Oh how sad how people have ruined something integral to the people of this state and University. That said.... IT'S ON TO SPRING FOOTBALL AT IU...
There are few questions about quarterback that will be solved this spring. We know who the starter is. We will not know really who the backup TRULY is until fall. We do not know if Covington has recovered fully or if Diamond will be red-shirted next season when King and Hale arrive.
Running back? OK, Howard is obviously in a great spot to play most of the snaps. Redding was surprisingly effective in reserve last yr when supplying fresh legs. Will Rodriguez be able to step in and impress during the spring. Has Mister's knee progressed to the point they'll put him in scrimmages? I've like Wilson during spring practice. Can he see the field?
OL? Is Feeney's knee still coming along and has he gotten back to the point where he was before the injury? How do Herron and Gardner impact the rotation? Who on earth plays Right tackle? Is it Evans? Cormier? Gardner? Does this line progress to the point it's as good as IU has ever fielded? I think it can be.
Now the REAL big and important ??? about the offense. RECEIVERS and tight ends.
Who on earth is going to get open and finish the play with a catch? I don't mean who can push a bunch of weight during workouts. I don't mean who can blaze at the 40. I don't mean who spends hours in the film room. I mean, who can GET OPEN and MAKE THE CATCH for 7 yards in the fourth quarter when it's 3RD AND FIVE IN COLUMBUS, OR ANN ARBOR, OR EAST LANSING?
At tight end we know Cooper can block effectively. Danny Friend came to IU with a lot of expectations but red-shirted and then got hurt. Fuchs spent part of the winter sitting on the basketball bench in rottenville.. How has he progressed physically? Corsaro has been a valuable blocker. Can he get open and make plays? Damaska has looked good in the spring game two yrs ago. Can he progress to the point he actually sees the field?
Wide Out: Oh the questions. IU never recovered from Cody Latimer's departure. Forced to play guys who weren't ready. IU struggled outside. Marqui Hawkins is in position to earn respect this spring (and I hope he can). Dom Booth has a world of ability. After that, a lot of questions till the summer and fall when our JUCO and Freshmen arrive.
Defense... When I think of the linebackers, I smile. Oliver's return means even more depth. In my lifetime, IU has featured a handful of Big ten level linebackers. I don't mean linebackers who put on a big ten uniform and get in Big Ten games. I mean PLAY at a Big Ten level. Historically IU linebacker play has been..... spotty at best. This linebacker crew has a lot of potential. I'm not going to mention all the names. I think they can play. But as a senior, Mangieri needs to pick up his play. Shaw had some good moments in reserve. Does Sykes move to Bandit? Does McRay move from Bandit to add quickness in the line?
DL.. IU was better against the run last yr with a still young defense. Historically IU has been s sieve against the run. People went through IU's run defense like cr@p through a goose. But they were better last yr. Only the coaches know if they were giving up the pass to stop the run in their schemes or if IU was really improved. I'm not sure what to think of this group. A year older. They have to play better against the run and somehow get some push on the interior. Hoff is as strong as any IU DL has been in my memory. We've been waiting on Ralph Green to emerge. Come on Ralph. Darius Latham has shown flashes. Is Darius truly a defender? Or is he an NFL Offensive lineman playing defense? I don't know and can't make that determination. What I DO KNOW is I know IU needs a pass rush from somewhere.
Secondary.. In my life, IU hasn't fielded a ton of Big Ten level secondary guys. They just haven't. Two yrs ago, the secondary resembled a 7 on 7 camp except they were playing with 5 guys. A lot of questions at corner. A lot of young guys who look decent on highlight films. But can they hold up in the run game? Can they cover adequately? As 'Blondie" used to sing: "One Way Or Another" we're gonna find out. Can someone push Dutra and Allen at Safety? Can those two improve in pass defense?
I'm SO ready to find out.
Go IU football.
This post was edited on 3/24 8:48 AM by Ghostridah
There are few questions about quarterback that will be solved this spring. We know who the starter is. We will not know really who the backup TRULY is until fall. We do not know if Covington has recovered fully or if Diamond will be red-shirted next season when King and Hale arrive.
Running back? OK, Howard is obviously in a great spot to play most of the snaps. Redding was surprisingly effective in reserve last yr when supplying fresh legs. Will Rodriguez be able to step in and impress during the spring. Has Mister's knee progressed to the point they'll put him in scrimmages? I've like Wilson during spring practice. Can he see the field?
OL? Is Feeney's knee still coming along and has he gotten back to the point where he was before the injury? How do Herron and Gardner impact the rotation? Who on earth plays Right tackle? Is it Evans? Cormier? Gardner? Does this line progress to the point it's as good as IU has ever fielded? I think it can be.
Now the REAL big and important ??? about the offense. RECEIVERS and tight ends.
Who on earth is going to get open and finish the play with a catch? I don't mean who can push a bunch of weight during workouts. I don't mean who can blaze at the 40. I don't mean who spends hours in the film room. I mean, who can GET OPEN and MAKE THE CATCH for 7 yards in the fourth quarter when it's 3RD AND FIVE IN COLUMBUS, OR ANN ARBOR, OR EAST LANSING?
At tight end we know Cooper can block effectively. Danny Friend came to IU with a lot of expectations but red-shirted and then got hurt. Fuchs spent part of the winter sitting on the basketball bench in rottenville.. How has he progressed physically? Corsaro has been a valuable blocker. Can he get open and make plays? Damaska has looked good in the spring game two yrs ago. Can he progress to the point he actually sees the field?
Wide Out: Oh the questions. IU never recovered from Cody Latimer's departure. Forced to play guys who weren't ready. IU struggled outside. Marqui Hawkins is in position to earn respect this spring (and I hope he can). Dom Booth has a world of ability. After that, a lot of questions till the summer and fall when our JUCO and Freshmen arrive.
Defense... When I think of the linebackers, I smile. Oliver's return means even more depth. In my lifetime, IU has featured a handful of Big ten level linebackers. I don't mean linebackers who put on a big ten uniform and get in Big Ten games. I mean PLAY at a Big Ten level. Historically IU linebacker play has been..... spotty at best. This linebacker crew has a lot of potential. I'm not going to mention all the names. I think they can play. But as a senior, Mangieri needs to pick up his play. Shaw had some good moments in reserve. Does Sykes move to Bandit? Does McRay move from Bandit to add quickness in the line?
DL.. IU was better against the run last yr with a still young defense. Historically IU has been s sieve against the run. People went through IU's run defense like cr@p through a goose. But they were better last yr. Only the coaches know if they were giving up the pass to stop the run in their schemes or if IU was really improved. I'm not sure what to think of this group. A year older. They have to play better against the run and somehow get some push on the interior. Hoff is as strong as any IU DL has been in my memory. We've been waiting on Ralph Green to emerge. Come on Ralph. Darius Latham has shown flashes. Is Darius truly a defender? Or is he an NFL Offensive lineman playing defense? I don't know and can't make that determination. What I DO KNOW is I know IU needs a pass rush from somewhere.
Secondary.. In my life, IU hasn't fielded a ton of Big Ten level secondary guys. They just haven't. Two yrs ago, the secondary resembled a 7 on 7 camp except they were playing with 5 guys. A lot of questions at corner. A lot of young guys who look decent on highlight films. But can they hold up in the run game? Can they cover adequately? As 'Blondie" used to sing: "One Way Or Another" we're gonna find out. Can someone push Dutra and Allen at Safety? Can those two improve in pass defense?
I'm SO ready to find out.
Go IU football.
This post was edited on 3/24 8:48 AM by Ghostridah
