Rocky is fine for us, really. It's a bit of the 'winning ugly' type games, but it's winning.

He runs for yards and TDs when we need, and has just enough of an arm for defenses to think about defending the pass. And he's dropped in some nice passes from time to time. Yes, some really off throws and INTs too, but he's made some key completions too.

Coming from the Big Ten, we all thought Rocky would be a more polished QB.

Love the highs and big moments with this guy, and have a short memory for the mistakes. It's just hard to argue with winning close games, key word 'winning'!

We are all banging on Rocky here, and he probably deserves some of it (maybe most?) but any chance we might have an issue at receiver? I don't see guys breaking out wide open all over the field too often. Even with our great running game

Rocky seemed to have a little connection with Tucker, but then he got hurt. Rocky and Ritchie have had a couple moments. But besides that, nothing else

I seriously cannot wait for this game. A chance to beat a team that has simply owned us & to go 4-0 in the MAC. Also, to clinch a Bowl game. Just a ton at stake here. Allot of angst with Rocky, which may be warranted, but I am real confident when he is needed he will lock in and perform well. The kid is a gamer and I trust him when the rubber hits the road.

As for now, I will count the hours until game time- LFG Huskies!

(10-19-2021 01:54 AM)machoman83 Wrote:  We are all banging on Rocky here, and he probably deserves some of it (maybe most?) but any chance we might have an issue at receiver? I don't see guys breaking out wide open all over the field too often. Even with our great running game

Rocky seemed to have a little connection with Tucker, but then he got hurt. Rocky and Ritchie have had a couple moments. But besides that, nothing else

I don’t think we have any depth at WR. Without Tucker the only WR’s I remotely trust are Richie and Rudolph and Rudolph only plays like 50% of offensive snaps at most. So maybe a little, but when you consider Richie led the conference in receiving last year, not sure how much I buy that either.

And once again, Lombardi was bad at MSU too. Seems like we’re doing a lot of mental gymnastics when the problem is fairly obvious.

(10-18-2021 06:26 PM)HuskieDave Wrote:  

(10-18-2021 06:00 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(10-18-2021 05:39 PM)HuskieDave Wrote:  

(10-18-2021 04:16 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  That's fine. Hampton is not ready. I don't expect him to be. It's not like he was a 5-star QB like Caleb Williams. Let him redshirt, learn the playbook, and watch from the sidelines. If he's better than Rocky next year, he will play. If he isn't then he will be the backup.

I am truly curious, not trying to start an argument, but, you state unequivocally that “Hampton is not ready”. How do you know that? Have you been to every practice? Attended every position meeting? I just don’t understand how you can make that statement. This is his second year in the program and many QBs are playing by this point.

I am not even saying you are wrong. He might not be ready, but, your statement seems so absolute.

I assume you mean this is Fletcher's second year in the program? Hampton has been at NIU since spring. I say he is not ready because I trust the coaching staff to make the correct decision on the starting QB if he was. I don't need to be at the practices or position meetings. The coaches see these players on the field and they have determined who is ready and gives them the best chance.

Well, I have never heard anyone other than you say he isn’t ready. The coaches may not be playing him for a multitude of reasons. He might be fully ready and they don’t want to use one of the four games to save his redshirt, pending a Rocky injury, until game #9. I said before, you might be right……I just didn’t understand how you could have such an absolute opinion regarding his readiness. Not a problem, enough said about it.

The coaches spent all spring and summer praising Hampton. I really don’t think it’s anything beyond them not wanting to burn his redshirt.

(10-19-2021 01:54 AM)machoman83 Wrote:  We are all banging on Rocky here, and he probably deserves some of it (maybe most?) but any chance we might have an issue at receiver? I don't see guys breaking out wide open all over the field too often. Even with our great running game

Rocky seemed to have a little connection with Tucker, but then he got hurt. Rocky and Ritchie have had a couple moments. But besides that, nothing else

Have you actually watched the games? It’s Rocky that’s bad. He can’t pass and it’s obvious. Blaming the receivers is insulting to them. There were multiple times this season a receiver has been wide open by 5-10 yards down field and Rocky dumps it off short.

You know, your right on Rocky's passing game. But the team is winning and even though technically, this is Hammocks 3rd year, it is really his second. If I recall, it took Novak 5+ years to turn a horrible NIU team around. Nobody on this board really liked Carey that I know of. I thought he was awful. I believe J. Kill had 2 pretty mediocre years before he showed progress and he inherited a decent base from Novak.

