Latest expectations

[iubud]

I was thinking if losing Ellison and Dawkins had changed my expectations for the season.

Ellison showed signs of being a good back. I suppose there is a chance he will come back. If he doesn't ,we won't be as deep and we will have to hope one back emerges as the go to player. Ellison hadn't become irreplaceable yet, so we won't know what we are missing until/if he returns. I think Ellison does hurt us, but it will be forgotten if we can still run the ball effectively. .

I am sure the guys liked Dawkins, but they may have seen this coming. We will miss having an experienced QB in case of injury. With the new rules around redshirting, Penix should have some game experience if he has to take over. The impact is low if Ramsey stays healthy. It stays manageable if Penix gets comfortable playing before he is forced to start or play more.

Some had built Dawkins to take over the team. Then he didn't win the starting job. I think we would have liked his running ability early, but once the B1G schedule started, I don't think his impact would have been as great. I don't see us losing any games because he wasn't on the field.

At the end of the day, you don't miss what you never had. We will be fine unless we suffer more injuries than expected. Let's just get through the first play, series, and game without losing a key player.

 

[IndyIUFan66]

Ramsey did not get frozen in time since end of last season. He too did the S&C program, gained new muscle & clocked fast speed, and by all accounts he's a film junkie who is smart & gritty and from little clips I saw, was looking very precise in his throws. I would also bet if he is given time in pocket, that he has enough arm to throw deep. That may be more of an OL issue than lack of arm strength issue at this point.

Wanted to see Ellison too, but I think there are hungry RB's who will not let this opportunity go for naught. Gest is ready, Majette is in last year to do what he's not been able to do yet b/c of injury. Stevie Scott may have more beef than Ellison and made waves in camp. I still think Craig Nelson could be a sleeper, being a FL kid. Ronnie Walker may be the FR breakout we hoped. And long shot perhaps, but what if Pechak shows why at one point he was 4-star ranked?

Bullish on the defense. Scheme/athletes and more depth than last year. OL seems bigger and all back so hopefully better. And I'd like to think this recent adversity will pull them together, as in "Those who are here now are living by LEO and we are looking to finish this year!"

But I really don't think IU is taking anyone for granted. They are in "we've got a chip on our own shoulder" mode more than cocky arrogant mode.

 

[Hoosiers Rising]

Losing your leading rusher and grad transfer QB are all good omens. I just need to see a hoot owl out in the middle of the day to ice it. That sums up my mood this week. Hope I'm much happier next week.

 

[IndyIUFan66]

Suggest a cold beer, a walk with the dog and then enjoy watching the game on Saturday. If we look good, hopefully you can then shake these demons and embrace the new 2018 era. I believe the S&C results will show this season. I wanted both to be on the team 100%. But a QB who never took a snap and didn't have spring practice last year can't be a deal breaker since we never had him ever. And Ellison's year last year didn't have the consistency his total yards would indicate, as in 2 big games and then not so much the remaining ones he played when not injured.

You go with the guys you have and everyone going to Miami I bet is ready to go get busy and come home 1-0!

 

[Bowlmania]

Ramsey did not get frozen in time since end of last season. He too did the S&C program, gained new muscle & clocked fast speed, and by all accounts he's a film junkie who is smart & gritty and from little clips I saw, was looking very precise in his throws. I would also bet if he is given time in pocket, that he has enough arm to throw deep. That may be more of an OL issue than lack of arm strength issue at this point.

Wanted to see Ellison too, but I think there are hungry RB's who will not let this opportunity go for naught. Gest is ready, Majette is in last year to do what he's not been able to do yet b/c of injury. Stevie Scott may have more beef than Ellison and made waves in camp. I still think Craig Nelson could be a sleeper, being a FL kid. Ronnie Walker may be the FR breakout we hoped. And long shot perhaps, but what if Pechak shows why at one point he was 4-star ranked?

Bullish on the defense. Scheme/athletes and more depth than last year. OL seems bigger and all back so hopefully better. And I'd like to think this recent adversity will pull them together, as in "Those who are here now are living by LEO and we are looking to finish this year!"

But I really don't think IU is taking anyone for granted. They are in "we've got a chip on our own shoulder" mode more than cocky arrogant mode.

You make some good points. I think way too much was made of the "arm strength" issue by some fans last season. First, with our OL situation last year, Ramsey had guys in his face play after play, game after game. Short, low-risk passes were certainly the order of the day. Second, a kid's arm strength isn't maxed out at the age of 19. As you've noted, he's bulked up and developed additional strength this offseason which should benefit his arm. No, it's unlikely he's going to have a cannon, but it's implausible that he would have come out of fall camp as the #1 if he wasn't able to consistently complete deep throws.

The defense still has me concerned. I'm thrilled with the addition of Roof and Samuels, and the return of some key guys who were hurt last season. However, our returning defensive production is among the lowest in the country. The good news, I suppose, is that FIU's returning production ranking (both defensive and overall) is even lower than ours.

I used to think that referring to an early season game as a "must win" was ridiculous hype. The more I consider this, though, the more convinced I am that this is a must win for IU. Gotta come out of Miami with a W. Go Hoosiers!

 

[Indianaftw]

You make some good points. I think way too much was made of the "arm strength" issue by some fans last season. First, with our OL situation last year, Ramsey had guys in his face play after play, game after game. Short, low-risk passes were certainly the order of the day. Second, a kid's arm strength isn't maxed out at the age of 19. As you've noted, he's bulked up and developed additional strength this offseason which should benefit his arm. No, it's unlikely he's going to have a cannon, but it's implausible that he would have come out of fall camp as the #1 if he wasn't able to consistently complete deep throws.

