(06-28-2016 12:33 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(06-28-2016 12:16 PM)UnknownScout Wrote:  As long as our offense consists of more than Jet Sweep, QB Draw, Bubble Screen, and we can stay healthy I think he'll be successful.

That could be a problem. Those plays have become the NIU staple. We saw them in the Spring game. I think those plays come from the top.

It's a huge concern. I suspect Coach Carey, as a product of his inexperience, is reluctant to stray from what he knows. Offenses need to evolve based on personnel. The system needs to fit the players, not the other way around. What worked beautifully with Jordan, Tommylee and company doesn't necessarily fit with subsequent players who possess different skill sets.

(06-28-2016 10:43 PM)VegasHuskie Wrote:  

(06-28-2016 12:33 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(06-28-2016 12:16 PM)UnknownScout Wrote:  As long as our offense consists of more than Jet Sweep, QB Draw, Bubble Screen, and we can stay healthy I think he'll be successful.

That could be a problem. Those plays have become the NIU staple. We saw them in the Spring game. I think those plays come from the top.

It's a huge concern. I suspect Coach Carey, as a product of his inexperience, is reluctant to stray from what he knows. Offenses need to evolve based on personnel. The system needs to fit the players, not the other way around. What worked beautifully with Jordan, Tommylee and company doesn't necessarily fit with subsequent players who possess different skill sets.

Let alone makes it an easier prep for our opponents DC.

(06-28-2016 03:53 PM)Huskie_Jon Wrote:  

(06-28-2016 01:17 PM)huskie1stdown Wrote:  Here we are six month later and we are still hoping that Drew will be healthy and that we have nothing behind him. I was so hoping that another Quarterback would have stepped up in the spring.
Maddie, Santa or someone please make big progress in August.

When did you know that Hare was our leader at QB? In 2014, he did not start until Week 3 vs UNLV.

I would not consider that the way to go in the future.

(06-29-2016 07:08 AM)thxjoenovak Wrote:  

(06-28-2016 10:43 PM)VegasHuskie Wrote:  

(06-28-2016 12:33 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(06-28-2016 12:16 PM)UnknownScout Wrote:  As long as our offense consists of more than Jet Sweep, QB Draw, Bubble Screen, and we can stay healthy I think he'll be successful.

That could be a problem. Those plays have become the NIU staple. We saw them in the Spring game. I think those plays come from the top.

It's a huge concern. I suspect Coach Carey, as a product of his inexperience, is reluctant to stray from what he knows. Offenses need to evolve based on personnel. The system needs to fit the players, not the other way around. What worked beautifully with Jordan, Tommylee and company doesn't necessarily fit with subsequent players who possess different skill sets.

Let alone makes it an easier prep for our opponents DC.

Presumably they're recruiting just the kind of player that fits the system though.

It's possible that the system covers up some deficiencies in talent, and when a team has a lot of time to prepare (like for a bowl game) they can minimize any problems caused by the system.

Or, the system just doesn't work against a team with more talent than the typical MAC team.

(06-29-2016 02:19 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(06-29-2016 07:08 AM)thxjoenovak Wrote:  

(06-28-2016 10:43 PM)VegasHuskie Wrote:  

(06-28-2016 12:33 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(06-28-2016 12:16 PM)UnknownScout Wrote:  As long as our offense consists of more than Jet Sweep, QB Draw, Bubble Screen, and we can stay healthy I think he'll be successful.

That could be a problem. Those plays have become the NIU staple. We saw them in the Spring game. I think those plays come from the top.

It's a huge concern. I suspect Coach Carey, as a product of his inexperience, is reluctant to stray from what he knows. Offenses need to evolve based on personnel. The system needs to fit the players, not the other way around. What worked beautifully with Jordan, Tommylee and company doesn't necessarily fit with subsequent players who possess different skill sets.

Let alone makes it an easier prep for our opponents DC.

Presumably they're recruiting just the kind of player that fits the system though.

It's possible that the system covers up some deficiencies in talent, and when a team has a lot of time to prepare (like for a bowl game) they can minimize any problems caused by the system.

Or, the system just doesn't work against a team with more talent than the typical MAC team.

I might be inclined to agree if our alma mater was Oklahoma, Nebraska, or LSU. However, we are a school that sifts through the sand trying to find a gem that our larger brethren has missed. I don't really think NIU is in the position to be overly selective trying to find the type of player that fits their system.

