There seems to be consensus that the staff has done a good job bringing in talent at many positions . . . there are maybe three positions where concerns remain . . . there are literally still thousands of players available . . . more players always seem to become available after Spring workouts . . . we're seven months from the first game . . . take a few deep breaths.
Illinois Football Recruiting Thread
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Joel Goodson
- how was I to know, she was with the Russians too?
Oh my point was to be totally fair!
One day we are “we’re a football school again” and “Tyler Underwood is an offensive genius”, next day we’re “Fire AH” and “I never want to see Ben Humrichous play basketball ever again!”…..simultaneously!
And depending on the circumstances we are almost always right in the moment!
Also, I see a uterus?
the sequel to pluribus?
psst, got any DL?
I do fine it amusing though that the "insiders" around here have been quiet. Whenever the players first portaled there was a prevailing narrative that we would land upgrades. 4 DL commits later and we have yet to see a no doubt upgrade (Janik i know is a solid player but is not more proven than Tomi). The narrative then shifted to the guys we landed are very similar to the guys we lost. Backing down the initial claim and lowering expectations. The irony of those statements is that there was a lot of chatter on here saying the guys we lost were part of the larger issue and we should be okay losing them. Only for us now to validate the current players by saying they are similar talent wise to our outgoing players (the very issue we said the beginning was the problem).
Joel Goodson
- how was I to know, she was with the Russians too?
it's all ball bearings nowadays
Noblesville Illini
- Nappanee, IN
Joel Goodson
- how was I to know, she was with the Russians too?
I find that hard to believe. anyway, "staff should be *always* be exempt from criticism." kind of a howler, no?
What are criticizing them for. Winning more games in 5 years than any other staff?
Let's criticize them when (if) we lose 7 games next year. It's true, the past 3 years when we won it was for the most part with offense. But who knows how we play (and how our opponents play) next year?
No because we might play 12 wing-t offenses next season or Aaron Henry might actually be Steve Spagnuolo he's just been holding out on us!!
skyIdub
"I can't tell you. Secret."
Is it ok to point out that to get to the last 2 years' win total you need to combine the previous 4 years before that?
Or that to get to another 10 win season you have to go back 25 years?
Folks' point, which you're trying so very hard to ignore, is that this staff has put together teams IL hasn't seen in ages with kids that aren't highly ranked. Defense included.
Complaining about a 10 win team's defense for a program that averaged ~5 wins a year the last 20 years is just...exhausting
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It's always been this way. At least for as long as I can remember. Really started with basketball around 2007ish IIRC.
I’m not in favor of bringing Henry back. But it’s not as bad as some of the fans think. 3rd downs have been a a problem yes. The Washington and Indiana games weren’t good. But outside of those we only gave up like 18. Something points a game.
Fixed it for you.
As far as "weren't good" that is a more accurate description of the Wisconsin and Purdue games.
As far as "weren't good" that is a more accurate description of the Wisconsin and Purdue games.
That's all fine. I just hope if Bret had an opportunity to improve on DC he'd take it. It's easier for me to accept that bringing in a better coach was unattainable rather than convincing myself that last year's performance met the standard
Agreed on this, but if we don’t see some reasonable improvement next year, we need an upgrade, or need to accept that this is as good as it’s going to get on defense.
The latter would be very disappointing for all of us, and even more for the people footing the bill.
skyIdub
"I can't tell you. Secret."
My biggest complaint...also during those games...was his constant sitting back in a zone rushing 3 or 4 and giving the opposing QB time to host a reality TV show while knitting their mother a throw....then making a throw.
Jacas fighting off double and triple team blocks and still getting 11 sacks. He would have had 18 if they pressured these QB's.
I get that X injury and others influenced some of that but dayum.
My problem is we were dropping 8 guys into coverage and had blown coverage non stop. The defense did look better against Tennessee but it also helps that’s the offense dominated the time of possession.
illinidarrin
- from parts unknown
illinidarrin
- from parts unknown
It says he is committed to Louisville, so i don't know what the deal is here?
DrunkWastedHammeredIllini
- Where everybody wants to rule the world
Bingo. It doesn’t matter if outside of 2 games we only gave up 19ppg. It’s how the defense looked. Half the time they had 0 idea who they were even supposed to cover. Late calls. Running the same stuff in the same situation. We can excuse whatever we want. But we all had eyes.
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