(extending on duffman's idea) Grade the team by category

Coaching- B-... Lost most starters in the league,but still finished in top half.

WR- A-.....MM is top receiver in the Big Ten...perfection would be nice,but they are only human beings.

TE- C ....CJ showed signs of life late.

RB- A-.... Coker was the whole running attack,carried over 320 times, took a beating,kept on ticking, and was second in the league in yards...he gets an A

QB- B+....Vandy's grade dropped due to a poor outing vs Neb. led the league in yards, 3rd in passing efficiency with only two 5th year seniors ahead of him...strong year.

O-line- A-... protected Vandy well, got Marcus those yards,stayed healthy and stable....best unit on the team really,without a star on the level of McNutt.

D-line- C-... injuries hurt on our thinnest unit. Binns and Daniels hung tough,but not good enough...did improve with healthier Nardo and Daniels late.

LBers- C+... injuries struck Morris and Nielsen,and that hurt,and it improved as they got healthier,and Kirksey was a bright spot,but overall...not good enough.

Secondary- B+...Prater a puzzle early,but Bernstine was a nice surprise,and Miller came on strong....

Kickoff- C+...no distance but decent coverage.
Kickoff returns- C-...Bernsy just had no juke
Punts- B+...Guthrie a pleasant surprise
Punt returns- C...no fumbles,no returns.

FGs- C....once again the pattern of Iowa fg kickers misses costing us close games came up in the ISU and Minny games....ouch. A bit unfair tho,I admit,as Meyer hit some long ones also,and showed better range on fgs than on kickoffs it seemed.
 
So we were on the low side of reasonable. That sounds like C or C- work. A+ is for excellence which would require greatly exceeding expectation.

Just trying to be real. A+ should not even be considered for the staff this year.

My A+ grade was completely sarcastic. I still argue that the actual grade would be closer to my A+ than the OP's D+.
 
Ferentz C-: unable to take advantage of a soft schedule, lost to two less talented teams on the road, beat one more talented team at home. Failed to emphasize the strength of this team which was offense.

O'Keefe D+: Two solid performances- three terrible performances, seven average performances. No problem with his schemes (formations, etc.), problem with lack of obvious scheming to use one of most talented offense in memory to score more points.

Parker B: Again no problem with scheme- this team improved defensively as the season went on and he did make several notable adjustments this season- blitzed more than in any season since maybe 2008. Least talent to work with in many seasons and still held solid offenses to well below their season averages over the last five games (exception obviously being MSU).

QB B+: Vandenberg exceeded my expectations this season and showed off some very solid physical skills and at times really dissected defenses. Underrated at audibles in the run game. Needs to improve on pocket awareness and manipulating coverage- things that can be improved on, see Stanzi 2010.

RB INC: Coker probably met nearly everyone's expectations, but Iowa failed to develop a second option and that cost both the offense and Coker better performances. Iowa had 5 options at tailback this season and I would guess that after ULM Coker played 98% of the snaps.

WR A-: McNutt had one of the best season's ever for an Iowa receiver and was still plagued by drops. Keenan Davis and KMM leave this position in good hands for next season and KMM really was impressive out of the slot.

TE D+: Herman took an obvious step back this season, struggled with drops and blocking- which he excelled at last season. Derby was solid for what he is- a limited athlete that works hard and understands his assignments. CJFed has some work to to blocking but certainly flashed plenty of ability and potential.

OL A: This unit blocked very well in both phases all season, picked up the blitz as well as any unit has in recent memory and was not often recognized for the work they were doing. Hope Reiff stays, but next season will be tough to match after this season's performance whether he stays or goes.

DL C-: Binns and Daniels were reliable but not explosive, Alvis looked to be ready to shine and tore his ACL. Nardo, Bigach, and Daniel all played hard but were physically over-matched. Really hope that some young players emerge or next season could be worse.

LB C-: this unit improved dramatically with some re-shuffling and it appears that maybe Morris is better suited to play WLB. Nielsen really made an impact at Mike and it is probably no coincidence that the defense improved when the linebackers were shuffled. Maybe no brighter future for any position on Iowa roster than this unit.

DB B- Prater and Hyde made some mistakes but also played the run well, played their responsibilities well. As well as Bernstine played the run, he may have been worse in coverage. Tanner Miller looked solid and seemed to improve every week. Lowery seems to have a similar skill set to Prater and again the future looks bright for this unit even with the losses of Prater and Bernstine.

Special Teams C: Meyer and Guthrie did their jobs fairly well. Kick off and kick return rarely made positive plays in the field position game bringing this unit down. No blocked kicks or punts, basically a -2 TO margin for this unit with the fakes executed against them this season. This was not a winning unit.

Team C-: This team wasted a very soft schedule and failed in so many ways in the five losses that it is tough to give this team an average grade. They also flashed a lot of potential. The certainly seemed to work hard and strove for improvement from game to game.
 
