The Nothing But Iron: A Tangled Web We Build October 11, 2004 The Steven R. Lagman, M.D., C.A.S.W. The irony of having finally established a web site is that the process of its construction and maintenance leaves little time leftover for actual writing. That could be good news for readers, since I tend to write too much anyway. Relative to baseline, I have quickly learned an incredible amount about web site building. Relative to what I can know, I have only scratched the surface of the tip of the toolbar. As my skills as a webmaster develop, one of two possible trends will emerge: I will have 1) more time to write or 2) less time to write. I vow not to forget that the whole point of www.nothingbutiron.com. is Nothing But Iron. By the way, in case any of you are looking for a Web host, I am very pleased with IX Web Hosting. I chose this service based partly on reviews, partly on price, but mostly because my test e-mail message to IX Web Hosting customer support was answered promptly and courteously. With the above excuse in mind, I will hit the high points of Wisconsin’s win at OSU: 1) I had a rough first quarter from a profanity standpoint. OSU’s punt-return-for-touchdown caused unhealthy physiologic changes in my body, some of which were treated with Pepcid and Tums. "That’s probably the only [synonym for gol darn] touchdown they’ll score!" I yelled angrily, failing to notice that a single allowed touchdown would actually be a good thing. After 17 years of marriage Kelly knows me well enough to realize the futility of observations like: You should see how stupid you look. She knows that I already know. 2) By the second quarter I realized the virtues of patience, that the players can’t hear me through the television, and that if they could, I would set a better example for the neighbors’ children. 3) What a shift in momentum, the start of which can be pinpointed to the moment of Brandon Williams’s long kickoff return. How and why do these abrupt momentum shifts happen? It is perhaps the greatest mystery in sports. 4) At one point, early in the game I commented that good linebacking appears to trump good running. Ultimately that observation proved false. How is it that OSU’s superb linebacking corps could suddenly be overcome? Strategy? Fatigue? 5) Much will be made of quarterback John Stocco’s encouraging performance. Good for him, especially since the naysayers were starting to get vocal. Let’s be sure to credit his splendid receivers, two of whom made Sportscenter-ready touchdown catches that most of us could not have caught with fishing nets. Wisconsin has at least four talented receivers. It is good to see them tangibly involved in the offense. 6) On that note, UW’s second touchdown drive was well executed, but the influence of good coaching cannot be ignored. The Badgers’ play calling seemed to catch OSU off guard. I found the selections to be remarkably unpredictable (based on my own inability to predict)–indicative of a win-the-game mentality, which is higher risk, but so much better that the all-too-familiar try-not-to-lose approach. 7) The defense proved it is ready for the next test. Bret Bielma’s small-quick linebacker approach is working, and should be a plus against a Purdue style offense. 8) If you are an OSU fan, besides having my deepest and mildly sincere condolences, you are probably lambasting instant replay. I agree with you that on principle the Buckeyes should have been awarded possession after Anthony Davis’s fumble, however, the error was the result of a premature whistle and not a botched review. The rule is clear, and the rule was followed–when the whistle blows, the play is over. If replay survives its trial run, officials will learn to wait a little longer before blowing plays dead. In summary, tough luck. Take solace in the fact that it could have been worse: The refs could have missed one of our guys choking your quarterback. In the spirit of fairness, I have taken the liberty of adjusting the final score: Wisconsin 24, OSU 16. 9) If Wisconsin keeps trashing OSU win streaks, and keeps winning in the Horseshoe (that’s pronounced Thee Horseshoe), Ohio people will soon stop liking us Wisconsin folk. 10) Why fight at the end? That’s even more stupid than yelling at your television. I didn’t see it, but my guess is that somebody was looking to dance on the O (Thee O). Can you say suspensions? Can you say injuries? OSU’s season might be in the tank, but UW has some big games coming up. Why risk spoiling it with excessive applications of testosterone? Without Michigan on the schedule, and having won at Ohio State, it is hard to believe that the Badgers have yet to overcome their biggest challenge. Is that Purdue? Possibly, though we will all say that no team left on the schedule can be taken lightly. Certainly Purdue’s will be the most capable offense that Wisconsin has faced so far. I expect to see the Drew Brees formula, as first explained to me in the 1900's by sports savant Brent Feller: 1) Understand that many passes will be completed. 2) Concede the short, underneath-coverage passes–allow nothing deep. 3) Eliminate yards after catch. 4) Hope for Kyle Orton to make mistakes on the short field. 4) Shut down the run game. Assuming that Joe Tiller has not changed religions, this should be UW’s first credible spread-offense threat. Its ability to defend this formation could foretell the Badgers’ fortunes for what could be a critical game against Northwestern. (How is it that Northwestern comes up with decent teams every now and then? That defies logic.) I have not followed Purdue closely, but it seems there is a noteworthy gap between its offensive and defensive proficiency. Wisconsin’s ability to exploit that will be the difference in the game. Look for a lot of points to be scored. Look for my predictions to be wrong. After all, I don’t get paid for doing this. In lieu of writing about Green Bay’s upcoming win over Tennessee tonight, I will shed my inflatable G helmet, toss my No. 4 jersey in the laundry, wipe off my Green and Gold chest paint and don the comfortable-fitting cap of a basketball coach. Hoops season officially starts with touch football’s last whistle in a couple weeks. With two sixth grade and one or two eighth grade teams, there is much to prepare. As always I look forward this endeavor as much as anything I do. It’s my last season coaching the older kids, most of whom I have coached since second grade.  I hope they had as much fun as I did. ____________ Nothing But Iron is an amateur sports column, written as quickly as possible so the author can learn the rest of Bo Ryan’s brilliant offense (available on DVD from the Men’s Basketball office), organize rosters, study rules changes, conceptualize practice plans and harvest the last tomatoes and cucumbers of this improbable extended summer. And, yes, he will probably work on the web site. ©2004 DrTM Enterprises. All rights reserved.