2008

[jahfg]

So now that this season is officially over, I think it is now OK to look forward to next season.

Returning on offense:
QB-Arnaud, Bates
RB-Robinson, Bass, Scales
WR-Hamilton, Sumrall
OL-Dedrick, Stephens, Johnson, Schmelling, Lamaak
TE-Catlett

Defense:
DL-Parker, Taylor
LB- Smith
DB-Singleton, McDowell, Brown, Johnson, Hunley, Bell

Those are the ones I could think of off the top of my head. That looks like a solid list of players. Defense worries me a little without Bowen, Banks, and Tuba especially since even with these guys, we weren't that good of a defense.

 

[ISUFan22]

I agree, we should be stronger on offense than we are defense - but we've been saying that for a few years now and it seems the other way around - or at least the units are even.

We should see Messiah at WR too I would think, unless one of the young guys bumps him out.

We're going to need some of those D-line redshirts we have on the team this year to step up next fall.

I love Hamilton and I think he is absolutely going to shine for us next fall.

 

[jahfg]

I think we opened up the playbook a little more by the end of the season. I think having one year under their belt will really help the offense next season. But like you said, we have thought we would be good on offense for awhile now, and we have yet to put together a good season (2005 may be an exception).

 

[ripvdub]

Our offense wont be too much different than it was this year. I think Marquis will be the kind of player Ed Williams wouldve been if he had tried a darn.

Hopefully Jerrod Black and someone else will step up in the off season and get bigger and stronger so we can fill the holes up the middle. Having Leaders and Curvey a couple years ago clogging up the middle makes everyone better.

 

[MNclone]

I'm quite interested to see how all these players that are redshirted turn out.
I'm also curious to see how Bates fits into the whole scheme. I've been rather dissapointed with how he was used this year. The only time he stepped on the field was for a gadget play, and they keyed on him. He had the catch against Iowa, and that is it. Wonder if we will see him at QB, or if he will be switched to WR full time.

 

[ISUFan22]

The first half of this season was used learning the new system, players learning the coach's expectations and coaches learning player's abilities and limitations.

Next fall we aught to be able to hit the ground running, integrate some new guys, toss in some new wrinkles and party on.

 

[CTTB78]

I think the D-line is in drastic need. It will be interesting to see how many JC kids Gene signs this year.

 

[arganbright2]

The D-Line is going to be stacked for a few years to come. All I keep hearing about is Jerrod Black and how this dude is going to be a freak on the D-line. Him along with the 4 guys that have committed so far (Robertson, McDonough, Guillory, Marshall) and we should be good to go.

 

[ISUclones33]

we will really miss Braaksma and Tuba... Ace and Banks will be sorely missed as well WE had speed at LB this year, minus Smith and it really helped us string out runs. Fred Garrin will be pretty good for us but we are going to need some people to step it up. James Smith is solid, Allen Bell has been nicked up by injuires this year, he will be good next year. Devin McDowell is getting better. Only time will tell........ ohh boy its going to be a long wait

 

[woodie]

everyone keeps forgetting that we have a defensive lineman that started all of his freshman year.this year he was not available for playing because he was injured. i expect him to be back in the swing of things for fall 2008. he is from muscatine ,iowa, and he has a brother that played some this year.what is his name???could it be one of the frere brothers??? every body seems to forget this kid. i think our defensive line will be ok!!!!!!!!!!!!1

 

[Cyclonick182]

I went to high school with the Freres, and those kids are freaks. I guess I didnt realize Nasty Nate was out all year.

 

[frontrangeclone]

aside from the returning players, another factor, albeit intangible, is how this team completely buys into the Chizik system, how they come together in the off-season in terms of attitude, cohesion, and winter/spring/summer conditioning. I have all the respect and gratitude for what the seniors did in their time at ISU, but as ever senior class graduates that was here for the most part under Mac, the old attitude and way of thinking goes away as well and makes room for a whole new mentality within the program. We saw signs of this vs. K-State, OU, and CU, when it seemed teams in the past would have folded, these guys hung in and forged a couple nice W's....

 

[jdoggivjc]

aside from the returning players, another factor, albeit intangible, is how this team completely buys into the Chizik system, how they come together in the off-season in terms of attitude, cohesion, and winter/spring/summer conditioning. I have all the respect and gratitude for what the seniors did in their time at ISU, but as ever senior class graduates that was here for the most part under Mac, the old attitude and way of thinking goes away as well and makes room for a whole new mentality within the program. We saw signs of this vs. K-State, OU, and CU, when it seemed teams in the past would have folded, these guys hung in and forged a couple nice W's....

Especially the Colorado game. Last year that game was over at halftime. This year we took the Buffaloes by the throat and throttled them...

It was reminiscent of this, actually...

 

[cloneu]

Now I am going to have to watch Waynes World, tonight.

 

[jbhtexas]

Is Garth's mom really hotter than Betty Rubble???

Two problems that need to be addressed before success will come:

1) Team speed.

2) The ability to pressure the QB without blitzing. Continuing to allow the opponent to complete passes at a 70% clip just ain't gonna work...

 

[Cyclonick182]

QB pressure for sure, seems like some of the QBs we faced all day and then some to get their passes off.

 

[jdoggivjc]

SCHWING!!!

 

[wolverine68]

The first half of this season was used learning the new system, players learning the coach's expectations and coaches learning player's abilities and limitations.

Next fall we aught to be able to hit the ground running, integrate some new guys, toss in some new wrinkles and party on.

I loved Wayne and Garth, but I can't remember how Irene Ryan ended up on this list. Does anyone remember? I know who she is (which is a totally seperate story) but I mean really, what is she doing on the list???

 

[jDub]

Couple points.

Agree that DL is a question mark. Regardless of potential talent (redshirts and incoming recruits) the fact is that none of them have seen the field yet and for that reason alone, it should be a concern. If we can find an interior d-lineman who can pressure the QB, our LB's and secondary look a whole lot better in a hurry.

Something that is often overlooked is the fact that our ENTIRE OL is returning next year. If they can stay healthy and continue to gel through the spring and summer, the skill players for the Cyclones could be in for a treat next fall.

And finally - we need players to step up and be leaders, especially with some of the seniors we're losing. I'm not sure who was the vocal leader on offense this year, but here's hoping someone steps up in spring ball.

 

[snowcraig2.0]

Dline was without a doubt our worst position this year. Tuba started to come on towards the end of the year. Braaksma gave it all he could, but the guy simply wasn't a Big 12 dlineman. Hopfully Bailey Johnson and Chris Weir solidify that spot next year. NG is a huge wildcard for us. Can Frere come back and live up to the Nick Leaders comparisons, and is Jerrod Black going to be able to conribute? Is the answers there are yes, we could be in decent shape there next year. I would love to see us sign a big JUCO kid in the middle though, regardless.