Tim Beckman concerned about depth

Dan · Jul 22, 2012, 05:28 AM

Tim Beckman on the July 21st WDWS Saturday Sportsline.

"The offensive line -- the depth -- is a major concern."

Both Graham Pocic and Hugh Thornton have taken reps at tackle.

"We have 8 scholarship wide receivers. That's it. That is a situation that is not favorable by any means. You'd like to have 11-12."

"We're going to get the best players out there on the football field regardless if somebody has to play a couple snaps on both sides of the ball. If Justin Green or Terry Hawthorne can help us has a wide receiver in certain situations then we're going to have to utilize those guys. This isn't rocket science, we're going to get the best players out there on the football field. If Jon Davis has to flex out so we can get him the football. If that means we're playing playing Josh Ferguson and Donovonn Young on the football field at the same time and one of them motions out to a wide receiver then that's what we're going to have to do. Get me 11 best on the football field so we can be successful is crucial."

"As a football coach you try to get your best players out there on the football field. If that means the young man has to play 10 snaps on offensive and rest on defense then we're gonna do that."

"I'll tell you what, Western Michigan will be rated as the best team in the MAC."

"We're going to have to play our A-Game every week. Our non-conference schedule is extremely tough. Arizona State was in a bowl game last year, La Tech won their conference last year, Western Michigan was in the battle for it coming into November."

"You know as well as anybody does Loren that you don't want to play your freshmen, but we're going to have to. With the depth concerns and the problems we have here, our freshmen are going to have to play."

"Our special teams must -- must -- get better."

Michael Buchanan is back to his playing weight after suffering broken jaw in June.

Justin Staples will not play vs Western Michigan (suspension from February DUI).

Starts 2:10-

Saturday Sportsline 7-21-12

jmontgo3 · Jul 22, 2012, 07:40 AM

Thanks for the recap.

mattcoldagelli · Jul 22, 2012, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan

Terry Hawthorne can help us has a wide receiver in certain situations

The Year of the Black Cat is about to commence.

ThaKid101 · Jul 22, 2012, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattcoldagelli

The Year of the Black Cat is about to commence.

+1. Its going to be an exciting year. Beckman just gets it.

Sure Shot · Jul 22, 2012, 10:49 AM

Does Beckman come from the Lou Holtz school of "We're terrible, there's no way we can beat Navy, this is going to be a disaster"?

Because he terrifies me when he talks about the team.

ThaKid101 · Jul 22, 2012, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sure Shot

Does Beckman come from the Lou Holtz school of "We're terrible, there's no way we can beat Navy, this is going to be a disaster"?

Because he terrifies me when he talks about the team.

Yep. Nothing but motivation...I think a few of those OL could emerge, possibly in a big way.

IllinoisTed · Jul 22, 2012, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sure Shot

Does Beckman come from the Lou Holtz school of "We're terrible, there's no way we can beat Navy, this is going to be a disaster"?

Because he terrifies me when he talks about the team.

I think he's just being honest. The WR position tells you all you need to know. The depth overall will improve but it's going to take some time before we see it.

Grabbing some top players would help ease the pain a bit- like hopefully Bailey. I give up on guys like Treadwell, so hopefully TB can find someone that surprises like AJ.

The OL is what will make or break this offense. If Nate has no time to throw and the RB don't have room to run, this will be a long season.

I'm expecting something around 6-6. The LA Tech, PU and NW games will dictate if the season is solid (8-4) or a train wreck (5-7 or worse). (I see losses to ASU, WI, UM and OSU for sure)

touper · Jul 22, 2012, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sure Shot

Does Beckman come from the Lou Holtz school of "We're terrible, there's no way we can beat Navy, this is going to be a disaster"?

Because he terrifies me when he talks about the team.

He could also being sending a subtle message to a certain wide reciever recruit in the southern suburbs. -if you come here, you will be the go to guy- immediately.

ThaKid101 · Jul 22, 2012, 11:39 AM

The funny thing here is you have some who think LA Tech is actually a tossup...lol. They'll be done by halftime or the 3rd quarter.

IllinoisTed · Jul 22, 2012, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThaKid101

The funny thing here is you have some who think LA Tech is actually a tossup...lol. They'll be done by halftime or the 3rd quarter.

LA Tech is more likely to be a tough game than a cake walk. Have you not watched any games over the years? This is likely a game IL wil win but it's no gimme.