We all need to keep in mind that this re-build is going to take 3-5 years at a minimum. Carey didn't help in building the future. Hammock seems to be collecting better players. How many are 2nd year players and of those, how many have seen game action. This is a young team with a bunch of holes to fill. Defensive secondary is one of the big holes that needs to be improved as well as the D-line (pass rush) We need a little more size and speed in the linebackers as well. The O-line is coming along. We still don't have a solid QB and for what its worth, I would not burn a redshirt year on Hampton as this team will be much improved in 2 more years when he is a Junior. (assuming he is the real deal).

If we are not any better off 2 years from now, Hammock will need to be replaced. But, I have seen enough over the last year to believe he has a shot at bring NIU back to a contender. We are still not good yet. We need another year of building strength in certain positions. Our D is nothing like it used to be and with the right strength and conditioning coach, this will improve.

I give Hammock and his staff another year or so before I start to question the way they are coaching. We obviously don't know what goes on day to day. I just believe I see improvement from last year. it takes time to rebuild back to how good this team was back in the 2010-2015 range. Not many G5 schools maintain the momentum over more than a few years. Even Boise State is have a rougher time of it these days. I am personally giving Hammock another year or 2 to see what he can do. IF we still don't have a QB and an improved defense, I will jump off the band wagon. But for now, I am holding off judgement.

Oh and there is a chance I am way off here, but, I see potential in this team. I think the 2023 season will be a telling factor to Hammock and his staff. Right now, we are not going to see a big coaching change for at least 2 more years. So, I am going to give them a chance. The play calling on O has been reasonable and our D is just not good right now. The starting D is young and no matter what, first and second year players are going to make mistakes and are always a work in progress. The pipeline of players is not balanced right now and that never plays out well on the scoreboard. I believe it will improve.

We will be just fine! All we need is a QB that can pass to really open up the running game. The defenses would have a difficult time to defend both the run and pass. Right now, they just need to concentrate on the run. At least with Rocky's good running ability, it opens up the run a bit more. But, the defenses know he won't be passing. He at least needs to learn how to hit receivers in short passes over the line.

Mount Pleasant wind forecast for Saturday looks to be “light winds”. And dry. So there’s that….

Even bad QBs have certain passes they are decent at. Childers had the worst deep ball in human history. He also sucked on short routes. But he wasn’t that bad with intermediate passes. Problem was Carey’s offense was short pass to sideline. Short pass to sideline. Deep ball. Rocky almost is the opposite. Kinda sucks at the intermediate stuff. Hammock and Eidsness have to figure out what he CAN do well and emphasize that.

Similar to the Bills/Titans game last night. The announcers spent the entire evening talking about how good Josh Allen is when he is rolling out to his right.

No, the problem with the pass game is Rocky.

I am not sure what we can say about the WR group - the ball doesn’t really get to them so who knows.

I am 100% on board with protecting the red-shirts. Like I said in an earlier post, every single QB who isn’t Rocky has a red shirt to use.

So…every week we can watch together and imagine what the offense could do if they could pass…

(10-19-2021 08:40 AM)Splooie99 Wrote:  You know, your right on Rocky's passing game. But the team is winning and even though technically, this is Hammocks 3rd year, it is really his second. If I recall, it took Novak 5+ years to turn a horrible NIU team around. Nobody on this board really liked Carey that I know of. I thought he was awful. I believe J. Kill had 2 pretty mediocre years before he showed progress and he inherited a decent base from Novak.

We all need to keep in mind that this re-build is going to take 3-5 years at a minimum. Carey didn't help in building the future. Hammock seems to be collecting better players. How many are 2nd year players and of those, how many have seen game action. This is a young team with a bunch of holes to fill. Defensive secondary is one of the big holes that needs to be improved as well as the D-line (pass rush) We need a little more size and speed in the linebackers as well. The O-line is coming along. We still don't have a solid QB and for what its worth, I would not burn a redshirt year on Hampton as this team will be much improved in 2 more years when he is a Junior. (assuming he is the real deal).

If we are not any better off 2 years from now, Hammock will need to be replaced. But, I have seen enough over the last year to believe he has a shot at bring NIU back to a contender. We are still not good yet. We need another year of building strength in certain positions. Our D is nothing like it used to be and with the right strength and conditioning coach, this will improve.

I give Hammock and his staff another year or so before I start to question the way they are coaching. We obviously don't know what goes on day to day. I just believe I see improvement from last year. it takes time to rebuild back to how good this team was back in the 2010-2015 range. Not many G5 schools maintain the momentum over more than a few years. Even Boise State is have a rougher time of it these days. I am personally giving Hammock another year or 2 to see what he can do. IF we still don't have a QB and an improved defense, I will jump off the band wagon. But for now, I am holding off judgement.

