Spring wrap up and my opinions on some things

As I was returning home last night from a meeting, I wondered how IU football fans would feel about what they have witnessed and read about the coming season vs. last spring? I wondered how many would questions the offensive strategy, since it's very different that what IU has done lately? I wondered how many would notice improvement players verses the overall out look of things? While I've read many different opinions on what the current state of IU football is this spring, I have to be honest, I can only think of just how far this program has come in the past 4 years. We should expect improvement this season, and I only hope that when we conclude the regular season in November, that we can look back to this time, at the end of Spring practice and see just how far we've come.

I didn't make the trip down on Saturday for several reasons, but I saw enough of practice time to know what needs to improve. Basically, everyone at every position has to get better. I don't mean to sound negative, nor am I trying to spell gloom and doom. Trust me, I saw enough first hand to know this team, as it currently stands now, with the system that is currently in place, is good enough to make it to a bowl game. But we as fans, nor the players or the coaches, should settle for improvement, we must get better and more efficeinct. We have too.

I've read an awful lot of opinions on IU's new offensive scheme. The coaches that post on the boards will tell you they really like it, because if you can reach the objective of gaining 3, 4, or 5 yards on first down, you have opened up your entire playbook and keep the defense guessing. However, those passionate about wide open, big plays, and lots of points, will tell you they hate it. One things is for sure though, there's no way anyone could fairly judge this new scheme by just going to the Spring game, and with all the injuries to key people that are a big part of why this scheme exists, not taking part in the game, it's extremely unfair to garner any solid opinion. In fact, judging by what I've read on the write ups, as well as fan posts, most probably think IU is in huge trouble offensively because this game certainly didn't do much to bolster people's opinions of the new scheme.

So what exactly is IU trying to do on offense compared to last season?
Well, with the spread, you can do a number of things. Last season, IU chose to run a zone option spread, with Lewis making the decisions based on what he read from the line of scrimmage pre-snap. A zone spread allows for the QB to get one and one match ups and use his speed and allusiveness to gain yardage. If the QB is being zoned, as in contained, then a pass is thrown, usually to a WR that is 10 to 15 yards down the field. With defenses "cheating" (bringing up a spy so to speak for Lewis) that would open up things for Hardy and Means to work 10 to 15 yards down the field in 1 on 1 situations, which in Hardy's case, he usually won. The zone spread offense requires 4 things. First, a running QB that is both very quick and very elusive. The QB doesn't have to be a good thrower, but he has to be able to get the ball down the field. The QB must also be smart and know when to run and then when to throw. Second, a big time WR that can catch the ball in 1 on 1 situations. Third, a game breaking running back. Finally, an offensive line that can block in one on one situations. The times that IU's offense really moved the ball was when Lewis was on top of his game and the OL sustained there blocks long enough to allow him some space to move around or get the ball to Hardy.

This season, with Hardy gone and Lewis suspended indefinitely, Coach Lynch and Coach Canada went back to the drawing board with the spread. This time, they chose an offense that is pass-friendly, so as to take advantage of their new QB, Ben Chappell. Ben isn't a runner. Oh he can side step a little bit, but he ran his 40 this spring at 5.1, so he's not going to get much done on the ground. Where Ben is head and shoulders above any QB IU currently has is with his accuracy underneath. Ben is extremely accurate and puts pretty good zip on the ball. Lewis has a strong arm, but he's not accurate whatsoever. So Coach Canada did his best to design an offense that will work with what personnel was available to work with, and in my opinion, he gets an A+.

What is IU is trying to do is (let me borrow Bligedy's words here if I can) "dink and dunk" it's way down the field. Purdue has ran this type of spread offense for several years, so this is kind of what IU will do. This offense will require the QB to throw it 30 times or so per game. It's also designed to get the ball to the Fisher and Thigpen in space, so they can take advantage of their speed and quickness. It might be a 5 or 10 yard pass, but it could very well end up a 30 yard gain by the time either one of these guys are done. Also, IU currently has a lot of possession receivers on the roster with Earnest, Taylor, Turner, and Walker-Roby, so these guys will go "sit" in the zones so speak, which are usually 5 to 8 yards off the line of scrimmage and wait for Chappell to run his options and find them. This offense requires 3 basic things. First, a QB that is an accurate passer, but smart enough to understand pass coverages to find the holes. Second, it requires some small, but quick receivers that are sure handed. Finally, and probably most important, the OL must be able to pass block and sustain their blocks long enough for Chappell to go through his reads, because if he's given time, he'll pick apart the opposing defense no matter how good they are. IU also throws in the no huddle into the mix, which gets DLs and LBs winded and thus not as mentally sharp. IU can simply throw a quick 5 to 7 yard pass to Fisher and the defender will "whiff" or miss him on his move and then he's off. The Colts have done this for years, hurrying to the line of scrimmage and taking advantage of a defensive player that is trying to catch his breath and thus not as mentally sharp.

