Does Run Game Get Fixed?

HawkleberryFinn said:
N

Yes. O-Line makes the holes. Can't tell how good the running backs are until holes have been created.
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Many on here would point out that there were plenty of cutback lanes that the runningbacks missed this year.

I would say it is probably a combination of both the oline and the rbs. So if you are going to look to sack Tim, you should also be open to sacking Foster.
 
Kind of a silly opening question, because historically the only reason an Iowa coach ever gets 'let go' is because they lied to either a recruit, another coach, or both. The frustrating thing to me about Iowa's o-linemen in recent years is they rarely move B10 defensive linemen off the ball. With Iowa's zone blocking scheme they are often moving horizontally to the LOS trying to get in a d-linemen's pursuit path, or passing a d-lineman on their way downfield to try to block a LB -- rarely successfully. I thought the most insightful quote from BF's presser was the following: "ultimately offensive football is very similar to defensive football. We are trying to control gaps and we are trying to cancel them..." This is an amazing statement, and offers a lot of insight into why Iowa's running game has not been successful by national standards. 'Controlling gaps and trying to cancel' out the other team's offense is indeed EVERY defense's goal -- by cancelling out an offense you create no gain. To have 'controlling gaps and cancelling out' the opposing defense as an offensive theme pretty much tells you all you need to know about Iowa's approach to offense, and it explains why the past 2 years it seems like Iowa's o-linemen have been trying to do little more than 'cover up' opposing players and 'control gaps.' That gets you a #94+ running game nationally.

That said, I am encouraged to hear BF say this year their priority, with 3-4 returning o-linemen, will be to actually work on MOVING DEFENDERS BACKWARD OFF THE BALL! Gee, what an amazing concept! Of course, this would be easier if they ran less zone and more straight-ahead blocking schemes, but we shall see. With 2 future NFL tackles, Iowa really should be able to push some guys around for a change.
 
Some have speculated that the zone blocking scheme just doesn’t work in today’s game as well. To me it just seems to produce so many negative run plays from guys shooting those gaps.

Whichever reporter that was that kind of kept poking at the outside zone play yesterday that was pretty good stuff.

I think the run game will be better this year, it has to be, but I’m not convinced the zone blocking scheme is the best idea in general.
 
Grady said:
Kind of a silly opening question, because historically the only reason an Iowa coach ever gets 'let go' is because they lied to either a recruit, another coach, or both. The frustrating thing to me about Iowa's o-linemen in recent years is they rarely move B10 defensive linemen off the ball. With Iowa's zone blocking scheme they are often moving horizontally to the LOS trying to get in a d-linemen's pursuit path, or passing a d-lineman on their way downfield to try to block a LB -- rarely successfully. I thought the most insightful quote from BF's presser was the following: "ultimately offensive football is very similar to defensive football. We are trying to control gaps and we are trying to cancel them..." This is an amazing statement, and offers a lot of insight into why Iowa's running game has not been successful by national standards. 'Controlling gaps and trying to cancel' out the other team's offense is indeed EVERY defense's goal -- by cancelling out an offense you create no gain. To have 'controlling gaps and cancelling out' the opposing defense as an offensive theme pretty much tells you all you need to know about Iowa's approach to offense, and it explains why the past 2 years it seems like Iowa's o-linemen have been trying to do little more than 'cover up' opposing players and 'control gaps.' That gets you a #94+ running game nationally.

That said, I am encouraged to hear BF say this year their priority, with 3-4 returning o-linemen, will be to actually work on MOVING DEFENDERS BACKWARD OFF THE BALL! Gee, what an amazing concept! Of course, this would be easier if they ran less zone and more straight-ahead blocking schemes, but we shall see. With 2 future NFL tackles, Iowa really should be able to push some guys around for a change.
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Campbell and Erb were fired for lying to a recruit?
 
No it won't get fixed unless Goodson comes in and makes a difference right away. The 3 backs that played last year aren't anything special. Poor vision, average speed, and the line didn't exactly move people.
 
nilkin said:
Or, who gets the credit if the run game is fixed?
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Haven't you learned from the board yet:
Things go well, it is due to the players playing well inspite of the poor coaching.
Things go poorly, it is the coaches fault. Unless it is passing game issues, then it is the QB's fault - but only if the message board deems the back up QB more mobile than the starter.
 
