The Linebackers

**ISUonthemove** · 01-22-2008, 07:26 AM

I saw Carper at the mall about a month ago. Kid is JACKED. Too bad he can't play. I saw him last year too, looks like he had put on 20lbs.

**CyCy** · 01-22-2008, 09:38 AM

On the new 2008 football roster posted on cyclones.com Carper is not listed on the roster. I assume that means he is not playing anymore.

**BryceC** · 01-22-2008, 09:50 AM

Honestly I think the front seven, and the linebacking corp in perticular, will keep us from reaching a bowl game this year. *ducks*

**tim_redd** · 01-22-2008, 09:53 AM

I don't think the linebackers will be a problem. I think the problem for our defense will be getting pressure on the QB with the DL.

**ISUFan22** · 01-22-2008, 10:02 AM

I'm concerned about our defense as a while. We have some younger guys with potential, but not a ton of experience in some spots.

Plus, I wasn't overly impressed with our play at corner last fall...with those guys supposed to be one of our stronger points defensively.

**heyguy85** · 01-22-2008, 10:03 AM

Carper is most likely done, he was coaching last year and will be doing the same again. Too bad that someone with his potential and work ethic had to go down with an injury. Bibbs will be a top notch Big 12 LB.

**snowcraig2.0** · 01-22-2008, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by BryceC

Honestly I think the front seven, and the linebacking corp in perticular, will keep us from reaching a bowl game this year. *ducks*

The linebackers will be a strength, not a weakness. We will be better at the SAM and MIKE. Obviously losing Bowen hurts, but the group will be better overall. Raven has great speed and has really packed on the weight however, he will be a good replacement for Bowen.

Now the front 4 is the big concern. If they can't get a pass rush and continually hang our backers and backs out to dry we are going to be in trouble. We really need Chris Lyle to turn into a dominant pass rusher.

**cyismydog** · 01-22-2008, 10:21 AM

Will the Strengths at Sam and Mike make up for the loss of one of the best Will's in the country?

**snowcraig2.0** · 01-22-2008, 10:35 AM

Yes it will. Combined with the improvement of the second string, they will be a better unit overall. As great as Bowen was, he made his share of mistakes. There is certainly no replacing him, but I am very high on Raven at that spot, and Garrin as well.

**BryceC** · 01-22-2008, 10:39 AM

I can't see how we'll be better at a position where we lost Banks. He started last year for a reason. To assume we'll be better at that position is to assume so without any real evidence on the field.

That being said, I didn't really consider the linebackers to be a huge strength last year and losing our two best from there doesn't help, especially considering all the intangibles that Bowen brought to the team. To assume the unit will be better is based purely in hope IMO.

**cloneu** · 01-22-2008, 10:43 AM

Originally Posted by BryceC

I can't see how we'll be better at a position where we lost Banks. He started last year for a reason. To assume we'll be better at that position is to assume so without any real evidence on the field.

It maybe a different horse but the same could be said about the O-line this past season compared to '06. The guys in 2006 started for a reason yet were not as good as in 2007.

The LB's may not be better next year, but I doubt they will be worse. We will have a better judgement after the spring game though.

**BryceC** · 01-22-2008, 10:49 AM

I know what you're saying but some places gave Banks a shot at the NFL. He was very underrated and he could do a lot of good things. I'm not at every practice but I have a hard time thinking Garrin, Raven, Bibbs, or Bell are going to be as good as Banks. I just liked him as a player I guess.

**snowcraig2.0** · 01-22-2008, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by BryceC

I know what you're saying but some places gave Banks a shot at the NFL. He was very underrated and he could do a lot of good things. I'm not at every practice but I have a hard time thinking Garrin, Raven, Bibbs, or Bell are going to be as good as Banks. I just liked him as a player I guess.

Not a slam on Banks, but the coaches even said Bibbs was playing as well as Banks before he (Bibbs) got hurt. Bibbs is a freakish athlete, better than Bowen even. If Bibbs was playing as well as Banks in his first year out of JUCO, it is pretty easy to infer that he will be better than Banks this year after a year in the system and a year in the weight room.

Again, I am not ripping on Banks, I liked him allot as a player, but Bibbs is going to be flat out special this year. Think about how much better Dobbins was his second year out of JUCO. We will see the same kind of improvement from Bibbs.

**cloneu** · 01-22-2008, 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by BryceC

I know what you're saying but some places gave Banks a shot at the NFL. He was very underrated and he could do a lot of good things. I'm not at every practice but I have a hard time thinking Garrin, Raven, Bibbs, or Bell are going to be as good as Banks. I just liked him as a player I guess.

Something good about Banks was his ability to cover that he got from being a DB. Not too many teams will line up a linebacker on the outside reciever and put the CB on the slot.

**ISUFan22** · 01-22-2008, 11:05 AM

What I'm seeing here and want to caution folks on is the "our linebackers will be better or at least as good" mentality.

We're certainly not going to know until we see 'em on the field after a game or two. It's certainly possible, but I'm not sold on it yet.

Bibbs still hasn't played at this level yet. The others are inexperienced for the most part. Smith is the best of the bunch (at least from what we have seen) yet he has flaws too.

Again, our defense concerns me this fall. I like the fact that we have Chizik, a defensive guy, leading the charge - that should help. But I do think we'll need to score points this year instead of trying to win games with outputs in the upper teens/20s.