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Topic:  Looking forward to 2017

Topic:  Looking forward to 2017
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L.C.
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  Message Not Read  Looking forward to 2017
   Posted: 3/9/2017 11:34:56 AM 
I've been looking at the roster, and thinking about what the character of the 2017 team will be. The 2016 team was characterized by a wickedly good front 7, one that stuffed the run, and one that got a lot of sacks. It was also characterized by a suspect secondary, so it gave up all too many passes and as a result, some points. The offense was also suspect. The offensive line was never dominant, the QB play was erractic, and while the receivers and RB were good, the offense overall was so-so. The 26.3 points/game that they averaged was slightly below the 26.8 point average for the offense in the pistol-set era (the average was 24.0 in the I-formation era).

What changes will we see in 2017? Let's start with special teams, as they are easy. They were great last year, and everyone returns. They should be great again.

Next let's look at the defense. The defensive line loses an entire string, Basham, Sayles, Strobel, and Laseak. Still, there was excellent depth, and plenty of people behind those that played, so I think the line will be fine - not as good as last year, but better than the average line. Guys like Porter, Aloese, Robbins, and Smart have all shown they can play, and I'm looking forward to seeing the likes of Mustin-Sherman, Arp, McKnight, Chuckwu, Miller, Kuhar, Payne, Evans, Key, and Cree. Germano did a good job with the defensive line here, and at Fresno State. I have no worries here.

Linebackers lose Brown, but return everyone else, and should be solid, too. Thus, the front 7 won't be quite as good as last year, but still should be better than average. Brown was great, but we'll see Croutch, Brunson, Popp, Dorsa, Connor, and Quallen, and maybe even true Freshman TJ Robinson. Collins has done a fantastic job with the linebackers, so I have no worries about LB

How about the secondary? CB wasn't great last year, and this year they won't get as much help in the form of fast pressure from the d-line, so it needs to improve a lot. They started last year with no returning talent, and things got worse from there, as injuries took a toll. For 2017 a big addition will be Jeff Christian, who was a high school teammate of Mayne Williams, and was considered the better of the two, but who for some reason had to spend a year at Ohio Dominican, then had to sit out last year. I would guess that the starters will be Williams and Christian, and behind them you have Miller, Fox, and Ellis, plus the Motley brothers, Morgan, and two incoming Freshmen, Brooks and Drake. That's a lot more names and talent than a year ago. If the new CB coach can get it done, this group should be ok.

And Safety? Ohio loses Davis and Hardy, but returns Hagan, Tupa and Nelson (who I'm guessing will return to S now that there are enough players at CB). All three of these can play, and they will add two very talented Freshman, Mitchell and Floyd.

The net result is that I think this defense will be as good or better than 2016. In 2016 the front 7 was great, but the defense also had a hole, the secondary. In 2017 I expect the defense to be more balanced, with good talent all the way around, and no gaping holes. Furthermore there is pretty good depth all across the board, so I don't think injuries will cause much problem, either.

Now for the offense. This is a bigger mystery, because it could be great, or it could be awful. Let's start with the easy positions, RB and TE. Both are loaded with returning players, and we know what to expect. OUellette, Brown, and Irons at RB, and Mangen, Morgan, and Brown at TE will be solid. I have no concerns about either position.

Next let's look at WR. With Dixon, I have no fears. He has consistently identified and recruited talented players, and the pipeline appears full. Yes, Reid and Sebastian Smith are gone, but I have no doubts that some players will step up. Cope, Meyer, and Ball return, and some players like Keevon Harris, Odom, and Matt Seymour may emerge, and we may see one of the true Freshmen, Brevin Harris, Minter, Cherry, or Cox.

Now the positions of concern. First the offensive line. Last year it was disappointing. To me this is the make or break year on Johnson. He's been here long enough that he's had a chance to recruit players, and to train them up. This is his line, not Lightner's players. He's got a lot of players, including a fair number of 3-star players. For next year's team to win the East, and to have a shot at the MACC, the line needs to gel into an effective group, one that can make holes for the running backs, and protect the QB. Will that happen? We'll have to see.

