Better this year?

[Jerms]

AND I WILL ALSO ADD THAT PAUL RHOADS WAS A DEFENSIVE GANGSTER AT PITT FOR 7 YEARS.

Yeah I needed to scream that out. Schedule: Come get you some of ISU!

Im ready to carry Longhorn fans over my head to the top deck and throw their sorry ***** over. Im pumped up like a mofo right now to see this defense!

I like your attitude. We need more of this not more of "we shouldn't get too excited/optimistic because we're ISU so therefore we can't be good and if we're excited then we only be dissappointed in the end." Screw that! Be a FAN!! 11 more days and I can't wait!!

 

[Omaha Cy]

I like your attitude. We need more of this not more of "we shouldn't get too excited/optimistic because we're ISU so therefore we can't be good and if we're excited then we only be dissappointed in the end." Screw that! Be a FAN!! 11 more days and I can't wait!!

Straight up, people need to do some homework and compare this defensive squad to the 09 team that was not too shabby. That was all Rhoads and Burnham in 09 getting some experienced senior bodies and then turning that defense around. That D shaved off about 13 PPG.

When I put those pieces together it really made me excited thinking about what this unit can do. More sacks, less rush yards...I can clearly see offenses having many more negative plays this year vs ISU. Other than turnovers, ISU has not been able to get negative plays the last 2 years. Now There's players in the fold to make that happen. It makes perfect sense that this unit will be damn salty.

 

[PabloDiablo]

Straight up, people need to do some homework and compare this defensive squad to the 09 team that was not too shabby. That was all Rhoads and Burnham in 09 getting some experienced senior bodies and then turning that defense around. That D shaved off about 13 PPG.

When I put those pieces together it really made me excited thinking about what this unit can do. More sacks, less rush yards...I can clearly see offenses having many more negative plays this year vs ISU. Other than turnovers, ISU has not been able to get negative plays the last 2 years. Now There's players in the fold to make that happen. It makes perfect sense that this unit will be damn salty.

Damn It! 11 more days! Stop getting me so ******* pumped up about football!

 

[WalkingCY]

Iowa State has gotten by on a wing and prayer the last 2 years while allowing a lot of rushing yards, and getting 1 sack a game. This defense is set up to make some strides and it has some legit play-makers on it. ISU has LIVED OFF TURNOVERS and REDZONE DEFENSE for 2 years. Now the pieces are in place to REALLY cause some turnovers and force the opponent into some mistakes. Seriously, this team is ready to play good defense, and surprise a lot of people. Its all about to come together.

My main thought with the defense is that they can shave off 25-30 yards a game on the ground. thats taking points away. That's better field position for the offense.

Lattimer can play a full season and get 7-8 sacks(or more) by himself, and the team can rack up 20-25 or more. This defense can really make a huge stride in terms of how tough it will be for most teams in the conference to score on them. Don't scoff at Lat getting 8 or more sacks. Kurtis Taylor who was not as good posted roughly 6 a season his last 2 years.

It also compares nicely to the 2009 defense that had a lot of seniors coming back...EXCEPT this team has a far better group of returning big name type players.

Every facet of this defense will be improved.

Agree here.

I expect an excellent season out of our D and they WILL keep us in games.

 

[millerforrest]

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.

Easy! Austin Arnaud is not at QB this season! Thats a big step & reason why the Clones will already be a better team this year without even taking a snap yet!

 

[LonoClone]

Easy! Austin Arnaud is not at QB this season! Thats a big step & reason why the Clones will already be a better team this year without even taking a snap yet!

aren't you supposed to be giving Mike Mccarthy a sensuous kiss about now?

 

[Omaha Cy]

AA was a slow starter each year, but by mid-season always turned into a different player, and difference maker.

09 was the outlier because I don't think he ever got his hand back to 100% until the bowl game.....but his performances in 2008/2010 trended up from mid-season on.

 

[rholtgraves]

Straight up, people need to do some homework and compare this defensive squad to the 09 team that was not too shabby. That was all Rhoads and Burnham in 09 getting some experienced senior bodies and then turning that defense around. That D shaved off about 13 PPG.

When I put those pieces together it really made me excited thinking about what this unit can do. More sacks, less rush yards...I can clearly see offenses having many more negative plays this year vs ISU. Other than turnovers, ISU has not been able to get negative plays the last 2 years. Now There's players in the fold to make that happen. It makes perfect sense that this unit will be damn salty.

You mean that stout 09 D that was ranked 99th in total defense? That year was pretty amazing in that they gave up so many yards but managed to give up so little points per game. I don't know how they did it.

 

[Cyclonestate78]

Im not saying people are saying we are going to be alabama, but they are saying 'we know the defense will be good this year'. There is no evidence to suggest we have a good defense. We have an average to below average defense mostly because of the DL. We were ranked 80 something in rush defense last year, 60 something in passing yards allowed, 80 something in passing efficiency rating. 87 in overall defense. Im assuming probably around 11th in the big 12 in defense.

I said the defense would be improved but they will have to make major improvements to be a considered a good defense, especially against the run. And increasing weight doesn't mean they will be better defensively. Getting a rest doesn't mean they will be better. All it means is we a stronger, more rested average to below average DL. Maybe they will prove me wrong but I have yet to see any evidence to suggest otherwise and neither does anyone else.

