Hawkeye Football Notebook: KF Addresses Fant Family Criticism
- Thread starter RobHowe
- Start date
WinOneThisCentury
Well-Known Member
What is Fant's injury? I know he landed hard...concussion?
Granted, Hockenson's good. But you do have to wonder why the likely all-time leader in TE td catches in Big Ten is the second-most played TE on a team that has, historically, struggled to move the ball through the air.
It's not as if he's never underutilized passing threats, either. Hockenson deserves the targets, but does he deserve the bulk of the targets? I think it is a fair criticism. A good problem to have, like the one we have at D-end.
Fant usually comes out on the plays with only 1 TE, at least the ones I looked at against Wisconsin. It's usually not even a run play so I don't think the run blocking narrative is accurate. It seems to me Iowa need to finds a place for Fant on those plays.
When you have a playmaker like Fant, you have to find a place for him anywhere you can fit him in. Hockenson too. I'd be very afraid to run cover two if they were both in the game at the same time. They've been getting better too. It's going to be fun to watch down the stretch!
D
DDThompson
Guest
Hock is on the heels of Fant in receiving ability. There’s a larger gap between the two in blocking ability. Must be about the same gap between Fant and the FBs.
I’m with Miller on this. I want to see more of those two TEs on the field at the same time.
I completely agree. It's funny that people think the issue is run blocking. Again, I'm watching the the 1st two critical drives of the 4th quarter against Wisconsin, and out of 9 plays, not including punts, Fant was in on every run play but only 1 pass play. He wasn't in on any 3rd down play (Iowa was 1 of 3).
AreWeThereYet
Well-Known Member
I think the primary issue is opposing teams are game planning for Fant this year. Ferentz also knows he needs to get the other receiving targets up and running. Fant has also taken some major hits of late, which to an extent, has effected his availability.
It's not working. Yes, last year he had 17 tds, and this year only has 6 through 41% of the season, putting him 5 off the pace of past year. But that's because Iowa's offense is more productive in all phases and the load is getting spread more evenly. I just think he needs more targets.
I also think he's due for a monster game, barring the concussion keeps him from playing, this week. If Iowa plays the pass like they did against Minny last week, the Indiana game will be full of TDs. 35 - 17 is not outside the realm of possibility. 3 tds vs. Indiana would put him back on pace for 18 this year! 18! Love me some NF!
guffus
Well-Known Member
I am pretty sure Fant had 11 TD's last year, which was still a record for TE.
You are correct, mea culpa.
I am pretty sure Fant leads the team in targets. Hockenson has about 90 more snaps, though, through 5 games.
kameltoez102
Well-Known Member
How many times has Fant taken some big hits? His difference in snaps is partly due to that but also I wonder if they are trying to keep him more fresh for late in the season. The season is not even half over yet, there is a lot of snaps yet to be played. I would like to see him more involved in the screen game and running some seams.
Good thought with the screen game, but do you think he commands too much attention to be used with screens? I could see a defender sitting in his lap as he awaits the ball.
They have tried reverses/jet-sweeps to him numerous times, and it has always looked terrible. I think part of that is he commands a lot of attention. Perhaps they can try faking those actions, or faking a quick screen to him one way to set up a delayed screen to the other side? Or perhaps a swap-boot look with screen away?
I know it would be great to get Fant the ball more, but it is tough when he attracts so much attention. He already does yeoman's work as a decoy, especially running deep. These might be some ways to utilize him as a decoy while putting less mileage on his legs.
