Better this year?

[Bipolarcy]

Everyone seems so convinced we will be better this year. What are the reasons? I'm not seeing it. I think we'll have a season about like last year.

Here's a guy who really doesn't want you to list any reasons the season will be better. He's already convinced he's right and only started the thread to criticize every one else's opinion. Every reason someone has given you've instantly shot down.

And if you can't tell the difference between true coach optimism and coach speak, especially with this staff, then there's no hope. Wally, for instance, has been poor-mouthing the defense the first two years. He's not doing that nearly as much this year. And in fact, has even praised it at times.

 

[Sloup]

The spread is predicated on the fact that 11 guys can't defend an entire field at a single moment. With speedy guys like Shontrelle, Horne, and West on offense, we're better equipped to utilize that space as the offense is designed to do.

 

[Omaha Cy]

More depth? How do we know this?
Our recruiting hasn't changed much the past few years.
Coaches say crap like that all the time. It means little once the season starts.

Receivers--it's one position I'm positive we've taken a step back on. Might not be a big step back, but a step back.

Jantz certainly couldn't be much worse than our past QBs.

The depth part is pretty easy to figure out. Its called having nearly 85 scholarship bodies to choose from over the 70 that did in McCarney, and the 70 that Chizik had to work with. There's still been a some natural attrition, but Rhoads is keeping most of the kids on campus.

The D-line tells the tale of increased depth and development. Compare the situation now with 12 months ago. Night and day difference. Especially with Lattimer and McDonough emerging and pushing other contributors into back-up roles last year. They've surpassed guys like Neal and Laing and Woods who at this point last year were in the mix to start. That's pretty obvious. Hell, I see at least one legit play-maker at every level of the defense with Latt, Knott/Klein, and Johnson...the type of guys the rest of the conference will have to respect. Maybe the LBs depth aint as great as it could be, but at least there's a couple studs there...and i don't think anyone doubts Jevohn Miller is well on the way to being a good one.

I got three words for ya. Jeremiah freaking Schwartz. Cyclone nation would take Jeff Woody in a heartbeat over that guy should Shontrelle go down. Was there even a RB option after Schwartz in 09? Crimany, Blankenship was it. ISU at least has some option(s) beyond Shontrelle. Only having Schwartz cost ISU the KSU game in 09. Having Shontrelle and to an extent Woody won the Tech and Texas games last year.

Yeah the Clones Wrs have sucked, but the staff has recruited A TON of them the last couple years. Will they pan out? Who knows, but with the WR coaching position change and the sheer numbers of recruits, its been addressed rather furiously. Aaron Horne coming in as a Juco has supplanted some guys that might have started. Again like the DL....out of nowhere guy stepping into a starter role, and pushing the others into depth roles.

Theres some examples I could easily draw up..and i know there's more.

 

[brother bob]

The coaches are excited. Yeah...Chizik's coaches where excited, too. So was Mac in his winless/1 win season. That doesn't mean anything.

Someone brought up the D. I think it could be better. That will help.

Chiz and his fishin' buddy friends he called coaches got excited from a stiff breeze so that doesn't really count.

Mac just couldn't get the right players to Ames.

Coach Rhoads has got something going and I cannot wait for the season to start.

Just wait for the season to start and see what happens.

After going back and reading many of your posts and replies I'm kind of wondering if you are actually a Cyclone fan or not. I don't think I've heard/read anything like the questions and comments you are writing from any Cyclone fans I know or have known on here...sounds to me like you are more like a hok fan trolling around stirring the pot a bit.

 

[Doc]

Everyone seems so convinced we will be better this year. What are the reasons? I'm not seeing it. I think we'll have a season about like last year.

There are three things that make me thing we may be better this year.

1. We have a new QB. Who knows.
2. Our lines are more experienced. I'm usually not a big experience and depth guy, but I think it matters when it comes to the OL and DL.
3. One of our new receivers may make a few plays.

This is why I'm hopeful. But when it comes down to it, I agree with you. Every team has players than are a year more experienced and have supposedly taken big steps. Every team has a great strength coach. I don't think we've added any difference makers other than possibly at QB. I'll wait to see the depth chart, but what we need are guys that jump over the upperclassmen and make plays. I think we make more progress next year.

 

[Doc]

The depth part is pretty easy to figure out. Its called having nearly 85 scholarship bodies to choose from over the 70 that did in McCarney, and the 70 that Chizik had to work with. There's still been a some natural attrition, but Rhoads is keeping most of the kids on campus.