Oh and there is a chance I am way off here, but, I see potential in this team. I think the 2023 season will be a telling factor to Hammock and his staff. Right now, we are not going to see a big coaching change for at least 2 more years. So, I am going to give them a chance. The play calling on O has been reasonable and our D is just not good right now. The starting D is young and no matter what, first and second year players are going to make mistakes and are always a work in progress. The pipeline of players is not balanced right now and that never plays out well on the scoreboard. I believe it will improve.

It is okay to say the QB is bad without it being a knock on the direction of the program. They’re 5-2 and undefeated in conference play right now. I don’t think we need to wait for anything. Hammock is doing a good job.

Program is very clearly heading in the right direction. Lombardi just isn’t a very good QB. Both can be true.

So even if we assumed a MAC West title and bowl game, we could still give Hampton snaps in the last 2 regular season games without taking a risk (via injury to Rocky) on burning his redshirt, correct?

(10-19-2021 08:40 AM)Splooie99 Wrote:  Oh and there is a chance I am way off here, but, I see potential in this team. I think the 2023 season will be a telling factor to Hammock and his staff.

Why the heck would a new coach need 5 years to “build” a program that was 12-4 in conference play the 2 years prior to his arrival? 5 YEARS?!

This notion that Hammock is building a powerhouse to dominate for years is a nice but it’s a long shot. But it’s how people are viewing this years team and making excuses. For all we know next year might be worse than this year. Why? This team is basically 90% his players now. Gandy, D.Thomas, Taylor, Kennedy, Ester, Rattin, Devaux…they’re all upperclassman. There are zero true freshman on defense. All the sophomores have plenty of experience and the notion that sophomores aren’t developed yet is assuming they’ll become better. Guys who play as true freshman generally are college ready. Lurry, Kramer and Heflin’s best year was their 2nd. Plenty of guys who don’t produce until they’re a junior had to sit behind a better player for 2 years. Hansen is who he is. He’s not gonna take a huge step next year and become Mykelti Williams. If Rocky is your starter next year the offense might be even worse with no Richie. Then Hampton starts in ‘23. And as everyone here thinks - he’s young so he will need 2 years to develope. So now you dont have a good QB until ‘25.

Where does it stop? Hammock is paid to win today. Not sell the same pipe dreams we had in 2014.

(10-19-2021 10:02 AM)NIU007 Wrote:  So even if we assumed a MAC West title and bowl game, we could still give Hampton snaps in the last 2 regular season games without taking a risk (via injury to Rocky) on burning his redshirt, correct?

Yes, you can play in no more than four games and retain your redshirt.

(10-19-2021 10:18 AM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(10-19-2021 08:40 AM)Splooie99 Wrote:  Oh and there is a chance I am way off here, but, I see potential in this team. I think the 2023 season will be a telling factor to Hammock and his staff.

Why the heck would a new coach need 5 years to “build” a program that was 12-4 in conference play the 2 years prior to his arrival? 5 YEARS?!

This notion that Hammock is building a powerhouse to dominate for years is a nice but it’s a long shot. But it’s how people are viewing this years team and making excuses. For all we know next year might be worse than this year. Why? This team is basically 90% his players now. Gandy, D.Thomas, Taylor, Kennedy, Ester, Rattin, Devaux…they’re all upperclassman. There are zero true freshman on defense. All the sophomores have plenty of experience and the notion that sophomores aren’t developed yet is assuming they’ll become better. Guys who play as true freshman generally are college ready. Lurry, Kramer and Heflin’s best year was their 2nd. Plenty of guys who don’t produce until they’re a junior had to sit behind a better player for 2 years. Hansen is who he is. He’s not gonna take a huge step next year and become Mykelti Williams. If Rocky is your starter next year the offense might be even worse with no Richie. Then Hampton starts in ‘23. And as everyone here thinks - he’s young so he will need 2 years to develope. So now you dont have a good QB until ‘25.

Where does it stop? Hammock is paid to win today. Not sell the same pipe dreams we had in 2014.

They’re 5-2 and 3-0! He is winning now lol

(10-19-2021 10:58 AM)7 Wrote:  

(10-19-2021 10:18 AM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(10-19-2021 08:40 AM)Splooie99 Wrote:  Oh and there is a chance I am way off here, but, I see potential in this team. I think the 2023 season will be a telling factor to Hammock and his staff.

Why the heck would a new coach need 5 years to “build” a program that was 12-4 in conference play the 2 years prior to his arrival? 5 YEARS?!

