Sunday, March 9, 2008

Ben Chappell and the Offense

Well, it certainly has been interesting the past couple of days around the football program for IU fans. However, the players are doing their best to move forward and thanks to the total collapse of the basketball team, the football team has been able to move forward fairly well without much fanfare.

Thought tonight I'd type a little bit about our new starting QB, Ben Chappell, what he brings to the table, where IU will go, and what they will need to do to be successful, which in this writer's opinion, they can still be.

I've gotten a lot of emails since the last blog and some think this could really destroy the program, and we'll be lucky to be .500, but I hope that we as fans can take a second look and maybe see some advantages that IU has while looking toward the future. While Kellen Lewis was a big part of the offense last season, we need to remember that the offense was basically geared toward him being that big part of it. While we had a very good WR, the rest of the Offense was fairly mediocre, so KL was asked to do an awful lot. If you look at the numbers only, yes, KL made up an awful lot, but that doesn't mean that others can not step up on both sides of the ball and IU still can not be competitive and win games.

First off, the schedule is pretty favorable with 8 home games. For a first time QB, this is a very good thing, so here's one positive. Remember, IU went to a bowl game this season and the TEAM believes they can do it again with players that are 100% committed to being a part of it.

Next, let's see what Ben Chappell brings to the table compared to KL. First off, Ben is a lot bigger. KL was listed at 6'1" 175 pounds which is pretty generous height wise. He ran in the 4.5 range, and while he could throw the ball pretty far, his accuracy was a large issue. He also didn't make very good decisions with the ball in his hands, as was evident at the end of last season.

Now Ben Chappell is 6'3" and 230. He can run a little bit, I think he's a 4.8 guy, but what he lacks in speed, he makes up for in accuracy. Don't let the interception vs Northwestern fool you, Chappell can play, he's just green in terms of experience, but he can make all the throws as scouts would say. He's got very good arm strength and puts zip on the ball.

The great thing about running the "spread" offense is it's really pretty adaptable to the type of QB you have. KL was a running type/zone spread type of QB, so the staff adapted the spread to fit his strengths. The problem I thought, especially with Coach Canada was Matt was a like Ben Chappell in college, more a thrower than a runner, so I'm going to really be interested to see what the offense becomes under Canada now that he has a QB that more mirrors him when he was at Northern Illinois. Now, I'm not knocking Canada's coaching ability, he did a very good job with KL, but KL struggled a lot this season with decision making, but I thought Coach Canada put KL in a position to succeed, but it was hard for the offense to succeed all the time when the OL and running game was mediocre. For IU's offense to succeed this fall, it is going to rest heavily upon the coaches to put in systems to take advantage of Chappell's strengths. By running more a spread/no huddle offense, I think IU will really take advantage of their receivers more. Also, the OL is really intrical in the continued success of this offense. The OL will be MUCH bigger than last season, but believe it or not, I believe they will be much more athletic, but we are still going to have to run the ball and take some pressure off of Chappell. In other words, others are going to have to raise the level of their play for IU to be successful, but you know, I think they will. I think you will see more TE catches, more RB catches out of the backfield, and more 4 WR sets. Really spread the ball around, spread the field, and become more a tradition throwing spread offense, than a running/zone spread. We'll still run some, and I'd expect Chappel might even pitch the ball some, but ulitmately, the OL is going to have to pass block and allow Ben to read the defense and know where to throw the ball. The hardest thing with game experience isn't really the speed of the game, after about a quarter or so, you are used to that. However, it's reading defenses at game speed, learning how defenses will trick you into seeing one scheme and playing another. That's where Ben will lack early. I expect to see some forced throws, some INTs, some poor decisions, especially in conference play, but he's going to have to overcome that, work through it, and learn.

Also, if something like KL's situation is going to happen, I'd much rather it happen before the start of spring practice, than right before the season opener. With Schell being out with injuries, Chappell is really going to get a TON of work, which is exactally what he needs. He needs reps in this offense and now, he's going to get it. Most people that saw him in high school remember he really was a good, passing QB and all he's done is gotten bigger and stronger, and he's really got some ability. I liken him to a poor man's Ben Rothlisberger, because he really puts the same kind of zip on the ball. In all honesty, it's always been my thought, in the back of my mind that as Chappell matured, it was conceivable that IU would put him at QB and move Kellen to WR. I will tell you this, the staff has complete confidence in Ben and they believe he'll bring a lot to the table and allow IU to win ball games, but it will be up to the coaches as well to scheme the offense to fit his strengths, so this spring and summer is going to mean an awful lot of hard work for both Ben and the coaches, as they prepare for the upcoming season.

I hope fans will be patient, though the past few weeks with basketball, has probably burned any chance of fans being patient and understanding while a young QB works through the transition of back up to starter. There's a lot to like in Ben and what he'll bring to the table. There's also a lot to like in what the improved OL will bring to the table, and when the freshmen arrive this fall, and Darius Willis begins his career, they'll be a whole lot to get excited about. I'm also pretty excited about what this team can do, but we are at the bottom of the stairs now, and it's a long climb until November. A lot can happen between now and then, as well as a lot of improvement can take place. Personally, I believe in Coach Lynch, his staff, and his schemes to put the players in the position to succeed. Now, it will be up to the players to learn the schemes and take advantage of what is there for them.


Now, a little bit more on Kellen Lewis and what is going on with him. Kellen has had this problem for a while and was given every opportunity to correct it. He always said he would, but never followed through with those promises. Now, we'll see if he can, on his own. I personally want to thank those that have emailed me with ideas and testimonials about their own struggles in the past. It's certainly not out of the relm of possibility that KL can beat this addiction and improve his life and be a member of the IU football team, but he's got a long road until that happens.

For now, KL is still enrolled at IU. He's talking about entering a program this summer, as to stay eligible to play, he'll have to stay eligible in the classroom and complete the semester. However, I hope that this isn't just words, that he really stays clean, and gets help. I don't care at this point about football, this is about life and KL's ability to live life to the fullest. He's a very good kid, smart, and funny, but he's just made some bad decisions, so now it's up to him. I'm still a big Kellen Lewis fan, always have been, and I'm pulling really hard for him to succeed in getting through all this, again, not for football, but because life can be so short and opportunities like he has don't come around very often. Let's go #15, show everyone just what you are truly made of!!


Also want to congratulate Chris Hagerup for all his hard work and I'm glad he's got the opportunity to show the staff what he can do at QB this spring. Even if it's short-lived, he'll have a shot. Chris has worked extremely hard on his punting and his consistency and fans should not let 1 single worry cross their minds abou the the punting job this fall, Chris will have it well under control!

God Bless and next time, we'll dig into the defensive line!

1 comment:

Covenant60 said...

I hope it's not a gambling issue with KL (I have no idea if it is).... that would open up other issues.