Hypothetical question.

[mybrotha]

Obviously this can't happen unless you bump your head on the bathroom sink and spontaneously invent the "Flux Capicitor" and arrive back in 1995. That said, let's just say we could borrow ONE player from the 1995-96 Rose Bowl team for this years squad, how would it be and why?
My choice would be either Dwayne Bates or Brian Musso. Great receivers and in the case of Musso, a terrific return man. Bates gets the nod though for deeper strikes down the field and before he hurt his knee against Oklahoma he was deadly. Who is your choice?

 

[iskaboo]

Matt Hartl, for an obvious reason.

 

[NURoseBowl]

Matt Hartl, for an obvious reason.

Excellent, classic Northwestern, bigger-than-football response, Iskaboo. Ourbrotha's question is purely a football one, though, so even though my all-time favorite 'Cat is Musso, I've got to agree that this answer is Bates. Loved Musso's return game, but we're not exactly hurting back there with Vault. Bates brought to the table a skill set that's kind of in short supply right now, i. e., a big play, down-the-field receiver. After Christian Jones, our list there gets pretty short.

 

[NJCat83588]

Excellent, classic Northwestern, bigger-than-football response, Iskaboo. Ourbrotha's question is purely a football one, though, so even though my all-time favorite 'Cat is Musso, I've got to agree that this answer is Bates. Loved Musso's return game, but we're not exactly hurting back there with Vault. Bates brought to the table a skill set that's kind of in short supply right now, i. e., a big play, down-the-field receiver. After Christian Jones, our list there gets pretty short.

Agree. Bates was the best receiver to play for NU, hands down.

 

[shakes3858]

I love how you had to preface your hypothetical with "obviously this can't happen" then started talking about time machines and flux capacitors.

I think WR and CB are the only position which translates from the mid 90s game to the current game. Olineman were big power blocking guys and would struggle with the uptempo offense. RBs now have to block more due to an increase in passing, catch the ball, line up at WR... TEs used to be extra blockers, now they're runners. QB play has completely changed. DEs need to be faster pass rushers and are often smaller. DTs can no longer be just block eaters. RBs have to cover in space a lot more. Due to the spread offense, safeties are no longer hybrid linebackers. 8-9 in the box doesn't exist any more.

I'm not saying that a guy like Fitz or Autry wouldn't be successful in today's game. They would change their conditioning, their bodies, and worked on the techniques they needed to play in todays game, but that wasn't the question. The question was pick a guy up in a time machine and put him in today's games.

The general consensus is that we're stronger at CB than WR (that was my nice way of putting it) so I'll take the best WR. That is Bates.

 

[phatcat_rivals223240]

I'd give Fitz his choice along the OL

 

[DaCat]

Agree with Bates. Fitz at MLB would be awesome, too, but Anthony is doing quite well and the need is far greater at WR. Steve Schnur would not be a bad choice either just because our D is so good.

 

[Deeringfish]

Agree with Bates. Fitz at MLB would be awesome, too, but Anthony is doing quite well and the need is far greater at WR. Steve Schnur would not be a bad choice either just because our D is so good.

Actually, Fitz will be there with out the flux capacitor.

 

[DaCat]

Think about 40-year old Fitz coaching 20-year old Fitz. The flux capacitor would break.

 

[hornetcatlover]

Bates or the center Rob Johnson

 

[MrCat95]

Think about 40-year old Fitz coaching 20-year old Fitz. The flux capacitor would break.

The encounter could create a time paradox, which could cause a chain reaction that would unravel the very fabric of the space-time continuum and destroy the entire universe. Granted, that's the worst-case scenario. The destruction however might be limited merely to our own galaxy.

In any regard, it's probably not worth the risk.

 

[StreamCat]

Obviously this can't happen unless you bump your head on the bathroom sink and spontaneously invent the "Flux Capicitor" and arrive back in 1995. That said, let's just say we could borrow ONE player from the 1995-96 Rose Bowl team for this years squad, how would it be and why?
My choice would be either Dwayne Bates or Brian Musso. Great receivers and in the case of Musso, a terrific return man. Bates gets the nod though for deeper strikes down the field and before he hurt his knee against Oklahoma he was deadly. Who is your choice?

Musso, not only for the punt returns, but he was an excellent possession receiver. Imagine 4th and 8, game on the line against Michigan.

 

[hdhntr1]

Agree with Bates. Fitz at MLB would be awesome, too, but Anthony is doing quite well and the need is far greater at WR. Steve Schnur would not be a bad choice either just because our D is so good.

In 95 Schnur was more of a game manager that did not make mistakes. In 96, he was much more a weapon. Bates would definitely help as well as an OL as we are injured there.

