Could this year's defense be legit?

I personally don't think that they'll miss Sims at all. He flat out had a bad year in 2010 and wasn't nearly the player he was in 2009 until the last few games. I don't know if it was the credit card thing that screwed him up or what, but he was pretty much an empty suit out there the first half of the season. OC was a good Safety for them, but when he broke his thumb, he was out for awhile and then playing with a cast for awhile...he wasn't playing at his normal level. IMO Sandvig was a real weak link of the D and was not a capable starter. I have no doubt that Benton will be a better Safety than anyone ISU rolled out in 2010. My only concern is who plays SS when TB moves up in the nickel.

My major position questions are:
DT - Can Laing/McDonough hold up against the run and get into the backfield vs the pass?
DE - With Latt on one side, who steps up opposite him? Is Maggitt ready? Can Nelson get a little bigger?
FS - Still need to be sold on Washington, Givens, Watson, Brooks, Broomfield.

We'll miss Sims and O'Connell against the run. They were there to cover up Neal and Parker getting dominated more than enough.

Maggitt is one of the most underrated players on this board. I would argue he is better than Lattimer
 
It all starts up front. A good defensive line means a good defense. If knott and kleins tackles a game numbers drop by half of what they were last year on average then we have a good defense. If our secondary tackles and "thrown to direction" drop next year then we will have a good defense. It all starts on the line and really I cant see it happening next year at all. CPR needs to start selling the defensive line position to recruits next fall.

Are people already forgetting about Pompey? You don't get offers from Miami and Penn State is you can't play ball. Anybody remember the last time we had a DT that was the caliber of a Penn State or Miami DT? Tuba maybe?

When a guy like Wally talks about the kid and comments that he is the most well put together D-lineman we will have had at ISU since he has been here.... well... I will trust that word from a guy that spent a decade at FSU when they had NFL D-lineman across the board just about every year.

Pompey is going to be an immediate impact player.
 
Are people already forgetting about Pompey? You don't get offers from Miami and Penn State is you can't play ball. Anybody remember the last time we had a DT that was the caliber of a Penn State or Miami DT? Tuba maybe?

When a guy like Wally talks about the kid and comments that he is the most well put together D-lineman we will have had at ISU since he has been here.... well... I will trust that word from a guy that spent a decade at FSU when they had NFL D-lineman across the board just about every year.

Pompey is going to be an immediate impact player.
I'll start anointing him once he's actually on campus. As an ISU fan I have been kicked in the nuts too many times, I don't want to pump up a guy that might not make it. Then even if he does make it he's just a freshman, and if he doesn't redshirt he'll likely have a 10 tackle year. He's not gonna come in and dominate.
 
We'll miss Sims and O'Connell against the run. They were there to cover up Neal and Parker getting dominated more than enough.

Maggitt is one of the most underrated players on this board. I would argue he is better than Lattimer

I was pretty disappointed with the tackling by some of our guys in the secondary last year. Games like the K-State game drove me crazy. We would have db's coming up to make a tackle and they would dive at the guys legs. That isn't tackling. Hit the guy and wrap him up.... there were several plays where the RB just absorbed the hit and bounced right off of the DB and one in particular where the rb hesitated just enough knowing our guy would dive at his legs and as soon as our guy went low he just hurdled right over him.

Those types of plays are the difference between giving up a 4 or 5 yard run vs. a 30 yard run or having the guy take it to the house.

DON'T JUST THROW A SHOULDER INTO A GUY, DON'T JUST DIVE AT HIS LEGS..... GET IN POSITION, WRAP HIM UP, AND DRIVE RIGHT THROUGH THE GUY!!!!!!!
 
I'll start anointing him once he's actually on campus. As an ISU fan I have been kicked in the nuts too many times, I don't want to pump up a guy that might not make it. Then even if he does make it he's just a freshman, and if he doesn't redshirt he'll likely have a 10 tackle year. He's not gonna come in and dominate.

I will just take Burnham's word on him...


