2013 Sneak Peak: The Defense

[doclee]

LOL, the average poster on this board doesn't know jack other than what they read here and at other sites. Those same people thought CJF would be declaring for the NFL draft right now.Maybe in 3 or 4 years. Those guys are MILES away from being solid contributors at this point.Two guys coming off of major surgery with little to no experience between them. Great.This group of players is still at least 2 years away from being anything other than average on an extremely good day. And with our offense in as bad a shape as it is, average just isn't going to cut it. Not to mention the generally incompetent coaching of Phil Parker and Darrel Wilson.

TROLL

 

[kameltoez102]

One year can make a difference in college football. It is a matter of people stepping up and a playmaker taking the lead. All 3 LBs have that potential and most posters considered Law to be a playmaker. We will see if that happens or not.

Agree, better DL play is a key. Hopefully McMinn or Ott can develop into strong pass rusher. Would be nice to see Cooper or LTP improve in that area too. I will be very curious to see how Johnson and Ekaktie (sp?) develop. Both highly regarded recruits.
One thing not mentioned is that Alvis will made it through year after having had knee surgery. Hopefully another offseason of conditioning will help his play at DE.

At LB, I , like many others, am waiting for James Morris to become the playmaker. He did make the interception against ISU and few other plays. He also missed some tackles that he shoudl have made. I am thinking most recently of whiffing on Burkhalder of Neb on short pass. Guy had bad knee but still juked Morris out to get another 10-15 yards.

As for DBs, I am thinking Lile and Lomax will be keys. Hopefully Lowery and Law can play up to their billing. Hmmm that would make the Four L's in Backfield. Gotta come up with something for nickname if that works out.

For all the good plays Morris has made he cancels them all out with poor tackling and getting beat consistently on pass routes. As stated earlier DL will be key. If we get a good rush and can defend the run even with mediocre safeties and corners the chances are better at making a play. All our good defense success in the past has hinged on us being able to get a rush with 4 guys. To me it seems they lack the physicalness that some of the standouts have had such as Roth, DeVries, Babineaux, King and Claybourne. Is it me or did we also seem to run a lot more stunts in the past on the line. Maybe it was just harder to see this year with them getting overwhelmed.

 

[LASBUR]

Lot of truth in this. They are tied togather. The offense will be better too. I think we will run the ball well, If we can pass at all.

Our defensive improvement will be tied to our offensive improvement. If the defense is on the field all game, they will wear down again. The offense needs to improve dramatically and if it does, the Iowa defense will be back.

 

[azhawkeyefan]

Our defensive improvement will be tied to our offensive improvement. If the defense is on the field all game, they will wear down again. The offense needs to improve dramatically and if it does, the Iowa defense will be back.

This is a great point, a healthy o-line and full RB crew will go a long ways in helping out the defense. That and getting some athletes at key positions on D (D-line and FS)

 

[Cover3]

Too soon, JD.

No kidding. I still haven't had a favorite baseball player since I found out Sammy Sosa used 'roids. Yet, why am I excited reading about 2013 Iowa football?

I have a problem.

 

[racerhawk]

Worst secondary and weakest DL I have seen at Iowa in years. Next year doesn't look any better without Hyde and Gags. Who in the hell is going to provide a pass rush? We just lost our leading sacker off of the 112th ranked sack unit in the country. LBs have shown flashes but are way too inconsistent, not to mention the extremely questionable/poor coaching, at every level. With Wisconsin and OSU on the schedule, I don't see how this group can be expected to improve on either their scoring or yardage averages. Urban might hang half a hundred on us, while Bret will go for 2 twice in the 4th quarter trying to get to 80. The sad thing is you will only need to score about 20 on Iowa to end the game due to our crap fest of an offense. Sad days indeed.

I'm guessing that every day for you is sad, no?

 

[Cory]

Worst secondary and weakest DL I have seen at Iowa in years. Next year doesn't look any better without Hyde and Gags. Who in the hell is going to provide a pass rush? We just lost our leading sacker off of the 112th ranked sack unit in the country. LBs have shown flashes but are way too inconsistent, not to mention the extremely questionable/poor coaching, at every level. With Wisconsin and OSU on the schedule, I don't see how this group can be expected to improve on either their scoring or yardage averages. Urban might hang half a hundred on us, while Bret will go for 2 twice in the 4th quarter trying to get to 80. The sad thing is you will only need to score about 20 on Iowa to end the game due to our crap fest of an offense. Sad days indeed.

If Morris is in the equation then is tough for me to think the LBs will be better.

 

[RenoHightower]

I'm guessing that every day for you is sad, no?

Only when I watch or think about Iowa football. Other than that, I'm usually in a pretty good mood.

 

[HawkeyeRyno]

I don't question the players will give it their all and work their tails off. Unfortunately we have an inept coaching staff. No matter how hard the players work or how good they are this staff will continue to put them in poor situations and not play to their strengths.