Ferentz C-: unable to take advantage of a soft schedule, lost to two less talented teams on the road, beat one more talented team at home. Failed to emphasize the strength of this team which was offense.

O'Keefe D+: Two solid performances- three terrible performances, seven average performances. No problem with his schemes (formations, etc.), problem with lack of obvious scheming to use one of most talented offense in memory to score more points.

Parker B: Again no problem with scheme- this team improved defensively as the season went on and he did make several notable adjustments this season- blitzed more than in any season since maybe 2008. Least talent to work with in many seasons and still held solid offenses to well below their season averages over the last five games (exception obviously being MSU).

QB B+: Vandenberg exceeded my expectations this season and showed off some very solid physical skills and at times really dissected defenses. Underrated at audibles in the run game. Needs to improve on pocket awareness and manipulating coverage- things that can be improved on, see Stanzi 2010.

RB INC: Coker probably met nearly everyone's expectations, but Iowa failed to develop a second option and that cost both the offense and Coker better performances. Iowa had 5 options at tailback this season and I would guess that after ULM Coker played 98% of the snaps.

WR A-: McNutt had one of the best season's ever for an Iowa receiver and was still plagued by drops. Keenan Davis and KMM leave this position in good hands for next season and KMM really was impressive out of the slot.

TE D+: Herman took an obvious step back this season, struggled with drops and blocking- which he excelled at last season. Derby was solid for what he is- a limited athlete that works hard and understands his assignments. CJFed has some work to to blocking but certainly flashed plenty of ability and potential.

OL A: This unit blocked very well in both phases all season, picked up the blitz as well as any unit has in recent memory and was not often recognized for the work they were doing. Hope Reiff stays, but next season will be tough to match after this season's performance whether he stays or goes.

DL C-: Binns and Daniels were reliable but not explosive, Alvis looked to be ready to shine and tore his ACL. Nardo, Bigach, and Daniel all played hard but were physically over-matched. Really hope that some young players emerge or next season could be worse.

LB C-: this unit improved dramatically with some re-shuffling and it appears that maybe Morris is better suited to play WLB. Nielsen really made an impact at Mike and it is probably no coincidence that the defense improved when the linebackers were shuffled. Maybe no brighter future for any position on Iowa roster than this unit.

DB B- Prater and Hyde made some mistakes but also played the run well, played their responsibilities well. As well as Bernstine played the run, he may have been worse in coverage. Tanner Miller looked solid and seemed to improve every week. Lowery seems to have a similar skill set to Prater and again the future looks bright for this unit even with the losses of Prater and Bernstine.

Special Teams C: Meyer and Guthrie did their jobs fairly well. Kick off and kick return rarely made positive plays in the field position game bringing this unit down. No blocked kicks or punts, basically a -2 TO margin for this unit with the fakes executed against them this season. This was not a winning unit.

Team C-: This team wasted a very soft schedule and failed in so many ways in the five losses that it is tough to give this team an average grade. They also flashed a lot of potential. The certainly seemed to work hard and strove for improvement from game to game.


That honestly was one of the truest and best breakdowns I've ever seen. I wont argue with a C for Ferentz because we had a C year. I'd say KOK is a little lower than he should be, but I get your drift. Parker and the D did improve and will throughout Bowl Prep.

One nit pick is I don't necessarily agree anyone on Iowa's schedule was more talented and I'm afraid the NFL draft and FA's will show this to be true. However your point remains we were out classed a couple times.....and just flat out played others

Just some side notes to add....
 
I think Zues was talented enuff, but really made some mental mistakes, but will likely play in the NFL...The O-line will be okay next year and very good if Reif returns but not necessarily better.

The Te's are nothing but up and I suspect some of their production was based off Vandy and his comfort level. That will change and Derby is a better athlete than given credit for and made few mistakes, though did drop a coupe balls....

Vandy...no clue what people are bothered about here. Very solid and has BIG Tools, but can definitely improve.

Wr's....lot of lanky, athletic bodies there and Davis (sans injury) and KMM both exceeded my expectations....

DL....Binss will play in the NFL, Daniels I don't know. Alvis has upside if healthy and I liked how Bigach improved and he is very quick and relatively fast, or so it seems...all these guys got WAY out of position early season, but surely there are bodies to work with and for what they were they improved.

Lbers..... play was very spotty as a rule, but like you I do think they got better after shuffling and Hitchens really improved when he got healthy and I absolutely love Kirksey. Seems like he improved all year and was good no matter where they put him and he is still undersized but he wont be next year. Morris...its got to be a head thing with him, seriously. Nielsen I am curious to see run after the season, because I can point you to a web site that suggests he is fast, fast, fast...if so he'll get NFL looks. There are other talented kids there so I also believe we'll be okay. Dibona was a loss, he played very well the season before.

