ChosenChildren
Well-Known Member
Just asking - is it possible??
Could the Iowa O-Line actually be better than last year?
- Thread starter ChosenChildren
- Start date
JonDMiller
Publisher/Founder
If I had the choice right now between last year's line and this years, I would take last year's...known commodity factor...but this group has a lot of developmental time ahead of them...if they wind up being as good as last year's line, I will be surprised, and Iowa will flat out deal in 2010.
It was hard to tell from today's action - there were so many different combinations and people that were held out. I'm sure it would have been different if they were starting the season today, but they have the luxury of doing it this way and getting some of their younger people some experience. Time will tell. but there sure is some potential.
SayHawkKid
Well-Known Member
They may very well be better than last year's OL (against UNI) by this November.
ChosenChildren
Well-Known Member
Now we're talking - we deserve a Rose Bowl trip - can you imagine how many Iowa fans would make that trip? I'm guessing 75,000
tm3308
Well-Known Member
If the O-Line is better than last year's, I think we can forget the Rose Bowl, and start thinking Glendale the second week of January.
tm3308
Well-Known Member
This. Last year's unit had a lot of individual talent, but it didn't perform nearly as well as it should have as a unit. This year's group seems to have some good chemistry already, and that's with a freshman (Ferentz) making the line calls. Practicing against the best DL in the nation will make this guys grow up even faster. I won't get my hopes TOO high, but it's hard to not be excited about what I saw today.
The answer is not probable. I hope it is better as this is the the one gap we have this year, but we lost 4 starters (2 of which will be in NFL players and one 1st rounder (Dace, Callway, and BB) and a one that was a senior center. It isn't often that you lose a first rounder and two other NFL probables and senior center and get better at IOWA. We will be young and will make some mistakes. We need to work as a team and avoid some of the injuries this year. If we can do that and keep the same guys on the field it may be ok, but I don't think the wise fan is thinking we will be "better" given the talent we are losing this year. The good news is we will have more talent around this O Line in the skill positions. The O LINE looked ok from what I've seen and heard but we need to see how they progress between now and Sept.. If we stay humble and work hard I think this OLINE can be good enough to get us to a great season, but it will require hard work and continued focus as we have lost some great players here.
ajones1996
Well-Known Member
correct.....the oline last year had some great moments but certainly weren't great when looking at stats
brewhawk23
Well-Known Member
They have potential that is for sure. Reiff was probably our most consistent offensive lineman last year and performed better than Bulaga in many games. They should be playing with a chip on their shoulders and lets hope they gel early and lead our team to a great season. Do I think they will be better as a whole than last year?? PRobably not but they can definitely be a great line........
Saginawbay
Well-Known Member
I would agree this years line has a great chance too be better than last season. Reiff is most consistent lineman last year for sure, and the line was not dominant at all last season just good. Did not open big holes in the running game at all last season, and struggled against blitz at times as well so no concern for me for this season feel it will be better.
Excellent topic...I think it is very possible that the 2010 line is better than 2009. Remember that Bulaga was out for some time with the thyroid thing, Vandervelde had a pec issue, Calloway was suspended initially, and Richardson hurt his leg...and Reiff played his butt off as a Frosh.
Thus, it was tough to have cohesion with the 09 group. If the '10 OL is able to avoid this much disruption and Reiff continues to improve (I feel that he might turn out to be a better LT than Bulaga--longer, great feet), they might be better.
Thus, it was tough to have cohesion with the 09 group. If the '10 OL is able to avoid this much disruption and Reiff continues to improve (I feel that he might turn out to be a better LT than Bulaga--longer, great feet), they might be better.
deanvogs
Well-Known Member
I agree Kirby, it just seems that the O-Line last year never hit on all cylinders until the Orange Bowl. Now we have some parts to replace, but if this O-line performs more as a unit, and doesn't have injuries problems I think we will be fine. Mainly because all of the experience we have at the skill positions. The RB should find and hit more holes, and the Stanzi and the WR are going to be fun to watch this year!
Better? Doubtful...remember how Bulaga and Calloway and Reiff dominated the NFL high prospect d-ends from OSU and Ga Tech? Now, that said, the offense could be more productive this year due to more experienced rbs, wrs,and qbs. I agree about the continuity aspect...if this years o-line has the same amount of injury ect that last years o-line did, it could be rough. But, if they stay healthy and can play together thruout the season, I could see them being decent in the running game with Jewel,ARob and Wegher having a better feel for timing their cuts,and being pretty good protecting Ricky in the passing game. I like that Marcus has quick feet,and is athletic out on the edge,just like Reiff. Sounds like James Ferentz showed very well yesterday at the critical center position,with Koppel right behind...very key.
Julian is a vet, and Gettis/Hundtermark could be solid...so yes, I like our prospects,if they stay healthy.
Julian is a vet, and Gettis/Hundtermark could be solid...so yes, I like our prospects,if they stay healthy.
blackgold2core
Well-Known Member
I think alot depends on the center position I think yesterday we had one/two bad exchanges from center. Thats something that they need to get cleaned up. I also noticed in some of the Dline vs. Oline drills there were bodies being flung to the turf, alot both ways. That tells me their very physical and intense that is a very good sign.
jameskalina
Well-Known Member
Continuity and lack of injuries are the key. So far so good. It appears Iowa had a relatively injury free spring on the offensive line and that is encouraging.
