The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-10-10
VARSITY FOOTBALL MEN
ARE OF GOOD QUALITY
Mnnesota Line This Will Standard and Backfeld
Uses to Be Stronger Than Usual-A Star . IS. Il
Pair Of Halves s@sSs Ell 3 80. -

From the work of the Minnesota
football team in the games thus far,
and in practice, we can obtain a fair
idea of the ability of the individual
players, and of the way in which the
team, at it's highest point, will COM
pare with other Minnesota teams and
and with former western champions.
The nine is of average ability. None
Of the forwards, save possibly Rog--
ers and Schacht, has so far proven
himself a star. Thorpe at right guard,
time prove Of the same class as Flynn
and aHoyt. Both have the necessary
weight, strength and activity to shine
in their positions. Burdick, in ply
sique and general style Of play, much
resembles Hoyt and Billy Dalrymple,
end on a Minnesota team. And Bur
dick. appears to have the right mental
makeup. He is fast man, and has
proven success In carrying the ball
against the weaker teams. He Is a
hard thckler on the defensive, and not
has much to learn about the end fpo-
sition, but promises to shine in this
place, If not this year, then next.
Thorpe has had considerable expert
ence at guard, and is an aggressive
player, good tackler. and a strong
SIOuuu SdlHST. LII SplIe Ol Ills eA-
per1ence in the preparatory schools, he
has something to learn about the finer
points of guard play still, as he has
not played the position on the varsity
u&til this year. Most Of the western
universities are working I'm new men
in this position, and Thorpe should be
able to hold his own with any Of them.
1t is said that he dislikes to play in the
line, but with conscientious work there
is no reason why he should not prove
the equal Of Flynn, Harding, Finlay-
son and the other stars Of past days.
Strathern is not a sensational play
err. but is conscientious and hard work.
ing, and can be depended upon to do
about so much In every game. The
same may be said of Warren. Neither
of these men makes many sensational
plays, but both are thoroly reliable,
and are likely to hold their own with
any Of the men they meet this year.
Webster up to the present season
was hardly considered varsity ma
terial. His work this year, however,
has proven a surprise, and he prom
Uses to make a very strong defensive
tackle. In carrying the ball, and in
general work on the offensive, he is
not SO good. He will not be a star
among western tackles this season, but
is likely to average up we'll with the
rest.
ground gamer last season, and this
year is as fast and as strong as in
1902. Outside of this department of
the game his work is not above the
average. Nevertheless no was rated
as one Of the best men IN the west last
year, and promises to do as we'll this
season. .@''. d. 49,. &-s.f
Rogers at left end has had seven
years experience in varsity football.
He is one Of the shiftiest men in the
squad, and a strong ground gamer. His
defensive work Is generally of the
highest class but in spite Of his long
experience he is occasionally fooled
ON trick plays. AS an all-around
player, however, only Albeit Of Wis
consin and Redden Of Michigan ap-
pear to be in his class this, year, and
neither of these men is as good as
Rogers in carrying the ball.
j, The line as a whole has great posi-
bilities. 1t contains four men who
are practically certain to hold their
own with any men they meet, and
three experiments. Two Of the latter
are pretty sure to make good, altho
a more accurate Judgment can be
passed after to-day's game with An1es.
The line may prove the equal of any
in. the west, and it may do only medic
ere work, but individually it promises