What's going on with Mikail this year? Compared to last season he's been rather quiet with only 1 sack registered in the first 7 games. The media reported Kamara set a rather ambitious goal of 20 sacks for 2025.
He’s getting a lot of double teams, which frees up guys like Wyatt, Dailey and others to get sacks.
“The Western Michigan Broncoshave the most sacks in the FBS for the 2025 season, with 28 sacks. They are followed by the Tennessee Volunteers (26 sacks), Indiana Hoosiers (22 sacks), and Oklahoma Sooners (22 sacks)”.
What's going on with Mikail this year? Compared to last season he's been rather quiet with only 1 sack registered in the first 7 games. The media reported Kamara set a rather ambitious goal of 20 sacks for 2025.
Don't follow that closely, but did Kamara take on a different position this season?
Are defensive coordinators game-planning against MK?
@big-red-cb-v-2-0 Yes, the bottom-line is how well is the defense performing. For example, you can take a look at the receiving core. If opponents wish to let's say double Sarratt; Cooper, Williams or someone else is going to make you pay. Others on the IU front are apparently thriving because of the schemes used to defend MK.
He's playing a different position and has different expectations, not to mention he's being keyed on more in gameplans. He's done very well at his position, just not getting the stats he did last year.
I have to think his draft stock has gone way down, even though he was considered undersized at end. Now people are going to question other attributes too. But, he plays well for us.
@openwheel Pure guess here... He probably got feedback from NFL personnel last spring, that he needed to come back and work on this, or that. With the stats he had last year, if he had all the "things" NFL GMs look for in rushing ends, he would have left for the draft and, would have been a first few rounds selection.
When he decided to come back, I'm sure he came with some ideas and instructions on things to work on. Maybe those things didn't jive with Haines and Cig's plans for the exact same position he played last year for us. Thus the position and duties change. He might also be showing some versatility improvements that NFL GMs are looking for. And his willingness to change how he's playing for the betterment of the team. Last year's tape isn't going anywhere. Every year there are front 7 guys drafted on things other than stats.
I'm hoping this is a situation where he's doing what's best for the teams success...AND improving his own professional football stock at the same time.
I think its likely a matter of what opposing O-Lines are scheming to keep him out of their backfields. CJ West didn't put up eye-popping numbers last year, only had 2 sacks. However, he was such a disruptive force it allowed guys like Kamara to get all the TFLs and sacks.
What's going on with Mikail this year? Compared to last season he's been rather quiet with only 1 sack registered in the first 7 games. The media reported Kamara set a rather ambitious goal of 20 sacks for 2025.
Don't follow that closely, but did Kamara take on a different position this season?
Are defensive coordinators game-planning against MK?
one of the reasons that wyatt was so important was that kamara actually wasn't really playing stud as much because wyatt was so good in coverage even at his size. kamara, despite having a ton of attention on him, still leads the team in pressures with 22 (4 ahead of landino and 9 ahead of daley).
i think with wyatt being done, we'll see kamara move more into that stud roll where he's dropping out in pass coverage more (which i don't like).
you can't predict injuries but not giving more guys than daley, kamara and wyatt snaps at the two end positions seems like a missed opportunity...but next man up. and that next man is probably daniel ndukwe.
@iureactionary Missed opportunity in games, maybe. I’d bet the farm there are guys getting practice reps and will be ready when called. This isn’t anyone’s first rodeo.
Another thing regarding Kamara's numbers: Last year only he and James Carpenter had more than 2.5 sacks. With 10 and 6 respectively. This year, we're sacks and TFLs by committee. We've got 5 guys with 3 or more sacks on the year. We have 26 total sacks through 7 games this year vs. 36 total in 13 last year.
Everybody's eating at the table this year on D.
Cignetti challenges Kamara during the 10/27 presser: "I think production numbers speak for themselves. I think he's got another level he can play at and I'm waiting to see it."
I realize IU is a man down with the loss of Wyatt but it also appears Cignetti expected more out of Makil this season.
"We paid good money for production."
Unsaid, but it is a bit that way, anymore.
I think with the unfortunate Wyatt injury more defensive calls will feature Kamara. His production likely to increase, even with Wyatt out. That plus the Cig challenge. Probably Kamara will take it out on Maryland.
especially since Maryland is his home state and he is mad at them for overlooking him. Fired him up last year. Maybe it will again this year."We paid good money for production."
Unsaid, but it is a bit that way, anymore.
I think with the unfortunate Wyatt injury more defensive calls will feature Kamara. His production likely to increase, even with Wyatt out. That plus the Cig challenge. Probably Kamara will take it out on Maryland.