I listened to the Don Fischer segment from Dakich show yesterday. The first thing Ballou addressed with P.R. was arm strength according to Fish. So there was issues in regards to that. Fish also said that he has been making all the throws he needs to make this year and has improved enough to win the starting role.

Anyways it is what it is. I'll be looking forward to that first bomb to the 23 m.p.h. Whop.

 

[h20pls]

Ramsey did not get frozen in time since end of last season.

I for one am looking forward to seeing the kid that beat Dawkins for the job.

 

[Bowlmania]

I listened to the Don Fischer segment from Dakich show yesterday. The first thing Ballou addressed with P.R. was arm strength according to Fish. So there was issues in regards to that. Fish also said that he has been making all the throws he needs to make this year and has improved enough to win the starting role.

Anyways it is what it is. I'll be looking forward to that first bomb to the 23 m.p.h. Whop.

Well, that was kind of my point. I didn't claim it was a non-issue. I just said I thought too much was being made of it last season, and that arm strength gains are certainly expected for a [then] 19 year-old guy. And yes, he's making the throws or he wouldn't have been named the guy.

 

[82hoosier]

You make some good points. I think way too much was made of the "arm strength" issue by some fans last season. First, with our OL situation last year, Ramsey had guys in his face play after play, game after game. Short, low-risk passes were certainly the order of the day. Second, a kid's arm strength isn't maxed out at the age of 19. As you've noted, he's bulked up and developed additional strength this offseason which should benefit his arm. No, it's unlikely he's going to have a cannon, but it's implausible that he would have come out of fall camp as the #1 if he wasn't able to consistently complete deep throws.

The defense still has me concerned. I'm thrilled with the addition of Roof and Samuels, and the return of some key guys who were hurt last season. However, our returning defensive production is among the lowest in the country. The good news, I suppose, is that FIU's returning production ranking (both defensive and overall) is even lower than ours.

I used to think that referring to an early season game as a "must win" was ridiculous hype. The more I consider this, though, the more convinced I am that this is a must win for IU. Gotta come out of Miami with a W. Go Hoosiers!

Diamont put on 10-15 pounds of muscle every year and his arm strength improved significantly. After his third and last season I think he was 6’2”, 215 pounds and could throw a ball 50 yards while taking a knee. Okay maybe I did not read that exact statement but I am sure that that was the end result if you spliced all of the offseason improvement comments together. We will learn a lot about our current quarterback situation this weekend. And I like everyone else am hopefully optimistic.

 

[Bowlmania]

Diamont put on 10-15 pounds of muscle every year and his arm strength improved significantly. After his third and last season I think he was 6’2”, 215 pounds and could throw a ball 50 yards while taking a knee. Okay maybe I did not read that exact statement but I am sure that that was the end result if you spliced all of the offseason improvement comments together. We will learn a lot about our current quarterback situation this weekend. And I like everyone else am hopefully optimistic.

Lol. (This was meant to be funny, right?).

Diamont was one of my favorite IU players. Kid gave it his all and had some serious guts. Unfortunately he didn't have a body for the Big Ten. Ramsey does.

 

[Crimson Crush]

I am sure the guys liked Dawkins, but they may have seen this coming. We will miss having an experienced QB in case of injury. With the new rules around redshirting, Penix should have some game experience if he has to take over. The impact is low if Ramsey stays healthy. It stays manageable if Penix gets comfortable playing before he is forced to start or play more.

Some had built Dawkins to take over the team. Then he didn't win the starting job. I think we would have liked his running ability early, but once the B1G schedule started, I don't think his impact would have been as great. I don't see us losing any games because he wasn't on the field.

At the end of the day, you don't miss what you never had. We will be fine unless we suffer more injuries than expected. Let's just get through the first play, series, and game without losing a key player.

There was some rumblings about a lack of chemistry with Dawkins and the offense. Not on the same page.
FWIW, Ramsey was the overall vote getter by a landslide with the team leadership council. Read into it what you will.

 

[Hoosiers Rising]

There was some rumblings about a lack of chemistry with Dawkins and the offense. Not on the same page.
FWIW, Ramsey was the overall vote getter by a landslide with the team leadership council. Read into it what you will.

I have complete faith in Ramsey. Dawkins was an option we had that we no longer have.

 

[HermanB]

While at first I liked the idea of Dawkins, it was in the back of my mind, did we really need him? Maybe things just have a way of working out. With any luck, Ramsey has a great year, at least comparable to last, and RT, takes the majority of back up snaps, and MP gets to redshirt. Win, win, win! Go Hoosiers!

 

[iubud]

There was some rumblings about a lack of chemistry with Dawkins and the offense. Not on the same page.
FWIW, Ramsey was the overall vote getter by a landslide with the team leadership council. Read into it what you will.

It would be an issue if he came in with the attitude he was the starter and didn't back it up with performance. The issue would be compounded if he told anyone that he was going to leave if he wasn't the starter.

A family friend was a Mr. Football QB and started out at Army and left for Northern Illinois. He started a few games until he got hurt. They wanted to move him to play on defense, so he was a graduate transfer to Southern Illinois where his brother had played QB. He didn't start, but he did get to play a few series in the game against IU where they nearly beat us. He didn't whine or complain. He contributed and played the Wildcat role in his last year.

 

[mobilehoosier]

I’m convinced each kid got a fair shot. PR won and he is the starter. I thought Dawkins would win but he got beat. CTA is making what he thinks is best decision to win. Gotta go with PR. Good enough for me.
Go Hoosiers!

 

[76-1]

I called it prior to fall camp. Whada I win, whada I win!?!?

I figured it would be tough for anyone to step right in and get their timing down with the receivers in just a couple of weeks..., but it sounded like (based on Dawkins video interviews) that he came into camp out of shape. Bad move on his part when you're competing for a leadership position...

Whatever... He's now part of the great Hoosier Jinx lore...