(07-25-2013 07:36 PM)huskiebob Wrote:  

(07-25-2013 07:14 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(07-25-2013 06:54 PM)huskiebob Wrote:  

(07-25-2013 01:36 PM)7 Wrote:  I love Akeem, but this team did just fine with Leighton Settle playing the majority of the year.

Running backs don't really matter in this offense.

I know what you're saying. However, without Akeem being an absolute monster in the MACC, we don't beat Kent State and we don't go to the Orange Bowl.

That might be going a little bit far.

Really? You better watch the game again and take a look at the numbers Akeem put up that night. Pay close attention to some of the big plays he made in the 4th quarter and OT.

He had an absolutely great night, but with how this offense works is it safe to say those numbers wouldn't have come from somewhere else. Noone was stopping anybody late.

The loss of Akeem is huge, im not arguing that, but I don't think it means NIU's chances are completely over for this year. Like 7 said, the running back may not be the focal point it is for some offenses.

I hope someone steps up. I like the team's chances much better with a quality running back to share the load this season. Lynch will be a marked man who will sneak up on no one this year.

Does anyone know what the surgery was? Damn, it could have just been a toenail. Haldi had the same thing.

(07-25-2013 08:47 PM)prairiedawg Wrote:  Does anyone know what the surgery was? Damn, it could have just been a toenail. Haldi had the same thing.

I asked..."so Akeem, you had surgery on what? Your ankle, foot?" and he said it was his toe. I did not take it further because I felt like that might be getting too personal.

He said he would just be happy to be done with the problem because it's been bothering him since last Nov.

Maybe he only has 9 toes now.......

(07-25-2013 07:42 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  The loss of Akeem is huge, im not arguing that, but I don't think it means NIU's chances are completely over for this year. Like 7 said, the running back may not be the focal point it is for some offenses.

I think the YPC for our RBs were good last year, but what was missing was someone who could break off the big play. The longest run by a RB (Keith Harris) was 53 yards, but it didn't go for a touchdown. If we had a RB who had that kind of ability to break one off for a 50+ yard TD, that would make the offense that more potent.

(07-25-2013 07:39 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(07-25-2013 07:36 PM)huskiebob Wrote:  

(07-25-2013 07:14 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(07-25-2013 06:54 PM)huskiebob Wrote:  

(07-25-2013 01:36 PM)7 Wrote:  I love Akeem, but this team did just fine with Leighton Settle playing the majority of the year.

Running backs don't really matter in this offense.

I know what you're saying. However, without Akeem being an absolute monster in the MACC, we don't beat Kent State and we don't go to the Orange Bowl.

That might be going a little bit far.

Really? You better watch the game again and take a look at the numbers Akeem put up that night. Pay close attention to some of the big plays he made in the 4th quarter and OT.

He had an absolutely great night, but with how this offense works is it safe to say those numbers wouldn't have come from somewhere else. Noone was stopping anybody late.

I have to agree with bob on this one. Akeem had as much to do with us winning that game as anyone. He was huge, especially late in that game.

I still don't think RB matters much in this offense, but Akeem had a huge part in that win.

(07-26-2013 12:33 PM)7 Wrote:  

(07-25-2013 07:39 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(07-25-2013 07:36 PM)huskiebob Wrote:  

(07-25-2013 07:14 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(07-25-2013 06:54 PM)huskiebob Wrote:  I know what you're saying. However, without Akeem being an absolute monster in the MACC, we don't beat Kent State and we don't go to the Orange Bowl.

That might be going a little bit far.

Really? You better watch the game again and take a look at the numbers Akeem put up that night. Pay close attention to some of the big plays he made in the 4th quarter and OT.

He had an absolutely great night, but with how this offense works is it safe to say those numbers wouldn't have come from somewhere else. Noone was stopping anybody late.

I have to agree with bob on this one. Akeem had as much to do with us winning that game as anyone. He was huge, especially late in that game.

