Quote from: 79jaybird on January 11, 2010, 06:30:42 PM
Hi all,

been away for the board.  Mrs. Jaybird and I have been waiting for the little Jay to hatch  so life's duties call. 

I have been reading the talk about NC and Wienke.  Does NC have a game overseas during the off season?  If so,  that would enable them to learn the new system prior to live game action.

I know Elmhurst is planning on going to Europe in the Spring.

The Cards went to Switzerland last June.  They played in a town called Chur.  Supposedly the Swiss National Champs.  Unfortunately, that was during Coach Wienke's defense.  Looks like we just have spring ball and camp to work the kinks out of the defense.  If Ponx is as good at coachign defense as he is o-line... he'll have the boys ready to dominate by then.

Quote from: USee on January 08, 2010, 10:31:39 PM
Well, the fact is Weinke was demoted to LB coach from DC in favor of Tim Lester who had never coached defense (was a QB in college and Offensive coach prior to NCC) so there was already something there between Weinke and Thorne. Lester got the Elmhurst job pretty late so Thorne may have had no choice but to reinstate Weinke (finding a quality DC in the summer before a season is a problem). So Weinke leaving to me is not a surprise and I doubt it had anything to do with the defensive performance.

That said, or one is irreplaceable so i expect NCC to find a great candidate and continue to roll. It has to be a very desirable job.

Hmmm... I hadn't thought about the previous replacement.  That is a very good point USee.  Actually, Wienke was the DC and linebacker coach and they moved him down to D-line.  I agree that NCC will definitely find good coaches to fill the vacant slots at the moment.  However, the way Wienke was able to relate to the players will be hard to replace.  Especially because Coach Wienke has been there for so long and can attest to how far the program has come.  Other coaches will have a tough time relating to the seniors on that team, especially the ones that trusted Wienke, IMO.

Quote from: New Tradition on January 08, 2010, 02:28:01 PM
This is, indeed, the terrible news I had heard.  I cannot stress enough how much I looked to Coach Wienke for guidance as a player and a person.  On top of producing what very respected members of this board believe to be 2 of the best 3 linebackers in the conference in the last DECADE, he is a stand-up individual who legitimately cares about every aspect of his players' lives, more so than any other coach on that staff while I was playing.  As Crutches McGee pointed out, Coach Wienke lost his best 2 defensive players, Wenger and Sulo, in the first game of the season, and had Champion, his best defensive lineman, dinged up for the majority of the season as well.  Despite these losses, Coach Wienke STILL managed to help guide the Cards to a share of the conference title.  Many believe that Wenger even had a legitimate shot to be the Defensive Player of the Year for the entirety of Division III football.  The loss of a player like that would cost most teams much more than it did NCC, but it didn't because Coach Wienke had players like Willie Hayes ready to go.  How can a coach be let go under circumstances like these for "the defense not performing"?  Unless there is a fact that we are all being kept in the dark on which led to this decision, I believe that letting Coach Wienke go is a HUGE mistake by the NCC coaching staff.  There are not words to describe the level of my disappointment right now.

I have a feeling that many of the former players have the same sentiment that you are showing NT.  I bet if the coaches polled alumni about this situation they would most likely laugh in the other coaches' faces.

I've spoken with an insider.  Apparently the decision to let Wienke go was based on the fact that the "defense wasn't performing."  Yes, NCC had the number one offense in the nation.  But let's think about the other factors here.  We lost 3 All-Americans in less 5 weeks (Derek Sulo pre-season with surgery on his thumb, Wenger with an ACL, and Dom Sulo with a myriad of damage to his knee... two of those players pre-season all-americans), and then we lost our All-American quarterback in the game that mattered.  Spencer Stanek did a stand-up job against a relentless Weslyan pass rush.  I mean, let's face it, Weslyan has always had very good D-ends coming off the edge.  But Stanek didn't have the poise that Fanthorpe had under pressure.  Why?  Because he's a rookie.  Give Spencer Stanek this offseason to learn the play book and he'll be great.  But I digress, Wienke has done nothing but good for that program.  Radtke and Wenger are All-Americans under Wienke's coaching,  Kostellic and Hammers were very good linebackers, Mike Tinerelli, you can go all the way back when he was hired and the linebacking corps was awesome.  Wienke's defenses physically punished people and applied pressure to the quarterback, and if you ask any player on an NCC team they will tell you that Wienke respected his players.  The man would go to bat for any one of his players.  I honestly believe that firing Coach Wienke will be a huge mistake for NCC.  It will take them a while to rebuild what was lost.  They should have kept him on the coaching staff.

