First Look: The 2011 Iowa Offense



Good read and also I think great possibilities. Lot of great returns I dont think you can ever hope for how many we had come back this year.
 


I originally didn't have a good feeling about 2011 but because some guys have been able to get in and get some experience this year and last I can see a 9 win season next year as well.
 


We've seen injuries take it's toll on this team.....starters look pretty good but there might be some question marks or unknowns on the 2nd team/2 deep.
 


LOL! Jon is only taking a hard look at the 2011 O right now? I'm already converging on expectations for 2012 and staking out the prospects for 2013.

Anyhow, I have no doubt that Iowa will be set at the skill positions in 2011 ... and, what's impressive about that statement is that the 2011 season has a legit chance to boast a truly impressive Iowa OL ... one that could certainly make a run at being a Ferentz-era best. However, that said, if Reiff sticks around for the 2012 season ... I actually expect that the 2012 OL has the potential to be even BETTER and DEEPER. I'm always a little wary when seemingly our most promising depth on the OL are still only SOs. I'd rather have those guys be somewhat more battle-tested JRs before I annoint them.

A few other observations to make is that with Rogers currently getting a number of RB reps ... at least in practice, it looks like the coaches have been giving Gimm reps with the FBs again. I wonder what impact that will have on our depth at TE. Right now, as it stands, after Reisner graduates, our only experienced depth at TE will be Herman, CJ Fed, and Zach Derby. While I definitely think that they comprise a solid group ... I still have some concerns about that group. Not unlike this year, I really wouldn't be shocked if we were to see a TR FR TE again get to see quality reps for the 2nd year in a row. I'll be even more curious to see which quality TE ends up earning the honors. Of course, I'll be pretty excited if Vier's athleticism ends up translating well to TE ... the kid definitely has a pretty intriguing upside.
 


We need to temper the optimistic projections and understand attrition and injuries happen leading to unfullfilled expectations.

At this juncture the offensive makeup for 2011 looks promising. When 2011 comes we will see just how good (or not so good) this unit will be.

One constant we can pretty much bank on is the quality coaching staff we have and that should help offset any possible player set backs.
 


LOL! Jon is only taking a hard look at the 2011 O right now? I'm already converging on expectations for 2012 and staking out the prospects for 2013.

Anyhow, I have no doubt that Iowa will be set at the skill positions in 2011 ... and, what's impressive about that statement is that the 2011 season has a legit chance to boast a truly impressive Iowa OL ... one that could certainly make a run at being a Ferentz-era best. However, that said, if Reiff sticks around for the 2012 season ... I actually expect that the 2012 OL has the potential to be even BETTER and DEEPER. I'm always a little wary when seemingly our most promising depth on the OL are still only SOs. I'd rather have those guys be somewhat more battle-tested JRs before I annoint them.

A few other observations to make is that with Rogers currently getting a number of RB reps ... at least in practice, it looks like the coaches have been giving Gimm reps with the FBs again. I wonder what impact that will have on our depth at TE. Right now, as it stands, after Reisner graduates, our only experienced depth at TE will be Herman, CJ Fed, and Zach Derby. While I definitely think that they comprise a solid group ... I still have some concerns about that group. Not unlike this year, I really wouldn't be shocked if we were to see a TR FR TE again get to see quality reps for the 2nd year in a row. I'll be even more curious to see which quality TE ends up earning the honors. Of course, I'll be pretty excited if Vier's athleticism ends up translating well to TE ... the kid definitely has a pretty intriguing upside.

Homer, I cant even look past this season, let alone 2013.
 


We need to temper the optimistic projections and understand attrition and injuries happen leading to unfullfilled expectations.

I'm normally one to agree w/ that mentality, but there are already too many pieces of the 2011 puzzle we know a lot about, in particular the OL (which as others have pointed out, will be very similar for 2012), and should have fairly good, young depth. I also wouldn't be surprised to see Boffelli make a push for a starting OG spot, as his development seems to be going well, and I think he's currently the #4 OG. (And Boffelli's also very valuable b/c he also plays center.) It's hard not getting enthusiastic for 2011's O, and I think many of us learned a lot about high expectations for players that haven't seen the field much (yes, I'm humbly referring to Jake Christiansen), and that's the significant difference for 2011 as opposed to most other years.
 


