Offseason Wish List

[TIMMY]

As always 4th does a great job of laying out the facts. Glad to hear the attendance has grown but it still doesn't appear that we have any lack of capacity for most of the home games. Until it really becomes an issue I would contend we focus on what will impact the program the most. State of the art facilities for the athletes, indoor practice facility, Meanwhile Market the heck out of the program to Blo No and Central Illinois and continue to make the game day experience at the current Hancock exciting and full of energy. I find a half filled facility of any size deflating, a full stadium of any size is exciting. Check some Friday nights in small towns, maybe only 1,000 fans but the stands are packed and you can feel the excitement. Watch a MAC game on TV, half filled stadium and even though they may have 15-18K in attendance if the Stadium seats 30-40 it looks horrible. Sell outs at Hancock are fun today. Focus on getting more of those.

agree with your point about playing before half empty stadiums .. so this is why I liked the ideas posted about temporary constructions in south end zone, just for big event games. Idea being to see if we can build the base to 15k+ for big games with a break even minimal investment. This would then be justification to donors to start working on Hancock 3.0.

But I would rather see the IPF first .. that will help team immediately .. both with recruitment and much better practice options during winter and inclement weather.

Also not a huge fan of half empty stadiums. Watched a little of South Dakota State's game this past weekend. It's about the third or fourth time I've watched one of their games since they opened their new stadium, and each game the stadium had entire sections completely empty. It's a beautiful stadium, but looks REALLY bad on them.

No stadium looks good empty. I'd trade stadiums with the Bunnies in a second. I don't care how many empty seats they have. That place is gorgeous.

 

[BallwinBird2012]

agree with your point about playing before half empty stadiums .. so this is why I liked the ideas posted about temporary constructions in south end zone, just for big event games. Idea being to see if we can build the base to 15k+ for big games with a break even minimal investment. This would then be justification to donors to start working on Hancock 3.0.

But I would rather see the IPF first .. that will help team immediately .. both with recruitment and much better practice options during winter and inclement weather.

Also not a huge fan of half empty stadiums. Watched a little of South Dakota State's game this past weekend. It's about the third or fourth time I've watched one of their games since they opened their new stadium, and each game the stadium had entire sections completely empty. It's a beautiful stadium, but looks REALLY bad on them.

No stadium looks good empty. I'd trade stadiums with the Bunnies in a second. I don't care how many empty seats they have. That place is gorgeous.

Agree that their place is awesome. Still don't know that I'd trade with them though if I knew we wouldn't be able to sell out on a somewhat regular basis. To be fair, I don't know what their attendance #s are (nor do I care enough to look them up). Maybe they usually sell the place out and I've just seen the 4-5 times that they haven't.

Personally though, I'd rather have the really nice but slightly more "intimate" stadium that sells out most every week than a half empty Taj Mahal. IMO, it just creates a bad image for the program/university.

Now, their other facilities (weight room, indoor facility, locker rooms, etc...), I'd trade ours with theirs in a heartbeat. I'd also trade for their current standing in the playoffs...

 

[varedbird]

Offseason wish list.....
For a young Bruner, a young Dalton Keene, a young N Palmer and a young Shelby Harris to walk into redbirdland!

 

[TheTruth]

I would prefer aggressive fundraising/plans/sketches/“no gift is to small” approach blasted to ALL sports supporters about the IPF potential!

A video from greats Doug Collins, DA Weibring, Boomer Grigsby, Laurent Robinson, Cam Meredith, Nate Palmer, Shelby Harris, Neil Cotts, Paul DeJong, Brock Stewart, Christian Goy, Tim Glover, and on and on saying The Time Is Now for former Athletes and Fans to leave their mark for future Athletic success!

The fact that there is not something like this running on a near constant loop on the video boards in RA or the signage on Main is extremely questionable. Hell, an "ask" for the IPF is not even on the opening page of goredbirds.com. Who is running this dept?

 

[bombay]

A highly touted receiver out of Ft Lauderdale - Johnny Huntley - announced he's leaving Colorado today. Big, strong, and fast. Maybe 6'3 and 220ish. Might be worth a look. I think he played two years & didn't redshirt.

 

[TIMMY]

I would prefer aggressive fundraising/plans/sketches/“no gift is to small” approach blasted to ALL sports supporters about the IPF potential!

