Bigger Worry - WR or Safety

[WinOneThisCentury]

The general consensus among most fans is that WR is the largest concern heading into camp, but in my opinion, it's safety. Losing a bonafide starter who would have made progress on a solid first year starting, is a huge loss. Certainly Taylor has experience, but he struggled at times last year and lost his job when he got hurt. You can't hide safety play against a good QB...and this could provide some serious growing pains early in the year.

At least on the offensive side, we have shown we can score points without stellar WR play...and now MV is back, and there are a whole slew of options vying for playing time. You also have a great TE group and backs who can catch the ball...so IMO, you can hide your lack of outside threat...at least until you play the upper echelon of B10 teams. That's where it becomes evident when you don't have an outside threat.

 

[tksirius]

The only concern on D is the depth @ DT.

 

[Kennyfromminne]

The only concern on D is the depth @ DT.

Agreed. Could be a huge hole like we haven't seen in sometime

 

[Hawkfnntn]

The only concern on D is the depth @ DT.

Not to me. Safety to me is much bigger worry. A lot of college football is so pass happy as it is that if your safeties are blowing assignments be it against the run or pass it just kills you. I think we are good at DT. Bazzata and Lattimore should do fine. They have a few other guys to rotate in. I wouldn't say they are deep by any means but I'm not as worried about it as I am safety.

 

[WinOneThisCentury]

Based on what KF said in Chicago, he's more comfortable with his team the closer you get to the ball. I agree with Hawkfnntn...there are bodies at DT that have been in the program that have also gotten some run from Reese Morgan...Brady Reiff to name one. We certainly aren't deep with experienced players, but I fully expect Matt Nelson to be a DT for a lot of snaps this year. We are too deep on the outside for him not to. I think Bazata and Lattimore will do well, especially Lattimore. He's 300 pounds and he's quick...I think another Spring and Fall are going to do wonders for him. The extra 25 pounds will certainly help too.

I also would think AJ will be a DT by his sophomore year. If he comes to Iowa at 270, he'll be 290 next year...that's a big DE...but let's see how quick he is against this level of competition. Regardless it's going to be fun to watch the DL this year. if we can force 2nd and 3rd and long...we are going to get to the QB. There are some young DE's that have talent.

 

[BVHawk95]

It's absolutely WR. Losing Snyder hurts yes, but Gervase is a 4th year guy who gad a great spring, Taylor had a good 2015 and has the potential to return to that level as a senior, and talented depth in Amani Hooker and some of the incoming freshmen.

On top of that, Phil Parker has a proven track record with the DB's, so I think we can give him the benefit of the doubt.

 

[IndianaHawk]

The only concern on D is the depth @ DT.

I wouldn't use the word ONLY concern. WinOne is right, safety is a big concern.

 

[tksirius]

It's absolutely WR. Losing Snyder hurts yes, but Gervase is a 4th year guy who gad a great spring, Taylor had a good 2015 and has the potential to return to that level as a senior, and talented depth in Amani Hooker and some of the incoming freshmen.

On top of that, Phil Parker has a proven track record with the DB's, so I think we can give him the benefit of the doubt.

Bingo! ^^

 

[NCHawker]

Which one could lose Iowa a game? I'd say safety.

Look, each year there are losses and depth issues SOMEWHERE. Nothing new here really.

Next year we'll be back to depth issues at Linebacker and Running Back. This 2017 seems more manageable.

 

[tksirius]

The lack of depth at DT is going to be an issue in the 4th quarter of some games. Let's hope we stay healthy there, cuz it could get ugly with injuries.

 

[hawkdrummer1]

I wouldn't use the word ONLY concern. WinOne is right, safety is a big concern.

The opener may be the biggest concern at Safety. Wyoming's QB makes a lot of his plays on the run improvising. Our DBs need to know their assignments and keep things in front of them

 

[IndianaHawk]

The lack of depth at DT is going to be an issue in the 4th quarter of some games. Let's hope we stay healthy there, cuz it could get ugly with injuries.

This is a situation that KF's run, ball control, clock eating game plan would help.