(07-03-2016 11:08 PM)VegasHuskie Wrote:  

(06-29-2016 02:19 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(06-29-2016 07:08 AM)thxjoenovak Wrote:  

(06-28-2016 10:43 PM)VegasHuskie Wrote:  

(06-28-2016 12:33 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  That could be a problem. Those plays have become the NIU staple. We saw them in the Spring game. I think those plays come from the top.

It's a huge concern. I suspect Coach Carey, as a product of his inexperience, is reluctant to stray from what he knows. Offenses need to evolve based on personnel. The system needs to fit the players, not the other way around. What worked beautifully with Jordan, Tommylee and company doesn't necessarily fit with subsequent players who possess different skill sets.

Let alone makes it an easier prep for our opponents DC.

Presumably they're recruiting just the kind of player that fits the system though.

It's possible that the system covers up some deficiencies in talent, and when a team has a lot of time to prepare (like for a bowl game) they can minimize any problems caused by the system.

Or, the system just doesn't work against a team with more talent than the typical MAC team.

I might be inclined to agree if our alma mater was Oklahoma, Nebraska, or LSU. However, we are a school that sifts through the sand trying to find a gem that our larger brethren has missed. I don't really think NIU is in the position to be overly selective trying to find the type of player that fits their system.

What I mean is, e.g., we get a QB that can both run and throw. He might not be the best passer, but we'll try it anyway. We'll get fast guys that can run the jet sweep. They might not be very big (the big AND fast guys are going to Oklahoma, etc.) but they'll work for the jet sweep and screens.

The question is do you fit the system to the talent or do you fit the player to the system. This is a challenge when you're not a top tier program. In recent years there has been a disconnect between the talent level and the system. Our best player/biggest threat, Kenny G, has been under utilized in a system that relies on bubble screens and jet sweeps. You can make a strong case that our best QB option is the QB that can get the ball downfield. If you want to go back to the JL days, we need to recruit an option QB, whose skills are running first, running second, and throwing third...but then recruiting big time WR threats will be next to impossible. We proved this is effective as long as you have more talent than the opponent. Harnish was a little of both, solid passer, effective runner, excellent game manager. Coach U has a great opportunity to pick a lane, and make some his own mark.

For lowly MAC schools, your reputation is part of your system. NIU has always been known as "tailback U", and with a history of tailbacks like Wolfe, Turner, Johnson, etc. getting drafted by the NFL, it would be silly not to ride that wave and look for RBs to anchor the Offense. RBs will be more likely to be enamored with NIU's reputation than QB's will.

(07-05-2016 11:03 AM)Huskie_Jon Wrote:  For lowly MAC schools, your reputation is part of your system. NIU has always been known as "tailback U", and with a history of tailbacks like Wolfe, Turner, Johnson, etc. getting drafted by the NFL, it would be silly not to ride that wave and look for RBs to anchor the Offense. RBs will be more likely to be enamored with NIU's reputation than QB's will.

Yes, but we got to - and won - the MACCs with stud QBs. Remember all those years of great RBs under Novak - with no MACC appearances? It's the stud QBs that get you to, and win, the MAC. A great RB won't do it because the defenses will learn to key in on him. You either need a sharpshooter passing QB or a dual threat QB.

(07-05-2016 11:34 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(07-05-2016 11:03 AM)Huskie_Jon Wrote:  For lowly MAC schools, your reputation is part of your system. NIU has always been known as "tailback U", and with a history of tailbacks like Wolfe, Turner, Johnson, etc. getting drafted by the NFL, it would be silly not to ride that wave and look for RBs to anchor the Offense. RBs will be more likely to be enamored with NIU's reputation than QB's will.

Yes, but we got to - and won - the MACCs with stud QBs. Remember all those years of great RBs under Novak - with no MACC appearances? It's the stud QBs that get you to, and win, the MAC. A great RB won't do it because the defenses will learn to key in on him. You either need a sharpshooter passing QB or a dual threat QB.

What is interesting is that as great as our past RB's have been, perhaps the best RB was a QB...JL. If this is the blueprint, Maddie maybe the best alternative; similar size speed and running ability.