A video from greats Doug Collins, DA Weibring, Boomer Grigsby, Laurent Robinson, Cam Meredith, Nate Palmer, Shelby Harris, Neil Cotts, Paul DeJong, Brock Stewart, Christian Goy, Tim Glover, and on and on saying The Time Is Now for former Athletes and Fans to leave their mark for future Athletic success!

The fact that there is not something like this running on a near constant loop on the video boards in RA or the signage on Main is extremely questionable. Hell, an "ask" for the IPF is not even on the opening page of goredbirds.com. Who is running this dept?

We really could use an athletic director.

 

[TheTruth]

We really could use an athletic director.

We certainly could. To be honest, there should probably be a near complete purge of the athletic dept administrators. There needs to be a new mindset instilled in that dept.

 

[BallwinBird2012]

I would prefer aggressive fundraising/plans/sketches/“no gift is to small” approach blasted to ALL sports supporters about the IPF potential!

A video from greats Doug Collins, DA Weibring, Boomer Grigsby, Laurent Robinson, Cam Meredith, Nate Palmer, Shelby Harris, Neil Cotts, Paul DeJong, Brock Stewart, Christian Goy, Tim Glover, and on and on saying The Time Is Now for former Athletes and Fans to leave their mark for future Athletic success!

The fact that there is not something like this running on a near constant loop on the video boards in RA or the signage on Main is extremely questionable. Hell, an "ask" for the IPF is not even on the opening page of goredbirds.com. Who is running this dept?

Maybe I've lowered my expectations, but I'd seriously settle for them to just release some legitimate renderings of a planned IPF. Maybe even a rough, general timeline??? Just show people with $$$ that you have an ACTUAL plan.

 

[ChiRedbirdfan]

I would prefer aggressive fundraising/plans/sketches/“no gift is to small” approach blasted to ALL sports supporters about the IPF potential!

A video from greats Doug Collins, DA Weibring, Boomer Grigsby, Laurent Robinson, Cam Meredith, Nate Palmer, Shelby Harris, Neil Cotts, Paul DeJong, Brock Stewart, Christian Goy, Tim Glover, and on and on saying The Time Is Now for former Athletes and Fans to leave their mark for future Athletic success!

The fact that there is not something like this running on a near constant loop on the video boards in RA or the signage on Main is extremely questionable. Hell, an "ask" for the IPF is not even on the opening page of goredbirds.com. Who is running this dept?

We really could use an athletic director.

:text-+1:
....and preferably one that does not run the athletic department like he is Jed and the Beverly Hillbillies.

 

[TIMMY]

We really could use an athletic director.

We certainly could. To be honest, there should probably be a near complete purge of the athletic dept administrators. There needs to be a new mindset instilled in that dept.

Justin Sell AD South Dakota State. Steal Him!!!!! Seriously.
Unbelievable what they have done in 10ish years since becoming D1.

 

[GOP_Redbird]

http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/22124262/kevin-stepherson-four-players-dismissed-notre-dame

 

[fourthandshort]

edited out

 

[fourthandshort]

dismissed WR Stepherson had 3 strikes we know of per this article ... misdemeanor marijuana charges and shoplifting .. not sure if he plead the charges down .. and then an undisclosed team violation causing him to be suspended for 4 games. If there are 3 strikes, there are very likely more incidents. The marijuana charge is one thing, but shoplifting is always a sign of trouble, and then the 4 game suspension had to be something significant.

My gut says, stay away from the WR. We don't need any RBs .. so why would either of them come to ISU. They say very little about the DT .. so maybe that one is of interest.

JR DT Brandon Tiassum is 6'4" 305 lbs from Indianapolis has played very little in his 3 years. They say nothing about what he did. The way Kelly talked about in summer .. he was considered a project and maybe it just wasn't working out.

We should look at him hard .. he's got 2 years left and we're thin at proven DTs.

http://irish.nbcsports.com/2017/06/03/notre-dame-99-to-2-no-77-brandon-tiassum-defensive-tackle/

 

[McHalesNavy]

This would be a VERY long shot, but if we want a QB and WR combo, University of Hawai'i just had two starters transfer out. First is QB Dru Brown and second is WR Dylan Collie. I'm a UH football fan and loved what I saw from Dru Brown in his 2016-2017 season in terms of his ability to gun the ball accurately and use his feet to gain yards when the pocket broke. I think he could thrive in the MVC and help us with our passing game. On the other end of that was one of his favorite receivers, Collie. Collie caught 118 passes for 1,300 yards and nine touchdowns in three years in the Mountain West. It's a long shot since both are California kids, but both would be nice additions and bolster our current line up. Unlikely, but as a UH fan, I wouldn't mind either or both setting up shop in Normal for a year.

