I think there is a great core back on offense, and with Fisher's offensive prowess, I think that group could be dangerous.
My biggest concern right now is our defensive line, and that would be my concern even if Nick Saban became our coach! The concern lies with attrition through graduation (a good problem to have); I believe we lost our 4 best defensive linemen -- Ricketts, Harley, Holschlag, and LaChappel (forgive me on the name spelling). I think the linebackers and secondary are a different animal as I believe there is A LOT of proven talent returning there. Looking forward to Spring Practice though to see if we have some good d-linemen ready to step up and also to see if Fisher can grab a few more big, fast, mean guys up front on the defensive line.
2016 Leatherneck Football Team
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sealhall74
- Posts: 5983
- Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2014 1:18 pm
- Location: Wherever, Windblows
Biggest concern for me is the RB position. I did not see anyone last year who was consistently good at picking the right hole (granted, a lot of times there was not one there in our zone blocking scheme) and busting through it. You cannot teach that. You either have the innate ability to do it or you dont.
Embrace the pace of the race.
Coach Charlie Fisher says that he is "in it for the long haul".
From last night's WGEM Sports with Ben Marth:
http://www.wgem.com/story/30894629/2016 ... ll-program
From last night's WGEM Sports with Ben Marth:
http://www.wgem.com/story/30894629/2016 ... ll-program
Here's what we're looking at for RB next year (excluding any transfers or new recruits that we might add):
Sr. Devon Moore - had some playing time, mostly when Watson was out (first two games) or when teams were really focusing on stopping Watson. Had 50+ yards a couple of times in the season, 2 TDs against Eastern, 1 against Illinois State (the first time), and 1 against SDSU. We'll have to see if he's able to step up now that Watson is gone or if he'll remain more of a "backup" RB.
Sr. Charles Westbrook - similar to Moore, a bit of playing time here and there. Unsure if he'll step up.
Jr. Devon Sanders - same situation...played mostly when Watson wasn't in, didn't play after CCU game.
So. Steve McShane - smaller back, second-most rushing yards behind Watson as a true freshman. Also had second-best yards per attempt with 3.6.
R-Fr. Max Norris - redshirted last year, larger RB than any of the others listed (a bit smaller than Watson, but nearly every RB is smaller than Watson). Sounds talented coming from HS, will remain to be seen if he has anything close to the leg strength of Watson.
Personally, what I think/hope to see:
McShane becomes the quick/fast RB that can, if given a hole by the o-line, can really move downfield quickly...similar to a JC Baker.
Norris becomes the larger/stronger power RB/FB who can plow through for a few yards if needed, but can also (like in an I-formation) get in there and block to make space for McShane.
I haven't really been impressed with what the Seniors and Juniors have done on the field this last year, but it's hard to say if that's just because they didn't play much due to Watson getting a large part of the workload, or if they just don't quite have "it". I was impressed by McShane the occasional times he got the ball, but don't really know what will happen once Watson isn't "in the spotlight" and McShane likely getting quite a few more carries. O-line will have a lot of experience (only losing one Senior...Ricketts), so I think they'll be better at opening space this year than last.
Sr. Devon Moore - had some playing time, mostly when Watson was out (first two games) or when teams were really focusing on stopping Watson. Had 50+ yards a couple of times in the season, 2 TDs against Eastern, 1 against Illinois State (the first time), and 1 against SDSU. We'll have to see if he's able to step up now that Watson is gone or if he'll remain more of a "backup" RB.
Sr. Charles Westbrook - similar to Moore, a bit of playing time here and there. Unsure if he'll step up.
Jr. Devon Sanders - same situation...played mostly when Watson wasn't in, didn't play after CCU game.
So. Steve McShane - smaller back, second-most rushing yards behind Watson as a true freshman. Also had second-best yards per attempt with 3.6.
R-Fr. Max Norris - redshirted last year, larger RB than any of the others listed (a bit smaller than Watson, but nearly every RB is smaller than Watson). Sounds talented coming from HS, will remain to be seen if he has anything close to the leg strength of Watson.
Personally, what I think/hope to see:
McShane becomes the quick/fast RB that can, if given a hole by the o-line, can really move downfield quickly...similar to a JC Baker.
Norris becomes the larger/stronger power RB/FB who can plow through for a few yards if needed, but can also (like in an I-formation) get in there and block to make space for McShane.
I haven't really been impressed with what the Seniors and Juniors have done on the field this last year, but it's hard to say if that's just because they didn't play much due to Watson getting a large part of the workload, or if they just don't quite have "it". I was impressed by McShane the occasional times he got the ball, but don't really know what will happen once Watson isn't "in the spotlight" and McShane likely getting quite a few more carries. O-line will have a lot of experience (only losing one Senior...Ricketts), so I think they'll be better at opening space this year than last.
Scott Lawson - Board AdminWestern Illinois University Alum/Fan/Employee
Member of the Marching Leathernecks - 1996-2000
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sealhall74
- Posts: 5983
- Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2014 1:18 pm
- Location: Wherever, Windblows
With only one back always in the mix, it becomes difficult to get guys some PT, from which they can develop their game. I can see it in the pros, but makes no sense to me in college game except when in obvious passing situation or just to keep the defense guessing a bit.ST_Lawson wrote:Here's what we're looking at for RB next year (excluding any transfers or new recruits that we might add):
Sr. Devon Moore - had some playing time, mostly when Watson was out (first two games) or when teams were really focusing on stopping Watson. Had 50+ yards a couple of times in the season, 2 TDs against Eastern, 1 against Illinois State (the first time), and 1 against SDSU. We'll have to see if he's able to step up now that Watson is gone or if he'll remain more of a "backup" RB.
