So you know,

**HandSanitizer** · 07-13-2008, 09:26 AM

To clarify.....
I don't think people have a problem with the talent at kicking and QB, its the being first year starters or true freshmen is I think what most people are worried about.

I think our kicking game has a great chance to be the best in th conference in a couple years. Hopefully sooner.

**Wx4Cy** · 07-13-2008, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by HandSanitizer

To clarify.....
I don't think people have a problem with the talent at kicking and QB, its the being first year starters or true freshmen is I think what most people are worried about.

I think our kicking game has a great chance to be the best in th conference in a couple years. Hopefully sooner.

Didn't Meyer start as a true freshman? I might be wrong but if he did, isn't it interesting that we're worried about replacing a guy that started as a freshman as well?

**ajk4st8** · 07-13-2008, 09:56 AM

Originally Posted by CycloneWarning

Marquis is my favorite Cyclone. And an absolute stud that is overlooked by most fans. Killer attitude over the middle.

Folks, if SDSU scares you, suggest you hang out in the kiddie pool this summer.

No one was more disappointed that Chiz and the Cyclones looked like dog crap against Kent State, UNI, and Toledo last year. But I am 100% confident that most of our struggles were due to new systems ---- which are firmly in place now.

I do think we will beat those types of teams this year. I just really hope people wont be disappointed when we dont win 35-14 or something huge like that.

**Bobber** · 07-13-2008, 09:56 AM

Hopefullly we are looking better than past years at this point. I have to think however that every other team in the Big 12 is also looking good at this point and their fans are all as "positive" that the team is moving in the right direction as you guys are.

I think replacing Bret Meyer, Todd Blythe and Alvin Bowen is easier said than done. Hopefully we'll get to at least .500 and we can say the new football coach is doing as well as the new basketballl coach.

**ajk4st8** · 07-13-2008, 10:10 AM

Originally Posted by Bobber

Hopefullly we are looking better than past years at this point. I have to think however that every other team in the Big 12 is also looking good at this point and their fans are all as "positive" that the team is moving in the right direction as you guys are.

I think replacing Bret Meyer, Todd Blythe and Alvin Bowen is easier said than done. Hopefully we'll get to at least .500 and we can say the new football coach is doing as well as the new basketballl coach.

Id replace 'Bret Meyer' with Tuba Rubin.

**ISUclones33** · 07-13-2008, 10:11 AM

Meyer split time with flynn as a RFr. and then eventually took over. He did well and put us where we wanted to be. I see no reason why Arnaud ot Bates will not do the same, as far as im concerned, Both are further along than Meyer was in 2004.
As far as special teams, it CANT get much worse than what it has been. We have a very confident kicker coming in, Grant Mahoney, didnt any of you see his dance moves on you tube?

**chrishull14** · 07-13-2008, 10:12 AM

Meyer and Blythe were redshirts. In 2003, our QBs were sacked more than groceries at Hy-Vee. We had no idea what to expect in 2004. To be honest, I still think Flynn should have had more of a chance. Back then, we had ?s everywhere. Now, we have some answers at some positions. The ?s we have now get more attention. There is potential in those areas, we just need to see the results on the field.

**Bobber** · 07-13-2008, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by ajk4st8

Id replace 'Bret Meyer' with Tuba Rubin.

Good point, but I'd just add Tuba to the list..

**clonedude** · 07-13-2008, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by chrishull14

Meyer and Blythe were redshirts. In 2003, our QBs were sacked more than groceries at Hy-Vee. We had no idea what to expect in 2004. To be honest, I still think Flynn should have had more of a chance. Back then, we had ?s everywhere. Now, we have some answers at some positions. The ?s we have now get more attention. There is potential in those areas, we just need to see the results on the field.

I agree with you about Flynn. Although he ended up being a great WR for us, I think he should have been given more of a chance at QB. He was a proven QB out of HS. He came here, and saw nothing but opposing linemen in his face immediately after taking the snap. That was not HIS fault.

As for 33's comments about Bass.... I couldn't agree more. ARob proved he is going to be good for us this year, but JJ Bass was having a great year before getting injured. I think he could still be our best all around RB going into the year. ARob is a great speed back, but JJ has the complete package. I love having both guys though!!!

**tigershoops31** · 07-13-2008, 10:47 AM

Originally Posted by cyclonenum1

Maybe our MBB coach should take note. The FB team has to play 22 guys and they can get their system pretty much in place in just a little over a year but for some reason with our MBB team, which only has to play 5 guys, the implementation of the "system" is going to take 3-6 years.

Once again, I cannot tell you how important it was that we hired someone in Chizik that had been to the mountain top before...when you are a coordinator at an SEC school and then a Big 12 school and a key reason for TWO back to back undefeated seasons...well, you know what it takes. Johnny Orr is the last coach we hired that came with the kind of credentials that Chizik came with.

Viva la Chizik!!

For once I wish you would not compare the two to try to look GMac look bad. For starters, we don't know for sure if our football "system" is going to result in big changes in the win column yet (obviously we hope it will). Also, we have a lot of guys that have been here for years with the football team that makes it easier. Basketball didn't have that luxury when the Wayne Train left town with all of his players in tow. And because there are only 5 players in basketball, it hurts a little more when a good chunk of them bail for various freak reasons.

