(02-05-2015 07:21 PM)Pan95 Wrote:  We've been fortunate in that this has not happened too often. But when it does happen, it is no bueno for the immediate prospects of success (great for the kid though).

You could include Covington on the list as well.

That's very disappointing to hear that Nordstrom is gone. Now it looks like both the DL and secondary will be unproven. This worries me. A lot.

(02-05-2015 09:41 PM)Afflicted Wrote:  That's very disappointing to hear that Nordstrom is gone. Now it looks like both the DL and secondary will be unproven. This worries me. A lot.

Definitely. Lost arguably our two best players, with eligibility left, to completely different jobs. After the bowl game Bailiff said we'd win the conference next season, but at that time, he envisioned both Covington and Nordstrom coming back. No use in redshirting guys like Abercrumbia, Thompson, Padgett now. Might want to reconsider the whole redshirt philosophy, actually. Next year's defense will still have potential but could really struggle, especially early, against the likes of Baylor. An upset over Texas seems a lot less likely now. The players we're losing played in 3 straight bowl games.

Driphus graduates in May, I'm assuming he's coming back and taking a class or two just to stay eligible?

We'll see how spring ball goes, but right now I see more question marks than the prior two seasons. At least this class helps in the areas of most need, and features players with the size to play right away at S, CB, DT, and DE.

(02-05-2015 10:59 PM)Buho00 Wrote:  

(02-05-2015 09:41 PM)Afflicted Wrote:  That's very disappointing to hear that Nordstrom is gone. Now it looks like both the DL and secondary will be unproven. This worries me. A lot.

Definitely. Lost arguably our two best players, with eligibility left, to completely different jobs. After the bowl game Bailiff said we'd win the conference next season, but at that time, he envisioned both Covington and Nordstrom coming back. No use in redshirting guys like Abercrumbia, Thompson, Padgett now. Might want to reconsider the whole redshirt philosophy, actually. Next year's defense will still have potential but could really struggle, especially early, against the likes of Baylor. An upset over Texas seems a lot less likely now. The players we're losing played in 3 straight bowl games.

Driphus graduates in May, I'm assuming he's coming back and taking a class or two just to stay eligible?

We'll see how spring ball goes, but right now I see more question marks than the prior two seasons. At least this class helps in the areas of most need, and features players with the size to play right away at S, CB, DT, and DE.

I'm with you. If the new guys can provide meaningful depth right now, play them. I thought it was a common practice to put athletes on a five-year graduation tract, but does Rice not do this? Our guys are too smart for our program's own good. Can't they quit being so ambitious or something?

I am with you in being much more worried about 2015 than I was this morning. Still talent on the d-line, but the talent has less experience and less depth without Nordstrom. Wonder if the person making him the job offer is a UT, LaTech, Marshall, or WKU alum.

(02-05-2015 11:17 PM)mrbig Wrote:  I am with you in being much more worried about 2015 than I was this morning. Still talent on the d-line, but the talent has less experience and less depth without Nordstrom. Wonder if the person making him the job offer is a UT, LaTech, Marshall, or WKU alum.

Funny, but true. I worry about our DL most against powers like Texas, Baylor, and Marshall. We get Louisiana Tech and Western Kentucky at home, where we tend to dominate opponents. I'm more worried about the road. We can beat almost anyone in Rice Stadium. Anyone who won't play us in HRS is truly scared.

(02-06-2015 01:00 AM)Afflicted Wrote:  

(02-05-2015 11:17 PM)mrbig Wrote:  I am with you in being much more worried about 2015 than I was this morning. Still talent on the d-line, but the talent has less experience and less depth without Nordstrom. Wonder if the person making him the job offer is a UT, LaTech, Marshall, or WKU alum.

Funny, but true. I worry about our DL most against powers like Texas, Baylor, and Marshall. We get Louisiana Tech and Western Kentucky at home, where we tend to dominate opponents. I'm more worried about the road. We can beat almost anyone in Rice Stadium. Anyone who won't play us in HRS is truly scared.

So true. We are 2-1 against P5 opponents in our last 3 at HRS.

