(11-28-2016 01:10 PM)GCD70 Wrote:  

(11-28-2016 12:50 PM)brandsxb Wrote:  I know I am am old fart but I lived through the multiple 3 and 7 seasons during the 1960s and this team reminds me of those teams. The team did improve later in the season but their competition decreased during that same time. You always look good against weak teams. The only way to build upon the any improvement in the team is to get a new coach who wants to use NIU as a stepping stone. That type of coach will have fire in the belly and will put in the effort to get the team competetive again. My impression, after watching a four games this season, is the team was not working as a unit and the players did not look polished (skilled). I am not that hopeful for next season.

without making excuses, from last years UT game till now we have played 5 different QBs and that makes it harder especially when 3 of your non con foes end up like 27-8. Regardless of who we played at the end, look at the effort Kenny Golloday made in Kent. The team played hard so just like ND, Oregon, Arizona, OLE Miss, Miss St, Mich. St all have to regroup, reevaluate and come back. Coach Carey, weather you want to believe it or not does this job to win

I'm certain he does his job to win. But, HOW he does that job is certainly open to question and criticism.

(11-28-2016 01:43 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(11-28-2016 01:10 PM)GCD70 Wrote:  

(11-28-2016 12:50 PM)brandsxb Wrote:  I know I am am old fart but I lived through the multiple 3 and 7 seasons during the 1960s and this team reminds me of those teams. The team did improve later in the season but their competition decreased during that same time. You always look good against weak teams. The only way to build upon the any improvement in the team is to get a new coach who wants to use NIU as a stepping stone. That type of coach will have fire in the belly and will put in the effort to get the team competetive again. My impression, after watching a four games this season, is the team was not working as a unit and the players did not look polished (skilled). I am not that hopeful for next season.

without making excuses, from last years UT game till now we have played 5 different QBs and that makes it harder especially when 3 of your non con foes end up like 27-8. Regardless of who we played at the end, look at the effort Kenny Golloday made in Kent. The team played hard so just like ND, Oregon, Arizona, OLE Miss, Miss St, Mich. St all have to regroup, reevaluate and come back. Coach Carey, weather you want to believe it or not does this job to win

I'm certain he does his job to win. But, HOW he does that job is certainly open to question and criticism.

My biggest disappointment is I feel he doesn't use his players to the best of their ability.
I had high hopes for some of these guys (Turner, Jones, Wimann, Mister and they just don't get the ball enough or are played in a different position. Just my opinion.

(11-28-2016 02:01 PM)huskie1stdown Wrote:  

(11-28-2016 01:43 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(11-28-2016 01:10 PM)GCD70 Wrote:  

(11-28-2016 12:50 PM)brandsxb Wrote:  I know I am am old fart but I lived through the multiple 3 and 7 seasons during the 1960s and this team reminds me of those teams. The team did improve later in the season but their competition decreased during that same time. You always look good against weak teams. The only way to build upon the any improvement in the team is to get a new coach who wants to use NIU as a stepping stone. That type of coach will have fire in the belly and will put in the effort to get the team competetive again. My impression, after watching a four games this season, is the team was not working as a unit and the players did not look polished (skilled). I am not that hopeful for next season.

without making excuses, from last years UT game till now we have played 5 different QBs and that makes it harder especially when 3 of your non con foes end up like 27-8. Regardless of who we played at the end, look at the effort Kenny Golloday made in Kent. The team played hard so just like ND, Oregon, Arizona, OLE Miss, Miss St, Mich. St all have to regroup, reevaluate and come back. Coach Carey, weather you want to believe it or not does this job to win

I'm certain he does his job to win. But, HOW he does that job is certainly open to question and criticism.

My biggest disappointment is I feel he doesn't use his players to the best of their ability.
I had high hopes for some of these guys (Turner, Jones, Wimann, Mister and they just don't get the ball enough or are played in a different position. Just my opinion.