I don’t have anybody right now who is his size. When you look at him, he is a put together 300-pound guy. What I got excited about was that he has really skinny ankles. That gets me excited because he can do well on his feet for a guy his size. He does a really nice job with his hands. That is something that you can try and coach but the more I coach, the more I think it is something that you either have or you don’t to a certain extent. A guy that big, we’ll have to work on his flexibility from the waist up. There is no telling what that kid will be three or four years from now.”

quinton_pompey300.jpg


853106.jpg


PompeyQuinton_100827_3530_TCasey.jpg
 
Last edited:
I'll start anointing him once he's actually on campus. As an ISU fan I have been kicked in the nuts too many times, I don't want to pump up a guy that might not make it. Then even if he does make it he's just a freshman, and if he doesn't redshirt he'll likely have a 10 tackle year. He's not gonna come in and dominate.

Yep. I refuse to get excited about Pompey until he actually makes grades and shows up in Ames. There's a reason why a kid with this kind of ability ends up signing with ISU over traditional powers. It's because they aren't sure if he'll make it into school.
 
Yep. I refuse to get excited about Pompey until he actually makes grades and shows up in Ames. There's a reason why a kid with this kind of ability ends up signing with ISU over traditional powers. It's because they aren't sure if he'll make it into school.

Per quotes from Shane Burnham the kid worked his tail off in class to raise his GPA. A kid isn't going to work that hard to get things going in the right direction only to let it slip away. Sounds like he has commiitted himself to making it. I think he will.
 
I will just take Burnham's word on him...


“I don’t have anybody right now who is his size. When you look at him, he is a put together 300-pound guy. What I got excited about was that he has really skinny ankles. That gets me excited because he can do well on his feet for a guy his size. He does a really nice job with his hands. That is something that you can try and coach but the more I coach, the more I think it is something that you either have or you don’t to a certain extent. A guy that big, we’ll have to work on his flexibility from the waist up. There is no telling what that kid will be three or four years from now.â€￾

quinton_pompey300.jpg


853106.jpg


PompeyQuinton_100827_3530_TCasey.jpg

The difference is that you are predicting an immediate impact while Burnham is looking at what areas need work and how good he could be in 3 or 4 years. The odds are that it will fall somewhere in the middle.
 
The difference is that you are predicting an immediate impact while Burnham is looking at what areas need work and how good he could be in 3 or 4 years. The odds are that it will fall somewhere in the middle.

FYI... they think he can play right away. Let's face it... it isn't like Rump, Jake, and Laing are world-beaters. Pompey's size, strength, and speed could be something we haven't seen out of a d-line player at ISU since.... well.... never. I am not saying he is going to be All-BIG XII or anything crazy like that but he very well could be the best DT that we have on our roster when he shows up in Ames.

I think Burnham's comment was more of a " he has the physical traits and ability to be really good right now. Imagine what kind of a beast he will be in 3 or 4 years."
 
Last edited:
I will just take Burnham's word on him...

“I don’t have anybody right now who is his size. When you look at him, he is a put together 300-pound guy. What I got excited about was that he has really skinny ankles. That gets me excited because he can do well on his feet for a guy his size. He does a really nice job with his hands. That is something that you can try and coach but the more I coach, the more I think it is something that you either have or you don’t to a certain extent. A guy that big, we’ll have to work on his flexibility from the waist up. There is no telling what that kid will be three or four years from now.â€￾



I think Burnham's comment was more of a " he has the physical traits and ability to be really good right now. Imagine what kind of a beast he will be in 3 or 4 years."

You're really putting words in Wally's mouth here. Wally doesn't spin things, he says it like it is, and he said: "There is no telling what that kid will be three or four years from now." key part here: "There is no telling" Meaning, he could be a bust, he could be another Parker where he looks like he could be an animal his freshman year and then never gets better. Or, he could be the next Suh. But as wally said and as you are such a fan of quoting him: "There's no telling"
 
I will just take Burnham's word on him...


