FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[football2007]

Have followed Carthage football for a few years.  Anyone know any new players coming in for the 2007 season.

[Gregory Sager]

Any news on the NPU recruiting front by the way???

Would love to hear if they've gotten some help for this season...

NPU's had about seventy visits thus far. The hope is that half or more of the visits will pan out and result in prospects becoming recruits.

All-CCIW senior forward Anthony Lenoir of the basketball version of the Vikings, who is scheduled to graduate in December, is planning to play football in the fall. I don't know how he'll fare, since he hasn't played football since he was a high schooler at Evanston Township HS, but at 6'5, 215 he'll make a big and athletic WR for the Park.

[matblake]

NPU's had about seventy visits thus far. The hope is that half or more of the visits will pan out and result in prospects becoming recruits.

All-CCIW senior forward Anthony Lenoir of the basketball version of the Vikings, who is scheduled to graduate in December, is planning to play football in the fall. I don't know how he'll fare, since he hasn't played football since he was a high schooler at Evanston Township HS, but at 6'5, 215 he'll make a big and athletic WR for the Park.

Not having seen Lenoir play basketball, how are his hands?  I understand that catching a football is much different, but his ability in handling the basketball could be a good indication of his ability to catch the pass.

[NCC_alum62]

6'5 215...

Nice size. You say he'll play WR? Is that what he played in H.S.

NCC has a 6'4'' corner to match up with him

[Gregory Sager]

Not having seen Lenoir play basketball, how are his hands?  I understand that catching a football is much different, but his ability in handling the basketball could be a good indication of his ability to catch the pass.

Good hands. Although he was one of NPU's bigs this past season, he showed no qualms about putting the ball on the floor, either in traffic or in the open court. And he caught most every pass that was thrown to him.

6'5 215...

Nice size. You say he'll play WR? Is that what he played in H.S.

Dunno what position he played in high school, but it seems like the logical position for him given his size and skill set. He could play tight end instead, I suppose. I guess it depends upon the team's needs and his ability to learn blocking technique.

[NCC_alum62]

Not having seen Lenoir play basketball, how are his hands?  I understand that catching a football is much different, but his ability in handling the basketball could be a good indication of his ability to catch the pass.

Good hands. Although he was one of NPU's bigs this past season, he showed no qualms about putting the ball on the floor, either in traffic or in the open court. And he caught most every pass that was thrown to him.

6'5 215...

Nice size. You say he'll play WR? Is that what he played in H.S.

Dunno what position he played in high school, but it seems like the logical position for him given his size and skill set. He could play tight end instead, I suppose. I guess it depends upon the team's needs and his ability to learn blocking technique.

I haven't seen the new coach's offense yet (NPU was an away game for the cards and I couldn't make it out.  I had heard they were switching from the spread to a more run oriented offense.  I could see them using him as a TE if he proves physical enough to handle, but if he isn't  I would gather they would split him out as a matchup problem for the many smaller corners in the CCIW. He played BB so he probably has a decent verticle..any idea on speed?

[NCC_alum62]

Yes...football talk I love it...

[Titanwatcher]

Not having seen Lenoir play basketball, how are his hands?  I understand that catching a football is much different, but his ability in handling the basketball could be a good indication of his ability to catch the pass.

Good hands. Although he was one of NPU's bigs this past season, he showed no qualms about putting the ball on the floor, either in traffic or in the open court. And he caught most every pass that was thrown to him.

6'5 215...

Nice size. You say he'll play WR? Is that what he played in H.S.

Dunno what position he played in high school, but it seems like the logical position for him given his size and skill set. He could play tight end instead, I suppose. I guess it depends upon the team's needs and his ability to learn blocking technique.

I haven't seen the new coach's offense yet (NPU was an away game for the cards and I couldn't make it out.  I had heard they were switching from the spread to a more run oriented offense.  I could see them using him as a TE if he proves physical enough to handle, but if he isn't  I would gather they would split him out as a matchup problem for the many smaller corners in the CCIW. He played BB so he probably has a decent verticle..any idea on speed?

I think after seeing the NPU QB last year it would be a mistake to switch to a more run oriented offense. A friend of mine coached Wood in high school and raved about his potential, which after seeing him play, I agree with. I think his completion % will only go up with an improved o-line and a defense that can keep games close, so they do not have to pass all time. Gregory I am sure you saw him more than me, What is your opinion on Wood and NPU offense?

(Modified by GS for quote formatting)

[Gotberg]

Not having seen Lenoir play basketball, how are his hands?  I understand that catching a football is much different, but his ability in handling the basketball could be a good indication of his ability to catch the pass.