The D-line tells the tale of increased depth and development. Compare the situation now with 12 months ago. Night and day difference. Especially with Lattimer and McDonough emerging and pushing other contributors into back-up roles last year. They've surpassed guys like Neal and Laing and Woods who at this point last year were in the mix to start. That's pretty obvious. Hell, I see at least one legit play-maker at every level of the defense with Latt, Knott/Klein, and Johnson...the type of guys the rest of the conference will have to respect. Maybe the LBs depth aint as great as it could be, but at least there's a couple studs there...and i don't think anyone doubts Jevohn Miller is well on the way to being a good one.

I got three words for ya. Jeremiah freaking Schwartz. Cyclone nation would take Jeff Woody in a heartbeat over that guy should Shontrelle go down. Was there even a RB option after Schwartz in 09? Crimany, Blankenship was it. ISU at least has some option(s) beyond Shontrelle. Only having Schwartz cost ISU the KSU game in 09. Having Shontrelle and to an extent Woody won the Tech and Texas games last year.

Yeah the Clones Wrs have sucked, but the staff has recruited A TON of them the last couple years. Will they pan out? Who knows, but with the WR coaching position change and the sheer numbers of recruits, its been addressed rather furiously. Aaron Horne coming in as a Juco has supplanted some guys that might have started. Again like the DL....out of nowhere guy stepping into a starter role, and pushing the others into depth roles.

Theres some examples I could easily draw up..and i know there's more.

You just got me a lot more excited for the season. Good post.

 

[Doc]

There is nothing I like more than people telling me not to be optimistic.

In all honesty, they're right most of the time.

 

[cy4prez7]

I think we will be about the same. We lost too much experience to expect their replacements to exceed what those lost had done, especially early in the season. Simms will be a huge hole. He was our 2nd best run stopper behind Jake. I still think our DEs will get pushed around against the run. We lose a qb that has seen everything and replace him with a guy that maybe accurate but doesn't have a strong arm and has never played against division I talent. We lost some reliable receivers, and Money is injured right now. To think Horne may be the best receiver in memory is ridiculous (please cut and past that for season's end because I'd love to be proven wrong). We lost our second best lineman who made the OL calls and have two inexperienced guys starting in the OL this fall.

So why when it looks like we should be worse do we have the chance to be about the same? Depth. Outside of the qb position where we have little if any, ISU has someone behind the starter at almost every position that could fill in admirably. That not only helps with substitutions during games but also with improving talent through camp and practice with competition.

You must not have seen any highlights from him at his junior college or the pass he made at the spring game. Jantz has a good long ball, and accurate long ball!

 

[Ficklone02]

Everyone seems so convinced we will be better this year. What are the reasons? I'm not seeing it. I think we'll have a season about like last year.

You know you're right, coming into last year it appeared the team was headed for a national championship but somehow it didn't happen. Now this year you're team needs to replace an nfl drafted qb, so I agree I don't think you're team will be as impressive this year.

 

[cy4prez7]

What I don't understand is why some people believe that a replacement player is automatically worse just because they didn't start last year or because they don't have experience. Every team has to replace players and every team has guys that step it up from year to year. This is a very normal process.

 

[RustShack]

Off the top of my head, there are only two positions we lost I feel like we don't have a more talented player. That is Franklin and Sims. I think everyone else has been replaced by physically more gifted athletes.

 

[flycy]

More depth? How do we know this?

Our recruiting hasn't changed much the past few years.

Coaches say crap like that all the time. It means little once the season starts.

Receivers--it's one position I'm positive we've taken a step back on. Might not be a big step back, but a step back.

Jantz certainly couldn't be much worse than our past QBs.

People keep calling me "negative" but I don't feel that is true. I'm quite pleased with our head coach and our program. I understand who we are and where we've come from. This thread has a natural negative slant. I just think there's a lot of blind faith and group think going on here.

And, most of all, I HATE HATE the melt down that will inevitably happen when this team starts to struggle and they WILL struggle. I hate all the finger pointing and badmouthing of the coaches that goes on. Am I intentionally being a wet blanket because of this? You better believe it.

So who are we and where have we come from????? What a load of crapola. People act like ISU has never won. In college football, you are only one great coach away from being a great program, and one crappy coach away from being a bad program. I believe we have a great coach.

 

[Doc]

What I don't understand is why some people believe that a replacement player is automatically worse just because they didn't start last year or because they don't have experience. Every team has to replace players and every team has guys that step it up from year to year. This is a very normal process.

The original poster thought that we would be about as good as last year. How does replacing players with players of equal ability change that?

 

[woodie]

why will we be better???? STEELE JANTZ- HE WILL MAKE SOME BETTER READS THAN WHAT ARNAUD DID. HE CAN RUN AND HE CAN THROW THE BALL. THAT SHOULD BE ENOUGH TO MAKE OPPOSING TEAMS TAKE NOTICE!!!!