GesterHawk said:
Haven't you learned from the board yet:
Things go well, it is due to the players playing well inspite of the poor coaching.
Things go poorly, it is the coaches fault. Unless it is passing game issues, then it is the QB's fault - but only if the message board deems the back up QB more mobile than the starter.
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There is some truth to this. A good coach gives credit to the players for success and takes the blame for lack of success.

Coaches should not blame players, especially when these are the players he brought in.
 
NikeHawk21 said:
Some have speculated that the zone blocking scheme just doesn’t work in today’s game as well. To me it just seems to produce so many negative run plays from guys shooting those gaps.

Whichever reporter that was that kind of kept poking at the outside zone play yesterday that was pretty good stuff.

I think the run game will be better this year, it has to be, but I’m not convinced the zone blocking scheme is the best idea in general.
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Meh, I don't buy that. There is evidence out there that says the zone is better than man. I use the term evidence loosly because its a difficult thing to quantify. I would say that when something is very hard to prove, it probably means there isn't much difference.
I think no matter what it has to be executed properly regardless of scheme.
 
NikeHawk21 said:
Some have speculated that the zone blocking scheme just doesn’t work in today’s game as well. To me it just seems to produce so many negative run plays from guys shooting those gaps.

Whichever reporter that was that kind of kept poking at the outside zone play yesterday that was pretty good stuff.

I think the run game will be better this year, it has to be, but I’m not convinced the zone blocking scheme is the best idea in general.
Click to expand...


I don't think going to a straight up power run scheme like Wisconsin is the answer either. It is easier to find and develop O-lineman for Iowa's scheme than it is for Wisconsin's . From an execution standpoint it is easier for Wisconsin, but for finding dudes it is easier for Iowa.
 
I agree that the O line has been a bit underwhelming recently, but some of the lack of success in the run game is related to teams putting 9 guys in the box and going downhill towards the LOS immediately...and we run right into it. If..if we can throw the ball downfield to some receivers this year, maybe some defenses will play us a little more straight up.

It's tough to run the ball when the D completely sells out to stop the run. It's the story of Iowa's offense in recent years.

Having said that, some of the Nancys in this thread are hilarious. We won a good bowl game against a very good team last year, and have reason to be optimistic this year. Just wait a few months before throwing a tantrum.
 
racerhawk said:
I agree that the O line has been a bit underwhelming recently, but some of the lack of success in the run game is related to teams putting 9 guys in the box and going downhill towards the LOS immediately...and we run right into it. If..if we can throw the ball downfield to some receivers this year, maybe some defenses will play us a little more straight up.

It's tough to run the ball when the D completely sells out to stop the run. It's the story of Iowa's offense in recent years.

Having said that, some of the Nancys in this thread are hilarious. We won a good bowl game against a very good team last year, and have reason to be optimistic this year. Just wait a few months before throwing a tantrum.
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It's ironic. Our opponents selling out to stop the run. Hmmmm, who else does that? Oh yeah, we do.
As you stated, our passing game, specifically, our downfield passing game, needs to be utilized BEFORE the 4th quarter.
I remember a game (I forget what year) when Wadley ran a wheel route and caught it in the endzone. It was a thing of beauty. I believe it was against the Cyclones. Obviously it was early in the season and I was looking forward to seeing it again. The rest of the season I kept looking for it and Wadley was never targeted on that pattern again. That's the type of stuff which drives us fans crazy (crazier?). Something that works to perfection and we use it ONCE during a season. I mean using a successful play once during a game is frustrating enough, but ONCE for an entire season? I hope Brian engaged in a little introspection this off-season. At one point last year he called Fant (paraphrasing) "our 3rd option" at receiver. Really? Brian, a little unsolicited advice. You have four accomplished QBs. A plethora of WRs/TEs/RBs/FBs. Find your playmakers and target them. And be open to the possibility that some guys are gonna win the job during practice, and some guys will win the job on game day. Give yourself both options. Don't limit yourself for arbitrary or petty reasons!!!
 
I would also point out that our ol has had young guys sprinkled in over the last few years. That and we got a new ol coach. We got a new rb coach. A new wr coach. That and the passing game hasn't been stellar.
Lot's of stuff needed work, because there were lots of things going against our running game.
On the bright side, we have been making progress. Nate rarely has to worry about pass protection.
The running back room sounds like they have a fire under their butts and are focused and determined.
Sounds like the older wr's have grown and it sounds like the young guys might have some raw talent.
I think all signs point to things trending up.
I'm liking how everyone sounds focused. I like how the young guys are pushing the older guys and vise versa.
 
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