Pretty good, fair question if you ask me. There are "players coaches" and Lovie has that rep, that treat their players like "adults". That was the essence of the question. Given the utter stupidity/lack of discipline/knowledge of the rules shown by our player so far this year, I'd say a little bit tougher coachin' may be in order.
Pregame: Illinois at Rutgers, Saturday, October 15th, 11:00am CT, ESPNews
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Pretty good, fair question if you ask me. There are "players coaches" and Lovie has that rep, that treat their players like "adults". That was the essence of the question. Given the utter stupidity/lack of discipline/knowledge of the rules shown by our player so far this year, I'd say a little bit tougher coachin' may be in order.
FT35
- Naperville
We've seen less and less of Vaughn, so "tougher coaching" may be going on. Honestly, look at Foster and Vaughn side by side and tell me which RB has more talent? One guy is putting in the work and one guy isn't (apparently).
I remember listening to Vic Koenning interviewed back in 2011 and he said one of the challenges he had with coaching at Illinois was the lack of depth. One way to "punish" a player is to take away his playing time. However, that wasn't an option for him because the drop off from 1st to 2nd team was so extreme, which means he had to find other ways to motivate the players.
You can start benching guys, but then you're putting in players who either aren't ready to play or just aren't very talented. The results will be rather predictable.
This all goes back to recruiting and creating a culture. None of these guys are his players so it is going to take time.
Respectfully disagree with your opinion. He may be the better option, but it is not by far And, I don't think Lunt is the best option. Repeat, my opinion.
I do know this, because of Lunt's lack of mobility within the pocket, inability to tuck and run, and lack of desire to stand up in the pocket, opposing defenses send pressure and pack the box with 8 men because we have only one WR (Sleek Malik) that can win one-on-one match-ups. Thus, b/c of Lunt's presence our linemen face too many hats to block which stifles the run game and passing game.
Crouch has a lot to learn and needs to develop his passing game chops, but see how the linemen rallied around him. Imho, the players on the team know who should be starting QB. And, Lunt isn't going to be here after this season, nor are we going to run an offense with an immobile QB in the future, so why not just hand the keys to Crouch and let him run with it. Can't hurt anything.
I understand what you're getting at here even agree on most (yes I was very anti-Crouch vs Lunt not too long ago). I will slightly disagree on the quoted point however, just to play a little devil's advocate. Lunt has an NFL arm (take a look at Jay Cutler to see just how far having a crazy arm can get you even when you eff up all the time), and an NFL QB build. No he's not mobile, but neither is Tom Brady, and he's flourished in the right system, with a weaker arm than Lunt (No, Lunt will not be Brady, but nobody would have pegged the 199 pick to be one of the best ever). If Lunt finds the right fit he can be a camp arm that maybe gets lucky and sticks to practice squad and works his way up. Or maybe he impresses and lands as a 3rd stringer. No matter what, benching Lunt takes any NFL chance away. Lunt and Turner are the only 2 offensive players eligible to be drafted this year who even have chance of sniffing the league. Part of what Lovie is selling is that he can get guys to the NFL. Plus he's doubled, tripled and quadrupled down on Lunt as the better option. Taking out Lunt in his last year also seems counter to what Lovie tries to sell in terms of having senior leadership and getting guys to the next level (which his big sell after PT). I just don't see them rolling with Crouch in any way if Lunt is healthy.
I don't necessarily believe everything I wrote, just trying to come up with another, what I would deem reasonable, perspective.
Dan
Admin
Crouch takes reps with starters
http://www.news-gazette.com/sports/illini-sports/football/2016-10-12/crouch-takes-reps-starters.html
http://www.news-gazette.com/sports/illini-sports/football/2016-10-12/crouch-takes-reps-starters.html
MadtownIllin
- Madison, WI
Anybody else see the eery similarities between the Illini and the Bears? QB's, defense supposed to be strength yet falters, running back situation, etc Maybe it's in the Illinois water supply (if it is, both teams should only allow bottled water)....
ChazzReinhold
Mom! The Meatloaf!
Yeah, I noticed it. Thanks for reminding me.
This game is going to be just as (if not uglier) than last week's game.
For those making comparisons to the Bears, this is Lovie's first year and we have next to no talent. Things will improve and I suspect we'll be contenders in 2018 and beyond.
Any injury updates?
Good call. I expect we clamp down on the mistakes and win some football games. PU was our "bad game" of the year I think. Wish we had used it on muchigan.
I have to believe that Wes Lunt will torch up the rest of the schedule. He knows what hes got to do to secure a potential future payday. Rutgers is just the team to do it to.
illynifan34
That's a winner!!
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If Purdue was our bad game what was Western Michigan?
They way Lunt walked to the locker room, I'd be surprised if he plays the next two weeks. Has he even practiced this week?
No, and the way Garrick McGee phrased it earlier in the week - something to the effect of 'now that we have a different style of quarterback, the offense will look different' - I'm guessing Crouch starts on Saturday.
Deleted member 3875
D
Guest
A really bad game.
KBLEE
- Montgomery, IL
The best team we've played this season.
I agree with you that Lunt has a chance at the NFL. He'll have to get tougher in the pocket to have a chance, but the arm talent is there. But what does that have to do with the Illini team this season and the future of the program?
To me the team rallied behind Crouch. He seems to bring natural leadership ability and running ability. Two things that Lunt doesn't seem to bring to the table. I would love to see Lunt come out hot vs. Rutgers and get things going. I would love to eat my words b/c Lunt can throw the ball really well. However, his lack of composure when facing pressure, his lack of mobility and the team's lack of a downfield weapon not named Malik Turner makes it easy for opposing defensive coordinators to game plan against us: Stack the box and send pressure. Crouch might be able to improve our chances b/c of his threat to run.
The read option would be an equalizer. At the end of the day I just want to see the team improve this season. It's slim, but there are 5 winnable games remaining on our schedule. The odds are slim, but a bowl game is still a possibility. A definite long shot, but let's see how things turn out.
He won't leave this year but Nick Allegretti is technically draft-eligible and I'd say he has a potential NFL future.
I'm going with Crouch for the rest of the year.
Remembering what I saw of him last year, he wasn't ready. But I did see potential.
This year, as a junior, he seems to have bulked up and to me exhibits more confidence on the field executing the new offense. There is no hesitation in decision making, just plain execution.
I am sorry to say, I have seen enough of Lunt.
Remembering what I saw of him last year, he wasn't ready. But I did see potential.
This year, as a junior, he seems to have bulked up and to me exhibits more confidence on the field executing the new offense. There is no hesitation in decision making, just plain execution.
I am sorry to say, I have seen enough of Lunt.
I've reached that point now that the injury has occurred.
Time to build for the future. Lunt has been a massive disappointment, but part of that is due to an injury-diminished fleet of WR's. Even so... I've never been sold that he's an above-average decision-maker in the pocket.
You play who gives you the best chance of winning.
Right now that's Lunt. If he can't go, Crouch gets a chance to show that it may not be as simple as that.
Right now that's Lunt. If he can't go, Crouch gets a chance to show that it may not be as simple as that.
Clearly the captains or the seniors or whoever is making these decisions is high on the stormtrooper combo.
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