 

[Hungry Jack]

Musso for receiving and punt returns. Also plays better in the short passing game, which is where CT will need help vs. Michigan.

 

[Alaskawildkat]

Agree. Bates was the best receiver to play for NU, hands down.

I think Coach Barnett would agree with Bates. I recall attending one of those day before the game Friday lunches in downtown Chicago where Coach Barnett was asked about his strategy for the upcoming game. His response was, "Just get the ball to #5."

 

[phatcat_rivals223240]

I think Coach Barnett would agree with Bates. I recall attending one of those day before the game Friday lunches in downtown Chicago where Coach Barnett was asked about his strategy for the upcoming game. His response was, "Just get the ball to #3." (or whatever Bates number was if I recalled that incorrectly.)

#5.

My all time fave.

He was a weapon

 

[EvanstonCat]

Obviously this can't happen unless you bump your head on the bathroom sink and spontaneously invent the "Flux Capicitor" and arrive back in 1995. That said, let's just say we could borrow ONE player from the 1995-96 Rose Bowl team for this years squad, how would it be and why?
My choice would be either Dwayne Bates or Brian Musso. Great receivers and in the case of Musso, a terrific return man. Bates gets the nod though for deeper strikes down the field and before he hurt his knee against Oklahoma he was deadly. Who is your choice?

Easy pick for me - Steve Schnurr. I like Thorson's potential, but let's face it, he isn't much of a threat and our offense is mediocre without strong QB play. Schnurr was steady and made plays. Hell, didn't he win the Silver Football in 1996?

 

[shakes3858]

Easy pick for me - Steve Schnurr. I like Thorson's potential, but let's face it, he isn't much of a threat and our offense is mediocre without strong QB play. Schnurr was steady and made plays. Hell, didn't he win the Silver Football in 1996?

So you want to bring in an immobile... ie one that ran for NEGATIVE 70 yards on 164 carries (although he did have 6 TDs) into the Mick McCall offense?

 

[EvanstonCat]

So you want to bring in an immobile... ie one that ran for NEGATIVE 70 yards on 164 carries (although he did have 6 TDs) into the Mick McCall offense?

Yes. Mick McCall has played stationary QBs before. Damaged Persa, Senior Mike Kafka. CJ Bacher. He can and has adjusted the offense to it's strengths. I will take Steve Schnurr onto this team any day of the week.

 

[MrCat95]

Paul Burton

 

[StreamCat]

Yes. Mick McCall has played stationary QBs before. Damaged Persa, Senior Mike Kafka. CJ Bacher. He can and has adjusted the offense to it's strengths. I will take Steve Schnurr onto this team any day of the week.

Called out, but you can't admit you were wrong, eh?

 

[The_Waterboy]

I'm gonna throw every poster in this thread a slider on the outside corner and agree wholeheartedly with E-Cat...

My choice would be...NU quarterback, Steve Schnur by far.

He was just unflappable and kept his composure when the entire rabid home crowd was calling for his head,especially in Q4, when the 'Cats looked like there was that chance for a monumental upset by "Just NU" in front of 100K-plus in The Big S#it-House. I watched the broadcast from my living room and I was screaming at my TV at the top of my lungs - as if St. Barney could hear my cheering from deep in Evanston all the way to Annie's TreeHouse. When NU's first drive in Q4 was on the Mich 5-yard line, trailing 13-9, Schnur made that play-action fake then H-Back Matt Hartl drifted out into the short left third zone in the Michigan end zone, Schnur coolly found Matt and made a good, not perfect, short toss to Hartl who went to the ground to ensure a controlled hands-only reception. That TD put the 'Cats on top for good. It NEVER would have happened without the mental wherewithal of Steve Schnur. .

 

[hollandnucat]

How about Matt Rice.

 

[mybrotha]

I'm gonna throw every poster in this thread a slider on the outside corner and agree wholeheartedly with E-Cat...

My choice would be...NU quarterback, Steve Schnur by far.

He was just unflappable and kept his composure when the entire rabid home crowd was calling for his head,especially in Q4, when the 'Cats looked like there was that chance for a monumental upset by "Just NU" in front of 100K-plus in The Big S#it-House. I watched the broadcast from my living room and I was screaming at my TV at the top of my lungs - as if St. Barney could hear my cheering from deep in Evanston all the way to Annie's TreeHouse. When NU's first drive in Q4 was on the Mich 5-yard line, trailing 13-9, Schnur made that play-action fake then H-Back Matt Hartl drifted out into the short left third zone in the Michigan end zone, Schnur coolly found Matt and made a good, not perfect, short toss to Hartl who went to the ground to ensure a controlled hands-only reception. That TD put the 'Cats on top for good. It NEVER would have happened without the mental wherewithal of Steve Schnur. .

