Any thoughts as it starts I believe March 4. For me the thing to watch are the 2015 redshirts especially at the WR and TE also Turner at RB

Dear emu79,
I would like to see how Ian Eriksen, Lion King, and James Pensyl, are going to perform. I think Eastern will be fine with the running back situation.

Also see how the newcomers will do especially Porter at QB. Is Hunter Matt coming back at LB? How does O Conner's look? We have three OL redshirts so do they fit in the OL mix 2 deeps?

What about indoor drills? Isn't the IPF still closed????

Dear steve,
The indoor practice facility has been inflated for months now, I'd assume that it is functioning. But I really don't know. Maybe super can give us some information on it.

It's all about defensive improvement and health. And there is a correlation between the two. The offense will be fine.

(02-18-2016 12:44 PM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear emu79,
I would like to see how Ian Eriksen, Lion King, and James Pensyl, are going to perform. I think Eastern will be fine with the running back situation.

Eriksen a great athlete, would be nice to get him a few touches to see if he can be a reliable 2nd or 3rd back.

Lion King is buried DEEP, wouldn't expect to hear his name.

Would be surprised if Pensyl ever makes an impact, with the athleticism of Manning/Brady. Would need to play behind an outstanding line, or change the offense to all shotgun quick throw stuff, which isn't going to happen.

(02-18-2016 01:20 PM)emu79 Wrote:  Also see how the newcomers will do especially Porter at QB. Is Hunter Matt coming back at LB? How does O Conner's look? We have three OL redshirts so do they fit in the OL mix 2 deeps?

OC not going to be ready for spring ball.

Pavletich is the only redshirt that might push for a 2 deep spot.

Dear EagleTough,
How do you know what position the quarterback, no matter who it is, will be in any formation? Meaning Pensyl can't play behind center? Why won't O'Connor be ready for spring ball? Do you have inside knowledge on all of this? If you do, you must be on the coaching staff.

(02-18-2016 10:34 PM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear EagleTough,
How do you know what position the quarterback, no matter who it is, will be in any formation? Meaning Pensyl can't play behind center? Why won't O'Connor be ready for spring ball? Do you have inside knowledge on all of this? If you do, you must be on the coaching staff.

Coaching staff? (yeah, this is coach Creighton) Haha

Pensyl no athleticism, assuming OC still rehabbing and will be taking Spring ball very lightly, pretty simple, no great revelations.

(02-18-2016 04:46 PM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear steve,
The indoor practice facility has been inflated for months now, I'd assume that it is functioning. But I really don't know. Maybe super can give us some information on it.

All the off-season conditioning photos that have been posted have been outside or at the Rec/IM so the Bubble might not be fully functional yet.

(02-19-2016 07:07 PM)EagleHawk Wrote:  

(02-18-2016 04:46 PM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear steve,
The indoor practice facility has been inflated for months now, I'd assume that it is functioning. But I really don't know. Maybe super can give us some information on it.

All the off-season conditioning photos that have been posted have been outside or at the Rec/IM so the Bubble might not be fully functional yet.

I believe I read in the athletic minutes that '79 posted that the IPF isn't being used yet...

(02-18-2016 01:20 PM)emu79 Wrote:  Also see how the newcomers will do especially Porter at QB. Is Hunter Matt coming back at LB? How does O Conner's look? We have three OL redshirts so do they fit in the OL mix 2 deeps?

Hunter Matt is done. Actually more interested in how Stiebeling performs at QB, than Porter. The other Porter from Texas could be the sleeper of the class. Just my 2 cents.

(02-20-2016 10:55 PM)EagleTough Wrote:  

(02-18-2016 01:20 PM)emu79 Wrote:  Also see how the newcomers will do especially Porter at QB. Is Hunter Matt coming back at LB? How does O Conner's look? We have three OL redshirts so do they fit in the OL mix 2 deeps?

Hunter Matt is done. Actually more interested in how Stiebeling performs at QB, than Porter. The other Porter from Texas could be the sleeper of the class. Just my 2 cents.

