Lazard

[Section110]

Lazard has great hands and doesn't drop the ball. He might actually start given that alone. I think CPR and MM have zero tolerance anymore for wr's who continue to drop balls they should catch. Bundrage dropped a couple right to him in spring game although a couple where thrown prob way to hard and a little high. Lazard is a huge target and like others have said runs great routes. At the least I can see him as a true red zone threat split out with Bibbs and QB and maybe quan west at the other TE. That's like (4) targets that are all at least 6'4.

Let's wait to see how he adjusts to this level of football before we start to make statements like this. I agree with most of what you are saying, but to make a blanket statement like "He doesn't drop balls" is ridiculous considering he hasn't even played a single game at this level. He is one of the most talented kids on the team as soon as he steps foot onto the field. There's no doubt about that. Adjusting to the playbook, the speed of the game, and the pressure of playing in front of a raucous crowd is a different story.

One thing I can guarantee you is that even Allen Lazard will drop some catchable balls. He is still human you realize?

 

[jkclone]

First off the key to this question is understanding his work ethic. I am not a scout or anything but since I went to school with him and have watched him more than almost anyone of you I will tell you this. He is either going to be great or honestly bad. When the quarterback could throw it to him where he could catch it he was absolutely spectacular. When he couldn't throw the ball more than 5 yards Lazard would all but disappear.

In other words I don't think you see him play and do average. I think he starts and is really great, but I wouldn't rule out him redshirting completely.

Let's wait to see how he adjusts to this level of football before we start to make statements like this. I agree with most of what you are saying, but to make a blanket statement like "He doesn't drop balls" is ridiculous considering he hasn't even played a single game at this level. He is one of the most talented kids on the team as soon as he steps foot onto the field. There's no doubt about that. Adjusting to the playbook, the speed of the game, and the pressure of playing in front of a raucous crowd is a different story.

One thing I can guarantee you is that even Allen Lazard will drop some catchable balls. He is still human you realize?

To your point though Urbandale honestly had a pretty bad quarterback and when the ball was catchable he almost always caught it. Of course he will drop some but I don't think we see the type of drops we have been accustomed to seeing.

 

[Section110]

First off the key to this question is understanding his work ethic. I am not a scout or anything but since I went to school with him and have watched him more than almost anyone of you I will tell you this. He is either going to be great or honestly bad. When the quarterback could throw it to him where he could catch it he was absolutely spectacular. When he couldn't throw the ball more than 5 yards Lazard would all but disappear.

In other words I don't think you see him play and do average. I think he starts and is really great, but I wouldn't rule out him redshirting completely.

To your point though Urbandale honestly had a pretty bad quarterback and when the ball was catchable he almost always caught it. Of course he will drop some but I don't think we see the type of drops we have been accustomed to seeing.

Thanks for the insight. I haven't seen him play once so you know much more than I.

My main point is centered around the caliber of football that he's playing. The question about him redshirting or immediately contributing will revolve solely around his ability to adjust to this level of competition. While 4A ball in Iowa is as good as it gets it is nothing compared to what he will be facing this fall. Just look at how many defensive backs out of Iowa high schools have received D1 scholarships lately... Or save yourself some time and don't look because I can tell you the answer is very few. The Rogers kid from Iowa City that went to ISU and has since left the team is the last one that comes to mind.

It's always more difficult to catch the football when you can't run faster and jump higher than every single person you're matched up against. Now he might still be able to do that against some guys, but the coverage will no doubt be much tighter. Plus the game is played at a faster pace and the pressure is much more intense. Even making a wide open catch on 3rd down in a big situation, in an intense environment is something that he will need to maintain his focus on. It isn't hard for a young man with little experience to think about where he's going to run before he makes the catch, and then ends up dropping it. At this level the little things matter much more. He already has enough pressure on him just because of who he is. There's no need to make the expectations unrealistic.

 

[Cycopath]

Lazard better start and get us yards.

