2010 Iowa Weakness - Offensive Line

[WinOneThisCentury]

Does anyone else out there think this group is going to surprise some people. Every time I turn around the o-line is the reason we end up at 8-4 or 7-5. We can't win at Arizona because our offensive line is green and hasn't gelled.

These guys have a ton going for them:

1) Reiff is a stud and will control the left side
2) JV is a solid offensive guard.
3) The three projected starters (Zusevics, Gettis, and Ferentz) are upperclassmen with 3-4 years in the program.
4) There is competition for those three spots that will push these guys hard.
5) They had the entire spring without injury to work through the kinks.
6) They will have the entire fall camp, hopefully without injury, to work on continuity.
7) They have a coaches son ( an offensive line guru no less) making the line calls. They will be in the right scheme.
8) They will not see another defensive line as good as the one they see in practice every day.

I honestly think this group will outperform the 2009 line mostly due to the issues the 2009 group had to overcome...suspensions, injuries, and illness.

I honestly believe KF is excited about this group, much more then he lets on. I think they are going to be much, much better than people think.

 

[burky247]

I haven't seen a lot of people calling Iowa's offensive line a "weakness". I think most people feel it's Iowa's biggest question mark...for good reason. It's just hard to really guess what our line will look like early in the year based on past history. Ferentz's lines usually take about 4 games to get rolling anyway. When you're talking about replacing a lot on that unit...and when you talk overall depth...I'm not sure how you can't be at least a little concerned. If you're looking objectively at least.

 

[hawkeyehat]

If the top 6/7 stay healthy they'll be solid. A lot of people expected Ferentz to win the job last year before he got into trouble. I'm not worried about him. I think they'll be good in pass protection but may not be the run game maulers we're used to. I feel better that the same starting group that started the spring emerged from spring practice. Such continuity should play in their favor as well. Iowa hasn't had that happen very often. If the same 5 make it all the way through fall camp then it is a very good sign IMO.

 

[trj]

I think Josh Koeppel is the projected starter at center. He is a senior. I am encouraged about what I have read and heard about the o-line.....but I might be overly optimistic.

 

[burky247]

One thing I also wanted to point out...even with the obstacles our O-line faces, I think it should be much better than what we started out last season with. Assuming everyone stays healthy. That probably has more to do with last season's line than anything else(when you figure in suspensions and illnesses/injuries). But it's still a positive.

As was said, it will all depend on how healthy we can stay as a unit.

 

[homerHAWKeye777]

The key, I believe, for the 2010 OL is health. If the group can remain healthy, I think that the pieces are in place for the unit to become VERY good!

- I love what I hear about Zusevics. He doesn't have Calloway size, but he has the athleticism and quickness to redirect speed rushers.
- I'm convinced that we're set at the C spot. If Koeppel wins the spot ... it will likely be a bit of an "upset" ... however it will imply that he plays at a VERY high level because James Ferentz does a great job of using leverage and using his hands. If Ferentz wins the spot, it will imply that he was able to hold off an experienced and wily veteran.
- Reiff is money ... and I've held that opinion for a long time now.
- If healthy and if playing with confidence, Vandervelde is capable of being rock solid.


Thus, that leaves us with 4 spots filled that I feel pretty darn comfortable about. The only remaining concern is at the remaining OG spot ... however, I gotta say that I like knowing that we have guys like Gettis and Hundertmark battling for the spot. And, if neither of those guys adequately asserts himself ... a guy like Orne or MacMillan very well might be able to step in, take over the spot, and never relinquish it.

Lastly, I wouldn't underestimate Haganman and his ability to step up in a next-man-in capacity.