I agree that Steibeling is the future QB. So how does are LB improve this year when we switch to a 4-2-5?

Also are incoming frosh at OL the impact guys to replace the seniors this year?

(02-21-2016 12:41 PM)emu79 Wrote:  

(02-20-2016 10:55 PM)EagleTough Wrote:  

(02-18-2016 01:20 PM)emu79 Wrote:  Also see how the newcomers will do especially Porter at QB. Is Hunter Matt coming back at LB? How does O Conner's look? We have three OL redshirts so do they fit in the OL mix 2 deeps?

Hunter Matt is done. Actually more interested in how Stiebeling performs at QB, than Porter. The other Porter from Texas could be the sleeper of the class. Just my 2 cents.

I agree that Steibeling is the future QB. So how does are LB improve this year when we switch to a 4-2-5?

Also are incoming frosh at OL the impact guys to replace the seniors this year?

Actually hearing that Porter looks legit. Likely the backup. Possible QB controversy again if Roback can't stop turning the ball over? Maybe Stiebeling gets to redshirt and be the true future at QB if Porter immediately takes control of the backup spot. I'm sure Creighton and the OC would love to see Roback take his game to that next level, and eliminate most of the bad turnovers......but watching him all last year, I personally give him a 50/50 shot at actually making it happen. I really hope he steps up, so we don't have a continuous QB problem. If I'm the coach, and he opens up with a couple turnovers in the first 2 games, he immediately gets put on a short leash, especially if Porter is a legit option.

Think we have plenty of LB candidates in a 2 LB system. Most important is who's going to have the IQ/athleticism/toughness to take charge of the hybrid position? Vastly improved D-Line is going to benefit the LB core as well.

Right now it seems Hickey, Pavletich, Leatiota, Donnellon, and Nielson are the future leaders on the OLine. (Plus whatever's going on with the Michigan transfer?) Nielson apparently quite an athlete for 6'8" and a legit 320 lbs (with very little of that being bad weight), just has little high level experience at this point. Hopefully he can redshirt and his technique can catch up with his size/athleticism after a year + of real coaching/weight room/competition.

(02-21-2016 03:02 PM)EagleTough Wrote:  

(02-21-2016 12:41 PM)emu79 Wrote:  

(02-20-2016 10:55 PM)EagleTough Wrote:  

(02-18-2016 01:20 PM)emu79 Wrote:  Also see how the newcomers will do especially Porter at QB. Is Hunter Matt coming back at LB? How does O Conner's look? We have three OL redshirts so do they fit in the OL mix 2 deeps?

Hunter Matt is done. Actually more interested in how Stiebeling performs at QB, than Porter. The other Porter from Texas could be the sleeper of the class. Just my 2 cents.

I agree that Steibeling is the future QB. So how does are LB improve this year when we switch to a 4-2-5?

Also are incoming frosh at OL the impact guys to replace the seniors this year?

Actually hearing that Porter looks legit. Likely the backup. Possible QB controversy again if Roback can't stop turning the ball over? Maybe Stiebeling gets to redshirt and be the true future at QB if Porter immediately takes control of the backup spot. I'm sure Creighton and the OC would love to see Roback take his game to that next level, and eliminate most of the bad turnovers......but watching him all last year, I personally give him a 50/50 shot at actually making it happen. I really hope he steps up, so we don't have a continuous QB problem. If I'm the coach, and he opens up with a couple turnovers in the first 2 games, he immediately gets put on a short leash, especially if Porter is a legit option.

Think we have plenty of LB candidates in a 2 LB system. Most important is who's going to have the IQ/athleticism/toughness to take charge of the hybrid position? Vastly improved D-Line is going to benefit the LB core as well.

Right now it seems Hickey, Pavletich, Leatiota, Donnellon, and Nielson are the future leaders on the OLine. (Plus whatever's going on with the Michigan transfer?) Nielson apparently quite an athlete for 6'8" and a legit 320 lbs (with very little of that being bad weight), just has little high level experience at this point. Hopefully he can redshirt and his technique can catch up with his size/athleticism after a year + of real coaching/weight room/competition.

