Cy the Cyclone Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 Other than ISU, most teams have at least one player you recognize by name. Since our guys are so unknown, I thought I would help you prepare for next year with this handy dandy introduction and scouting report of the possible starting line-up for the 2008 ISU Cyclones… Offense – ISU lost their QB and top WR, along with the starting TE on offense. That might be trouble for some teams but was ISU really any good over the past couple of years with Meyer and Blythe? The answer here is they shouldn’t be missed… QB – Arnaud. ISU is also engaged in a QB battle between Arnaud and Bates. Throw the new recruit, Tiller, in for good measure. Arnaud completed 20 of 37 passes last year when he was on the field with only one interception. Good size…6’3” 222 lbs. Good dual threat QB who would do well running a spread offense. Bates may beat him but best bet for him is WR this year. RB – Robinson - ISU has traditionally sucked running the ball over the past decade as RB after RB suffers season ending injuries in the early part of the year.. Hopefully, this year between Robinson, Bass and Scales, somebody can stay healthy through the season. Each of them had at least 1 100-yard game last year (Scales got his first against NU) All three are slashing type runners who can get yardage. Robinson did very well at the end of the year, is a better receiver and should get the starting spot. FB – Mansfield – Last years starting FB will be moving over to TE (where he belongs) and this Mansfield kid is a load at 260 lbs. Devestating hitter and a good runner for short distances (don’t count on him to break many long ones). Great protection for the QB. He’s my sleeper player that nobody ever hear of. Means could beat him out based on experience…which isn’t a bad deal as he is almost as big as Mansfield. We also have an excellent recruit from Florida, Schwartz, who could step in and get some playing time WR – Summrall & Hamilton. Both started some last year. Summrall caught 54 passes for 434 yards. Hamilton caught 45 for 534. Good depth behind them with Bates, among a host of others. Also picked up that JC kid from SDSU who could be the real deal. Keep a close eye on Hamilton. At 6’3”, 220 lbs, he could be this year’s Todd Blythe. TE – Catlett – He did some work at both FB and TE. Caught 21 passes last year. Good size. Hammerschmidt and Bykowski are two kids that have great potential at TE. Both are huge kids coming in from Chizek’s first recruiting class. OL – Dedrich, Stephens, Johnson, Schmeling and Lamak. They started every game last season and really started to do a good job as the year ended. These guys average 300 lbs across the front. With three seniors, they should step up and provide some leadership. They had their moments last year and, with a running back could have ranked a lot higher than they did. Offense Outlook – with a veteran line and an excellent group of receivers, ISU offense should improve. How much it improves hinges on Arnaud and the RB’s. If Arnaud can maintain a 55/56% QB rating, things should work out. The RBs need to be consistent and stay healthy to keep the pressure off the QB. Defense – ISU lost a DT, NG and two LB’s to graduation but have a lot of kids ready to step up and take over. DT – Alburtus or Wier. Alburtus is bigger but Wier has seniority and a speed advantage. Since ISU likes to drop a DE back on defense, Wier will probably get the nod. Not particularly big but aggressive and fast. A gap shooter. NT – Frere – Frere probably would have been starting last year if Rubin hadn’t been at ISU. At 307 lbs, he’s a run stuffer that’s hard to move out of the hole. Not real fancy or fast. Straight ahead defender without a lot of lateral speed but does a good job clogging up the middle DE – Taylor and Parker – Both started every game last year. Speed guys. Taylor was third in sacks in the Big 12. Both can drop off the line into coverage when needed. Taylor is the better of the two but not by much. Good contain guys that turn the run back inside. LB – Jesse Smith, Bibbs & Mathis. ISU was hurt here more than any other position. Smith is a leader on defense. Plays with lots of heart. 79 tackles and a sack last year. He’s going to develop into a great linebacker. Bibbs is a senior with some experience and the right physical tools to become a decent backer. Did well when he was in last year. Solid but not outstanding. Mathis probably won’t start but with a name like Kurtis Mathis I think he should…and at 6’3”, 235 lbs, he has the size. But, he’s only a freshman so Bell or your native son Schmigal will probably get plenty of time in. DB – Bell, Singleton, Brown & James Smith – All four starters return. Singleton had 4 interceptions, Smith had 79 tackles and hits hard for a little guy. Bell is probably the best of the bunch. Stop the run well and provide decent coverage. Undersized – won’t win many jump balls – but experienced and play well as a unit. Defensive Outlook – ISU should be able to play the pass effectively. They will be able to provide good pressure and good coverage. LB’s are suspect and have to step up to shut off short routes. Defending the run might be a major weakness, especially between the tackles. Two new DL and a new LB in the middle might be bad news for ISU if other teams decide to pound the ball up the middle. This group will have their moments but will have to really play over their heads if they want to improve on last years performance. There you go…your lineup for the 2008 National Champions...the Iowa State Cyclones! Oh…tell T.O. he owes me a Runza for that free and in-depth scouting report…. Quote Link to comment
huskernumerouno Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 I am sure he will send it air mail Quote Link to comment
papersun87 Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 Nah, wait until July and send it via post . . . when it gets to you it'll probably taste better than when they made it. Quote Link to comment
huskerswrkhavoc Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 Nah, wait until July and send it via post . . . when it gets to you it'll probably taste better than when they made it. that a knock on the heat? or the runza :| runza's are awesome Quote Link to comment
MUTigerFan Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 runza's are awesome Yea... like White Castle's with some rotted cabbage on top. Quote Link to comment
Cy the Cyclone Posted February 21, 2008 Author Share Posted February 21, 2008 Eating a Runza is like getting an enema at the wrong end....the thing even looks like a suppository Quote Link to comment
papersun87 Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 Nah, wait until July and send it via post . . . when it gets to you it'll probably taste better than when they made it. that a knock on the heat? or the runza :| runza's are awesome Knock on Runzas. Runzas = teh suck. Quote Link to comment
husker B-rent Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 runzas are awesome as long as you dont get them late at night after they have been holding the same ones they made in the morning all night. seriously dont go to a runza outside of lincoln or omaha.......yuk, makes me sick most of the time. Quote Link to comment
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