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Where do Hoosiers go from here?

(04/30/09 3:57am)

____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>This is the last thing the IU football team needs.Aside from Kellen Lewis’ choices off the field, the highly productive athlete was the catalyst, perhaps the only spark, to an offense that has produced mediocre numbers in recent seasons. That 3-9 record? It would have been more like 1-11 last season if you subtracted Lewis from the equation. His versatility heavily outweighed former IU quarterback Antwaan Randle El’s antics and, on most occasions, he was called upon to pick up his teammates’ slack.  He has led the team in rushing the last two out of three seasons, while still keeping his passing efficiency similar to the other gun-slingers in the Big Ten.  It even got to the point where having a star running back and receiving core weren’t necessary. As proficient as Marcus Thigpen was, offensive coordinator Matt Canada would often call for QB sneaks, using the I-formation as a decoy. And as proficient as slot receivers Andrew Means and Ray Fisher were, Lewis made opposing defenses spend double, sometimes triple, the time preparing for him than the old unit. Lewis lifted the spirits of Hoosier nation, making a bunch of doubters believe games, not bars, were worth attending on Saturdays. Austin Starr might have kicked IU to the Insight Bowl in 2007, but without No. 15, the Cream and Crimson would not have pictures to show off from Arizona. However, hidden behind the glitz and glamour, Lewis’ leadership was always in question. That’s why it comes as no surprise that when Lewis broke team rules, IU coach Bill Lynch dismissed him for good. The IU Athletics Department had no choice. Inundated with criticism that has stemmed from the Kelvin Sampson era, Fred Glass’ administration ultimately has to be up-front about everything from compliance with coaches to distasteful actions concerning players. This case is a prime example of the zero-tolerance rule, and its use will indirectly cast the department in a positive light because they gave Lewis the boot regardless of how many butts he puts in Memorial Stadium’s stands. No matter how eye-catching,  jaw-dropping his gambits were on the field, Lewis was never a captain. Nor did he act like one. Of course, he was very cordial and actually quite fun to interview after practices and games. But most players put on a mask when they talk to the media and, quite frankly, I believe Lewis was the ringleader. I don’t see how he can back-stab his teammates, the coaching staff and the forefathers of the program again after missing all of spring practice last year due his first violation of team rules. They all welcomed him back with open arms and, after talking to the quarterback-turned-wide receiver numerous times, he felt accepted, too. Now, though, there is probably a “no vacancy” sign in the IU football program for Lewis. This development puts enormous pressure not only on quarterback Ben Chappell and the rest of the Hoosiers, but on Lynch, the man who’s been the prime target for criticism after that shellacking from Purdue in November. As his players go their own ways for the summer, it’s back to the drawing board for the IU coaching staff. They’ll have to scratch formations, devise new schemes and, most importantly, find a tag-team partner for Chappell, now the full-time maestro of the offense. So much for all that optimism during spring practice.

https://www.idsnews.com/article/2009/04/where-do-hoosiers-go-from-here

Thigpen surprised by contract offer

(04/28/09 3:37am)

____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Marcus Thigpen knew ESPN wasn’t going to rave over his blazing speed during last weekend’s NFL Draft coverage. He was an undersized IU wide receiver-turned-running back who stood in the shadow of Kellen Lewis and wasn’t the go-to guy in the red zone because of James Hardy’s presence.Gerald Brown, who was the Hoosiers’ running backs coach for six seasons, believed Thigpen had the potential to turn professional when he recruited the Detroit native out of Mumford High School.“He was an explosive running back, and he was also the state champion in track,” said Brown, now the Atlanta Falcons’ running backs coach, in an e-mail. “He is an explosive runner, has outstanding speed and did a really good job for us.”Still, Thigpen wasn’t used to his full potential in an offense lost in transition. He might have been the first Hoosier to boast 1,000 rushing, receiving and kickoff return yards.But the versatile athlete only averaged 7.8 carries per game and netted a meager seven rushing touchdowns in his senior season – arguably the most important time to showcase talent for scouts.Thigpen’s chances of being drafted were improbable.The odds seemed impossible.However, his TV was still on, loud and clear.“I was hopeful someone would pick me up in the seventh round, but that didn’t happen,” Thigpen said in a phone interview. “I wasn’t devastated, but I stayed positive, praying some team would call.”Five minutes later, one did.The New York Giants reached out to him first.The only problem was Thigpen didn’t have cell phone service at the time, and the call, probably the most life-changing moment he’ll ever experience, went straight to voicemail.“I couldn’t call the Giants back because I didn’t have a number for them,” Thigpen said.In typical fashion, New York’s NFC East rival, the Philadelphia Eagles, attempted to swipe a player the Giants’ organization was targeting.Just minutes after Thigpen missed the call and his phone restored some juice, the Eagles asked him if he had signed with another team yet.“I told them no,” Thigpen said. “They wanted me as a slot receiver and a kick returner. Basically, I was happy.”Along with eight other players, Thigpen signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Eagles, a team that carries mediocre wide receivers and a lackluster special teams unit.He believes if it wasn’t for that missed call, he would most likely be in the New York, not Philadelphia, papers by now.Back in Bloomington, his former coach is pleased to hear one of his former players signed with an NFL team.“We are proud of Marcus and pleased he received this opportunity,” IU coach Bill Lynch said in a press release. “He made a tremendous impact on our program and has a bright future ahead of him.”Thigpen said he understands most undrafted free agents don’t make the 53-man roster.He admitted whether it’s the practice squad or the roster, he’ll be glad just to call football his everyday occupation.“I’ve heard all the critiques before,” Thigpen said. “The odds are against me like they were in the draft. Hopefully, I’ll prove that I belong in the NFL.”

https://www.idsnews.com/article/2009/04/thigpen-surprised-by-contract-offer
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