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SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2008
COMMENTARY
Fearless forecast: Time to think about 2009
"...things to come have no being at all, the future being but a fiction of the mind, applying the sequels of actions past to the actions that are present..." — Thomas Hobbes, "Leviathan"
have chosen a curious profession indeed. Sports writers
Incessantly attempt to tell readers what just happened, what will happen and why what he once told you would happen, didn't happen. Follow me?
This holds true for all journalists. We just witnessed a year's worth of political punditry during which nicely dressed men and women transformed into mad beasts in heat to try to be the first to tell you who would win and why. But throughout the year, every year, sports writers deliver
exclusive, in depth, genius analysis. And some publications are even free of charge.
Never mind if we are right or wrong. But for your sake I hope you don't have a sports column in your hand as you wait in line in Vegas.
"The best prophet is naturally the best guesser, and the best guesser, he that is most versed and studied in the matters he guesses at..." (Hobbes again.)
But considering the past 10 games of Kansas football and my pursuit of a doctorate in sports-writing, I feel comfortable writing the book on the 2008 Kansas football season.
The underlying story of 2008 Kansas football will be its inability to rise above perennial Big 12 South powers, conquer its demons in Lincoln and secure a quality nonconference victory. Predictions by skeptical college football elitists rang this year.
The jayhawks' Big 12 North title hopes may fade this weekend with a loss to Texas while Missouri easily handles Iowa State. However, it is equally likely that Kansas will revert to its 2006 record of 6-6 although this time the Jayhawks likely will not be shut out of the bowl picture.
Coachspeak aside, Saturday's home finale against Texas, Nov. 29'S Border Showdown and whatever bowl the Jayhawks default
into will be an extended preseason that bridges into 2009.
That's not to suggest tearing up the depth chart and mailing in the rest of the year. No, quite the opposite. I'm not going
The man who resurrected Kansas football took several steps to reform this team and try to repeat the successes of 2007. He
The underlying story of 2008 Kansas football will be its inability to rise above perennial Big 12 South powers,conquer its demons in Lincoln and secure a quality nonconference victory.
out on a limb when I ask for Mark Mangino's best judgment in the weeks ahead regarding who plays and where. If the past is any indication, that is what we will likely get.
toyed with his running backs until Jake Sharp finally came into form, he switched freshman receiver Daymond Patterson to defensive back before he went down to injury and he is still
trying to find a solution to the teams tackling troubles and poor special teams.
That is all that is left to do at this point. A second straight bowl
bid will be historic. But more consistency on the field and proof that Kansas can handle tough competition such as Oklahoma and Texas Tech will be crucial in returning to national prominence.
It is on the players to bring about real change in Kansas football. Poor tackling, shaky special teams and equally skakier play in the trenches require as much individual learning, practice and development of skill than coaching. Ten months of preparation and an additional month of squeaky clean non-conference play will have this team in much better position to silence doubts on the University's football proficiency in 2009.
That is a prophecy I am willing to offer.
FOOTBALL
- Edited by Becka Cremer
Linebacker mixes strength and speed James Holt started as safety but has since switched positions
bTAYLOR BERN
tbern@kansan.com
BY TAYLOR BERN
thorn@kansan.com
Senior linebacker James Holt shines in offseason workouts. While some players may go through the motions or complain about the heat, Holt charges headfirst into every regimen with blistering speed and consistency.
"He's definitely a freak when it comes to stamina," linebacker Joe Mortensen said. "I told him he's in the wrong sport. He needs to join cross country."
Not often does someone suggest that a linebacker belongs in a sport reserved for lanky fellows
who don't know a weight room from a laundromat. But that's the best thing about Holt. He runs wind sprints with the defensive backs but lifts
when it comes to squats.
weights with his linebacking brethren
He's a previous winner of the team's Iron Hawk award, given for exemplary performance
With his mix of strength, speed and natural ball-hawking ability, Holt leaps Kansas with 80 tackles
"He's a guy that will do whatever it takes to make his team better."
DARRELL STUCKEY Safety
in the weight room. Mortensen out-wheels Holt by about 25 pounds, but Holt trumps him
and a nation leading six forced fumbles.
"He is making a lot of plays for us," Kansas coach Mark Mangino said. Senior Darrell Stuckey has noticed too
the field than almost any other players. In addition to their regular roles, the duo plays a lot of specials teams.
While Stuckey's athleticism keeps him on the field, coach Mark Mangino said hold a trump card in versatility to almost anyone on the Holt.
"We've been able to play him out in space at his linebacker position, as well as in the box."
Defensive coordinator Clint Bowen has the luxury of blitzing him out of the linebacker spot or off the edge. Against Kansas State and Nebraska, he was a constant presence in the opposing backfield.
No matter where he starts the
Stuckey and Holt share a kinship because they entered Kansas the same year at the same position — safety. That spot worked for Stuckey, but Holt's versatility.
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ity moved him down one level.
Stuckey called Holt one of the smallest but most efficient linebackers in the Big 12.
"He's a guy that will do whatever it takes to make his team better," Stuckey said.
"One of the things that sets him apart from a lot of linebackers is his intensity, his ability to go hard every snap and find the ball."
MARK MANGINO Football coach
Stuckey and Holt see more of
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adapt to" Holt's emergence in a corps with
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Senior linebacker Holt Makes a hit for a tackle in the Nebraska game Saturday. Holt started as a safety but now plays linebacker and also plays on special teams.
traditional linebackers Mortensen and Mike Rivera could be for a lot of reasons.
Mangino said the Oklahoma native understood where the blocks were coming from and was fast enough to avoid them or strong enough to push through them. Stuckey said Holt's success came from his relentless drive.
No matter the reason, it all comes back to his tireless efforts in between games and in between seasons.
"James is a very good football player for us, but I wouldn't call him a natural." Mangino said. "I think he's a guy that really works at it. One of the things that sets
"Each workout he comes and brings his 'A' game and he'll realy push his body to the limit," Mortensen said. "It's inspiring."
him apart from a lot of linebackers is his intensity, his ability to go hard every snap and find the ball."
Mortensen said that during summer workouts this year he saw Holt push himself to brink of collapsing.
More impressive is the fact that Holt has performed better with each game. That's the type of conditioning that only comes with relentless offseason work.
Edited by Brenna Hawley
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