(05-17-2019 03:05 PM)NIU05 Wrote:  WR expecting better based on positional coaching. Expecting not to suffer as big a loss in OLINE for same reason.

Not sold yet on new defensive staff, we've had some real good coaching on that side.

(05-17-2019 03:36 PM)NorthCoast Wrote:  

(05-17-2019 03:05 PM)NIU05 Wrote:  WR expecting better based on positional coaching. Expecting not to suffer as big a loss in OLINE for same reason.

Not sold yet on new defensive staff, we've had some real good coaching on that side.

Beat me to it. This is the first thing I thought of when I read the OP. I'll throw in the TE group as well, basically I expect the entire passing Offense to improve due to coaching/scheme.

The only position groups taking a hit are the OLine, DEs, and CBs and even then only the DE group's loss I think can be categorized as a monumental loss, the other two it's more a question of depth and experience.

(05-17-2019 03:42 PM)klake87 Wrote:  

(05-17-2019 03:36 PM)NorthCoast Wrote:  

(05-17-2019 03:05 PM)NIU05 Wrote:  WR expecting better based on positional coaching. Expecting not to suffer as big a loss in OLINE for same reason.

Not sold yet on new defensive staff, we've had some real good coaching on that side.

Beat me to it. This is the first thing I thought of when I read the OP. I'll throw in the TE group as well, basically I expect the entire passing Offense to improve due to coaching/scheme.

The only position groups taking a hit are the OLine, DEs, and CBs and even then only the DE group's loss I think can be categorized as a monumental loss, the other two it's more a question of depth and experience.

Last year though the CBs were the same as this year. Embry and Smalls were hurt most of year.

(05-17-2019 03:42 PM)klake87 Wrote:  

(05-17-2019 03:36 PM)NorthCoast Wrote:  

(05-17-2019 03:05 PM)NIU05 Wrote:  WR expecting better based on positional coaching. Expecting not to suffer as big a loss in OLINE for same reason.

Not sold yet on new defensive staff, we've had some real good coaching on that side.

Beat me to it. This is the first thing I thought of when I read the OP. I'll throw in the TE group as well, basically I expect the entire passing Offense to improve due to coaching/scheme.

The only position groups taking a hit are the OLine, DEs, and CBs and even then only the DE group's loss I think can be categorized as a monumental loss, the other two it's more a question of depth and experience.

Last year though the CBs were the same as this year. Embry and Smalls were hurt most of year.

(05-18-2019 10:41 AM)NIU1981 Wrote:  Although you technically have to put them in the "worse" category because they won't be getting 50 sacks this year, the defensive line will still be excellent.

(05-18-2019 10:50 AM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(05-18-2019 10:41 AM)NIU1981 Wrote:  Although you technically have to put them in the "worse" category because they won't be getting 50 sacks this year, the defensive line will still be excellent.

The D-line will be very stout. But less pressure will have a marked effect. I imagine teams game planned Sutton. Maybe kept an extra blocker in who, with Sutton gone, will now be an extra receiver. There’s a domino effect to that crazy QB pressure we won’t have this year. We will be very hard to run on. Let’s hope as a group the line can effect the passing game as well.

(05-18-2019 11:39 AM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  

(05-18-2019 10:50 AM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(05-18-2019 10:41 AM)NIU1981 Wrote:  Although you technically have to put them in the "worse" category because they won't be getting 50 sacks this year, the defensive line will still be excellent.

The D-line will be very stout. But less pressure will have a marked effect. I imagine teams game planned Sutton. Maybe kept an extra blocker in who, with Sutton gone, will now be an extra receiver. There’s a domino effect to that crazy QB pressure we won’t have this year. We will be very hard to run on. Let’s hope as a group the line can effect the passing game as well.

Don't sleep on Lorbeck

(05-17-2019 03:05 PM)NIU05 Wrote:  WR expecting better based on positional coaching. Expecting not to suffer as big a loss in OLINE for same reason.

Not sold yet on new defensive staff, we've had some real good coaching on that side.

