Matt VandeBerg

judzeehawk

judzeehawk

Well-Known Member
7 catches for 129 yards. Reminds me of Ed H. If it's thrown close he's gonna get it. Imo Matt has been one of the biggest surprises for the Hawks and he's a favorite of mine and I thought I'd give him a big pat on the back. I know a lot of Hawkeye Nation wasn't impressed with him early on but look at him now.
 


judzeehawk said:
7 catches for 129 yards. Reminds me of Ed H. If it's thrown close he's gonna get it. Imo Matt has been one of the biggest surprises for the Hawks and he's a favorite of mine and I thought I'd give him a big pat on the back. I know a lot of Hawkeye Nation wasn't impressed with him early on but look at him now.
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Who would have thought he was gonna be this good when he was a Fr? I mean all he does is get open, and make every tough catch. If that ball is close enough to touch, he is gonna catch it. He has 7 explosive plays already this year out of 11 total catches for a 20.7 YPC average. Boys and girls that isn't a "possession" receiver, that is an explosive player!
 


Matt is proof that we need to trust the staff more. Many (including myself) were really frustrated when he was getting any playing time a couple of years ago and we had this monster Willies sitting on the sidelines. Clearly the coaching staff saw all the potential and a guy who doesn't cut any corners. It's paid off.
 


I thought he had his breakout as a very decent receiver the last 4 -5 games of the 2014 season and he had a very good taxslayer bowl game. I was praising him after spring games leading into the 2015 season and some friends , my son , and a few of his friends thougth we were hurting if Matt V was a starter. I just remember he had good speed moves and hands in that night game against wisky in 2014 and I thought he looked alot like Ed Hinkle whichs is pretty good.
 




He has always had the speed (several years ago Coach Kennedy commented that he ran as well as anyone in their position group, including T. Smith and Willies). He has always had the work ethic, which is why he earned time as a true freshman. Now to that he adds an ESP-like connection with CJB.

For all of his positives, he is still small in stature and it would be nice to have someone with size and speed on the opposite side. If the staff had been able to get through to Willies and keep him here and progressing, our offense would be downright explosive right now. As it is, we have to hope for rapid development from J. Smith and Scheel, which is certainly possible.
 


CP87 said:
He has always had the speed (several years ago Coach Kennedy commented that he ran as well as anyone in their position group, including T. Smith and Willies). He has always had the work ethic, which is why he earned time as a true freshman. Now to that he adds an ESP-like connection with CJB.

For all of his positives, he is still small in stature and it would be nice to have someone with size and speed on the opposite side. If the staff had been able to get through to Willies and keep him here and progressing, our offense would be downright explosive right now. As it is, we have to hope for rapid development from J. Smith and Scheel, which is certainly possible.
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Meh, Willis was addition by subtraction. He didn't want to be here, so it is better that he isn't here.
 


Vandy in my grade and I remember when I first saw him on campus, I asked someone who he was and why he lived with the football players... He looked like a normal kid, and I asked someone I knew on the team if he was any good and he explained to me that he has the best hands on the team as a freshman and the best hands he's ever seen. At the time I was surprised.. but look at him now!!

Also, I saw on social media he proposed to his girlfriend after the game. Good for him.
 


I have to admit I found myself laughing at the one that he dropped that would have hit him right in the numbers. Just one of those moments the guy seemed to grab anything near him and then happened to drop probably the easiest pass he'd seen all night.

The guy is a beast. I think he is one of the most under appreciated WR in the BIG to those outside of the Iowa fan base.
 


CP87 said:
He has always had the speed (several years ago Coach Kennedy commented that he ran as well as anyone in their position group, including T. Smith and Willies). He has always had the work ethic, which is why he earned time as a true freshman. Now to that he adds an ESP-like connection with CJB.

For all of his positives, he is still small in stature and it would be nice to have someone with size and speed on the opposite side. If the staff had been able to get through to Willies and keep him here and progressing, our offense would be downright explosive right now. As it is, we have to hope for rapid development from J. Smith and Scheel, which is certainly possible.
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I clearly remember him hitting another gear Saturday night down that R sideline. He has really deceptive speed. Add in that his height and the fact he catches tough 50/50 balls, he's a great go to receiver. I agree it seems he and CJ have a very good connection and CJ can read him breaking off routes when needed. I think he could have a chance at getting drafted in 3-5 round range if he keeps this up. Getting 6-8 receptions a game is terrific.
 


kicker22 said:
I have to admit I found myself laughing at the one that he dropped that would have hit him right in the numbers. Just one of those moments the guy seemed to grab anything near him and then happened to drop probably the easiest pass he'd seen all night.

