Not even close. Stanzi is not in the same galaxy as Banks. Reisner is not in the same quadrant of the universe as Clark, and our running backs are in a different dimension than Russel and Lewis.
They only place where we will slightly compare to the 2002 team is at WR, and even then it is a toss up.
GhostofBTT -
Banks was a single year starter, had the benefit of an exceptional OL that remained HEALTHY (a big key), and had talented RBs who had been in Iowa's system for a while. Because of his mobility and the threat of our running game, that opened up the passing game for Banks. However, even then, Banks wasn't able to shake off adversity nearly as well as Stanzi has demonstrated.
Banks had a storybook 2002 season ... however, he still never had the pro potential that Stanzi brings to the table.
The big question mark for Stanzi in 2010 will be our OL. If the OL can excel in run blocking and do adequately well in pass-pro ... Stanzi will be capable of having an absolute monster SR campaign. What many folks seem to fail to recognize is that Stanzi will be able to reduce the number of picks he throws almost by default if we're able to feature a more potent running game. Given that our group of RBs is deeper and more experienced than it was in 2009 ... and given that we still have plenty of guys on the OL who have game reps under their belts ... there's absolutely no reason to suppose that our running game WON'T be much improved in 2010.
Furthermore, another factor to keep in mind is this ... how much better would the 2002 O have been if it had the 2004 or 2009 Ds having its back. Well ... Stanzi's 2010 O will have the 2010 Hawkeye D having his back ... and that D has the potential of being a "best ever" defensive unit at Iowa.
As for comparing position units ....
- Clark was obviously better than anybody we'll have at TE in 2010 ... on an individual basis. However, even in spite of the 2010 squad's uncertainty at TE ... I dare say that our depth at TE is better in 2010. Superficially that may not seem to matter ... however, considering how the Iowa coaches like to use 2 and 3 TE sets ... the extra depth can potentially have a PROFOUND effect!
- Prior to the 2002 season, Russell had very few carries. Lewis didn't have ANY prior game experience. Thus, contending that Russell and Lewis are better than our group of Wegher, Robinson, Hampton, Brinson, Rogers, and Coker is absolutely preposterous. The primary advantage that Russell and Lewis had was the OL that they were running behind ... however, they themselves were no better than the RBs we currently have. In fact, the RBs that Iowa has in 2010 offer more versatility and experience than the group in 2002.
- As for depth at WR. In 2002 we had CJ Jones (SR), Mo Brown (JR), Ed Hinkel (RS FR), and Clinton Solomon (TR FR). Those guys were our primary depth and they were definitely a good group. However, past the top 2, there was an abrupt dropoff in experience ... and past the top 4, there was a legit dropoff in talent. In contrast, in 2010, Iowa has DJK (SR), McNutt (JR), Sandeman (SR), Chaney Jr (SR), and Davis (SO). In fact, each of the listed 2010 guys either already own career starts OR they're capable of being a starter. If that depth weren't enough, we also have Cotton (RS FR) and Martin-Manley (TR FR) who are capable of entering the fray too. The 2010 WR corps also owns the advantage of being better coached too! Not only does a "gap" exist between the 2002 and 2010 WR corps ... but it is substantial (and favors the 2010 group).
However, this brings us back to the REAL engine of Iowa's O ... and that is the OL. The 2002 Iowa O purred like it did because it featured great talent and experience and it also benefitted from wonderful personnel continuity (the group remained remarkably healthy). The 2010 Iowa OL will not lack talent ... however, they are lacking some with regard to starting experience. However, if the 2010 group can enjoy great personnel continuity ... I fully anticipate that the 2010 version of the Iowa O will be able to raise some eyebrows (in a good way).