 

[jkclone]

Thanks for the insight. I haven't seen him play once so you know much more than I.

My main point is centered around the caliber of football that he's playing. The question about him redshirting or immediately contributing will revolve solely around his ability to adjust to this level of competition. While 4A ball in Iowa is as good as it gets it is nothing compared to what he will be facing this fall. Just look at how many defensive backs out of Iowa high schools have received D1 scholarships lately... Or save yourself some time and don't look because I can tell you the answer is very few. The Rogers kid from Iowa City that went to ISU and has since left the team is the last one that comes to mind.

It's always more difficult to catch the football when you can't run faster and jump higher than every single person you're matched up against. Now he might still be able to do that against some guys, but the coverage will no doubt be much tighter. Plus the game is played at a faster pace and the pressure is much more intense. Even making a wide open catch on 3rd down in a big situation, in an intense environment is something that he will need to maintain his focus on. It isn't hard for a young man with little experience to think about where he's going to run before he makes the catch, and then ends up dropping it. At this level the little things matter much more. He already has enough pressure on him just because of who he is. There's no need to make the expectations unrealistic.

I don't disagree with you. I'm optimistic and everything and I truly think he will be great. What I meant though is that if he has the trouble adjusting I think he redshirts. If he doesn't have as much trouble then he will start and be really good.

I think the biggest key is to make sure he is vocal enough. I don't remember exactly but I think he was targeted once during the all american bowl and it wasn't a great play. You compare that to the other players and one was targeted most of the time. Now some of that is just due to the situation, but he is smart and will work hard, but you also have to make sure you work to get him into stuff. He won't be the best leader but if you get a great leader like Mangino that can make sure he gets what he needs he can be really successful.

I would kind of compare him to Aaron White. He isn't going to lead a team, but he will work hard and in a good situation he can be great. The difference is Aaron White doesn't have a good situation as they really had no established leader and I think Iowa State football does.

 

[Section110]

I don't disagree with you. I'm optimistic and everything and I truly think he will be great. What I meant though is that if he has the trouble adjusting I think he redshirts. If he doesn't have as much trouble then he will start and be really good.

I think the biggest key is to make sure he is vocal enough. I don't remember exactly but I think he was targeted once during the all american bowl and it wasn't a great play. You compare that to the other players and one was targeted most of the time. Now some of that is just due to the situation, but he is smart and will work hard, but you also have to make sure you work to get him into stuff. He won't be the best leader but if you get a great leader like Mangino that can make sure he gets what he needs he can be really successful.

I would kind of compare him to Aaron White. He isn't going to lead a team, but he will work hard and in a good situation he can be great. The difference is Aaron White doesn't have a good situation as they really had no established leader and I think Iowa State football does.

I don't disagree that Iowa's basketball team had no leader on the court. That became obvious during their epic collapse to end the season. They had no go to guy. No one who's play raised the effort of the others around him. No one who was comfortable in the biggest moments of the game.

However, I'm not sure you can honestly say Iowa State's football team has an established leader on the field either when you consider their recent results. Who's Iowa State's established leader? It hasn't come from the QB position for quite some time. It's been a problem on defense since Klein and Knott left. I would say Farniok is probably the most obvious answer on offense. I'm just not sure it's a good thing for an offense when your best leader is on the line. In a perfect world it would always be your QB.

 

[jkclone]

I don't disagree that Iowa's basketball team had no leader on the court. That became obvious during their epic collapse to end the season. They had no go to guy. No one who's play raised the effort of the others around him. No one who was comfortable in the biggest moments of the game.

However, I'm not sure you can honestly say Iowa State's football team has an established leader on the field either when you consider their recent results. Who's Iowa State's established leader? It hasn't come from the QB position for quite some time. It's been a problem on defense since Klein and Knott left. I would say Farniok is probably the most obvious answer on offense. I'm just not sure it's a good thing for an offense when your best leader is on the line. In a perfect world it would always be your QB.