We need to temper the optimistic projections and understand attrition and injuries happen leading to unfullfilled expectations.

I'm normally one to agree w/ that mentality, but there are already too many pieces of the 2011 puzzle we know a lot about, in particular the OL (which as others have pointed out, will be very similar for 2012), and should have fairly good, young depth. I also wouldn't be surprised to see Boffelli make a push for a starting OG spot, as his development seems to be going well, and I think he's currently the #4 OG. (And Boffelli's also very valuable b/c he also plays center.) It's hard not getting enthusiastic for 2011's O, and I think many of us learned a lot about high expectations for players that haven't seen the field much (yes, I'm humbly referring to Jake Christiansen), and that's the significant difference for 2011 as opposed to most other years.

Yeah ... the problem with the sort of projections that folks often make is that they base it off of stupid things ... like relying upon the development of highly touted recruits. However, if you base it upon proven experience and the schemes that we run ... you have a better chance of breaking down where we're most like to have weaknesses. And, to that end, on O we really aren't going to have any big exploitable weakness personnel-wise. In fact, our depth is even pretty decent. Thus, the "predictions" are a bit more robust than they usually are.
 




Great read Jon... but you mean Chuck Long don't you Chuck H. threw one of the ugliest passes I've ever seen. Albeit it always got to the right place.
 
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Great projections, Jon. Interesting reading. One thing that sticks out to me is that we have height plus strength at positions that pass and receive the ball:

QBs:
James Vandenberg 6-3 212
John Wienke 6-5 220

TEs:
CJ Fiedorowicz 6-7 250
Brad Herman 6-5 247

WRs:
Marvin McNutt 6-4 215
Keenan Davis 6-3 215
Don Shumpert 6-3 185
Jordan Cotton 6-1 185

CJ Fed appears to have strong upper body strength and good hands on a solid frame; the same with Herman. McNutt is also showing good hands and agility. Shumpert has the height but may need to add muscle mass.

On paper, at least, it would seem that Vandy (or Wienke) should be able to see downfield and to have a better than average chance of getting the ball past the defensive line and over downfield defenders into the hands of our taller receivers. (Vandy may need to learn to take some heat off his throws.) Hopefully KF and KOK will implement offensive schemes that effectively use what appears to be an advantage that we will have over most defenses.
 


I am looking forward to his read on the defense.... we lose a lot and probably the biggest loss in college football in Norm Parker. A lot to be concerned about.
 


I am looking forward to his read on the defense.... we lose a lot and probably the biggest loss in college football in Norm Parker. A lot to be concerned about.

I'm going to treat tomorrow's article on the 2011 defense like I would a car accident on the side of the road. You don't want to look at it, and you know nothing good is going to come of it, but you still have to look.

Losing 5-6 starters on the defensive side, plus our defensive coordinator all in one year cannot mean good things for next year's defense. I know they are well coached and there are some very solid reserves, but with that type of loss we have to expect a pretty significant drop off from this year to next.

The good news is, I'm feeling much, much more confident about next year's offensive outlook. I guess I didn't piece it together that they will be returning the entire offensive line and probably eight starters overall.
 


I still think our defense will be great. Not as good as this year but I don't see how it will be bad. Look at the names there - Binns, Daniels, Nielsen, Morris, Prater, Sash
 


Norm and the Captain appear to have the recruiting train rolling on both sides of the ball right now and as long as Captain is in charge I don't see that momentum slowing much. There are some good reserves who I suspect will be ready next year (if they don't get inserted this year due to injuries, etc.). If Norm doesn't return next year, which seems a strong possibility right now, Phil has been around and worked with him long enough that there shouldn't be much drop-off. If there is, I doubt the Captain will tolerate it very long.
 


