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<a href='http://www.collegefootballnews.com/mac/2005_Previews/NorthernIllinois_Preview.htm' target='_blank'>http://www.collegefootballnews.com/mac/200...ois_Preview.htm</a>

From CFN

Quarterback
Player to watch : Dan Nicholson

These guys are high on Free. Check out this comment, "Free is the best player on the offense with tremendous strength and shocking speed," and this one "[Free] willl be a multimillionaire if he decides to turn pro early next year"

I know Justin Anderson is a pretty highly thought of recruite, but why would they list him as an "INSTANT IMPACT" player? Especially since they're still listing him as a TB recruite. Me thinks with our depth, we'll not be waisting his red shirt this year if he stays a RB. Now, if he has that type of talent and moves to S, then maybe we have something this year.

dynovinyl Wrote:These guys are high on Free. Check out this comment, "Free is the best player on the offense with tremendous strength and shocking speed," and this one "[Free] willl be a multimillionaire if he decides to turn pro early next year"

I know Justin Anderson is a pretty highly thought of recruite, but why would they list him as an "INSTANT IMPACT" player? Especially since they're still listing him as a TB recruite. Me thinks with our depth, we'll not be waisting his red shirt this year if he stays a RB. Now, if he has that type of talent and moves to S, then maybe we have something this year.

Yeah, Free's stock seems to be rising with every passing moment. I guess not too much new in this preview, its not a bad thing when Hurd and Powers are considered the weak link on offense, you know you arent too doing bad. Ive never seen them give a 10 rating to a unit before but the Huskie running game got a 10. Reading through the defense preview also affirms our worries about if this defense will be able to stop anyone.

They seem to like Doug Free. They need better proof reading. Just running spell checker is not enough.

If you read CFN's Top 2006 Draft Prospects, they have Free at #18

They seem to have more faith in our DB's than a lot of us do. But hey they could be right, the twins were only Sophs last year, this year as juniors they may grow to be quite the pair at the corners.

They say LB is our weakness on D, but I think the current LB starters have more potential to be great than do our DB's. But I can't argue with adding 66% new starters to your LB core, it has to put them as the weak point.

CWILL,

I hope you are right, the hansbros scare the crap out of me. One of them on the field is usually enough to hurt the D, but two at once? Who knows though maybe you have a good point here that they were very young and maybe that experience will mold them into something good.

Turner4Heisman Wrote:CWILL,

I hope you are right, the hansbros scare the crap out of me. One of them on the field is usually enough to hurt the D, but two at once? Who knows though maybe you have a good point here that they were very young and maybe that experience will mold them into something good.

I hear what you are saying, but we are basically a zone team. Nothing improves a zone like experience, the more comfortable you are with the zone the better off you are. When we do need to do man press the hansbros will be at a disadvantage, but joe being a defensive coach clearly knows that, and i'm sure we will be in an almost exclusive zone this year. Especially with the speed at OLB, those guys can get out and cover a zone too.

Clearly you'd love guys with tons of talent there, but i think the hansbros are going to be solid if they are indeed the starters. The zone needs solid safety play so the FS postion is a big one.

I could not find a CFN Michigan preview, but I'll check periodically.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't that one fumble by Sheldon on a punt return?

NIU70 Wrote:Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't that one fumble by Sheldon on a punt return?

I was thinking kickoff vs. maryland. But I think you may be right.

Also thought it was kick off to start a half ?

Yes, it was the kick-off to start the second half against Maryland. So zero lost fumbles in 11 straight games after that. Of course, Wolfe fumbled the ball out of the end zone against Bowling Green from the three yard line, but we got lucky the ref was screened and called it a touchdown.

I'm looking forward to reading Phil Steele's magazine this summer, which I think is by far the best college football preview mag on the market.

One of the cool things he does is rank units (RB's, O-Line, D-Line, etc.). I'll be curious to see where Wolfe/AJ et all rank in his magazine.

I agree about Steele publication compared to all others.....I never saw tape replay of Wolfe fumble and don' t recall it being at three yd line but much closer to end zone stripe.

It was nonetheless a HUGE non call and seasons are made, lost and loaded with such calls. If replay was an option, could that play have been reviewed by officials?

Phil Steele's baseball previews are also incomparable.

Phil Steele is the platinum standard of sports magazines. Gobs of insightful info for the way-too-informed sports fan like all of us here at NIUBBS...

Phil Steele.

crazywilly Wrote:They seem to have more faith in our DB's than a lot of us do. But hey they could be right, the twins were only Sophs last year, this year as juniors they may grow to be quite the pair at the corners.

They say LB is our weakness on D, but I think the current LB starters have more potential to be great than do our DB's. But I can't argue with adding 66% new starters to your LB core, it has to put them as the weak point.

I also think that the preview hit the nail right on the head with the WRs as a wild card. On a side note, it was distressing to see that the OL has mostly seniors and a junior with a chance to bolt early for the NFL. It would be nice to have some rich alums in the NFL to help give some back to NIU athletics.

Go Huskies!