2011 Potential Starting O and D

[hawkfarmer]

Assuming no freshman from next year and no early departures

OT-Reiff (J)
OG-N. McMillan (So)
C-- Ferentz (J)
OG-Gettis (Sr)
OT-Zues (Sr)
QB- Vandenberg (J)
RB- Robinson(J), Hampton(J), Coker(So), Johnson(So)
FB- Rogers(So)
WR- Davis(Jr)/ Martin Manley (Fr)
WR- McNutt (Sr)Cotton(So)
TE- Fiedorwicz(So)/Herman(Sr)

DE-Binns (Sr)
DT-Daniels (Sr)
DT-Nardo (Sr)/ Bigach (Jr)
DE-Daniel (Sr)
OLB-Nielsen (Sr)
MLB-Davis (Sr)/ Morris (So)
OLB-Kirksey (So)/Getz (So)
CB-Prater (Sr)
S-Sash (Sr)
S-Bernstein (Sr)/ Miller (So)
CB-Hyde (Jr)

What do you think of that lineup? I don't think they'll have the expectations of this years squad, but we aren't starting over at DL, like we did when King and Kroul were freshman. Should still be a veteran squad with potential to contend in the West division.

 

[homerHAWKeye777]

Assuming no freshman from next year and no early departures

OT-Reiff (J)
OG-N. McMillan (So)
C-- Ferentz (J)
OG-Gettis (Sr)
OT-Zues (Sr)
QB- Vandenberg (J)
RB- Robinson(J), Hampton(J), Coker(So), Johnson(So)
FB- Rogers(So)
WR- Davis(Jr)/ Martin Manley (Fr)
WR- McNutt (Sr)Cotton(So)
TE- Fiedorwicz(So)/Herman(Sr)

DE-Binns (Sr)
DT-Daniels (Sr)
DT-Nardo (Sr)/ Bigach (Jr)
DE-Daniel (Sr)
OLB-Nielsen (Sr)
MLB-Davis (Sr)/ Morris (So)
OLB-Kirksey (So)/Getz (So)
CB-Prater (Sr)
S-Sash (Sr)
S-Bernstein (Sr)/ Miller (So)
CB-Hyde (Jr)

What do you think of that lineup? I don't think they'll have the expectations of this years squad, but we aren't starting over at DL, like we did when King and Kroul were freshman. Should still be a veteran squad with potential to contend in the West division.

I think that the 2011 Iowa DL has the chops to be surprisingly good. There are A LOT of quality SRs on the DL (Binns, Daniels, Daniel, and Forgy) ... and that will likely help the group. Also, I think that we have some really "high ceiling" young guys who will be able to push for playing time too.

What I'm particularly intrigued is that, not unlike on the OL, the coaches like to play their top 4 guys on the DL. However, in 2011, 3 of our top 4 guys are DEs. Specifically, we have Binns, Daniel, and Alvis. I'm curious if that encourages the coaches to try to move sombody to the inside.

Of course, from what I've seen of Nardo and Bigach in team drills and in back-up duty ... I'm actually pleasantly surprised. Each of those guys arguably have the chops to be as good as Luebke or DRob. Furthermore, my "gut feeling" is that Carl Davis, Trinca-Past, and/or Donavan Johnson each bring enough to the table that they might be able to really surprise in 2011.

What might end up being the most concerning is how young/inexperienced we're necessarily going to be at LB. I love the upside of guys like Morris and Kirksey. However, those guys will likely only be seeing back-up action in 2010. I hope that they each develop enough through their TR FR campaigns that they won't be too green in 2011.

 

[IHawks2044]

I think the scary thing is to then think ahead to 2012. The loss of that many seniors on defense would be a huge hit. But then again, this is 2 years out and who knows who might emerge as a star in the next year or two.

 

[homerHAWKeye777]

By the way, I anticipate that our OL will be impressive in 2011. More importantly, I think that our O, as a whole, will be EXCELLENT.

What I'll be particularly curious about is how some of the young WRs develop through the 2011 season. We'll probably be calling upon 1 or 2 TR FR WRs to see early action ... although, given Soup's system, I don't anticipate that they'll be seeing many balls thrown their way.

 

[hawkfarmer]

That's the beauty of these projections. Who knows who will turn out to be a young gun and carry their squads. And in 2012, who knows who will have the right experience. I think we'll be green in 2012, but who knows. at least we shouldn't have a 6-6 rebuilding year.