Finally there is QB. I'm discounting rumors of transfers, and looking at Rourke, Keszei and Maxwell. Under Isphording, every QB has shown significant improvement from their first to second year. I expect Maxwell to improve a lot. The game needs to slow down for him, and he needs to get more accurate, but I think he can be a decent QB. I think Keszei and Rourke are going to give him a lot of pressure, and he'll have a battle to win the starting job. If he does win it, it will mean he's improved a lot. My gut tells me, though, that of the three Rourke is going to end up on top, and that he's a competitor, and a winner. Either of the other two could prove me wrong, though.

So, the offense could be great, if...the offensive line gels into a solid unit, and if one or more of the QBs turns out to be really good. The offense could be awful, if...the offensive line does not gel, and the QB play remains mediocre.

As I look forward to 2017, I'm finding myself very optimistic. This is going to be a very good team. There is a lot of talent across the board, and a lot of depth. Other than special teams, I don't expect a single position grouping to stand out, but I don't expect any weak spots, either. My hunch is that we'll get to see some good football this fall, and that come the end of the year, most of us will be happy.

Last Edited: 3/9/2017 11:39:48 AM by L.C.

“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” ― Epictetus

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allen
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  Message Not Read  RE: Looking forward to 2017
   Posted: 3/9/2017 11:55:09 AM 
Great analysis. Will there be any contact drills where offensive lineman can improve?

Last Edited: 3/9/2017 2:35:38 PM by allen

Nobody despises to lose more than I do. That's got me into trouble over the years, but it also made a man of mediocre ability into a pretty good coach. Woody Hayes
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Bobcat1998
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  Message Not Read  RE: Looking forward to 2017
   Posted: 3/9/2017 12:28:59 PM 
L.C. wrote:
I've been looking at the roster, and thinking about what the character of the 2017 team will be. The 2016 team was characterized by a wickedly good front 7, one that stuffed the run, and one that got a lot of sacks. It was also characterized by a suspect secondary, so it gave up all too many passes and as a result, some points. The offense was also suspect. The offensive line was never dominant, the QB play was erractic, and while the receivers and RB were good, the offense overall was so-so. The 26.3 points/game that they averaged was slightly below the 26.8 point average for the offense in the pistol-set era (the average was 24.0 in the I-formation era).

What changes will we see in 2017? Let's start with special teams, as they are easy. They were great last year, and everyone returns. They should be great again.

Next let's look at the defense. The defensive line loses an entire string, Basham, Sayles, Strobel, and Laseak. Still, there was excellent depth, and plenty of people behind those that played, so I think the line will be fine - not as good as last year, but better than the average line. Guys like Porter, Aloese, Robbins, and Smart have all shown they can play, and I'm looking forward to seeing the likes of Mustin-Sherman, Arp, McKnight, Chuckwu, Miller, Kuhar, Payne, Evans, Key, and Cree. Germano did a good job with the defensive line here, and at Fresno State. I have no worries here.

Linebackers lose Brown, but return everyone else, and should be solid, too. Thus, the front 7 won't be quite as good as last year, but still should be better than average. Brown was great, but we'll see Croutch, Brunson, Popp, Dorsa, Connor, and Quallen, and maybe even true Freshman TJ Robinson. Collins has done a fantastic job with the linebackers, so I have no worries about LB

How about the secondary? CB wasn't great last year, and this year they won't get as much help in the form of fast pressure from the d-line, so it needs to improve a lot. They started last year with no returning talent, and things got worse from there, as injuries took a toll. For 2017 a big addition will be Jeff Christian, who was a high school teammate of Mayne Williams, and was considered the better of the two, but who for some reason had to spend a year at Ohio Dominican, then had to sit out last year. I would guess that the starters will be Williams and Christian, and behind them you have Miller, Fox, and Ellis, plus the Motley brothers, Morgan, and two incoming Freshmen, Brooks and Drake. That's a lot more names and talent than a year ago. If the new CB coach can get it done, this group should be ok.