I didn't mean a player that is a leader. I meant Mangino and Rhoads. I think McCaffery is a good coach but he isn't someone who is going to be the leader. Rhoads and Mangino can be that leader. Maybe I'm wrong and we need a player to be that leader. I look to Saban or Coach K and their teams don't really have leaders they have a bunch of Lazard type players who can come together under a leader.

 

[Section110]

If you are considering Rhoads a leader then I have a pretty difficult time understanding why you wouldn't consider McCaffery a leader. In terms of success he's had a heck of a lot more than Rhoads or Mangino as a head coach.

 

[ExCYteMe]

Lazard is going to play this year. Didn't Rhoads basically say he was during the announcement of the new class?

 

[Frak]

I think that it would be dumb to redshirt him. If a player is good enough to play, you play him. We all lamented how it was a waste to play David Irving as a TRFR and look where that got us. You play everyone who is good enough and worry about recruiting to fill his spot later. There's no guarantee that someone is going to be on campus for four years.

I see Lazard being a rotation player most of the year. Specific situations...goal line fades, third down jump balls on the sideline. Maybe by mid year he steps into the starting lineup. That would depend on his route running and blocking

 

[ribsnwhiskey]

If you are considering Rhoads a leader then I have a pretty difficult time understanding why you wouldn't considering McCaffery a leader. In terms of success he's had a heck of a lot more than Rhoads or Mangino as a head coach.

I know you're just a hok troll, but that is a laughable statement considering the debacle that just happened this season. Besides, comparing football and basketball coaches is just dumb.

And by the way, what's with all the hok chest thumping about football anyway? You idiots are 1 year removed from a 4-8 season, lost to lowly ISU 2 years in a row, yet you act like it never happened and never will happen again. What happens if/when the wheels fall off again in the next couple years? You are as bad as KU basketball fans, but they've at least earned some of it.

 

[Section110]

I agree Frak. If I'm Rhoads I wouldn't hesitate to play him. Work him into the rotation and get him experience. Whether he makes a big impact as a freshman or not it will be valuable experience. It isn't like the team is in a position to leave a player with his ability on the bench. They need help and they need it now. Saving him for later wouldn't make any sense.

 

[CornFedIABoy]

If you are considering Rhoads a leader then I have a pretty difficult time understanding why you wouldn't consider McCaffery a leader. In terms of success he's had a heck of a lot more than Rhoads or Mangino as a head coach.

No, just no. Fran more success than Rhoads? Maybe, probably. Heck of a lot more than Mangino? No. Mangino took Kansas... KANSAS... to the Orange Bowl. McCaffrey can't even get his best team into the NCAA Tournament.

 

[Section110]

I know you're just a hok troll, but that is a laughable statement considering the debacle that just happened this season. Besides, comparing football and basketball coaches is just dumb.

And by the way, what's with all the hok chest thumping about football anyway? You idiots are 1 year removed from a 4-8 season, lost to lowly ISU 2 years in a row, yet you act like it never happened and never will happen again. What happens if/when the wheels fall off again in the next couple years? You are as bad as KU basketball fans, but they've at least earned some of it.

4-8 two seasons ago with a ton of turnover in the coaching staff and players learning an entirely new offense. Funny how you fail to mention the 8-4 turnaround. The wheels aren't going to fall off this year because of who is returning and the easy schedule. Scherff's decision was huge because in my opinion the coaches pulled some scholarships that they usually allotted for offensive lineman and gave them to WR's because they needed to improve that position so much. Then again, any time a guy who will probably be drafted in the top 10 decides to come back it's a big deal. Most Hawk fans are confident about the upcoming season because of the schedule. There's finally a lot of depth at RB, some talent emerging at WR, consistency at the QB position, and a defense that has always been a strength will continue to be a strength. There's a lot to be excited about.

