NIU's Haldi feeling "good" and ahead of schedule

BGSU33 · Post by **BGSU33** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 2:39 pm

Comment from NIU's Josh Haldi:

"We'll see," Haldi said. "I feel good and I'm anxious to see what happens. It will be a game-time decision. I'm walking fine and it feels good and I'm way ahead of schedule as far as getting better."

As many of us expect, I too think he will play. I'd rather see Horvath, but with that said, this will essentially be Haldi's first game this season. I sure as heck we pressure the heck out of him and make him test that healed foot. If he has time to sit back there and throw, we could be in trouble.

Redwingtom · Post by **Redwingtom** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 3:06 pm

I think Northern would be better off to prepare Horvath all week as the starter and go with him.

The certain missed practice time, missed preparation time, missed playing time and probably not being at 100% mobility yet could be a detriment to Northern. And then if Haldi gets knocked out again, Horvath will have to come in cold and not be as ready as he could have been.

Besides...we don't want Northern to have to result to excuses again when we win.

Unless the whole thing is a sham and Haldi has been healthy and practicing for a whole week (their practices have been closed) then I say let him start!

OptionQB · Post by **OptionQB** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 3:19 pm

Talking with a few of the guys in the last day or two . . . The same thing comes from both Offenisve and Defensive players . . .

1. We must be prepared for the run. The defenders have talked about stepping up with hits that wrap and "finish." They say the key to win the game is by making NIU throw the ball and stopping the run.

2. Everyone seems in consensus, offense and defense, that NIU or anyone else for that matter can stop the offense once it gets rolling . . .

They're not cocky or difficult to be around. They are sure of the mission that lies ahead and very confident in each other to get it done from the players I've talked with. It seems like they expect to win all of the time now and that's something we haven't had around here for awhile.

That Oklahoma game just upped the ante as far as confidence goes.

NWLB · Post by **NWLB** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 3:30 pm

I'm unsure what to make of him. He has won big games with his team. He has lost big games with his team. Above anything, people seem to feel that the run must be shut down to beat them and that seems fair to say. In the end however, I fear somebody coming out with his hair on fire passing up a storm, more than I fear a running game beating us. Both because I think we are well able to handle a good running game, and because its a well crafted passing game we still struggle with at times.

Will Keon be back at SS this week or-god help us-he be at CB?

orangeandbrown · Post by **orangeandbrown** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 4:15 pm

I believe I heard he was back at SS because Jelani Jordan was healthy again.

BGSU33 · Post by **BGSU33** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 4:25 pm

I think Haldi's been practicing all week and that's why their practices have been on lock down. That's just my opinion.

Basically, it boils down to this. Haldi is the better QB of the two. He's seasoned, he's had big-game success, he's composed and he's won some big games (beat #16 BG in 2002). I just hope if he does play, that he's rusty and that we get after him back there in the pocket like we did last year at our place, and that we doesn't findd our week spots like he did in 2002. Horvath is young, inexperienced and has made some mistakes, but he's also been played three consecutive games this year. Either way, one or both of these guys are capable of big things and can hurt you.

If I had my choice, I'd rather face Horvath, but I have a feeling we're going to see Haldi for sure. If not as a starter, coming into the game early on.

NWLB · Post by **NWLB** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 4:46 pm

They may hope to come out and knock us off our game by scoreing quick and early. We all know they expect us to think they want to run a lot with success. They have been competitive in their early games against very good teams. I don't seem them leaving their comfort zone. They believe they can control the ball, they want to control the ball. To me that really just plays to our defense. If they try a blitzkrieg I'm not sure it will work but for maybe a drive or two, in which case they are still working outside their norms and it could blow up in their faces if it fails. With as important as the game is, I strongly think they'll keep it simple.

Ultimately no matter what, they have to run well to win, and if they can't, they are in trouble.

The Falcons must therefore plan on letting the coverage stand on its own two feet, and focusing stopping the run cold, and getting to the QB-whomever he is.

NIU's coaches have indicated that keeping the ball away from our offense is key. In that, we could turn the tables on them, and take them out of the game-plan. Of course we want to score, and take advantage of weakness quickly if it appears.

However, we need to keep the ball out of their hands. If they figure on having to do the same to us, their offensive will be geared towards not playing catch-up. Their defense will be geared towards a bend-but-do-not-break approach which is more open to a short yardage, ball-control game. Then, a geeked up deffense that gets a slow burn, might lose intensity, and is more open to a quick burst.

If we are able to sustain drives and score, while keeping them off the board, they'll have to toss the play-book like last year. And they will be ours.

1987alum · Post by **1987alum** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 5:24 pm

I don't care who they play at QB and don't think it should matter. If we take control of the game and the game's tempo, they could bring back Turner and it won't matter.

NWLB · Post by **NWLB** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 5:45 pm

I don't disagree, and actually thats basically what I'm saying. I'm just looking at how exactly we are going to do it.

If there is anything tricky about being a Falcon fan of my particular vintage, it is that I'm still holding on to part of the past, where we just didn't march into games like this and win on a toe to toe match-up. We looked good, but I always sensed weakness below the surface. With less and less of that to be dealt with, I'm unsure if its really as safe to relax as I might.

Flipper · Post by **Flipper** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 7:45 pm

To go along with his recent foot injury, I think Haldi had one or two concussions last year. He's not part of the Merrill Hoge "please complete my sentence for me, I forgot what I was saying" club, but it adds a question mark to his durability. NIU comes into the game with 3 days to prepare and their top QB a question mark and their top RB has a bad shoulder.

I really like our chances.

BGSUfanatUT · Post by **BGSUfanatUT** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 11:18 pm

Haldi can feel good all he wants now, but in 19 hours and 44 minutes, he will be entering a world of pain.

T minus 8 hours till I leave

I made a sign

PS- Tom amstutz is still leaning closer to the "not underweight" side of the scale. (note= a truck weighstation must be used to get an accurate reading for Toms physical)

NWLB · Post by **NWLB** » Fri Sep 24, 2004 9:19 am

Just as long as they win. I'd rather get over the hurdle than have to spend the rest of the season considering who has to do what to how and when.