MacReady

I completely agree. Everything is theoretical and football is impossible to predict. But for the sake of off-season message board banter, what do you imagine to be more likely to happen? Dylan starts next year and craps the bed so tragically that we’re all reminded of Jeff Sims, or Dylan starts and our offense takes a big step forward?

Sorry for the rant. I'm still recovering from all the Kool-Aid yesterday.

I'm interested to know what offensive pieces and guys on the OL that you're not sold on? From what I've seen we've significantly upgraded at the WR position which was our second biggest flaw on offense a season ago behind only the abysmal QB play. I get the concerns with RPO and bubble screens considering our recent history with them, but the guys we've brought in this offseason are gamechangers compared to what we've had in the past. Fidone sees a completely different picture than last year when he catches an arrow off an RPO and now turns upfield to any combination of Banks, Bonner, Neyor, Boerkircher, and Coleman (when healthy). Opposing teams have NEVER had to respect that play in the past and could comfortably cheat toward the box. Then you add in the handful of deep-threats we now have and this is a completely different offense from anything we've seen since. I'm not saying we're going to be the number one offense in the BIG, but I think you're looking at a ceiling of top 5. And while I'm not drooling over any of our RBs I think all of them offer at least one skill that is above average. If you can't stuff the box (lol) against us, then tackling guys like Dowdell and Gabe (if he can stay healthy) becomes a tall order come fourth quarter. And Emmett has put on some good weight this offseason and is not afraid of contact either. This team doesn't need a 20+ carry back a game. We need down-hill runners that can wear down a defense in the second half, do their job in pass pro, and don't have bricks for hands. And so far I've been pleased in all of those regards. This will allow plenty of single coverage looks and I'm pretty confident in the WRs on this roster to go make some plays. I believe this is the most stacked WR room we've had in a while. And if you came out of that scrimmage (glorified practice) thinking anyone but DR is the guy, you either watched it blindfolded or are personally related to the other two QBs. Don't get me wrong, I think HH is a solid backup with an upside to see some QB-power around the goal line (although I'm not a fan of switching out guys down there) and I think Kaelin has a really bright future. But DR is special. There will definitely be growing pains but his skill set and intangibles are elite. Everyone talks about DR's arm talent and rightfully so, however, I've been just as impressed with his pocket presence and field vision. That stuff is so hard to teach, and the casual fan has no idea how difficult it is to go through reads while correctly sensing and reacting to the oncoming rushers.

4,600 yards and 40 TDs to 12 ints is tagging along? Oof. How did you survive watching our QB play this year with such impossible standards that you expect from the position?

This would be a massive get. Guy could absolutely be our #1 back next year. Hoping that connection with Hartzog pays off. The possibility of DR handing him the ball probably doesn’t hurt our chances either.

Damn. I don’t know how likely it is to flip him but this staff is relentless and I dig the hell out of it. I’m sure Raiola is doing his part too. Crazy stuff. The fact that this kid is a total stud and a 5 star is plenty to be jacked up about, but stealing his commitment from Texas would only sweeten the deal.

I refuse to be pessimistic. So I’ll put our chances of landing this guy at 0.0000000001%

That’s a fair point. I gave Satt a pass last year but now there’s no excuse. I haven’t been as critical on him as some other fans I know, but he hasn’t done anything to wow me either.

I absolutely agree that Raiola is a lot more mobile than he gets credit for, but I don’t know about the Mariota comparison. MM was a legit 4.4 guy and I’m not sure DR is as dynamic running the football as MM was. But DR has a considerably stronger arm and is miles ahead of where MM was coming out of high school as a polished passer. I could be wrong but I don’t see us running much zone read with DR besides maybe a situational wrinkle here and there. I see a lot more RPO stuff in our future with DR’s elite awareness and decision making. I view his style of play much more of a Mahomes or Rodgers where he wants to sit in the pocket and sling it, and then if no one’s open he can frustrate the hell out of a defense by slipping out and picking up a first down with his legs. I think he’s got sneaky speed.

