Two deeps

[Skippy]

The two deeps are up for this week. Some observations:
--Tom Jewell is listed as the No. 2 QB, beating out Kvinsland.
--there are 5 true freshmen on the two deeps, including Dallin Collins starting at center, and backups at DB, WR and two OLs.
--no Michael Dean on the two deeps, either at RB or returner.
--there are 20 freshmen or sophomores in the 44 two-deep positions.

 

[Reborn2010]

When will Kramer say who the freshmen red-shirts will be?

 

[Skippy]

When will Kramer say who the freshmen red-shirts will be?

I imagine Jerry and Mark will ask during the coach's show tomorrow night. You can listen on-line.

 

[blackfootbengal]

Normally they don't announce red-shirts. Also, someone who is red-shirted may be played later in the season if the team has an injury that requires them to play. Right now I believe that all but five or six freshman will red-shirt most of these being linemen. I don't believe Mike Dean or Trey Bell will red-shirt but only time will tell.

 

[mguernsey_isj]

Kramer said today in his press conference Michael Dean will play Saturday. Said he hopes to redshirt sophomore LB Kody graves, however. Graves played all 11 games last season. Video of the press conference here: https://www.facebook.com/ISJsports/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

 

[up for the challenge]

Well, there you have it folks. Michael Dean will play Saturday. He is too valuable of a player to red shirt. Kramer said no returns on punt returns. Fair catch, secure the ball, and let the offense take possession of the ball. He said the fans will just have to understand. Is it possible, just one time, to let Michael Dean return one punt? That will bring the fans out of their seats when he runs into the end zone for a TD.

 

[Reborn2010]

Kramer tells the fans that we will just have to understand. Understand what? That they are no good?

I have a real hard time understanding Kramer's belief's about punt returns. It seems to show a lack of faith in his players. He has some darn good punt and kick off returners in the freshman class. I know it because I've seen their videos. And I'm sure there are Sophomores and Juniors too. Why recruit these outstanding players and talk them into coming to ISU, and then suddenly tell them that he doesn't trust them.

 

[demian]

On the topic of not returning punts and just fielding the punt and securing it and starting the offense from there. I actually understand Coach Kramers thoughts and strategy. I used to be a special teams coordinator at the varsity level of high school. It was my first year as a varsity coach and special teams coordinator. I had all these brilliant ideas according to me on punt return etc. I was going over my ideas and sharing them with an assistant coach. Our assistant coach I was taking to used to coach under Mike KRAMER at montana state. Anyway this assistant coach of ours told me, "hey look that stuff is all well and good but ultimately the most important thing at the end of that 4th down play when the other team punts to us is that when the whistle blows the play dead our offense is running onto the field. The worse thing that can happen at the end of that punt play is the defense has to stay on the field and offense has to stay on the sideline". I actually TOTALLY agreed with that assistant coach when he told me this. I understand coach Kramers decision I don't know if we want to have freshman fielding punts if there is a worry that they might fumble the punt or not make good decisions to fair catch it and not let it bounce or etc etc etc.

 

[up for the challenge]

I believe Kramer became cautious 5 years ago when our 2nd team FCS All American punt return and kickoff return specialist fumbled some kick offs and fumbled some punt returns in games early into his senior year. When Tavoy fumbled in practice that was the end of him playing as a return specialist and since that time we seem not to return too many.

 

[demian]

I believe Kramer became cautious 5 years ago when our 2nd team FCS All American punt return and kickoff return specialist fumbled some kick offs and fumbled some punt returns in games early into his senior year. When Tavoy fumbled in practice that was the end of him playing as a return specialist and since that time we seem not to return too many.

I used to coach for a guy who was an assistant coach at University of Michigan under Lloyd Carr. As a head coach he had ABSOLUTELY zero tolerance for ANY player that fumbled or mishandled a punt!!!! I was the special teams coordinator for him and anytime a player, IT DIDNT MATTER WHICH PLAYER IT WAS ,fumbled or mishandled a punt as the head coach he would tell me - "GET SOMEONE ELSE BACK THERE WHO CAN FIELD A PUNT". I remember one game it was raining and we had two different players mishandle punts and turn the ball over, it was a blowout game that we won I think 70-7, anyway the whole second half our head coach told me each time the other team lined up to punt = "DONT EVEN SEND ANYBODY BACK THERE TO FIELD THE PUNT CUZ I DONT WANT A TURNOVER". We would just let the ball roll dead as we didn't have a player on our team within 30 yards of the ball as it traveled down field. I could hear our crowd behind our bench murmuring and vocalizing there objection and disapproval of our strategy. He was a former college coach who coached at university of Michigan and university of Arizona, long beach state university under George Allen, James Madison university, Richmond university etc etc. So I just agreed with him and never questioned it and took his instructions and I was cool with it.