Quote from: newcardfan on January 05, 2010, 10:34:29 AM

Quote from: New Tradition on January 05, 2010, 01:31:20 AM
Some (I fear terrible) news coming out of NCC regarding the coaching staff. More to come as soon as I get facts.

I was wondering when this would come out. As far as my son knows, Wienke and
Foster are out. Ponx is the new defensive coordinator and he is bringing some guys from Ohio to NCC. All of this is jiust what he heard from another player, however, before he left for break, Ponx did talk to him about next season.

I had heard from a credible source about this as well.  It's a shame that Coach Wienke has been let go.  I know all of his defensive players liked and respected him as a coach.  Offensive players did as well.  He is a great coach and was a VERY good asset to NCC.  Why they would fire him is beyond me.  If anyone can provide some insight let me know, please.

Quote from: Mr. Ypsi on October 29, 2009, 10:06:14 PM

Quote from: FormerCard on October 29, 2009, 09:51:29 PM

Quote from: RedBear1107 on October 29, 2009, 09:10:48 PM
I think the Titans will surprise a lot of people on Saturday...including the Cardinals.  The IWU receiving corps will benefit greatly from Ladd's return, and the change of pace offense that Rooney directs for a few series every game should keep the Cards on their heels.  No doubt that NCC is a well-established, sound team, but they still have to play the game.  I stick by my prediction, a very competitive game: IWU 28, NCC 24.

Yeah, after a dominating offensive performance  in a loss against Millikin (13 points) and then hanging an impressive 7 points on Augie and a big 20 spot on Elmhurst, I can see IWU putting up 4 touchdowns against North Central and limiting the #1 ranked offense in the country to 24 points.

Makes complete sense.

But thats why you play the game, right Berman?    ahhh..i love ESPN

And Ladd was not present for the IWU offensive numbers you cited.

Ladd is a good quarterback, no doubt.  However, I think the Cards have already seen the second best QB in the conference (next to Fanthorpe) in Jones.  Ladd is good, Jones is better.  And the Carthage numbers are skewed because any time you pass 84 times a game, there will be a lot of yards... that's just the way it is.  The "change of pace" offense you speak of will not be anything that NCC hasn't seen in the past.  Knowing how well the Cards prepare for the game, they'll be ready for anything IWU can throw at them.  They also have an extremely fast defense.  Again, the d-line will be able to get pressure on Ladd, and will be able to stuff the run.

Quote from: RedBear1107 on October 29, 2009, 01:12:11 AM
I think the TITANS will give NCC more than they can handle, especially with the defensive injuries the Cards have sustained...But I do give them credit for absorbing such losses as Wenger and Sulo and not missing a beat.  The key to the game for the Titans, in my mind, is whether or not they can run the ball on the Cards...if they can, the IWU offense should put up at least 35 points.  Taking into account unforeseen problems for the Titan O, and coupled with a stout defensive effort, my prediction is IWU 28, NCC 24.

More than they can handle?  I'm sorry but the cards put up 63 on Carthage, and defeated Wheaton 27-7.  Wheaton has a very potent offense and usually has a great running game.  The Cardinal defense kept Rocky Gingg in check all day.  I highly doubt IWU will be able to top Wheaton's efforts.  NCC's defensive line is strong, fast and can provide pressure as well as clog holes, and the linebacking corps that NCC has is phenominal (even without Wenger), and the DBs are very good as well.  And then there's the offense which speaks for itself.  I stick with my original prediction of NCC 49 IWU 23

Quote from: New Tradition on October 28, 2009, 10:34:49 AM

Quote from: wheels81 on October 28, 2009, 09:26:02 AM
"John Thorne said he believes the Spartans have the best defense in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin, giving up a stingy 11.2 points per contest. Illinois Wesleyan slipped to Millikin 19-13 on Oct. 10. Now, before you snicker at that loss, Millikin is 5-2 on the season and 2-2 in CCIW play."

From around the Midwest.
Was it Thorne who said Spartans or was it Clyde misquoting? Not sure how the green weinies will take this.
although I always make sure I don't wear an MSU shirt to Wheaton vs. IWU game.

Seeing as Thorne attended and played 4 years at IWU, I do not believe that he would make the mistake of calling them the Spartans.

I agee with NT.  Thorne definitely knows that they aren't the "Spartans" but the Geen Weenies, haha.  Seriously though, he takes this game very seriously, especially because the last few years they have had a very good team.  It should be a good game on saturday.

