Defensive Line Surprises

[WinOneThisCentury]

Truly hypothetical here, but let's say the DL surprises to the upside this year. Carl Davis comes into his own, Bigach plays like a 5th year senior, and Alvis and Cooper make substantial leaps from the previous year. Couple that with a few people coming out of nowhere to make an impact...Spears and Trinca-Passat.

Looking at the schedule and the fact that I think our offense is going to be pretty good, especially against the home competition, I think 9-3 becomes a distinct possibility. They have to win at Indiana and NW...and beat Penn State and Nebraska at home for this to come to fruition. Certainly not locks, but definitely something that can be done. Penn State worries me more than Nebraska.

 

[hawkdrummer1]

Truly hypothetical here, but let's say the DL surprises to the upside this year. Carl Davis comes into his own, Bigach plays like a 5th year senior, and Alvis and Cooper make substantial leaps from the previous year. Couple that with a few people coming out of nowhere to make an impact...Spears and Trinca-Passat.

Looking at the schedule and the fact that I think our offense is going to be pretty good, especially against the home competition, I think 9-3 becomes a distinct possibility. They have to win at Indiana and NW...and beat Penn State and Nebraska at home for this to come to fruition. Certainly not locks, but definitely something that can be done. Penn State worries me more than Nebraska.

I think two things could be difference-makers in this team. The first, and biggest, would be the above. If the D-line outperforms expectations...we could be looking at a really good year.

The second would be a great year by our WRs. We look pretty thin and pretty young there.

And (ok, make it three) a noticeable difference in our offensive "attitude" would be a nice surprise...thank you Greg Davis.

But if our D-line can step up as you postulate..that would be huge.

 

[BSpringsteen]

Our offense is going to be pretty good?

As evidenced by what? The OL?

That's great - they better be good enough to let JVB just sit back and watch, because under any pressure, that guy stinks. They better be good enough to open up a hole the size of - well you know - because we don't have any proven running backs to run through them. Eventually with 15 seconds of sitting in the pocket without pressure - some of our totally unproven WR's should be able to get open.

Our back 7 on D and OL should be top 4 in conference. Every other unit is Bottom 4 in the conference.

 

[RocknRollface]

Our offense is going to be pretty good?

As evidenced by what? The OL?

That's great - they better be good enough to let JVB just sit back and watch, because under any pressure, that guy stinks. They better be good enough to open up a hole the size of - well you know - because we don't have any proven running backs to run through them. Eventually with 15 seconds of sitting in the pocket without pressure - some of our totally unproven WR's should be able to get open.

Our back 7 on D and OL should be top 4 in conference. Every other unit is Bottom 4 in the conference.

The running game should be improved regardless just by having an actually running back rather than a slow full back taking all the carries.

One break away touchdown will be more than all of last year.

 

[BSpringsteen]

I agree that Coker was one of the more overrated players in the B1G. But tell me which guy you think gives you a reason for optimism? The true freshman, the walk on or the guy whose gotten 5 carries in his entire career.

 

[BergHawk7]

I agree that Coker was one of the more overrated players in the B1G. But tell me which guy you think gives you a reason for optimism? The true freshman, the walk on or the guy whose gotten 5 carries in his entire career.

Ill take the true freshman named Greg Garmen

 

[hawkfan1319]

Bullock could surprise. That was the longest run I have seen broken off in spring practice in a long time.

 

[MoseSchrute]

Amongst four to five guys, they should be able to find one or two that are adequate.

 

[OUTofTOWNHAWK]

Amongst four to five guys, they should be able to find one or two that are adequate.

I agree. Also I dont think that we need a ton of talent just player that gives that 110% effort. I think on the field Coker and ARob gave 110%,and were not overly talented.

If we ever get another back like Greene.........then forgettaboutit.

 

[Golfer]

Add me to the list. The running game will be good enough.

 

[Foval21]

for the rbs i will put my money on the true frosh hill. you need a between tackle runner and he is that. more power and speed than arob had. mix in either bullock or garmon with him and we will have a good 2 back system.

 

[TheAvernus]

I agree with strong effort comes good play. A average player with tons of effort becomes a solid player. Maybe not great or a superstar in the long run. If everyone plays with a ton of effort things can go well. There is still 11 other guys on the opposite side too who have the ability to play with effort. One key will be players letting go of mistakes and getting over it because its bound to happen in areas where we are young and thin.

 

[RocknRollface]

I agree that Coker was one of the more overrated players in the B1G. But tell me which guy you think gives you a reason for optimism? The true freshman, the walk on or the guy whose gotten 5 carries in his entire career.

Anyone.

