Taking the ISU glasses off...

[Bader]

Originally Posted by bmuff

I think that they'll call more QB runs this year

Here's to hoping we have a QB who understands how to setup the draw if this is the case....

[ISUFan22]

Originally Posted by Palmer

I agree with this.

We have to get out to a fast start.

And it's not as simple as just winning them either, ala 2006. While I don't expect some huge blowouts, we can't just skate by in these games either. IMO, it's very important for us to handle our business against these teams.

[Bader]

Originally Posted by ISUFan22

And it's not as simple as just winning them either, ala 2006. While I don't expect some huge blowouts, we can't just skate by in these games either. IMO, it's very important for us to handle our business against these teams.

Methinks Gene will be taking out his aggression through his team on the Golden Flashes. That was by far our biggest embarrassment last season

[Palmer]

Originally Posted by ISUFan22

And it's not as simple as just winning them either, ala 2006. While I don't expect some huge blowouts, we can't just skate by in these games either. IMO, it's very important for us to handle our business against these teams.

no doubt 22.

please, please....no more hand-wringers against lesser-opponents.

[ISUFan22]

Originally Posted by Bader

Methinks Gene will be taking out his aggression through his team on the Golden Flashes. That was by far our biggest embarrassment last season

I'd hope the only team we're eying to take out some aggression on at this point is SDSU. They're the only team on the schedule of any concern at this point.

/coachspeak

[CyValley]

Originally Posted by MaxPower57

I wish Jason Harris would've been moved back to the secondary. . . . With the depth at RB and the lack thereof at S pulling the old off/def switcheroo for him one last time in my opinion would benefit not only him but also the team as he is one of the fastest players on it.

But, don't you believe that the coaches would do this if the idea had merit? I'm curious about your thinking, really; hope you don't mind.

My approach is that, yeah this idea or that idea seems to make sense, but if the coaches don't do it, guess it doesn't compute. I'm in the camp that follows the coaches lead, which many here find an irritating approach to discussions (I understand that).

Are the coaches missing the boat, in your opinion? (Really, I'm not being critical of you, I'm seriously curious about this sort of thinking; it helps me understand and put my own thinking in perspective, too.)

Thanks!

[ajk4st8]

Potential is the Key word for this team. There is a lot. I just hope people dont assume potential means that guys SHOULD show up.

Hopefully they can prove everyone wrong and show up in a bowl game. Im dying to go back!

[Aclone]

Originally Posted by ajk4st8

Here is what I see as far as troubling questions...

WR-- RJ and Hamilton are pretty solid. Good possession guys. Wallace Franklin didn't produce last year, so it would be a pretty big leap of faith thinking he will be star this year. Sounds like SJ is pretty solid (although only a true freshman) and Carlson could get some PT this year too.

I'm hardly surprised that a juco transfer took a year to adapt. I'll be more than happy if he catches 30-40 passes this year, and proves an adequate target for Arnaud's cannon arm.

DT Ugh. Not looking forward to this position this year. We have a long list of recruiting studs who have never seen the field, so lets hope that one of them comes out of nowhere to be a stud. We have some solid young players (Black, Johnson), but losing Tuba was HUGE. Might be the biggest loss from last year.

Sorry, but if you have faith in Lyle after he stepped up in the Spring game, why not Black, Alburtis, Slifka, Tate and Weir, all of whom showed at least flashes, if not just as much as Lyle did?

My second thought is, where are these "recruiting studs" that you speak of? I see a collection of two (and a smattering of three) star players who were good athletes, with a chance to become something. Most of them are redshirt sophs or freshmen now--and Tate a junior, apparently.

When you aren't a real stud, it takes a year or two to get your feet on the ground. Look at Oklahoma, where they landed the #1 defensive tackle in the land (Granger and McCoy) two years running, and it even took time for them to start. And I haven't noticed either of them making first team AA yet. Empasis on that yet, of course.

LB I think we could be 'ok' here. Jesse Smith makes me sick when he in pass coverage, but I love his nose against the run. Raven, Garrin are super athletic, but not the biggest guys in the world.

