Our coaching staff is not getting enough credit for the good job in creating team depth.

Prime example is giving Maddie the reps to be the starter should anything sideline Hare.

Looking at the depth chart prior to the Miami game highlights how critical this aspect of coaching is. With Moore and Bass, last years starters missing we still were able to field a defensive that led to a win.

It is clear that a key to victory with the youth on defense is even more player development and that improving our depth is most important for surviving the stretch run of games with BSU, Toledo, Ohio and WMU.

I hope to see a lot of strategic depth improving substitutions in the EMU game.

NIU Depth Chart for Miami Game

(10-21-2014 10:06 PM)NIUpride Wrote:  Our coaching staff is not getting enough credit for the good job in creating team depth.

Prime example is giving Maddie the reps to be the starter should anything sideline Hare.

Looking at the depth chart prior to the Miami game highlights how critical this aspect of coaching is. With Moore and Bass, last years starters missing we still were able to field a defensive that led to a win.

It is clear that a key to victory with the youth on defense is even more player development and that improving our depth is most important for surviving the stretch run of games with BSU, Toledo, Ohio and WMU.

I hope to see a lot of strategic depth improving substitutions in the EMU game.

NIU Depth Chart for Miami Game

The qb situation has stunted this yeArs progress. But it's one of many issues

(10-21-2014 10:44 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(10-21-2014 10:06 PM)NIUpride Wrote:  Our coaching staff is not getting enough credit for the good job in creating team depth.

Prime example is giving Maddie the reps to be the starter should anything sideline Hare.

Looking at the depth chart prior to the Miami game highlights how critical this aspect of coaching is. With Moore and Bass, last years starters missing we still were able to field a defensive that led to a win.

It is clear that a key to victory with the youth on defense is even more player development and that improving our depth is most important for surviving the stretch run of games with BSU, Toledo, Ohio and WMU.

I hope to see a lot of strategic depth improving substitutions in the EMU game.

NIU Depth Chart for Miami Game

The qb situation has stunted this yeArs progress. But it's one of many issues

Yes....it hurts when you don't have a great QB. MD, you were expecting a 11-1 or 12-0 year? Except we know that's not true...

I don't know if it's depth...but how we finish the year will depend on how this young team matures (penalties, missed play calls, learning the offense, etc.).

(10-21-2014 10:44 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(10-21-2014 10:06 PM)NIUpride Wrote:  Our coaching staff is not getting enough credit for the good job in creating team depth.

Prime example is giving Maddie the reps to be the starter should anything sideline Hare.

Looking at the depth chart prior to the Miami game highlights how critical this aspect of coaching is. With Moore and Bass, last years starters missing we still were able to field a defensive that led to a win.

It is clear that a key to victory with the youth on defense is even more player development and that improving our depth is most important for surviving the stretch run of games with BSU, Toledo, Ohio and WMU.

I hope to see a lot of strategic depth improving substitutions in the EMU game.

NIU Depth Chart for Miami Game

The qb situation has stunted this yeArs progress. But it's one of many issues

no it hasn't. This is an issue in only one persons mind. Getting to this part of the season every team gets concerned about depth. We now have a starting QB with significant PT and a backup who also has good PT and, will not be a deer in headlights if called upon in the next 5 games. Good job coaches.

every year I feel out team gets deeper. Look at the offensive line. We are at least two deep. Myers, Ruka, Brown and Howard might be starting for most MAC teams. Linebacker we have at least 7 quality guys. Running back we are 5 deep. Tight End we have 2 quality. DT, they are maturing, the only weak part of our team is the defensive back field. They are young and will improve but still making freshman mistakes. (our kick offs, field goals and extra points suck)

I think we are definitely deep enough. It's been one of the greatest unsung victories by NIU football (along with conditioning) in the last decade, and to me, what moves our potential out of mid major program to top tier.

(10-22-2014 08:20 AM)thehappyhuskie Wrote:  I think we are definitely deep enough. It's been one of the greatest unsung victories by NIU football (along with conditioning) in the last decade, and to me, what moves our potential out of mid major program to top tier.

We are deep with good players, but the difference between this year and others is having the incredible player like Wolfe, harnish, or lynch. One could emerge though

I posted this is another thread, but the fact NIU has had arguable their best all around player (Tommy) and inarguably their best defensive player (Bass) injured all season doesn't get mentioned enough around here.

So they lost a Heisman finalist, a first round draft pick, and then had two of their best returning players get hurt and miss the entire season and here they are, sitting at 5-2.

(10-22-2014 08:32 AM)7 Wrote:  I posted this is another thread, but the fact NIU has had arguable their best all around player (Tommy) and inarguably their best defensive player (Bass) injured all season doesn't get mentioned enough around here.

So they lost a Heisman finalist, a first round draft pick, and then had two of their best returning players get hurt and miss the entire season and here they are, sitting at 5-2.

+1

(10-22-2014 08:20 AM)thehappyhuskie Wrote:  I think we are definitely deep enough. It's been one of the greatest unsung victories by NIU football (along with conditioning) in the last decade, and to me, what moves our potential out of mid major program to top tier.

as far as conditioning, if you have been to most or all games so far, I can't remember one time where are medical team has had to come on the field to assist one of our guys. Last year at the end of the season we were thin that made us somewhat predictable

(10-22-2014 10:13 AM)GCD70 Wrote:  

(10-22-2014 08:20 AM)thehappyhuskie Wrote:  I think we are definitely deep enough. It's been one of the greatest unsung victories by NIU football (along with conditioning) in the last decade, and to me, what moves our potential out of mid major program to top tier.

as far as conditioning, if you have been to most or all games so far, I can't remember one time where are medical team has had to come on the field to assist one of our guys. Last year at the end of the season we were thin that made us somewhat predictable

Injuries are going to happen irregardless. But compared to other MAC teams our conditioning is stellar.

A decade ago we were winning on the backs of seniors and juniors. By the 3rd quarter guys were gassed. (Something you still see with other MAC teams) now we have the depth and conditioning to hang with and beat BIG teams