THEY'LL GET BETTER YET... (updated 4-23-2006) The Measuring Stick The Bison Green and Gold game showcased a few of the younger players, namely Tyler Henry, Mike Brower, Alex Belquist and Nick Mertens. The linebackers in general had a whale of a good game, driving home the fact that NDSU is loaded at linebacker. The names Mays, Iterrman, Humber, Henry and Brower will be heard alot this fall. A number of players that will be key performers this fall did not play. Mike Maresh, Nick Compton, Shamen Washington, Travis White, Cinque Chapman, Ryan Olson and of course Steve Walker did not participate. Mike Dragosavich impresses me more all the time. Barring injury he may be a 3 time All-American and will almost certainly play on Sundays in the future. The place kicking situation got cloudier as transfer John Obarski showed he is a capable kicker also. The contest to determine who will placekick this fall will probably be a three horse race. The defense will only get better when the three transfers Brown, Dallas and Campbell take the field. Throw them in the mix with Frick, Lardinois, Fairbairn, Radtke and others and I will bet the defensive line solidifies. If that happens the defense will be very good. The offense has some things to iron out also like who will quarterback. I believe it will be Steve Walkers job to lose. The way Alex Belquist looked in spring ball he seems to have throwm himself in the mix of wide receiver candidates along with Heckendorf, White, Washington, Majeski and Champ. What a 1-2 punch Shamen Washington and Jamar Champ will make at returner. The tight ends also have some work to do. If anyone else in IAA football has a better set of safeties than Craig Dahl and Nick Schommer I'll be surprised. I was impressed with the hitting and coverage of second team cornerback Courtney Mitchell. Offensive lineman Gerry Ebel is a very impressive individual, like Bohl said we'll look good getting off the bus if nothing else. It will be an interesting season starting with Concordia-St. Paul, coached by ex Bison offensive coordinator Mark Mauer. Word is he is assisted by 2 or 3 ex Bison players. Go Bison!! Bob H.