Ever heard of a linebacker at USC named Polamolu? Almost exactly the same size as Raven?

Again a position where we need some guys who have really never touched JTS playing surface to step up.

A big "Amen" there, brother! I'm not sure who out of several guys it might be, but i am looking forward to seeing Cameron Bell at linebacker more often.

DB Allen Bell and Singleton will make solid corners. McDowell will be good again. Hopefully Chris Brown can heal up for some PT next year. Smith is an OK safety, still waiting for him to have a great year. It is only pn paper but it looks like we landed a great class of DBs.

Despite all that he's played, Smith is still only a junior--half of his career ahead of him. And I'll be interested to see what these guys might do with a pass rush in front of them.

Kicker-- MAJOR worry again. Relying on 2 new HS kickers is not fun. Crossing my fingers these guys are ok.

The way I look at it, the very least they'll do is improve kickoffs--which will be an immense asset to the team.

My prediction 4-8

That's a pretty grim prediction. All I can say is that you must be looking for teams to lose to.

You've noted that the offensive line returns everyone, but you've failed to mention how they'll be upgraded with so many good athletes coming off redshirts, not to mention the addition of Haughton, who will be a force, the only question is when. It may take time to gel, but this group should be improved.

And, as far as quarterback, whoever starts is going to be a playmaker--Bates also with his feet, Arnaud with an exceptional arm.

Toss in special teams, where Jason Carlson and Leonard Johnson may well have a huge impact on returns, and you have the beginnings of some remarkable big play potential.

Looking at the schedule, I'm really thinking in terms of at least six wins--and I'm afraid that you don't really want to know what I think they're going to manage.

[Aclone]

Originally Posted by CyValley

But, don't you believe that the coaches would do this if the idea had merit? I'm curious about your thinking, really; hope you don't mind.

My approach is that, yeah this idea or that idea seems to make sense, but if the coaches don't do it, guess it doesn't compute. I'm in the camp that follows the coaches lead, which many here find an irritating approach to discussions (I understand that).

Personally, I kinda thought that when J.J. hurt his shoulder, Jason was hurt, the staff wouldn't have been terribly happy having Alexander as the only back left on the squad. You need four, more likely five backs on the team.

Look at what happened to Iowa a few years back.

[MaxPower57]

[quote=CyValley;511458]But, don't you believe that the coaches would do this if the idea had merit? I'm curious about your thinking, really; hope you don't mind.

My approach is that, yeah this idea or that idea seems to make sense, but if the coaches don't do it, guess it doesn't compute. I'm in the camp that follows the coaches lead, which many here find an irritating approach to discussions (I understand that).

Are the coaches missing the boat, in your opinion? (Really, I'm not being critical of you, I'm seriously curious about this sort of thinking; it helps me understand and put my own thinking in perspective, too.)"





I completely understand where you are coming from and I as well put full faith in the coaches. I was just kind of thinking aloud. Its just that ISU you need to squeeze as much talent out as possible and Harris is IMO one of our top 44 (two deep) players. With Harris, it probably allowed for the move of Cam Bell to LB...who I think should have redshirted but thats just my opinion again.

I'm in agreement that depth at RB is a real priority, yet with A-Rob, Scales, Bass, incoming frosh Jeremiah Schwartz, and throw in Rickey Thompson in emergency situations with Bo Williams getting practice reps and we seem to have our bases somewhat covered although nothing is positive.

With two small somewhat injury prone starting safeties (although I really like them in Smith and Brown) and two guys in Hunley and Johnson backing them up (who Harris started over during his time at safety) it would just make sense to me...

...but the coaches in the end see the day to day activity and will do what is best for the team I'm sure. If a switch would benefit it would have already been done so I guess I just really don't know haha

[SeattleClone]

Originally Posted by cycloneryan

Is anyone else getting very very pumped that we are talking about football again. I love it. I am ready for it to start right now.

Same here. A couple weeks ago M&M were talking about college football schedules, trying to predict records for ISU, Iowa, etc. and also speculating where the ISU/Iowa game might land in the tv schedule (probably Little 11 network). It was hard to follow through their usual bickering, but it was just really enjoyable listening to football talk.

