Open Practice vs Spring Game

[ATLHawkeye]

I've always wished the Hawkeyes had a true spring game rather than an open practice... until I went to a spring game.

Friday night after dropping my daughter and her friends off at a concert, I had 5 hours to kill in downtown Atlanta. Georgia Tech was having their spring game that night, so it worked out perfect.

I'm sure some of it had to do with the fact I'm not a big GT fan, and a lot of it had to do with the GT style of play, but it was a long 3 hours. At this point in the year, with just a handful of practices under their belt, it was just a lot of bad football. Hardly any scoring, or even first downs, for most of the game. I know a lot of spring games are high scoring, but this wasn't like that at all. Overall, just very boring.

For those that think the Hawkeyes' style of play is too conservative, just be thankful we don't run an offense like Georgia Tech. Although it has proven it can be successful, if I had to sit through that every Saturday I'd be a lot less excited about football season every year.

After seeing the game, I definitely agree with the Iowa coaches that the team gets much more out of a controlled practice than they would out of a "game". From a fan perspective I like the "idea" of a game, but in this case I think Kirk has it right.

 

[Golfer]

More reps is one selling point for our spring scrimmage.

 

[burky247]

I can't imagine why anyone would rather watch an open practice over a spring game.

And I saw a lot of bad football at the open practice last weekend. Just sayin.

 

[ATLHawkeye]

I can't imagine why anyone would rather watch an open practice over a spring game.

And I saw a lot of bad football at the open practice last weekend. Just sayin.

I'm definitely not saying I'd rather WATCH an open practice over a spring game, but I am saying that I think an open practice is the right call.

Frankly, it's not too interesting watching either. It is cool being in the "environment" though, even on the Georgia Tech campus.

 

[hawkfan1319]

I had alot of time to kill yesterday and watched OSU's and PSU's spring games on the BTN. I think an actual game would help with depth and getting our younger players some good almost real game reps and situations. Almost none of our younger players get any real experience until they are in a real game .

 

[DesMoinesHawki]

I respect Kirk's decision to do the controlled scrimmage. That being said, the fan in me wishes we would have an actual game. And I think the fact our controlled scrimmage only draws a few thousand people shows that most fans feel the same way. Again, I respect the decision. But the selfish fan in me would like to see a game

 

[gohawkz]

I respect Kirk's decision to do the controlled scrimmage. That being said, the fan in me wishes we would have an actual game. And I think the fact our controlled scrimmage only draws a few thousand people shows that most fan feel the same way. Again, I respect the decision. But the selfish fan in me would like to see a game

I agree, the fans would like it. But the coaches would rather not have one so I respect that because I assume they know what's best.

 

[OUTofTOWNHAWK]

Minny had a spring game.....just sayin.

 

[tm3308]

I respect Kirk's decision to do the controlled scrimmage. That being said, the fan in me wishes we would have an actual game. And I think the fact our controlled scrimmage only draws a few thousand people shows that most fans feel the same way. Again, I respect the decision. But the selfish fan in me would like to see a game

This. I'd love to see an actual scrimmage (certainly would have made covering it more interesting), but I understand why they don't do that anymore.

 

[CAARHawk]

If you don't have a Spring game, no reason to open practice. Have some fans events around town on off days. Do a Kid's clinic, etc. But having people come watch practice like it is an event is silly.

And I say this as someone who has watched the Iowa open practices and other team's spring games.

 

[eveningnewsteam]

is Iowa really getting that much better from 1 additional practice? play the game, its puts the players in a game situation.

 

[GhostofBTT]

I can't understand why anyone would want to watch either.

 

[ColoradoHAWKEYE]

I think the game day situation is good for the young players, especially red shirters, 2 and 3 deeps. Also especially if there is a good size crowd. Some guys just perform better in a game situation, it's a chance to find out who.

What I don't understand is why have these "games" and open "practices" half way in to spring ball. Why don't they have them when there might be only 2 or 3 evaluation days left, rather than 6 or 7? Either way, I am sure our coaches think that this is what is best for them and the development. It sure is fun to watch the replays on TV!

 

[hogeye]

is Iowa really getting that much better from 1 additional practice? play the game, its puts the players in a game situation.

I would hardly call even a spring game environment remotely a true game situation.

 

[GhostofBTT]

I would hardly call even a spring game environment remotely a true game situation.

Were there hundreds of middle aged men, standing alone, wearing Iowa sweatshirts that are 25 years out of date, while also wearing those gigantic headphones attached to a portable AM radio teh size of Zach Morris' cell phone?

Because that would replicate teh Iowa game day experience perfectly.

 

[hogeye]

Were there hundreds of middle aged men, standing alone, wearing Iowa sweatshirts that are 25 years out of date, while also wearing those gigantic headphones attached to a portable AM radio teh size of Zach Morris' cell phone?

Because that would replicate teh Iowa game day experience perfectly.

I am on board with that except for numbers...tens of thousands to replicate game day. Otherwise, we're good.

 

[KnightHawk9]

I would like to see a spring game. I like watching football. Isn't that why we're all here?

 

[eveningnewsteam]

I would hardly call even a spring game environment remotely a true game situation.

Yeah because doing pass rush drills and pass skeleton with Van Halen blaring from the speakers is the way to. Play the game live with kickoff's, punts, etc..........God knows they could use the work covering kicks in a live situation instead of it just scripted into a practice plan.

 

[GhostofBTT]

I would like to see a spring game. I like watching football. Isn't that why we're all here?

Just because they call it a "game" doesn't make it a game. It's like taking off Ken and Barbie's clothes and calling it teh pr0n.

 

[hogeye]

Yeah because doing pass rush drills and pass skeleton with Van Halen blaring from the speakers is the way to. Play the game live with kickoff's, punts, etc..........God knows they could use the work covering kicks in a live situation instead of it just scripted into a practice plan.

I wasn't insinuating it was. I am not in the camp that feels a spring game is necessary.