DB....Hyde coming back will be huge and Miller was an absolute stud. He is faster and bigger than Greenwood and Sash and I think just as heady. At least he improved in a similar fashion to what they did as rookie starters. Interesting thoughts on Bernstein, I'll confess I didn't notice but that explains plenty. We still for the most part, as bad as we were, gave up yards very slowly, but we had several uncharacteristic lapses back there. Now as far as I'm concerned Prater had some mind boggling moments, much like Morris did actually. He is fast and very good and he'll play in the NFL, but he absolutely got roasted a number of times and IMO way more often than Hyde did. At least after he got re-acclimated. Also agree with the general talent evaluation back here being good...

Special teams...I'm here to tell you. Until Iowa's special teams get back to consistently covering kicks and being special as a rule, we will mill about in mediocrity. Yes Meyers is okay, but the kicks he missed were very big. Punting was super, hopefully he can be replaced. But the rest was very, very spotty. Punt coverage was fine, actually good, but we aren't very scary returning much of anything anymore.

Finally...I like these coaches and I think they can win lots of football games still. We do need to catch a few breaks, health wise in particular, and we are going to have to grow in some spots. I know Canzeri and Bullock fight injuries all back half of the season and I don't think they really felt McAll was mentally ready, and it kind of showed. That was a very easy dropped football....Johnson I just don't know, what's up there.

As a rule I saw this staff do some stuff they haven't done a lot, and I did see growth. But we are going to have to figure something out and I'm not mad at anybody. But this team still carries talent, so it seems to me we could expect some losses, but 5 is a lot. 4 was a lot for me....

Chad
 
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A couple quick coaching notes to add......
 
I do agree we did a sub par job this year overall, but I want to say. Many just want to point to the proletariat and say yep it's scheme, yep they don't change, yep they are conservative, yep they don't fix anything yet...that's not even close to true.
 
Before the season even started they moved Hyde to safety because they apparently thought it gave them the best shot. They were wrong obviously and they changed back, but that was ballsy and aggressive and when it wasn't working they had the courage to go back....
 
They completely swapped their D-line and their Lbers....
 
They rushed a true frosh out to the field in the rain immediately in the first game to carry the rock and unfortunately he broke his ankle......
 
They moved starters around all year and eventually moved CJ Fed to starter over A Snr, which many of you (only the hardened of the hardest to be fair) have said forever that doesn't happen.
 
They did plenty of aggressive things and those who say they wont, honestly aren't in reality. There is something wrong I agree, but those throwing darts, and stupid ones at that I might add, aren't helping or fixing nothing...
 
Chad
 
Yeah but you said A+..... how do you get A+ out of this year?

Thats not objective what so ever - are you a friend or family member of the coaching staff? That's the only logical explanation I can come up with.

I wish I had you as a teacher in college

And as far as the minority on the internet... if you think that it's just only on the internet that as thought the staff was not "A+" then you are just as or more "fring" then anyone you might think more reasonable then.
 
Yeah but you said A+..... how do you get A+ out of this year?

Thats not objective what so ever - are you a friend or family member of the coaching staff? That's the only logical explanation I can come up with.

I wish I had you as a teacher in college

And as far as the minority on the internet... if you think that it's just only on the internet that as thought the staff was not "A+" then you are just as or more "fring" then anyone you might think more reasonable then.

I already said that A+ was full of sarcasm chief, and I have said multiple times that the actual grade of the coaching staff is closer to my sarcastic A+ than to your D+. All things considered I would give the staff a B.
 
That D+ was just so offensive you had to throw up that A+? I think if you look at what people wrote on here - there are alot of C's - don't think D+ was quite that "insensible"

My D+ wasn't some knee jerk emotional response... say like a sarcastic "A+"
 
Lowery is a stud and we won't miss Prater at all next season. I think that Law will be as good at stopping the run as Bernstine was, I just hope he's better in coverage.
 
Coaching: C(-) Defense not up to Iowa's standards, poor game time decisions, wasting clock, not using timeouts, burning red shirts for 5-6 carries, stopping the running game when it's working, keep using the running game when it isn't. I could go on.

QB- C flashes of brilliance but has to overcome the road game blahs, great stats but short on emotion

OL - B mostly solid but a few ugly moments here and there

TE - C- way below usual expectations for Iowa TEs, too many dropped passes, none of them separated themselves from the others

WR - A- to McNutt because I was shocked at all of his dropped passes at Nebby. A otherwise
Rest of WR - B- most dropped passes in the BIG mixed in with some amazing catches

RB - B Coker carrying the entire load seems inhumane but he got better with each game

DL - C At times you could see the "bend don't break" working but mostly, it didn't look like Iowa D.

LBs - C Better with Nielsen at MIKE but they were really spotty at best

DBs - B- Loved seeing Bernstein laying wood, corners gave up some big plays and they never seem to turn around in time to play the ball

K - B Fairly consistent but needs better leg strength
P - B+ Suprised by Gutherie. A few shakey moments but overall did a good job
ST - C- Some nice hits out there. Lowery showed a few good things. Whiffing on onside kicks etc is unacceptable (and on coaches). Big area that needs to be cleaned up.
 

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