(05-18-2019 03:12 PM)JKHuskie45 Wrote:  

(05-17-2019 03:05 PM)NIU05 Wrote:  WR expecting better based on positional coaching. Expecting not to suffer as big a loss in OLINE for same reason.

Not sold yet on new defensive staff, we've had some real good coaching on that side.

No WAY! WR is worse. We lost 2 starters. People forget our leading WR DJ Brown is gone. We lose 2 out of 3 starters and we are better? How? Based on potential?
I have seem Richie he is ok, I will take Wesley over him and time will prove me right (Wesley came from Big 12, Richie from Juco). Is Richie even a starter yet?!?

We got some guys who have never played D1 football, and were great High School or Juco players but lose two solid proven starters. Not to mention we lost 2 2018 class WR's (Koko and Brummet).

(05-18-2019 03:12 PM)JKHuskie45 Wrote:  

(05-17-2019 03:05 PM)NIU05 Wrote:  WR expecting better based on positional coaching. Expecting not to suffer as big a loss in OLINE for same reason.

Not sold yet on new defensive staff, we've had some real good coaching on that side.

No WAY! WR is worse. We lost 2 starters. People forget our leading WR DJ Brown is gone. We lose 2 out of 3 starters and we are better? How? Based on potential?
I have seem Richie he is ok, I will take Wesley over him and time will prove me right (Wesley came from Big 12, Richie from Juco). Is Richie even a starter yet?!?

We got some guys who have never played D1 football, and were great High School or Juco players but lose two solid proven starters. Not to mention we lost 2 2018 class WR's (Koko and Brummet).

(05-18-2019 03:55 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(05-18-2019 03:12 PM)JKHuskie45 Wrote:  

(05-17-2019 03:05 PM)NIU05 Wrote:  WR expecting better based on positional coaching. Expecting not to suffer as big a loss in OLINE for same reason.

Not sold yet on new defensive staff, we've had some real good coaching on that side.

No WAY! WR is worse. We lost 2 starters. People forget our leading WR DJ Brown is gone. We lose 2 out of 3 starters and we are better? How? Based on potential?
I have seem Richie he is ok, I will take Wesley over him and time will prove me right (Wesley came from Big 12, Richie from Juco). Is Richie even a starter yet?!?

We got some guys who have never played D1 football, and were great High School or Juco players but lose two solid proven starters. Not to mention we lost 2 2018 class WR's (Koko and Brummet).

It’s a fair point. But what I saw out of Wesley and Brown was not enough play making ability. Brown lacked shiftiness for his diminutive size and Wesley was physically weak. They didn’t bring skills needed. Brown didn’t make people miss. And Wesley was only really adept at the deep ball, which we didn’t have. Both were average at best IMO.

Richie Was a 2017 NIU recruit. The fact he had to go Juco for a year first doesn’t define his recruit level. Richie can step right in day 1. He led his juco conference in yards and yards per catch. And Robinson brings a nightmare match up to dbs with his height. To me Tears(sr), Richie, Robinson +Tucker(so.) has way more upside than Tears(jr), Brown, Wesley + Tucker(fr.).

Also compare last year’s new recruits, Tucker and Payne, vs. this year’s new WR recruits in McCray, Toure. That’s not really even close.

A lot of speculation and it’s fair to question it. But Last years group was just so blahhhh. This year’s=fire.

(05-18-2019 04:26 PM)JKHuskie45 Wrote:  

(05-18-2019 03:55 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(05-18-2019 03:12 PM)JKHuskie45 Wrote:  

(05-17-2019 03:05 PM)NIU05 Wrote:  WR expecting better based on positional coaching. Expecting not to suffer as big a loss in OLINE for same reason.

Not sold yet on new defensive staff, we've had some real good coaching on that side.

No WAY! WR is worse. We lost 2 starters. People forget our leading WR DJ Brown is gone. We lose 2 out of 3 starters and we are better? How? Based on potential?
I have seem Richie he is ok, I will take Wesley over him and time will prove me right (Wesley came from Big 12, Richie from Juco). Is Richie even a starter yet?!?

We got some guys who have never played D1 football, and were great High School or Juco players but lose two solid proven starters. Not to mention we lost 2 2018 class WR's (Koko and Brummet).

