Hard-Hitting Hawkeye Amani Jones Emerges as Man in the Middle
- Thread starter RobHowe
- Start date
AreWeThereYet
Well-Known Member
With three upperclassmen competing at MIKE and at least one underclassmen, they should be able to find a fit, plus plenty of depth at the position. I doubt we will be playing a true freshman at the position this year.
RobHowe
Administrator
I asked Seth Wallace about the true freshmen earlier this spring:
“If it’s our expectation that a freshman is going to come in here and play right away at the linebacker position, then we’re probably not very good defensively."
AreWeThereYet
Well-Known Member
"I doubt we will be playing a true freshman at the position this year." My last sentence was more along the lines of possible attrition. Not only do you have to replace three guys, there has to be some depth behind the starters. Years with high player turnover are far more vulnerable to attrition simply because there tend to be fewer players ready at the second level.
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I think the fact that he has supplanted the supposed two (remember Hockaday was the backup at Mike in 2016) heir-apparents to Jewell makes me optimistic. He'd definitely be one of our most athletic Mikes in a while.
Couple that with Mends possibly putting everything together (hoping for a Fisher-esque season out of him) and Niemann stepping in at Leo and I'm cautiously optimistic at this point. Then again, I am every year.
Couple that with Mends possibly putting everything together (hoping for a Fisher-esque season out of him) and Niemann stepping in at Leo and I'm cautiously optimistic at this point. Then again, I am every year.
WinOneThisCentury
Well-Known Member
2015 disagrees with you.
WinOneThisCentury
Well-Known Member
I think this reinforces the mindset that the best on the practice field play. No union cards.
That's how it should be. I want any team I'm on to win, no matter what my duties are and that is exactly what sports need. That's character. That's being unselfish. That's a sign of a good person and teammate.
homes
Well-Known Member
Good point, although I was going back even further, and also looking at the transition from '13 to '14, when they had to replace Hitchens, Morris and Kirksey. '14 to '15 they were still trying to put pieces together, and at least Jewell had flashed at the end of the '14 season. But, point well taken.
RobHowe
Administrator
I definitely think one or more of the true freshmen can work their way onto special teams. I would guess Wallace feels that way, too. The guys that are competing for starting LB spots now have been solid contributors on STs. They will need to be replaced.
I think Wallace is saying that he's not looking at the incoming players as candidates to start at LB. And that makes sense.
SpiderRico
Well-Known Member
Typically, we've fared better replacing linebackers than DL, that's why I'm cautiously optimistic for this year's front 7.
I would almost bet on this. I think we landed a pretty good one and I would guess he will start on special teams and might make a push for playing time next year.
Just going to have to be dedicated in the play book, the weight room, basically be dedicated.
RobHowe
Administrator
Yes sir, we have some talent coming in.I really like Dillon Doyle as well.
They have a very good head start on the athletic ability. If they can grasp the other areas quickly plus add another year in the nutrition program, look out!!