Our 2011 Schedule is relevent to the discussion in terms of development of players:September 3Tennessee Tech10at Iowa State (Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk Series)17Pittsburgh24Louisiana-Monroe October 1Bye8at Penn State15Northwestern22Indiana 29at MinnesotaNovember 5Michigan12Michigan State19at Purdue26at Nebraska

TN Tech
@ ISU
Pitt
LA Monroe
Bye
@ PSU
NW
IN
@ MN
UM
MSU
@ PU
@ NE
 


Great article. I think it all comes down to Vandenberg. He is going to have high expectations coming into the season.... which might not be a good thing.
Also- I'm a little concerned with depth at WR. We need 2-3 WR's to really step up and compliment KD and MM. Who's going to return punts?
I see us being a running team next year (65% of the time) with a nice stable of RB's. We are due for a healthy year at that position next year, and if Jewel can come back strong we will look good there, with a stron OL coming back.
 


I fully expect the Hawks to be in the hunt for the western division title next year.
We have Michigan,MSU and NW at home....along with Nebraska,they will be the contenders. I think our offense will be good. I have a ton of faith in Vandy and our o-line. McNutt and Davis will be very good,and the TE's will be standard issue tough.

I think it will come down to the last game of the year vs Nebraska,for the division.
Nebraska has a very tough schedule,and Michigan will play OSU so I think 6-2 will win the division next year. Iowa could lose to PSU and Nebraska and still tie for the division with Michigan....and get the tiebreak. I want the Hawks in that inital big ten title game...probably vs OSU...would be sweet,since we do not play them in the regular season.
 


I'm going to treat tomorrow's article on the 2011 defense like I would a car accident on the side of the road. You don't want to look at it, and you know nothing good is going to come of it, but you still have to look.

Losing 5-6 starters on the defensive side, plus our defensive coordinator all in one year cannot mean good things for next year's defense. I know they are well coached and there are some very solid reserves, but with that type of loss we have to expect a pretty significant drop off from this year to next.

The good news is, I'm feeling much, much more confident about next year's offensive outlook. I guess I didn't piece it together that they will be returning the entire offensive line and probably eight starters overall.

Ferentz is treating Norm's health VERY carefully. They're trying to handle it so that we'll be able to RETAIN Norm in the long term. Thus, I don't anticipate that we'll be losing Norm.

As for losing so many starters on D ... sure, there will definitely be SOME drop-off.

However, you shouldn't forget who we RETURN. Defenses, much like football squads, are "built" ... and its strength is reliant on the strength of its FOUNDATIONS. Thus, from there you have to look at the players who will comprise the foundations of the 2011 D. I think that if you really break it down ... you'll come away much less nervous.

2011 D ... THE FOUNDATION:

DL:
Weight bearing "walls": Binns (SR), Daniels (SR), Daniel (SR)
Extra "supports" (proven): Nardo (SR), Forgy (SR), Bigach (JR)

LB:
Weight bearing "walls": Nielsen (SR)
Extra "supports" (proven): B. Davis (SR), Morris (SO)

S:
Weight bearing "walls": Sash (SR)
Extra "supports" (proven): Bernstine (SR), Donatell (SR), N. Nielsen (JR), Miller (SO)

CB:
Weight bearing "walls": Prater (SR), Hyde (JR), Castillo (JR)
Extra "supports" (proven): Bernstine (SR), Lowe (SR)

REMARK: I included underclassmen like Morris and Miller because of the extensive quality experience that they have been gaining thus far through the season. I almost also included Alvis on the DL ... however, I erred on the side of including the upperclassman, Forgy (whom I've heard positive buzz about).


2011 D ... other particularly promising "building materials":

DL - Alvis (SO), Trinca-Pasat (RS FR), Johnson (RS FR), C. Davis (RS FR)

LB - Kirksey (SO), DiBona (SO), Poggi (RS FR)

S - Hitchens (SO)

CB - Lowery (SO)



FINAL REMARKS:
Let me also remind folks that Iowa had to replace A TON of quality starters on D going from 2001 to 2002 ... and, all the same, the D still managed to be pretty impressive in 2002. Similarly, Iowa had SEVEN first year starters on the D in 2008 ... and that still managed to be one of our better Hawk Ds. To remind you, Clayborn (SO), Ballard (SO), Angerer (JR), Hunter (SO), Sash (RS FR), Fletcher (SR), and Spievey (SO) were EACH first year full-time starters in 2008.

Also, folks were highly skeptical about our ability to replace King, Kroul, and Fletcher after the '08 season ... and yet the '09 D ended up being EVEN BETTER!!!
 




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