2015 Position Discussion

[westnodak93bison]

This scenario works.
Joe will likely need frequent breaks in the early going.

Why would Joe need a break? If he comes out against an inferior opponent that we are beating soundly fine but otherwise he needs to be in there anchoring the line.

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[BisonNation11]

Breakout year for Nick Deluca

I'm taking this as if you haven't noticed DeLuca before, you'll notice him this year or at least should. He played extremely well when he was in last year. His ability to drop back in coverage for a guy his size is impressive. Plus he has great hands. Looking forward to watching him lead the defense. OLB will need to step up big time. Safeties will need to read plays and provide excellent support. Agree with what Tony said about the coaches ability to get these guys ready if they perform at the high level we are all accustom to.

[tjbison]

I'm taking this as if you haven't noticed DeLuca before, you'll notice him this year or at least should. He played extremely well when he was in last year. His ability to drop back in coverage for a guy his size is impressive. Plus he has great hands. Looking forward to watching him lead the defense. OLB will need to step up big time. Safeties will need to read plays and provide excellent support. Agree with what Tony said about the coaches ability to get these guys ready if they perform at the high level we are all accustom to.

I know how good he is, I watched him but he played under the shadow of several of the best LB guys we ever had, he will be the show this year...imo

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[BisonNation11]

I know how good he is, I watched him but he played under the shadow of several of the best LB guys we ever had, he will be the show this year...imo

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I agree completely. I thought this of him before he ever stepped foot on the field for the Bison. I'm still of the belief if GO didn't hurt his knee and CLJ didn't move to MLB last year, he would have started with Beck and CLJ on the outside.

[tolnabison]

Why would Joe need a break? If he comes out against an inferior opponent that we are beating soundly fine but otherwise he needs to be in there anchoring the line.

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In many of the games last year they gave Joe a series or two off. Lechler would play LT and Plankers at RT. He definitely wasn't subbed for as much as other offensive lineman last year. Kuhnert, Schueller, and Kelly rotated a bunch at Gaurd. Hinz was our only true center with experience.

[SDbison]

I am hoping for a more potent passing attack that can be utilized as needed to score more points quickly and keep opposing defenses guessing. I think the ground and pound offense is over-rated and leaves a team vulnerable if focused on too much. With Wentz as QB the Bison have a chance to stretch the field and somewhat increase the number of passes each game. Look for Zach Vraa to be a reliable go to guy and expect RJ Urzendowski to get even better. Hoping that Darrius Shepherd or Khayvon Hawkins surprise as new deep threats and Darius Anderson can be used like Ryan Smith. Also would love to see Lance Dunn in some pass plays out of the backfield. Luke Albers and Conor Wentz will provide reliable big TE targets and I hope they get used more often. Can't forget NDSU has a quicker TE in Jeff Illies who can use his size and speed to beat smaller LB's and secondary. Truly excited about the potential of this offense to move the ball through the air!

[tony]

I am hoping for a more potent passing attack that can be utized as needed to score more points quickly and keep opposing defenses guessing. I think the ground and pound offense is over-rated and leaves a team vulnerable if focused on too much. With Wentz as QB the Bison have a chance to stretch the field and somewhat increase the number of passes each game. Look for Zach Vraa to be a reliable go to guy and expect RJ Urzendowski to get even better. Hoping that Darrius Shepherd or Khayvon Hawkins surprise as new deep threats and Darius Anderson can be used like Ryan Smith. Also would love to see Lance Dunn in some pass plays out of the backfield. Luke Albers and Conor Wentz will provide reliable big TE targets and I hope they get used more often. Can't forget NDSU has a quicker TE in Jeff Illies who can use his size and speed to beat smaller LB's and secondary. Truly excited about the potential of this offense to move the ball through the air!

Well, I could care less how they go about it, run or pass - the key is for the offense to be efficient and not turn the ball over. That'll get the team far. I want NDSU is top 5 in 3rd down efficiency again. The big area that needs to improve is the red zone TD%.

A lot of the play calls are going to be made by Carson, btw. Last year's offense had to be in the top 5 in the nation last year and it should be better this year, barring a barrage of injuries.

[ZHerd]

I am hoping for a more potent passing attack that can be utized as needed to score more points quickly and keep opposing defenses guessing. I think the ground and pound offense is over-rated and leaves a team vulnerable if focused on too much. With Wentz as QB the Bison have a chance to stretch the field and somewhat increase the number of passes each game. Look for Zach Vraa to be a reliable go to guy and expect RJ Urzendowski to get even better. Hoping that Darrius Shepherd or Khayvon Hawkins surprise as new deep threats and Darius Anderson can be used like Ryan Smith. Also would love to see Lance Dunn in some pass plays out of the backfield. Luke Albers and Conor Wentz will provide reliable big TE targets and I hope they get used more often. Can't forget NDSU has a quicker TE in Jeff Illies who can use his size and speed to beat smaller LB's and secondary. Truly excited about the potential of this offense to move the ball through the air!

I think we could see a true freshman WR or 2 step up as a big playmakers this year similar to last year.

[IzzyFlexion]

I am hoping for a more potent passing attack that can be utized as needed to score more points quickly and keep opposing defenses guessing. I think the ground and pound offense is over-rated and leaves a team vulnerable if focused on too much. With Wentz as QB the Bison have a chance to stretch the field and somewhat increase the number of passes each game. Look for Zach Vraa to be a reliable go to guy and expect RJ Urzendowski to get even better. Hoping that Darrius Shepherd or Khayvon Hawkins surprise as new deep threats and Darius Anderson can be used like Ryan Smith. Also would love to see Lance Dunn in some pass plays out of the backfield. Luke Albers and Conor Wentz will provide reliable big TE targets and I hope they get used more often. Can't forget NDSU has a quicker TE in Jeff Illies who can use his size and speed to beat smaller LB's and secondary. Truly excited about the potential of this offense to move the ball through the air!

This is my "pick to click" among the receiving corp. Great target, great routes, great hands, learned from one of the all-time greats.

[tony]

I think we could see a true freshman WR or 2 step up as a big playmakers this year similar to last year.

Be nice to have somebody do what Ryan Smith did... more than once he did an end-around carefully-crafted defensive game plans. Of course, with his hands, toughness, and speed, Ryan Smith could have been a once-a-generation player.