Evaluating position groups this year vs. last year

[Aclone]

Re: Evaluatiing position groups this year vs. last year

Then call it what it is, blind speculation. Saying it's an evaluation is just false advertising.

So, you can't evaluate how pregnant a woman is, without having been pregnant yourself? Just curious...

 

[Cyhart]

Re: Evaluatiing position groups this year vs. last year

So, back on topic......
I am hopeful that this is the year the offense takes a BIG leap forward. The pieces are there. It really boils down to quarterback. If we can get good QB play, we can be scary. I think the OL will be better than last year.
Yes, the defense will probably take a step back. But,, lucky for us, the wizard Wally is at the helm. That makes me feel better. And, if the offense is as good as I hope they will be, the defense taking a step back wont hurt us. At the end of the day, you have to score points in the Big 12.

 

[demoncore1031]

Re: Evaluatiing position groups this year vs. last year

Offense-

QB- I see a good chance for this group to be improved over last year. Granted, we are young, but I think both Richardson and Rohach are more accurate passers than Jantz and Barnett were. Give me a guy that can complete passes anyday over someone that's only good at scrambling and running.

RB- I also think this group will be better than last year. Yes, we probably won't have Shontrelle, but another year under James White, Jeff Woody, and Devondrick Nealy's belts will all make them better, and I think Wimberly will help us a lot too. And the Pistol will also help the run game IMO.

WR- This group, IMO, will be about the same as last year. Yes, we are young and inexperienced, but I think these young guys also will bring some added size to this group that could offset their lack of experience. So although it hurts to lose some of the guys from last year, I see big potential from Bundrage, Daley, Quan West, Ecby, PJ Harris, etc.

TE- This could really be a special group. Anytime you can put Brun and Bibbs on the field together, that spells trouble for the opposition IMO.

OL- This is a mystery to me. Someone with more knowledge of the O-line might be able to help me here. I think it could be improved just based on the fact we have some guys returning and hopefully Dika is back too.... along with a new and hopefully improved OL coach too. If this group can be improved over last year, I think the offense can put up some points.


Defense-

DE- I don't see much improvement here. Willie Scott and David Irving don't get me all that excited. Neither guy has shown much in terms of getting pressure on the QB. Scott is undersized, and Irving seems slow off the ball and still has a lot to learn. Hopefully Cory Morrissey and Nick Kron are improved this year?

DT- Big drop off here from last year IMO. McDonough and Laing were beasts. Going into spring, we have a RS freshmen (Bevins) and Jensen listed as starters. I'm sorry, but that is a big drop off folks. Nothing against Bevins because I think he could end up being an All Big 12 performer before he's done here, but he's just so young right now. Krick and Aka also have no experience really either. Walter Woods is ok, but hasn't shown much impact.

LB- As big of a drop off as DT or more IMO. Lose 2 of the best ISU LBs ever and replace them with mostly inexperienced youngsters. Rhoads said last week that this is probably our thinnest group on the team right now. Kinda scary.

Safety- This actually could be the strongest position group on the team. Led by Washington and Broomfield, they will be very solid. Mutcherson sounds like he's a stud as well. Cliff Stokes has also been moved here, and he played quite a bit last year at CB for us, so he's experienced as well.

CB- I also think this group could be improved over last year as well. Jansen Watson is really good and guys like Sam Richarson, Damien Lawry, and Charlie Rodgers all look really good too IMO.


I think it's obvious from this assessment that our success could very well depend on our front 7 on defense, the OL, the young WR's, and of course the QB, which is always the most important every year. I feel good about our RB's, TE's, Safeties, and Cornerbacks.

I think we'll do ok against the pass, as long as the opposing QB doesn't have all day to throw it. I worry about our rush defense immensely though. Tulsa ran all over us and were more physical, and that was with McDonough and Laing in there. We will be worse up front this year IMO. That's just scary to even think about.

I think 2014 could be a good year, but I see next year as kinda rough going for the defense especially. Thoughts?

thats just it though. we NEVER have a solid pass rush, so the opposing QBs WILL have all day to throw... personally, i think jensen has the potential to be as good as mcdonough. hard working kid who just keeps bulking up. i like the experience and athleticism in the secondary. we have a very talented group of RBs. other than that, all other positions are a question mark

 

[CarlHungus]

Re: Evaluatiing position groups this year vs. last year

I think that Richardson could have a special year (assuming he is our starting QB) if the O-line improves and gives him time. That was a bigger problem last year than our QB play was, but that's just my "blind speculation"

 

[CalClone3000]

Re: Evaluatiing position groups this year vs. last year

If you were seeing the same thing in the mirror, you wouldn't be able to either.

It is a progressive disease - has neurological implications and can lead to blindness and insanity if untreated. I'd go see a doctor about that . . .

 

[CalClone3000]

Re: Evaluatiing position groups this year vs. last year

I am optimistic for improvement in all areas of the game offensively. Defensively, I am concerned for the DL and LB positions. However, we kept hearing last year about all of the guys that we were able to rotate in on the D Line during games. And when I look at the roster, we did not lose that many (though I understand the ones we did lose were BIG contributors). So wondering if the D Line is really going to see the meltdown that some think is possible? Thoughts?

