Daniels Running Tentatively And Other Random Observations.

[SteveGarvey]

Doing a little more digging I see that Hawk Central reported on 9/12 that it was his right ankle that was injured in the ISU game..........so it is the same ankle if what they report is true.

Certainly he's not running the same as he's not pushing off much for much speed or change of direction. His value now is in giving Canzeri some brief rest.

Following fantasy football like I've done over the years, if it was a high ankle sprain, RBs in the NFL aren't themselves sometimes until six weeks after they sustain the injury. Maybe after the bye, he'll be the same guy he was week 1.

And you know I know football since I've been a fantasy football coach for years.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

We may just have to take the same approach with LD that we're taking with Tevaun and just shut him down until after the bye. As for Wadley, JC has put the ball on the carpet the last few games, so I'd say it's probably time to give him a shot as the backup for the next couple of weeks if DMX is also still injured.

I wonder if they could possibly scheme to try to use Wadley in more space or on screens for a few plays to keep him in space where once the D converges on him, he could either scoot out-of-bounds or slide down after getting the most yards he can get. Probably not but thinking out of the box right now! Lol.

 

[HomerChampless]

Was it Mabin who just barely got his hand up in time to knock the ball away from the WR near the sideline on Saturday? He was looking straight at the receiver on that play & kind of got lucky, timing-wise?

And got lucky penalty-wise with the non-call of face guarding. I guess the refs missed a lot of calls, though.

 

[Gibsonian]

We may just have to take the same approach with LD that we're taking with Tevaun and just shut him down until after the bye. As for Wadley, JC has put the ball on the carpet the last few games, so I'd say it's probably time to give him a shot as the backup for the next couple of weeks if DMX is also still injured.

Fully agree. LD needs to rest until it's right. Playing him is a down lost and possibly time added to healing schedule, and we will need him down the road in November for sure. Time to get Wadley or Mitchell some playing time. Illinois would be a good time to get one of these guys in to see the result.

 

[HomerChampless]

You know me. It's a KF decision to run Daniels 4 times rather than putting Wadley in or promoting Mitchell's health to spell Canzeri. Or play any other running back.

Of course, Daniels had to show he belonged in the game with his week's practice before Wisky. Which means he probably got hit in practice, too. At least he had to motor on the bum ankle.

 

[eveningnewsteam]

Id shut him down until after the bye week. Hes not going to be effective until its healed. Go with Wadley/Canzeri. There's still enough weapons on offense to put enough points on the board with this defense playing like it is.

 

[HomerChampless]

KF when are you gonna trust your players?

 

[Gibsonian]

When you send a limping running back in place of a healthy, faster non-injured player, you got trust issues that need addressed. It's like sending in the QB with a sprained right wrist. Or coaching with a concussion. Or surgery with a dull scalpel. All bad ideas, unless you are completely out of options.

 

[hawkeyebob62]

Does anyone have any insight as to whether Daniels is still a little dinged up or is just running a bit tentatively not trusting his ankle yet? He doesn't seem to be hitting the hole hard at this point. I suspect when he is totally healthy or his confidence is back he will. He just seems a bit timid at this point.

I still have some concern about the amount of involvement with our TE's at this point and going further, especially being short at RB and having T Smith out to stretch the field. I realize Kittle got the lone TD on Saturday, but he also got the only catch by a TE. I think they need to find a way to get them more involved with being suspect at WR. Did Wisky take the TE away with the 30 front D with the 4 LB's? It seems they can't take everything away as they also covered the WR so well downfield. Somethings got to give and Davis & Ferentz need to find a way to get other guys in space. We also didn't seem to have many throws to the RB's to alleviate some of the pressure. Maybe Wisky sent the pressure too fast. I don't want to nitpick after such a hard fought tough physical win, but these are just observations going forward. Iowa really needs to get the TE involved more to help with the balanced attack of the offense going forward. This will help with being another aspect of the game the opposing teams will have to scheme against. They have to come up with some kind of other passing outlet. That's the missing component at the moment.

