the season,
injuries happen quite often in football - during games and practices
within the regular season as well as preseason camp. It is a
contact sport and a physical game and whenever there is contact, the
chance is there. The fact is that in college the coaches must
develop the players, and to do so they must get them on the playing
field - and camp is the best opportunity to work on various aspects of
the game (rather than during the season where a lot of emphasis is on
game planning and specific plays). It is something that has an
impact on every team, and while one hates to see injuries occur in
practice - it seems to be just another part of the game. Many
fans overlook injuries in games (especially with the game on the line)
since the player "was out there giving his best" or "was playing full
tilt," and fail to consider that in order to perform at their best the
players must give the same effort in practice - yielding the same risks
of injury. While some of it comes down to conditioning and
technique, at this level of play (especially for the upperclassmen or
those players with experience) much of it comes down to luck. And
one must hope that luck is on their side.
Injuries may very well play an impact on NU's season, although one
hopes that the 'Cats have seen their share of bad luck for the
year. I would like to see the 'Cats rebound and hit the ground
running on September 1 with as many healthy and prepared players as
possible. Go 'Cats!!!
e-mail: j-hodges@alumni.northwestern.edu
Previous jhodges commentary
jhodges' commentary does not necessarily reflect the views of HailToPurple.com.
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