Stevie Hicks

ajsp · 08-15-2006, 01:41 PM

so we've heard now that Josh Johnson will be the number 2 back for the cyclones but how has stevie looked in practice thus far. Is he going to be better this year than he was last year or are we going to be forced to use Johnson this year???

Thanks

clone33 · 08-15-2006, 01:45 PM

From what I know (which I warn you is not a great deal) Stevie will still be the feature back and McC says he is 100%. Do I believe it? No. Then biggest thing that Stevie brings is his blocking ability and from what I've heard, that hasnt taken a hit. JJ will be used much like we thought Jason Harris would ahve been used had he not switched positions.

JCloned · 08-15-2006, 02:10 PM

If JJ can pass protect Stevie will need to be hiting the holes very well if Mac is as excited as he seems about JJ. Being pushed may do Stevie good and get him to be the player he has shown a few flashes of being

mizouse87 · 08-15-2006, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by ajsp

so we've heard now that Josh Johnson will be the number 2 back for the cyclones but how has stevie looked in practice thus far. Is he going to be better this year than he was last year or are we going to be forced to use Johnson this year???

Thanks

Ya know fromthe sounds of things using JJ wouldn't be all that bad of a thing. The way Mac is talking him up, he could provide just the spark we could need to prevail in a close ballgame. From all the hype about him, he seems to be a big play runner, meaning he could break one at any time.

Obviously Stevie is our #1, but hopefully JJ will be used in conjunction with Stevie and produce a stellar running game that was absent almost all of last year.

ISUFan22 · 08-15-2006, 02:51 PM

I'm hoping both will see similar action. A good 1-2 punch is the best of both worlds!

Psyclone · 08-15-2006, 03:02 PM

Someone who can block is absolutely essential. We need to protect the quarterback at all costs. If the backups can't do that, they shouldn't see the field.

chuckd4735 · 08-15-2006, 03:17 PM

Originally Posted by Psyclone

Someone who can block is absolutely essential. We need to protect the quarterback at all costs. If the backups can't do that, they shouldn't see the field.

Could not of said it any better myself. I would bet the farm that Stevie starts vs. Toledo. He will be our #1 unless something happens throughout the season and Johnson proves he is a better pass blocker and runner. But with our recievers, we need a back who can provide the pass block that Stevie gives us. It was a key factor to why we lost to Nebraska, Baylor, and Mizz last year!

tazgolfv · 08-16-2006, 06:16 AM

Originally Posted by chuckd4735

Could not of said it any better myself. I would bet the farm that Stevie starts vs. Toledo. He will be our #1 unless something happens throughout the season and Johnson proves he is a better pass blocker and runner. But with our recievers, we need a back who can provide the pass block that Stevie gives us. It was a key factor to why we lost to Nebraska, Baylor, and Mizz last year!

Funny how people get on Stevie and conveniently forget our W-L record with and w/o him. Last year when Hicks was healthy we won and had a running game. When not healthy we lost and no running game. Hmmm. Interesting there. The previous ryear he was a 1000+ yard rusher.

BryceC · 08-16-2006, 06:54 AM

Originally Posted by tazgolfv

Funny how people get on Stevie and conveniently forget our W-L record with and w/o him. Last year when Hicks was healthy we won and had a running game. When not healthy we lost and no running game. Hmmm. Interesting there. The previous ryear he was a 1000+ yard rusher.

I agree, Stevie gets raked over the coals a little bit too much. When he's healthy, he's a good running back. Am I excited about the future? Of course, but Stevie is still the present and I am looking forward to seeing him perform.

ISUFan22 · 08-16-2006, 08:12 AM

Originally Posted by tazgolfv

Funny how people get on Stevie and conveniently forget our W-L record with and w/o him. Last year when Hicks was healthy we won and had a running game. When not healthy we lost and no running game. Hmmm. Interesting there. The previous ryear he was a 1000+ yard rusher.

Exactly...yet so many are rather quick to label Stevie a "poor" or "average" back.

safmusic · 08-16-2006, 09:59 AM

Mac said the offensive line is under performing. Not a good sign for a great and consistant running game. Any one new making run at starting in OL??

ISUFan22 · 08-16-2006, 10:03 AM

Originally Posted by safmusic

Mac said the offensive line is under performing. Not a good sign for a great and consistant running game. Any one new making run at starting in OL??

Where did D-Mac say that? What I read in the spring, he was not thrilled with the line. I think a lot of that was due to some injuries.

Yet this fall I've heard good things. In fact, some of the younger guys are pushing the seniors for starting jobs or at least significant playing time.

I'd really love to watch our offensive line turn into some mean sons-a-b*tches this fall. Just get nasty up front...beat the hell out of teams. I think Stephenson has that mentality and being the leader...I'd expect him to instill that on the other players.

ISU_phoria · 08-16-2006, 10:11 AM

Originally Posted by ISUFan22

I'm hoping both will see similar action. A good 1-2 punch is the best of both worlds!

Agreed. Besides, the two backs have very different running styles, which is a great asset if both can stay healthy. Hicks is a strong, slashing back that runs better between the tackles, but JJ is a quicker back we can use to get to the edges more effectively. I think that Cotton should create some plays where both are in the backfield to keep the opposing D's guessing.

ISUFan22 · 08-16-2006, 10:15 AM

Originally Posted by ISU_phoria

I think that Cotton should create some plays where both are in the backfield to keep the opposing D's guessing.

Two split backs...two wide...one tight sets? I like the sounds of that...

cyclonekj · 08-16-2006, 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by ISUFan22

Exactly...yet so many are rather quick to label Stevie a "poor" or "average" back.

Crazy, no doubt. All the guy has done is play hurt for us for so long and still managed to be a game-changer. He blocks very well and doesn't put the ball on the ground, even when injured.

I really hope for Stevie's sake that he is 100% healthy and performs as well as he has shown he can. He has worked very hard for this program and deserves a lot more Cyclone love than he gets. Plus, he has awesome dreadlocks. Respect the dreads!