 

[MadBird]

From the "totally base-less rumors" department, these guys were listed in the Madison paper this morning as not on the spring roster for Wisconsin, so might be available as transfers. Hirschfeld is the only one officially announced as leaving:

Billy Hirschfeld DE 6-6 305 Jr. Okauchee, Wis. Arrowhead
Nick Thomas ILB 6-2 225 So. Bradenton, Fla. IMG Academy
Jake Whalen FB 6-1 246 So. Wausau, Wis. West
Peter Roy WR 6-0 195 Jr. Muskego, Wis. Muskego
Blake Mielke S 6-2 200 So. Hartland, Wis. Arrowhead

It doesn't look like any of these guys saw much PT other than Hirschfeld, so, you know, not sure how much help might be out there. Our DL Jake Powell is from Arrowhead HS where two of these guys went.

But I toss the names out just to keep our "hot stove league" discussion going!

 

[RBFANTOO]

I wouldn't be surprised if Coach Beathard re-opens the QB competition.

The potential QBs are Jake Kolbe; Conor Joyce; Malachi Broadnax; Tristan Smith; Trenton Hatfield; and possibly the Minnesota QB potential transfer; others???.

It could be interesting again. :think:

 

[ISUBU]

I wouldn't be surprised if Coach Beathard re-opens the QB competition.

The potential QBs are Jake Kolbe; Conor Joyce; Malachi Broadnax; Tristan Smith; Trenton Hatfield; and possibly the Minnesota QB potential transfer; others???.

It could be interesting again. :think:

I think there may be some changes after Spring practice. Will anyone follow Cameron Meredith's example and switch positions? If I was a QB and found myself slipping down the depth chart behind players at my year or younger, I'd be looking around for opportunities. Either to switch positions here or to look elsewhere to play.

I expect Kolbe to win the job again. But I also think his performance has to improve or someone else will come into the game. And it also depends on some of the other offensive players. In a way, I'd love our running game to be so strong that we aren't talking much about the QB.

 

[fourthandshort]

I know my credibility is low on this topic but ..... I think Kolbe will emerge as the clear favorite. But we need a #2 who is ready to step up this year, if needed, and then next year.

Brodnax needs a lot of working throwing the ball still .. Roberson deep ball kept pass defenses very honest. And I'm still wondering why they first declared Hatfield would be moved to secondary, then changed their mind. Was it because Kolbe's effectiveness and confidence were struggling under OC Dicken style and erratic play calling ? So with the calmer and wiser OC Beathard in charge, maybe the position settles down again.

For those with short memories, Roberson struggled considerably in 2014 until he found his groove after UNI week 8 debacle. Beathard was the reason for Roberson figuring it all out in my eyes .. Coprich helped a little too. But Kolbe is a much better all around throwing QB than Roberson (except his deep ball).

Beathard is going to be the difference maker which is why I think Kolbe wins the job. If some WRs emerge, this will be a very fun season on offense.

Defense .. work in progress.

 

[Total Red]

I expect Kolbe to win the job again. But I also think his performance has to improve or someone else will come into the game.

I totally agree and I think we should set the bar high when it comes our expectations for the QB position.
Our starting QB should complete over 60% of his passes and he should throw for over 2,700 yards. His TD to Int ratio should be at least 3 to 1. This should result in a pass efficiency rating of 140.00 or higher but those are just stats. The most important thing he needs to do is help us win enough games to reach the playoffs. Do we know of anyone that has the proven ability to achieve all of those lofty goals???

 

[Total Red]

2016: Played in all 12 games at quarterback, with 11 starting assignments … ranked No. 4 in the MVFC with a pass efficiency rating of 140.2 … tied for second in the MVFC in touchdowns passes with 22, which is tied for fourth on the ISU single-season list … ranked No. 5 in passing average/game (225.2) … became just the seventh Redbird to surpass 2,000 passing yards in a single season with 2,703, the sixth-best single-season mark in school history … threw multiple touchdown passes in the final four contests of the year ... named MVFC Offensive Player of the Week (Nov. 11), after throwing four touchdown passes in a win over Western Illinois … ran for a career-long 58-yard touchdown against Eastern Illinois (Sept. 17) … tallied a career high 287 passing yards and went 30-for-41 against Northwestern (Sept. 10).