Well I’ll be damned. That is an awesome stat! I owe some apologies.
Illini Football 2022
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I think some of it comes down to OL trust. Pro-Style TE utilizing teams have to have supreme confidence in their starting 5 OL to heavily use your TE in the passing game and part of the reason I think we didn't use our TEs in the passing game very much. We liked to keep them in to clear running Lanes or help with edge rushers so that we can pass block better.
Teams like Iowa and Wisconsin that use their TEs pretty darn well are teams that almost always have strong OL and don't throw to their RBs along which allows them to deploy the TE in the pass game more.
Ransom Stoddard
Ordained Dudeist Priest
- Bloomington, IL
I guess I can’t start a new thread to post this question, so I’ll ask here.
I’m contemplating football season tickets because I already made an IFund donation for basketball tickets so I might as well get football too.
I’m trying to figure out where I should get seats (good seats not premium). I’m not sure what factors to consider.
For example I know from years of being a St Louis Cardinals fan that sitting in left field is better than right because I like to park on that side of the stadium and right field stares into the sun.
Any pro advice?
I’m contemplating football season tickets because I already made an IFund donation for basketball tickets so I might as well get football too.
I’m trying to figure out where I should get seats (good seats not premium). I’m not sure what factors to consider.
For example I know from years of being a St Louis Cardinals fan that sitting in left field is better than right because I like to park on that side of the stadium and right field stares into the sun.
Any pro advice?
West side. You don't look into the sun, which helps with blindness and heat, and during cold games the wind is (sort of) behind you. Plus for me, it's closer to lot 31. Choose between being closer to the MI or the scoreboard.
For those clamoring for more transfers being brought in, from BB’s press conference it sounded like he is being pretty picky about who he brings in and mentioned he expects to take a more developmental approach to roster/team building. Obviously he’s brought in some transfers in his time here, but have a feeling some will be disappointed he hasn’t brought in more. Will be interesting to see how the approach works.
Some might think this approach is dated with the implementation of the portal, but the rules(particularly with regards to NIL guidelines) could change.
Bielema is staking his success for this program on building up in-state talent and that is still definitely sometjing you have to be able do even with the portal the way it is.
Simply put we are trting to building a program with a new culture and not trying to hit during a "Super Bowl window."
Who knows how things will work out, but from day 1 of his tenure here, BB has struck me as someone who is thinking carefully about what he is doing and is constantly working his plan (and perhaps changing/refining his plan). He also seems to have involved and gotten buy-in from his staff, and they’re going to execute the plan together, with consistency. I can’t get over what a breath of fresh air this is from our past regimes. I trust that he’s moving us in the right (long-term) direction.
illini80
- Forgottonia
Another thing from his press conference was the fact that 28 is max number of new guys they can bring in this class due to last years 4 blue shirts. So I believe we are at 26 plus the pwo’s and next years blue shirts. That should leave just 2 spots open. I’d guess he will hold those spots for spring/summer.
Anyone have thoughts on who he was talking about trying to get an extra year for? He seemed hopeful or I don’t think he would have mentioned it.
Anyone have thoughts on who he was talking about trying to get an extra year for? He seemed hopeful or I don’t think he would have mentioned it.
illini80
- Forgottonia
The most in-state players since 2003. That’s going back a ways.
I think Bret is very much a "love him when he's in your corner but get out of his way if he ain't" kind of guy, at least from what we get out of him at pressers and interviews.
Also the fact we had 7 linemen in our starting lineup vs Penn State.
Did not have 2022 Illini Head Football Coach Bret Bielema emulates 2003 Ron Turner recruiting class off of a 1-11 season in my bingo cards.
Not saying his strategy here won't work, but Zook did bring in a lot of pieces that paid off with a trip to the Rose Bowl in 2007.
Hmm . . . I watched every minute I could of Lovie's conferences and interviews. It was like pulling teeth to get anything out of him, and by his demeanor he always seemed on the edge of stomping out of there in a snit. From watching all I can of BB's talks, I have not sensed anything but upfrontedness, and he will say when he cannot talk and cite the rule that says why he can't. Breath of fresh air.
I think maybe a better way for me to have put it is Lovie ran his ship with quiet expectations and Bret will tell you exactly what needs to happen.
True, but then we fell right back DOWN in the following years and haven't really recovered since... I think the idea is to achieve 'sustainable' success... Not just a flash in the pan - like we have been for decades...
Interestingly enough, several pieces of that 2003 class ended up being huge parts of the Rose Bowl season. So much so that their graduation the next year led Zook’s recruits to go 5-7 and then 3-9.
I will continue to trust Bielema and his vision, though I realize it is less exciting than Zook’s. I believe it will pay off by locking up the typical 3 and 4 star recruits that go to Iowa, Wisconsin, and Northwestern.
You're right but still have to credit Zook and staff for putting the pieces together that season, even if it didn't last.
When is the last time we had someone hire an OC away from us?
Also I'm not qualified to talk about exciting football as I watch Army every week and find that enjoybable...
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Player development and good recruiting aren't mutually exclusive. I heard a lot of similar rhetoric about Lovie's roster building and it turned out to be BS
illini80
- Forgottonia
Yeah he may do well at developing these guys. Hopefully we perform well in the best future, become a more attractive destination, and develop some 4 star playersThat’s true! But this time I really believe it. Lol
Marchese got it. Werner speculated wildly that badovinac and palcho are two possibilities. And palcho played in an after season game.
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