![]() by Jack Kerwin | [email protected] Revenge is there for the taking. Oh, as my own version of Andy Williams' “It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” kicks in with the advent of another college football season, the reality is that a lot of time will pass and that a lot of things will have to happen this fall. But, make no mistake, with the way the schedule shapes up, the way the roster shapes up and the way the law of averages shapes up, the Temple University football program does, indeed, have payback within its grasp, starting with Friday night's opener vs. Army. With regard to South Florida, with regard to Houston, with regard to anyone who trivialized the Owls' coming of age in Matt Rhule's third year as head coach. Not for nothing, but what they accomplished in 2015 was along the “shock and awe” line ... without a smidge of condescending laughter deservedly attached. A school-record 10 wins. A division title. A bowl berth. Two sellouts at 69,000-seat Lincoln Financial Field. The snapping of a 74-year drought against Penn State. A nation-awakening effort against Notre Dame in primetime. But they got embarrassed by the Bulls, lost the inaugural American Athletic Conference championship game to the Cougars and left the door open for doubters with a poor showing in the Boca Raton Bowl. Which brings us to this: A 2016 campaign that will test the legitimacy of the Owls ... while offering them a chance to be even better. Out of the four toughest AAC games on the schedule, three of them are at home, including a Friday night showdown on Oct. 21 against South Florida. The nonconference slate actually allows them to get their proverbial sea legs before diving in Sept. 17 at State College to prove whether or not last season's victory against the Nittany Lions was a fluke or the start of something new in their rivalry – namely the Owls being a real rival. Now four years into Rhule's reign, talent or depth is no longer an issue. Despite the losses on defense, chief among them first-team All-American linebacker Tyler Matakevich, the Owls' remain strong there and, if anything, Temple has one of the strongest offensive backfields in the country, being able to count on – at minimum – four guys to shoulder the rushing load, headed, of course, by last year's breakout performer, Jahad Thomas, but truly bolstered by a trio of sophomores: Ryquell Armstead, David Hood and Jager Gardner, who merely set an Owls' TD record with a 94-yard run for six in his one start last season. The key to something special, though, is the return of Phillip Walker as quarterback. For two reasons: His ability and Rhule's willingness to finally take the reins off. Should Walker, now entering his fourth season as starter and arguably the best player at his position in school history already, fully reach his seemingly off-the-charts “pass-run-lead” potential after being given the green light to do so, revenge likely will be had. On all fronts. Even more impressive for a developing program – if not, maybe it still will. | GUY BEHIND THE GUY ...Unsung heroes? Yeah, Temple has a few ... Take Nick Sharga. He is not a household name, even in the family of Temple football supporters. However, he’s an intriguing story and, frankly, an emerging player. So much so that you almost have to wonder if he might have as much impact as a headliner would … on the field, and not off while showing his guitar-playing skills. A special teams dynamo from the moment he transferred into the program as a walk-on from West Virginia Wesleyan, the Allentown, Pa., area product from a family with 11 kids was awarded a single digit jersey, which honors the toughest (non-OL) players on the team prior to his redshirt sophomore season in 2015. He then went out and played some offense (FB) and defense (MLB), too, being the only member of the squad to do so. A big kid (6-2, 240) with a penchant for being physical, he begins this season as No. 1 on the depth chart at FB and nowhere to be found on it for defense. Just don’t be surprised if that changes. Sharga has a knack for getting involved. Even had a couple kickoff returns last year. |
1 Comment
![]() by Jack Kerwin | [email protected] My two cents (and change) on the Colin Kaepernick hoopla … Well, I think the San Francisco 49ers quarterback is a tool bag, a d-bag and any other bag you want to strap on him as a label – not because of what he is doing, but because I think he’s full of crap with why he’s saying he is doing it. That he’s refusing to stand up and acknowledge the American flag during the playing of our nation’s anthem prior to NFL games as a statement for the oppressed, the downtrodden, the woebegone of this country, particularly those of color, because, in his eyes, those are the ones who have been held down the most in America. To me, it is plain and simple that the guy is merely, knowingly or not, using this “act” as a pulpit to promote himself, to draw attention to himself – not others, and especially not those whom he says he is speaking on their behalf, because, frankly, he is far, far more removed from their realties than you, me or anyone else, regardless of color, who doesn’t travel around in circles inhabited by multi-millionaires and pampered to the nth degree like pro athletes. But, here’s the thing, whether or not his motivation is right for doing so is immaterial. He has every right to do as he did the other night. Any time he so chooses. That’s, uh, kinda what the country is founded on. Check out the first amendment. Free speech. This is him making a statement – and, by the way, he did so peacefully, by sitting down. He not only is allowed to do so, but encouraged to do so by our constitution. Frankly, yes, it’s disappointing to me that he appears to be using this “sitdown” as a vehicle to hype himself. An other-worldly athletic talent who frustratingly finds himself teetering on the edge of the 49ers’ roster, unable to unseat Blaine Gabbert as the team’s starter, relegating him to backup status with a “must cut costs” price tag hanging over him, it seems an incredibly self-absorbed, or panicky, way of saying, “hey, look at me.” I’d prefer him to be more proactive directly in helping others he feels need help, to be more up front about how he came to this point and how he admits to NOT really being one of those he is standing up for by not standing up despite his own trials and tribulations of coming from a broken, mixed-race home that saw his mother give up Kaepernick for adoption to a white couple, leading to a quality middle-life class for him to go along with the ability that fostered his rise to riches and success that very few can grasp, never mind attain. Still, my preferences or not, doesn’t make him wrong for not standing up during the National Anthem. Not even sure why we ever started that during sporting events in this country anyway. But that’s a debate take for another day …
|
CategoriesArchives
November 2022
Best of 2018Best of 2017Best of 2016Best of 2015 |