Four downs with the O-line
- Thread starter ColumbusHawk
- Start date
The article should have paid more attention to the fact that Iowa's late swoon correlated directly with the loss of both Mac and Gettis. Iowa plugged in Koepple and the center of the line got crushed. The issue is that nobody else was able to step up to give Iowa some size in the line. Accordingly, we have to look at all these backup guys with a grain of salt.
I respectfully think we will be in much better shape next year.........please pass the salt!!
MoseSchrute
Well-Known Member
How does Wisconsin have a whole stable full of 300 pounders and we have maybe one?
Having 300 pounders for the sake of having them isn't the point. KF wants guys in the 280 - 300 pound range that are athletic, have good footwork, and subsequently are interchangeable. We may have a freak tackle like Bulaga, Gallery, etc. that will play above threehundy, but only of they can still play KF's style. Trust me, our o-line size is by design...wouldn't be to hard to pack on an extra 10-20 pounds if we just wanted to be able to say we had 300 pound linemen.
Read any NFL eval of their big 300 lbs linemen. They lack athleticism. Moffitt getting dinged for being very unathletic as well as Carimi.
Joe Thomas has been the exception under BB, and he was a Alvarez guy.
homerHAWKeye777
Well-Known Member
Who would you pick to win the spot? I can buy that there could be a "surprise" ... however, EMac has already been a nice surprise in 2010. Furthermore, Gettis was playing DARN WELL before his injury.
I frankly have no idea how things will shake out. Maybe Boffeli, Scherff, or Heiar in a tight competition with either Gettis or EMac to win the 5th spot?
Homer: Boffeli or Heiar with a lean to Heiar at LG. Just a gut feeling
Marc Morehouse has posted a few comments that the coaches really like Boffeli. If I had to guess I would say its him, he could follow the success story of several other high school tight ends who go on to be great lineman for Iowa. He weighed 255(?) when he first got here and is now listed by Morehouse as being 285??. I do think that there will be one surprise on the line, even could be due to injury where someone steps up and retains the position. Every year it seems we have a lineman (or two) go down for several games.
homerHAWKeye777
Well-Known Member
For the most part, yeah, that is my reasoning. Of course, I think that Heiar was also added because we're going to be losing some high quality guys after the 2011 season and the coaches are going to want to make sure that we're adequately well stocked. Heiar gives us an added "buffer" to allow some of the younger guys a little extra "wiggle room" to develop.
You have to remember that in all likelihood, Reiff will be bolting after the 2011 season. Thus, losing the combo of Gettis, Reiff, and Zusevics will be pretty big. Thus, it will be nice to be able to plug in a guy like Heiar who likely will be "good to go" by then and will likely be in his second year of receiving game-action for us.
Also, I gotta say that I have a good gut feeling about Scherff. However, I'd feel more comfortable if we don't have to throw Scherff to the "wolves" too early. If he can get eased in a bit more ... I think that will potentially help along his development. Thus, that is another benefit that can be reaped by having Heiar pushing for action.
homerHAWKeye777
Well-Known Member
Boffeli is definitely the "next an in" if James Ferentz gets injured. However, I was a little surprised that he didn't make more of a surge at OG. Instead, Koeppel was able to hold him and others off and start at the end of the '10 season.
Also, Boffeli put on a lot of good weight right away. My bet is that he has a great shot of being in the ballpark of 295 by fall camp. When you add the fact that he has great athleticism for his size and is also a smart guy ... I'm very excited about Boffeli's upside.
Not sure where I read it but think Bofelli had leg injury at end of last year, which is part of reason Koeppel was ahead of him.
Just a gut feeling but I really feel good about Van Sloten and Scherff making contributions. Supposedly Scherff was close to playing last year but decided to redshirt him. Bofelli looked good when he had chance. I think there will be competition for OL starters and that is a positive thing.
Just a gut feeling but I really feel good about Van Sloten and Scherff making contributions. Supposedly Scherff was close to playing last year but decided to redshirt him. Bofelli looked good when he had chance. I think there will be competition for OL starters and that is a positive thing.
homerHAWKeye777
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the word. That explains a lot right there provided that its true.
