I just think it's a combination of the coaches learning more and more what they have with him and him getting more and more comfortable. Let's be honest, he looked WAY better last game than he had in the past. You can tell he's getting comfortable. If he looked like that in week 1 with the opportunity he had, he would have moved up the depth chart already. He didn't, so he didn't. He very well may now tho.
Goodson
- Thread starter Hawkfnntn
- Start date
hawkeyes87
Well-Known Member
I agree Goodson looks like their best back, and only breakaway threat.
But what is he, 190 lbs? That doesn't exactly scream workhorse.
But what is he, 190 lbs? That doesn't exactly scream workhorse.
I don't think anyone is advocating for that. I'm certainly not. We do have 2 other guys plenty capable of doing well too. However 10-15 touches with 25ish snaps wouldn't be too much at all. I'm just hoping to see something along those lines as we get into the meat of our schedule.
If the hawks avg about 30-40 rushes per game then Goodson is getting his share. He is one of our quickest and shiftiest runners but does he know how to pick up the blitz as well as the other backs. He has the feet to be a really good cutback runner and he might get the edge quicker in outside zone. He is going to be very good (he is now actually).
If almost every time Goodson is in as a single back the hawks run the ball then that is a tell to the defense. If he isnt the best at picking up blitzes you dont want your QB getting smashed especially early in games when the score is close therefore he is not in on passing downs unless he is 100% going out for a pass.
Don't get me wrong, Goodson is going to be a great RB but he is still just a true Freshman who is learning the offense and not built yet for a ground and pound workload. I think if we can get him 10 touches a game (rushing or receiving) that would be optimal at this point. Sargent and Young, two experienced juniors, have also been VERY productive.
The numbers speak for themselves ...
Sargent - 54 carries, 299 yards, 5.5 YPC
Young - 33 carries, 251 yards, 7.6 YPC
Goodson - 34 carries, 202 yards, 5.9 YPC
IKM - 6 carries, 23 yards, 3.8 YPC
The numbers speak for themselves ...
Sargent - 54 carries, 299 yards, 5.5 YPC
Young - 33 carries, 251 yards, 7.6 YPC
Goodson - 34 carries, 202 yards, 5.9 YPC
IKM - 6 carries, 23 yards, 3.8 YPC
And the other run that went for about 10-15 where he got ankle-tackled.
Goodson will get more and more carries as the season progresses. He and IKM were tied for the 2nd most touches (behind Sargent) in the ISU game, that certainly wasn't a case of loading up on scrub-time carries.
The OP asks why he isn't getting 10 touches per game? He has 43 touches in 4 games. That number will go up, but there also needs to be some effort to reward all of those guys that are talented, are working hard, and deserve touches. Kudos to IKM, who has had the least so far, but has made impactful plays running, receiving, and blocking thus far.
Stanzi
Well-Known Member
Sargent and Young are deserving of their carries so this isn't years past where an undeserving upperclassmen started over a more talented younger player. Plus, it's not like Goodson isn't seeing the field. I'm actually encouraged that the coaches have already given him his current role despite being a true freshman. I agree with others that his role will continue to increase.
SteveGarvey1
Well-Known Member
Someone else alluded to this but many of Goodson's carries came during mop-up time, when defenses know we're not going to be passing it. I don't remember for sure, but it may be the case that the second string O-line was in those times, while the first team defenses remained in.
I think there is some truth to that but that also is the case with Young and IKM. Young has been in a few times in "short yardage" situations as well because of his size/power.
Knight78
Well-Known Member
All it takes is a bit of film for the other team to know what to expect if he isn't put in a situation where he needs to block. Specific player-personnel packages is what doomed GDavis's offensive schemes as when certain players were in the opponent KNEW there would be a run, certain other players were in the opponent KNEW there would be a pass.
NorthKCHawk
Well-Known Member
I am perfectly fine with the carries to date. His role is material and seems to be growing, but the two guys "in front of him" are playing well too. The odds of them all staying completely healthy the entire season are low, and if that is the case, its because they each are limiting touches and pounding. I see fresh legs and hungry carries out there. Three headed monster seems to be working fine to me -- with carries going to the hot hand.
That all said, every time I see Sargent truck a blitzing strong safety, I know EXACTLY the value he brings to the table.
That all said, every time I see Sargent truck a blitzing strong safety, I know EXACTLY the value he brings to the table.
I get what your saying. But remember during the Drew Tate era like 03/04 whenever that was when all our RBs were hurt. And occasionally they'd have one back sets with Aaron Mickens in the game. He never got the ball or ran a route when he was in just about. Just blocked. That too can be predictable as well right when you have a player on O that the D does not have to account for. To me that's worse almost then what playing Goodson who may not be asked to pass protect would be. 98% of the plays for him should be quick if they aren't hand offs to him. I just don't see what your suggesting be a factor. Now if/when down the road when he's playing way more snaps yeah that could very well be. If you have a guy that's a 10-13 touch a game changeup I don't see them getting much of a schematic advantage. They still gotta tackle the guy somehow.
hawkeyebob62
Well-Known Member
Good point about the "tell". That's one reason I thought it awesome earlier this season when they put Goodson and IKM in the backfield at the same time. With the two "faster" guys it goes away from the typical "bruiser-and-speedster", which down and distance is it's own clue.
As long as we have 4 healthy, capable backs, we need to utilize them every way we can. Goodson, Sargent and IKM all have potential to do serious damage in the passing game. Open the field early, there'll be open running lanes the whole game.
I’d LOVE to see iowa install some of those quick passes to Goodson they used to throw to Wadley in space and let him work after the catch downfield. I’m guessing they don’t have the trust built up yet.
I have been wanting to see 2 of the better backs in the game at the same time for years. A poster mentioned in another recent thread how when a corner blitz or outside lbkr blitz occurs the running back can pick up the blitzer or move past the blitzer into a wide open area for a quick, short pass and maybe big play. Wadley/Canzeri in the backfield as split backs with the QB under center or in shotgun. At the snap on many plays as wide receivers and tight ends go downfield the running backs quickly run routes sideways staying behind the LOS. If they are wide open get them the ball in space and let them go crazy.
When the opponent blitzes you can get big plays and when the opponent starts using a couple of guys to guard those backs in the sideline areas then your receivers have a better chance of being wide open. Running backs are your best runners.
The pros are great at this as they practice it a lot as are certain college teams who practice it a lot. The pros have hours to practice it while college teams do not unless they are air raid or pass heavy teams.
I think the fact that all 4 of our backs have shown the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield is a huge weapon. They have to always be accounted for. As far as Goodson is concerned, a lot of times a back has to sell it, like in a screen, rolling into the flat or a wheel route, and that is just an experience thing. We have thrown to him, and he can catch it, it just seems the timing there isn't quite right or someone has sniffed it out or something. I am sure with experience comes patience as everything slows down and that will be a big for him.
homes
Well-Known Member
No. 2. Sargent is very good at picking up blitzing LBs . He gives Stanley the little bit of extra time to make plays. That's only noticed when Stanley is getting sacked.
All coaches are facing the same problem these days of dealing with the transfer portal. If talented frosh want to play right away, there is extra pressure on coaches to give them at least some snaps to keep them happy. Goodson is very talented, and he also wants to play now. He will get better at picking up blitzers as he gets more game experience.
MelroseHawkins
Well-Known Member
I think because you don't want to kill the kid. Bring him on slow. Don't show him a lot in pre-conf games and bring him on more and more as the season goes on.
No reason to showcase him early in the season against M of Ohio or Mid Tenn St.
