Who will be the difference makers for Iowa State?

hornacek14 · 04-24-2008, 08:43 AM

The FANS and the towel-waving guy on the bench (is he still here?).

We need to remember that Vanstrom was a protector on the punt team last year with number 61, so his towel waving duties were pretty limited, due to him having to be ready at all times for a possible punt. Whichever freshman or fifth string junior takes over Vanstroms role, certainly has big shoes to fill. We have just been lucky that Vanstrom never hurt a shoulder or elbow in his early years.

cloneu · 04-24-2008, 08:57 AM

O-line and d-line.

CyCloned · 04-24-2008, 08:59 AM

I hope that there is more than a couple difference makers. ISU needs to move beyond the point where if player A goes down or has a bad day, it is a sure loss. It would be nice to have more wow plays by the team, as opposed to a couple of wow players making an occational great play.

bmuff · 04-24-2008, 09:05 AM

Offense: A-Rob and Hamilton
Defense: K.Taylor and Jesse Smith

I think that the Taylor/Lyle/Parker combo should be one of our best pass rushing groups in recent memory.

AWOL2000 · 04-24-2008, 11:03 AM

Why isn't anyone mentioning Bass. He is getting things straightened out yeah? He was the greatest thing since sliced bread last year and now nobody thinks he can win the job, puzzling.

clone2011 · 04-24-2008, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by AWOL2000

Why isn't anyone mentioning Bass. He is getting things straightened out yeah? He was the greatest thing since sliced bread last year and now nobody thinks he can win the job, puzzling.

I think this is because at the end of last year, he wasn't the starter. He missed a couple games because of his shoulder and wasn't the same the rest of the season. A-Rob stepped up after a bad start to the season and hasn't looked back. He's making a strong case to be the starter and what if, for some reason, JJ doesn't get things straightened out? What is he doesn't get his grades up? I'd rather focus on guys who are for sure going to with the team this fall.

cys_av8r · 04-24-2008, 11:14 AM

I think it is HILARIOUS that people are giving Bates the QB job based on a spring scrimmage.

Clones85' · 04-24-2008, 11:31 AM

Originally Posted by cys_av8r

I think it is HILARIOUS that people are giving Bates the QB job based on a spring scrimmage.

I was just thinking the same thing. It's like thinking Cory Johnson is going to put up 15 pts and 10 rebounds a game b/c of what he did in the capitol city summer league.

Aclone · 04-24-2008, 11:42 AM

Offense--there are enough potential playmekers at the skill positions that the line is going to be the true difference maker--or not.

Defense: Again, enough potential playmakers that the line is going to be the difference maker--whether they can provide a strong rush to benefit the corners, and keep the blockers off of some speedy linebackers.

djkent01 · 04-24-2008, 12:59 PM

There's a reason Chizik did not redshirt Bates last year, and it wasn't because he needed him at receiver - not with the corps of receivers we had last year. he wanted him on the field, taking reps, and learning the offense. IMO, the job is his to win.

That said: Bates, Thompson Jr (short-yardage back), Jesse Smith running the defense

jdoggivjc · 04-24-2008, 01:10 PM

Originally Posted by djkent01

There's a reason Chizik did not redshirt Bates last year, and it wasn't because he needed him at receiver - not with the corps of receivers we had last year. he wanted him on the field, taking reps, and learning the offense. IMO, the job is his to win.

That said: Bates, Thompson Jr (short-yardage back), Jesse Smith running the defense

You say that like it's something new - Chizik's policy from day 1 is that everyone earns their keep, it's not inherited.

By your argument, the fact that Arnaud took the majority of the snaps and got the PT last year would mean that it's Arnaud's job to lose - which is not the case either.

Bottom line is no one knows who's going to be our starting QB to begin the season or whether that person will still be the starting QB at the end of the season. That's why it's kind of funny that people are out there saying that either Arnaud or Bates will be a difference maker. For all we know right now one of those guys may not even take a single snap this sesaon.

djkent01 · 04-24-2008, 01:18 PM

Wasn't trying to be an original thinker. A few posts ago people were chastising others for choosing Bates based on the scrimmage. My point was that it is quite possible that people have other reasons for choosing Bates - and I explained my reasoning. I went to the scrimmage and the thin that impressed my about Bates was that athleticism oozes out of every pore on his body. Again - IMO, his job to win and he'll be the difference this season. Chizik has been around a few athletic QB's in his day (I know, another non-original thought).

MaxPower57 · 04-24-2008, 01:22 PM

Outside of the obvious (whoever winds up playing QB and K, Hamilton, Taylor, etc) I think there is gonna be some guys that really have breakout years for us...

IMO Chris Lyle takes over at rush end and combined w/ Taylor finally gives us a glimpse of a pass rush

Taylor Mansfield, the guy is a rock who can move people, whether he gets snaps at TE or at FB I think he'll become a fan favorite. I want to see what he can do getting handoffs as it would be great to be able to get those tough 1 or 2 yards at will like Kock could

Nate Frere, he's been around for a couple of years, started the first couple games of his Tr Fr campaign, and has the size to help ease the pain of losing Tuba, plus he's sporting the full beard so how can you root against him? I know everyone is really high on Black, but I think Frere will be getting the majority of the time at NG with Bailey Johnson opposite him...but I'm sure guys like Black, Tate, Weir, and maybe even Slifka will get a lot of time.

...........and for no real reason: Beau Sallis gets time as a nickelback

ISU BET · 04-24-2008, 01:30 PM

i would be extremely surprised to see an entire season without bates under center. my fear is that if bates wins the job outright, what is arnaud gonna do? i don't see him switching positions because he doesn't have the speed to do so. however, bates is athletic enough that if he doesn't win the qb position, he should see the field somewhere-at least on trick plays.

Clones85' · 04-24-2008, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by ISU BET

i would be extremely surprised to see an entire season without bates under center. my fear is that if bates wins the job outright, what is arnaud gonna do? i don't see him switching positions because he doesn't have the speed to do so. however, bates is athletic enough that if he doesn't win the qb position, he should see the field somewhere-at least on trick plays.

What do you mean what is Arnaud going to do? If he doesn't win the starting spot, he will be the backup. He better be b/c we don't have anyone else except a true freshman coming in. My opinion though is that Arnaud will be the #1. Bates will get some snaps but Arnaud will get 80% of them.