I didn't start the football/basketball comparison. I said if you're going to make that comparison then it doesn't make any sense to say McCaffery isn't a leader. Whether or not they lost in the first round of the NCAA he still brought them there for the first time in forever. He's turned the program around from when he got there in terms of wins. Mangino failed as a head coach, and Rhoads has gone backwards in terms of wins. How can those two be leaders and McCaffery isn't? That just doesn't make a single bit of sense.

 

[Section110]

No, just no. Fran more success than Rhoads? Maybe, probably. Heck of a lot more than Mangino? No. Mangino took Kansas... KANSAS... to the Orange Bowl. McCaffrey can't even get his best team into the NCAA Tournament.

Where's Mangino at now?

 

[Cy Hard]

Where's Mangino at now?

Duh.....at Iowa State. Let's see Mangino (the head coach) overall record 50-48, 3-1 in bowls, BCS Bowl winner, National Coach of the Year 2007. Fran Mcaffrey pverall 325-240, 2-4 NCAA record never advancing out of the first weekend and no NCAA wins, conference championships, anything really at current school. But keep beating your uh whatever.

 

[VeloClone]

...Whether or not they lost in the play in game* of the NCAA he still brought them there for the first time in forever...

*or pig tail game if you take the wrestling route

 

[jkclone]

I didn't start the football/basketball comparison. I said if you're going to make that comparison then it doesn't make any sense to say McCaffery isn't a leader. Whether or not they lost in the first round of the NCAA he still brought them there for the first time in forever. He's turned the program around from when he got there in terms of wins. Mangino failed as a head coach, and Rhoads has gone backwards in terms of wins. How can those two be leaders and McCaffery isn't? That just doesn't make a single bit of sense.

The fact that you try and debate this is laughable. Winning doesn't mean you are a great leader even if it did I would at worst put Rhoads success on par with McCaffery. Even then it is hard to compare success between the sports.

You are also the one who started the success comparison. All that was being compared was how they coach. Rhoads and Mangino are leaders whether they are successful or not. McCaffery can win 10 straight national titles and he still probably wouldn't be a leader. It has everything to do with style of coaching and nothing to do with success.

 

[ribsnwhiskey]

4-8 two seasons ago with a ton of turnover in the coaching staff and players learning an entirely new offense. Funny how you fail to mention the 8-4 turnaround. The wheels aren't going to fall off this year because of who is returning and the easy schedule. Scherff's decision was huge because in my opinion the coaches pulled some scholarships that they usually allotted for offensive lineman and gave them to WR's because they needed to improve that position so much. Then again, any time a guy who will probably be drafted in the top 10 decides to come back it's a big deal. Most Hawk fans are confident about the upcoming season because of the schedule. There's finally a lot of depth at RB, some talent emerging at WR, consistency at the QB position, and a defense that has always been a strength will continue to be a strength. There's a lot to be excited about.

I didn't start the football/basketball comparison. I said if you're going to make that comparison then it doesn't make any sense to say McCaffery isn't a leader. Whether or not they lost in the first round of the NCAA he still brought them there for the first time in forever. He's turned the program around from when he got there in terms of wins. Mangino failed as a head coach, and Rhoads has gone backwards in terms of wins. How can those two be leaders and McCaffery isn't? That just doesn't make a single bit of sense.

You don't know much outside your **** and dirt colored world, do you?

 

[dualthreat]

I think that it would be dumb to redshirt him. If a player is good enough to play, you play him. We all lamented how it was a waste to play David Irving as a TRFR and look where that got us. You play everyone who is good enough and worry about recruiting to fill his spot later. There's no guarantee that someone is going to be on campus for four years.

I see Lazard being a rotation player most of the year. Specific situations...goal line fades, third down jump balls on the sideline. Maybe by mid year he steps into the starting lineup. That would depend on his route running and blocking

It wouldn't shock me if Lazard was only our 5th best receiver on August 30th. (Bundrage, Bibbs, Montgomery, West) and maybe he isn't head and shoulders above Dondre Daley and PJ Harris, who may be pretty good in there own right.