Once more, while out driving and listening to XM radio (around 8:50 last night, bringing home Chinese food), I heard a major national figure unexpectedly talk NC State football. Draft guru (and generally astute football analyst) Mel Kiper, Jr. said 2 interesting things:
1) Chuck Amato deserves “another year” to see what he can do with Andre Brown and a better QB situation. Although I need to see a win against BC and/or Maryland before I agree with that statement, I still like the comment. For one, it contains none of the condescending “You’re just poor little NC State – what right do you have to expect more than occasional upsets and minor bowl games?” attitude that we so often get in the media. Mel’s comment necessarily implies that it’s reasonable for Amato to be feeling some heat, and that he doesn’t have or deserve indefinite license, but rather, one more year.
2) Andre Brown could be a legitimate Heisman candidate down the road, with his combination of size, speed, and explosiveness. Now, ordinarily I’d take that with a grain of salt, but not coming from Kiper. He’s seen and graded lots of football talent, and calls them like he sees them. Nobody’s perfect, but his track record is pretty damned good.
