SydCamore
The Captain Level
Who is the biggest key to success for the ISU football team in 2009? I know it takes more than one player to make a football team good, but I am interested in your thoughts.........
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Who is the biggest key to success for ISU FB in 2009?
- Thread starter SydCamore
- Start date
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first of all...Chris.....
How goes the new quarterback and how quickly he can master running the offense, the better isu will do. don't need to put more pressure that there will probably be there already, but the sycamores need an offensive leader. someone who can come in and grab hold of the reins and take charge.
if the offense can move the ball and put up some points, that's less pressure on the defense. if the quarterback can come up and make things happen, that's less pressure on a young offensive line.
yes, he needs the offensive line to protect him. but if he can get rid of the ball quickly, they won't have to hold onto their blocks quite as long. and them as the year progresses, they'll develop confidence in him to get the job done. and they'll go out of their way to protect him.
How goes the new quarterback and how quickly he can master running the offense, the better isu will do. don't need to put more pressure that there will probably be there already, but the sycamores need an offensive leader. someone who can come in and grab hold of the reins and take charge.
if the offense can move the ball and put up some points, that's less pressure on the defense. if the quarterback can come up and make things happen, that's less pressure on a young offensive line.
yes, he needs the offensive line to protect him. but if he can get rid of the ball quickly, they won't have to hold onto their blocks quite as long. and them as the year progresses, they'll develop confidence in him to get the job done. and they'll go out of their way to protect him.
SydCamore
The Captain Level
I voted D-Line because we HAVE to stop the run..... We have been burned in the past because teams could run all over us....... If we can stop the run and develop a solid pass rush, we will win games......... I know that the D Line is not totally resonsible for stopping the run, but if we win the battle of the LOS we will win games.....
I'm a defensive minded person........ basketball, football, baseball.. whatever....... you have to keep the other team from scoring.....
I'm a defensive minded person........ basketball, football, baseball.. whatever....... you have to keep the other team from scoring.....
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I voted the WR for a couple of different reasons.
1. Brayn Kent and Jermey Gray both run track and they are my guys! That might not seem like a good reason to vote for someone but it worked for me.
2. Jeremy Gray has electric speed at (4.2 40) He could probably run that and then give him a couple mins. and he could run 4.2 again. He can fly. His route running appears to be suspect at times (but I never played football so I won't totally pretend to know everything).
3. They have an excellent option throwing them the ball. They have to be able to catch the ball and make plays after the catch. I assume they are going to be put in a position to succeed. Thus they make the catches we put 6 on the board.
4. Indiana State will win 100% of the games that we score more points that the opposition. (Please refrain from debating this, it's not up for debate)
5. I think a large quantity of those points will come from the WR.
1. Brayn Kent and Jermey Gray both run track and they are my guys! That might not seem like a good reason to vote for someone but it worked for me.
2. Jeremy Gray has electric speed at (4.2 40) He could probably run that and then give him a couple mins. and he could run 4.2 again. He can fly. His route running appears to be suspect at times (but I never played football so I won't totally pretend to know everything).
3. They have an excellent option throwing them the ball. They have to be able to catch the ball and make plays after the catch. I assume they are going to be put in a position to succeed. Thus they make the catches we put 6 on the board.
4. Indiana State will win 100% of the games that we score more points that the opposition. (Please refrain from debating this, it's not up for debate)
5. I think a large quantity of those points will come from the WR.
SydCamore
The Captain Level
I think we should use these WRs like we used Carl Berman a few years ago. Stutzriem likes to get the ball into the hands of guys with speed..... Those two guys have speed, for sure.....
I voted for Offensive Line, but I would really call it a tie between them and Stutzriem. Chris can't throw the ball if he's running for his life all the time, so the line has got to provide some blocking. However, as Tom James so aptly stated, if Stutz can get rid of the ball quickly (and well), the line doesn't have to hold those blocks for so long. Stutz has the opportunity to be The Leader, and if he isn't injured by opposing defenses, that'll be a big step in the right direction.
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T
treefromafar
Guest
OC
I think it's more than a player, it's one whole side of the ball, and a first year offensive coordinator. Don't get me wrong, I think the pedigree is there for Troy Walters to become a good coach. My problem is the combination of a first time head coach in Year 2 of a rebuilding project, coupled with a first time coach of any kind running your offense is a recipe for proven problems. I hope history does not prove to be right in this case. As for players, I would tend to agree that the new QB is the key. You can't win with sub-par quarterback play.
