NOTE... EDITED BECAUSE ORG MADE ME THINK IN HIS RESPONSE AND I HAD TO RECONSIDER.. THANK YOU ORG.
This can be a veteran who's played significantly, but you think needs to step up.... Or someone relatively new who we haven't seen, or seen much of. That you think needs to / can step up and make a difference for IU.
I say think knowing that I (we) are not football coaches and don't see them every day. Heck, if we did, I don't know if we'd know what we were looking at. But here goes:
1. Ralph Green The interior of IU's defense is critical this season. It HAS to stand up to the run at minimum. Ralph has played a lot of good football for IU. But for IU to really take a next step, I think Ralph has to become a consistent monster in the middle of the line of scrimmage.
2. Dimitric Camiel I think Dimitric is very under-rated. I think he's more mobile than people give him credit for. He's played some very good football at RT. Although at times he's been susceptible to the outside speed rush, he's had good games against high profile players. If he can be a dominant force on the right side with IU superstar Dan Feeney, that side of the LOS can be maybe the best in the conference. If Danny Friend is healthy at TE and you put a pulling Jake Bailey, the strong side power play may be an IU staple.
3. Marcus Oliver... Needs to stay healthy. Needs to lead the defense and continue improvement in forcing turnovers. Will be key in an improved defense. He's been on the field now for two yrs. Time for a big year for Marcus.
4. Simmie Cobbs... I have probably been Simmie's biggest critic on this forum. I guess because I see potential and inconsistency. I'm not impressed by numbers alone. If you play in a system that throws as much as IU does, you're going to have "numbers". Catches that make a difference in games that matter win points with me. (for whatever that's worth). Catching 8 passes against Marguerite's School of Hair doesn't impress me. I want 8 yards on 3rd and 7 in Columbus, or Ann Arbor, or Madison, or East Lansing. Simmie makes terrific catches, then drops the critical potential clinching TD vs Duke. He apparently showed growth in the spring. I have hopes.
5. Rashard Fant.... Came to IU with a rep after being offered by FSU. Has always been on Greg Graham's weight training regimen.... If anyone needed to weight 185, it's Rashard. Has had moments in coverage and at other times has been burned worse than a young Mike Dumas. At times looks like he learned tackling from Deion Sanders. But he's got ability and experience and has a nose for getting his hand on the ball (if not always catching it). Needs to keep coming and be a leader.
EDIT....
5A. THE ENTIRE PUNTING TEAM. IU hasn't punted to the level of OSU, MSU, MICH. to date.
It's made me long for the days of Dan Stryzinski and Macky Smith. Blocked punts at critical situations (OSU). Punt returns TD's in critical situations (OSU), to go with boinked and dohhhh punts at critical junctures. IU simply must do better jamming people inside the 20 and just in general. Reportedly the young man from Columbus has a Robyesque leg... Or as close as IU has to one. It would be nice for a change.
Alternates...
Richard Lagow.... (obviously)
Camion Patrick / Devine Redding. If Patrick is healthy, I think he's a potential star. If he's not, or takes time getting back, Redding must fill a void and do it well. Someone has to have a difference making year at RB.
So there's my list.... Feel free to add yours.
This can be a veteran who's played significantly, but you think needs to step up.... Or someone relatively new who we haven't seen, or seen much of. That you think needs to / can step up and make a difference for IU.
I say think knowing that I (we) are not football coaches and don't see them every day. Heck, if we did, I don't know if we'd know what we were looking at. But here goes:
1. Ralph Green The interior of IU's defense is critical this season. It HAS to stand up to the run at minimum. Ralph has played a lot of good football for IU. But for IU to really take a next step, I think Ralph has to become a consistent monster in the middle of the line of scrimmage.
2. Dimitric Camiel I think Dimitric is very under-rated. I think he's more mobile than people give him credit for. He's played some very good football at RT. Although at times he's been susceptible to the outside speed rush, he's had good games against high profile players. If he can be a dominant force on the right side with IU superstar Dan Feeney, that side of the LOS can be maybe the best in the conference. If Danny Friend is healthy at TE and you put a pulling Jake Bailey, the strong side power play may be an IU staple.
3. Marcus Oliver... Needs to stay healthy. Needs to lead the defense and continue improvement in forcing turnovers. Will be key in an improved defense. He's been on the field now for two yrs. Time for a big year for Marcus.
4. Simmie Cobbs... I have probably been Simmie's biggest critic on this forum. I guess because I see potential and inconsistency. I'm not impressed by numbers alone. If you play in a system that throws as much as IU does, you're going to have "numbers". Catches that make a difference in games that matter win points with me. (for whatever that's worth). Catching 8 passes against Marguerite's School of Hair doesn't impress me. I want 8 yards on 3rd and 7 in Columbus, or Ann Arbor, or Madison, or East Lansing. Simmie makes terrific catches, then drops the critical potential clinching TD vs Duke. He apparently showed growth in the spring. I have hopes.
5. Rashard Fant.... Came to IU with a rep after being offered by FSU. Has always been on Greg Graham's weight training regimen.... If anyone needed to weight 185, it's Rashard. Has had moments in coverage and at other times has been burned worse than a young Mike Dumas. At times looks like he learned tackling from Deion Sanders. But he's got ability and experience and has a nose for getting his hand on the ball (if not always catching it). Needs to keep coming and be a leader.
EDIT....
5A. THE ENTIRE PUNTING TEAM. IU hasn't punted to the level of OSU, MSU, MICH. to date.
It's made me long for the days of Dan Stryzinski and Macky Smith. Blocked punts at critical situations (OSU). Punt returns TD's in critical situations (OSU), to go with boinked and dohhhh punts at critical junctures. IU simply must do better jamming people inside the 20 and just in general. Reportedly the young man from Columbus has a Robyesque leg... Or as close as IU has to one. It would be nice for a change.
Alternates...
Richard Lagow.... (obviously)
Camion Patrick / Devine Redding. If Patrick is healthy, I think he's a potential star. If he's not, or takes time getting back, Redding must fill a void and do it well. Someone has to have a difference making year at RB.
So there's my list.... Feel free to add yours.
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