And Safety? Ohio loses Davis and Hardy, but returns Hagan, Tupa and Nelson (who I'm guessing will return to S now that there are enough players at CB). All three of these can play, and they will add two very talented Freshman, Mitchell and Floyd.

The net result is that I think this defense will be as good or better than 2016. In 2016 the front 7 was great, but the defense also had a hole, the secondary. In 2017 I expect the defense to be more balanced, with good talent all the way around, and no gaping holes. Furthermore there is pretty good depth all across the board, so I don't think injuries will cause much problem, either.

Now for the offense. This is a bigger mystery, because it could be great, or it could be awful. Let's start with the easy positions, RB and TE. Both are loaded with returning players, and we know what to expect. OUellette, Brown, and Irons at RB, and Mangen, Morgan, and Brown at TE will be solid. I have no concerns about either position.

Next let's look at WR. With Dixon, I have no fears. He has consistently identified and recruited talented players, and the pipeline appears full. Yes, Reid and Sebastian Smith are gone, but I have no doubts that some players will step up. Cope, Meyer, and Ball return, and some players like Keevon Harris, Odom, and Matt Seymour may emerge, and we may see one of the true Freshmen, Brevin Harris, Minter, Cherry, or Cox.

Now the positions of concern. First the offensive line. Last year it was disappointing. To me this is the make or break year on Johnson. He's been here long enough that he's had a chance to recruit players, and to train them up. This is his line, not Lightner's players. He's got a lot of players, including a fair number of 3-star players. For next year's team to win the East, and to have a shot at the MACC, the line needs to gel into an effective group, one that can make holes for the running backs, and protect the QB. Will that happen? We'll have to see.

Finally there is QB. I'm discounting rumors of transfers, and looking at Rourke, Keszei and Maxwell. Under Isphording, every QB has shown significant improvement from their first to second year. I expect Maxwell to improve a lot. The game needs to slow down for him, and he needs to get more accurate, but I think he can be a decent QB. I think Keszei and Rourke are going to give him a lot of pressure, and he'll have a battle to win the starting job. If he does win it, it will mean he's improved a lot. My gut tells me, though, that of the three Rourke is going to end up on top, and that he's a competitor, and a winner. Either of the other two could prove me wrong, though.

So, the offense could be great, if...the offensive line gels into a solid unit, and if one or more of the QBs turns out to be really good. The offense could be awful, if...the offensive line does not gel, and the QB play remains mediocre.

As I look forward to 2017, I'm finding myself very optimistic. This is going to be a very good team. There is a lot of talent across the board, and a lot of depth. Other than special teams, I don't expect a single position grouping to stand out, but I don't expect any weak spots, either. My hunch is that we'll get to see some good football this fall, and that come the end of the year, most of us will be happy.



Nicely done! You have definitely reminded me to be excited for football season with what we have back. You mentioned special teams. I think that Farkas and Zervos' importance cannot be undersold. These two were arguably MVPs at times for us with Farkas giving the other team awful field position in tight games and Louie giving us just enough points with his leg to win close games.
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Bcat2
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  Message Not Read  RE: Looking forward to 2017
   Posted: 3/9/2017 1:54:06 PM 
allen wrote:
Great analysis. Will there be any contact drill where offensive lineman can improve?


A numbers game, though, you work with what is available. I have drilled with just left offense vs right defense. Every year the game gets faster with bigger bodies. Earlier someone posted that last spring we lost the Minnesota (QB) transfer to a Spring Game injury. I have personal memories of breaking a teammate's leg in a full contact pregame drill. If the coaches are deciding to limit contact, so be it.

"Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men." JFK

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allen
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  Message Not Read  RE: Looking forward to 2017
   Posted: 3/9/2017 2:45:53 PM 
Bcat2 wrote:
allen wrote:
Great analysis. Will there be any contact drill where offensive lineman can improve?


