As fans left Traz Powell Stadium last Saturday night after watching Northwestern's 29-7 loss to west coast power Long Beach Poly, there were more disgruntled Bulls fans who had seen enough. These are the same fans who walked out of the same stadium back in May after watching the defending national champions lose to North Miami Beach, 25-0 to end spring.

While many predicted that things would drop off for coach Billy Rolle's Bulls, after losing so many quality football players to the University of Miami and other programs around the nation, nobody thought that this program, winners of 30 consecutive games and a pair of 6A state titles, would score just seven points in eight quarters.

Has the talent dried up? Is this the end of the Bulls' impressive run that brought so much national attention? As I sat and watched, took notes and looked at every player on this team, and even without stellar junior defensive tackle Todd Chandler, who was injured during summer practice, I can't understand why the Bulls aren't putting it all together. They are talented at every turn, and the coaches have worked extremely hard to bring things back together again -- over the past three months.

This was a program, deep in talent, that had dominated the past few years, and while there are a number of younger and inexperienced athletes playing key positions, the Bulls are still loaded with prospects.

DON'T COUNT OUT BULLS

At a time when there is no dominating 6A program in the state, the Bulls do have that chance to jump right back in the mix, and if you doubt the quality players still on the roster, just wait and give players like sophomore quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (6-3, 175) time to gel and mature.

Bridgewater has a lot of Vince Young in him. He is tall, thin and can run and pass as well as any young quarterback prospect. When he fully grasps the offense, and gets players who want to step up, the sky is the limit for a tremendous football player.

The Bulls also happen to have one of the most talented group of running backs in the state in West Virginia commit Daquan Hargrett (5-9, 170), Tyresse Jones (5-9, 180) and speedy Corvin Lamb (5-9, 180), who just may be the best kick returner in Florida.

Prior to the game against Long Beach Poly, I watched each and every player on this team during drills. Followed them throughout the game and noticed that the only thing that lacks is playmakers. All the talent in the world will be wasted without athletes who step up -- like Aldarius Johnson, Jacory Harris, Tommy Streeter Jr., and Sean Spence have the past few years.

TALENTED BUNCH

You will have to try real hard to convince me that this offense isn't as talented as any other I have watched this summer. They have receivers such as Michaelee Harris (6-1, 175), Tyrell Lewis (5-8, 150), Lorenzo Shinhoster (5-9, 170) and Cadale Blackmon (6-0, 165). The Bulls also have size and athletic ability up front with Shavin Wright (6-0, 250), Eugene Lott (6-2, 250), Donald Senat (6-3, 250), Shkendrick Williams (6-3 260), Josh Jenkins (6-3, 300) and junior Torrian Wilson, who is 6-5, 320.

Defensively, Chandler will be missed up front, but after losing such a quality group of linebackers, Justin Martinez (6-0, 180), Markell Steward (6-0, 185), and two of the better athletes we've watched this summer, Kenneth Dillard (6-1, 190), and Alvin Mike (6-3, 215) are athletes who are all over the field.

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