so....now that the QB debate has been hashed out to the point where NEWGUY and I are almost agreeing i want to follow some of ya'lls opinions on our running game for this year...
1) How Kill's offense might effect what we see
2) evaluations of our rbs from the limited time we saw them last year
3) how the O_ looks
etc...
I really do not know what to expect from this group this year not having seen film on many of the games last year so grab some coffee, get your stats together and lets kvetch!
right now it seems anderson and spann split reps with the first team and bryant and smith split with the second team.
Anderson was very good last year particularly considering all the "challenges" facing the NIU O - yet I still dont know why I do not consider him a difference maker nor game breaker in close ball games vs strong opponents....
maybe having watched & being spoiled with Wolfe and Turner so much has alot to do with my perspective.
How he and running game goes in 2008 starting with the Mn game is how much of the season will likely go vs better teams. I cannot foresee NIU being consistently successful in the passing game regardless of who wins the QB derby. We have no difference maker at that position either.
is MC still out? and what is your take on him when he is healthy?
not sure wat to expect out of clanton. he will be out until the fall. i think it will take a while for him to pick up the offense since they are only putting in half in the spring. when the other backs are learning the other half he will be trying to learn both come fall
College football is all about reputation, and I have no doubt that the running game will be the focus of the NIU offense, as that is NIU's reputation. It makes it easier for NIU to attract good RBs than good QBs, so why not use it?
Coach Kill may get the NIU O to play spread with a fullback, but if the NIU O is going to be successful, it will be because they run more than throw, and pass to keep the defense honest.
Some things just don't change, and NIU is not Hawaii.