The Daily Chronicle's Jeremy Werner answers your NIU and MAC-related questions right here. Look for a new installment of questions and answers each Thursday. Submit your questions to Jeremy at jwerner@daily-chronicle.com.
Following is the Aug. 26 transcript:
Question from Erik Anderson:
Hey Jeremy,
With camp being over I have a few questions. Here's why I think stopping the run will be the key this year on D and much more important then previous years. Iowa St - will primarily be a running team. Qb runs well, good running back. Illinois - Will rely on the run due to inexperience QB. Running QB and good running back in LeShoure. Minnesota - I've read the gophers are going to try to establish more of a running game this year. CMU - Without LeFevour, they will be running the ball alot more Toledo - this should be a pretty balance offense, but with an experienced Oline and good running backs, they'll have an effective running game Temple - this is a run first offense. Good Oline, good RB Western Michigan - Without Hiller, they will be running the ball more
Most players return from last year's D. Add to that Krause is back on the line. Butler will start at MLB. There's plenty of depth overall on the Dline. However I think the DT/NT that will see the most playing time are a bit undersized. There a lot of good players, but are there enough play makers to stuff the run?
Do you think Frank the Tank redshirt?
Jeremy Werner:
Erik,
If you ask Jerry Kill the same question, I’m confident he’ll say stopping the run is always the most important aspect of defense, even in a traditionally pass-happy league like the Mid-American Conference. The good news for NIU is that stopping the run is the strength of the defense. You talk about not having enough playmakers on the interior of the defensive line, but that is not their job. D.J. Pirkle, Mike Krause, Brian Lawson and even an improving Ron Newcombe are all a load inside and are there to occupy blockers for other players to make plays.
That’s where the linebackers come in. The Huskies have speedy, athletic linebackers that are for the most part excellent in pass coverage, but they can get eaten up if offensive linemen are able to get to the second level. Kill has said he wants to see his linebackers make more plays this year.
We really won’t know about redshirts until the end of the season – coaches want to keep their options open and keep their players motivated – but I think Frank Boenzi is a great candidate. NIU is deep at defensive tackle, and Boenzi has some adjusting to do at the college level. He could be a good one down the road, though.
Question from Erik Anderson:
Hey Jeremy,
The depth chart that was just released spurred some more questions. Is Coffman playing at the same level as last season or is he trying to play himself back into shape after taking the spring off?
Where are George and Kiel at in regards to recovering from their injuries These seems to be lingering a bit longer then I expected. Could they see playing time in the opener?
Fear of the unknown - How has Keith Otis' game progressed since the end of last year. I don't recall ever seeing him play during non garbage time (not counting special teams) which means we wasn't ready last year.
Let me rephrase my question regarding QB from yesterday's email. If it was your call, who would you name as the starter.
Jeremy Werner:
Erik,
Thanks for the great questions.
First of all, there were some answers provided with the depth chart, two being that coaches are still uncertain about whether Adam Kiel and Patrick George, who were injured for most of training camp, will be ready to play next Thursday. Kiel has practiced the last two days, and he just has some ground to make up in terms of getting in shape and getting in a rhythm. George is still sitting out of practice and his timetable to return is uncertain, Kill told me.
Also, don’t put too much into the depth chart outside of quarterback and the offensive line. Kill’s staff rotates players at every position, especially the defensive line, linebacker and wide receiver. Jake Coffman hasn’t regressed. And even though he was out of football during the spring, the Marine Corps veteran kept himself in tip-top shape. He's always leading the pack in sprints. Rather, NIU just has great talent in sophomores Alan Baxter and Sean Progar. They’ll all play in the rotation and will keep each other fresh.
Keith Otis has started since day one of training camp, even when Kiel was playing. Otis has had some good days and some bad days. It'll be interesting to see how he handles Big 12 pass rushers in the opener. But NIU needs him to stay healthy or you might see a freshman (Sterling’s Tyler Loos is No. 2 on the depth chart) sooner than you'd like.
Everyone wants to know about the quarterbacks. All three of the quarterbacks in contention, and yes I think redshirt freshman Jordan Lynch has at least put himself into the discussion, has done what he needed to do to stay in contention. But none have broken away from the pack.
Until Kill announces otherwise, I think junior Chandler Harnish has the edge. He’s started for two years and has the leadership skills and mental toughness Kill wants in his quarterback. DeMarcus Grady gives the Huskies a bigger arm and quicker feet, and it’s hard to argue against his 5-0 record as a starter, but he still has to prove his passing skills outside of practice situations. Lynch could have been the most consistent and efficient during camp, but I don't think he'll be starting under center in Ames.
Thanks for the questions, Erik. For those that want to join in the discussion, send an e-mail to me at jwerner@daily-chronicle.com. Hopefully, I have a mailbox full of questions to answer from Ames before next Thursday’s opener at Iowa State.
