Any chance Iowa brings back that Raider package again for 3rd and longs? I think it'd be an interesting twist if they'd bring it back with a blitz package. It seems like they threw it away this year all together I can't remember having seen it. It's not something they need to use every single 3rd and 6 or more. I just feel switching things up and being non predictable sometimes can only help.. Teams go into games with game plans knowing what we'll be lining up doing for the most part on D. To switch that up even 3 to 5 times a game could be difference making.
Defensive strategy
- Thread starter Hawkfnntn
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I think they are going a different direction. With the Raider, they used to take a DL off the field and put on an extra LB. I think they are loading up on DL and DB. I think you will see them go with nickel and dime personnel on the back end, and they will stay with 4 DL. But I think you will see guys who can move inside like Hesse, Reif, and AJE. On the outside you will have a rotation of A. Nelson, AJE, Golston, and Simon. They will rotate heavily and keep all of these guys fresh. That is my guess.
Yeah they kinda dabbled with having 4 DEs on the field for some of those situations too. I could see them adding DBs and speed to the field instead of LBs. (especially inexperienced ones) I like the idea of rushing a DB or LB now and then just from a pure speed perspective off the edge.
WinOneThisCentury
Well-Known Member
With the loss of three linebackers, I seriously think the strategy will be to have the best 11 on the field on 2nd and long and 3rd and long. It's hard to think that AJE, Anthony Nelson, Hesse, & Lattimore won't be on the field in those situations. There are several other guys who will be in that rotation. Nixon is the most intriguing question mark to me. He can freaking run at 300lbs. He could be an absolute terror when his technique catches up with his athleticism. Huge, huge get for Iowa.
People haven't give Neiman his due and there was a reason we stayed with 3 linebackers...it was because he could blanket TEs and RBs. He was as good or better in coverage than anyone we have had at the LEO...maybe Edds was better, but it was close. I really think he will play on Sunday. He's got speed, he can get bigger, and he's smart. He goes in round 5 or 6 is my guess.
The thing about next year is whether we have an LB who can do what Neiman did. If we can't, you could see a 5th DB on the field in passing situations as some suggest. I like the idea of putting an athlete in like Stone, Colbert, Craddieth (maybe) who has size, but speed also to make plays. With the DL being deep is a major positive, you can rely on them to stop the screen, and QB draw plays in passing downs. Putting another athlete that can cover and tackle on the field makes sense.
People haven't give Neiman his due and there was a reason we stayed with 3 linebackers...it was because he could blanket TEs and RBs. He was as good or better in coverage than anyone we have had at the LEO...maybe Edds was better, but it was close. I really think he will play on Sunday. He's got speed, he can get bigger, and he's smart. He goes in round 5 or 6 is my guess.
The thing about next year is whether we have an LB who can do what Neiman did. If we can't, you could see a 5th DB on the field in passing situations as some suggest. I like the idea of putting an athlete in like Stone, Colbert, Craddieth (maybe) who has size, but speed also to make plays. With the DL being deep is a major positive, you can rely on them to stop the screen, and QB draw plays in passing downs. Putting another athlete that can cover and tackle on the field makes sense.
There's no shortage of DLman. Nixon was a huge get. I dunno if he beats out Lattimore or Nelson or not but he's going to play a lot early on. I almost don't think it'll matter who's 'starting' almost. I think they'll rotate them a lot and situationally to where we always have a fresh group of guys out there wrecking havoc. Think of how huge that is. It's one thing to be able to have a stud group of 4. (kinda like what Iowa had in the Clayborn/Ballard/Klug/Bins days) But it's another to be able to have relatively no drop off and be able to have them all at their best late in the 4th q of games. I think with this group Iowa is in great shape to have that for next few yrs.
I've heard good things about the younger Neiman. We'll just have to wait and see if he can literally fill his brothers shoes there or not because of the 3 spots it sounds like he's got the inside track for that one. The other two are a bit of a crapshoot. With the Dline being as good as they outta be the LBs jobs outta be easier.
I like the idea of playing 3 safeties or DBs though. Having more speed and guys that are good at reading/reacting to pass plays sure can't hurt on passing downs.
skinnykilmer17
Well-Known Member
Yeah my thought too. We'll see. Remember how preseason all the talk was how they were going to use Wadley more in the passing game etc?? He caught like 26 balls. Should have had 50. Think how more dangerous and unpredictable our offfense would have been. When Butler went down Ferentz Inc seemed to really play afraid on that side of the ball. T Young could have, and should have, gotten lots of carries and used Wadley in those situations that really never materialized. KF just still way too predictable and stubborn. And what other program in the country acts like running backs and skilled players in general need SO much development?? Look at all the young running backs, even true freshman that excel all over the country. KF falls in love with his developmental coaching rep a little too much IMO. I digress.
I realize I am referring to the O and it seems Parker has had more freedom than the OC's under KF (or at least KF meddles less) but we shall see. It's all relative.
Yeah I agree. And then when he does sprinkle in the true freshman/new kids it's just to block or not really be a part of plays. I vehemently disagree that taking the redshirt off a kid like Smith this year for what 3 catches and blocking is a good thing. It'd be way more valuable to his 'development' to have that extra season to me rather then do that. But yeah with Butler/Young or Kelly-Martin they could have used Wadley more creatively. Yet with it being BFs first year we were bound to seeing kinda what we got. You might see a creative play here and there within the first 10 snaps or so and after that..... We rarely got a creative play in the middle/late in games. I think he like a lot of coordinators falls in love with a few concepts and what he feels are the players strengths and wants to win or lose with them. It's a stubborn way to try calling games that I hope he grows out of. I sure hope he's doing a ton of self evaluating this season and can find the best way to use the personel that they have