I think Chizik was a great hire, but to compare his and Orr's hiring is a joke. Orr had been there as a HEAD coach, not an ASSISTANT. You could make the argument that Morgan and Chizik had similar credentials as Wayne had been an assistant at a great program with Syracuse. I think Chizik and McDermott will both lead us to new heights, and wish you'd calm down a little bit and not use anything you can to pick at the basketball program.

**Bobber** · 07-13-2008, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by tigershoops31

I think Chizik was a great hire, but to compare his and Orr's hiring is a joke. Orr had been there as a HEAD coach, not an ASSISTANT. You could make the argument that Morgan and Chizik had similar credentials as Wayne had been an assistant at a great program with Syracuse. I think Chizik and McDermott will both lead us to new heights, and wish you'd calm down a little bit and not use anything you can to pick at the basketball program.

Great comparison.

Cyclonedrum1 is pretty consistent and anybody who reads his posts about the basketball program knows he has an axe to grind, so really his comments should not surprise you. For the most part I just skip over what he has to say about that area.

**StLouisClone** · 07-13-2008, 10:57 AM

Originally Posted by cyclonenum1

Maybe our MBB coach should take note. The FB team has to play 22 guys and they can get their system pretty much in place in just a little over a year but for some reason with our MBB team, which only has to play 5 guys, the implementation of the "system" is going to take 3-6 years.

Why can't you be happy with both our coaches? They are both young and improving. By the way, McDermott has been far more successful than Chizik so far (and an argument could be made that the MBB team was in worse shape when he started). The Big 12 may have been the top conference in the nation last year in both basketball and football... so let's be equally patient on both men.

McDermott 29-34 0.460
Chizik 3-9 0.250

**Aclone** · 07-13-2008, 11:40 AM

Originally Posted by ISUclones33

But i dont think we drop off in talent level ANYWHERE except maybe Alvin Bowen.

I'm going to quote you here...

Originally Posted by ISUclones33

Cameron Bell is a freak...

and...

Originally Posted by ISUclones33

Fred Garrin is showing some shine....Bibbs i can also see making some BIG plays for us, he is very versatile.

Originally Posted by cyclonenum1

Maybe our MBB coach should take note. The FB team has to play 22 guys and they can get their system pretty much in place in just a little over a year but for some reason with our MBB team, which only has to play 5 guys, the implementation of the "system" is going to take 3-6 years.

Absolutely, positively no reason to take shots at McDermott here. Especially since it's only been two years. I'll also add, as someone else already pointed out, comparing Orr and Chizik is entirely erroneous. A more apt comparison would be suddenly discovering that, say, Frank Beamer was underpaid, and taking advantage of the situation.

Originally Posted by cyclonenum1

Here is what I am excited about:

#1 - Having a new QB. Although our last QB certainly appeared to be a nice kid, I am looking forward to seeing someone that progresses rather than regresses at this position.

Regresses? I'm looking forward to a quarterback who has a decent line in front of him, and isn't constantly running for his life!

Originally Posted by ketelmeister

The one thing I like the most about Chizik...if he sees a screw up, or lack of talent, he addresses it. We needed a FG kicker, he gives 2 schollys, we need a returner, he gets one. He's a quick learn.

Yes, but the pass rushing end and prototypical left tackle got away...to KU and NU, respectively.

Originally Posted by clonedude

As for 33's comments about Bass.... I couldn't agree more. ARob proved he is going to be good for us this year, but JJ Bass was having a great year before getting injured.

I think that a lot of people forget how good J.J. was before hurting his shoulder--they don't make the distinction between the two. Speed, power and grace--and he hit the hole with authority. Hopefully there'll be some bigger holes this season to be hitting--but first--hitting the books with authority.

Originally Posted by Bobber

For the most part I just skip over what he has to say about that area.

Now you tell me?

**CyValley** · 07-13-2008, 02:41 PM

Originally Posted by clonedude

. . . ARob proved he is going to be good for us this year, but JJ Bass was having a great year before getting injured. I think he could still be our best all around RB going into the year. ARob is a great speed back, but JJ has the complete package. I love having both guys though!!!

When reading comments here about our RBs, I can't shake the recollection I have of remarks that Coach McFarland reportedly made at the post-signing day gathering in Council Bluffs last February. Mac said he expects A-Rob to be our featured back this fall. He knows something, I'm assuming. . . . (smile)

(Mac also said (reportedly) that our LBs are fast but handicapped a bit by inexperience. . . .)

**clonedude** · 07-13-2008, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by CyValley

When reading comments here about our RBs, I can't shake the recollection I have of remarks that Coach McFarland reportedly made at the post-signing day gathering in Council Bluffs last February. Mac said he expects A-Rob to be our featured back this fall. He knows something, I'm assuming. . . . (smile)

(Mac also said (reportedly) that our LBs are fast but handicapped a bit by inexperience. . . .)

Of course ARob is our featured back.... we don't even know for sure if JJ will make it back or not? But if JJ does make it back, it will be a good battle IMO.