Putting the puzzle together

An old editor of mine used to say that when he got the job, he was just trying to put the puzzle together. First you pour the pieces on the table. Next step, flip them right side up. Then the corners. Then the edges, and the middle. Each step was crucial. What step are you at?
Rick Neuheisel: “We’ve got the edges. We’ve got the edges. But different than that puzzle, is that things are splintering off all the time. You can feel like you’ve got pieces in place, and then all of a sudden your left tackle goes on his mission, Carnell Lake wants to be with his family…as unexpected as it is, it’s expected. You have to continually be re-working the puzzle. It doesn’t ever end. Those magical years where it looks like it’s completed, you just enjoy those, because pretty soon it’s going to splinter again. Brian Price going early… Do you have to anticipate that? Sure. You anticipate all of it.
“But with recruiting classes, you’re trying to predict the future. Why do you put Brett Downey on scholarship? Because you had to assume that Xavier’s leaving. Which then raises the question to other walk-ons like Andrew Abbott who wants a scholarship – why not? Well, I’ve got corners… I can’t predict. All those things play into it as you’re trying to put together your puzzle.”