Epiphany RE: Stanzi in 4th quarter - Reaffirms suspicions

H

homerHAWKeye777

Well-Known Member
The stats have already been out there and I've heard it before ... but seeing the BTN preview and hearing all their talk about our run game just got me to piece one and one together.

FACT: Stanzi was money in the 4th quarter in 2009. Specifically, he was completing over 60 percent of his passes and had something like 6 TD passes to 1 INT.

FACT: Iowa's OL had punished most opposing Ds to a point where the running game was actually working in the 4th quarter. The games against PSU, Wisky, and Georgia Tech, among several others, all kinda come to mind.

SYNTHESIS: Not really too deep and kinda obvious. It's clear that Stanzi does MUCH better when the running game takes some of the pressure from his shoulders. Heck, I have asserted as much in the past, because the same fact is obvious when you contrast Stanzi's play in '08 versus his play in '09. With Greene at RB in '08, Stanzi threw fewer INTs and still had plenty of luck taking shots down field.


CONCLUSION: If Iowa can get the running game going ... then that alone should go A LONG ways towards reducing Ricky's INTs. However, more strikingly, if Iowa can get the running game going ... it will also potentially propel Stanzi into "4th quarter form" much earlier in the game. Pretty cool though ... eh?
 
homerHAWKeye777 said:
The stats have already been out there and I've heard it before ... but seeing the BTN preview and hearing all their talk about our run game just got me to piece one and one together.

FACT: Stanzi was money in the 4th quarter in 2009. Specifically, he was completing over 60 percent of his passes and had something like 6 TD passes to 1 INT.

FACT: Iowa's OL had punished most opposing Ds to a point where the running game was actually working in the 4th quarter. The games against PSU, Wisky, and Georgia Tech, among several others, all kinda come to mind.

SYNTHESIS: Not really too deep and kinda obvious. It's clear that Stanzi does MUCH better when the running game takes some of the pressure from his shoulders. Heck, I have asserted as much in the past, because the same fact is obvious when you contrast Stanzi's play in '08 versus his play in '09. With Greene at RB in '08, Stanzi threw fewer INTs and still had plenty of luck taking shots down field.


CONCLUSION: If Iowa can get the running game going ... then that alone should go A LONG ways towards reducing Ricky's INTs. However, more strikingly, if Iowa can get the running game going ... it will also potentially propel Stanzi into "4th quarter form" much earlier in the game. Pretty cool though ... eh?
Click to expand...

This. While I think Stanzi will improve on his drop-back passing this year, he is much more effective with play-action. Obviously PA tends to make things easier, but he also has a TREMENDOUS play fake, making it that much more effective. And he EXCELS at passing on the run, which makes bootlegs a valuable weapon as well. All work better with a run game that is clicking.
 
There's a stat line out there on Stanzi's 4th Q QB efficiency and other stats.

It's mind-boggling looking at them.
 
He sounded very focused on the interview with the BTN guys. Footwork and shoulder turn...technical stuff. Like KF said, I just hope he does not put too much pressure on himself to be perfect. He still needs to gamble some, in big games, down the stretch,and he is good at it. PSU game,2008, last drive, a couple of throws to DJK along the sideline were pinpoint...and had to be.
Orange Bowl 2010...throw to Sandeman was dropped like manna from heaven,into Colins arms...picture perfect.

As KF said, the entire team and coaching staff has ultimate confidence in Ricky...despite his errors...that is a good feeling for Iowa football. Just stay healthy, Ricky.
 
homerHAWKeye777 said:
The stats have already been out there and I've heard it before ... but seeing the BTN preview and hearing all their talk about our run game just got me to piece one and one together.

FACT: Stanzi was money in the 4th quarter in 2009. Specifically, he was completing over 60 percent of his passes and had something like 6 TD passes to 1 INT.

FACT: Iowa's OL had punished most opposing Ds to a point where the running game was actually working in the 4th quarter. The games against PSU, Wisky, and Georgia Tech, among several others, all kinda come to mind.

SYNTHESIS: Not really too deep and kinda obvious. It's clear that Stanzi does MUCH better when the running game takes some of the pressure from his shoulders. Heck, I have asserted as much in the past, because the same fact is obvious when you contrast Stanzi's play in '08 versus his play in '09. With Greene at RB in '08, Stanzi threw fewer INTs and still had plenty of luck taking shots down field.


CONCLUSION: If Iowa can get the running game going ... then that alone should go A LONG ways towards reducing Ricky's INTs. However, more strikingly, if Iowa can get the running game going ... it will also potentially propel Stanzi into "4th quarter form" much earlier in the game. Pretty cool though ... eh?
Click to expand...

I have been a firm believer for the last 2 years that our guys on both OL & DL are in better shape, more technically sound, and physically punishing, that come the 4th quarter the opposing lines are beaten to a pulp. That's why the running game gets going. That's probably why a higher percentage of our INT's on defense come later in the game (more pressure on the quarterback). & while this style isn't going to get us our own TV contract with NBC, I've come to accept it as Hawkeye football & have put my nerves on mute during the 1st half.
 
Stanzi has Nads of steal (See Michigan State, Indiana - heck almost every game last season). I think think this guy thrives when in the pressure cooker. You can't un-nerve gut reaction very easily. I just hope that he can eliminate some mistakes because when you makes them, they usually end up being 6 pts. It brought back terrible memories last night to watch the Orange Bowl Pick, followed by his practice pick. But I truly believe Jewel is going to be a destroyer in 2010 and take some pressure off Ricky who will indeed floorish.
 
The running game AND the receiving game must improve. I doubt if DJK or McNutt will ever get sufficient separation from defenders. (McNutt can jump). I'm not sold on McNutt's ability to run pass routes, yet. Without play action or a surprise play, a perfect pass will usually be needed.
 
I think if Rick Stanzi can eliminate the pick 6's that will go a long way. As we have seen from the GT game and others, Iowa's D can totally disrupt a game plan. And the O line can wear out a defense by the 4th quarter.
Ricky's pick 6 against GT was a ray of hope for them. Eliminate the pick 6 and the game was pretty much a rout against a conference champion.
Going to be a great year!
 
tm3308 said:
This. While I think Stanzi will improve on his drop-back passing this year, he is much more effective with play-action. Obviously PA tends to make things easier, but he also has a TREMENDOUS play fake, making it that much more effective. And he EXCELS at passing on the run, which makes bootlegs a valuable weapon as well. All work better with a run game that is clicking.
Click to expand...

You mean like a naked bootleg in the endzone?!?!?!? :mad:
 
cabse5 said:
The running game AND the receiving game must improve. I doubt if DJK or McNutt will ever get sufficient separation from defenders. (McNutt can jump). I'm not sold on McNutt's ability to run pass routes, yet. Without play action or a surprise play, a perfect pass will usually be needed.
Click to expand...

Watch the Orange Bowl. DJK can get separation, no doubt. And he's an excellent route runner. He ran a great double move on one play, and was WIDE open.

And since we almost never run deep pass routes without play-action, that's not going to be much of an issue anyway.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Share this page

Top