Cyclone Sunday Bruns

[Cyched]

Because this is CF, and our favorite team won 52-7 yesterday and some of us like acylum just want to complain. And apparently if we don’t complain, we’re sunshine pumpers

He thinks it’s an insult but I’m pumping more than sunshine here

 

[madguy30]

Why does it matter that a former player and radio analyst has an optimistic outlook on a podcast?

Something about an old person and clouds on a perfect summer day.

 

[clonedude]

Bruns is great, and definitely knows his OL stuff. He's also been quite critical of our OL play over the years... I have no idea what some on here have been listening to? But he's not an a-hole about it... it's an intelligent analysis on what guys need to be doing to get better... it's not being a jerk and just calling out kids. And I appreciate that about Ben.

 

[jsb]

Bruns is great, and definitely knows his OL stuff. He's also been quite critical of our OL play over the years... I have no idea what some on here have been listening to? But he's not an a-hole about it... it's an intelligent analysis on what guys need to be doing to get better... it's not being a jerk and just calling out kids. And I appreciate that about Ben.

Last year he talked extensively about why the online was good on passing plays and not as good on running plays. And why that wasn’t a huge surprise with a new coach.

 

[trevn]

Bruns has great insight and is extraordinarily qualified to do what he’s doing. I don’t particularly care whether or not his analysis comes off positive or negative. He’s an informed person with lots of experience and a ton of credibility.

 

[Cyched]

if not now, when?

 

[TitanClone]

Don’t twist my words. He’s one of the best O Linemen we’ve had. Up there with KO. Your response has nothing to do with my original post. Just pointing out his analysis is sometimes more than optimistic.

This is no disrespect to Bruns, up there with KO? I'd love to hear his take on that comment. My subjective comment is 1 has the best offensive resume of any ISU player in the NFL (maybe best overall but Matt Blair would be a tough argue) and the other was "just" a really good player for us in college. KO is on his own planet in the history of ISU O linemen

 

[isufbcurt]

This is no disrespect to Bruns, up there with KO? I'd love to hear his take on that comment. My subjective comment is 1 has the best offensive resume of any ISU player in the NFL (maybe best overall but Matt Blair would be a tough argue) and the other was "just" a really good player for us in college. KO is on his own planet in the history of ISU O linemen

"A Really Good Player" who was an All American.

 

[Steve]

This is no disrespect to Bruns, up there with KO? I'd love to hear his take on that comment. My subjective comment is 1 has the best offensive resume of any ISU player in the NFL (maybe best overall but Matt Blair would be a tough argue) and the other was "just" a really good player for us in college. KO is on his own planet in the history of ISU O linemen

Nothing against KO, but Karl Nelson deserves to be in this conversation. He had a solid career as an OT in the NFL that would have been extended longer if he didn't have to battle being diagnosed with Hodgkins.

 

[hiltonisheaven]

He’s a notorious sunshine pumper, especially when it comes to O line play. Wish somebody with a more jaundiced eye would take over the podcast.

You clearly weren’t listening the last couple years. He was critical of the Oline coaches in the 2022 season. Last season his comments were the scheme is better, players are improving but still learning and lacking depth.

 

[Cloneon]

While the majority of this thread are isolated personal misinterpretations, there's one area I hope Bruns can address. The most dramatically different play which returned outstanding results was that 'stacked I' short yardage play. What could he expect other teams do to counter that? And, is there an option out of that which could further complicate countering that play?

 

[ScottyP]

While the majority of this thread are isolated personal misinterpretations, there's one area I hope Bruns can address. The most dramatically different play which returned outstanding results was that 'stacked I' short yardage play. What could he expect other teams do to counter that? And, is there an option out of that which could further complicate countering that play?

It will be interesting to see how effective the formation will be once we play stronger run defenses. I like this more than an extra tight end. In the past, we would load up on one side and let the defense know which side we were running to.

 

[madguy30]

While the majority of this thread are isolated personal misinterpretations, there's one area I hope Bruns can address. The most dramatically different play which returned outstanding results was that 'stacked I' short yardage play. What could he expect other teams do to counter that? And, is there an option out of that which could further complicate countering that play?

Someone out to the flats.

I also really liked some of the simple roll outs and basically a dump off to a TE type.

 

[CascadeClone]

I took it as Campbell was wanting to push the ball downfield, be aggressive more so than actually calling the plays.

They did a BUNCH of super aggressive things early in that game.
The opening play. Going for hard for the punt block. There was a play designed to be a TE(iirc) slant with no safety help that almost broke free. A few other things.

I just remember somewhere around end of Q1 thinking "they are really trying to shock and awe these guys early".

 

[khaal53]

I recall when Bruns was the sideline reporter during a game ten or so years ago when Walters threw it to him on the sideline after a poor offensive series.

"Everything about that possession made me want to puke on my shoes." - Ben Bruns, documented sunshine pumper

 

[CascadeClone]

Meh, he has good analysis that tends to be on the optimistic side. The only time I would say he waded into sunshine pumping territory was after the 2022 win in Iowa City. He thought the OL was going to kick ass the rest of the year. But that was after a big win when the OL played well against a great defense.

I would not call him a sunshine pumper. He is an optimistic Cyclone and likes to give the benefit of the doubt.

This. "optimistic" is a good read.

I'd also add, that he isn't going to tear down some 20yo kid who isn't there yet. He has been that guy, and he has coached those guys, so he isn't going to lay into Neal or Bonifas or whoever with a flamethrower.

He's not going to say "he sucks, shouldn't be on the field, should give his scholarship back" kind of crap.

 

[CascadeClone]

It will be interesting to see how effective the formation will be once we play stronger run defenses. I like this more than an extra tight end. In the past, we would load up on one side and let the defense know which side we were running to.

It's handy to have options, to have different ways to attack wherever there might be a weakness, and to make opponents prepare for more things.

"Being multiple" is a phrase I once heard...

 

[bozclone]

Ben is one of my favorite listens. I can tell he has an engineering mind. He doesn't really dwell on the issues he sees. He will point out the issues or concerns, but he always quickly moves onto what needs to be done to fix them. I think his evaluations of our in game performance are always detailed and fair. He may seem optimistic at times, but I only think that is because he is a "can do" kind of guy.

 

[Big_Sill]

What you hear is what Ben really thinks. His comments are not influenced by any need to sunshine pump or anything else.

You'll have to go with "trust me bro" on this one.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Yeah, Bruns is a guy who will absolutely tell you what he thinks about how the team is playing, warts and all. No idea where this is coming from.