I think it's more than a player, it's one whole side of the ball, and a first year offensive coordinator. Don't get me wrong, I think the pedigree is there for Troy Walters to become a good coach. My problem is the combination of a first time head coach in Year 2 of a rebuilding project, coupled with a first time coach of any kind running your offense is a recipe for proven problems. I hope history does not prove to be right in this case. As for players, I would tend to agree that the new QB is the key. You can't win with sub-par quarterback play.
It ALWAYS starts on the offensive and defensive lines. The Sycamores will go as far as those units develop and take them.
I still think I made a pretty good argument for the WR position... Maybe not... lol
Sycamore Proud
The Nicks Level
It's not a who; it's a what. That means OL first and DL close behind. QB must have time to do his job. LBs support DL; not replace it. Good line play on both sides of the ball make this a good year for the Trees.
SycamoreFan317
The Renn Level
In the football, the best defense is an offense that can control the ball this takes an offensive line that is fundamentally strong. The defensive line main job is to plug the gaps so the linebackers can make the tackles.
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SydCamore
The Captain Level
Interesting discussion........ I agree that the best defense is a good offense.... We have given up quite a few yards and points in the last couple of years..... But that is kind of deceptive....... Our defense was usually on the field for 75% of the game..... That is asking a lot out of a defense that only basically played 15 or 16 kids......
exactly, the offense needs to keep the defense off the field by allowing longer drives
sycamore tuff
The Renn Level
The team as a whole has to be tough, both physically and mentally. I'm talking Sycamore Tuff. Let's get a new attitude! Take it one game at a time but plan on winning all of them. I guess I'm voting for Coach Miles.
bent20
The Odum Level
Normally, I would go with either side of the line here as they are the starting point, but having a QB who is a threat to throw the ball consistently should make for a huge difference. Of course we've seen ISU teams in the recent past who could throw well and do little else. The defense has to keep getting better for Stutzriem to make an impact.
Also, keep the turnovers down. I was at the Northern Illinois game and for as bad as we played it wouldn't have been nearly so terrible if Dowdell could have held onto the ball.
Also, keep the turnovers down. I was at the Northern Illinois game and for as bad as we played it wouldn't have been nearly so terrible if Dowdell could have held onto the ball.
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SydCamore
The Captain Level
Bent,
There were quite a few games last year that would have been a heck of a lot closer if it wasn't for 1 or 2 turnovers.......
At one of the games........... At one point, we had given up more points than our defense had given up yards........... That is crazy..... It was something like 21 points and 20 yards....... I will check to see exactly what it was.......
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new sycamore fan
The All-MVC Level
I vote for all of the above. Every position listed needs SIGNIFICANT improvement this year to meet expectations and get a couple (maybe 3?) wins. The QB upgrade is huge. That was a revolving door last year, and while Ryan stepped in and avoided the multiple turnover games, there was absolutely no threat of a passing game at any time last year. We had 3 (yes 3) touchdown passes on the season. My 7th and 8th graders had 16 last season.
The RBs were respectable, but also inconsistent. Gates had a couple of huge games, but also many not so good games. Gates needs to have a 1,000 yard season. Brown was great at N. Dakota State, wasn't allowed to do much else on the season. Did they have room to run? I guess more so at the end of the season, but the O Line is the area where the most improvement is needed. We averaged 3 yards a carry-not close to good enough (although Gates averaged 5 yards a carry). The pass blocking was awful the entire season. The WRs? Fantastic speed, but terrible routes and terrible hands. Gray and Kent would get open deep, and either have passes that were nowhere close to them, or when there was the infrequent well-thrown ball, dropped passes (this includes Ryan Patrick, who is gone now). I don't think Gray and Kent had 200 yards receiving between them on the season. Roberts will help this position, but we need to find a way to get the ball in Grays and Kents hands in the open field--nobody will catch them in space. The TEs? Also a huge upgrade needed--both on the blocking side, and needing to actually catch well-thrown passes.
Defensively, all positions need to get better. Sure, the turnovers and excellent field position for the opposition had something to do with the scores, but teams generally marched down the field at will for the most part. Running backs had no problem getting to our secondary--its a bad sign when you have 2 DBs with 90+ tackles. Opposing teams averaged 6 yards per rush and 258 yards a game. The 2 starting LBs (Everett and Scott) both had a ton of tackles, but I'd guess 85% of their tackles were more than 8 yards downfield. Both are gone, and we need to be much stouter against the run. With Archie back, and the new players (Washington, Davis), and Cook with some good experience last year, I'm looking for a big improvement here. The DL needs to be able to pressure the QB--with the exception of Millington, this rarely happened last year. I like some of the new additions on the DL this year.
The DBs were decent last year, but also gave up WAY too many big plays, including the heartbreaker against Missouri State. We gave up 24 TD passes last season. Two (yes 2) interceptions is just not going to get it done, and they need to learn how to force the run better instead of waiting for the plays to come to them. This group was young last year, but now they need to step up and become playmakers.