Great insights and analysis. Still am confused by the Michigan transfer. What new receivers will be able to make impacts this year? Will Snelling be able to make a splash like Daugherty? Or will the athletic and highly thought of out of HS Lemar Harris make the depth chart?

Oops, left out Van Hoeven in that group of future OLine leaders. With him and the MI kid, that gives us 7 legit OL heading into next year. No idea if Armstrong will ever step up, or just get passed by?

Need to add another 3-4 in this years class.

(02-21-2016 03:13 PM)EAGLE KING Wrote:  

(02-21-2016 03:02 PM)EagleTough Wrote:  

(02-21-2016 12:41 PM)emu79 Wrote:  

(02-20-2016 10:55 PM)EagleTough Wrote:  

(02-18-2016 01:20 PM)emu79 Wrote:  Also see how the newcomers will do especially Porter at QB. Is Hunter Matt coming back at LB? How does O Conner's look? We have three OL redshirts so do they fit in the OL mix 2 deeps?

Hunter Matt is done. Actually more interested in how Stiebeling performs at QB, than Porter. The other Porter from Texas could be the sleeper of the class. Just my 2 cents.

I agree that Steibeling is the future QB. So how does are LB improve this year when we switch to a 4-2-5?

Also are incoming frosh at OL the impact guys to replace the seniors this year?

Actually hearing that Porter looks legit. Likely the backup. Possible QB controversy again if Roback can't stop turning the ball over? Maybe Stiebeling gets to redshirt and be the true future at QB if Porter immediately takes control of the backup spot. I'm sure Creighton and the OC would love to see Roback take his game to that next level, and eliminate most of the bad turnovers......but watching him all last year, I personally give him a 50/50 shot at actually making it happen. I really hope he steps up, so we don't have a continuous QB problem. If I'm the coach, and he opens up with a couple turnovers in the first 2 games, he immediately gets put on a short leash, especially if Porter is a legit option.

Think we have plenty of LB candidates in a 2 LB system. Most important is who's going to have the IQ/athleticism/toughness to take charge of the hybrid position? Vastly improved D-Line is going to benefit the LB core as well.

Right now it seems Hickey, Pavletich, Leatiota, Donnellon, and Nielson are the future leaders on the OLine. (Plus whatever's going on with the Michigan transfer?) Nielson apparently quite an athlete for 6'8" and a legit 320 lbs (with very little of that being bad weight), just has little high level experience at this point. Hopefully he can redshirt and his technique can catch up with his size/athleticism after a year + of real coaching/weight room/competition.

Great insights and analysis. Still am confused by the Michigan transfer. What new receivers will be able to make impacts this year? Will Snelling be able to make a splash like Daugherty? Or will the athletic and highly thought of out of HS Lemar Harris make the depth chart?

Snelling is legit, likely starter, better than the 2 that just graduated. Harris & Aristilde are freak athletes, but can they improve routes and hands to become legit, consistent MAC WR's? At worst, Aristilde should run 2-3 fly/deep post routes a game to keep defense honest. (had zero of that last year). Wouldn't be surprised if Wilkes (outside), and Sexton (inside), the true freshmen, compete right away for the 2 deep as well. All young guys, but definitely better athletes than past WR's.

Really like Hawkins, Porter, Calhoun & Phelps to shake up the back 7 immediately. Prior slackers with questionable athleticism and tackling ability are going to find the bench quickly. Doubt any of these guys get redshirted.

Might be the best thing about a new DCoordinator. All of these guys are now on a level playing field, and hopefully he let's the best players play. Might have some youth growing pains in the back 7 of the defense, but let them play through, at least rotate the young guys in to gain experience, and build for the future.

Rest assured, this new DC is absolutely an upgrade from the previous situation.

Most impressive Stiebeling stats besides 27 TDs........... only 4 picks, 65.9% completion rate.