tm3308
Well-Known Member
I'd agree with you Walsh (I was wondering why Donnal didn't already own the job coming in), but he was a highly-touted recruit, so he's not a "good story" guy either.
Are there really no better safeties in this program.
- Thread starter hawkfarmer
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I'd agree with you Walsh (I was wondering why Donnal didn't already own the job coming in), but he was a highly-touted recruit, so he's not a "good story" guy either.
SpecialKHawk
Well-Known Member
I think the reality of physicality and size showed up against an upper echelon B1G team where suddenly we went from 200 yards a game on the ground to 23. The difference was our inability on the interior especially to move the line of scrimmage and create the running lanes because they have big DT's and DE's. This and I thought our backs ran very soft including Weismann (before injury).
We can get away with a certain size metric on the o-line against FCS, MAC and low level BCS teams but when it comes to the big boys that value defense it is game over.
tm3308
Well-Known Member
You realize that this year's line runs 315-295-300-305-300, right (average of 303 lbs)? That's almost exactly in line with the 2008 unit, which averaged 302 pounds per man.
Unless you're only referring to Blythe vs. Walsh, in which case I agree. Donnal has 15 pounds on Walsh, and Iowa's line is far better with him in the lineup. Iowa didn't run for a lot of yards against OSU, but it wasn't because we couldn't; we simply stopped trying. The backs averaged about 5.1 ypc, but only got 24 carries.
SpecialKHawk
Well-Known Member
This has been a solid line and I do agree that last week this group really got after it. No complaints here based on the performance of this group across the entire season. We got handled though up front against MSU and that was disappointing.
You have to understand I have very high expectations of having not just an average or good offensive lines but great offensive lines given the acumen and expertise of the head coach and in this state you can find big and physical kids. Not that all of our o-line has to come from in state but we should never, ever have to field an undersized and inadequate line.
I value offensive and defensive lines over all other positions with QB being a close second. I think o-line play drives offensive production more so than play calling and wide receiver play. Show me a great offensive team and I will show you a very good to great o-line as an underlying factor. When QB has all day to throw the ball and your running backs are getting 2-4 yards down field before first contact you are going to score points regardless of play calling and wide receiver separation.
Size to me is not just weight but also height. I want all of my lineman at 6'4" or better and at least 300 lbs. The smallest player in those metrics would be my center. My tackles would be at least 325 lbs and my guards would 310 or better. Check out the metrics on the top 20 programs and you will realize how undersized we are in most if not all seasons. Size and physicality matters.
I agree on your metrics for the most part. I would only add arm length.
On the other side of the ball you can fudge a little. In the middle anyway. You can find those shorter ones that if playing gap sound, are hard to stop. They have to be fast off the ball and have excellent 15 to 20the yard times. VERY hard to stop.. Reminds me of red rosey red rosey. (Yes i am old, do kids even play that anymore.
On the other side of the ball you can fudge a little. In the middle anyway. You can find those shorter ones that if playing gap sound, are hard to stop. They have to be fast off the ball and have excellent 15 to 20the yard times. VERY hard to stop.. Reminds me of red rosey red rosey. (Yes i am old, do kids even play that anymore.
Back to our secondary. You people can argue "speed" all day if you want. What i want to see is across the board more football knowledge. Second, i want to see excellent hips. You shave a time off your "speed" if the first action is faster. (First action or reaction is thought, second requires hips). If you get those two things in a player you can tweak the rest.
lightning1
Well-Known Member
That's as good an explanation as I have read here. Smooth hips and a good burst can make up for a lot of missteps in the secondary.
docholihawk
Well-Known Member
I'm thinking it has more to do with Phil Parker's responsibilities as a DC and db coach at the same time.
MeatMan
Well-Known Member
that's because the kid ain't so smart. tons of athletic talent. you really like to presume, don't you?
okeefe4prez
Well-Known Member
OUTofTOWNHAWK
Well-Known Member
Helmet to helmet that kid should be kicked out of football.^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^6
MiniMoeHawk
Well-Known Member
You have to be fast for Al Davis to like you. "Just Win Baby"
lightning1
Well-Known Member
Agreed. I wish I could get into the meeting rooms when players are chosen to start and other players are discussed.
Perhaps UberHawk you should do a bit of research yourself before you stereotype folks based on race or the position they happen to play. I'm feeling generous so I've included results from the past few yrs at the Drake Relays just to save a bit of time. A generally accepted formula used by several noteable authors would equate to a 10.83s time at +0.0 wind which could further be estimated at roughly a 4.4s - 4.5s 40yd split depending on body type for Zack. That my friend would have been fast enough to beat or compete with the following 2013 NFL Safety drafts based purely on their NFL combine scores: Micah Hyde-IA (4.56), TJ McDonald-USC (4.59), Rob Lester-AL (4.66), Zeke Motta-ND (4.83) just to name a few. Heck I will even provide a link should you want to compare against a few more: 2013 NFL Combine results: Safety 40-yrd dash times
Year Athlete Time Wind
2013 - Zack Skibinski 11.41 -5.6
2012 - James Harrington 10.61 0.7
2011 - James Harrington 10.84 -2.7
2010 - James Harrington 11.01 -2.5
2009 - Patrick Lewis 11.18 0.0
2008 - Jarred Herring 10.69 2.4
2007 - Jarred Herring 10.91 0.3
RocknRollface
Well-Known Member
I agree, Lowdermilk is doing OK, but Miller is making mental mistakes way to often. The same thing that supposedly prohibits Law from getting any playing time. Dosen't make sense considering, as the OP mentioned, we have recited a bunch of safeties the last few years.
RocknRollface
Well-Known Member
This is why I have always thought it was ridiculous to worry about "speed" in the way its measured on a track.
You're not starting from the sound of a gun on a straight line in a game.
Straight line speed rarely actually comes into play. Whats important is quickness and reaction/reflexes. Half a second difference in reaction time or a quick cut changes the out come of a play far more so.
Jerry Rice and Micheal Irvin had slow 40 times.
Millers not slow, but he is confused to often.
MeatMan
Well-Known Member
when you go straight to name calling, it lets the rest of us know your intelligence level. he's a DE, not some big slob. also, you made that ridiculous statement before you even knew how the Drake Relays are set up. sorry to ruin your straw-man argument.
i know people at Heelan. the kid is a freak athlete. terrible grades. could have played at a much higher level if he could just pass some classes.
the kid is 6'4" and 250 now at UNI, but played closer to 220ish at Heelan. Zach Skibinski Bio - Official Site of University of Northern Iowa Athletics
yeah, the best kids from Iowa aren't generally going to beat the best kids from Florida, but just chill out a bit.
MeatMan
Well-Known Member
wow, good info.