Again, the spring game was not a good way to judge this offense, because of all the injuries and key players being out due to other committments. Also, when all the new WRs arrive in the fall, you will see some guys play early from that group, especially those that can get down the field and be that vertical threat. However, the spring game proved that lots of work needs to be done in several areas, before anyone can even begin to feel comfortable.

Now for my opinions: (Caution, some of you will not agree with me)
Now, I've had several emails and questions about Kellen Lewis and his status. I'm going to caution those that watched the spring game and left thinking that the only thing that is going to save IU's season is Kellen Lewis. First, this offense is not Kellen Lewis friendly. Now it can certainly be modified or even switched back to a more of a zone spread look, but Kellen's strengths do not include standing in the pocket and checking down to option #3 or #4 and completing the pass. His strength is getting out of the pocket and becoming a run first, pass second QB. So if you are of the belief that KL will thrive in this type of scheme, you may want to go back and watch some film on him from the past couple of seasons. James Hardy bailed KL out multiple times. KL would throw it up there and James would simply catch it. Pretty basic stuff. Also, there are several of the opinion that KL will just be automatically reinstated and named the starting QB from the get go. I can pretty much guarentee you this will not happen. IF he's reinstated, he needs to earn his way back to being the starter.

I don't know if anyone else is a draft junkie like me, but if you want some really good first hand information on players, go to either draftdaddy.com/blog/nfldraft.cfm or tyfdraft.com
Both are excellent sites and gives you an idea of what teams are talking with what prospects and plenty of "inside information". However, there is certainly a topic that I'd like to discuss, since it really hits close to the IU program and that is the amount of positive drug tests that seem to be going unpunished and/or completely ignored. Now, many people tell me that in college you "dabble" with things, and while I personnally have never smoked or injected anyting like that into my body, I certainly didn't shy away from alcohol back in my college years, so I can see that point.

Recently, draftdaddy pointed out that Mario Manningham failed several (some reports I've read, as many as 10) drug tests in his years at Michigan. Aquib Taliq of Kansas, and several other high draft eligible players have admitted to failing multiple tests during their tenures. Obviously, IU isn't alone in this matter either. Currently at least 1 high profile student athlete is suspended indefinitelybecause of multiple, and I mean multiple, failed drug tests, which of course leads to not going to class or flunking classes all together. So where does it all end? Or maybe the question is, where do you draw the line?

Even if you suspend these kids, do you let them come back, just so you have a better chance to win? The obvious answer would be no way, but I have a hunch that winning is the most important thing and therefore kids get away with failed tests because suspending them, could cost a coach his job. Do you let them try and go through rehab? Do you just cut them off? So many questions, but I've got to be honest, reading what I have about the problems with drug activity among college athletes leads me to say this: The NCAA should be far less worried about illegal phone calls, and instead worry about how many of their member schools are allowing their student athletes to get "laced", and caught mind you, on a regular basis and do nothing about it.

While I'm sure to be blasted for even writing this blog (remember, it's my opinion), I will say that in all cases, except IU's, I'm reading these things, instead of knowing first hand. However, I'm pretty sure this won't come as a shock to many of you that read this on a regular basis. In fact, I'm sure this is not a new problem either, but it does raise the question of when will the NCAA make their member schools crack down on this activity? It seems only fair to me that if you are going to make a school perform well in the classroom or face some sort of penalty, you should also hold them accountable when players fail multiple tests and yet are still allowed to participate on a regular basis. To me, it's a no brainer, but I think it's high time (no pun intended) the NCAA step in here and hold these coaches and schools accountable. Sure, players are being suspended for failed tests, but it's usually failed test number 5 or 6 or 7. If Manningham is telling the truth in interviews to teams that he failed 10 times and narry a suspension (why would you even tell a team this in the first place), then what else did Lloyd Carr allow to go on up there? I find it quite humorous that people blast Rich Rodriquez and his "lack of morals", yet hearing from Manningham, it almost certainly needs to be applied to Coach Carr as well, and I don't care how "nice of a guy" he is. Okay, I'll get off my soap box now.

Lots of things to look forward to, as I'm going to begin to dig into recruiting now and try and get some updates going. I will say that I really believe that Edward Wright-Baker, the QB from Jeffersonville will be a Hoosier, and I'm hearing that will happen sometime very soon. However, there are many, many offers and previews to do, so as time allows, I'll dig into those.

Take care and as alway, may God Bless you and yours!!