It’s a fair point. But what I saw out of Wesley and Brown was not enough play making ability. Brown lacked shiftiness for his diminutive size and Wesley was physically weak. They didn’t bring skills needed. Brown didn’t make people miss. And Wesley was only really adept at the deep ball, which we didn’t have. Both were average at best IMO.

Richie Was a 2017 NIU recruit. The fact he had to go Juco for a year first doesn’t define his recruit level. Richie can step right in day 1. He led his juco conference in yards and yards per catch. And Robinson brings a nightmare match up to dbs with his height. To me Tears(sr), Richie, Robinson +Tucker(so.) has way more upside than Tears(jr), Brown, Wesley + Tucker(fr.).

Also compare last year’s new recruits, Tucker and Payne, vs. this year’s new WR recruits in McCray, Toure. That’s not really even close.

A lot of speculation and it’s fair to question it. But Last years group was just so blahhhh. This year’s=fire.

I think Tears has peaked. He is who he is. I really do not see him getting better as to me he is pretty much the same player he was as a sophomore.

That would leave. Richie vs Wesley and DRob vs Brown...

First, I like Richie and mean no disrespect to him, but I went to both Saturday Scrimmages, Richie looked good in the drills but in either scrimmage he did not do anything. No TDs and only 1 or 2 catches for minimal ganes. I actually think if we played today, Richie would not be the starter. I believe coach staff has Tears, DRob, and Tucker as our starters. Also, I am willing to bet Wesley can beat him in a footrace (this from talking to guys on the team of who are the really fast ones)..
Adv Wesley.

Next, I get the fascination with DRob as he is huge, but route running and catching ability leave a lot to be desired. DJ was a go to guy, that would never let you down great hands but not a big time playmaker. I have this as a wash.

As for Freshman, there is always excitement with every new class but they go to do it before I give them credit for being the real deal.

At best, WR category should be even. But I really think, especially after watching our scrimmages (ZERO big plays from this group). We are worse.

We can agree to disagree.

(05-18-2019 04:40 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(05-18-2019 04:26 PM)JKHuskie45 Wrote:  

(05-18-2019 03:55 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(05-18-2019 03:12 PM)JKHuskie45 Wrote:  

(05-17-2019 03:05 PM)NIU05 Wrote:  WR expecting better based on positional coaching. Expecting not to suffer as big a loss in OLINE for same reason.

Not sold yet on new defensive staff, we've had some real good coaching on that side.

No WAY! WR is worse. We lost 2 starters. People forget our leading WR DJ Brown is gone. We lose 2 out of 3 starters and we are better? How? Based on potential?
I have seem Richie he is ok, I will take Wesley over him and time will prove me right (Wesley came from Big 12, Richie from Juco). Is Richie even a starter yet?!?

We got some guys who have never played D1 football, and were great High School or Juco players but lose two solid proven starters. Not to mention we lost 2 2018 class WR's (Koko and Brummet).

It’s a fair point. But what I saw out of Wesley and Brown was not enough play making ability. Brown lacked shiftiness for his diminutive size and Wesley was physically weak. They didn’t bring skills needed. Brown didn’t make people miss. And Wesley was only really adept at the deep ball, which we didn’t have. Both were average at best IMO.

Richie Was a 2017 NIU recruit. The fact he had to go Juco for a year first doesn’t define his recruit level. Richie can step right in day 1. He led his juco conference in yards and yards per catch. And Robinson brings a nightmare match up to dbs with his height. To me Tears(sr), Richie, Robinson +Tucker(so.) has way more upside than Tears(jr), Brown, Wesley + Tucker(fr.).

Also compare last year’s new recruits, Tucker and Payne, vs. this year’s new WR recruits in McCray, Toure. That’s not really even close.

A lot of speculation and it’s fair to question it. But Last years group was just so blahhhh. This year’s=fire.

I think Tears has peaked. He is who he is. I really do not see him getting better as to me he is pretty much the same player he was as a sophomore.

That would leave. Richie vs Wesley and DRob vs Brown...