 

[cy4prez7]

The original poster thought that we would be about as good as last year. How does replacing players with players of equal ability change that?

Who said I wad referring to the original post. I was referring to the people who seem to believe you can't replace players with better players.

 

[BigLame]

Leader @ most every level, followed by next in line leader:
Dutch > McDonough/Laing, Caspers > Woods, Jensen, Pompey
Tau'fo'ou > Knott/Klein > George/Miller, Morton > Mattison
Lattimer, Neal > Maggitt, Nelson > Scott, Kron
LJohnson, A Young > Reeves > Watson > Thomas/Richardson/Lynn/Cotton
Benton, Brooks > Washington/Broomfield, Givens > Brackens?
Morgan > Brackens? Other?

More play-makers at every level. Pro potential @ all levels - most notably DB & LB. When was the last time you could say that?
Simms was very physical, but thought his tackling last year fell short of the season before. Our Safeties will need to make the plays, not necessarily the highlight reel.

Jantz > Barnett > Richardson
Reynolds/Darks > Lenz/Horne > West/Gary/Young > Bundrage/Ecby/Daniels/Lampkin
SJohnson/Woody/White/Hollis > Nealy/Standard
KO/Hicks > Burris/Bykowski/Farniok/Tautolo > Tuftee/Dika/Gannon/Graham/Loth
Hammerschmidt/Howard/Branderhorst > Richardson/Brun

Think a QB more in tune with our system (quicker reads, get rid of ball sooner & more accurately) will eliminate sacks & negative plays of the past couple years. Loved Arnaud as he was a true warrior & represented the team & ISU well, but he was not best suited for our offense. ARob, as good as he was, seemed to get arm tackled a little too often & also would get nicked, thus he would not be on the field as much as we needed him. WRs mainly need to catch the ball more & also have more separation (coaching/play calling may have a lot to do with the latter).

Jantz (JC), Horne (JC) & Miller (early HS graduate) were with the team in Spring, so only other newcomer currently receiving pub about playing is Bundrage that I know of, & the skill positions lend this to occur more frequently.

In summary, the foundation of the program has been set: bring in better athletes, have them in the new/improved S&C program, and develop better depth throughout. It is all there, albeit in its infancy. That is why most we fans are optimistic about our team this year. Our coaching staff has not been one to mince words, and they have shared this message publicly as well. I do not think it is to build the team up. The past couple years would have been the time it was needed most if they were to choose this route, but the never did. It is not their style. Expectations are now higher, and I am glad they are and will expect more, too.

 

[Stormin]

There are three things that make me thing we may be better this year.

1. We have a new QB. Who knows.
2. Our lines are more experienced. I'm usually not a big experience and depth guy, but I think it matters when it comes to the OL and DL.
3. One of our new receivers may make a few plays.

This is why I'm hopeful. But when it comes down to it, I agree with you. Every team has players than are a year more experienced and have supposedly taken big steps. Every team has a great strength coach. I don't think we've added any difference makers other than possibly at QB. I'll wait to see the depth chart, but what we need are guys that jump over the upperclassmen and make plays. I think we make more progress next year.

Agree with this assessment. And a quick rundown. I am optimistic and think we will surprise.

Quarterback----Loved AA. Great Cyclone. Good QB. But Steele Jantz brings the good size to the QB position while having a better set of Wheels, very fast. I think that Jantz is a bit more accurate and throws a bit better ball. Jantz has all the intangibles and skills according to CPR. So potential is very good IMO.

RB------Loved A-Rob. Great Back. IMO the depth and quality of our backs as they are another year older and should have improved will mean that we shouldn't suffer a dropoff. IMO, the ability of Jantz to throw and also a big threat to run will keep Defenses on their toes. I think Shontrelle and Woody are decent backs. And I think that James White is ready for a breakout season if he gets a few chances. The guy has performed during spring games and practices but hasn't had many shots. Add in Hollis and you have a good group. IMO, Standard is the best All purpose back of the bunch but I think he will RS.

TE---We will miss Collin Franklin. No doubt about it. I see some dropoff here.

OL---KO is a senior now. He should dominate. Hicks and Burris have experience playing together. That side should be solid. We should be decent at the LG. The only dropoff I see would be missing Lamaak. But according to CPR, Farniok is really looking good and is a very intelligent player. So I actually see improvement in our line this year overall.

WR----Jake Williams was very good. No doubt. The rest were inconsistent and a disappointment IMO. Horne gets open and makes catches. I see him as a big improvement. The rest have to be better. Money, Darks, West, Lenz, should actually be better. I can see them being no worse than last year. How could they be worse??

