Hawk backs lack explosiveness

B

brozley

Well-Known Member
Iowa's O-Line has looked great for much of this season, but the backs lack the speed and or vision to make huge gains. Many times, the lone is blowing the D-line back and our guys run for 5 yards and falling forward for 7 yard gains. Not bad, but some should go for BIG yards.

If Iowa had a better RB, we would have seen some huge plays this season and more points scored.
It's easy to play bend/don't break defense against Iowa as they don't break long runs and seldom throw the ball down field.

Weisman's longest run 37 yards
Bullock 22 yds.

Team 347 carries - one run longer than 22 yds for RB's


Manley,Smith, Hillyer (wide-outs) longest catch 36 yds. (Powell obviously explosive)

Don't know if Cannzari or Daniels have any more speed than the starters, but the coaches must like the top two guys.
 


I think most would agree that we lack a big play threat other than Powell.

A great example that comes to to my mind was a WR screen to KMM. KMM caught the ball with an opportunity to make a move on their Freshman CB 1-1 in the open field. Not only did their corner make the tackle and limit us to a small gain, if any, he wrapped up KMM chest to chest. He is our #1 WR and the corner didn't even have to make a diving attempt or an arm tackle.

This isn't an attack on KMM because he is a good route runner and provides value. I just think he should be more of a #3 type of talent for a big 10 team and this play illustrates our lack of athleticsm.
 


Weisman has had a lot of 20 yard plus run plays over is career. Bullock has had his huge plays off the short pass. He took a long one too the house, he might be at his best off the short passes. I still hope to see them in the game at the same time.
 


Weisman is the kind of back that can turn a 0 yard run into a 2 yard run which is very important in short yardage situations. Unfortunately he is also the kind of back that turns a touchdown run into a 20 yard gain. Bullock makes the wrong decision way to often to be the number 2 back. I would really like to see Daniels or Canzeri get enough carries to actually get into the flow of the game. Unfortunately that's not gunna happen. Our go to guys are already established.
 


ibahawkeye said:
I think most would agree that we lack a big play threat other than Powell.

A great example that comes to to my mind was a WR screen to KMM. KMM caught the ball with an opportunity to make a move on their Freshman CB 1-1 in the open field. Not only did their corner make the tackle and limit us to a small gain, if any, he wrapped up KMM chest to chest. He is our #1 WR and the corner didn't even have to make a diving attempt or an arm tackle.

This isn't an attack on KMM because he is a good route runner and provides value. I just think he should be more of a #3 type of talent for a big 10 team and this play illustrates our lack of athleticsm.
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Am I to assume that when our freshman DB makes a 1-1 open field tackle, the other WR sucks as well?
 


don't think he said KMM sucks. He just hasn't ever shown himself to be a big play threat. Iowa is very lacking in that regard.
 


kmurp said:
don't think he said KMM sucks. He just hasn't ever shown himself to be a big play threat. Iowa is very lacking in that regard.
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Iowa has guys with big play ability. Unfortunately they don't have as much experience as some other guys. And like Kirk said in his presser, nothing beats experience.
 










I think Bullock is kinda explosive but I know what your saying we need a speed guy who can get one block and he's gone. It would be a good change of pace. I try to keep up with recruiting every yr and it seems like Ferentz and his staff never go after any smaller faster backs. I wonder why?
 




Wasn't it Wisconsin who out recruited us for that type of an elusive running back? I can't remember his name but he is tearing it up and is a threat TO GO ALL THE WAY every time he touches the ball. The guy actually committed to us before decommitting. Also I believe the assistant coach that was recruiting him has been relieved of his employment with the University of Iowa football program. Hmmmmm funny how that works.
 


Given all the crazy things that have happened with Iowa running backs over the past few years, I think we are lucky to have the guys we have. Do we have the best backs in the Big 10? No. But I for one appreciate what we do have.
 


Of the Top 20 producing RB's in Hawkeye history (ranked by total rushing yards) only 6 of the 20 have come in the Ferentz era.

The explosiveness or speed issue has been an issue for several years. I don't think it is necessarily because we don't have a back or two with ample speed at times but Ferentz chooses to stick with the power back regardless at times. When you have an OL that can open big holes at times you've got to take advantage. Best example in my mind is still the MN " onside kick game" of a couple year's ago. The OL was opening huge holes all day and Coker ran the ball some 30 plus times for more than 230 yds. We missed quick scoring opportunities numerous times because the MN defensive backs would run him down in the open field after he broke through. That game should have never been close.

Surprises me a bit that we can't attract a few more touted backs (outside of the power runners) with a run oriented attack and a school with a strong OL tradition.
 


ibahawkeye said:
I think most would agree that we lack a big play threat other than Powell.

A great example that comes to to my mind was a WR screen to KMM. KMM caught the ball with an opportunity to make a move on their Freshman CB 1-1 in the open field. Not only did their corner make the tackle and limit us to a small gain, if any, he wrapped up KMM chest to chest. He is our #1 WR and the corner didn't even have to make a diving attempt or an arm tackle.

This isn't an attack on KMM because he is a good route runner and provides value. I just think he should be more of a #3 type of talent for a big 10 team and this play illustrates our lack of athleticsm.
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And he hardly sees the field. Why is that again?

Can anyone tell me why he doesn't at least return kickoffs? He'd take one or two to the house if given the opportunity.
 






HawkeyeMHA said:
I'm sure we try to get the biggest, fastest, most elusive backs we can. And so does everyone else
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No doubt they try and recruit talented RB's, the Hawks haven't had many really fast guys (Freddie Russell, Tavian Banks(most explosive), Sed Shaw were pretty speedy) Plow horse backs Greene, Coker, Albert Young, Betts were all more explosive than Bullock or Weisman)
 
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