Around the Horned With Brian Estridge
9/15/2004 12:00:00 AM | General
Sept. 2, 2004
As you make your way onto campus tonight for the start of the 2004 season, you'll notice that a lot has changed. The new turf practice field and facilities rival any in the nation. Fresh coats of paint and newly planted flowers abound. The men in many of the jerseys running out of the tunnel will be the same. But there will be one thing missing.
J.J. Yale was a mainstay around TCU football for several decades as the Director of Security for Athletics. A constant on the sidelines, J.J. was more than a police officer or authority figure to hundreds of TCU football players and coaches. He was a mentor, father figure and friend. I felt it necessary to begin this year's first "Around the Horned" with a little tribute to one of the Frogs' biggest fans, and one of the Frog players' biggest influences. J.J., we know that you might not be here in person, but we know that you'll be on the sidelines of Amon Carter Stadium in spirit here tonight!
"No more talking" has become a catch phrase around the TCU football office. No longer is this a team or a program clamoring for respect, national attention or a chance to compete on the biggest stage. No, this is now a team and a program that people around the country are fully aware of. The number 6 Bowl Championship Series (BCS) ranking at one point last season took care of that.
But that's not why this team has adopted the anti-conversation mantra. Nope, this team knows that it now has to do something other than temporarily flash in the BCS standings for continued national attention. The six straight bowl games should have done that. Having one of the nation's hottest young coaches surely answers all the questions. And having a roster that includes two of the winningest returning quarterbacks in the nation you would think would answer any critics. Unfortunately, that's not the world we live in. But fortunately, this group of Frogs knows that.
It's about this year -- this year's players, this year's schedule, this year's luck. Last year's team had a veteran dominating defensive line, a schedule that many questioned and some luck on its side. This year's team has four huge holes to fill on the defensive line, a much tougher schedule and Gary Patterson's pot o' luck that he hopes is still full. There are questions that will have to be answered, but there are some things that we already know. There's a linebacking corps led by Martin Patterson, who some (including Coach P) are comparing to LaMarcus McDonald. Add to that a defensive backfield that, unlike last year, will benefit from depth and experience, and you have a combination that can make up for any deficiencies up front.
The schedule does look daunting. Tonight's season opener with Northwestern, which seems to have its swagger back under coach Randy Walker, a match-up with crosstown rival SMU, whose team continues to claim TCU is overrated through the five straight losses they have suffered to the Frogs, and a road game against explosive Texas Tech, make things difficult to open the season. Throw into the mix road games at UAB, Cincinnati and Louisville and a home battle that everyone points to on November 20 against Southern Miss, and it does look almost impossible. But not to the Frogs, who have proven time and time again that Gary Patterson gets them ready for any challenge.
When it comes to the question of luck, well I can't answer that. But if you believe that you create your own luck through hard work and preparation, then I have no doubts about this team.
The deck is seemingly always stacked against the Frogs. When they were headed to the Sun Bowl in 1998, no one gave them a chance. No one but the Purple Nation. When Gary Patterson took over as head coach, seemingly no one thought he would take this program to the next level. Well, he has. And in 2004, no one thinks that this team can best the performance of a special team like last year's group of Frogs. No one except this year's Purple Pride Patrol of 105!
From the streets and avenues of North Texas to the information superhighway, I'm Brian Estridge. We'll see you on the radio.