Special teams and the kicking game? They were also poor. In the beginning of the season, blocked punts and poor punts led to as many opposing points as did the turnovers. The blocked punts were just really bad protection--jailbreaks on the line and edges. Kick coverage (both punts and kickoffs) was terrible. 14 yards per punt return for the opposition--that's a big number. The poor squib kick at the end of the MSU game arguably cost us the game.
All this being said, I think there have been upgrades in almost every position, and all of the young kids that got time last season should be much better this year.
The RBs were respectable, but also inconsistent. Gates had a couple of huge games, but also many not so good games. Gates needs to have a 1,000 yard season. Brown was great at N. Dakota State, wasn't allowed to do much else on the season. Did they have room to run? I guess more so at the end of the season, but the O Line is the area where the most improvement is needed. We averaged 3 yards a carry-not close to good enough (although Gates averaged 5 yards a carry). The pass blocking was awful the entire season. The WRs? Fantastic speed, but terrible routes and terrible hands. Gray and Kent would get open deep, and either have passes that were nowhere close to them, or when there was the infrequent well-thrown ball, dropped passes (this includes Ryan Patrick, who is gone now). I don't think Gray and Kent had 200 yards receiving between them on the season. Roberts will help this position, but we need to find a way to get the ball in Grays and Kents hands in the open field--nobody will catch them in space. The TEs? Also a huge upgrade needed--both on the blocking side, and needing to actually catch well-thrown passes.
Defensively, all positions need to get better. Sure, the turnovers and excellent field position for the opposition had something to do with the scores, but teams generally marched down the field at will for the most part. Running backs had no problem getting to our secondary--its a bad sign when you have 2 DBs with 90+ tackles. Opposing teams averaged 6 yards per rush and 258 yards a game. The 2 starting LBs (Everett and Scott) both had a ton of tackles, but I'd guess 85% of their tackles were more than 8 yards downfield. Both are gone, and we need to be much stouter against the run. With Archie back, and the new players (Washington, Davis), and Cook with some good experience last year, I'm looking for a big improvement here. The DL needs to be able to pressure the QB--with the exception of Millington, this rarely happened last year. I like some of the new additions on the DL this year.
The DBs were decent last year, but also gave up WAY too many big plays, including the heartbreaker against Missouri State. We gave up 24 TD passes last season. Two (yes 2) interceptions is just not going to get it done, and they need to learn how to force the run better instead of waiting for the plays to come to them. This group was young last year, but now they need to step up and become playmakers.
Special teams and the kicking game? They were also poor. In the beginning of the season, blocked punts and poor punts led to as many opposing points as did the turnovers. The blocked punts were just really bad protection--jailbreaks on the line and edges. Kick coverage (both punts and kickoffs) was terrible. 14 yards per punt return for the opposition--that's a big number. The poor squib kick at the end of the MSU game arguably cost us the game.
All this being said, I think there have been upgrades in almost every position, and all of the young kids that got time last season should be much better this year.
S
SamTheFoxSquirrel
Guest
Please remember this, as a whole we will probably have the most experienced sophmore class in all of college football. Yes, they had their struggles last year but keep in mind, they will now have a complete year of college level strength and conditioning (which I think Coack McManus does a hell of a job with our guys), a full year of learning the college game and building passion and pride in being a member of the Sycamore Football family. Not to mention a full season of games experience. Then throw in Chris Stutzriem who started for a D 1A team that actually has two years of college experience.
I look for this team to make rediculous strides this season. Will we win 8 games, no. But could we be more competitive, hell yes. Will we suffer 30 point losses, maybe. But, I think we will be in games late with a chance to win. That is what our guys need to learn now, and that is how to win. None of them have done it yet. That is where the coaching will play a huge role.
Mark my words, the return of Archie will be very noticable. He will make the biggest impact on the improvement of the defense this year. That kid was for real when I saw him early last season before his injury. Could have been a blessing, he is now faster and stronger and has learned the game through watching film.
Is it September yet?
I look for this team to make rediculous strides this season. Will we win 8 games, no. But could we be more competitive, hell yes. Will we suffer 30 point losses, maybe. But, I think we will be in games late with a chance to win. That is what our guys need to learn now, and that is how to win. None of them have done it yet. That is where the coaching will play a huge role.
Mark my words, the return of Archie will be very noticable. He will make the biggest impact on the improvement of the defense this year. That kid was for real when I saw him early last season before his injury. Could have been a blessing, he is now faster and stronger and has learned the game through watching film.
Is it September yet?
I like your attitude on this! GREAT post! :wordyo:
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