I believe most of the problems fall on the DL. Iowa has one major problem that i see. When they get a solid lead they dont get enough meaningful snaps to young players and think special teams will develop them. last year with 3 nfl players we saw 2 others on the line for any length of time which means all but daniels and binns are very inexperienced. this then hurts the LBs because the DL cant doesnt eat up blocks. and then the DBs are affected because we dont pressure the qb. we will have the same problem next year with the DL. i am not a big buyer in the undersized thing because our OL is usually considered undersized and they do fine. and we've won win undersized DLmen before. experience on DL is the key. another is they dont seem to be that quick off the ball compared to previous iowa DLs.
Diagnose the D
- Thread starter olddude
- Start date
DesMoinesHawki
Well-Known Member
The thing that stands out to me is how small we are. Most of the guys "look" to be in the 260-pound range.
The problem is that of the last ten years the only DT recruits who have a shot to be key contributors are Davis and the freshman. Iowa has lost every other DT recruit.
Iowa has held onto some DE's and has converted some guys. But they haven't had one DT recruit pan out.
So, the old early playing time line might ring a little hollow or be moot.
Kind of surprised the media hasn't pressed KF on this issue. Because the prospects for next year's line are worse than this year.
Iowa has held onto some DE's and has converted some guys. But they haven't had one DT recruit pan out.
So, the old early playing time line might ring a little hollow or be moot.
Kind of surprised the media hasn't pressed KF on this issue. Because the prospects for next year's line are worse than this year.
Ok, and I saw where you posted a bunch of those names. Where are those kids now? What I am wondering is why they left. School to hard and they had to go back to juco? Injuries/ no longer playing?
Biggusblockus
Well-Known Member
Simple really - we don't currrently have the caliber of athletes in our front 7 that our defensive scheme requires.
We have been spoiled in the past with at least 2 NFL-quality Linemen and at least 1 NFL-quality LB. At present it does not appear that we have any, at least not yet.
There have been injuries, but even without those I'm pretty sure we would still be having this discussion.
The fix would be changing our scheme to leverage our Defensive Backs which is the strength of the defense at this point. More press man-to-man coverage, more blitzes, more nickel and dime packages.
We would then be vulnerable to getting beat over the top, which is something Norm and Kirk HATE. Pick your poison boys, this defense is still a work in progress.
We have been spoiled in the past with at least 2 NFL-quality Linemen and at least 1 NFL-quality LB. At present it does not appear that we have any, at least not yet.
There have been injuries, but even without those I'm pretty sure we would still be having this discussion.
The fix would be changing our scheme to leverage our Defensive Backs which is the strength of the defense at this point. More press man-to-man coverage, more blitzes, more nickel and dime packages.
We would then be vulnerable to getting beat over the top, which is something Norm and Kirk HATE. Pick your poison boys, this defense is still a work in progress.
atxhawk
Well-Known Member
I posted this in another thread.
During a close up of Donatel I noticed how small his arms looked and just how small he looked in general. So I took a look at the roster to see what the LB's were listed at. Donatel is listed at 205, Kirksey, 215, Morris 227, Nielsen 235, and Alston is 220. Those are some small LB's. They could all use another 10+ pounds of muscle on them to help prevent people from running through them.
For comparison, last year Tarp was listed at 238, Hunter 235, Nielsen 235, Johnson 235, and Morris 215.
The attrition issue is definitely puzzling, especially when you look at the recent record of getting d-linemen into the NFL. The 3 starters who graduated last year are all playing in the NFL. The last 4 starters to leave before them (Kroul, King, Mattison, Iwebema) all play(ed) in the NFL, and I believe the 4 before them all played also. With that sort of track record you would think that players wanting to get to 'the next level' would be lining up to play for Iowa.
During a close up of Donatel I noticed how small his arms looked and just how small he looked in general. So I took a look at the roster to see what the LB's were listed at. Donatel is listed at 205, Kirksey, 215, Morris 227, Nielsen 235, and Alston is 220. Those are some small LB's. They could all use another 10+ pounds of muscle on them to help prevent people from running through them.
For comparison, last year Tarp was listed at 238, Hunter 235, Nielsen 235, Johnson 235, and Morris 215.
The attrition issue is definitely puzzling, especially when you look at the recent record of getting d-linemen into the NFL. The 3 starters who graduated last year are all playing in the NFL. The last 4 starters to leave before them (Kroul, King, Mattison, Iwebema) all play(ed) in the NFL, and I believe the 4 before them all played also. With that sort of track record you would think that players wanting to get to 'the next level' would be lining up to play for Iowa.
I can understand why a DB wouldn't want to play in this defense; we play a soft zone, bend but don't break style. I can also maybe see why a LB may choose someone else over Iowa, we don't blitz much, and we expect them to cover wide recievers on a regular basis, although with all the LBs we put in the NFL recently, you would think Iowa would get it's share of solid LBs. The defensive line thing, I just don't get. I know we've had bad luck with recruits, but this is spinning out of control. We need some D-line recruits in the worst way, or our D will be in trouble for a long time.
TritonHawkeye
Well-Known Member
I think the defensive philosophy is sound as it had resulted in some of the best in the nation. The issue is what caar has pointed out. We have not recruited well on the D side of the ball. Most notably at the DT position.
When we have the right players Norm's D is tough to crack. This year we don't have the players and to compound that we are not changing things up to see if something else will work with our current players.
Personally I think since our DB's are better than average we should blitz more and let them play MTM.
When we have the right players Norm's D is tough to crack. This year we don't have the players and to compound that we are not changing things up to see if something else will work with our current players.
Personally I think since our DB's are better than average we should blitz more and let them play MTM.