First, I like Richie and mean no disrespect to him, but I went to both Saturday Scrimmages, Richie looked good in the drills but in either scrimmage he did not do anything. No TDs and only 1 or 2 catches for minimal ganes. I actually think if we played today, Richie would not be the starter. I believe coach staff has Tears, DRob, and Tucker as our starters. Also, I am willing to bet Wesley can beat him in a footrace (this from talking to guys on the team of who are the really fast ones)..
Adv Wesley.

Next, I get the fascination with DRob as he is huge, but route running and catching ability leave a lot to be desired. DJ was a go to guy, that would never let you down great hands but not a big time playmaker. I have this as a wash.

As for Freshman, there is always excitement with every new class but they go to do it before I give them credit for being the real deal.

At best, WR category should be even. But I really think, especially after watching our scrimmages (ZERO big plays from this group). We are worse.

We can agree to disagree.

It’s a “yet to be determined” for sure. And Wesley was stupid fast. That’s why I was so disappointed in him. I expected big things from him as I was always touting his 10.8 100m. I think it was that speed that got him into the big12. Not his ability to play the position.

Richie was a little sporadic in the scrimmages. But what I saw when he was good I really liked. Shiftiness.

This might all be apples to oranges with a new qb. Can’t really fairly compare the groups.

(05-18-2019 05:19 PM)MiamiHuskie Wrote:  

(05-18-2019 04:40 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(05-18-2019 04:26 PM)JKHuskie45 Wrote:  

(05-18-2019 03:55 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(05-18-2019 03:12 PM)JKHuskie45 Wrote:  No WAY! WR is worse. We lost 2 starters. People forget our leading WR DJ Brown is gone. We lose 2 out of 3 starters and we are better? How? Based on potential?
I have seem Richie he is ok, I will take Wesley over him and time will prove me right (Wesley came from Big 12, Richie from Juco). Is Richie even a starter yet?!?

We got some guys who have never played D1 football, and were great High School or Juco players but lose two solid proven starters. Not to mention we lost 2 2018 class WR's (Koko and Brummet).

It’s a fair point. But what I saw out of Wesley and Brown was not enough play making ability. Brown lacked shiftiness for his diminutive size and Wesley was physically weak. They didn’t bring skills needed. Brown didn’t make people miss. And Wesley was only really adept at the deep ball, which we didn’t have. Both were average at best IMO.

Richie Was a 2017 NIU recruit. The fact he had to go Juco for a year first doesn’t define his recruit level. Richie can step right in day 1. He led his juco conference in yards and yards per catch. And Robinson brings a nightmare match up to dbs with his height. To me Tears(sr), Richie, Robinson +Tucker(so.) has way more upside than Tears(jr), Brown, Wesley + Tucker(fr.).

Also compare last year’s new recruits, Tucker and Payne, vs. this year’s new WR recruits in McCray, Toure. That’s not really even close.

A lot of speculation and it’s fair to question it. But Last years group was just so blahhhh. This year’s=fire.

I think Tears has peaked. He is who he is. I really do not see him getting better as to me he is pretty much the same player he was as a sophomore.

That would leave. Richie vs Wesley and DRob vs Brown...

First, I like Richie and mean no disrespect to him, but I went to both Saturday Scrimmages, Richie looked good in the drills but in either scrimmage he did not do anything. No TDs and only 1 or 2 catches for minimal ganes. I actually think if we played today, Richie would not be the starter. I believe coach staff has Tears, DRob, and Tucker as our starters. Also, I am willing to bet Wesley can beat him in a footrace (this from talking to guys on the team of who are the really fast ones)..
Adv Wesley.

Next, I get the fascination with DRob as he is huge, but route running and catching ability leave a lot to be desired. DJ was a go to guy, that would never let you down great hands but not a big time playmaker. I have this as a wash.

As for Freshman, there is always excitement with every new class but they go to do it before I give them credit for being the real deal.

At best, WR category should be even. But I really think, especially after watching our scrimmages (ZERO big plays from this group). We are worse.

We can agree to disagree.