If the offense can take care of their business the defense will be just fine. Say what you want about the D's performance against Iowa and Oklahoma but the offense set them up to get run over. How is the defense supposed to hold up when they spent all but 3 plays in the first quarter on the field against Iowa? Iowa had drives of 13, 16, and then hit a 4 play 75 yard drive in their first 3 possessions. Think the ISU D was gassed on that 3rd possession? Well the ISU offense running only 6 plays during that time span certainly didn't help.

I don't care how good a D is... if they are on the field for 33 of the first 39 plays of a football game then they are screwed. End of story.

 

[VeloClone]

If the offense can take care of their business the defense will be just fine. Say what you want about the D's performance against Iowa and Oklahoma but the offense set them up to get run over. How is the defense supposed to hold up when they spent all but 3 plays in the first quarter on the field against Iowa? Iowa had drives of 13, 16, and then hit a 4 play 75 yard drive in their first 3 possessions. Think the ISU D was gassed on that 3rd possession? Well the ISU offense running only 6 plays during that time span certainly didn't help.

I don't care how good a D is... if they are on the field for 33 of the first 39 plays of a football game then they are screwed. End of story.

Translation: The best defense is a good offense.

Signed,

Dave McCartney

 

[Cyclonestate78]

Translation: The best defense is a good offense.

Signed,

Dave McCartney

Better recognize fool!

 

[Omaha Cy]

You mean that stout 09 D that was ranked 99th in total defense? That year was pretty amazing in that they gave up so many yards but managed to give up so little points per game. I don't know how they did it.

Yeah, i liked how that 09 defense played...I sat through all of 08. Maybe you remember that year? Missed tackle, and 65 yard TD. Missed tackle and 43 yard gain. wash, rinse, repeat.

In 09 ISU had a good punter, made offenses work ALL DRIVE LONG, and allowed only 22 PPG in 09. And when you FORCE teams to run more plays, the likelihood that they will F-up increases. There were very few "Chizik yards" given up by missed tackles in 09. It was scrappy guys and effort, and eventually the turnover would come.

That's the bottom line with the 09 defense, and that Unit only had a couple decent pieces(Frere and Lyle) and 1 standout player (Smith). LJ was just starting to show potential, but when Kennard Banks is is opposite of him, what can he do?

The 2009 D lowered OSU from 69 points to 35 that year.
Mizzou from 52 to 34. ATM from 52 to 34 er whatever. KSU from 38 to 28. CU from 28 to 10. That defense held 3 conference opponents to 10 points or less. And you got a problem with that squad because they gave up too many damn yards? Considering they had a bunch of merely "warm bodies" out there on the field, I'd say that was pretty damn good effort all year long?

09's defense gave the Clones a fighting chance each week. This defense will probably win a big game or two by themselves.

ISU has done very well getting turnovers the last 2 years. Its practically beyond a fluke by now, with 25 games to look at. Its the effort and system...and now there's far superior talent out there on the field. Look out folks. If the turnover ratio stays in the ballpark of where its been the last 2 years, there are going to be some happy Cyclone fans this year.

 

[Omaha Cy]

Better recognize fool!

The chick on the left totally wants McCartneys junk.

 

[Al_4_State]

The chick on the left totally wants McCartneys junk.

Who are you kidding, she'd take about any junk that was offered to her.

 

[Cyclonefarmer]

I think we will be better but might not end up with as many wins as some predict. Better Cyclone team against tougher schedule might not equal more wins this year.

I watched the Big 12 Preview and they (and I) pretty much agree.They think CPR is a pretty solid coach but the schedule does no favors in Ws and Ls.

 

[Hayes30]

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.

New juco stud QB, One of the best LB crews in school history, IMO the best secondary since 05, a future lottery draft pick on the O-Line with alot of experience ruturning on the O-Line also. I think this team has more talent on the field at one time than we have since before the chiz era.

 

[RustShack]

Only an idiot would think this isnt a better team. The record might not indicate it because of the schedule, but they still have a good chance at bowling.

 

[Cydkar]

Link to NFL draft lottery please.

 

[djcubby]

Link to NFL draft lottery please.

It's part of the new CBA. All 32 teams will have a their logo drawn on a small piece of paper which will go in a hat. Jerry Jones' plastic surgeon will draw one slip of paper out of the hat and whomever he draws will get the first pick in the draft.

It's a pretty high tech system so I can understand why you haven't heard about it yet.

 

[Omaha Cy]

Instead of arguing with the OP about what ISU has for depth and such on this team, I simply say this....

My season ticket purchase, and the CC and GC taking donations out of my checking account each month ENTITLES me to believe all I want that Paul Rhoads and the staff could draw up foolproof game plans to beat the 07 patriots and 85 bears in back to back weeks by double digits. I own that optimism, and no one can take that away right now. End of story. We've all seen some the most unpredictable stuff out of this team the last 2 years that I can't help but be bat **** crazy about this team right now.

The recession and gas prices have baseball batted my life as I knew it, and I sure as hell could use my ticket money back and the monthly donation draw...but right now Cyclone football has a better outlook than quite a few external forces that i have NO CONTROL over. Is it Ok for me to enjoy that small sliver of hope that i don't seem to have in other areas of my life right now?

So when my job is as lucrative as it used to be, and gas prices are 2 bucks a gallon, and i'm not driving 400 miles a week, and can finally get a new job in Omaha that I don't hate, and I'm not relegated to getting by on 30 bucks of Aldis food each week......Then I will take the turkey baster mainlining cyclone koolaid out my artery.

Until that happens, this defense is going to kick *** and take names.
[/thread]