Sr. Charles Westbrook - similar to Moore, a bit of playing time here and there. Unsure if he'll step up.
Jr. Devon Sanders - same situation...played mostly when Watson wasn't in, didn't play after CCU game.
So. Steve McShane - smaller back, second-most rushing yards behind Watson as a true freshman. Also had second-best yards per attempt with 3.6.
R-Fr. Max Norris - redshirted last year, larger RB than any of the others listed (a bit smaller than Watson, but nearly every RB is smaller than Watson). Sounds talented coming from HS, will remain to be seen if he has anything close to the leg strength of Watson.
Personally, what I think/hope to see:
McShane becomes the quick/fast RB that can, if given a hole by the o-line, can really move downfield quickly...similar to a JC Baker.
Norris becomes the larger/stronger power RB/FB who can plow through for a few yards if needed, but can also (like in an I-formation) get in there and block to make space for McShane.
I haven't really been impressed with what the Seniors and Juniors have done on the field this last year, but it's hard to say if that's just because they didn't play much due to Watson getting a large part of the workload, or if they just don't quite have "it". I was impressed by McShane the occasional times he got the ball, but don't really know what will happen once Watson isn't "in the spotlight" and McShane likely getting quite a few more carries. O-line will have a lot of experience (only losing one Senior...Ricketts), so I think they'll be better at opening space this year than last.
Embrace the pace of the race.
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ibleedpurpleandgold
- Posts: 304
- Joined: Tue Dec 29, 2015 11:16 pm
you got to remember swenson was impressive after taking over after lachapelle went down he had 4 sacks against dayton and saunders also got a lot of time charles returns after missing last yr with an injury the other 2 spots on the line are concerning.LocalYokelFan wrote:I think there is a great core back on offense, and with Fisher's offensive prowess, I think that group could be dangerous.
My biggest concern right now is our defensive line, and that would be my concern even if Nick Saban became our coach! The concern lies with attrition through graduation (a good problem to have); I believe we lost our 4 best defensive linemen -- Ricketts, Harley, Holschlag, and LaChappel (forgive me on the name spelling). I think the linebackers and secondary are a different animal as I believe there is A LOT of proven talent returning there. Looking forward to Spring Practice though to see if we have some good d-linemen ready to step up and also to see if Fisher can grab a few more big, fast, mean guys up front on the defensive line.
One thing to remember in this speculative discussion is that with a new coaching staff comes different schemes which may utilize talent differently than the departed staff based on the nature of the scheme. Additionally, a new coaching staff will evaluate the quality of the talent differently based on their experience, judgment and assessment. I also suspect there will be some transfers "in" that may change the depth charts by the first game. Regardless, there is some very good talent on this team.
Bob
Bob
WIU - Class of 1974
https://www.linkedin.com/in/boblovely
https://www.linkedin.com/in/boblovely
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letsgonecks
- Posts: 994
- Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2014 6:19 am
Think Conrady at TE might bring some much needed receptions and play over the middle. Don't know the offense Fisher will run with this personnel, but if it's similar and we continue the fake to the RB, we need to expose the middle of the field if we're drawing up the LB's.
JJ, Mick and hopefully a healthy Charles will take the next step to replace the losses. Saunders looked good, should get better and should be a lock at DT next year. Wondering if someone like Oquendo would be interested in or capable of moving to DL. With the depth/youth on the OL and Judd locking up the C position, he might be very limited. Like his size for DT, looks strong and to have some quickness. Plus, he'll have a good understanding of what the guy trying to block him is doing.
Picking Max Norris as next years eventual feature back. Demo, McShane and Westrbook will all get carries and have a shot, but I'm rolling the dice on Norris.
Feel good about the O and D, so crossing my fingers on the new staffs upgrading on the Special Teams. Can't be a contender without being strong in all 3 phases.
JJ, Mick and hopefully a healthy Charles will take the next step to replace the losses. Saunders looked good, should get better and should be a lock at DT next year. Wondering if someone like Oquendo would be interested in or capable of moving to DL. With the depth/youth on the OL and Judd locking up the C position, he might be very limited. Like his size for DT, looks strong and to have some quickness. Plus, he'll have a good understanding of what the guy trying to block him is doing.
Picking Max Norris as next years eventual feature back. Demo, McShane and Westrbook will all get carries and have a shot, but I'm rolling the dice on Norris.
Feel good about the O and D, so crossing my fingers on the new staffs upgrading on the Special Teams. Can't be a contender without being strong in all 3 phases.
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1616509/justin-corbett
Justin Corbett #22 signed with NIU out of Lincoln Way East in 2012-13 state runner up that year. Left NIU called the coach that recruited the Chicago area was told not intereated by him. Enrolled at Glendale JUCO in AZ. Coach Ward attended a camp at Arizona U and noticed him playing offense. Did not know at the time he was from IL. He was very upset once he learned that info. However, he offered him a scholarship on the spot to come and play safety/LB. Ward left a few days after signing day and he never played a down because that coach that denied him earlier was still on the staff. If you can't open the link Google his name you will see all of his high school and JUCO film.
Justin Corbett #22 signed with NIU out of Lincoln Way East in 2012-13 state runner up that year. Left NIU called the coach that recruited the Chicago area was told not intereated by him. Enrolled at Glendale JUCO in AZ. Coach Ward attended a camp at Arizona U and noticed him playing offense. Did not know at the time he was from IL. He was very upset once he learned that info. However, he offered him a scholarship on the spot to come and play safety/LB. Ward left a few days after signing day and he never played a down because that coach that denied him earlier was still on the staff. If you can't open the link Google his name you will see all of his high school and JUCO film.