Epenesa, Wirfs on NFL Talk
- Thread starter RobHowe
- Start date
deanvogs
Well-Known Member
I was reading Mark Emmert piece on this as well: https://www.hawkcentral.com/story/s...ion-a-j-epenesa-tristan-wirfs-nfl/1490956001/ This is what caught my eye the most, and it was almost a throw away at the end of the article.
Wirfs also likes what he’s seen from the newest starter on the offensive line — redshirt freshman Tyler Linderbaum at center. The Solon native was a defensive tackle until December, making his ascension all the more remarkable.
“He’s a freak, honestly. He was like barking out calls already in spring ball. He picked it up so fast,” Wirfs said of Linderbaum. “It’s pretty special to watch how much he’s developed in a short period of time. I think he’s going to be pretty good.”
We already have 2 NFL tackles on the outside, Banwart is solid at one G spot, and we will be ok between the Paulsin's/Kallenberger at the other G spot. If Linderbaum can be ok at C, that line will be really good.
Wirfs also likes what he’s seen from the newest starter on the offensive line — redshirt freshman Tyler Linderbaum at center. The Solon native was a defensive tackle until December, making his ascension all the more remarkable.
“He’s a freak, honestly. He was like barking out calls already in spring ball. He picked it up so fast,” Wirfs said of Linderbaum. “It’s pretty special to watch how much he’s developed in a short period of time. I think he’s going to be pretty good.”
We already have 2 NFL tackles on the outside, Banwart is solid at one G spot, and we will be ok between the Paulsin's/Kallenberger at the other G spot. If Linderbaum can be ok at C, that line will be really good.
Agreed. I think Fant handled the circus about as well as anyone could have last year, but I still feel like it affected him and the team. He starts getting fewer targets/snaps, and he has to start thinking about how that affects his draft status. I don't know if he bought into his pre-season hype, but it is pretty clear his family did.
Hopefully, witnessing the effects of preseason draft hype last year will give Wirfs and Epenesa better strategies for handling it this year. I am sure Fant would also be more than willing to offer advice.
Agree on the interior talent. I think both OTs will be substantially better, as well. They have been challenged to live up to their hype, and it sounds like they are embracing that. I think Jackson wants to prove he is every bit the prospet as Wirfs. And Wirfs wants to "move defensive players like he moves weights," as KF put to him as a challenge.
I also think Polasek is growing into his role. The pass pro has been stellar now for 2 years running, but as a proud coach, you know he is itching to show his unit can be game-dictating run-blockers. The ineffectiveness of the running game has been talked about all off-season, and that has to get in their craw. Brian Ferentz has also emphasized the importance of simplicity, and no longer feeling the necessity to make things complex just to prove he can create and manage a complex system. O'Keefe has also noted BF's evolving embrace of simpler schemes. I think these coaching evolutions will also yield improvements.
I still think this will be a (slightly) pass-first team this coming year...but I think they REALLY want to show the ability to line up and dominate the LOS when it is called for. I think they will.
Everyone even outside the program has been talking about how bad the run game has been. If that's not motivation. Yes pass protect has been really good.
I'm excited. I can't wait to see how the middle of both lines look. We definitely allowed more yards up the middle than I would like. It wasn't exceptionally bad, but it had room for improvement. Once we get the middle rock solid, we had better make sure our lb and cash are up to speed and don't fall for getting sealed off, because if we shut them down up the middle, they are going to test the edges.
I think we have the drive both in players and coaches to be really really good. I'm not getting the "we are just little old Iowa" vibe.
I'm getting the vibe of
WinOneThisCentury
Well-Known Member
My feeling has always been...until you can line up, see the loaded box and consistently make a team pay with your passing game for lining 8-9 guys in the box...then your running game is going to be statistically subpar. Let's face it, with a senior signal caller, WRs that are experienced...you should be able to get favorable matchups somewhere. You have to keep throwing until the defense changes...then your running game has a chance...you dictate what you do...but it's throw first until they balance their defensive sets.
HawkleberryFinn
Well-Known Member
Kirk, Brian, and Mary disagree. Kirk's sister too.
WinOneThisCentury
Well-Known Member
Well...I know the Ferentz's have forgotten more football than I know...but if you don't have an Akrum Wadley or a top tier back with some special characteristics who makes the one unblocked guy miss consistently...well, you get the 2018 running game. I like Sargent and Young...but they haven't shown to this point they can be an every down back and break something that changes field position or a game. We need that player.
If we go with the backs we got...then I say you put a fullback in the game an extra tackle at TE, and you pound Toren Young at them. He's a really good north and south guy and with the big tackles and size we have at guard...four yards and a cloud of dust may work. I'm hoping the kid from Georgia is a Wadley clone...but freshmen take some time to make an impact.
2019 is a year that sets up well to throw to set up the run.
If we go with the backs we got...then I say you put a fullback in the game an extra tackle at TE, and you pound Toren Young at them. He's a really good north and south guy and with the big tackles and size we have at guard...four yards and a cloud of dust may work. I'm hoping the kid from Georgia is a Wadley clone...but freshmen take some time to make an impact.
2019 is a year that sets up well to throw to set up the run.
WinOneThisCentury
Well-Known Member
Well...Brian Ferentz spent four years with the Patriots. He knows how to exploit weaknesses and to keep doing it. I know others won't agree with me...but our offense is way more diverse than it was three years ago. If Stanley performs at a higher level...and completes 65% of his passes or more...I think people's view of BF would be drastically different. Just think about something for a minute....think back to all the times you saw Noah Fant, TJ Hock, or another receiver running open or with space...think about how many overthrows or errant throws you saw...especially to Fant for some reason. The play calling was there...the execution not so much.
I will say this...if Stanley is a B10 first team QB this coming year...or has an outstanding senior season with 25-30 TDs / 65% completion percentage and low turnover count...we win the West. We are good enough everywhere else. The QB is typically the difference between a special season and an 9-4 season.
Nate went from a 55% to a 59%. If he can jump another 4% and get 63%, it's going to be a good year. Draft talk will start up about the 5th game in if he is preforming like that.
65% is what Brady is at. So if Nate can hit 65 in Iowas system?? We are going to have a great year!!!
