storminspank
Justin VanLaere
Had this conversation with a co-worker. What do you think?
Are Iowa's Issues Fixable?
- Thread starter storminspank
- Start date
tweeterhawk
Well-Known Member
Don't see the talent to fix them much this year. Should be better with a year of experience next year. Also not sure the coaches have the ability to adapt that much to the talent.
I think as the year goes on the inexperienced will get more comfortable and the players will watch the tape, see what they did wrong and will learn from it. We all knew going into this year that the D would struggle some because we lost a lot of talent last year. But the new kids will learn and move on. Don't count the hawks down for the year just yet. You never know, we could have a 2002 season again. You just never know until the season is over.
BSpringsteen
Well-Known Member
If they are not, there are systemic problems within the program and its talent level that are ominous harbingers.
If the issues are not fixed, I predict that the 2013 season will be his last at Iowa.
But I do believe they are fixable and will be fixed. As I stated earlier, I remain bullish on KF until he gives me a reason not to be
If the issues are not fixed, I predict that the 2013 season will be his last at Iowa.
But I do believe they are fixable and will be fixed. As I stated earlier, I remain bullish on KF until he gives me a reason not to be
talkinhawks
Well-Known Member
They are fixable but it's on the coaching staff to make adjustments. Iowa doesn't have the talent on the d-line that they have had in past years so we can't rely on a 4-man rush (I know we blitzed a little more on Sat.) The blitzes were telegraphed pretty bad on Sat. That needs work.
The coaches have raved about JVB.....they need to open it up a bit. Wally Burnham owned KOK for most of the game Sat. Iowa ran the ball with Coker 35 times into a stacked box. I understand you need to run to keep them honest, but there were mismatches in Iowa's favor on running downs, if we would have just thrown the ball.
The coaches want to run this vanilla offense and defense, but it only works if you have the players to do it. We are undersized and inexperienced on the d-line, so we need to adjust. We are a little inexperienced at qb, but at some point you have to trust the guy playing and let him do his thing....you can't keep running coker into a wall of defenders and expect a different outcome. They are going to kill Coker if this continues all season.
The coaches have raved about JVB.....they need to open it up a bit. Wally Burnham owned KOK for most of the game Sat. Iowa ran the ball with Coker 35 times into a stacked box. I understand you need to run to keep them honest, but there were mismatches in Iowa's favor on running downs, if we would have just thrown the ball.
The coaches want to run this vanilla offense and defense, but it only works if you have the players to do it. We are undersized and inexperienced on the d-line, so we need to adjust. We are a little inexperienced at qb, but at some point you have to trust the guy playing and let him do his thing....you can't keep running coker into a wall of defenders and expect a different outcome. They are going to kill Coker if this continues all season.
JonDMiller
Publisher/Founder
I don't think the DL can get exponentially better. I do think they can do things to increase pressure on QB and Bernstine and Lowery will be needed.
On offense, they still have the capability of getting a lot better
On offense, they still have the capability of getting a lot better
scourt
Well-Known Member
Right, like in 2005 when we were down to, what...5th string running back?
Yeah, we didn't adapt then.
Iowa cannot let the opposing teams run go-routes or deep crossing routes unabated. The DB's are going to have to play bump-n-run or at least force the opposing wide-out to run back across the middle where there is help (something/anything to slow the receivers down). Maybe bring the safety down on occasion and double the wideout, pinning him at the line. The Hawks absolutely cannot let Castillo give the guy a 5-yard cushion while playing man-coverage. There is just no way the DB's can cover with the current scheme because the D-line will not get there in time.
1977Hawkeye
Well-Known Member
The talent may be down, but there is most certainly room for improvement, even with the players we have. This is not the best team we can be.
HawkeyeMcNutt
Well-Known Member
I think the defensive front can be fixed to be average, or a little above average. But I also think that's all we really need. With playmakers like Prater and Hyde back there, this gives them a chance to make plays.
Also, does Bernstine get some more time now at Safety? Sleeper played poorly this weekend, especially on that TD where Jantz had no worries of any defenders being around his reciever.
P.S. Why didn't we try and exploit the size matchups more on the outside? P(articularly McNutt.)
