HawkeyeMike23
Banned
Ferentz is treating Norm's health VERY carefully. They're trying to handle it so that we'll be able to RETAIN Norm in the long term. Thus, I don't anticipate that we'll be losing Norm.
As for losing so many starters on D ... sure, there will definitely be SOME drop-off.
However, you shouldn't forget who we RETURN. Defenses, much like football squads, are "built" ... and its strength is reliant on the strength of its FOUNDATIONS. Thus, from there you have to look at the players who will comprise the foundations of the 2011 D. I think that if you really break it down ... you'll come away much less nervous.
2011 D ... THE FOUNDATION:
DL:
Weight bearing "walls": Binns (SR), Daniels (SR), Daniel (SR)
Extra "supports" (proven): Nardo (SR), Forgy (SR), Bigach (JR)
LB:
Weight bearing "walls": Nielsen (SR)
Extra "supports" (proven): B. Davis (SR), Morris (SO)
S:
Weight bearing "walls": Sash (SR)
Extra "supports" (proven): Bernstine (SR), Donatell (SR), N. Nielsen (JR), Miller (SO)
CB:
Weight bearing "walls": Prater (SR), Hyde (JR), Castillo (JR)
Extra "supports" (proven): Bernstine (SR), Lowe (SR)
REMARK: I included underclassmen like Morris and Miller because of the extensive quality experience that they have been gaining thus far through the season. I almost also included Alvis on the DL ... however, I erred on the side of including the upperclassman, Forgy (whom I've heard positive buzz about).
2011 D ... other particularly promising "building materials":
DL - Alvis (SO), Trinca-Pasat (RS FR), Johnson (RS FR), C. Davis (RS FR)
LB - Kirksey (SO), DiBona (SO), Poggi (RS FR)
S - Hitchens (SO)
CB - Lowery (SO)
FINAL REMARKS:
Let me also remind folks that Iowa had to replace A TON of quality starters on D going from 2001 to 2002 ... and, all the same, the D still managed to be pretty impressive in 2002. Similarly, Iowa had SEVEN first year starters on the D in 2008 ... and that still managed to be one of our better Hawk Ds. To remind you, Clayborn (SO), Ballard (SO), Angerer (JR), Hunter (SO), Sash (RS FR), Fletcher (SR), and Spievey (SO) were EACH first year full-time starters in 2008.
Also, folks were highly skeptical about our ability to replace King, Kroul, and Fletcher after the '08 season ... and yet the '09 D ended up being EVEN BETTER!!!
I think the 2002 comparison is a really good one. I anticipate next year's defense to follow the same trends as 2002 did, start off a little slow but grow into a very good defense by the end of the year. Hopefully the offense can win a shootout or two early in the year if they have to.