[clones26]

well if I have to take off the glasses I guess I will allow us a loss or two at 12-2 with losses against Kansas & Mizzou, but we still win the Big 12 championship game and whatever 2009 bowl we make... whoa someone spiked my jungle juice with some ISU kool-aid, I think 5 wins as well with kicking being better because it cant get much worse...can it?

[ajk4st8]

Originally Posted by Aclone

I'm hardly surprised that a juco transfer took a year to adapt. I'll be more than happy if he catches 30-40 passes this year, and proves an adequate target for Arnaud's cannon arm.



Sorry, but if you have faith in Lyle after he stepped up in the Spring game, why not Black, Alburtis, Slifka, Tate and Weir, all of whom showed at least flashes, if not just as much as Lyle did?

My second thought is, where are these "recruiting studs" that you speak of? I see a collection of two (and a smattering of three) star players who were good athletes, with a chance to become something. Most of them are redshirt sophs or freshmen now--and Tate a junior, apparently.

When you aren't a real stud, it takes a year or two to get your feet on the ground. Look at Oklahoma, where they landed the #1 defensive tackle in the land (Granger and McCoy) two years running, and it even took time for them to start. And I haven't noticed either of them making first team AA yet. Empasis on that yet, of course.



Ever heard of a linebacker at USC named Polamolu? Almost exactly the same size as Raven?



A big "Amen" there, brother! I'm not sure who out of several guys it might be, but i am looking forward to seeing Cameron Bell at linebacker more often.



Despite all that he's played, Smith is still only a junior--half of his career ahead of him. And I'll be interested to see what these guys might do with a pass rush in front of them.



The way I look at it, the very least they'll do is improve kickoffs--which will be an immense asset to the team.



That's a pretty grim prediction. All I can say is that you must be looking for teams to lose to.

You've noted that the offensive line returns everyone, but you've failed to mention how they'll be upgraded with so many good athletes coming off redshirts, not to mention the addition of Haughton, who will be a force, the only question is when. It may take time to gel, but this group should be improved.

And, as far as quarterback, whoever starts is going to be a playmaker--Bates also with his feet, Arnaud with an exceptional arm.

Toss in special teams, where Jason Carlson and Leonard Johnson may well have a huge impact on returns, and you have the beginnings of some remarkable big play potential.

Looking at the schedule, I'm really thinking in terms of at least six wins--and I'm afraid that you don't really want to know what I think they're going to manage.

Totally made my point. We are counting on NEW or UNPROVEN players at every position except RB and Oline. Thats all I was trying to say.

I hope like everyone that the QB is great, WR has 2 new guys step up and be stars, freshman or backup DTs from last year play amazing, linebackers to develop depth, to find a couple more safeties, and a kicker to boot the ball deep and make a high percentage of easy field goals.

[CyValley]

Originally Posted by MaxPower57

I completely understand where you are coming from and I as well put full faith in the coaches. I was just kind of thinking aloud. Its just that ISU you need to squeeze as much talent out as possible and Harris is IMO one of our top 44 (two deep) players.

Got ya, MaxPower57, I appreciate that you responded.

I admit it, I do it, too . . . I wonder, "now, why do you suppose the staff doesn't do this, or that?"

Bottom line for me, I wish there was some way to discover what the coaches' thinking is on some issues, not because I don't think they've got it right (I do), but because I'm nosy (curious, at least) and I'd like to know why it is they think the way they do so that I can adjust my thinking on the subject.

Oh, well, that won't happen often. But the Monday call-in radio shows sure help. I'm on those things every week trying to pry information out of 'em (smile).

[bellzisu]

Originally Posted by ajk4st8

My prediction 4-8

How can you take the glasses off when they haven't been on??? I seem to remember you staying firm with 3 to 4 wins all winter and spring so far.

But I do like how you broke things down and gave your reasons why you think this.

I'm still going with something around 5 to 7 wins... 7 would be great....Realistically, 5 or 6 wins. I think the schedule is favorable enough.