A numbers game, though, you work with what is available. I have drilled with just left offense vs right defense. Every year the game gets faster with bigger bodies. Earlier someone posted that last spring we lost the Minnesota (QB) transfer to a Spring Game injury. I have personal memories of breaking a teammate's leg in a full contact pregame drill. If the coaches are deciding to limit contact, so be it.



It does not answer the question. I think you also have to use the law of probability. If 120 have full practices, there will be 2-3% attrition or less. In order to have a physical edge, you have to set the tone in practice. Should we stop tackling people because Bo Hardy injured his hand or stop running hard because AJ injured his elbow? I would say no. How will we identify our starters? I can understand limiting physical contact, but a spring of flag football may set us back.

Last Edited: 3/9/2017 9:22:45 PM by allen

Nobody despises to lose more than I do. That's got me into trouble over the years, but it also made a man of mediocre ability into a pretty good coach. Woody Hayes
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OhioStunter
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  Message Not Read  RE: Looking forward to 2017
   Posted: 3/9/2017 2:58:03 PM 
I am also looking forward to 2017. But Ohio lost some really good players and I'm eager to see who steps up.

Keep in mind, generally an improvement this year would include either winning the MAC title or a bowl game. Those are really the only two ways to improve upon last year.
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L.C.
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  Message Not Read  RE: Looking forward to 2017
   Posted: 3/9/2017 4:36:18 PM 
By the way, since I do these every year, it's only fair to suggest that people go back and critique my analysis of last year, which can be found on page 30. I think it was mostly accurate, but it was written before the losses of Krizancic, Provitt, Ouellette and Sprague. I forecast that the offense would be moderately better, up from 27 ppg to 29-30, and while it was better, it a only to 28.3, a slight disappointment. I forecast the best front seven yet, with a scary situation at CB, and that was dead on.

My conclusion that it would be the best team yet did not quite happen. At times they played that way, such as the Kansas, Tennessee, Toledo and WMU games, but there were also lapses like Texas State. Still, they came as close to a MACC as any team other that 2011, so I wasn't way off.

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Campus Flow
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  Message Not Read  RE: Looking forward to 2017
   Posted: 3/9/2017 8:40:03 PM 
The X factor for next year I believe is going to be the recruiting class. If its as good as what some of us think it might be against the reasonable non-conference schedule there is a chance to step up to double digit wins this year.

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OhioCatFan
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  Message Not Read  RE: Looking forward to 2017
   Posted: 3/9/2017 11:23:05 PM 
Uncle Wes wrote:
The X factor for next year I believe is going to be the recruiting class. If its as good as what some of us think it might be against the reasonable non-conference schedule there is a chance to step up to double digit wins this year.


+1

This along with L.C.'s analysis makes me very optimistic about next fall. Go OHIO!


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"It is better to be an optimist and be proven a fool than to be a pessimist and be proven right."

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Monroe Slavin
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  Message Not Read  RE: Looking forward to 2017
   Posted: 3/10/2017 12:07:23 AM 
L.C. wrote:
By the way, since I do these every year, it's only fair to suggest that people go back and critique my analysis of last year, which can be found on page 30. I think it was mostly accurate....

My conclusion that it would be the best team yet did not quite happen.




AND NO ONE HERE FINDS THE ABOVE QUOTE A BIT WEIRD: INJURIES OR WHATEVER OTHER EXCUSES YOU MAY TOLERATE, WE WERE 8-6, WORSE THAN THE YEAR BEFORE, LOST 3 OF OUR LAST 4 AT THE KEY END OF THE SEASON...AND DID THIS WITH A SLEW OF ALL-MAC PLAYERS.



L.C. admits questions about the O-line...we return very little proven at receiver and big question marks at qb. Plus those big losses at d-line and linebacker.

Sure, we could be really good. But those apparent weaknesses and losses combined with a staff that's never loss lesss than 4 games in each of its 12 years...and what's the realistic conclusion?




Go ahead. Lob your rocks at me for being negative.