“I don’t have anybody right now who is his size. When you look at him, he is a put together 300-pound guy. What I got excited about was that he has really skinny ankles. That gets me excited because he can do well on his feet for a guy his size. He does a really nice job with his hands. That is something that you can try and coach but the more I coach, the more I think it is something that you either have or you don’t to a certain extent. A guy that big, we’ll have to work on his flexibility from the waist up. There is no telling what that kid will be three or four years from now.â€￾

quinton_pompey300.jpg


853106.jpg


PompeyQuinton_100827_3530_TCasey.jpg
The poster was referring to the fact that Pompey isn't a lock to qualify. not sure how one could talk him up when we don't even know if he will make it to campus
 
Per quotes from Shane Burnham the kid worked his tail off in class to raise his GPA. A kid isn't going to work that hard to get things going in the right direction only to let it slip away. Sounds like he has commiitted himself to making it. I think he will.
Happens every year to a lot of reruits.
 
Per quotes from Shane Burnham the kid worked his tail off in class to raise his GPA. A kid isn't going to work that hard to get things going in the right direction only to let it slip away. Sounds like he has commiitted himself to making it. I think he will.

I have no doubt the kid is working hard. But I've also seen this movie plenty of times and there's only been a few instances where it's worked out for ISU...TD, Reggie Hayward and Scott Haughton (who ended up eventually flunking out). I wonder whether the signing of Simon was an indicator that either Pompey is not going to make it or that if he does, he needs a RS year to settle in academically.

Regardless, I'll be excited when his name shows up in the student directory in June. Before that, it's just wishful thinking.
 
Like others have said, our DL needs to get much, much better in order for this defense to be good. Teams could run outside on us all day and we could get no pass rush. People like to tout our Texas game as the time the DL turned things around...I just don't see it. Texas' OL was bad and is a big reason of their bad year. Against Nebraska, Burkhead ran all over us. Yeah, we played well agianst Kansas but Kansas was not good. We did not get one single sack/ hurry against Mizzou or CU. As a matter of fact, we didn't get a sack or hurry in our last three games. I do not see how that equates to improvement. There is a reason Knott and Klein had so many tackles.
Lattimer was an improvement but we still need to secure the edges better. Mcdonough needs to get more consitent and everyone else but Rump needs to get bigger and more consitent.
I do expect more blitzing as Rhoads has said as much. Said we didn't do it last year because you need to practice it in order to be good at it and by mid season, Knott and Klein were being limited in practic e because of lack of depth.

LB and DB should be solid but the future of our defense lies solely on improvement from the DL. If our DL greatly improves we could be special.
 
At the meet the coaches night at Kegstand, Wally told my group that if Pompey has his grades in order and he works, he'll play right away this year. He wasn't really sure about any of the other incoming freshmen.

Also, somebody brought it up, but Maggitt is a better DE than Lattimer. I love Lattimer's hustle and desire, but he was wildly inconsistent last year and would get completely erased by OTs far too often.

Maggitt is more consistent and better athletically and has a higher upside. Those are the words of Burnham and Rhoads.
 
I have no doubt the kid is working hard. But I've also seen this movie plenty of times and there's only been a few instances where it's worked out for ISU...TD, Reggie Hayward and Scott Haughton (who ended up eventually flunking out). I wonder whether the signing of Simon was an indicator that either Pompey is not going to make it or that if he does, he needs a RS year to settle in academically.


Does anyone know for sure if Haughton is done for good? Several weeks ago there were rumors that he might be coming back.
 
Agree - but wonder why we haevn't blitzed more in past when we haven't been able to get pressue on the QB.
I think that your answer is right here:

My opinion..... after watching 3 practices this Spring vs. 3 practices last Spring.

LB is set with a few surprises in store.
My guess is, because the guys who will be doing most of the blitzing were incoming freshmen last Fall. Sound about right, Cap?
A blitz package of Bennett on one side, Mattison on the other, and George up the middle. I mean, Knott is a fast linebacker--but I'm guessing that Mattison can get into the backfield even faster.