The guy is a beast. I think he is one of the most under appreciated WR in the BIG to those outside of the Iowa fan base.
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The problem with that play is that he let it get to his numbers and bounce off his chest. I think CJ had some zip on that ball and that one went thru his hands. Happens.
 


Just for the heck of it I looked up Willies stats because people were lamenting KF for playing Vandeberg over DW back when he elected to be a quitter. Keep in mind Willies is in a pass happy offense that throws the ball all over the field.

Willies: 3 catches for 106 yards and 1 TD
Vandeberg: 11 catches 228 yards and 1 TD

Hmm. Maybe these coaches know how to coach? Amirite?
 


We should have known he was a gem when they yanked the grey shirt off of him within a few weeks of him arriving on campus. Iowa didn't have to do that but it didn't take them long to realize he would be good. He needed to put on a few lbs and he has. He could probably stand to gain just a few more even (if the next level is on his mind) But yeah the guy has been awesome regardless of expectations. I have a feeling he'll be drafted by the Patriots in the 6th round and he'll carve himself out a career in the league. I'm done underestimating him. I don't think he'll get drafted high but he'll get drafted I think if this season keeps going the way it might...
 


MelroseHawkins said:
I clearly remember him hitting another gear Saturday night down that R sideline. He has really deceptive speed. Add in that his height and the fact he catches tough 50/50 balls, he's a great go to receiver. I agree it seems he and CJ have a very good connection and CJ can read him breaking off routes when needed. I think he could have a chance at getting drafted in 3-5 round range if he keeps this up. Getting 6-8 receptions a game is terrific.
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I really doubt he would get drafted, based just on stature, but I am sure he will produce this year and run well at the combine. Remember, Marvin McNutt was incredibly productive and still could not get drafted.

Defenses have seen those 1-step fades on film now; I am curious to see if CJB and VandeBerg can consistently go to the back-shoulder throw when the DBs starting giving more cushion. If so, this offense is going to be fun to watch.
 


I've not seen a WR who bounces off defenders like he does for his size. It's like he's in a pinball machine the way he contorts his body in air and bounces off players. I got kind of nervous seeing him put his arm down to the ground when falling the other night, though. I'd keep that are tucked and not extended to the ground and let the body bounce off the ground.
 


CP87 said:
I really doubt he would get drafted, based just on stature, but I am sure he will produce this year and run well at the combine. Remember, Marvin McNutt was incredibly productive and still could not get drafted.

Defenses have seen those 1-step fades on film now; I am curious to see if CJB and VandeBerg can consistently go to the back-shoulder throw when the DBs starting giving more cushion. If so, this offense is going to be fun to watch.
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Who was that Iowa WR who years ago had a couple years with the Broncos? His name left me for some reason but he had a cup of coffee in the NFL. Vandeberg kind of reminds me of him.
 






DP5555 said:
Just for the heck of it I looked up Willies stats because people were lamenting KF for playing Vandeberg over DW back when he elected to be a quitter. Keep in mind Willies is in a pass happy offense that throws the ball all over the field.

Willies: 3 catches for 106 yards and 1 TD
Vandeberg: 11 catches 228 yards and 1 TD

Hmm. Maybe these coaches know how to coach? Amirite?
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Willies is on a pass happy team who has thrown the ball 124 times in 2 games and has completed 86 of them. Willies has 3 catches......he is tied for 9th on the team in receptions.

Vandeberg >> Willies and it really isnt and has never been close.
 


CP87 said:
I really doubt he would get drafted, based just on stature, but I am sure he will produce this year and run well at the combine. Remember, Marvin McNutt was incredibly productive and still could not get drafted.

Defenses have seen those 1-step fades on film now; I am curious to see if CJB and VandeBerg can consistently go to the back-shoulder throw when the DBs starting giving more cushion. If so, this offense is going to be fun to watch.
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Normally I'd totally agree with you. There's two reasons why I lean towards him having value. For one he's good I'll leave it a that. Secondly I think the NFL is beginning to value the type of receiver that he is. McNutt back when he came out was different. I say back like it was a long time ago but it almost kinda was the way the NFL has began evolving their passing game. I think there is a distinct role that he would fit and as I was watching the Patriots last night I couldn't help but think he could do many of the same things Edleman. Amendola and Hogan were doing...
 


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