But I'm not being negative. I'm being realistic.


Also see Miami returns a qb who, after not throwing a pass in their 0-6 start, led them to 6-1 while throwing 17 tds and only 1 INT in 179 passes.


Should we be favored over Miami in the MACEast?

Last Edited: 3/10/2017 12:08:18 AM by Monroe Slavin

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TrueFan
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  Message Not Read  RE: Looking forward to 2017
   Posted: 3/10/2017 4:55:49 AM 
I agree Monroe, we were 8-6 with a slew of all MAC players.....(pretty much on defense) They did their job. I'm hoping our Offense can step it up this year. A loss is a loss, but we lost big games ( MAC CHAMPIONSHIP/BOWL GAME) by a touchdown. We lost some heavy hitters, but still have some heavy hitters...I'm actually looking forward to this season and the new recruits...#GO BOBCATS
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L.C.
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  Message Not Read  RE: Looking forward to 2017
   Posted: 3/10/2017 7:41:45 AM 
Monroe Slavin wrote:
L.C. wrote:
By the way, since I do these every year, it's only fair to suggest that people go back and critique my analysis of last year, which can be found on page 30. I think it was mostly accurate....

My conclusion that it would be the best team yet did not quite happen.


AND NO ONE HERE FINDS THE ABOVE QUOTE A BIT WEIRD: INJURIES OR WHATEVER OTHER EXCUSES YOU MAY TOLERATE, WE WERE 8-6, WORSE THAN THE YEAR BEFORE, LOST 3 OF OUR LAST 4 AT THE KEY END OF THE SEASON...AND DID THIS WITH A SLEW OF ALL-MAC PLAYERS.
...

And yet, despite the losses of people that I had projected as key players before the season, such and Provitt, Sprague, and OUellette, had Windham not thrown an interception with 0:51 left against WMU, and instead had driven the final 37 yards, the team would have beaten a Top 25 team, and been the the MAC Champion. Yes, I think that what I said above is accurate. My projection did not quite happen. While the team didn't quite accomplish my objectives for them, my projection wasn't way off the mark, either.

“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” ― Epictetus

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Doc Bobcat
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  Message Not Read  RE: Looking forward to 2017
   Posted: 3/10/2017 8:19:00 AM 
OhioCatFan wrote:
Uncle Wes wrote:
The X factor for next year I believe is going to be the recruiting class. If its as good as what some of us think it might be against the reasonable non-conference schedule there is a chance to step up to double digit wins this year.


+1

This along with L.C.'s analysis makes me very optimistic about next fall. Go OHIO!




Depth and recruiting have in the past have been a thorn in the side of OUr Cats. I'm not saying it couldn't improve, but a class like this year can provide depth at just about every position.

If we need help next year for whatever reason it looks like we have some talented youngsters eager to step in. If opponents look for us to be mediocre (maybe by reading this forum) they will get a surprise.
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L.C.
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  Message Not Read  RE: Looking forward to 2017
   Posted: 3/10/2017 8:23:08 AM 
Doc Bobcat wrote:
Depth and recruiting have in the past have been a thorn in the side of OUr Cats. I'm not saying it couldn't improve, but a class like this year can provide depth at just about every position.

If we need help next year for whatever reason it looks like we have some talented youngsters eager to step in. If opponents look for us to be mediocre (maybe by reading this forum) they will get a surprise.

Exactly. It was lack of depth that led to droppoff in 2007-8, and then again in 2013-14. I don't see anything similar on the horizon.

“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” ― Epictetus

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C Money
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  Message Not Read  RE: Looking forward to 2017
   Posted: 3/10/2017 9:29:36 AM 
We will go as far in 2017 as the O line takes us.
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allen
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  Message Not Read  RE: Looking forward to 2017
   Posted: 3/10/2017 10:20:49 AM 
C Money wrote:
We will go as far in 2017 as the O line takes us.


