Kyle Kempt Bashing

[CloneFan4]

I've never understood these threads. A few fools out of the thousands of fans make stupid comments criticizing Kempt, so what does the OP do? Devotes a thread to give attention to the few fools bashing Kempt and makes it accessible for Kyle, Coaches, and players to think there's a bigger problem than there really is.

 

[brett108]

Try not using a fallacy. Park has just as much been portrayed as the UT game being his standard. It is not a Kempt vs Park thing, and you making it so indicates you’re using emotion, not logic.

QB play was a lot like the OLine play this year. Good enough to go 8-5 when teamed to a good defense and exceptional talents like Lazard, Montgomery, and Butler. But also with some very real limitations that resulted in 8-5 and struggling for points against defenses like Memphis.

He’s a great story, much like Lanning. And like Lanning he deserves to go down as a great Cyclone. But did Lanning even grade out as our best LB?

Not sure but he had to be close for the OU game. His stat line was silly. That being said the fact he wasn't completely lost the whole year shows the ability he had for the position. You don't make that kind of change and see that performance in a matter of weeks. Lanning is an example of a guy who is probably as good or better than Knott/Klein if the switch was done his first year on campus.

In that regard we should be pretty easy on Kemp. He got the job half way through this year after being on campus for little more than a whole season. He was out a few games with injury, and still did a really good job. Yes, our receivers played exceptionally, but once again to perform this well with this little prep, and on such large stages, speaks volumes of the player.

 

[Cy$]

I've never understood these threads. A few fools out of the thousands of fans make stupid comments criticizing Kempt, so what does the OP do? Devotes a thread to give attention to the few fools bashing Kempt and makes it accessible for Kyle, Coaches, and players to think there's a bigger problem than there really is.

Some were sadly probably hoping Kempt would fail since those same people pitched their tent to Park. The mega Park thread on here rings a bell.

 

[tb4state08]

I like Kempt and really respect what he did because the season could of really gone down hill after the whole Park situation. I wonder though if the coaching staff realized his limitations early on and changed basically our whole gameplan for most of the season, by trying to chew up more clock, get the ball out asap to our receivers and swing passes rather than trying to score more. There wasn't many times on the field where I thought, wow that was a smart play by Kempt. He simply ran the play that was called. I think clearly when you score more points and score more often, your defense is on the field more but I think the coaches deserve the credit they got for what I believe was tayloring the offense around Kempts abilities and improving the defense by what we were doing on offense.

My other thing I wanted to touch on was Kempt's stat line from Saturday. It looks great, however he had 2 interceptions called back, another that was a jump ball in the end zone that could of been picked and the touchdown Lazard caught, really could of been intercepted. Seemed like he was playing 500. I do wonder if the wind on the field was different than normal due to the dip in the height of the bleachers in the end zone. Either way, his arm strength was limited but lets not get carried away with his stats. We caught some breaks.

All in all, I am happy that Kempt got to experience everything he did this year given his past. I am very excited moving into next year. It's crazy to believe how much fun having a good football team can be. For so many years, it's almost like it was just there, now for me personally when we are good and have a good season, it creates the same excitement as for our good basketball years.

 

[VeloClone]

My other thing I wanted to touch on was Kempt's stat line from Saturday. It looks great, however he had 2 interceptions called back, another that was a jump ball in the end zone that could of been picked and the touchdown Lazard caught, really could of been intercepted. Seemed like he was playing 500. I do wonder if the wind on the field was different than normal due to the dip in the height of the bleachers in the end zone. Either way, his arm strength was limited but lets not get carried away with his stats. We caught some breaks.

I was tailgating with some Memphis fans before the game. They commented that the Liberty
Bowl is notorious for odd winds. They said you can often look at the flags on just a breezy day and see them all blowing in different directions around the bowl as well as the flags on the goalposts or even the two uprights of the same goalpost blowing in different directions. I commented that we have some of the same issues in JTS, but I did notice a lot of it during the game.

Also, only one interception was called back due to penalty. The other was never completed. Definitely dodged a bullet on them, though.

 

[StLouisClone]

The TD pass caught by Lazard was intended for Murdock. He had a much better chance of catching it than the defenders.

 

[aauummm]

The TD pass caught by Lazard was intended for Murdock. He had a much better chance of catching it than the defenders.

I agree. Contrary to what Tuberville said, the ball was thrown 4-6 inches above the tips of the defender's fingers. The defender never touched the ball. The pass could not have been intercepted the way it was thrown by Kempt. Perfectly placed pass.

 

[Die4Cy]

I have never read anything on this site that could be construed as "bashing" Kyle Kempt.

It strikes me as akin to Jacob Park saying fans turned on him here. At least Park had a self serving reason for fabricating it in the face of plenty of evidence to the contrary.

I don't know where this lashing out against non existent "Kempt Haters" is coming from.

And if we're at a point where talking about arm strength, or injury, or fumble history, or shot selection, or playing time, or whatever is all people need to characterize whether a person is a player hater or whose "#TeamXYZ" they're on, this site as a forum for discussion of these things has probably outlived its usefulness.

We're all one big Cyclone family so it sucks it even needs to be said.

 

[IASTATE07]

I have never read anything on this site that could be construed as "bashing" Kyle Kempt.

It strikes me as akin to Jacob Park saying fans turned on him here. At least Park had a self serving reason for fabricating it in the face of plenty of evidence to the contrary.

I don't know where this lashing out against non existent "Kempt Haters" is coming from.

And if we're at a point where talking about arm strength, or injury, or fumble history, or shot selection, or playing time, or whatever is all people need to characterize whether a person is a player hater or whose "#TeamXYZ" they're on, this site as a forum for discussion of these things has probably outlived its usefulness.