 

[homerHAWKeye777]

I think the scary thing is to then think ahead to 2012. The loss of that many seniors on defense would be a huge hit. But then again, this is 2 years out and who knows who might emerge as a star in the next year or two.

While I definitely wish the best for Bernstine ... it might end up helping the team more if Miller can beat him out for the starting FS job. Our back 7 would be looking pretty good experience-wise on D then. The big question would then be our DL in 2012. However, even then, Alvis and Bigach could give us a pretty darn solid experienced duo.

Also, the 2011 DL recruiting class should be pretty good too. So far, McMinn and Raymon are both pretty high potential guys ... and we're high on the list of some other quality guys too. My bet is that between the 2010 and 2011 DL recruiting classes ... the 2012 Iowa DL will not lack talent. The bigger question will concern the consistency of their execution. However, fortunately the young guys will have had some pretty darn good mentors.

 

[homerHAWKeye777]

Another thing to remark upon is that Iowa traditionally "reloads" much more effectively on D than it does on O. Thus, entering the season with an experienced and talented O definitely is promising.

 

[hawkfarmer]

While I definitely wish the best for Bernstine ... it might end up helping the team more if Miller can beat him out for the starting FS job. Our back 7 would be looking pretty good experience-wise on D then. The big question would then be our DL in 2012. However, even then, Alvis and Bigach could give us a pretty darn solid experienced duo.

Also, the 2011 DL recruiting class should be pretty good too. So far, McMinn and Raymon are both pretty high potential guys ... and we're high on the list of some other quality guys too. My bet is that between the 2010 and 2011 DL recruiting classes ... the 2012 Iowa DL will not lack talent. The bigger question will concern the consistency of their execution. However, fortunately the young guys will have had some pretty darn good mentors.

Here's to hoping for some good experience next year for the young guys. I like D. Johnson and C. Davis a lot. I think they'll be good ones. As long as Iowa get them some experience it'll be great. I just hope that our WR core keeps improving, that's where I see the biggest issue in 2012.

 

[homerHAWKeye777]

Here's to hoping for some good experience next year for the young guys. I like D. Johnson and C. Davis a lot. I think they'll be good ones. As long as Iowa get them some experience it'll be great. I just hope that our WR core keeps improving, that's where I see the biggest issue in 2012.

I am more concerned about the consistency of our young WRs in 2012 ... however, I am not worried about the talent level. I'm really excited about the combo of K. Davis, Cotton, Martin-Manley, Shumpert, Grant, and Vincent.

Also, perhaps more importantly, Vandenberg will be a SR starter. That guy will be able to distribute the ball to his pass-catching targets. What's more, he's a precision passer ... so the ball will be on the money too!

 

[hawkfarmer]

I am more concerned about the consistency of our young WRs in 2012 ... however, I am not worried about the talent level. I'm really excited about the combo of K. Davis, Cotton, Martin-Manley, Shumpert, Grant, and Vincent.

Agreed, that is what I meant. I'm still hoping DeAnthony Arnett wants to be a Hawkeye. (Yes, I have my hawkeye goggles on here, but a guy can hope right). He'd add speed and consistency it sounds like. DJK like.

 

[homerHAWKeye777]

Also, to further relieve some of the burden from our WRs ... I really like the upside of our 2012 TEs. Between Fiedorowicz, Gimm, Z. Derby, Vier, Krieger-Coble, Hamilton, and Duzey, I anticipate that we'll be fielding a rather formidable group of TEs.

 

[homerHAWKeye777]

Agreed, that is what I meant. I'm still hoping DeAnthony Arnett wants to be a Hawkeye. (Yes, I have my hawkeye goggles on here, but a guy can hope right). He'd add speed and consistency it sounds like. DJK like.

LOL ... I'm sorry to say that I'm not that optimistic concerning Arnett. However, I think that we could add a high quality guys like Byrd or Roberts.

 

[hawkfarmer]

LOL ... I'm sorry to say that I'm not that optimistic concerning Arnett. However, I think that we could add a high quality guys like Byrd or Roberts.

Quit crushing my dream homer. Stop it, just stop it. But in reality, I like Roberts, he's big and lanky. Nice big target aka McNutt

 

[trj]

I've been thinking quite a bit about the 2011 team because I have no life and get bored often at work. My concerns which have been addressed by Homerhawkeye are with the receivers and linebackers.

If Wegher comes back I wouldn't mind a position switch to wide receiver. I don't know enough about Cotton or how he is progressing to determine how much of a impact he will make next year. I know its still early yet, still waiting for the light to come with Davis.......Maybe it will happen later on this year. Remember the light finally coming on with Brodell late in his sophomore year.

