(07-07-2019 08:02 AM)StevenNIU Wrote: (07-06-2019 06:02 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote: (07-06-2019 01:24 PM)StevenNIU Wrote: (07-05-2019 11:14 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote: (07-05-2019 08:13 PM)StevenNIU Wrote: I think this is the year that Cole Tucker breaks out.
Curious as to what you see in Tucker to break out? He seems average in most all physical attributes. Not fast. Not quick. Not physical. Good hands, yes. But the “not drop the easy ones” hands more than the circus catch kind. Not knocking the kid. I think he’s solid. Just don’t know how he can stand out.
I just think with the amount of passes dropped by the other wideouts last year, Tucker will be able to develop a comfortable relationship with Bowers which will lead to more passes being thrown his way.
Agree there. I see him as that 3rd and 7 go-to guy for Bowers. But if he's in the top 3 for catches at the end of the season I think our WR group is really lacking talent.
I am not as worried about the talent in the WR group as as I am worried about the inexperience. Only 1 senior, 2 juniors (1 just signed from JUCO and 1 who has never played) and a whole lot of freshmen and sophomores.
I expect Tears to take a huge step (or two) up now that he has a competent PASSING QB dishing the rock.
I've mentioned it before, I'm sure, but just look at what Santa was able to do in his limited time with Blake, Tears, etc. Having a QB who can deliver the ball on target and on time can make all the difference in the world.
Not sure what Robinson's role will shape out to be (I've always been critical of his hands/consistency) but I hope he too takes a big step forward, same with Tucker.
I'm eager to see how Ritchie fits in and how Leon Payne has progressed. These two had more "route running" hype coming out of high school than any recent NIU WR commits I can recall off the top of my head, so I'd love to see that show up on the field.
If those two can meet those expectations, I think a trio of Tears, Ritchie, and Payne can be formidable. Throw in clutch
go-get-it-when-you-need-it possession/red zone play from Robinson and/or Tucker and NIU's in business. Also, I believe Coach E's offense is reliant on pass-catching out of the backfield so it'll be interesting to see which RB(s) steps up to fill that need. This is where Colins would be huge, if he ever clears and gets on campus.