Also, does Bernstine get some more time now at Safety? Sleeper played poorly this weekend, especially on that TD where Jantz had no worries of any defenders being around his reciever.
P.S. Why didn't we try and exploit the size matchups more on the outside? P(articularly McNutt.)
Cyclones17
Well-Known Member
Offensively yes. They need to get a quick RB in there to run with Coker. Plus their WR targets are good but Vandenberg is inaccurate. I think that is fixable for him and if it is I think the Hawks have a good offense.
Defensively I think you will be alright. You don't face to may great Oline's the rest of the way and I think the Dline will get better. Minus Kirksey though it seemed like your LB's were non existant. Although I will admit I haven't looked at the stats
Defensively I think you will be alright. You don't face to may great Oline's the rest of the way and I think the Dline will get better. Minus Kirksey though it seemed like your LB's were non existant. Although I will admit I haven't looked at the stats
okeefe4prez
Well-Known Member
Right, like in 2005 when we were down to, what...5th string running back?
Yeah, we didn't adapt then.
2004. O'Keefe adapted. The offense is fine, they just need to tighten up a few things. JVB is still getting his timing down and the o-line has yet to gel, but when they do, that o is going to be sick. They did enough to win on Saturday. When the adaptation is required on the defensive side of the ball, it never happens. I haven't seen an Iowa d-line get pushed around like that bince 2005, but that line was really young and they progressed during the season, this year we've got 3 seniors starting, so we might as well just pack it in right now. Maybe we'll beat Weeziana and Purdue or Indiana, but this ballclub will struggle to win 4 games and I would advise any of you with young children to keep them away from the television when we play Northwestern, Michigan and Nebraska. The whoopin's that will get laid on the D in those games will make "Passion of the Christ" look like a children's movie.
Cyclones17
Well-Known Member
Especially with Reeves guarding him. Reeves is athletic but he is really short. I would have taken advantage of that all day.
But when Leonard Johnson guarded him, McNutt never got open. Johnson was glued to him and really was more physical then him
azhawkeyefan
Well-Known Member
Now we know what we've got. After Tenn Tech I think nobody could really take much away from that game due to the conditions. Now that ISU is done, I'm sure adjustments can be made (hopefully they are being done as we speak) based on our current players. We saw adjustments to our offense in '04 when all of our RB's went down. I'm sure we'll see a few more blitzes and creativity out of our defense moving forward until our front 4 can take care of things on their own. Aside from schemes, there were a lot of missed tackles on Saturday, and that is definitely correctable.
On offense, they just need to execute better, which I think they can. Only adjustments i'd like to see are more targets at McNutt, and for a little lightning to go along with Coker's thunder.
On offense, they just need to execute better, which I think they can. Only adjustments i'd like to see are more targets at McNutt, and for a little lightning to go along with Coker's thunder.
DunderMifflinHk
Well-Known Member
eveningnewsteam
Well-Known Member
Iowa needs to find a #2 tailback. Absolutely unrealistic to think they can go through the year with 1 tailback. Iowa's tackling is absolute **** and the coverage teams are terrible right now. They forced a few holding calls on Saturday, but as a whole did a **** poor job of getting off blocks. They HAVE to start mixing up defenses and creating some confusion or this scene is gonna play itself over about 6 more times this year.
spudhawk
Well-Known Member
Absolutely. But every part of this team needs to improve including the coaching staff. I think we could all agree that the offensive playcalling was rough at times.
Defensively Iowa needs to make QBs think more. Iowa used to own inexperienced QBs but that trend is not holding up over the past couple of seasons. Iowa's most effective blitz was Kirksey coming from his original position. ISU's line never identified him and he got the sack. Must see more disguised defense. Must see less snaps per player along the defensive line. Must see better tackling and coverage from the safeties.
Defensively Iowa needs to make QBs think more. Iowa used to own inexperienced QBs but that trend is not holding up over the past couple of seasons. Iowa's most effective blitz was Kirksey coming from his original position. ISU's line never identified him and he got the sack. Must see more disguised defense. Must see less snaps per player along the defensive line. Must see better tackling and coverage from the safeties.
