homes
Well-Known Member
Of those 90 +/- more snaps, how many were running plays?
Hawkeye Football Notebook: KF Addresses Fant Family Criticism
- Thread starter RobHowe
- Start date
InGoodCo
Well-Known Member
I read all of this and then it occurred to me that maybe this staff knows exactly what they are doing when it comes to tight ends. Noah was a 3 star recruit when he arrived at Iowa and was as far away from the NFL as you can be. He returned to Iowa this season as a pre-season All American who lead the nation in TD's at tight end last year, and is currently doing the same this season. Maybe Iowa is using him just right because ya can't get much better than #1.
I was going to say something similar.
There is a reason so many at so many positions have made the NFL.
WinOneThisCentury
Well-Known Member
Agreed. Could we target him more...sure, but consider this. I guarantee you he's being used as a decoy and it's creating higher percentage opportunities for others. So, even when he's not catching it, he's helping. I know it doesn't help the Fant family out...but I'm ok with their hurt feelings. Iowa has done nothing but promote this kid and obviously the program has been good for him and his draft stock. If he's being double teamed...he ain't gonna see the ball because someone else is the better read.
I don't have the exact figures but guessing the majority of those are passing plays since he's coming out a lot in 1 TE sets and 3rd down passing plays.
Exactly.
Not bad for a barely recruited DE.
Plus our wr's even said they know they are going to get single coverage at some point with him in the game being double teamed.
Jeez.
WinOneThisCentury
Well-Known Member
If you want to say Hockenson is a better blocker than Fant, that's one thing. To suggest that he's better "in Iowa's system", I would disagree with that. Fant runs good routes and catches the ball. He gets open with speed that Hockenson can't do...or do as well. That gives Brian Ferentz options to use that speed. On the crossing route at the goal line against Minnesota, there were two defenders assigned to Fant and he was still 2 yards clear of both of them...sure speed across the field. On the throw back play that Hockenson caught...and the LB hit him on the 5 yard line...Fant walks into the end zone. Another is the TE motion where Fant goes one way, then reverses, ball snapped, and it's an easy touchdown because Fant outruns the defender to the end zone. There is a reason Fant is running that motion.
Hockenson is a better blocker.
Adam
Well-Known Member
Nothing to see here people. Fant is a marquee player. Kirk & Co understand this. He also has a Moeaki thing about him where he always seems to take some serious shots. We are just managing his pitch count. We need marquee players in prime time when the lights get a little brighter in late October. You don't wear them out against ISU and UNI.
Hockenson's increased play count is simple deduction. He is more durable and right now more disposable to injury. I bet Fant gets more involved as the season goes on. Reaching a head against PSU when he goes 8 rec's for 153 yards with 2 TD's in the ABC featured night game. David Bell commits that Sunday. That is how you use a Noah Fant. Let's just keep him healthy for him to achieve his destiny.
Hockenson's increased play count is simple deduction. He is more durable and right now more disposable to injury. I bet Fant gets more involved as the season goes on. Reaching a head against PSU when he goes 8 rec's for 153 yards with 2 TD's in the ABC featured night game. David Bell commits that Sunday. That is how you use a Noah Fant. Let's just keep him healthy for him to achieve his destiny.
