2018 Season

[LkvlleUNDFan]

On 8/11/2018 at 10:47 AM, Rebel_Sioux said:

Yeah...I live in TX...I might go to that game too

Well, send me a message if you do. I'll be happy to share a beverage with a displaced but loyal UND fan!

[LkvlleUNDFan]

On 8/14/2018 at 8:06 AM, AJS said:

Looking at the positions and quality depth (solid 2-deep), would this be fair:

Set

QB, RB, TE, WR, ILB, CB

Concerns

O-Line, D-Line, OLB, Safety

To break down the concerns (biggest to smallest):

O-Line: Biggest concern right now, considering the question on the right side of the line. Very, very young group.

Safety: Along with O-Line, this has been the other position of concern for a while now.

OLB: Palmberg, Turner and Lawrence is a good start, but worried about Gordon being on the 2-deep

D-Line: Best "starters" out of the concerns, the depth is young, but talented

I'm pretty sure I wrote this in another post a while back, but it came up again in a recent conversation. I'm still hearing that Austin Gordon is virtually unblockable off the edge. He's small enough to get under the OTs but strong enough to toss them aside if he catches one leaning, and fast enough to beat them around the corner. Probably not an every down kind of LB, but more of a pass rush/blitz specialist. I'll wait to see him in game action, but the comments I've heard are awfully promising. 

[geaux_sioux]

2 minutes ago, LkvlleUNDFan said:

I'm pretty sure I wrote this in another post a while back, but it came up again in a recent conversation. I'm still hearing that Austin Gordon is virtually unblockable off the edge. He's small enough to get under the OTs but strong enough to toss them aside if he catches one leaning, and fast enough to beat them around the corner. Probably not an every down kind of LB, but more of a pass rush/blitz specialist. I'll wait to see him in game action, but the comments I've heard are awfully promising. 

If any team has a running qb I’d leave Gordon out there and have him shade the qb all game.

[sioux4life28]

On 8/14/2018 at 10:11 AM, geaux_sioux said:

Don’t sleep on Shannon.

I agree with this. Kid keeps a low profile. But exciting to watch. Very fast, good body type, seems to me like he knows the defense well. Kid has a lot of potential, plus he’s a ball hawk on the field. Remember when it came down to Canady, flowers and Shannon as the last safeties and then Flowers got ejected, leaving Shannon to start against Southern Utah (Big Sky champs) and lead the team in tackles only playing the first half. Kid has a lot to fill but he could be the guy 

[Hawkster]

8 hours ago, Ozzie82 said:

I am worried about the reaction of some of the posters on this site if we lose the Sam Houston game. Too many people here seem to think that this is THE game that will set the tone for the season, and if we lose the game than all hope is lost for the year. Can the Hawks win? Absolutely. But be realistic about the chances. Losing the game does not mean the end of the season, or end of our playoff hopes. 

A loss will only reflect badly if it's a blowout.    A 7 point or less loss doesn't worry a bit for the rest of the games.    The team can overcome something like that and they will.   It's the 3 TD loss that should be a concern and I really doubt that happens

[Goon]

7 hours ago, LkvlleUNDFan said:

Well, send me a message if you do. I'll be happy to share a beverage with a displaced but loyal UND fan!

Texas is an awesome state spent 90 days down there last August - November. I’d move there tomorrow. You’re lucky. 

[Siouxperfan7]

2 weeks from today!!!! 

[sioux24/7]

I love everyone’s optimism for the year but man I have to ease my expectations. I was extremely high going into last year, as was everyone else and man that was a disappointment. I know it was a weird year due to extreme injuries but it just showed how far behind we were depth wise. 

[geaux_sioux]

I think we can learn a lot from the first game. For me it’s all about the OL right now. If MSVS has even a sniff of sustained pressure we are in trouble. We should be able to wall them off pretty much the whole game. We should also be able to name our score and play damn near everyone. On d, zero big plays. That’s it. This is the type of team you put to bed early because they have a losing culture. Can’t give them any reason for confidence.