+1 and the coaching

Nobody despises to lose more than I do. That's got me into trouble over the years, but it also made a man of mediocre ability into a pretty good coach. Woody Hayes
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Bcat2
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  Message Not Read  RE: Looking forward to 2017
   Posted: 3/10/2017 10:25:45 AM 
C Money wrote:
We will go as far in 2017 as the O line takes us.


Yes and I am not sure who will step up at LG or RT. However, I have seen in 2013 D. Wood start games as a freshman and in 2014 J. Pruehs start 11 as a freshman. Well, if they need to, once again, turn to newcomers like Tusha or Hayes, things might still work out.

"Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men." JFK

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Kevin Finnegan
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  Message Not Read  RE: Looking forward to 2017
   Posted: 3/10/2017 10:35:51 AM 
L.C. wrote:


Finally there is QB. I'm discounting rumors of transfers, and looking at Rourke, Keszei and Maxwell. Under Isphording, every QB has shown significant improvement from their first to second year.



I find myself confident about our incoming QBs, but the concern I have is Isphording in the equation. I think it's unfair to say there has been significant improvement from first to second year under QBs. Maybe nominal improvement, but I don't see significant improvement. I think one of the telling signs of this has been that we haven't had a constant starting QB in his reign.

In year one, we had Vick as the definite starter, but once he was injured against Idaho, we couldn't identify the best QB. Primarily it was Vick, but Sprague was sprinkled in, such as in the Miami game.

In year two, it was a Sprague/Vick shuffle, neither establishing as the starter. The biggest travesty will remain our bowl game, where a seemingly healthy Vick wasn't played at all, despite being our best performing QB through the season.

In year three, Sprague suffered the unfortunate injury, making him ineligible. It was Windham's role to lead the team, but the yo-yo of starters continued under the Isphording tenure, flopping between Windham and Maxwell. Season starts with Windham, then it goes to Maxwell, then back to Windham when needed to relieve a struggling Maxwell in the MACC. Then, surprisingly, Windham takes EVERY bowl game snap, this despite 4 INTs and a fumble.

My question is, with QB, can we settle on one? Can we tell somebody that he's QB1, and go from there? Or will it be a guessing game week-to-week who our QB will be?

Also, is Duckworth staying with the team? If so, does he even enter a QB competition if it's open?
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allen
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  Message Not Read  RE: Looking forward to 2017
   Posted: 3/10/2017 11:02:11 AM 
Bcat2 wrote:
C Money wrote:
We will go as far in 2017 as the O line takes us.


Yes and I am not sure who will step up at LG or RT. However, I have seen in 2013 D. Wood start games as a freshman and in 2014 J. Pruehs start 11 as a freshman. Well, if they need to, once again, turn to newcomers like Tusha or Hayes, things might still work out.


+1 I agree, what scares me is Wood did not look like himself last year, at time he got dominated. Pruehs is nasty. I have yielded to LC as far as Isphording, I was disappointed in them not bringing in a qb last yaear and them recruiting Maxwell, who threw for 100 yards a game. I was pleasantly surprised by how Maxwell performed AT TIMES. LC did the numbers and it shows that the QB's did perform better under Isphording. I do think that Rourke will be decent.

Nobody despises to lose more than I do. That's got me into trouble over the years, but it also made a man of mediocre ability into a pretty good coach. Woody Hayes
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Doc Bobcat
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  Message Not Read  RE: Looking forward to 2017
   Posted: 3/10/2017 3:34:14 PM 
Bcat2 wrote:
C Money wrote:
We will go as far in 2017 as the O line takes us.


Yes and I am not sure who will step up at LG or RT. However, I have seen in 2013 D. Wood start games as a freshman and in 2014 J. Pruehs start 11 as a freshman. Well, if they need to, once again, turn to newcomers like Tusha or Hayes, things might still work out.


Add Kitrell to the newcomers who could play next year on the OL.
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Bcat2
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  Message Not Read  RE: Looking forward to 2017
   Posted: 3/10/2017 4:25:30 PM 
Doc Bobcat wrote:
Bcat2 wrote:
C Money wrote:
We will go as far in 2017 as the O line takes us.