 

[up for the challenge]

I understand what you are saying about possible punt returns being fumbled but fumbles do happen whether it be a RB, a QB, or a Receiver. Punt returns and kick off returns are part of the game. Maybe, it is best not to have a punt returner back there and let the ball bounce around until it is downed if a head coach is afraid of a punt returner fair catching the ball and fumbling or fumbling the ball if the punt returner or kick off returner decides to return the ball for possible yardage. Like Kramer said last season, "I knew we were in trouble when Portland State returned a kickoff for 100 yards". Why not take the opportunity and let our scholarship players return the ball and maybe we can put our offense in better field position or run one back for a TD?

 

[demian]

I understand what you are saying about possible punt returns being fumbled but fumbles do happen whether it be a RB, a QB, or a Receiver. Punt returns and kick off returns are part of the game. Maybe, it is best not to have a punt returner back there and let the ball bounce around until it is downed if a head coach is afraid of a punt returner fair catching the ball and fumbling or fumbling the ball if the punt returner or kick off returner decides to return the ball for possible yardage. Like Kramer said last season, "I knew we were in trouble when Portland State returned a kickoff for 100 yards". Why not take the opportunity and let our scholarship players return the ball and maybe we can put our offense in better field position or run one back for a TD?

Oh for sure I understand the other line of thinking also, I heard Nick Whitworth who was a special teams coach at Idaho State University from 2003-2009 speak at a clinic once where he said the philosophy is that every punt return he wanted to gain at least one extra first down for the offense. So by gaining 12 yards on a particular punt return you gave the offense one free first down on there march towards the end zone. That is a great strategy also.

 

[PBP]

Mike tonight on the coaches show again brought up what he said during the press conference. Especially this year since they are already down two guys who were expected to be starting wide receivers he said Haegan Graves is simply to valuable to take any chance that he could get hurt on a return.

He also said that because of the way punt coverage is in the Big Sky, return average yards has been steadily going down year by year. He said most teams, the coverage is so good you are not going to break off long returns.

Take it for what its worth, that's what the man said.

PBP

 

[Reborn2010]

Mike tonight on the coaches show again brought up what he said during the press conference. Especially this year since they are already down two guys who were expected to be starting wide receivers he said Haegan Graves is simply to valuable to take any chance that he could get hurt on a return.

He also said that because of the way punt coverage is in the Big Sky, return average yards has been steadily going down year by year. He said most teams, the coverage is so good you are not going to break off long returns.

Take it for what its worth, that's what the man said.

PBP

Yeah!!! Tell that to last year's Portland St team. lol

 

[Reborn2010]

I think ISU needs a really really good special teams coach. One who is positive and is not afraid. You start fearing injuries and I promise you that you will create them. And the more you think about them in fear, the more you will get. Injuries are a part of the game. That's a fact. I do believe that there are guys on that team right now who are good punt returners and kick off returners. If I were younger, I wouldn't mind coaching that part of a team. Seattle Seahawks have that kind of coach, and look what they do.

 

[up for the challenge]

Watch the games and you decide. One thing for sure, no run backs.

 

[votb]

I actually think we will see some punt returns this year (depending on field position, conditions, etc.), but I think by-and-large, we'll see mostly fair catches and bring out the offense.

 

[mguernsey_isj]

Story+video from yesterday's pregame press conference: http://idahostatejournal.com/members/isu-football-notebook-dean-to-play-kody-graves-among-redshirts/article_77768e80-2408-5e52-b59d-6112407ed6f8.html

 

[up for the challenge]

I actually think we will see some punt returns this year (depending on field position, conditions, etc.), but I think by-and-large, we'll see mostly fair catches and bring out the offense.

It is a sore subject Kramer said during the press conference. The Fans will just have to understand according to Kramer.

 

[bill_idaflls]

If the Offense stalls, like last year, it will be harder and harder for Fans to understand. If the Offense consistently moves the ball, then it'll be easier to grin and bear it. But, returns are part of the game as so many others have said. It's hard to take a game-piece off the table that might become an explosive weapon, like PSU's game with us last year. Don't forget our motto: In Offense We Trust. Now it's time to see it.