I tend to agree with that. Turner was underutilized

(11-28-2016 02:17 PM)GCD70 Wrote:  

(11-28-2016 02:01 PM)huskie1stdown Wrote:  

(11-28-2016 01:43 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(11-28-2016 01:10 PM)GCD70 Wrote:  

(11-28-2016 12:50 PM)brandsxb Wrote:  I know I am am old fart but I lived through the multiple 3 and 7 seasons during the 1960s and this team reminds me of those teams. The team did improve later in the season but their competition decreased during that same time. You always look good against weak teams. The only way to build upon the any improvement in the team is to get a new coach who wants to use NIU as a stepping stone. That type of coach will have fire in the belly and will put in the effort to get the team competetive again. My impression, after watching a four games this season, is the team was not working as a unit and the players did not look polished (skilled). I am not that hopeful for next season.

without making excuses, from last years UT game till now we have played 5 different QBs and that makes it harder especially when 3 of your non con foes end up like 27-8. Regardless of who we played at the end, look at the effort Kenny Golloday made in Kent. The team played hard so just like ND, Oregon, Arizona, OLE Miss, Miss St, Mich. St all have to regroup, reevaluate and come back. Coach Carey, weather you want to believe it or not does this job to win

I'm certain he does his job to win. But, HOW he does that job is certainly open to question and criticism.

My biggest disappointment is I feel he doesn't use his players to the best of their ability.
I had high hopes for some of these guys (Turner, Jones, Wimann, Mister and they just don't get the ball enough or are played in a different position. Just my opinion.

I tend to agree with that. Turner was underutilized

Agree on that completely. Getting the ball into playmakers hands somewa/somehow good things tend to happen. Perfect example was Ohio state getting the ball into Curtis Samuels hands and basically won OSU the game. I really hope we see more of Wiemann next year along with DJ brown and Saffold will be back which will help.

NIU will be back next year with coaching consistency.
I choose to be Pollyanna and believe that Rod Carey will bounce back next year.
Not saying that I disagree with the criticism of underutilizing various players.
Just hoping to see a 8 win + NIU team, with wins over Central Michigan and Toledo.

I know offense is always easier for us fans to look at, but NIU was in the top half and in some cases top third of most offensive categories.

We were in the bottom half to bottom 3rd of most defensive categories.

If you really want to look at why we are 5-7 instead of 7-5 or 8-4, defense is the bigger issue. Yes, QB hurt, but we figured out how to score most games.

A few more interesting notes from looking through many of the stats (yes, strategically chosen to cause a stir):

- WMU had the best 3rd down % in the nation.
- NIU tied for the nation's most field goal misses between 30 - 39 yards (we missed 4). How many games could that have changed?
- NIU averaged 5.3 yards per rush attempt. WMU averaged 5.3 yards per rush attempt. Top 30'ish in the country. And 90% of our posts are about the RB playing.
- We were top 30 in kick-off return average yards, but bottom 20 in punt return yards.
- We were bottom 20 in punting.
- NIU was tied for 2nd to last in the nation in defensive fumbled recovered (2), Eastern Michigan was top 10 with 13. Other teams with only 2, San Diego St, Boise St, Nebraska (they seemed to fare OK).
- NIU was top 20 in interceptions on defense, but bottom 30 in the nation in interception yards returned. For reference, we had 14 interceptions with 75 yards returned. WMU had 14 interceptions with 372 yards returned and 4 tds. (this boggles my mind)

I got to watch 2 NIU road conference victories in new stadiums I've never been to before - Good road trips!

(11-27-2016 10:21 PM)NIU05 Wrote:  

(11-27-2016 02:15 PM)NIU1981 Wrote:  Young players Daniel Isom, Trequan Smith, Trayshon Foster, Mitch Brinkman, Jordan Steckler, Shane Evans, Daniel Crawford, Spencer Tears, DJ Brown, Tommy Mister, Josh Corcoran, Sutton Smith, Quintin Wynne, Lance Deveaux, Antonio Jones-Davis, Daniel Santacaterina, Marcus Kelly, Nate Veloz, Hernlandez Corley, Ben Leroy all got valuable playing experience and did pretty well. A lot of those guys are going to be awesome players down the line.

Christian Blake took the next step in his development. We need him to be a star next year.

Ty Harmston looks like he will be a real asset as a blocker at tight end.

Vets Jackson Abresch and Alex Schwab got on the field after waiting a long time and did a good job.

New guys Damarius Brinson and Joe Sanders got some in the job training after arriving late. They should do a lot better next year after having a whole offseason in our system.

81 - like to watch linemàn develop, Did Veloz show potential at dt? Never have e ough at dt.

Veloz didn't play a lot but he got some game experience at his new position which is valuable. He has great size, hopefully they can coach up the rest.