Ramrod2010 · Jul 22, 2012, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IllinoisTed

LA Tech is more likely to be a tough game than a cake walk. Have you not watched any games over the years? This is likely a game IL wil win but it's no gimme.

I think you need to look at who our coaches have been over the years. Not saying Beckman is a God-send, but I have a feeling he will look like a mastermind compared to some of our past coaches.

Sure Shot · Jul 22, 2012, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramrod2010

I think you need to look at who our coaches have been over the years. Not saying Beckman is a God-send, but I have a feeling he will look like a mastermind compared to some of our past coaches.

Mastermind he may be, but Louisiana Tech is a really good football team, and not a good matchup for us. We are going to have to score to beat them.

IllinoisTed · Jul 22, 2012, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sure Shot

Mastermind he may be, but Louisiana Tech is a really good football team, and not a good matchup for us. We are going to have to score to beat them.

I'm hopeful TB is a better in-game coach than Zook, etc but LA Tech is going to be a grind it out type game.

Kramer116 · Jul 22, 2012, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThaKid101

The funny thing here is you have some who think LA Tech is actually a tossup...lol. They'll be done by halftime or the 3rd quarter.

Kid , I am kind of worried about that game personally. LA Tech has a pretty big time offense, and while our defense is our strength, I agree with Sure Shot that we are going to need to score.

Not saying we are going to lose by any means, but it will be a closer game imo. That will be a huge swing game imo.

Our OOC is once again pretty difficult. Not impossible. But not a cakewalk either.

ThaKid101 · Jul 22, 2012, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kramer116

Kid , I am kind of worried about that game personally. LA Tech has a pretty big time offense, and while our defense is our strength, I agree with Sure Shot that we are going to need to score.

Not saying we are going to lose by any means, but it will be a closer game imo. That will be a huge swing game imo.

Our OOC is once again pretty difficult. Not impossible. But not a cakewalk either.

I agree that they have a big time offense but the defense is special. We saw what big time offenses do to this defense last year, which was nothing, and they will be even better. The reason I'm most confident besides the fact its a home game is passing is the strength of their offenses. They're not going to be able to throw on this secondary, especially Hawthorne and Green. Not really worried about offense either. They're going to score a lot.

illinidarrin · Jul 22, 2012, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThaKid101

I agree that they have a big time offense but the defense is special. We saw what big time offenses do to this defense last year, which was nothing, and they will be even better. The reason I'm most confident besides the fact its a home game is passing is the strength of their offenses. They're not going to be able to throw on this secondary, especially Hawthorne and Green. Not really worried about offense either. They're going to score a lot.

The offense was so predictable lastyear. It almost seem like other teams knew what we were running down after down. The new spread offense will confuse other teams a little bit more. We are going to have alot of plays in our playbook as opposed to the 5-6 (atleast it seemed) plays we only ran lastyear.

ThaKid101 · Jul 22, 2012, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by illinidarrin

The offense was so predictable lastyear. It almost seem like other teams knew what we were running down after down. The new spread offense will confuse other teams a little bit more. We are going to have alot of plays in our playbook as opposed to the 5-6 (atleast it seemed) plays we only ran lastyear.

That was a factor too. I will never understand why they didn't start going to the TE's a little more. I know Davis and LaCosse were young but Wilson and Villunas weren't. It doesn't really matter now though. I do agree with you they will score a lot. Having 3 NFL TE's (Including one as versatile as Davis) and two other pretty good ones (Who could have shots) is a big factor in that opinion.

illinoistradition · Jul 22, 2012, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThaKid101

Yep. Nothing but motivation...I think a few of those OL could emerge, possibly in a big way.

Wow way to step out on a limb there with words like "could" and "possibly"...

And just curious, who are the 3 NFL TE's we currently have?

GilThorpe · Jul 22, 2012, 08:38 PM

in EVERY game, we need to be up at half time, or our lack of depth will catch up to us and our starters will be gassed in the last 15 minutes. We need to score 28 points a game, to give our D some cushion.

The key will be to get ahead in games. We wont play catch up very well.

ThaKid101 · Jul 22, 2012, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by illinoistradition

Wow way to step out on a limb there with words like "could" and "possibly"...

And just curious, who are the 3 NFL TE's we currently have?

I've learned over the past few years not to write in absolutes about something I personally have no control over.