Excellent news about Nordstrom. Wish him all the success. I am confused. Do we want student athletes or jocks? At least he want not being kicked out because he was beating up on his girlfriend :). It is pretty sad if our depth is so poor that he cannot be replaced. Remember, Nordstrom just blossomed this year. No reason we cannot find someone to replace him just as good. If not, the whole football program is suspect.

(02-05-2015 11:17 PM)mrbig Wrote:  I am with you in being much more worried about 2015 than I was this morning. Still talent on the d-line, but the talent has less experience and less depth without Nordstrom. Wonder if the person making him the job offer is a UT, LaTech, Marshall, or WKU alum.

(02-06-2015 10:46 AM)OldOwl Wrote:  Excellent news about Nordstrom. Wish him all the success. I am confused. Do we want student athletes or jocks? At least he want not being kicked out because he was beating up on his girlfriend :). It is pretty sad if our depth is so poor that he cannot be replaced. Remember, Nordstrom just blossomed this year. No reason we cannot find someone to replace him just as good. If not, the whole football program is suspect.

(02-05-2015 11:17 PM)mrbig Wrote:  I am with you in being much more worried about 2015 than I was this morning. Still talent on the d-line, but the talent has less experience and less depth without Nordstrom. Wonder if the person making him the job offer is a UT, LaTech, Marshall, or WKU alum.

Nordstrom "just developed this year" because this was the first year he was given an opportunity to see significant playing time.

(02-06-2015 10:56 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(02-06-2015 10:46 AM)OldOwl Wrote:  Excellent news about Nordstrom. Wish him all the success. I am confused. Do we want student athletes or jocks? At least he want not being kicked out because he was beating up on his girlfriend :). It is pretty sad if our depth is so poor that he cannot be replaced. Remember, Nordstrom just blossomed this year. No reason we cannot find someone to replace him just as good. If not, the whole football program is suspect.

(02-05-2015 11:17 PM)mrbig Wrote:  I am with you in being much more worried about 2015 than I was this morning. Still talent on the d-line, but the talent has less experience and less depth without Nordstrom. Wonder if the person making him the job offer is a UT, LaTech, Marshall, or WKU alum.

Nordstrom "just developed this year" because this was the first year he was given an opportunity to see significant playing time.

and not even a senior. Surprised he got on the field at all.

This seems to assume he was always this good, from the moment he stepped on campus. Anything to support this view? I know he came to us as a preferred walk on - maybe he was highly recruited by P5 schools before making that choice? I don't know. I am sure somebody can research this and let us know if Ohio State and Oregon were on his list.

I know anybody can find something in stats to support the viewpoint they want to support, but anyway, here is his bio and stats from RiceOwls.com:

http://www.riceowls.com/sports/m-footbl/...67667.html

It's obviously his decision, but I don't like it. I wonder what job he got that wouldn't be there in December? Maybe there was more to it.

To answer someone's question- I suspect the reason the kids aren't on 5-year graduation plans anymore is because of the summer school every year. That's 12 hours that 20 years ago would have been in the 5th year. I doubt many of them are taking more than 12 to maybe 15 hours a semester. I would agree that red-shirting creates a risk that it didn't used to.

It seems like every year we have 1 or even 2 guys emerge out of nowhere at the DE position and give us very good play. Last year it was Nordstrom and Patt. I wouldn't be surprised if Grant Peterson is that type of player in 2015.

(02-06-2015 02:12 PM)Middle Ages Wrote:  It's obviously his decision, but I don't like it. I wonder what job he got that wouldn't be there in December? Maybe there was more to it.

To answer someone's question- I suspect the reason the kids aren't on 5-year graduation plans anymore is because of the summer school every year. That's 12 hours that 20 years ago would have been in the 5th year. I doubt many of them are taking more than 12 to maybe 15 hours a semester. I would agree that red-shirting creates a risk that it didn't used to.

Yeah, I agree. It is presents a bit of a quandary:
To build a program from the bottom up, you have to redshirt kids with growth potential who project to be significantly better as 22/23 year old student athletes than 17/18 yr old student athletes.
As you become more successful, you begin to attract the attention of kids who are increasingly ready to play immediately. At what point in the program's life cycle do you seriously question the need to redshirt them?

