I was just wondering with the quarterback shuffle what this does to the wide receivers and their production. You have to think that Jantz is going to be targeting Horne alot. The fact that he jumped up the depth chart has me thinking that he and Jantz were clicking in camp like in JC. Any thoughts on the other wideouts? I am also really excited to see what Jarvis West can do with the ball in the open field.
Wide Receivers
- Thread starter hall4cy
- Start date
Not many are discussing Lenz, as expected, and I think he will be our most reliable receiver. He's deceptively athletic and has a knack for coming down with the football. I think if you ranked the top 5 most spectacular catches last season - Lenz would own as many as anyone else.
Just as I have been for the last few years, I am extremely concerned about the WR position. This is not a knock on Lenz - but when he's expected to be one of your top WR threats - you have issues. Lenz is great slot guy for ISU (see Austin Flynn) but not a #1 threat.
Consistency at WR has plagued ISU for a few years and I'm worried it will do so again this season. Hopefully some new faces can step up.
Just as I have been for the last few years, I am extremely concerned about the WR position. This is not a knock on Lenz - but when he's expected to be one of your top WR threats - you have issues. Lenz is great slot guy for ISU (see Austin Flynn) but not a #1 threat.
Consistency at WR has plagued ISU for a few years and I'm worried it will do so again this season. Hopefully some new faces can step up.
I was excited about Money being healthy this year, sucks he broke his toe. I can still see this as finally his break out year. Money and Horne will be the top two WR's this year and I think both will be very productive. I'm pretty interested in Darks also. He was named a team captain so you would think the team expects him to do something. Lenz really doesn't disappoint when the ball is thrown to him. And as someone mentioned, West. Dude could be a freak if we can get him the ball in space.
I think we see improvement from the offense as a whole. We have a better QB who can connect on all types of passes and also his the WR in stride and in small windows. The WR's have another year of working out and getting better, plus West is healthy now and a big addition in Horne.
I think we see improvement from the offense as a whole. We have a better QB who can connect on all types of passes and also his the WR in stride and in small windows. The WR's have another year of working out and getting better, plus West is healthy now and a big addition in Horne.
I think the familiarity between Horne and Jantz will help but to me Horne climbing the depth chart speaks more about how the returning guys just aren't going to get it done. IMO WR was the one spot that was primed for a newcomer to come in and make an impact. Horne seems to have seized that oppurtunity. Darks, Money, and Lenz have proven to be servicable but neither have shown playmaking ability, or are striking fear into opposing defenses. If a couple of the new guys can show some big play ability, this unit could go from a weak spot to a very strong group.
Lenz has great potential... just needs to develop some more consistency. His leaping touchdown catch in the back of the end zone against Texas and his punt return against Kansas show that he has the ability. He had a bad case of the dropsies against Missouri though, and that really didn't do the offense any favors in an otherwise winnable game.
I hope Money can come back strong and he and Horne can be the deep threats we desperately need. I'm also excited about West, because we are the worst team in college football at running the bubble screen, and I want to see someone break a damn tackle and take one downfield rather than get blown up as soon as they make the catch (although they rarely get any help from the receiver who is supposed to be blocking for them, so I suppose it'd be nice if our receivers could work on their downfield blocking, as well).
We absolutely need the WRs to ramp it up this year if we are going to accomplish anything.
I hope Money can come back strong and he and Horne can be the deep threats we desperately need. I'm also excited about West, because we are the worst team in college football at running the bubble screen, and I want to see someone break a damn tackle and take one downfield rather than get blown up as soon as they make the catch (although they rarely get any help from the receiver who is supposed to be blocking for them, so I suppose it'd be nice if our receivers could work on their downfield blocking, as well).
We absolutely need the WRs to ramp it up this year if we are going to accomplish anything.
Our WR's have not shown a great ability to get separation. And when they have, the ball has been delivered to them in poor position and difficult to catch and stretch the play.
I think we will improve on both aspects this year and that will translate into more big plays. And stretching the field. This will then end up helping our running game. Plus Jantz is such a threat to run the ball that when he rolls out the defensive backs will have a tendency to inch forward in anticipation. Horne does a good job of continuing to move to open areas. Big reason why he always seems to get open.
I think we will improve on both aspects this year and that will translate into more big plays. And stretching the field. This will then end up helping our running game. Plus Jantz is such a threat to run the ball that when he rolls out the defensive backs will have a tendency to inch forward in anticipation. Horne does a good job of continuing to move to open areas. Big reason why he always seems to get open.
I think if we have a QB that can consistently hit guys in the hands the WRs will get better by default.
Personally, I think that this is a breakout year for Lenz. He is adept at making the over the shoulder catch. He can make people miss, has some speed and knows all of the positions. I've been on the Money bandwagon from the start, but he seems dinged up every year and the injuries really affect him. I am to the point where I need to see him actually produce to believe it. Consider me off the bandwagon until he actually does something. Same with Darks...he's disappeared for more games than he's showed up in. Hell, he disappears for whole stretches of games. I'll believe that he can be a competent WR (captain or not) when I see it. Jarvis West needs to learn to catch and Bundrage needs to learn the offense. I don't think that we can count on either of those two helping much.
I believe that Lenz and Horne will be our two best WRs this year.
I believe that Lenz and Horne will be our two best WRs this year.
Harsh.... I truthfully believe darks will show up mire like he did year one and Money will show up like he never has in ISU uni.... I agree with Horne and Lenz will be the 2 best this year, but I don't get where u get the West info everything I have heard is he is the second coming of J.J. with the way he cuts and finds opening....very excited for entire corps.... I look for a lot of improvement....
I'm just hoping Jantz's cannon arm isn't too much for them and they start dropping passes again.
He's either been injured or dinged his entire career. With the toe injury, I don't expect anything different in 2011. Just IMO, but I think that we have to hang our hopes on Lenz and Horne.
I'd really like to like to see Bundrage have a freshman season comparable to Darks' season a few years ago. Boy, would that take some pressure off of Lenz, Money, Darks and Horne.
It would also be nice to see Gary and Young make an impact as well. I remember last year there was a buzz for both when they came in.