There is a video out there of the Illini locker room after the Rutgers game. Very reminiscent of the MSU video after UI broke the losing streak a decade or so ago. Real energy. That team would play in the Rose Bowl next year, and there was an underlying feeling amongst the staff and players that something good was happening. I’m by no means predicting that type of turnaround, but there is legitimate excitement right now.
Bennet Williams will be out a while. Stanley Green ... can lay the wood, but simply does not have the speed to play in the secondary. He was pushing near a 5.0 40 in camp. Barring injuries, we may not see much more of him. Perhaps try him at lb, but he is small. Hits hard though.
The move of Adams and Brown to safety is a great one, imo. Speed, cb coverage skills, and can stop the run. Get Nate Hobbs back to full speed, and we will have a very good young secondary. Everyone back next year, and add Beason?
Disappointment on DL. Probably biggest disappointment in Gay. Has done nothing. Is putting out effort, but I believe Phair got a lot out of him. Maybe time to bench him for a while, get Carney more reps. Milan in the middle helps.
The defense is predicated on the down lineman getting pressure on the qb. When it works, no reason to blitz. We are not getting pressure with the front four. If we give Purdue 5 or 6 seconds to throw the ball, I don’t care how well the dbs are playing, they will eat us alive. Have to think about blitzing, imo. We have guys who can play press coverage, but we could be dinked all day in the flats if they don’t go over the top. It will be interesting to see what we do Saturday.
As I have said, I questioned the reliance on turnovers at the college level bc it can affect fundamentals, but I am being proved wrong. It can be done. It also has the effect of improving our offense holding onto the ball, bc they are practicing against ballhawks every day. We have only turned the ball over, I believe 3 times (check that), and Martin and Phillips alone have 3 interceptions each. Pretty impressive, especially since this team historically has had problems, on both sides, with turnovers.
Wow, haven’t mentioned offense yet. Sorry for length of post. BTW, we have thrown out a couple offers on o lineman, but it is being kept down low. Teams are taking notice that we are scouting well.
Bennet Williams will be out a while. Stanley Green ... can lay the wood, but simply does not have the speed to play in the secondary. He was pushing near a 5.0 40 in camp. Barring injuries, we may not see much more of him. Perhaps try him at lb, but he is small. Hits hard though.
The move of Adams and Brown to safety is a great one, imo. Speed, cb coverage skills, and can stop the run. Get Nate Hobbs back to full speed, and we will have a very good young secondary. Everyone back next year, and add Beason?
Disappointment on DL. Probably biggest disappointment in Gay. Has done nothing. Is putting out effort, but I believe Phair got a lot out of him. Maybe time to bench him for a while, get Carney more reps. Milan in the middle helps.
The defense is predicated on the down lineman getting pressure on the qb. When it works, no reason to blitz. We are not getting pressure with the front four. If we give Purdue 5 or 6 seconds to throw the ball, I don’t care how well the dbs are playing, they will eat us alive. Have to think about blitzing, imo. We have guys who can play press coverage, but we could be dinked all day in the flats if they don’t go over the top. It will be interesting to see what we do Saturday.
As I have said, I questioned the reliance on turnovers at the college level bc it can affect fundamentals, but I am being proved wrong. It can be done. It also has the effect of improving our offense holding onto the ball, bc they are practicing against ballhawks every day. We have only turned the ball over, I believe 3 times (check that), and Martin and Phillips alone have 3 interceptions each. Pretty impressive, especially since this team historically has had problems, on both sides, with turnovers.
Wow, haven’t mentioned offense yet. Sorry for length of post. BTW, we have thrown out a couple offers on o lineman, but it is being kept down low. Teams are taking notice that we are scouting well.