 

[revkev73]

Should be OK until we run into those athletic teams that blow our doors off, quickly...OSU, Stanford, et. al....

Can grind in the mud to beat those teams that KF loves for life time stats and contract renewals for him and his progeny.

 

[Fryowa]

I'm sorry but Snyder is hugely overrated. He misses as many tackles as he makes, and relies on big upright hits to knock defenders down. The kid tries to play Troy Polamalu football but he's not Troy Polamalu.

He whiffs all the time and that high flying style doesn't leave him in a spot to finish the play. Norm Parker will handle it okay, WR is the weak link.

 

[ClintonIAfan]

I'm not worried about either.

 

[ArvadaHawk]

Based on what KF said in Chicago, he's more comfortable with his team the closer you get to the ball. I agree with Hawkfnntn...there are bodies at DT that have been in the program that have also gotten some run from Reese Morgan...Brady Reiff to name one. We certainly aren't deep with experienced players, but I fully expect Matt Nelson to be a DT for a lot of snaps this year. We are too deep on the outside for him not to. I think Bazata and Lattimore will do well, especially Lattimore. He's 300 pounds and he's quick...I think another Spring and Fall are going to do wonders for him. The extra 25 pounds will certainly help too.

I also would think AJ will be a DT by his sophomore year. If he comes to Iowa at 270, he'll be 290 next year...that's a big DE...but let's see how quick he is against this level of competition. Regardless it's going to be fun to watch the DL this year. if we can force 2nd and 3rd and long...we are going to get to the QB. There are some young DE's that have talent.

WOTC, Iowa needs at least one DT to require a double-team, or the OL will be able to get to the second level and get hands on a LB. I don't think that's Bazata. Maybe Lattimore becomes that, but he'll need to do it soon. I also think AJ will get reps at DT just to get him on the field. I believe his home will be DE. 280/290 isn't overly big for a DE. Both Ballard and Clayborn were that big.

Biggest issue is WR. We'll see how AW and JB are used in the passing game and if MQ can come in and make plays, but if our WR play is no better than last season, and with having a raw and inexperienced qb, we could be in for a long, long season. Safety gets help if our DE's can get pressure on the qb. I'm assuming whoever plays S will get the run fills correct most of the time.

 

[ibahawkeye]

in regards to both these positions, I'm optimistic our strengths can overcome the weaknesses or lack of experience.

O-line, RBs and the use of the TEs will hopefully help open things up for the WRs.

Similarly on D, we are returning 6-7 up front I believe.

 

[trj]

Safety


Play in the secondary has a lot to do with communication and knowing who has what responsibilities. This group hasn't played a ton together so early games like Wyoming and ISU make me nervous because they are going to test that group.

With a few notable exceptions Iowa has never had great play from their wide receivers. This year won't be any different. If MVB stays healthy I expect him to catch 60-70 passes and everyone else will pick up the slack after him. I said it million times already even if GD came back they were going have to re-do the passing game. If AW caught 36 passes last year I expect at least 50 this year.

 

[trj]

I'm sorry but Snyder is hugely overrated. He misses as many tackles as he makes, and relies on big upright hits to knock defenders down. The kid tries to play Troy Polamalu football but he's not Troy Polamalu.

He whiffs all the time and that high flying style doesn't leave him in a spot to finish the play. Norm Parker will handle it okay, WR is the weak link.

After the first 4 or 5 games of last season your assessment would be spot on. Imo, he improved a lot in the second half of season. The tackles he whiffed on early in the season, he made the 2nd half of the season. I would take his experience in a heartbeat, especially early in the season.

 

[HawkeyeFan57]

We have a lot of new options at WR: Easley, Quarells, and 4 freshmen. Looking at highlight reels does not show you how many times they dropped balls...so I am always cautious. Two of the 6 should be able to step forward, and one from Falconer/Young should be ready to contribute. Add in our TE's and RB's, we should be decent in the passing game. I am optimistic someone will rise to the occasion. So in conclusion, safety is probably a bigger concern.