DuffMan
Well-Known Member
no chance in hell they said that to him.
AJ Derby now a linebacker
- Thread starter nwiahawks
- Start date
no chance in hell they said that to him.
hawkeye2011
Well-Known Member
Regardless of who is/was the backup, this season is up in flames if JVB were to go down.
Like I said in the other thread, Iowa has been down this road before. In 2008 we had: Rick, Jake C., McNutt, JVB, Wienke.
During that season they moved McNutt to WR. That left them with: Stanzi, Jake, and in effect JVB as a true freshman as the 3rd QB who traveled to every game.
Like I said in the other thread, Iowa has been down this road before. In 2008 we had: Rick, Jake C., McNutt, JVB, Wienke.
During that season they moved McNutt to WR. That left them with: Stanzi, Jake, and in effect JVB as a true freshman as the 3rd QB who traveled to every game.
Drakebulldog93
Well-Known Member
^^^This^^^
We can't have our #2 QB risking injury on kickoff's, but we just got an athlete that wants to see the field, and it will start on Special Teams. I could see him getting some time on defense when the Michigan's roll into town
tweeterhawk
Well-Known Member
Beginning to have serious doubts about the veracity of these reports. I join the camp of I'll believe it when I see it.
JonDMiller
Publisher/Founder
I think this will eventually happen and have felt that way since he committed.
However, I don't think you move your #2 QB to linebacker in the middle of a season when he has never (or very rarely) worked out there. UNLESS things were very close between he and Wienke...but given Kirk's history of giving coin flips like that to the older player, I don't know that is the case either.
I guess I'd be very shocked were this the case. this isn't high school, you can't just move over to play LB on a whim
However, I don't think you move your #2 QB to linebacker in the middle of a season when he has never (or very rarely) worked out there. UNLESS things were very close between he and Wienke...but given Kirk's history of giving coin flips like that to the older player, I don't know that is the case either.
I guess I'd be very shocked were this the case. this isn't high school, you can't just move over to play LB on a whim
homerHAWKeye777
Well-Known Member
On a whim, Bullock moved from WR to RB. What was the motive for that "whim?" Depth issues at RB ... of course!
Now fast forward to today. Hitchens and Morris currently have ankle issues. Getz and DiBona are already out for the season. Poggi is currently out with shoulder issues. And to top it all off ... Nielsen is just recovering from foot issues ... and now he's dealing with 3 broken fingers!
Who else do we have at LB? Alston and Collins are TR FR. And Donatell has clearly been a bit overwhelmed at the LEO spot ... he cannot keep up in coverage ... and he obviously doesn't have the size to set the edge.
So where do we OBVIOUSLY have depth issues? LB!
Also, how often have past Hawkeyes gained their starting spot by making the most of opportunities they received because other guys were injured? THE ANSWER ... it's happened A LOT! (Luebke, Hunter, Spievey, Prater, Edds, etc ... all gained critical experience under such circumstances)
Quite frankly, the window of opportunity here ... particularly at LEO, couldn't be better for AJ.
Whim ... really?
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I would agree with Homer that the only way I could buy this rumor is that they're moving Derby to strengthen the linebacker depth at least until next year, when Ruddock will give them more QB depth without worrying about pulling his shirt, allowing coaches the option to experiment with Derby at LB if he's open to it. Derby may not even officially "switch" positions unless they find out they need him. My guess, if this rumor is true, is they're getting him ready for that possibility.
homerHAWKeye777
Well-Known Member
And yet it is rumored that just now he is starting to practice at LB. Thus, Ferentz's comment was made before any change was made.
Given Ferentz's MO ... he rarely advertises position changes until they "take."
Just look at Hyde at safety ... he had been getting reps there before it was ever remarked upon publicly by Ferentz. Of course, Hyde also moved back to CB. Given the circumstances ... we just don't know how things will unfold ... until they do.
DuffMan
Well-Known Member
The reality is he was probably asked to move so that in the event someone else went down he would we would not he completely unprepared at that position. He's had a year and a half in the system at qb now. He's not going to lose that if he prepares at LB for the remainder of the season. We do little if any hitting in practice at this point in the season so its not like practicing at LB is a big injury risk.
If JVB went down on Saturday Derby would be able to move right back to QB. Both he and Winke would need to go down before. Ruddock sees the field this year.
If JVB went down on Saturday Derby would be able to move right back to QB. Both he and Winke would need to go down before. Ruddock sees the field this year.
I dont think Derby is faster than Kirksey, Hutchins, Morris or Nielsen so I doubt that would make much difference when facing Michigan. The key would be knowing assignments and technique if fighting off blockers.
I will still have to see it to believe the change has been made.
goods10
Well-Known Member
I was under the impression that Derby was much faster than those guys.
hawkeye2011
Well-Known Member
Derby is a low 4.8 guy. Nielsen is a high 4.5 guy. Those are Iowa's laser times, not mine.
Football speed may be different. I guess we will see.
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goods10
Well-Known Member
OK...thanks for the info.
The decision to switch to LB was made Tuesday morning and AJ had his first practice with LB on Tuesday afternoon. Plan is to play special teams now, possibly this week but not confirmed, with goal of getting some reps at LB later in season.
