RockRaines

QUOTE (AustinIllini @ Mar 5, 2016 -> 07:59 PM) It's like we all have forgotten what Lovie Smith was like here. He's Well connected a winner at the NFL level A player's coach (The Bears players were furious he was let go) But I should have known you would just miss the point anyway. The point was recruiting and you still haven't hit on one thing that makes it "easy" for him. He hasn't coached in the college ranks in 21 years and has never run a program. Cell phone didn't even exist the last time he was out there recruiting. Not to mention the support staff is THE most important factor in recruiting. But I should have expected you to know nothing about getting top classes in college football today. "You coached the Bears when I was 7 years old, of course I'll commit". Lol.

QUOTE (gatnom @ Mar 5, 2016 -> 06:42 PM) This is the point I was trying to make earlier, but didn't do a good job of it. As for paying the assistants, one would hope that a hire with his kind of name recognition would come with spending like a big boy program for once. The support staff is extemely important in college football and that includes things like strength, diet and nutrition and recruiting staffs. Lovie obviously needs a great OC as well.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Mar 5, 2016 -> 06:22 PM) Especially with that new hair lol true If I was Lovie I'd immediately scour Illinois high school football for a top head coach and hire him to staff immediately. Help get some inroads in your own back yard.

QUOTE (nitetrain8601 @ Mar 5, 2016 -> 06:14 PM) I think he'd do good. Players loved playing for him. s***, bring Urlacher as Linebackers coach just to get a pipeline going. This would be a hell of a hire though and way out of left field. The head coach probably takes up less than 10 percent of the time recruiting a class. Urlacher would be an amazing hook and probably good in the living room.

I think it's a step in a respectable direction for Illinois but I don't expect much in the near future. It's going to be hard to attract good assistants at this point and they've never really paid them up to par anyway. He definitely could have done worse though. You need a top notch recruiting coordinator asap. Lovie has never recruited in college the way it is today. A head coach needs to be the closer and everyone else needs to do the heavy lifting.

QUOTE (AustinIllini @ Mar 5, 2016 -> 05:22 PM) "Hi. I'm Lovie Smith. I have coached in two Super Bowls and I have coached some of the best defensive players in the last decade. I think you have what it takes to be an NFL linebacker. Come to Illinois and let's do something special," he said, without any emotions. Lol yes. That's all recruiting is. Tell me more.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Mar 5, 2016 -> 04:54 PM) Lovie the football coach would be a great hire. But how well could he recruit? That would be my concern, not that Illinois kills it on the recruiting trail now. Bingo. Recruiting is the lifeblood of college football.

No Twitter, Jim Tressel is not going to coach at Illinois.

QUOTE (bigruss22 @ Mar 5, 2016 -> 11:28 AM) Hate the timing. Despise that they didn't tell the players first. Still think it was the overall right move. Months ago, yes. Right when spring football starts, really?

Illinois fires it's coach at almost the worst possible time.

My club just opened up this week. Had dinner and drinks tonight. It's nice to be back. Rounds coming soon

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Mar 4, 2016 -> 09:28 AM) Dallas and Cleveland are interested. Now I know he won't amount to s***. Run far away from any QB Cleveland is targeting. Rumor has it Dallas is going to take Elliott with the 4th pick

That third line is pretty good.

QUOTE (Tony @ Mar 3, 2016 -> 07:52 PM) Also like what I'm seeing from Teuvo over the last three games. They got him help and he seems to be flourishing with some talent along side him. Night and day lately. Hope he keeps it up.

That goal should have tied it if Darling wasn't asleep

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Mar 3, 2016 -> 12:40 PM) While the conference may not have had an elite team with Valentine being hurt for a while, there are what, 5 ranked teams, any of which you could say has a shot to get hot and make a final 4 run? You don't get the "obvious loss" of Wisconsin last year unless you have to play at Assembly Hall, but that's still a grueling schedule. The middle of the big ten is waaaaay down from what it's been. The conference schedule as a whole is much easier than it has been. And I think one or two teams can make a final four run.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Mar 3, 2016 -> 06:45 PM) Darling certainly has taken a step back this season Most likely regression to his mean.

QUOTE (AustinIllini @ Mar 3, 2016 -> 05:58 PM) I said the team with one scoring line wasn't a contender. I was 100% correct. The team has been reconstructed since. Still waiting on your answer about Seabrook's defense. Keep waiting, anyone who has been around more than a couple of months knows I despise Seabrook. But still based on your track record, whatever you post the opposite becomes very likely to happen, so I am all about him improving.

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Mar 3, 2016 -> 02:41 PM) I'm more excited for the book but we all know how pointless that is. I'm excited for the new season. I'm surprised there hasn't been a trailer yet though. So pumped they're doing the Greyjoy stroyline this season though. The book is never gonna happen

QUOTE (AustinIllini @ Mar 3, 2016 -> 05:45 PM) Congrats, Brent, on being a slow forward who is continually bailed out by a stellar goaltending effort. Tell us more about Brent Seabrook's spectacular defense he's being paid insane money for. I'll wait. LOL, im still waiting on the blackhawks to be a contender.

QUOTE (AustinIllini @ Mar 3, 2016 -> 01:07 PM) Whatever, dude. If any Hawk gets hurt, we all lose. Based on your posts the players will actually get healthier

Is there any statistical correlation between this event and increased injury risk vs their normal routine?

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Mar 3, 2016 -> 10:01 AM) Crawford and the 2nd line have really hid how little production the Hawks have gotten from the 1st line this season. Yet here they stand once again, the favorites to win the Cup and reinforcements have arrived. I imagine we see some big games from 16/19/81 come April. The top line was giving Det some problems last night, Ladd really adds quite a bit.

QUOTE (farmteam @ Mar 2, 2016 -> 07:47 PM) I was generally non-plussed by Crean the past few years. Lived up to his "great recruiter, poor coach" stereotype. But this year, he's really coached. Definitely the best coaching job he's done at IU, possibly of his career. He did a good job this year, however I do believe that the conference in total isnt as elite as it has been during his tenure so part of it was great timing.

QUOTE (Harry Chappas @ Mar 2, 2016 -> 10:39 PM) Seabrook had 4 points. Cut him!!!