I still don't think RB matters much in this offense, but Akeem had a huge part in that win.

He did have a huge game I agree with you both, but Im just not ready to say NIU would not have won without him. Its hard to make that leap because Akeem's touches would have gone to someone else. Both defenses were having a tough time, it really didnt matter who was touching the ball.

I do agree against an opponent like Iowa, our chances are very low without him.

(07-26-2013 12:33 PM)7 Wrote:  

(07-25-2013 07:39 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(07-25-2013 07:36 PM)huskiebob Wrote:  

(07-25-2013 07:14 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(07-25-2013 06:54 PM)huskiebob Wrote:  I know what you're saying. However, without Akeem being an absolute monster in the MACC, we don't beat Kent State and we don't go to the Orange Bowl.

That might be going a little bit far.

Really? You better watch the game again and take a look at the numbers Akeem put up that night. Pay close attention to some of the big plays he made in the 4th quarter and OT.

He had an absolutely great night, but with how this offense works is it safe to say those numbers wouldn't have come from somewhere else. Noone was stopping anybody late.

I have to agree with bob on this one. Akeem had as much to do with us winning that game as anyone. He was huge, especially late in that game.

I still don't think RB matters much in this offense, but Akeem had a huge part in that win.

You're killin' me with that comment.....

I don't care what kind of offense we're running, you can't tell me having a "game-breaker" (like GW, Spann ect) in the backfield as we've had in the past wouldn't make a difference.

JL's gonna be keyed on like never before. Yes, I imagine his passing will be a bit better but it would be a huge help if we had someone to throw to out of the backfield or who would really "freeze" the D with play-action.

I mean, did you watch this team the last two years? The RBs are an after thought, especially with Lynch. The running backs only ever get the ball on option plays when the defense forces the QB to give it to them. And Lynch isn't real strong at making reads on read options, so NIU doesn't run it as much as they did with Harnish. I would imagine in the majority of games last year NIU ran less than 10 true designed running plays to the RBs.

If NIU had Wolfe or Turner, would that number in crease? Of course. If it was Spann would it? I doubt it. Spann was a really good running back, but there's nothing he did running the ball that Lynch cannot.

The place where NIU would miss Akeem the most is catching the ball and blocking. Even when Settle was the starter last year, Akeem was always in for passing situations. He's a great pass catcher and blocker.

(07-26-2013 12:58 PM)7 Wrote:  I mean, did you watch this team the last two years? The RBs are an after thought, especially with Lynch. The running backs only ever get the ball on option plays when the defense forces the QB to give it to them. And Lynch isn't real strong at making reads on read options, so NIU doesn't run it as much as they did with Harnish. I would imagine in the majority of games last year NIU ran less than 10 true designed running plays to the RBs.

If NIU had Wolfe or Turner, would that number in crease? Of course. If it was Spann would it? I doubt it. Spann was a really good running back, but there's nothing he did running the ball that Lynch cannot.

The place where NIU would miss Akeem the most is catching the ball and blocking. Even when Settle was the starter last year, Akeem was always in for passing situations. He's a great pass catcher and blocker.

I guess I feel that if we get a stud RB who can concern a defense (read: Huff or A. Turner) than they won't be an after-thought.
I know downside with a red-shirt freshman would be blocking issues.

Looking forward to see what happens in fall camp.....

Isnt that the biggest way we miss Daniels is because there are situations the defense won't need to be so laterally strung out without his speed on the field. It will be much easier to key on Lynch without having to worry about Daniels.

I think a thick, downhill runner would be a good complement to Lynch this year. Haven't seen much of him but from what I've heard, Bowers could be that guy. Let the interior of the defense have something to worry about on read-options. Or at least have a guy that can fall forward for 4 or 5 yards when he does get it between the tackles.

Who could forget this play:

^^^^^^^^ why I think bowers will be a good runner. Hope his blocking will be up to par