2010 O-Line

[STILLBUSTER]

Okay, knowing Iowa football success is built from the lines back, and, the consensus is that replacing 60% of your starting OL is the major obstacle to a B10 title run, let's talk about how big that obstacle is.

I'll throw out the following starters, left to right, (measurements from the "current roster" at Hawkeyesports) with my thoughts.

LT: Reiff (6'6", 280, rsSoph)
-- Invaluable experience and development this season. KF already doling out very high praise. Need to get him settled into this position and focus on honing his skills to become the next Outland trophy winner.
-- Projected backup: Haganman (6'5", 285, SR)

LG: Gettis (6'4", 280, JR)
-- Actually started some during 2009 preseason but don't recall if LG or RG. He struggled and was easily the "weakest link" -- not a knock, just a fact of youth & inexperience. I put him next to Riley to compensate for him while he continues to develop.
-- Projected backup: Haganman

C: Ferentz (6'2", 265, rsSoph) / Koeppel (6'2" 267, SR)
-- I give the edge to Ferentz because I recall it being his job to lose going into last season. On the other hand, I consider it a very close competition because of James's propensity to go Anthony Tucker. Although Raf really delivered a high quality senior season, I can't ignore reports of how tight the competition was before James's indiscretions. Not to minimize the loss of Raf but I believe JF and JK will seamlessly plug this hole.
-- Projected backup: ??? (Vandervelde?)

RG: Vandervelde (6'3", 300, SR)
-- From "gray shirt" to starter, just a dependable performer. His career to date reminds me of Kroul's thru his jr year -- underrated overachiever. Hope he has the kind of noticeable senior season than Kroul (and Raf) had and he gets his due. I firmly believe he can and will.
-- Projected backup: Drew Clark (6'4", 270, Soph).

RT: Zusevics (6'5", 278, JR) / Casey McMillan (6'4", 305, rsSoph)
-- Completely unknown and easily the toughest position to fill. While I was not a huge Calloway fan, I think he played his most consistently high level of ball this past season. You've got to go with some experience at the tackle position and I think Zusevics will win out. However, I would not be surprised if Nolan MacMillan (6'6", 288, Soph) or Jonathan Gimm (6'3", ??? - TE convert, rsSoph who reportedly has a nasty streak you like to see in your big uglies) has a type of Riley Reiff breakout year.
-- Projected backup: ???

Certainly some quality talent there to build around but there's no question losing Bulaga (and Tony M) really hurts. In fact, I stated last fall that Bulaga staying / leaving early was the difference in making a serious national championship run. Most noticeable difference is the lack of experienced, upperclassmen depth. In 2009, with a completely healthy OL, you could get to man 7 or 8 before starting to worry about drop-off. For 2010, you worry about that before you even complete your starting 5!

 

[HawKCP]

I do not think there is a very good chance of him ending up at Iowa...but a question for people who understand oline play better than I do...which is not very well at all.

If Seantrel Henderson came to Iowa...would he start at RT as a true freshman?

I understand that he's extremely talented but IIRC we've got some fairly highly touted guys at the position right now who've had time to work within this system. We all know that linemen improve under this staff...is it reasonable to think that even if Henderson came to Iowa he might not start right away. For the record...I laugh at the notion that Ferentz would give him starting time simply as a way to bring him in.

 

[STILLBUSTER]

Based on the overall lack of experienced depth, especially at right tackle, it's a no brainer he's in the 2-deep. Also, the Capt'n has noticeably softened his dogma regarding "experience / seniority over talent" the last 2 seasons (after it biting him in the Win-Loss column in 2006 and 2007). Remember, Dace saw extensive, meaningful action throughout his frosh season and BB became a starter half way thru his -- neither was due to being "forced" into action, either -- and they were "only" 4-star talent. The criteria is now "one of the best 5 OL", not so much "must also be in 3rd year of program", like it used to be.

Bottom line, if he is what he is touted to be, he would be a starter by the beginning of the B10 season.

 

[DunderMifflinHk]

Someone said this earlier, but we have one of the best defensive lines in the country which will be going up against our green o-line in practice. This will be good experience for our o-line and will pay dividends during the season.

 

[imported_ankle23]

Based on the overall lack of experienced depth, especially at right tackle, it's a no brainer he's in the 2-deep. Also, the Capt'n has noticeably softened his dogma regarding "experience / seniority over talent" the last 2 seasons (after it biting him in the Win-Loss column in 2006 and 2007). Remember, Dace saw extensive, meaningful action throughout his frosh season and BB became a starter half way thru his -- neither was due to being "forced" into action, either -- and they were "only" 4-star talent. The criteria is now "one of the best 5 OL", not so much "must also be in 3rd year of program", like it used to be.

Bottom line, if he is what he is touted to be, he would be a starter by the beginning of the B10 season.

i doubt that is why the 2006/2007 seasons were bad due to this whole 'the better players are on the bench' idea that some fans hold as the truth........