Could our O-linemen be healthy and athletic +10-15 more lbs.

[Cover3]

I agree with those that say Iowa has inherent recruiting disadvantages, but I'm also in the crowd that thinks this program has enough history and current support/success/talent to become a perennial 9-10 game winner.

Iowa's defense has been one of the most stout on average over the last ten years.

Iowa's offense, however, has its moments, but frequently cannot pick up that critical 3rd and short needed to really ice a game or even extend an early lead.

With the occasional calls of 'Nebraska and Wisconsin are midwestern schools who have had long stretches of championship-level play,' I thought that those two schools, at their peaks had MASSIVE earth-moving O-lines. Iowa's line tends to be of the late-90's Denver Broncos model as a lightweight more 'athletic' line.

Not sure if there are any health-industry or trainer types on this board, but is it practical to think Iowa could put an emphasis on having a line that averages 305 lbs. rather than one that tops out at 305, and still have healthy players?

For those non-trainer types (like me), do you think this would help Iowa jump to another level? I think it would help Iowa 'steamroll' lesser opponents TO A DEGREE (i.e. could have used just one or two more gaping holes in the red zone at Minny, or a couple of third-and-short pickups against ISU [who was our equal this year]). Do you think this could hurt the team?

 

[Montanahawk]

I agree with those that say Iowa has inherent recruiting disadvantages, but I'm also in the crowd that thinks this program has enough history and current support/success/talent to become a perennial 9-10 game winner.

Iowa's defense has been one of the most stout on average over the last ten years.

Iowa's offense, however, has its moments, but frequently cannot pick up that critical 3rd and short needed to really ice a game or even extend an early lead.

With the occasional calls of 'Nebraska and Wisconsin are midwestern schools who have had long stretches of championship-level play,' I thought that those two schools, at their peaks had MASSIVE earth-moving O-lines. Iowa's line tends to be of the late-90's Denver Broncos model as a lightweight more 'athletic' line.

Not sure if there are any health-industry or trainer types on this board, but is it practical to think Iowa could put an emphasis on having a line that averages 305 lbs. rather than one that tops out at 305, and still have healthy players?

For those non-trainer types (like me), do you think this would help Iowa jump to another level? I think it would help Iowa 'steamroll' lesser opponents TO A DEGREE (i.e. could have used just one or two more gaping holes in the red zone at Minny, or a couple of third-and-short pickups against ISU [who was our equal this year]). Do you think this could hurt the team?

I think it's a question of "good weight". Iowa isn't going to bulk up OL to average 320 for some numbers. A lot of the UW guys are 300 or over when they hit campus. Very big guys who put on a little more weight in college.

Iowa's offensive problems aren't related to the OL as our most recent game against Nebraska confirms. We don't often have players with the speed/athleticism to get separation. Hopefully, we get Garmon(not that Coker isn't a good back, but an extra step at RB may mean some more big plays. We need better speed at WR, too. Not giving a pass to KOK here either. Thought the offensive scheme was poor and we needed more crossing patterns to let the WR's get loose.

 

[Cover3]

I think it's a question of "good weight". Iowa isn't going to bulk up OL to average 320 for some numbers. A lot of the UW guys are 300 or over when they hit campus. Very big guys who put on a little more weight in college.

Iowa's offensive problems aren't related to the OL as our most recent game against Nebraska confirms. We don't often have players with the speed/athleticism to get separation. Hopefully, we get Garmon(not that Coker isn't a good back, but an extra step at RB may mean some more big plays. We need better speed at WR, too. Not giving a pass to KOK here either. Thought the offensive scheme was poor and we needed more crossing patterns to let the WR's get loose.

Thanks, Montana. Now that you mention it, one thing that was missing this year that might have been covered up by us 'happenstance-ing' into big plays by IU, NW and the like's coverage breakdowns was a big-play threat outside of McNutt. Against the good Ds, you need to make their breakdowns really count, and we couldn't punish PSU, NEB or MSU (save for a couple nice McNutt catches) for more than 10-15 yards. It was nice having CJ Jones and Mo Brown across from each other back in the day.

 

[racerhawk]

I think it's a question of "good weight". Iowa isn't going to bulk up OL to average 320 for some numbers. A lot of the UW guys are 300 or over when they hit campus. Very big guys who put on a little more weight in college.

Iowa's offensive problems aren't related to the OL as our most recent game against Nebraska confirms. We don't often have players with the speed/athleticism to get separation. Hopefully, we get Garmon(not that Coker isn't a good back, but an extra step at RB may mean some more big plays. We need better speed at WR, too. Not giving a pass to KOK here either. Thought the offensive scheme was poor and we needed more crossing patterns to let the WR's get loose.

Great points. It was also interesting to read the grading of different positions by Gamefilm this week. The O line graded out very well. Interesting, the O line was the least of our problems against the Huskers.

QB, RB, TE, and WR were more problematic.

 

[AZHAWKFAN1]

Right or wrong, I wish Iowa had bigger o-linemen also.

 

[HawkeyeMHA]

i think our o line was ok this season. i actually think they will be better next year, deeper, better, more skilled.

 

[Cover3]

i think our o line was ok this season. i actually think they will be better next year, deeper, better, more skilled.

I don't disagree at all. They're great at opening holes, but I don't think they often 'move the pile' in short-yardage situations.

 

[CAARHawk]

MHA, please explain. When you lose 3 starters from an Oline, it is hard to imagine that the following year's line will be deeper.