We're all one big Cyclone family so it sucks it even needs to be said.

I think a lot of it is that some posters seem to give Kempt little credit or give him backhanded compliments. It's a small amount of the posters and I wouldn't describe it has Kempt bashing. Some of it is probably the age old the backup (Noland) is better.

 

[WastedTalent]

This shouldn't even be a Kempt vs Park debate. That's not the point. The discussion should be, IF Kempt gets a 6th year, do we want him to start, or do we hope Noland keeps improving, and takes over as starter?

 

[RonBurgundy]

We could certainly use Kempt back again next year. Would love to see a competition between Kyle and Zeb, and know that we had a strong backup in place no matter who wins the #1 spot.

I do agree with a lot of posters that simply point out the obvious, several Kempt throws were quite off-target and he was bailed out several times by Lazard or those balls are bouncing on the turf.

I think the main difference between Park and Kempt is that Park was about Park. He liked to whip the ball, even when not required, which caused some drops. Kempt is a guy committed to making the team around him better. I think he has a better touch pass.

We were blessed to have Kyle Kempt available to lead us to some great victories. I am ready for Park to move on.

Would be thrilled to have Kyle back again, but everyone on the team ought to be prepared to fight for a starting spot. I trust whomever CMC decides.

 

[VeloClone]

This shouldn't even be a Kempt vs Park debate. That's not the point. The discussion should be, IF Kempt gets a 6th year, do we want him to start, or do we hope Noland keeps improving, and takes over as starter?

I'm always for players improving. Why do we have to choose? I would love it if Zeb improved and challenged Kempt and Kempt improved and challenged Zeb. (Don't discount that with quite a bit of play under his belt Kempt could very well improve during a following off season. He also may be a little more motivated to improve his strength during winter work outs.) With two players who demonstrated they can play and win at this level I don't think a healthy competition that goes down to the wire would be a bad thing (despite the old weary mantra that if you have two QBs you don't have a QB). ISU will most likely need two or more starters next year.

 

[MeowingCows]

I'm always for players improving. Why do we have to choose? I would love it if Zeb improved and challenged Kempt and Kempt improved and challenged Zeb. (Don't discount that with quite a bit of play under his belt Kempt could very well improve during a following off season. He also may be a little more motivated to improve his strength during winter work outs.) With two players who demonstrated they can play and win at this level I don't think a healthy competition that goes down to the wire would be a bad thing (despite the old weary mantra that if you have two QBs you don't have a QB). ISU will most likely need two or more starters next year.

I've been thinking about this some. Kempt with a little more zip and a little tighter spiral on his ball could make a stellar all-around QB. Zeb with another year to learn from Kempt about pocket presence and decision-making would always be beneficial. The opportunity for both of these guys to become better players is very high.

That being said, if Kempt ends up moving on past football, I also think an offseason's worth of first-team reps will go a good distance for Zeb as well.

 

[cyfamily]

I hope Kempt is back, and there is a great competition for the starting role. It is rare the same QB on day one starts the whole year...this year proved that clearly.

p.s. Anybody else still smiling following the Memphis trip?!

 

[jbindm]

This shouldn't even be a Kempt vs Park debate. That's not the point. The discussion should be, IF Kempt gets a 6th year, do we want him to start, or do we hope Noland keeps improving, and takes over as starter?

I hope Noland improves and there's competition at the QB spot whether Kempt returns or not. That's why the timing on the NCAA's decision is so critical. No decent grad transfer is going to sign on if KK and Noland are both back. There will be better opportunities elsewhere for someone looking to play immediately. But if KK doesn't get a sixth year then they need another QB with at least some game experience to come in and push Noland or make him earn the job in an open competition. Thing is, the longer the team has to wait on a decision from the NCAA the smaller the pool of available grad transfer QBs is going to get.

 

[Die4Cy]

I hope Kempt is back, and there is a great competition for the starting role. It is rare the same QB on day one starts the whole year...this year proved that clearly.

p.s. Anybody else still smiling following the Memphis trip?!

Knowing it may be a bit longer winter from a basketball standpoint, I'm glad to have CYclone football to talk about.

 

[CycloneErik]

Kyle is clearly overrated. Hasn't won a game in days, just like Campbell.

 

[SpokaneCY]

This shouldn't even be a Kempt vs Park debate. That's not the point. The discussion should be, IF Kempt gets a 6th year, do we want him to start, or do we hope Noland keeps improving, and takes over as starter?

Not even a question. You should want the best QB to play. If KK comes back and grades out better - sweet. If Noland surpasses KK because HE grades out better, sweet. The best players should play - there should be no tenure EVER.

 

[jdoggivjc]

Love Kempt and what he did for the Cyclones - bascially became an all-time favorite in the matter of about half a season. My only wish is he had the arm strength that Park or Kempt has. He certainly has the smarts, composure, and, most of the time, the accuracy to play the position. He's just never going to be able to rifle the ball to a receiver open for a fraction of a second in the middle of the field.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

Love Kempt and what he did for the Cyclones - bascially became an all-time favorite in the matter of about half a season. My only wish is he had the arm strength that Park or Kempt has. He certainly has the smarts, composure, and, most of the time, the accuracy to play the position. He's just never going to be able to rifle the ball to a receiver open for a fraction of a second in the middle of the field.

I disagree with the bolded. He has put some zip on the ball, there was even one where the anouncer made note of it during the Liberty Bowl. I think he just doesn't have that golden arm. Hell look at Tom Brady, he was a horrible athlete when he did the combine. His agility films are embarrassing.

I would welcome Kempt back with open arms, but I still think Noland is the better QB. Just my opinion from what I have seen so far. Doesn't mean there wouldn't be growing pains if Noland was the starter next year, regardless of Kempts return.