On Defense:

DT---Rump is a year older. Should be better as well as McDonough. We do have some depth. But not a lot. Still improved over last year.

DE---Improved. No question. They are older and should be better. I look for us to get some pressure on the QB.

LB---All return. Improved. No question. Klein, Knott, Taufoo, and George have a year of experience that they can draw on. Should be better.

Safeties---We will miss Sims. But IMO the addition of Benton and development of Washington along with others should not result in a dropoff. I actually look for some slight improvement.

CB--LJ and Reeves. Should be even better. Hopefully the backups have improved some as well. But I expect some improvement.

ST--should be better. They are all back. And in the return area, I think that adding West gives another return threat.

I look for us to get 5 to 7 wins. Much depends on Jantz. I am optimistic and excited. I really think he is the real deal.

 

[Tedcyclone]

Everyone seems so convinced we will be better this year. What are the reasons? I'm not seeing it. I think we'll have a season about like last year.

1. more experiance on Dline. Now i dont think that always equals better, but i beleive we will be a little deeper, and have a full season of J. Lat dominating QBs.

2. I beleive QB play will be more explosive. More Big Plays

3. I beleive the running backs as a whole will be better than AROB.

4. Our corners are very good, and I believe Benton is a NFL player. This is Johnson, and Bentons last chance to make a dent.

5. If Matt Tou stays healthy the linebacker group will be better as well.

6. offensive line will still be good.

 

[PabloDiablo]

More depth? How do we know this?

Our recruiting hasn't changed much the past few years.

Coaches say crap like that all the time. It means little once the season starts.

Receivers--it's one position I'm positive we've taken a step back on. Might not be a big step back, but a step back.

Jantz certainly couldn't be much worse than our past QBs.

People keep calling me "negative" but I don't feel that is true. I'm quite pleased with our head coach and our program. I understand who we are and where we've come from. This thread has a natural negative slant. I just think there's a lot of blind faith and group think going on here.

And, most of all, I HATE HATE the melt down that will inevitably happen when this team starts to struggle and they WILL struggle. I hate all the finger pointing and badmouthing of the coaches that goes on. Am I intentionally being a wet blanket because of this? You better believe it.

Soooo negative man, be a fan for two seconds. Look at the two deeps of the lines. Much more capable bodies there than ever before. Look at RB, 4 guys that can go. Depth is improving and hopefully explosive ability and athleticism as well.

There shouldn't be a meltdown because optimism can be tempered. We know that the product put on the field will be improved. No one said we think we are going to win the NC or the big 12, that's a stretch but also what separates us from Hawkeyes.

Were going to be better because Paul rhoads said we are going to be. You don't have to believe ME, but if you don't believe HIM then who are u going to believe?

The rest of the staff has pretty much echoed Cpr with each of their respective position groups.

The reason you should believe we will be better is because Paul ******* Rhoads says so. You calling him a liar? He will eat you!

Tau'fo'ou > Knott/Klein
Neal > Maggitt
A Young > Reeves

I hope your kidding.

 

[Frak]

Off the top of my head, there are only two positions we lost I feel like we don't have a more talented player. That is Franklin and Sims. I think everyone else has been replaced by physically more gifted athletes.

100% agree. I also would probably take O'Connell over Washington at FS, even though he may not be as physically gifted. Here's how I see it:

QB: same - Jantz does some things better than AA did, but his knowledge of the offense won't be as good. He has a chance to be better than AA, but I'm not going to say it's automatic.
RB: better - Yeah, I said it. Faster, more explosive, and they have more depth. Maybe this wouldn't be as cut and dried if ARob wasn't nursing injuries pretty much his whole career that limited him.
WR: better - I'd trade Jake Williams for Aaron Horne, not to mention West and Bundrage. They need Reynolds back, but if he isn't hampered all year, this position takes a huge step forward.
TE: worse - They're not going to replace Franklin in the passing game. My hope is that the improved WR play compensates for that. The TE blocking will be better as Franklin was not a dominant blocker.
OL: same - I'm going to say that they have a CHANCE to be better. Burris and Hicks have experience now. KO knows that his chances at the 1st round depend on his play. Farniok and Tuftee just have to be solid and this will be an improved OL.

DE: better - More depth, more size, more ability.
DT/NG: better - They only lose Bailey Johnson, who was injured half the time anyway. The two positions have decent depth and better talent than they've had.
LB: better - Lose no one, gain depth.
CB: better - Reeves becomes a full time guy now. I thought that he was better in coverage than TB anyway. They lose some height though.
S: worse - TB for Sims is even at best and probably a slight downgrade. Washington for OC is a probable downgrade as well.

K/P: better - K can't be worse and P gains some experience after doing well as a TRFR last year.