Iowa loves to run two tight end sets.....Which they will be able to do with Fierdowcz(sp?) and Herman.


This years D-line is once in a decade type line, however next year's line will be better than people think.

Pass coverage may be the achilles heel for the linebackers next year, Neilsen is decent, but what i've seen/read that is Davis's weakness. Not sure if Morris beats out Davis or slides over to the WIL spot. Don't know enough about Getz/Kirksey.

Will be happy with anything 7-5 or above, probably go 8-4.

Home game with Pitt, need to check the roster to see who they have coming back. ISU loses a lot on offense and Sims, Sandvig, O'connell, Parker on defense. Still undecided on how difficult that game in Ames will be next year.

 

[homerHAWKeye777]

I'm not quite certain that the '10 DL is a "once in a decade" group. We have to see how they play through the season before we annoint them. The potential may be there .... however, the Iowa DL is consistently a pretty impressive group. The '02 and '04 Iowa DLs were exceptionally impressive ... and they're not the only Iowa DLs that have impressed me.

Thus, Iowa DL will move on after losing Clayborn, Klug, and Ballard. I'll just be curious about how the group dynamic shifts as new guys step up in leadership roles.

 

[homerHAWKeye777]

DE-Binns (Sr)
DT-Daniels (Sr)
DT-Nardo (Sr)/ Bigach (Jr)
DE-Daniel (Sr)
OLB-Nielsen (Sr)
MLB-Davis (Sr)/ Morris (So)
OLB-Kirksey (So)/Getz (So)
CB-Prater (Sr)
S-Sash (Sr)
S-Bernstein (Sr)/ Miller (So)
CB-Hyde (Jr)

I just noticed ... putting Getz ahead of DiBona? Really?

While I'm sure that he's making plenty of mistakes ... DiBona has caught my eye as a guy who is clearly flying around, working hard, and trying to make an impact. As all that effort and energy gets more "directed" ... I'm inclined to think that he'll be squarely putting himself into the picture there at LB.

We'll learn more in the Ball State game ... however, in the first two games, Kirksey came in ahead of DiBona at the WILL spot. Kirksey even broke up a pass against ISU ... although the Iowa stat-book doesn't acknowledge that fact.

 

[homerHAWKeye777]

Pass coverage may be the achilles heel for the linebackers next year, Neilsen is decent, but what i've seen/read that is Davis's weakness. Not sure if Morris beats out Davis or slides over to the WIL spot. Don't know enough about Getz/Kirksey.

trj -

For 2011, I'm not worried about Nielsen in coverage. He already looks "ahead of schedule" to me in coverage as a first-year starter. BOTH Morris and Kirksey can move ... and I've liked what I've seen from them thus far concerning coverage. The bigger question will be how they fare in coverage as everydown guys ... when they HAVE TO also worry about the opposition's running game. Of course, what is often the case is that young LBs with great instincts tend to be much better against the run than against the pass ... that was certain the case with Coleman.

The more alarming thing to me concerning our LBs will be the lack of experienced depth.

 

[trj]

I'm not quite certain that the '10 DL is a "once in a decade" group. We have to see how they play through the season before we annoint them. The potential may be there .... however, the Iowa DL is consistently a pretty impressive group. The '02 and '04 Iowa DLs were exceptionally impressive ... and they're not the only Iowa DLs that have impressed me.

Thus, Iowa DL will move on after losing Clayborn, Klug, and Ballard. I'll just be curious about how the group dynamic shifts as new guys step up in leadership roles.

Fair enough.

My point is that all four guys have a legit chance to be on a NFL roster.....that is SEC like.....At school like Iowa to have all four starting d-linemen on a NFL roster is once in a decade.

'10
Clayborn ----- Projected 1st round pick
Ballard------- 2nd, 3rd round pick, maybe a late first.
Klug------ Anywhere from the 5th round to FA
Binns-----??????? If he can make the transition to a rush linebacker in a 3-4 scheme he is a 2nd or 3rd round draft pick....If he can't then he is 3rd down rush the QB specialist, then he is a 4th rd. or lower pick. I know he has a huge wing span, but at 261 lbs might not be big enough to be an every play lineman.

'04
Roth---2nd round pick.
Babineaux---2nd round pick
Luebke-----FA
Can't remember who the other guy was? Robinson?

 

[edr247]

Not bad as a preliminary lineup.

Looking much further in the future, however, is tougher as you just don't know what young star shows up to play, or if we land some great recruits, etc.