My spider sense is telling me that there is still some drama left in this play. I would love to hear some fair comments about you take at these two weights.
I have demonstrated that I have no crystal ball but it seems we may still see some dramatic roster changes this year. Certainly worthy of consideration:
1) HWT - Unless Kerk were to ORS this year, and maybe even regular RS next, one would think the chances of he and Seth remaining at PSU long term are not good.
I am starting to think that Heavy this year is not yet 100% set with Seth.
Kirk has expressed a desire to wrestle soon, and he is already qualified for the trials hence the absolute need for an ORS is somewhat diminished. He can go with Snyder freestyle half the time and still will be a threat to beat Gable at Nationals. Almost a guaranteed top 2 and should handle Cassioppi no problem.
I think Seth is "auditioning" and is otherwise a likely transfer portal guy at some point in the next year depending upon his performance. He did not fare well vs Cassioppi in free, but that is not folk. The result is I think we keep Kirk (if he is even eligible this year), on the sidelines and give Seth the rest of the month of January with the climax being his match against Cassioppi on the 31st. If he can take him out or keep it very close he will be our guy, and we can preserve a RS for Kirk while he focuses on free. If Cassioppi repeats what he did in free (i. e. a big bonus win), I think Cael pulls the plug and goes with Kirk the rest of the way.
It seems clear that Kirk is s now on a regular RS vs an ORS since he is listed on the roster, the rules still seem murkey there, nonetheless if he is on the roster one would think he is available if needed.
Net-net, I will go all in and say Kirk is still our Bigs & March 'likely' option depending upon Seth's performance over the next several weeks.
149 - I will preface by saying I thought going into this year Verk would take that leap and be at least a low AA guy if not better. He has the skills, the room, the strength, the partners and the resume. I remain perplexed by his performance, lack of aggression, and style, perfectly comfortable with 1 point cushions going into the third period against both good and mediocre competition. What separated a Nolf or a Zain from the pack is more brain than braun, and something is not right upstairs with Verk's approach to competition.
It seems Cael really wants Verk to be the guy, but he hasn't yet broken through. This weight is not settled yet and I have no clue if Gardner is showing the consistency in the room to win Cael over (he has me excited with his aggression and attitude at least), we have heard little lately about Bo Pipher's decent to 149, but I don't think he can beat Verk, and now we have Busiello in the mix who has oodles of talent and an very aggressive style, but who knows if he had any chance at this level yet up at 149. I love the kid but think he is a year away from consideration.
In the end I think Verk will be the guy this year I just hope he gets pissed on the mat more and shit cans his conservative control the match approach that can't deliver against top competition. One Blue chip Jimmy Gullibon enigma a decade is enough for me.
I have demonstrated that I have no crystal ball but it seems we may still see some dramatic roster changes this year. Certainly worthy of consideration:
1) HWT - Unless Kerk were to ORS this year, and maybe even regular RS next, one would think the chances of he and Seth remaining at PSU long term are not good.
I am starting to think that Heavy this year is not yet 100% set with Seth.
Kirk has expressed a desire to wrestle soon, and he is already qualified for the trials hence the absolute need for an ORS is somewhat diminished. He can go with Snyder freestyle half the time and still will be a threat to beat Gable at Nationals. Almost a guaranteed top 2 and should handle Cassioppi no problem.
I think Seth is "auditioning" and is otherwise a likely transfer portal guy at some point in the next year depending upon his performance. He did not fare well vs Cassioppi in free, but that is not folk. The result is I think we keep Kirk (if he is even eligible this year), on the sidelines and give Seth the rest of the month of January with the climax being his match against Cassioppi on the 31st. If he can take him out or keep it very close he will be our guy, and we can preserve a RS for Kirk while he focuses on free. If Cassioppi repeats what he did in free (i. e. a big bonus win), I think Cael pulls the plug and goes with Kirk the rest of the way.
It seems clear that Kirk is s now on a regular RS vs an ORS since he is listed on the roster, the rules still seem murkey there, nonetheless if he is on the roster one would think he is available if needed.
Net-net, I will go all in and say Kirk is still our Bigs & March 'likely' option depending upon Seth's performance over the next several weeks.
149 - I will preface by saying I thought going into this year Verk would take that leap and be at least a low AA guy if not better. He has the skills, the room, the strength, the partners and the resume. I remain perplexed by his performance, lack of aggression, and style, perfectly comfortable with 1 point cushions going into the third period against both good and mediocre competition. What separated a Nolf or a Zain from the pack is more brain than braun, and something is not right upstairs with Verk's approach to competition.
It seems Cael really wants Verk to be the guy, but he hasn't yet broken through. This weight is not settled yet and I have no clue if Gardner is showing the consistency in the room to win Cael over (he has me excited with his aggression and attitude at least), we have heard little lately about Bo Pipher's decent to 149, but I don't think he can beat Verk, and now we have Busiello in the mix who has oodles of talent and an very aggressive style, but who knows if he had any chance at this level yet up at 149. I love the kid but think he is a year away from consideration.
In the end I think Verk will be the guy this year I just hope he gets pissed on the mat more and shit cans his conservative control the match approach that can't deliver against top competition. One Blue chip Jimmy Gullibon enigma a decade is enough for me.