As long as the line stays injury free and continuous they can evolve into a very good unit by early October. If this happens watch out! Iowa should challenge for the NC!
I think the 2010 line could equal or exceed the 2009 line.
As long as the line stays injury free and continuous they can evolve into a very good unit by early October. If this happens watch out! Iowa should challenge for the NC!
I think the 2010 line could equal or exceed the 2009 line.
I'm very optimistic that our offensive line will be good enough for us to compete for a Big 10 Championship and perhaps even a National Championship. Here's why.
1)It's never easy replacing multiple starters on the offensive line and teams can be made or broken because of their oline play. It's even tougher when one of those guys is an elite level talent like Bulaga. But the Hawkeyes in the past have faced this situation before and came away ok inspite of loses. I believe they lost 3 or 4 starters from the best offensive line I've witnessed at Iowa after the 2002 season. The good news is the best one (Gallery) came back and anchored a what ended up being another solid Oline the next season. With all due respect to Bulaga, I honestly feel Reiff was our best lineman a year ago. Although he is no Gallery, I'm anticipating that Reiff takes another leap towards becoming the anchor the Hawks are going to need him to be. If he can do that, everyone around him will fall into place.
2) The Oline will be practicing against an elite level Dline. Practicing against that can only make you better in my opinion.
3) The skill positions are loaded. This doesn't have much to do with development of the Oline, but if you are going to be a true contender you have to possess true playmaking skill and the Hawks have it. I know a lot of people aren't fond of 2005 but I still feel it was the best 7-5 team I've ever seen. That team had a solid but unspectacular Oline and was a bit of mystery coming into the season if I remember right (maybe I don't) but the offense was very well balanced and productive. That team I feel was kind of undermined by bad breaks and a young defense that gave good effort but was ultimately average.
I guess what I'm getting at is the "skill" players that year were very good that year and the offense was as well. I see this years team as having even more potential at those spots. This time around, they have a top notch defense backing them up.
4) These players are getting coached by a top notch staff at their positions.
5) A lot of the stand out Dlinemen from the Big 10 have moved on. Wooten, Graham, Schofield, Kirlew, and Odrick are gone. I know new playmakers for other teams will emerge, but those are huge names that the Hawks Oline won't have to deal with and most of them gave us fits a year ago. Halleluyah.
6) As great as last year was, I would think that there is still a big chip on their shoulders. Expectations are high but they are still viewed as they are the 3rd best team in the Big 10 behind Ohio State and Wisconsin. Plus they are viewed somewhat as a fluke team. I may have my black and gold blinders on, but I think they didn't reach their full potential last year. The level of success they were acheiving was new to them. I'm banking on the been there/done that principle. It won't just be a fun ride this time around. This time it's business. I expect them to have even more of killer instinct. 2009 was a step up from 2008, hopefully they take the next step.
1)It's never easy replacing multiple starters on the offensive line and teams can be made or broken because of their oline play. It's even tougher when one of those guys is an elite level talent like Bulaga. But the Hawkeyes in the past have faced this situation before and came away ok inspite of loses. I believe they lost 3 or 4 starters from the best offensive line I've witnessed at Iowa after the 2002 season. The good news is the best one (Gallery) came back and anchored a what ended up being another solid Oline the next season. With all due respect to Bulaga, I honestly feel Reiff was our best lineman a year ago. Although he is no Gallery, I'm anticipating that Reiff takes another leap towards becoming the anchor the Hawks are going to need him to be. If he can do that, everyone around him will fall into place.
2) The Oline will be practicing against an elite level Dline. Practicing against that can only make you better in my opinion.
3) The skill positions are loaded. This doesn't have much to do with development of the Oline, but if you are going to be a true contender you have to possess true playmaking skill and the Hawks have it. I know a lot of people aren't fond of 2005 but I still feel it was the best 7-5 team I've ever seen. That team had a solid but unspectacular Oline and was a bit of mystery coming into the season if I remember right (maybe I don't) but the offense was very well balanced and productive. That team I feel was kind of undermined by bad breaks and a young defense that gave good effort but was ultimately average.
I guess what I'm getting at is the "skill" players that year were very good that year and the offense was as well. I see this years team as having even more potential at those spots. This time around, they have a top notch defense backing them up.
4) These players are getting coached by a top notch staff at their positions.
5) A lot of the stand out Dlinemen from the Big 10 have moved on. Wooten, Graham, Schofield, Kirlew, and Odrick are gone. I know new playmakers for other teams will emerge, but those are huge names that the Hawks Oline won't have to deal with and most of them gave us fits a year ago. Halleluyah.
6) As great as last year was, I would think that there is still a big chip on their shoulders. Expectations are high but they are still viewed as they are the 3rd best team in the Big 10 behind Ohio State and Wisconsin. Plus they are viewed somewhat as a fluke team. I may have my black and gold blinders on, but I think they didn't reach their full potential last year. The level of success they were acheiving was new to them. I'm banking on the been there/done that principle. It won't just be a fun ride this time around. This time it's business. I expect them to have even more of killer instinct. 2009 was a step up from 2008, hopefully they take the next step.
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