 

[HawkeyeMHA]

I would think Reiff stays. Aren't we losing only Gettis? So you lose Gettis, you get Scherff and I like Van Slotten, get McMillan back (who I thought was a major major loss this year). So I think Reiff finally has a dominant season, McMillan has a huge season, Scherff has a big year, someone like Van Slotten emerges. Do we lose Ferentz? that's how i see it.

 

[BackNBlk]

I would think Reiff stays. Aren't we losing only Gettis? So you lose Gettis, you get Scherff and I like Van Slotten, get McMillan back (who I thought was a major major loss this year). So I think Reiff finally has a dominant season, McMillan has a huge season, Scherff has a big year, someone like Van Slotten emerges. Do we lose Ferentz? that's how i see it.

We lose Gettis and Zusevics. I don't think Reiff stays though. If he is projected as a 1st rounder and he thinks there is nothing to play for next year, he will go. The only way he stays is if he has an attitude like AC where he views college as fun and isn't ready to leave.

I would agree with the rest of your assessment. I think we will be better because we can usually find a solid RT and we can do better than Gettis' constant penalties. Scherff played better than Tobin IMO. Would losing Rieff really be that bad if he has another year like this one? I'm anxious to see how guys like McMillan and Van Sloten can perform. I wonder if we will see Blythe, Heiar or Clark make it into the lineup anywhere.

 

[olddude]

I also think the OL was fine this year, not alot of blame can really go their way, even if they did start off slow this year. I would rather see another 15 pounds per person of muscle in the middle of the DL. A good stout 300 to 310 pound run stopping duo in the middle of the DL. We will have that sooner or later with Hayward, Carl Davis, both freshman and 300. We also have Cooper (fresh) 280 and Hardy (fresh) 270. We could have a big DL in the coming years, if they develope. That would really help our D scheme. Here is to hoping they work hard this off season to get to where they need to be.

 

[DuffMan]

I would think Reiff stays. Aren't we losing only Gettis? So you lose Gettis, you get Scherff and I like Van Slotten, get McMillan back (who I thought was a major major loss this year). So I think Reiff finally has a dominant season, McMillan has a huge season, Scherff has a big year, someone like Van Slotten emerges. Do we lose Ferentz? that's how i see it.

hard to imagine Reiff will stay given the huge financial incentive to leave early.

 

[HawkeyeMHA]

****! I forgot about Zus. craps, i liked him (although he got smoked a couple times against nebby). I think Reiff stays (i hope), Scherff, ferentz, McM, and then I bet we have one or two emerge next year. I actually think there are a couple waiting in the wings now that will step up next year. Reiff should def come back, he did not have a great year. He needs a year where he domiantes like Gallery. Come back and dominate and be a top 5 pick.

 

[HawkeyeMHA]

yeah, reiff will get a lot of people telling him to go, i get the feeling he may have something left to prove though. i think he stays, probably wrong, but... team didnt have a great year, he didnt have a dominant year like people thought, more to prove, etc...

 

[Cover3]

I also think the OL was fine this year, not alot of blame can really go their way, even if they did start off slow this year. I would rather see another 15 pounds per person of muscle in the middle of the DL. A good stout 300 to 310 pound run stopping duo in the middle of the DL. We will have that sooner or later with Hayward, Carl Davis, both freshman and 300. We also have Cooper (fresh) 280 and Hardy (fresh) 270. We could have a big DL in the coming years, if they develope. That would really help our D scheme. Here is to hoping they work hard this off season to get to where they need to be.

I think some are mistaking my intent with this thread. To rephrase my point:

With the conceded recruiting disadvantages Iowa has, it will be hard to become a perennial contender relying on our skill position talent. I believe our O-line play is very nearly always good to great, but can we improve the program by going from 'good to great' to DOMINANT? That is how Nebraska won for so long historically. Not with a moderate-sized and very solid line, but with titanic earth movers who were also athletic. I love our o-line, but if we supposedly can't consistently improve the talent elsewhere, can we do even better in areas where we are doing well?

 

[hawkfarmer]

I also think the OL was fine this year, not alot of blame can really go their way, even if they did start off slow this year. I would rather see another 15 pounds per person of muscle in the middle of the DL. A good stout 300 to 310 pound run stopping duo in the middle of the DL. We will have that sooner or later with Hayward, Carl Davis, both freshman and 300. We also have Cooper (fresh) 280 and Hardy (fresh) 270. We could have a big DL in the coming years, if they develope. That would really help our D scheme. Here is to hoping they work hard this off season to get to where they need to be.

Who is Hayward?

 

[DuffMan]

Riley was plenty dominant this year. He plays OL so you only see him when he make a rare mistake. When he dives a de five yards down the field or walls off a pass rusher because you expect it.

 

[olddude]

Who is Hayward?

Player Bio: Cameron Hayward - Iowa Official Athletic Site

or am I missing something???

 

[HawkeyeMHA]

I didnt think he was that dominant, but i have been wrong before (two other times, once in 97 and again in 02). If he leaves, another year like this year for OL

 

[BackNBlk]

Riley was plenty dominant this year. He plays OL so you only see him when he make a rare mistake. When he dives a de five yards down the field or walls off a pass rusher because you expect it.

Maybe I was expecting a little too much from him, but when they say he is supposed to be better than Bulaga, I was expecting a Robert Gallery type performance. I just hope he has barely scratched the surface of what he can do if he decides to stay.