Quote from: KYGrizzly on October 26, 2009, 12:36:38 PM

Quote from: Crutches McGee 87 on October 26, 2009, 12:26:26 PM
Hey.  Just curious about this.  How is the Grizzly offense with the loss of Rupp at QB?  Are they still as potent or is there a noticable drop off?  It's gotta be pretty tough to fill the shoes of that size.

They used three different QB's last week, I would say that should answer your question.

As you said a player of Rupps caliber is always hard to find.

Thanks KY.  I've seen Rupp play twice in the post season (with a record of 1-1) and was impressed both years.  Especially when they came in last year and beat my beloved  North Central College Cardinals.  Maybe you can come to IL to find a Rupp caliber QB... if you can take them away from NCC  .

Quote from: midwestfb on October 26, 2009, 04:08:02 PM
It's way too early to be talking about All Conference selections. There is still 42% of the conference schedule to play. But ...

The way I read SOT's post was that he was throwing out names of players who have had very good years. And I would say yes, Evans has had a very good year. But the 1st Team QB and OPOY awards are Fanthorpes to lose. His performance against Millikin was sensational, he was perfect against North Park, and he played very well against Wheaton. Now, he's playing without his All American RB. If NCC wins out, Fanthorpe is the man.

Also a very valid point.  My response to SoT was simply that the numbers were impressive.  I would like to see Fanthorpe get first team and OPOY (i know i have red and white tinted glasses).  And I agree that if NCC wins out, he's got it.

Hey.  Just curious about this.  How is the Grizzly offense with the loss of Rupp at QB?  Are they still as potent or is there a noticable drop off?  It's gotta be pretty tough to fill the shoes of that size.

Quote from: New Tradition on October 26, 2009, 10:23:15 AM

Quote from: Son of Tailgater on October 26, 2009, 09:53:11 AM
It might be too early but I am already talking about all-conference selections. I have to admit that I have not looked into or followed any other players except those at Carthage this year but here would be my players to put into the hat for this years selections:

Evan Jones QB - 1st Team - 2,400 yards 20 TD's
Nick Merchut WR - 1st Team - 762 yards 7 TD's
Jeff Koeneman WR - 1st Team - 661 yards 8 TD's
Chris Schultz WR - 2nd Team - 220 yards receiving 1TD: 2 passing TD's; 7.8 yard punt return average and a 15.7 kick return average

Joe Busse DL - 2nd Team - 47 tackles 33 solo, 1 sack, 1 int

SoT, you're probably pretty right on.  You can't really argue with numbers like that.

I completely agree.  Although, throwing the ball 84 times a game will have that effect on a QB's numbers   .  Completely kidding, those numbers are extremely impressive.

Quote from: pistol on October 26, 2009, 12:05:42 AM
NCC defensive stats are misleading. They are solid on all levels . If IWU were winning games by 50 plus points, their second and and third string defense would be on the field and points allowed would be very diferent. IMO NCC will blow out IWU, maybe 42-14.

Pistol, you make an extremely valid point.  By the third quarter the third stringers are in.  My prediction is NCC 49 IWU 23

Quote from: New Tradition on October 25, 2009, 01:42:11 PM

Quote from: Crutches McGee 87 on October 25, 2009, 01:14:20 PM
I'm going to reitterate a post that I had made earlier.  I had said that NCC always has kids step up and that it was pretty evident this year.  But an extremely good point was made that when I had said that we played 3 teams that aren't very good.  I think now, after playing 2 tough CCIW teams, we are able to see how well the guys are filling the "holes" that were in the defense with the loss of Robert Champion at nose, Wenger, and Sulo.  NCC has a LOT of depth and that is definitely going help with the upcoming games.  KEEP RINGING THAT BELL BOYS!!!!!!  Another great week in Division III football!

Although Champion was limited, he did play yesterday.  He isn't completely lost just limited.  His ACL is not completely torn, according to the WONC announcers, but just has a slight, nagging rip.

This is true.  But that was limited time, and he did not play against Milikin or Carthage.  So there were a few guys who stepped in as nose and got the job done.  Any tear in a ligament is not "nagging".  It pretty much hurts.  At the Carthage game Champ was favoring his knee just walking around.

I'm going to reitterate a post that I had made earlier.  I had said that NCC always has kids step up and that it was pretty evident this year.  But an extremely good point was made that when I had said that we played 3 teams that aren't very good.  I think now, after playing 2 tough CCIW teams, we are able to see how well the guys are filling the "holes" that were in the defense with the loss of Robert Champion at nose, Wenger, and Sulo.  NCC has a LOT of depth and that is definitely going help with the upcoming games.  KEEP RINGING THAT BELL BOYS!!!!!!  Another great week in Division III football!