Lets Go Back in Time a Bit

**cybsball20** · 10-18-2008, 07:27 PM

To Mac's last recruiting class. I think alot of us were pretty concerned by the lack of HS linemen recruits, right? We had Hulbert, a project and Vargas who has since been dismissed. Now, who are we looking at to lead the line? Offensive line may be the hardest spot to fill in the gaps. Players need a good two years to develop in the weight room and on the field and Mac left us hanging with nobody... Give it time people, give it time...

**Aclone** · 10-18-2008, 07:34 PM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

We had Hulbert, a project and Vargas who has since been dismissed.

Don't forget Ben Lamaak, whom I suspsect though starting the last year and a half, is still building strength after being way undersized as a high school quarterback--I saw the tape, I don't think he'd ever been in a weight room.

The comparison is there to Iowa's offensive lines that were poor when freshmen and sophomores, and excelled when juniors and seniors. As in early in the decade, and how last year's unit has turned the corner with the exact same players.

That's how it'll work for us, too. This flux should start paying dividends next season.

**jaretac** · 10-18-2008, 07:34 PM

Think about this year's line compared to the '06 line. This line has a long way to go, but it is so much further ahead from before Chizik.

**goldmember** · 10-18-2008, 07:37 PM

Yep, the quality of talent this staff is signing is night and day better. The last 2 years of the Big 12 have been the conferences best. The north is light years ahead of where it was just a few years back. The very notion people are down on Chizik after 1.5 years on the job is absurd. Mac Carney had 12 years, and left the program with no depth at line positions. We are playing 11 freshmen!! What does that say about the talent Gene inherited, but at the same time the outlook for the future?

**Aclone** · 10-18-2008, 07:40 PM

Originally Posted by jaretac

Think about this year's line compared to the '06 line. This line has a long way to go, but it is so much further ahead from before Chizik.

I was watching the game tape of the '01 Iowa-ISU game, and it really struck me how incredibly far downhill the line went after the likes of Marcel Howard completed their eligibility. On the other hand, these young guys are a whole lot better athletes than tht bunch. They just need the seasoning.

Scott Haughton is probably a better o-line prospect than ANYONE Mac signed over his twelve years, and some of the other guys aren't all that far behind. And Chizik is still buildng.

**Wesley** · 10-19-2008, 09:09 PM

Nebraska has the same woes. Some games they cannot run the ball no matter what they do. Maybe running is taking a back seat when th qbs Are sometimes the leading rushers. Guess who the leading rusher is in the Big 12?

**cyfan15** · 10-19-2008, 09:45 PM

The only scholarship offensive linemen in the program when Chizik took over were Anthony Walker, Lee Tibbs, Tom Schmeling, Brandon Johnson, Joe Vanstrom, Reggie Stephens, Matt Hulbert, and converted TE Ben Lamaak. That's not a lot to work with. It will take a few years to have a good line, but the development of Lamaak, Hulbert, and Stephens and young guys like Haughton, Osemele, Alvarez, Baysinger, Hicks, Burris, and Carpenter if we can get him provide promise for the future.

**joefrog** · 10-19-2008, 09:52 PM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

To Mac's last recruiting class. I think alot of us were pretty concerned by the lack of HS linemen recruits, right? We had Hulbert, a project and Vargas who has since been dismissed. Now, who are we looking at to lead the line? Offensive line may be the hardest spot to fill in the gaps. Players need a good two years to develop in the weight room and on the field and Mac left us hanging with nobody... Give it time people, give it time...

Finally somebody gets it. I would imagine a lot of our O-line doesn't even have "adult strength" yet. That takes time. They don't seem to make a whole lot of mistakes, like false starts or holding penalties, so I think that they are being well coached at least.

It appears to me that ISU is weak at the D-tackles, O-line, and at the safety positions. Those are not the places you want to have problems. ISU can't stay on the field on O, and can't get off the field on D. Not good.

I am still going to go to the home games and watch the away games if I can. I think better days are ahead for ISU, and the team needs our support to help recruit guys to make this thing better in the future.

**ajk4st8** · 10-19-2008, 09:55 PM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

To Mac's last recruiting class. I think alot of us were pretty concerned by the lack of HS linemen recruits, right? We had Hulbert, a project and Vargas who has since been dismissed. Now, who are we looking at to lead the line? Offensive line may be the hardest spot to fill in the gaps. Players need a good two years to develop in the weight room and on the field and Mac left us hanging with nobody... Give it time people, give it time...

Woah... where are all the debbie downers now? Someone makes a complete rational point and there is NOTHING to dispute it.

**ISUFan22** · 10-19-2008, 09:57 PM

The fact is, I've watched our offense regress from where we left off last year. Both in execution and play calling. Sure, I'm aware it takes time.

It's also inexcusable to watch our offense continue to put up 2 of 13 on 3rd down performances.

**gocubs2118** · 10-19-2008, 09:59 PM

I miss Bret Meyer a lot more than I thought I ever would. At least he was a threat to throw the ball down field. I am sick of the 6 yard routes on 3rd and 8.