I remember Thunder coming in. The thoughts of a option pitch from 'Lord' to 'Thunder' was dancing in our minds. More and more over the years, we the fans (fanatics) embellish the potential great contribution of each new recruit. Because----we're a large and connected audience and we communicate about it 24-7. It's because we want to believe that we are going to be better the next year. That's part of what makes us who we are.
Too often these days, we think the next hot recruit is going to play and contribute immeditely. We talk of them leapfrogging the past year's recruits of which just 12 months earlier we spoke of leapfrogging the previous year's recruits. When Jamal Lord wasn't making us happy, we wanted Joe Dailey to play immediately. Seldom works that way. I don't blame the media. I blame myself and us for this unrealistic appraisal. But, I am maturing and getting a reality check after 50 years.
Remembering TO's O-line makeup. Occassionally a freakly talented redshirt-freshman or sophomore in the starting lineup, but mostly juniors through 5th year seniors being at the top of their game. That's the reality. In recent years we've been overly optimistic that a new prep or juco recruit can come in and contribute immediately. Historically top teams aren't made up like this on an annual basis. Teams with the development pipeline are.