It’s a “yet to be determined” for sure. And Wesley was stupid fast. That’s why I was so disappointed in him. I expected big things from him as I was always touting his 10.8 100m. I think it was that speed that got him into the big12. Not his ability to play the position.

Richie was a little sporadic in the scrimmages. But what I saw when he was good I really liked. Shiftiness.

This might all be apples to oranges with a new qb. Can’t really fairly compare the groups.

Tears may be better than you give him credit for. His playing in the MACC was awesome. The entire offense came alive for that second half.
Obviously the D played light out, but we we could had had some of that offense for the Utah game we'd have won.

2018 MACC is still one of my favorite NIU games. That and the 2011 MACC .

(05-18-2019 05:43 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(05-18-2019 05:19 PM)MiamiHuskie Wrote:  

(05-18-2019 04:40 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(05-18-2019 04:26 PM)JKHuskie45 Wrote:  

(05-18-2019 03:55 PM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  It’s a fair point. But what I saw out of Wesley and Brown was not enough play making ability. Brown lacked shiftiness for his diminutive size and Wesley was physically weak. They didn’t bring skills needed. Brown didn’t make people miss. And Wesley was only really adept at the deep ball, which we didn’t have. Both were average at best IMO.

Richie Was a 2017 NIU recruit. The fact he had to go Juco for a year first doesn’t define his recruit level. Richie can step right in day 1. He led his juco conference in yards and yards per catch. And Robinson brings a nightmare match up to dbs with his height. To me Tears(sr), Richie, Robinson +Tucker(so.) has way more upside than Tears(jr), Brown, Wesley + Tucker(fr.).

Also compare last year’s new recruits, Tucker and Payne, vs. this year’s new WR recruits in McCray, Toure. That’s not really even close.

A lot of speculation and it’s fair to question it. But Last years group was just so blahhhh. This year’s=fire.

I think Tears has peaked. He is who he is. I really do not see him getting better as to me he is pretty much the same player he was as a sophomore.

That would leave. Richie vs Wesley and DRob vs Brown...

First, I like Richie and mean no disrespect to him, but I went to both Saturday Scrimmages, Richie looked good in the drills but in either scrimmage he did not do anything. No TDs and only 1 or 2 catches for minimal ganes. I actually think if we played today, Richie would not be the starter. I believe coach staff has Tears, DRob, and Tucker as our starters. Also, I am willing to bet Wesley can beat him in a footrace (this from talking to guys on the team of who are the really fast ones)..
Adv Wesley.

Next, I get the fascination with DRob as he is huge, but route running and catching ability leave a lot to be desired. DJ was a go to guy, that would never let you down great hands but not a big time playmaker. I have this as a wash.

As for Freshman, there is always excitement with every new class but they go to do it before I give them credit for being the real deal.

At best, WR category should be even. But I really think, especially after watching our scrimmages (ZERO big plays from this group). We are worse.

We can agree to disagree.

It’s a “yet to be determined” for sure. And Wesley was stupid fast. That’s why I was so disappointed in him. I expected big things from him as I was always touting his 10.8 100m. I think it was that speed that got him into the big12. Not his ability to play the position.

Richie was a little sporadic in the scrimmages. But what I saw when he was good I really liked. Shiftiness.

This might all be apples to oranges with a new qb. Can’t really fairly compare the groups.

Tears may be better than you give him credit for. His playing in the MACC was awesome. The entire offense came alive for that second half.
Obviously the D played light out, but we we could had had some of that offense for the Utah game we'd have won.

2018 MACC is still one of my favorite NIU games. That and the 2011 MACC .

I think Tears could be great. But I also think he’s a prima donna. More than anyone, I think Tears is the kinda guy who may be a bit self centered. And because of that I think his effort fluctuates by his production. Just me saying this, but I think Tears checked out on Childers. There were times where he just looked so frustrated Marcus was his QB that he just hung his head. If Bowers and him really make it work, look out.

To a lessor degree I feel like maybe all the WRs May have occasionally lost effort from their lack of qb faith. Maybe even they lost faith in the entire offensive plan. That is one of the reasons I expect the WRs to improve. Optimism.