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Analysis: What ISU must work on heading into fall camp
By Bobby La Gesse
Date Posted: 2009-08-01
It’s time to get the bus ready.
At his introductory press conference in December, Iowa State football coach Paul Rhoads said the Cyclones will hit you coming off the bus. With ISU set to start fall camp this week, here is a look at some of the bigger storylines the Cyclones will have to deal with before they attempt to run over North Dakota State when the bus doors open Thursday, Sept. 3.
Shoring up the defense
The 2008 season was a defensive disaster for ISU. The Cyclones allowed 35.8 points per game. They gave up 453.2 yards. They were 116th nationally in passing defense.
If ISU is going to start the Rhoads era on the right foot, the defense will need to take a step forward in 2009. The Cyclones have pieces in place that can help them do it. The coaching staff likes what it has at cornerback, where sophomore Leonard Johnson and senior Kennard Banks return, and believes defensive end Christopher Lyle can be an impact player.
Rhoads brought in Wally Burnham from South Florida to turn the defense around. Six of Burnham’s last seven squads ranked in the top 30 in total defense, and he said the key to getting ISU back on track defensively is to get the players to buy into his Cover 2 scheme and having the coaches put them in positions to succeed.
“These kids have to be complete football players, and we have to know what their limitations are,” Burnham said. “We (as a staff) can’t do something because we’ve done it in the past. We have to stay within ourselves and our talents. That will be a big deal.”
Adjusting to new systems
With a new coaching staff comes a new playbook. The Cyclones have been able to study it since January and implement it during spring practice and summer workouts.
Fall camp is the time not only for the defense to buy into Burnham’s Cover 2 defense, but for a Cyclone offense that returns 10 starters to get as comfortable as possible in offensive coordinator Tom Herman’s no-huddle spread offense.
Things clicked for the Cyclones down the stretch last season, and if quarterback Austen Arnaud and the rest of the offense can get a grip on Herman’s offense, the offensive success could continue in 2009.
Playing the pass
ISU can’t afford a repeat out of its secondary in 2009. The Cyclones had a habit of letting teams make big plays through the air last season. While the cornerbacks at times showed glimpses of greatness, safety play was a season-long problem.
Junior college transfer David Sims will be given the first shot at taking hold of strong safety, which will allow James Smith, who played that position last season, to move to his natural home of free safety. An improved secondary could make things easier for Rhoads in his first year.
Red zone offense
Even though ISU found its offensive groove late last season, the Cyclones still finished last in the Big 12 in red zone efficiency. With all the weapons ISU returns, turning a few empty possessions into field goals and few field goals into touchdowns could turn a close loss into a win or a close game into a 10-digit victory.
Turning to the JUCOs
Depth is a concern across the entire defense, but junior college linebackers Matt Taufoou and Jacob Lattimer could help ease those concerns at linebacker. Neither is listed as a starter on the two-deep entering camp.
Burnham said he expects both to make an impact on the field, but he doesn’t want to force too much on them too soon and stunt their development.
“We are going to put them out there,” Burnham said. “They are going to get their reps every day. So at some point we feel like they will be contributors.”
Bobby La Gesse can be reached at (515) 663-6929, or rlagesse@amestrib.com.
By Bobby La Gesse
Date Posted: 2009-08-01
Paul Rhoads is preparing for his first season as Iowa State's coach.
Tribune photo by Nirmalendu Majumdar
Tribune photo by Nirmalendu Majumdar
It’s time to get the bus ready.
At his introductory press conference in December, Iowa State football coach Paul Rhoads said the Cyclones will hit you coming off the bus. With ISU set to start fall camp this week, here is a look at some of the bigger storylines the Cyclones will have to deal with before they attempt to run over North Dakota State when the bus doors open Thursday, Sept. 3.
Shoring up the defense
The 2008 season was a defensive disaster for ISU. The Cyclones allowed 35.8 points per game. They gave up 453.2 yards. They were 116th nationally in passing defense.
If ISU is going to start the Rhoads era on the right foot, the defense will need to take a step forward in 2009. The Cyclones have pieces in place that can help them do it. The coaching staff likes what it has at cornerback, where sophomore Leonard Johnson and senior Kennard Banks return, and believes defensive end Christopher Lyle can be an impact player.
Rhoads brought in Wally Burnham from South Florida to turn the defense around. Six of Burnham’s last seven squads ranked in the top 30 in total defense, and he said the key to getting ISU back on track defensively is to get the players to buy into his Cover 2 scheme and having the coaches put them in positions to succeed.
“These kids have to be complete football players, and we have to know what their limitations are,” Burnham said. “We (as a staff) can’t do something because we’ve done it in the past. We have to stay within ourselves and our talents. That will be a big deal.”
Adjusting to new systems
With a new coaching staff comes a new playbook. The Cyclones have been able to study it since January and implement it during spring practice and summer workouts.
Fall camp is the time not only for the defense to buy into Burnham’s Cover 2 defense, but for a Cyclone offense that returns 10 starters to get as comfortable as possible in offensive coordinator Tom Herman’s no-huddle spread offense.
Things clicked for the Cyclones down the stretch last season, and if quarterback Austen Arnaud and the rest of the offense can get a grip on Herman’s offense, the offensive success could continue in 2009.
Playing the pass
ISU can’t afford a repeat out of its secondary in 2009. The Cyclones had a habit of letting teams make big plays through the air last season. While the cornerbacks at times showed glimpses of greatness, safety play was a season-long problem.
Junior college transfer David Sims will be given the first shot at taking hold of strong safety, which will allow James Smith, who played that position last season, to move to his natural home of free safety. An improved secondary could make things easier for Rhoads in his first year.
Red zone offense
Even though ISU found its offensive groove late last season, the Cyclones still finished last in the Big 12 in red zone efficiency. With all the weapons ISU returns, turning a few empty possessions into field goals and few field goals into touchdowns could turn a close loss into a win or a close game into a 10-digit victory.
Turning to the JUCOs
Depth is a concern across the entire defense, but junior college linebackers Matt Taufoou and Jacob Lattimer could help ease those concerns at linebacker. Neither is listed as a starter on the two-deep entering camp.
Burnham said he expects both to make an impact on the field, but he doesn’t want to force too much on them too soon and stunt their development.
“We are going to put them out there,” Burnham said. “They are going to get their reps every day. So at some point we feel like they will be contributors.”
Bobby La Gesse can be reached at (515) 663-6929, or rlagesse@amestrib.com.
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