Good hands. Although he was one of NPU's bigs this past season, he showed no qualms about putting the ball on the floor, either in traffic or in the open court. And he caught most every pass that was thrown to him.

6'5 215...

Nice size. You say he'll play WR? Is that what he played in H.S.

Dunno what position he played in high school, but it seems like the logical position for him given his size and skill set. He could play tight end instead, I suppose. I guess it depends upon the team's needs and his ability to learn blocking technique.

I haven't seen the new coach's offense yet (NPU was an away game for the cards and I couldn't make it out.  I had heard they were switching from the spread to a more run oriented offense.  I could see them using him as a TE if he proves physical enough to handle, but if he isn't  I would gather they would split him out as a matchup problem for the many smaller corners in the CCIW. He played BB so he probably has a decent verticle..any idea on speed?

I was thinking TE as well.  I don't remember Lenoir's speed as being particularly impressive.  My immediate impression is that he'd be nice for short, over the middle gains.

[Gregory Sager]

I think after seeing the NPU QB last year it would be a mistake to switch to a more run oriented offense. A friend of mine coached Wood in high school and raved about his potential, which after seeing him play, I agree with. I think his completion % will only go up with an improved o-line and a defense that can keep games close, so they do not have to pass all time. Gregory I am sure you saw him more than me, What is your opinion on Wood and NPU offense?

Obviously, unless the Park can find some linemen that can play at a CCIW level, the question of what offense Scott Pethtel chooses to run is moot. As for Wood, I'm very impressed by his mobility and his arm strength. His accuracy didn't strike me as being where it ought to be, but that could be something he develops with experience (and with a little more time to stand in the pocket). NPU does have a promising young RB in Kelvyn West, so if the offensive line can establish itself -- a huge if, considering the fact that NPU has been bedeviled by the lack of a solid O-line for literally decades -- there's a potential for some nice balance there.

[usee]

I think after seeing the NPU QB last year it would be a mistake to switch to a more run oriented offense. A friend of mine coached Wood in high school and raved about his potential, which after seeing him play, I agree with. I think his completion % will only go up with an improved o-line and a defense that can keep games close, so they do not have to pass all time. Gregory I am sure you saw him more than me, What is your opinion on Wood and NPU offense?

Obviously, unless the Park can find some linemen that can play at a CCIW level, the question of what offense Scott Pethtel chooses to run is moot. As for Wood, I'm very impressed by his mobility and his arm strength. His accuracy didn't strike me as being where it ought to be, but that could be something he develops with experience (and with a little more time to stand in the pocket). NPU does have a promising young RB in Kelvyn West, so if the offensive line can establish itself -- a huge if, considering the fact that NPU has been bedeviled by the lack of a solid O-line for literally decades -- there's a potential for some nice balance there.

Gregory,

there is no othe way to slice it. you are exactly right. NPU has had its share of talented skill players. Not enough to win a championship, but enough to beat some people in the league. the area they have not been able to compete is in the trenches. until coach pehtel solves that riddle for NPU we won't see the improvement we hope to expect.

[NCC_alum62]

Isn't that the story of every successful college program? It always starts in the trenches!! We never get the credit, but when it comes down to it the game is won or lost on the OL/DL and the coaches who build the system around the talent they have.

Case in point (and this is me just bragging  ) a former H.S. coach of mine coaches at an academic magnet school (Whitney Young, CPS) and he rarely has enough bodies especially in the trenches. He was short on DT's and instead of playing guys two way the whole time he changed his system up and put two small kids at the DT and slanted them every play one way or another...They didn't allow a single point in conference play (they played in a not so good conference).

What am I really trying to say? A great coach will not only recruit into his system, but when the talent pool just isn't there tweak that system to try and win games.  I would love to see NPU get moer competitive. And they've actually had several good players on both sides of the trenches, but haven't been able to produce for one reason or another.

[NCC_alum62]

I know this makes me sound childish, but is anyone else really excited about the TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES movie? I mean honestly that takes me back to saturday mornings.

[matblake]

I know this makes me sound childish, but is anyone else really excited about the TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES movie? I mean honestly that takes me back to saturday mornings.

Me too.  The animation looks significantly better than the animatronics in the previous 3 live action films.   

[matblake]

I think everyone would agree that it would be great for the conference to have North Park move into a more competitive level.  What I think people would disagree on is who they would like to see the Vikings break their current conference losing streak against.  That team, whomever it may be, will not be happy.  They were close a number of times recently (v Elmhurst & Millikin 05).  Here is rooting for them, unless they are playing Wheaton.