Remember the linebacker under Mac who tranferrred in from somewhere in Chicago (can't remember his name), he was undersized, but fast? His blitzes made a big difference in one win in Iowa City? Well, I am guessing that's what Mattison can bring--with the added benefit of not being an every down player.

Aclone what recruits do you think will make an impact beside Simon?
Irving is my favorite in the class. How ready he is remains to be seen. Given Benton sliding to safety, I wouldn't be surprised to see Lynn (alternately, Richardson--since Reeves played at that size as a true frosh) on the field. Same for Brackens and Donald Smith. Not that I expect them to play, just if the conditions are right (including, heaven forbid, injuries), it wouldn't surprise me if they did.

Especially, in the case of Lynn or Richardson, since Johnson, Benton and Young will complete their eligibility. I think that Lynn will be an excellent corner one day--and Richardson is simply a player.

Hopefully we found a diamond in Henry Simon.
Not sure if he's a diamond or not--but at least amethyst. :wink:

Statistically the defense was horrible last year, I'm not sure why people keep saying they were a pleasant surprise.
Perhaps because they were "middle of the pack" in the conference.
2010 Conference Only Statistics - Big 12 Conference - Official Athletic Site
Right there. In conference play, 6th in total defence. 7th in scoring defense. 5th in passing defense.

Throw out the Iowa and (especially) Utah games, and in conference play (even considering OU), the defense played respectably. Even admirably, as the season closed against Missouri.

Per quotes from Shane Burnham the kid worked his tail off in class to raise his GPA. A kid isn't going to work that hard to get things going in the right direction only to let it slip away. Sounds like he has commiitted himself to making it. I think he will.
Not a question of letting it "slip away", but whether he dug too big of a hole for himself to crawl out of in the first place. I hope he makes it, that they all make it--and CPR has the "problem" of finding room for them. :wink:
 
At the meet the coaches night at Kegstand, Wally told my group that if Pompey has his grades in order and he works, he'll play right away this year. He wasn't really sure about any of the other incoming freshmen.

Also, somebody brought it up, but Maggitt is a better DE than Lattimer. I love Lattimer's hustle and desire, but he was wildly inconsistent last year and would get completely erased by OTs far too often.

Maggitt is more consistent and better athletically and has a higher upside. Those are the words of Burnham and Rhoads.

Agreed. I am really pulling for Pompey. The kid is probably as good or better then our best DT right now. With development he has the potential to be a dominant player. Hell... if the coaches didn't want him really bad they would have seen the academic issues and bailed. Instead they made it a point to stay in touch with the kid and while other schools like Miami and Penn State allegedly backed off on their scholarship offers. Those schools could afford to back off as they have a much better shot at going after equally talented guys to Pompey then what ISU does.

At the end of the day if or should I say when Pompey makes it to Ames he is going to be a difference maker. He is an absolute steal. How often do we get DT's that were getting recruited and offered by programs with the reputation of Penn State and Miami?
 
Agreed. I am really pulling for Pompey. The kid is probably as good or better then our best DT right now. With development he has the potential to be a dominant player. Hell... if the coaches didn't want him really bad they would have seen the academic issues and bailed. Instead they made it a point to stay in touch with the kid and while other schools like Miami and Penn State allegedly backed off on their scholarship offers. Those schools could afford to back off as they have a much better shot at going after equally talented guys to Pompey then what ISU does.

At the end of the day if or should I say when Pompey makes it to Ames he is going to be a difference maker. He is an absolute steal. How often do we get DT's that were getting recruited and offered by programs with the reputation of Penn State and Miami?
We are all pumped that he choose to come here and we all think he can become dominate, but the bolded is just not true. He would be our 4th best when he comes on campus (depending on Simon), but he'd for sure be below McD, Laing, and Rump. Towards the end of the year I could see him over taking McDonough (I think he's a little soft). So he'd likely be a starter his sophomore year next to Laing. He's looks similar body wise to Laing, but Pompey is a little thinner in the legs.
5558014182_b981179f83.jpg
 

Help Support Us

Become a patron