As for the 3 NFL TE's, Wilson, Davis, LaCosse.

Paignt It Orange · Jul 23, 2012, 11:14 PM

I'm a little curious as to why we have not heard much about Lacosse playing WR. From what I can remember when he was being recruited, this guy was very good at catching the ball, and at 6'6", with good speed, that's enough for me.

Kramer116 · Jul 24, 2012, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paignt It Orange

I'm a little curious as to why we have not heard much about Lacosse playing WR. From what I can remember when he was being recruited, this guy was very good at catching the ball, and at 6'6", with good speed, that's enough for me.

He has good speed for a TE, but would be much too slow for a WR imo.

AHSIllini32 · Jul 24, 2012, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paignt It Orange

I'm a little curious as to why we have not heard much about Lacosse playing WR. From what I can remember when he was being recruited, this guy was very good at catching the ball, and at 6'6", with good speed, that's enough for me.

I think you'll see him split out a bit like Beckman was talking about doing with Davis.

Groundhogday · Jul 24, 2012, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AHSIllini32

I think you'll see him split out a bit like Beckman was talking about doing with Davis.

Maybe. But I don't think LaCosse has as much speed as Davis.

AHSIllini32 · Jul 24, 2012, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Groundhogday

Maybe. But I don't think LaCosse has as much speed as Davis.

Neither do I which I would expect LaCosse to run more of the underneath/flat routes with davis going mover over the top.

Jul 23, 2012, 11:14 PM	#21
Paignt It Orange Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 1,202	I'm a little curious as to why we have not heard much about Lacosse playing WR. From what I can remember when he was being recruited, this guy was very good at catching the ball, and at 6'6", with good speed, that's enough for me. __________________ CHIEF

Jul 22, 2012, 05:28 AM	#1
Dan Admin Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 25,908	Tim Beckman on the July 21st WDWS Saturday Sportsline. "The offensive line -- the depth -- is a major concern." Both Graham Pocic and Hugh Thornton have taken reps at tackle. "We have 8 scholarship wide receivers. That's it. That is a situation that is not favorable by any means. You'd like to have 11-12." "We're going to get the best players out there on the football field regardless if somebody has to play a couple snaps on both sides of the ball. If Justin Green or Terry Hawthorne can help us has a wide receiver in certain situations then we're going to have to utilize those guys. This isn't rocket science, we're going to get the best players out there on the football field. If Jon Davis has to flex out so we can get him the football. If that means we're playing playing Josh Ferguson and Donovonn Young on the football field at the same time and one of them motions out to a wide receiver then that's what we're going to have to do. Get me 11 best on the football field so we can be successful is crucial." "As a football coach you try to get your best players out there on the football field. If that means the young man has to play 10 snaps on offensive and rest on defense then we're gonna do that." "I'll tell you what, Western Michigan will be rated as the best team in the MAC." "We're going to have to play our A-Game every week. Our non-conference schedule is extremely tough. Arizona State was in a bowl game last year, La Tech won their conference last year, Western Michigan was in the battle for it coming into November." "You know as well as anybody does Loren that you don't want to play your freshmen, but we're going to have to. With the depth concerns and the problems we have here, our freshmen are going to have to play." "Our special teams must -- must -- get better." Michael Buchanan is back to his playing weight after suffering broken jaw in June. Justin Staples will not play vs Western Michigan (suspension from February DUI). Starts 2:10- Saturday Sportsline 7-21-12

Jul 22, 2012, 07:40 AM	#2
jmontgo3 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 460	Thanks for the recap.

Jul 22, 2012, 10:49 AM	#5
Sure Shot Banned Posts: 1,912	Does Beckman come from the Lou Holtz school of "We're terrible, there's no way we can beat Navy, this is going to be a disaster"? Because he terrifies me when he talks about the team.

Jul 22, 2012, 11:39 AM	#9
ThaKid101 Banned Posts: 1,633	The funny thing here is you have some who think LA Tech is actually a tossup...lol. They'll be done by halftime or the 3rd quarter.

Jul 22, 2012, 08:38 PM	#19
GilThorpe Location: Hinsdale Posts: 858	in EVERY game, we need to be up at half time, or our lack of depth will catch up to us and our starters will be gassed in the last 15 minutes. We need to score 28 points a game, to give our D some cushion. The key will be to get ahead in games. We wont play catch up very well.