(07-05-2016 01:21 PM)Djud Wrote:  

(07-05-2016 11:34 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(07-05-2016 11:03 AM)Huskie_Jon Wrote:  For lowly MAC schools, your reputation is part of your system. NIU has always been known as "tailback U", and with a history of tailbacks like Wolfe, Turner, Johnson, etc. getting drafted by the NFL, it would be silly not to ride that wave and look for RBs to anchor the Offense. RBs will be more likely to be enamored with NIU's reputation than QB's will.

Yes, but we got to - and won - the MACCs with stud QBs. Remember all those years of great RBs under Novak - with no MACC appearances? It's the stud QBs that get you to, and win, the MAC. A great RB won't do it because the defenses will learn to key in on him. You either need a sharpshooter passing QB or a dual threat QB.

What is interesting is that as great as our past RB's have been, perhaps the best RB was a QB...JL. If this is the blueprint, Maddie maybe the best alternative; similar size speed and running ability.

If we have a QB who is not a superb thrower, he needs to be a dual threat with running ability. The defenses in the MAC can only try to defend, but they have no idea what's coming their way each play. But, if you have a pocket QB who is a not a great runner, but who hands it off to a good RB, we become one dimensional that opposing defenses eventually solve. Bottom line: we ain't going to the MACC unless we have a stud thrower or dual threat QB.

(07-05-2016 01:34 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(07-05-2016 01:21 PM)Djud Wrote:  

(07-05-2016 11:34 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(07-05-2016 11:03 AM)Huskie_Jon Wrote:  For lowly MAC schools, your reputation is part of your system. NIU has always been known as "tailback U", and with a history of tailbacks like Wolfe, Turner, Johnson, etc. getting drafted by the NFL, it would be silly not to ride that wave and look for RBs to anchor the Offense. RBs will be more likely to be enamored with NIU's reputation than QB's will.

Yes, but we got to - and won - the MACCs with stud QBs. Remember all those years of great RBs under Novak - with no MACC appearances? It's the stud QBs that get you to, and win, the MAC. A great RB won't do it because the defenses will learn to key in on him. You either need a sharpshooter passing QB or a dual threat QB.

What is interesting is that as great as our past RB's have been, perhaps the best RB was a QB...JL. If this is the blueprint, Maddie maybe the best alternative; similar size speed and running ability.

If we have a QB who is not a superb thrower, he needs to be a dual threat with running ability. The defenses in the MAC can only try to defend, but they have no idea what's coming their way each play. But, if you have a pocket QB who is a not a great runner, but who hands it off to a good RB, we become one dimensional that opposing defenses eventually solve. Bottom line: we ain't going to the MACC unless we have a stud thrower or dual threat QB.

It would be great to have a stud QB, but the Huskies do not need to have a future NFL draftee to win the MAC. They just need someone who is good enough the keep the defense honest, and smart enough not to give away any freebies to the D.

(07-05-2016 02:48 PM)Huskie_Jon Wrote:  

(07-05-2016 01:34 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(07-05-2016 01:21 PM)Djud Wrote:  

(07-05-2016 11:34 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(07-05-2016 11:03 AM)Huskie_Jon Wrote:  For lowly MAC schools, your reputation is part of your system. NIU has always been known as "tailback U", and with a history of tailbacks like Wolfe, Turner, Johnson, etc. getting drafted by the NFL, it would be silly not to ride that wave and look for RBs to anchor the Offense. RBs will be more likely to be enamored with NIU's reputation than QB's will.

Yes, but we got to - and won - the MACCs with stud QBs. Remember all those years of great RBs under Novak - with no MACC appearances? It's the stud QBs that get you to, and win, the MAC. A great RB won't do it because the defenses will learn to key in on him. You either need a sharpshooter passing QB or a dual threat QB.

What is interesting is that as great as our past RB's have been, perhaps the best RB was a QB...JL. If this is the blueprint, Maddie maybe the best alternative; similar size speed and running ability.

If we have a QB who is not a superb thrower, he needs to be a dual threat with running ability. The defenses in the MAC can only try to defend, but they have no idea what's coming their way each play. But, if you have a pocket QB who is a not a great runner, but who hands it off to a good RB, we become one dimensional that opposing defenses eventually solve. Bottom line: we ain't going to the MACC unless we have a stud thrower or dual threat QB.

It would be great to have a stud QB, but the Huskies do not need to have a future NFL draftee to win the MAC. They just need someone who is good enough the keep the defense honest, and smart enough not to give away any freebies to the D.

NIU's QB just needs to be better than the opposing QB and you'll get the win 8/10 times.