Believe me when I tell you I strongly considered Steve Schnur! Like Matt Rice I also thought of Burton too! Fitz was really not much of a consideration because I think Walker is better. Schnur was very good and they threw the ball with great alacrity to downfield receivers. This appears to be coming back a little with Thirson getting some traction now. The other guy I thought quite a bit about was Ismaeli, that dude was just a monster! Watching his kickoff returns recently from 95-96 I forgot just how good he was in the return game. So I guess if we were to be able to add 4 dudes it would be Ismaeli, bates, Musso and Burton. Of course Matt Hartl can never be forgotten and was always a receiving threat out of the backfield!

 

[hdhntr1]

Easy pick for me - Steve Schnurr. I like Thorson's potential, but let's face it, he isn't much of a threat and our offense is mediocre without strong QB play. Schnurr was steady and made plays. Hell, didn't he win the Silver Football in 1996?

Schnur was a weapon in 96 but in 95, he was more of a game manager and it was someone off the 95 team. While the 95 Schnur would be an upgrade, not a huge one if CTs turnover issues are behind him. 96 I would agree but 95 Schnur, not. Bates skills transfer well an it is an area we are limited in talent, We could also use a solid OL guy as that is an area we are hurting with injuries.

 

[NUThump]

Musso. Not only for the receiving threat, but he would catch and return every punt. Did that guy ever fair catch a ball?

 

[7levery7]

This board needs more posts like these.

 

[DaCat]

I think CT will be fine at the Big outHouse on Saturday, and the rest of the season, so Schnur would be good to have but not necessary. Same with Matt as we are already rotating 5 deep DT. Here's one for you - send Fitz back on the field and bring back Barnett to coach.

 

[ricko6543211]

Obviously this can't happen unless you bump your head on the bathroom sink and spontaneously invent the "Flux Capicitor" and arrive back in 1995. That said, let's just say we could borrow ONE player from the 1995-96 Rose Bowl team for this years squad, how would it be and why?
My choice would be either Dwayne Bates or Brian Musso. Great receivers and in the case of Musso, a terrific return man. Bates gets the nod though for deeper strikes down the field and before he hurt his knee against Oklahoma he was deadly. Who is your choice?

Excellent topic. I will join with the consensus and say Bates would be my pick. Closely followed by Burton, then after that Musso / Schnur / pick an OL (which I am sad to admit I can't remember who specifically was best on that line).

 

[stpaulcat]

I love how you had to preface your hypothetical with "obviously this can't happen" then started talking about time machines and flux capacitors.

I think WR and CB are the only position which translates from the mid 90s game to the current game. Olineman were big power blocking guys and would struggle with the uptempo offense. RBs now have to block more due to an increase in passing, catch the ball, line up at WR... TEs used to be extra blockers, now they're runners. QB play has completely changed. DEs need to be faster pass rushers and are often smaller. DTs can no longer be just block eaters. RBs have to cover in space a lot more. Due to the spread offense, safeties are no longer hybrid linebackers. 8-9 in the box doesn't exist any more.

I'm not saying that a guy like Fitz or Autry wouldn't be successful in today's game. They would change their conditioning, their bodies, and worked on the techniques they needed to play in todays game, but that wasn't the question. The question was pick a guy up in a time machine and put him in today's games.

The general consensus is that we're stronger at CB than WR (that was my nice way of putting it) so I'll take the best WR. That is Bates.

That was a long way of saying-----Bates.

I don't agree with either H20boy or ECat. All things considered, we really need another extraordinary receiver who can make a play and get yards after the catch. I believe Thorson will deliver to his receivers, if they catch the ball. Agree though about the capability and coolness of Schnur on that team.

 

[TheC]

Think about 40-year old Fitz coaching 20-year old Fitz. The flux capacitor would break.

Wouldn't that mean his kids would start to disappear? Trying to remember the plot of that movie.

 

[Alaskawildkat]

#5.

My all time fave.

He was a weapon

Thanks. I've edited to correct.

 

[Kiteboarder]

Ryan Padgett

 

[EvanstonCat]

Called out, but you can't admit you were wrong, eh?

Huh?

It's hard to admit I'm wrong on something that is largely subjective and frankly, where the call out fails to point out anything I'm wrong about. Exactly what was I wrong about? Please enlighten me and if my error is clear, I will readily admit it.

Otherwise, I'll be expecting your admission to being wrong about my being wrong. Silence on this will suffice.