Because Rice is an academically elite school, there is more incentive for student athletes to complete their degree. However, due to the nature of the student athlete at Rice, not all of them require 5 years to do so. I didn't think to ask this question at the Signing Day event, but I wonder if the AD has identified the need for support from the school in terms of providing undergraduate and graduate degree plans that would provide an incentive for guys like Nwosu to stay on for their 5th year. I notice that we have a lot of kinesiology majors. Perhaps it is time for RUOwl/Hambone's plan to foster a deeper relationship with the medical center, especially Baylor College of Medicine/Methodist to create a 3 tiered Sports Medicine program.

Good thinking.

(02-06-2015 02:12 PM)Middle Ages Wrote:  It's obviously his decision, but I don't like it. I wonder what job he got that wouldn't be there in December? Maybe there was more to it.

To answer someone's question- I suspect the reason the kids aren't on 5-year graduation plans anymore is because of the summer school every year. That's 12 hours that 20 years ago would have been in the 5th year. I doubt many of them are taking more than 12 to maybe 15 hours a semester. I would agree that red-shirting creates a risk that it didn't used to.

I can't fault Nordstrom for leaving for a job that pays 6 figures. Seems it only validates Bailiff's recruiting pitch which is great for our future.

Joseph Duarte ‏@Chronicle_Owls 3m3 minutes ago
Rice DE Brian Nordstrom will serve as a project engineer at a Houston oil and gas company; job pays six figures. “More than I expected."

As much as i am excited for this incoming class to me it seems like were missing some good opportunities to recuit in Canada. I know we had an offer in on Neville Gallimore, but this was one of the best class to ever come out of Canada and we as a school have gained alot of rep from Canadian players with us in last couple years sending luke wilson and now covington to the nfl. I know some high school coaches and college players here in Canada from my semi pro team and Rice has gained a lot respect not just for our use of Canada players and sending them to pro, but for most Canadian kids NFL isnt really big thing its more about the edcuation and we rank high on that list. And i mean it dosent hurt having another place to pull fans from as i started following this team and become a avid fan because of use of Canadians and i truly believe Texas is footballs home. So it just made sense for me to cheer for Rice when i started following NCAA 4 years ago and i know others like me, i actually made it to my first game this past season when i drove from Calgary to Southbend for game one and was one of the best experinces ive had in a long time. Already planning my trip to Houston next year for a home game.

(02-06-2015 06:02 PM)eddybeevie Wrote:  As much as i am excited for this incoming class to me it seems like were missing some good opportunities to recuit in Canada. I know we had an offer in on Neville Gallimore, ...

FWIW, Gallimore was Oklahoma's "top offensive line pickup" of this year's recruits.

90+% of our athletes are at Rice for the education and the job market. That's what we want as a University and what we want as an Athletic Department. Some of them (in football or the other "major" sports) will fit in a fifth year of sports. It might enhance their job/educational chances..and their sports chances, too.

It's great to have the fifth year Sr on the team. It brings much needed skill and experience. But Nordstrom and others have to make that decision. One extra year on the team vs possibly a professional opportunity that will positively enhance a life long career. It's very personal, I imagine.

I loved watching him this year. He was a great asset to our Defense and to the team. Best of luck to him in the future.

It will be hard to replace him. But we will. Plenty of young guys in the pipeline...as always.

Gallimore was also the first canadian to ever play in the Army All American game

(02-06-2015 06:02 PM)eddybeevie Wrote:  As much as i am excited for this incoming class to me it seems like were missing some good opportunities to recuit in Canada. I know we had an offer in on Neville Gallimore, but this was one of the best class to ever come out of Canada and we as a school have gained alot of rep from Canadian players with us in last couple years sending luke wilson and now covington to the nfl. I know some high school coaches and college players here in Canada from my semi pro team and Rice has gained a lot respect not just for our use of Canada players and sending them to pro, but for most Canadian kids NFL isnt really big thing its more about the edcuation and we rank high on that list. And i mean it dosent hurt having another place to pull fans from as i started following this team and become a avid fan because of use of Canadians and i truly believe Texas is footballs home. So it just made sense for me to cheer for Rice when i started following NCAA 4 years ago and i know others like me, i actually made it to my first game this past season when i drove from Calgary to Southbend for game one and was one of the best experinces ive had in a long time. Already planning my trip to Houston next year for a home game.

Come on down Eddy.......we'll leave the light on for you !