 

[clonedude]

Re: Evaluatiing position groups this year vs. last year

I am optimistic for improvement in all areas of the game offensively. Defensively, I am concerned for the DL and LB positions. However, we kept hearing last year about all of the guys that we were able to rotate in on the D Line during games. And when I look at the roster, we did not lose that many (though I understand the ones we did lose were BIG contributors). So wondering if the D Line is really going to see the meltdown that some think is possible? Thoughts?

I don't know enough about the youngsters on the DL to really comment, but maybe someone else has? It sounds like Bevins is going to be a beast, it's just a matter of how long it takes. Can he be one right off the bat, or not?

I also like Pierre Aka too, but he came in as a DE and we turned him into a DT, so I'm not sure size-wise if he's ready yet or not? I have no idea.

The one guy that I wish was on the two deeps is Devlyn Cousin. I had high hopes for him. Hopefully he can contribute too.

But we are going to be very young and inexperienced. Usually not a good combination. Especially on the DL. You can get by better with young RBs or WRs than you can young DL.

 

[longtimeclone]

Re: Evaluatiing position groups this year vs. last year

I think that Richardson could have a special year (assuming he is our starting QB) if the O-line improves and gives him time. That was a bigger problem last year than our QB play was, but that's just my "blind speculation"

From someone who wasn't blind last year, I think some of it was on the line but I think there were times when SJ was feeling a little rush and would make bad decisions. I think for this years team to be successful it will ultimately be on the offense. I don't think we will be able to rely on our defense as much if our offense lays several eggs over a game.

 

[CyValley]

Re: Evaluatiing position groups this year vs. last year

OL - Last fall during the season, CPR said OLinemen in the spring would move to their natural positions, OGs Gannon and Lichtenberg to OT (where each is listed at a starting tackle now). Insert big, powerful (injury-plagued) Dika at left OG, pairing him with two of the Big 12s best (say coaches, right?), C Farniok and RG Tuftee, and the middle of the line becomes more powerful with guys made for those positions.

We all hope, with the OL realignment and new energy and techniques provided by Coach Klenakis, the OL will step forward in 2013. To me, the OLine is the key area on the 2013 squad: If it proves to be better, QB protection improves, running improves, drive length improves, all of which keep the green defense off the field longer.

Yeah, Coach K and his Big Dawgs are super critical this fall.

More so than in other years, the 2013 Cyclones, with all the new guys playing, will be a lot of fun to watch develop over the duration of the season. With all the "greenies", I don't have specific expectations. I'll be more relaxed this season rather than on the edge of my seat. I think I'll have more fun watching this team than CPR's four previous editions.

 

[kilroy]

Re: Evaluatiing position groups this year vs. last year

Well, this was a lot different than I thought it would have been...

Unfortantly this is excatly how I thought it would turn out. Everyone trying to talk sports and one giant D-bag being a horseass...

On player postion, every year CPR has a group that just comes out as a huge suprise. I cant feature who it will be this year but I cant wait to find out.

 

[RustShack]

Re: Evaluatiing position groups this year vs. last year

We have the guys on offense to be a lot better going forward, the problem is they are all very young. They have the potential to do it this year, there's just a chance it won't happen due to the inexperience. I'm confident Wally will find a way to field another good defense though. I think we go bowling again.

 

[RustShack]

Re: Evaluatiing position groups this year vs. last year

Oh and Cyphillis is a tool.

 

[heitclone]

Re: Evaluatiing position groups this year vs. last year

The strength of the coaching staff CPRs first 4 seasons was the defense, I expect that side of the ball to be similar to the last few years...a bend but don't break group. Conventional wisdom would say the offense should be improved with some more experience under their belt. The Oline and QB will be where the biggest strides will need to be made.

 

[DurangoCy]

Re: Evaluatiing position groups this year vs. last year

I'm terrified of watching games where the other team runs 40 times and averages 5-6ypc. If we can keep other teams from gouging our run defense I think we're in the 5-8 win range, if not could be a long year.

 

[Aclone]

Re: Evaluatiing position groups this year vs. last year

I'm terrified of watching games where the other team runs 40 times and averages 5-6ypc. If we can keep other teams from gouging our run defense I think we're in the 5-8 win range, if not could be a long year.

When Klein and Knott were both heaqlthy, that didn't happen a whole lot last season. Once Jake went down, it became a problem. I think a lot depends on how well whoever our new linebackers prove to be play together.

 

[CarlHungus]

Re: Evaluatiing position groups this year vs. last year

Is Luke Knott supposed to see significant playing time this year?

 

[Aclone]

Re: Evaluatiing position groups this year vs. last year

Is Luke Knott supposed to see significant playing time this year?

What do you mean by "supposed to"? He's a redshirt freshman, he's listed as second team, and it's the start of Spring drills. I'm not sure how anyone can make such a determination at this point.

 

[Snyder21]

Re: Evaluatiing position groups this year vs. last year

I'm very excited for Aaron Wimberly next season. How do you think the carries are going to be given next year at RB?

 

[Psiclone]

Re: Evaluatiing position groups this year vs. last year

DL & LB corps are going to be the weak link based on youth/experience. Concern is teams controlling the clock via running the ball down our throats.

 

[isustrong]

Re: Evaluatiing position groups this year vs. last year

When Klein and Knott were both heaqlthy, that didn't happen a whole lot last season. Once Jake went down, it became a problem. I think a lot depends on how well whoever our new linebackers prove to be play together.

The problem is the offense needs to be on the field longer not 3 and done and give the D a chance to rest.