Yes and I am not sure who will step up at LG or RT. However, I have seen in 2013 D. Wood start games as a freshman and in 2014 J. Pruehs start 11 as a freshman. Well, if they need to, once again, turn to newcomers like Tusha or Hayes, things might still work out.


Add Kitrell to the newcomers who could play next year on the OL.


For any of this to occur Mr Pleasants, McCray, Anderson, Fernandez, Notestine, Trotter and Grimes would have to stumble in their opportunities and I have no indication they will do anything other than raise the bar when given the chance.

Last Edited: 3/11/2017 6:18:56 AM by Bcat2

"Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men." JFK

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allen
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  Message Not Read  RE: Looking forward to 2017
   Posted: 3/10/2017 4:32:29 PM 
We have not seen Kitrell play, he may be better than those guys. You don't give out positions, players have to earn them Tusha, Kittrell and Hayes are coming and these guys better be ready to fend them off. They don't need to fall, what have they done? What are their blocking grades? Where is their body of the work? Let's stop the start forever philosophy or I know that guy and I want him to play philosophy.

Nobody despises to lose more than I do. That's got me into trouble over the years, but it also made a man of mediocre ability into a pretty good coach. Woody Hayes
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Monroe Slavin
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  Message Not Read  RE: Looking forward to 2017
   Posted: 3/10/2017 4:46:26 PM 
L.C. wrote:
Monroe Slavin wrote:
L.C. wrote:
By the way, since I do these every year, it's only fair to suggest that people go back and critique my analysis of last year, which can be found on page 30. I think it was mostly accurate....

My conclusion that it would be the best team yet did not quite happen.


AND NO ONE HERE FINDS THE ABOVE QUOTE A BIT WEIRD: INJURIES OR WHATEVER OTHER EXCUSES YOU MAY TOLERATE, WE WERE 8-6, WORSE THAN THE YEAR BEFORE, LOST 3 OF OUR LAST 4 AT THE KEY END OF THE SEASON...AND DID THIS WITH A SLEW OF ALL-MAC PLAYERS.
...

And yet, despite the losses of people that I had projected as key players before the season, such and Provitt, Sprague, and OUellette, had Windham not thrown an interception with 0:51 left against WMU, and instead had driven the final 37 yards, the team would have beaten a Top 25 team, and been the the MAC Champion. Yes, I think that what I said above is accurate. My projection did not quite happen. While the team didn't quite accomplish my objectives for them, my projection wasn't way off the mark, either.



I appreciate optimism as much as almost anyone. Without it, how does one get out of bed?

But big holes or doubts at receiver, O-line, qb and losses on the front seven on defense ...though the db's should be better. Then, combine that with this staff's proven (sorry, but it's so...look at the won loss records) inability to get it done...Optimism here is more founded on pure hope than reason.

L.C. I repeat: We were 8-6 last year, worse than the prior year. We lost 3 of our last 4 at the season's end when the game's counted most. And, we did it with a good number of All-MAC performers. How you can count that as a success is....well, a formula for never winning a MACC.

12 years at Ohio and only two seasons with less than four losses in the weak MAC East--that's a basis for faith?

No wonder the Republican candidate for POTUS did well in Ohio.

Where's the band?!
WHERE"S THE BAND?!


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L.C.
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  Message Not Read  RE: Looking forward to 2017
   Posted: 3/10/2017 8:17:33 PM 
And Monroe, suppose that Ohio had not thrown that interception at the end of the WMU game, but instead had driven for a TD. What would your perception of last year's team have been?

“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” ― Epictetus

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OhioBobcat
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Member Since: 1/20/2006
Post Count: 1,546

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  Message Not Read  RE: Looking forward to 2017
   Posted: 3/10/2017 10:14:02 PM 
2017 MAC Championship: Ohio vs Toledo
Winner: Ohio
The Aftermath: Monroe switches from complaining about Ohio not winning a MACC to complaining about Ohio not winning a National Championship.
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