Wisky was a tough D which will bode well for Iowa going forward. Hopefully, there will be openings and holes going forward more. I think the wind definitely played a part yesterday, and Iowa having a little more of a run game was crucial. The young line came through enough and Canzeri was solid.

This teams seems to have terrific chemistry which seems to be better in the previous years. Also, this team seems to have players step up to be leaders on both sides of the ball such as Beathard and Ott.

Nate Meier has really developed into a solid player and is the perfect compliment on the other side of Ott. Don't look past what Meier has brought to the D. This Iowa D is getting off the field on 3rd down much better than previous years. This D is becoming very fun to watch.

Desmond King Over/Under of 8.5: Desmond King currently has 5 INT's this young season. The current Iowa record is 8 in a season. Will King break the record this year? What do you say?
I can't say enough about what he has brought this year. He's had two returns one could say set up game winning drives. He's flipping the field with his returns.

Speaking of flipping the field, don't overlook Dillon Kidd and his punting game. The punting game has always been crucial to the past success of Ferentz's teams. It is a huge part of Ferentz coaching philosophy. Flip the field and win field position.

Sorry I got a little windy! Easy to do these days. Go Hawks.

Not to worry. Jeff George never threw to his TEs, either. He took Illinois to the Citrus Bowl and a win over UVa his final year.


King won't get the record until the Nebraska game, when Mike Riley decides to "test" him 12 straight times under the auspices of, "At some point his coverage skills HAVE to break down and we will have success". Afterward, Mason, Griffith and DiNardo will remark that Mike Riley is a "first-class" guy and will turn things around at Nebraska.

 

[hawkeyebob62]

Was it Mabin who just barely got his hand up in time to knock the ball away from the WR near the sideline on Saturday? He was looking straight at the receiver on that play & kind of got lucky, timing-wise?

It wasn't "luck". He reacted to the receiver and broke up the play. Well-played, if not exactly textbook.

 

[hawkeyebob62]

J Smith did get behind Wisconsin's D a few times Saturday. Maybe with some more practice reps, him and CJ can get on the same page. Would love to see them hit just one big gainer just so the threat is there.

This.

Wind and timing. Timing will come. Wind is out of our hands.

 

[hawkeyebob62]

And got lucky penalty-wise with the non-call of face guarding. I guess the refs missed a lot of calls, though.

Face-guarding? He didn't even put his hands up until the receiver was reaching for the ball. Nothing requires him to turn his head. He reacted beautifully to the receiver's reach and broke up the play. Textbook? No. Well-played? Without question.

Good Lord, learn the game.

 

[NCHawker]

Here's an observation - remember this quote?

CR Gazette Sports‏@CRGazetteSports
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Davis says the offense won't look too much different with Beathard. Maybe a few more QB draws.

 

[HawkeyeWalker]

Here's an observation - remember this quote?

CR Gazette Sports‏@CRGazetteSports
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Davis says the offense won't look too much different with Beathard. Maybe a few more QB draws.

Nice find. While he may be correct in the formation, routes, and positions may look the same.....the execution has sure looked a lot different. And that has changed....everything.

C J

 

[GrandpaHawk]

CJ said it wasn't a timing issue with Smith in the end zone he just missed him.All the players seemed to be a lot tighter group than in the past.They all say leadership and chemistry this year is a lot better and everyone on team pulling for each other regardless if your a freshman or senior.If there's a problem the leadership group takes care of it before coaches do.Just want to add what ever the players said to get everyone on board keep it up and make sure future teams do the same because it's working.Go Hawks

 

[Billso]

CJ said it wasn't a timing issue with Smith in the end zone he just missed him.All the players seemed to be a lot tighter group than in the past.They all say leadership and chemistry this year is a lot better and everyone on team pulling for each other regardless if your a freshman or senior.If there's a problem the leadership group takes care of it before coaches do.Just want to add what ever the players said to get everyone on board keep it up and make sure future teams do the same because it's working.Go Hawks

I recall some subtle hints from players that JR did not command the respect of the team. Someone else can dig up the quotes, but they were eyebrow-raising.