[Midwestern Hawk]

5 minutes ago, sioux24/7 said:

I love everyone’s optimism for the year but man I have to ease my expectations. I was extremely high going into last year, as was everyone else and man that was a disappointment. I know it was a weird year due to extreme injuries but it just showed how far behind we were depth wise. 

Some VERY extreme injury/exit situations both in number of injuries at one position(ILB & DB) and the 2 best returning defenders(Reyes and Harris) played in 2-3 complete games between both of them?  I am not sure many teams could withstand that mentally or physically.  Montana State just lined up a big body at RB and bludgeoned us because we could not stop it.

I still don't understand the continual struggles on the OL.  Does not seem to change.  The defense will produce points and good field position but we still need to be able to sustain drives and have the time to use all the offensive weapons.

 

 

[gundy1124]

32 minutes ago, sioux24/7 said:

I love everyone’s optimism for the year but man I have to ease my expectations. I was extremely high going into last year, as was everyone else and man that was a disappointment. I know it was a weird year due to extreme injuries but it just showed how far behind we were depth wise. 

Like this guy - 

In all seriousness, we all missed the mark by just a tad last year!!

[geaux_sioux]

Just now, Midwestern Hawk said:

Some VERY extreme injury/exit situations both in number of injuries at one position(ILB & DB) and the 2 best returning defenders(Reyes and Harris) played in 2-3 complete games between both of them?  I am not sure many teams could withstand that mentally or physically.  Montana State just lined up a big body at RB and bludgeoned us because we could not stop it.

I still don't understand the continual struggles on the OL.  Does not seem to change.  The defense will produce points and good field position but we still need to be able to sustain drives and have the time to use all the offensive weapons.

 

 

Knauf has to be coaching for his job this year. Same for Rudy.

[fightingsioux4life]

4 minutes ago, Midwestern Hawk said:

I still don't understand the continual struggles on the OL.  Does not seem to change.  The defense will produce points and good field position but we still need to be able to sustain drives and have the time to use all the offensive weapons.

This.

I am sick of hearing "we are young on the o-line" every single fall. When are we going to stop being "young on the o-line"? Why can't we retain o-lineman for longer than two years?

[UNDColorado]

2 minutes ago, fightingsioux4life said:

This.

I am sick of hearing "we are young on the o-line" every single fall. When are we going to stop being "young on the o-line"? Why can't we retain o-lineman for longer than two years?

I don't get it either. Last week I was going through the updated weights and that isn't the problem. We have the size. Are we not recruiting the right skills and toughness?

[Longtime fan]

1 hour ago, fightingsioux4life said:

This.

I am sick of hearing "we are young on the o-line" every single fall. When are we going to stop being "young on the o-line"? Why can't we retain o-lineman for longer than two years?

Not sure exactly why and it is frustrating but it has to be frustrating as well for an o lineman in this system.   Set to fail from the beginning.   Rudy should just inform them when they arrive on campus .... “we have no offensive philosophy other then “powering” it up the middle.  “You fellows up front will face two guys a piece all year as all defenses will crowd the box. In other word 10 of them and 5-6 of us. Good luck!!”  

[geaux_sioux]

13 minutes ago, Longtime fan said:

Not sure exactly why and it is frustrating but it has to be frustrating as well for an o lineman in this system.   Set to fail from the beginning.   Rudy should just inform them when they arrive on campus .... “we have no offensive philosophy other then “powering” it up the middle.  “You fellows up front will face two guys a piece all year as all defenses will crowd the box. In other word 10 of them and 5-6 of us. Good luck!!”  

It’s also a scheme problem. Each player has too much on their plate for each play. The number of checks they need to be on the same page about is ridiculous, from what I hear. 

[Longtime fan]

13 minutes ago, geaux_sioux said:

It’s also a scheme problem. Each player has too much on their plate for each play. The number of checks they need to be on the same page about is ridiculous, from what I hear. 

