A Modest Proposal

[ThunderHawk]

If we aren't serious about setting up a potent punt return (see: Sandeman returning punts instead of DJK), perhaps we should engage in rushing the punter, which would preclude the kind of fake punt nonsense we witnessed on Saturday.

Just a thought.

Also, on a related note...perhaps an extra pass rusher on 4th and 4 with the game on the line? Trust me, nobody enjoys the "bend and then break" defense more than I, but a little shake-up on 4th down wouldn't disappoint me. I could roll with that.

 

[hawkfarmer]

If we aren't serious about setting up a potent punt return (see: Sandeman returning punts instead of DJK), perhaps we should engage in rushing the punter, which would preclude the kind of fake punt nonsense we witnessed on Saturday.

Just a thought.

Also, on a related note...perhaps an extra pass rusher on 4th and 4 with the game on the line? Trust me, nobody enjoys the "bend and then break" defense more than I, but a little shake-up on 4th down wouldn't disappoint me. I could roll with that.

I just can't figure out why you wouldn't run the punt safe on that. 6 minutes, you've stopped them. Run punt safe and fair catch it. It's not like Sandeman is going to return a punt. Made no sense to me. I even told my wife they were going to do it before it happened. Dumb. I personally think Iowa should run punt safe every time no matter what.

 

[ThunderHawk]

I just can't figure out why you wouldn't run the punt safe on that. 6 minutes, you've stopped them. Run punt safe and fair catch it. It's not like Sandeman is going to return a punt. Made no sense to me. I even told my wife they were going to do it before it happened. Dumb. I personally think Iowa should run punt safe every time no matter what.

If you have Sandeman back there you're running punt safe regardless.

 

[deanvogs]

I just can't figure out why you wouldn't run the punt safe on that. 6 minutes, you've stopped them. Run punt safe and fair catch it. It's not like Sandeman is going to return a punt. Made no sense to me. I even told my wife they were going to do it before it happened. Dumb. I personally think Iowa should run punt safe every time no matter what.

This was the one play that the coaches let the team down. The guy sitting next to me was screaming fake punt, fake punt! Lots of fans were screaming it. I bet if you ask the coaches about this, they know they absolutely got caught with their pants down.

 

[burky247]

There are a few things about Ferentz I will never understand. His philosophy on punt returns probably tops the list.

 

[LoewDog]

Dean...you must sit by me!

It's not that anyone knew for sure the fake was coming. It's that the situation should definitely have made you consider stopping it, since there is nothing to lose by doing so. Tell Sande that he is fair catching no matter what and be ready.

This was my biggest disappointment of the day, other than losing.

 

[ThunderHawk]

I've had people try to convince me that we don't have DJK returning punts because he's too valuable as a receiver.

To which I respond: Was Rocket Ismail too valuable as a receiver to a national champion team to return punts?

I think not.

Weapons are meant to be deployed, not decoyed.

 

[burky247]

I've had people try to convince me that we don't have DJK returning punts because he's too valuable as a receiver.

To which I respond: Was Rocket Ismail too valuable as a receiver to a national champion team to return punts?

I think not.

Weapons are meant to be deployed, not decoyed.

Agreed. Besides, if he is too valuable to be a punt returner, why is he a kickoff returner?

 

[HawkeyeBA]

Agreed. Besides, if he is too valuable to be a punt returner, why is he a kickoff returner?

This. Exactly what I was thinking. I would say the same thing for KO coverage as well. Not sure why Iowa is using so many true freshman unless they are actually better and in that case then all i have to say is WOW ST is just horrible.

 

[Sirhouseman]

Maybe he sucks at catching punts? Just sayin.

 

[edr247]

I just can't figure out why you wouldn't run the punt safe on that. 6 minutes, you've stopped them. Run punt safe and fair catch it. It's not like Sandeman is going to return a punt. Made no sense to me. I even told my wife they were going to do it before it happened. Dumb. I personally think Iowa should run punt safe every time no matter what.

People on the BHGP game thread (including myself) were more or less saying that it was going to be a fake. And in talking to friends who were at the game, apparently so were many fans. And in listening to Sandeman in his post-game interview, SO DID HE!

Yet we made absolutely NO effort to prevent the fake. Not in the slightest. I understand you want to keep Wisconsin from getting down the field, had it been a punt, hopefully preventing the chance that Sandeman muffs it and they recover.

But there HAS to be a middle ground between sending everyone after the punter and giving up a free 4th down conversion.

When EIU did it to us in the first game of the season, was it a similar situation?