Coach Burnham Comments

**jay moe** · 08-31-2009, 09:06 PM

Wally does not sound too pleased with where his defense is right now. Not that I am surprised, we all knew, that defensively, we had a lot of work to do. Hopefully we see progress in game 1 from where we were last year, and continued progress from game to game.

**ajk4st8** · 08-31-2009, 09:08 PM

I dont expect our defense to be good this year at all. I will settle for a smart defense... no longer having guys running 20 yards wide open down the field.

**rhillary** · 08-31-2009, 09:10 PM

I love the comments. I honestly think nothing good comes from hyping up (or even talking good about) your team in preseason. Now, no matter what happens, we look good compared to what Burnham said. No one is expecting us to light the world aflame on D, and I think he is just being honest.

Besides, Burnham strikes me as the old-school B.A. defensive coach. He ain't going to say anything nice about ya, he'd rather yell at you! And I LOVE it!

**jay moe** · 08-31-2009, 09:14 PM

You can tell his comments somewhat sound like he is playing possum, so to speak, but some of his other comments really hit home as genuine disappointment.

**cyclonestate** · 08-31-2009, 09:16 PM

Although the expectations are definately not high, there's no question in my mind that our defense will exceed them. Count on it!

**rhillary** · 08-31-2009, 09:18 PM

Originally Posted by cyclonestate

Although the expectations are definately not high, there's no question in my mind that our defense will exceed them. Count on it!

haha, I'd hope your right because my expectations are to not be a wet paper bag and give up 400+ years every game! Having some idea how to shed blocks, cover passes, and tackle would be nice!

**jay moe** · 08-31-2009, 09:19 PM

Originally Posted by rhillary

haha, I'd hope your right because my expectations are to not be a wet paper bag and give up 400+ years every game! Having some idea how to shed blocks, cover passes, and tackle would be nice!

Yes, that would definitely be refreshing.

**cyclonestate** · 08-31-2009, 09:24 PM

Oh yee of little faith. Our defense is so much more fundamentally sound than the last couple years, it isn't even close. They won't pitch any shutouts, but they'll make teams earn their points. I really do expect our opponent's scoring average to drop considerably.

**cyfan964** · 08-31-2009, 09:28 PM

where are these comments at? I somehow missed them.

**CycloneErik** · 08-31-2009, 09:29 PM

Originally Posted by cyclonestate

Oh yee of little faith. Our defense is so much more fundamentally sound than the last couple years, it isn't even close. They won't pitch any shutouts, but they'll make teams earn their points. I really do expect our opponent's scoring average to drop considerably.

As long as that one thing happens, we've made progress on the defense.

**arganbright2** · 08-31-2009, 09:32 PM

I don't think Burnham was expecting there to be a huge gap in the speed between the players he coached at USF and here at ISU. He had guys like Tyrone McKenzie and George Selvie on his defense and we have nowhere close to that luxury. Selvie could out run most of our secondary for those that haven't seen him play in person.

**zach** · 08-31-2009, 09:43 PM

Watching Coach B interviews, I agree, he knows it will be a long season for him. However, I think he will be much better than the last 2 years of D...I hope so anyway. Hard to imagine it worse quite honestly...I am being totally honest here as the last group of coaches were terrible.

Z

**PlanoClone** · 08-31-2009, 09:50 PM

Originally Posted by cyclonestate

Oh yee of little faith. Our defense is so much more fundamentally sound than the last couple years, it isn't even close. They won't pitch any shutouts, but they'll make teams earn their points. I really do expect our opponent's scoring average to drop considerably.

I'm as excited as anybody but how can you say we are "much more fundamentally sound than the last couple of years..." when we haven't even played one down of live ball yet? Love the optimism but...

**Clone_12** · 08-31-2009, 09:51 PM

I like the honesty from our coaches to this point...

**cybsball20** · 08-31-2009, 09:54 PM

Originally Posted by arganbright2

I don't think Burnham was expecting there to be a huge gap in the speed between the players he coached at USF and here at ISU. He had guys like Tyrone McKenzie and George Selvie on his defense and we have nowhere close to that luxury. Selvie could out run most of our secondary for those that haven't seen him play in person.

This is by far the least talented group he has EVER coached, including the disaster at South Carolina... It will be a big test of his coaching ability...