I can't imagine that we could have 5 backs on scholarship who are all worse that Coker.

Coker was the slowest back to the hole ive ever see, couldn't make anyone miss, and had zero speed.

He was force fed the ball against an abnormally weak lineup of opponents, when he faced a good D he had nothing.

 

[austinhawk]

Our offense is going to be pretty good?

As evidenced by what? The OL?

That's great - they better be good enough to let JVB just sit back and watch, because under any pressure, that guy stinks. They better be good enough to open up a hole the size of - well you know - because we don't have any proven running backs to run through them. Eventually with 15 seconds of sitting in the pocket without pressure - some of our totally unproven WR's should be able to get open.

Our back 7 on D and OL should be top 4 in conference. Every other unit is Bottom 4 in the conference.

You say JVB sucks? I don't care if your a "HN Legend". You are not a Hawkeye! Take your Fairweather Johnson and your Legend status and and stick it where the cyclone shines you troll!!

 

[bcl20]

What's a "fairweather johnson"?

 

[Thawki]

I agree that Coker was one of the more overrated players in the B1G. But tell me which guy you think gives you a reason for optimism? The true freshman, the walk on or the guy whose gotten 5 carries in his entire career.

Anyone that thinks Coker was just some running back that was overhyped probably isn't anyone worth debating football with due to their lack of knowledge on the subject.

I was always taught never to fight an unarmed opponent, so I won't be getting into a back and forth on the topic with any of the geniuses on this thread who don't understand how good the guy was and is.

I don't claim to be a football savant, but I do know that Coker is pretty darn good.

 

[bcl20]

But does his dong work when it rains?

 

[BSpringsteen]

Anyone that thinks Coker was just some running back that was overhyped probably isn't anyone worth debating football with due to their lack of knowledge on the subject.

I was always taught never to fight an unarmed opponent, so I won't be getting into a back and forth on the topic with any of the geniuses on this thread who don't understand how good the guy was and is.

I don't claim to be a football savant, but I do know that Coker is pretty darn good.

He also had the lowest YPC average of any starting Big 10 running back.

 

[BSpringsteen]

You say JVB sucks? I don't care if your a "HN Legend". You are not a Hawkeye! Take your Fairweather Johnson and your Legend status and and stick it where the cyclone shines you troll!!

I don't say JVB sucks. I say the JVB is ranks above only Scott Mullen and Kyle McCann in KF era QB's.

As for your Fairweather Johnson argument, I'll have you know my Johnson really prefers the fall, but also enjoys winter, spring and summer. It works in all seasons exactly to manufacturers specifications...

and it likes vagina.

I knew there was a reason I liked you Austin.

 

[WinOneThisCentury]

Our offense is going to be pretty good?

As evidenced by what? The OL?

That's great - they better be good enough to let JVB just sit back and watch, because under any pressure, that guy stinks. They better be good enough to open up a hole the size of - well you know - because we don't have any proven running backs to run through them. Eventually with 15 seconds of sitting in the pocket without pressure - some of our totally unproven WR's should be able to get open.

Our back 7 on D and OL should be top 4 in conference. Every other unit is Bottom 4 in the conference.

Actually yes...I think the OL will be very good. Will they have their moments of difficulty, sure, but Scherff is the only one that I feel has some vulnerability. Van Sloten played very well against Oklahoma and there is a reason why Blythe has already cracked the starting lineup this spring. My guess is that he's special when you consider the other RS Freshmen to have this opportunity in the past.

At running back, it's not like we have two true freshmen who we are depending on. We have a RS Sophomore and a true soph, plus a couple of freshmen who will get an opportunity to play. Rogers can also play some TB if necessary. It's not as dim as you believe.

As for your comments about JVB, well, you pretty much made it clear you are a moron. He had difficulty against the best competition he faced. Ahh, I don't think he faced Penn State, Michigan State, and Nebraska by himself. The team struggled, not just him. For a first year QB, he did what a lot of them do, struggled on the road and against good defenses. The thing that was impressive is that he didn't turn the ball over, and when he has time, he can get the ball where it needs to be. Think about it, why wouldn't he be alot better this year...especially with someone who has shown the ability to put QB's in the NFL with some regularity.

Davis needs to improve the drops, but he has shown he can be a good receiver. I also think KMM improves. Guess what, I think it will be a different passing game where the TE's play a much bigger role. That swings things to our advantage and if teams bring in the extra DB to take it away, well, then you play smash mouth and let CJ push a 200lb guy around. I like the way this offense shapes up. The big thing is that they have 5 games to get it together and other than NIU, they are all at home. That helps in a big way.