This notion that Hammock is building a powerhouse to dominate for years is a nice but it’s a long shot. But it’s how people are viewing this years team and making excuses. For all we know next year might be worse than this year. Why? This team is basically 90% his players now. Gandy, D.Thomas, Taylor, Kennedy, Ester, Rattin, Devaux…they’re all upperclassman. There are zero true freshman on defense. All the sophomores have plenty of experience and the notion that sophomores aren’t developed yet is assuming they’ll become better. Guys who play as true freshman generally are college ready. Lurry, Kramer and Heflin’s best year was their 2nd. Plenty of guys who don’t produce until they’re a junior had to sit behind a better player for 2 years. Hansen is who he is. He’s not gonna take a huge step next year and become Mykelti Williams. If Rocky is your starter next year the offense might be even worse with no Richie. Then Hampton starts in ‘23. And as everyone here thinks - he’s young so he will need 2 years to develope. So now you dont have a good QB until ‘25.

Where does it stop? Hammock is paid to win today. Not sell the same pipe dreams we had in 2014.

They’re 5-2 and 3-0! He is winning now lol

And that’s why I’m asking about all this - next year or 2023. So many are talking about how good they’ll be down the road. Screw that. What I’m saying is this year might be the best chance to grab a MACC. Stop talking about “how young” the team is and how they’re growing. It’s like guys are hedging their bets on 2021. We probably won’t win this year but we will be wayyyy better in a few more years. You don’t know that. They’re in a great position now. I didnt know “believe in the process” was synonymous with “wait til next year”.

(10-19-2021 11:09 AM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(10-19-2021 10:58 AM)7 Wrote:  

(10-19-2021 10:18 AM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(10-19-2021 08:40 AM)Splooie99 Wrote:  Oh and there is a chance I am way off here, but, I see potential in this team. I think the 2023 season will be a telling factor to Hammock and his staff.

Why the heck would a new coach need 5 years to “build” a program that was 12-4 in conference play the 2 years prior to his arrival? 5 YEARS?!

This notion that Hammock is building a powerhouse to dominate for years is a nice but it’s a long shot. But it’s how people are viewing this years team and making excuses. For all we know next year might be worse than this year. Why? This team is basically 90% his players now. Gandy, D.Thomas, Taylor, Kennedy, Ester, Rattin, Devaux…they’re all upperclassman. There are zero true freshman on defense. All the sophomores have plenty of experience and the notion that sophomores aren’t developed yet is assuming they’ll become better. Guys who play as true freshman generally are college ready. Lurry, Kramer and Heflin’s best year was their 2nd. Plenty of guys who don’t produce until they’re a junior had to sit behind a better player for 2 years. Hansen is who he is. He’s not gonna take a huge step next year and become Mykelti Williams. If Rocky is your starter next year the offense might be even worse with no Richie. Then Hampton starts in ‘23. And as everyone here thinks - he’s young so he will need 2 years to develope. So now you dont have a good QB until ‘25.

Where does it stop? Hammock is paid to win today. Not sell the same pipe dreams we had in 2014.

They’re 5-2 and 3-0! He is winning now lol

And that’s why I’m asking about all this - next year or 2023. So many are talking about how good they’ll be down the road. Screw that. What I’m saying is this year might be the best chance to grab a MACC. Stop talking about “how young” the team is and how they’re growing. It’s like guys are hedging their bets on 2021. We probably won’t win this year but we will be wayyyy better in a few more years. You don’t know that. They’re in a great position now. I didnt know “believe in the process” was synonymous with “wait til next year”.

Remember, there are a lot of Cub fans on this board!

Lombardi can spit nails. He can eat lightening and crap thunder. He's a very dangerous person.

Gonna fly now, flying high now
Gonna fly, fly, fly
Rocky's ready to make a move, yeah
Rocky's ready he just can't lose, yeah

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MR6FXpaECY8

(10-19-2021 11:09 AM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  And that’s why I’m asking about all this - next year or 2023. So many are talking about how good they’ll be down the road. Screw that. What I’m saying is this year might be the best chance to grab a MACC. Stop talking about “how young” the team is and how they’re growing. It’s like guys are hedging their bets on 2021. We probably won’t win this year but we will be wayyyy better in a few more years. You don’t know that. They’re in a great position now. I didnt know “believe in the process” was synonymous with “wait til next year”.

Those aren’t mutually exclusive. They can win the MACC this year (VALUE!) mainly due to it being a (very) down year for the MAC and continue to improve and be even better still a few years down the road, even if the chances for a MACC in those years may not even be as good as they could be this year.

Let’s call this what it is.

B*tching just to b*tch.