DR seems to be unfazed by the spotlight. That’s great to see because he’s going to have some LeBron-coming-out-of-high-school expectations around here. The kid is the most polished QB (progressions, pocket presence, accuracy, etc.) I’ve seen in a long time. Then you add in the arm talent and it’s easy to see why the back-to-back champs wanted him so badly. I just hope we can supply him with some serious weapons so that he’s not asked to be Superman on every drive. I feel like that’s where we really failed Adrian. His freshman year he had Ziggy in the backfield, and Stanley Morgan and Spielman to throw to. I think people forget how spoiled we were with SM. Sure the guy wasn’t a Biletnikoff contender but he was a damn good WR1. After that first year with Adrian our line regressed and we struck out/failed to develop ANY WR recruits (and that’s the nicest way I can word that). I really like our young receivers, but we could use someone in the portal with some previous production and experience. Definitely a RB, too. We’re really cooking with some gas now though with the Raiola splash. Hopefully we can cash in with the 2025 class. And, hell, maybe even put an exciting product on the field next year to go along with it. Sorry for the novel. The Rhule-aid is flowing!!!

Unfortunately a lot more than us the last decade…but the times they are a changin’

Me showing up to my out-of-state Christmas to face my Iowa and K-State relatives with some ammunition for once:

I suppose that’s one way to go about life.

That’s why I chose the word “fine” and not “great.” I agree with your evaluation of DR’s high ceiling but let’s not retire his jersey next to his dad’s before he even plays a snap of college ball. Of course he’s instantly a significant upgrade from anyone we’ve currently got. All I’m saying is that there is a long time between now and the start of next year. There will be portal options if things fall through with Raiola. However, if we end up starting fall camp with the guys we have I’ll join you in hitting the panic button.

I think DR could catapult this program to a place it hasn’t been in a very long time. But either way we’re going to be fine. Although if he ends up not coming here…our coaches and staffers are going to have some busy thumbs deleting all those cryptic social media posts.

Ah, good to know.

Niiiiiice. I wonder if they’re planning the reveal at the arena? That would be a hell of a marketing vid to have the news drop and then have a wide shot of the pandemonium that would ensue.

Rumor is that Raiola is at PBA with Rhule and some other coaches

Could be wrong but I believe this goes here. Any other old farts know what “No edges” means?

I agree. Based on Raiola’s senior tape I’d even argue that if he was under center for us in 2023 we are prepping for a bowl game right now. I should’ve clarified that I meant Purdy was in the driver’s seat to challenge Raiola. I also didn’t mention HH and Kaelin because I don’t think either will be considered. Kaelin needs time and HH could benefit from a position change to be honest.

If the commitment doesn’t come tonight I don’t think we’ll see it until Monday. I think Rhule wouldn’t want it overshadowing the volleyball team. He strikes me as that kind of guy. But if Monday comes and goes…I’ll be sweatin’ bullets.

When you warn of the potential blowback from coaches and recruits in-state, are you referring to the Kaelin situation? Last I heard Rhule had been upfront with him about Raiola and was still honoring his scholarship. That’s the best any recruit could hope for in such a situation. It’s unfortunate for Kaelin and I feel for the kid, but I’m confused by your take. What was Rhule supposed to do in that situation? Tell Raiola to kick rocks?

Assuming HH and Purdy stay, and both Raiola and Kaelin sign, how comfortable are you with that room next year? Rhule still might go after another QB in the portal but there’s been no chatter of that since McCord. So if those are our 4 for next year, we going bowling? I think Purdy would be in the driver’s seat due to his experience. He had flashes of being serviceable last year but I’m not sold that he could lead us to the promised land (bowl eligibility, lol). Raiola certainly has all the tools to be a superstar but grown man football in the Big10 is a daunting task to throw at an 18 year old. And I don’t know if this program can handle growing pains in our first 7 games. In my opinion we’ve got to win 6 of those first 7 if we want to go bowling because our last 5 are brutal. This state can’t handle another postseason on the outside looking in.