Yeah I heard that as well. Hard to believe it’s suppose that be that complicated of an offense when in the end it’s the rb going up the three hole.   

[ND1]

Help out the o line and running game by opening the playbook a bit by spreading the field....PLEASE!!!!

[Longtime fan]

This years skilled players are perhaps the most skilled in bubba era.  The pint size shifters : Santiago, McKinney, Griebel, Izzy are complimented by horses:   JJ, Brady, wanzek, maag, Toivonen.   Otis is a combination power and shifty.    Love the TEs!  Luke, cloyd, hunter, and what will be a future stud....Devore.  Devore is Adler 2.0.   Great athleticism and work ethic.

There are 3 qbs vying for top dog.   truly believe whoever it is will be better at the position than studs.  Studs was a great huddle general from what I hear but that was it.  Nice athlete that was injury prone so Rudy kept him the pocket to throw ducks.  

[Irish]

16 minutes ago, Longtime fan said:

Yeah I heard that as well. Hard to believe it’s suppose that be that complicated of an offense when in the end it’s the rb going up the three hole.   

What amazes me isn't that Rudolph doesn't get it - he doesn't and never will.  It is that Bubba keeps him on.  Bubba can tell him to "open up the play book" but that won't give us a sensible  blocking scheme or enable him to read the defenses or help him know when to call what play (see double reverse).  

 

 

 

[Longtime fan]

11 minutes ago, ND1 said:

Help out the o line and running game by opening the playbook a bit by spreading the field....PLEASE!!!!

Seems like a hard thing for the coaches to comprehend.  They want a “power” offense, as do I, but the power begans with a 175 lb back and no proven power up front!?!?  They must know they are not built yet to specs like they want.  They need to adjust accordingly to what they have to relieve pressure off the o line instead of continuously making it impossible for them to succeed. Screens are the biggest asset to a team that has some trouble pancaking the opposing d line.  And a two step drop to the TE.  

[Longtime fan]

3 minutes ago, Irish said:

What amazes me isn't that Rudolph doesn't get it - he doesn't and never will.  It is that Bubba keeps him on.  Bubba can tell him to "open up the play book" but that won't give us a sensible  blocking scheme or enable him to read the defenses or help him know when to call what play (see double reverse).  

 

 

 

I’ve attended four practices now and possibly see one of the reasons why bubba keeps Rudy on. If so,  I think it’s absolutely ridiculous but I’m sure it plays into his decision.  Rudy is the rah rah guy that runs around and taps everyone’s ass and says good things and make funny.  It looks like he has the respect of the players.   Whatever..... that doesn’t win games.  Maybe he can become the funny water boy or something.  He’s not cut out for OC. 

[green_sioux]

Some amazing football minds on here.   Why don't some of you include a little bio on your college football playing career and your college coaching career while you're at it?   Why are you simply posting on a message board when its obvious to everyone you "get" things our coaches don't?     You obviously understand personnel and scheme so much better than our coaches do.  Get off your computer\phone and go down and talk to Bubba and get things straightened out.  Please offer your expertise, you guys can be the difference in turning us in a dynasty.!!! We need you.

[geaux_sioux]

6 minutes ago, Longtime fan said:

I’ve attended four practices now and possibly see one of the reasons why bubba keeps Rudy on. If so,  I think it’s absolutely ridiculous but I’m sure it plays into his decision.  Rudy is the rah rah guy that runs around and taps everyone’s ass and says good things and make funny.  It looks like he has the respect of the players.   Whatever..... that doesn’t win games.  Maybe he can become the funny water boy or something.  He’s not cut out for OC. 

Danny is on staff. He’s an All American rah rah guy.

[jdub27]

15 minutes ago, geaux_sioux said:

Danny is on staff. He’s an All American rah rah guy.

Quoted for truth. First ballot hall of famer.