030310 spring focus - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
"But it’s never easy to replace 135 tackles.".... I second that, he will be missed.
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030310 spring focus - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
"But it’s never easy to replace 135 tackles.".... I second that, he will be missed.
alvin bowen we replaced with j smith in tackles... it will happen again... we just reload here at ISU. :)
Didnt Bowen average like 15 a game? If so i'd say we almost replaced him
Klein and Knott are a promising duo in the linebacker position. I've got a good feeling they'll step up this year
Don't forget our MLB Taufoou. Overall our starting LB cords is faster and more athletic which is a plus. Plus they were all here last year, so they will know the scheme better than what the three last year did going into it. Though don't have the experience, but they have the ability to make up for it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cyched
Coaches said last night that Klein, Knott, and Lattimore will probably start, and Taufoou will be a back up.
What, if anything, was said about the defensive line?Quote:
Originally Posted by clonesalltheway
I fully expect Klein and Knott to start with Benton reprising his role as the nickel back. IMO he did a good job there last year and there's more than enough competition at CB to replace Banks. Lattimore will be the part-time starter at SAM with Taufoou, Hamlin and possibly Morton as backups.
I keep Benton at NB because first off, he's already as big or bigger than any of the incoming FR (George, Mattison, Morgan, Bennett) and he has experience there. O'Connell would be the backup. At CB opposite LJ, they have an open competition between Young, Washington and Brooks (late JC who redshirted last year). Also backing up at CB would be Reeves and Watson.
I agree, Benton has to be the favorite at NB going into spring ball. It's well documented that he was worked extremely hard to come back from his leg injury and he really played well in the bowl game.
I am really cautiously optimistic about our Linebackers as well. Really like what I see in Klein and Knott. The JC guys should give us a solid contribution, and I liked what I saw out of Hamlin in mop-up time as well. I think (hope) Wally and the defense will be a pleasant surprise again.
Wally said Brooks is moving over to safetyQuote:
Originally Posted by Frak
Nothing in your statement is supported by fact. We don't know if those three are faster or more athletic. We know they made more tackles on punt and kickoff coverage last year...probably because they were on those teams. To say a 2nd year college player is going to know the scheme better than someone that has been watching film and playing similar schemes for 4-5 years is also ridiculous. I'm all for being optimistic, but I am not at all for being unrealistic which your post exhibits.Quote:
Originally Posted by RustShack
Wally himself has said that we have upgraded in speed at most positions on D. Seeing as Lb was one of our slowest most of us would assume this is what he was talking about. But i do agree that they won't know the defense better than last years starters. Sure they've seen more tape of it, and talked about it more. But I'm willing to bet that they still haven't actually practiced it more and they sure as hell don't have the game exp. Which is extremely valuable, esp if you're not as talented as the rest of the B12.Quote:
Originally Posted by Istate
I'm not disagreeing with you, but I would like to see where Coach burn has said that we've upgraded our speed or athleticism at LB. Jesse Smith wasn't a flier, but the other two kids were mildly undersized but pretty athletic.Quote:
Originally Posted by kcclone33
Those 2 kids are a couple of inches taller than Smith and already 10+ pounds heavier too. Jesse gave it his all and will be forever revered by State fans, but the above just isn't right per our roster all last year.Quote:
Originally Posted by Istate