DT Luke Fickell (HC Wisconsin Badgers)

[RB07OSU]

^ Fickell might be facing an even bigger up-hill battle after Mitchell leaves. With Shazier and Mitchell gone, not really sure what the odds are for improvement in this group. Perry and Grant have shown almost nothing so unless they improve out of nowhere, we are depending on freshmen to get the job done.

 

[buckeyebri]

Fick's job is to get these incoming guys ready to play and contribute. I anticipate that together with Ash and LJ they will scheme in a way to put these guys in the best position possible to be successful. An injury free Grant, Perry, and Williams would certainly help things. IMHO, we have the talent and we have some great coaches, Fick being one, and I wholeheartedly look forward to seeing a new Silver Bullets defense that includes solid LB play.

 

[Diego-Bucks]

^ Fickell might be facing an even bigger up-hill battle after Mitchell leaves. With Shazier and Mitchell gone, not really sure what the odds are for improvement in this group. Perry and Grant have shown almost nothing so unless they improve out of nowhere, we are depending on freshmen to get the job done.

Did folks really think that Mitchell was the "big fix" at LB? Seemed like he was an athletic beast who ALSO needed good coaching (i.e., he needed to be coached up just like Josh Perry) before we expect good MLB play.

 

[Taosman]

Mitchell wasn't "the answer". He was just "potential". With the recruiting class of backers coming in there will be plenty of "potential". The "up-hill" only gets steeper if there are injuries.

 

[HorticullyBuck]

Don't know what games you saw but Perry showed more than nothing.

 

[RB07OSU]

Don't know what games you saw but Perry showed more than nothing.

Agree to disagree I guess? While I think the jury is out on Perry given that he was only in his second year here, he frequently looked lost and struggled closing gaps, failed on the perimeter, and was especially deficient in coverage. He had glimpses but was far from the standard we have at LB here.

 

[Bleed S & G]

Perry and Grant have shown almost nothing

Man, that's borderline bashing - I get it's 'far from the standard' but the whole coverage scheme was fucked this season, and it's hard to see the field from the TV cameras to boot, I guess my point is I'm willing to cut Perry some slack as I thought he improved nearly each week. I think Grant had a baptism by fire type of year, but time will tell.

The standard is so high, and that's a good thing, but the future is bright.

 

[Bleed S & G]

& Fickell has a track record that speaks for itself on developing/finding talent. Time will tell here too.. last few weeks of the season make it tough to defend any coaches.

 

[RB07OSU]

Man, that's borderline bashing - I get it's 'far from the standard' but the whole coverage scheme was fucked this season, and it's hard to see the field from the TV cameras to boot, I guess my point is I'm willing to cut Perry some slack as I thought he improved nearly each week. I think Grant had a baptism by fire type of year, but time will tell.

The standard is so high, and that's a good thing, but the future is bright.

I understand I'm being very critical but it is a very honest assessment and nothing personal. Grant and Perry are both great kids and I have always wanted them both to succeed...they just haven't and I am shocked considering their perceived talent level (which might implicate the coaches).

As for the standard, I get that it is very high. However, it isn't like I am just comparing them to the Hawk, Carpenter, Lil Animal, Wilhelm, Diggs, etc. They aren't even close to the Rolle, Reynolds, Sweat, etc. category thus far (and not to take away from those guys who played well here, just saying they aren't in the elite category). With our DL, we just need average-above average LB play and we have not got that from this group yet.

 

[MaxBuck]

Fickell has a track record that speaks for itself on developing/finding talent.

Does he? I guess I'd have to question that one, given our most recent linebackers' performance and development.

 

[Bestbuck36]

I thought Perry looked decent in run stoppage later on. His pass coverage wasn't there but hell, who was?

 

[Bleed S & G]

Does he? I guess I'd have to question that one, given our most recent linebackers' performance and development.

Hard to argue this seasons results, but I still maintain our Safety play was a larger weakness than our depleted LB core. I don't think the LBers or D was as much of a liability two seasons ago as is the perception.

From another thread:

Fickell has been coaching the LBers since 2004.

Carpenter, Marcus Freeman, AJ Hawk, Schlegel, Laurinaitis, Spitler, Thadd Gibson, Larry Grant, John Kerr, Tyler Moeller & Jermale Hines were originally under LFs coaching I believe, Ross Homan, Brian Rolle, Sabino, Andrew Sweat, Dorian Bell, Storm Klien, Shazier, & did a decent job of coaching Zach Boren up quickly.

 

[Woody1968]

& Fickell has a track record that speaks for itself on developing/finding talent. Time will tell here too.. last few weeks of the season make it tough to defend any coaches.

I thought Grant played a lot better in the bowl game. Personally, I think that it is foolish to argue that Fick can't develop LBs.

 

[NastyNatiBuck]

Meyer knows the situation better than anyone. The failings of any coach are on the head coach. Meyer has cast his lot with Fickell. Don't criticize him, criticize the man who keeps him here if you think Fickell is so bad.

 

[cdiddy70]

& Fickell has a track record that speaks for itself on developing/finding talent. Time will tell here too.. last few weeks of the season make it tough to defend any coaches.

Tell me about this. Specifically, the last 4 or 5 years. Maybe his reduced recruiting role will enable him to concentrate more on "developing and finding talents".