How wide open will our offense be next year?

S

SmalltownHawk

Well-Known Member
I was wondering do you think, with all of our playmakers, if KOK will open up the playbook more. We have DJK, McNutt, Wehger, and I will add Keenan Davis to the list. All capable of big play abilities at anytime they get the ball. Will we see some new wrinkles or just the same ol' Iowa offense? I know this offense is our identity, but with all of these playmakers on our team, it has been awhile since we've had this.
 
I think you're kidding yourself if you think the offense is going to be drastically different next year. KF and KOK know what they want to run. Barring a lot of injuries, I think we will see more of the same, but with a few wrinkles here and there (i.e. some five wide sets, motion out of the backfield) like we saw this year.
 
yeah, i'd expect a lot of run first, pass second seeing as how we've got 3 or 4 good backs behind Stanzi. I do think because of DJK, Mcnutt, and K. Davis we have a lot of big play ability. Also, don't forget we have Chaney who can run reverses.
 
It all depends on the OLine. They are the key. We lose a lot from a line that underachieved this year IMO. Hopefully guys step up and we don't have a drop off. It doesn't matter who you have catching, running or throwing if they have zero time or daylight in which to do it.
 
Sirhouseman said:
It all depends on the OLine. They are the key. We lose a lot from a line that underachieved this year IMO. Hopefully guys step up and we don't have a drop off. It doesn't matter who you have catching, running or throwing if they have zero time or daylight in which to do it.
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i was going to say this same thing. next years O will depend on the OL more than anything. If we can run, we will run to set up the pass.
 
bizzleb said:
yeah, i'd expect a lot of run first, pass second seeing as how we've got 3 or 4 good backs behind Stanzi. I do think because of DJK, Mcnutt, and K. Davis we have a lot of big play ability. Also, don't forget we have Chaney who can run reverses.
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Just remember we were 99th in rushing yards/game this year and 106th in yards per attempt. We are also losing roughly 4 starting O Lineman next year. To think that our running game is going to be a huge strength is quite optimistic.
 
I actually think we opened it up more this year. We seemed to go deep ALOT more this year. I think that's partially due to the inexperience in the backfield, but also due to the playmakers we have in DJK and McNutt along with Slingin' Dick Stanzi's ability to throw the deep ball. I think we'll see more of the same next year, but if the running game can improve then we'll definitely run more often. But if that's the case look out because that will open up those deep passes even more
 
Stanzi had 20 competions this year for 30+ yards. last year he only had 11. I don't think we'll go deep as often next year. I think the bubble screen will be back for some quick throws.
 
hawkfan8691 said:
I actually think we opened it up more this year. We seemed to go deep ALOT more this year. I think that's partially due to the inexperience in the backfield, but also due to the playmakers we have in DJK and McNutt along with Slingin' Dick Stanzi's ability to throw the deep ball. I think we'll see more of the same next year, but if the running game can improve then we'll definitely run more often. But if that's the case look out because that will open up those deep passes even more
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I agree with you.
 
I'd be OK with staying with what we did this year. I thought we opened it up a little more. We came out throwing a lot because of 8 in the box.
 
It will not be wide open at all and it should not either, because as good as stanzi has been at times he has shown that he does not value the football at all and is very prone to the INT.
 
Man, you're all missing the boat. We're going spread it wide and throw it early and often. Ocassionally we'll hand it to one of our 15 RB's. Ol' Kirk will be a regular River Boat Gambler.
 
I just hope KOK takes the out route to the far side of the field out of playbook anyone else tired of watching it returned for a TD Stanzi does not have arm strength for that throw. I think the offense will be similar just take that play out Please.
 
Saginawbay said:
I just hope KOK takes the out route to the far side of the field out of playbook anyone else tired of watching it returned for a TD Stanzi does not have arm strength for that throw. I think the offense will be similar just take that play out Please.
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I'd just be happy if he would stop throwing deep on 3rd and short.
 
When talking about 'how wide open' an offense is, the answer can be very subject to interpretation.

Are you talking about:
-play selection of run vs pass
-number of exotic plays run
-formations: +/- a fullback, multiple WR sets, QB under center or in shotgun
-about how explosive an offense is with number of big plays.

As far as the Hawkeyes go, I think we can expect more of the same. This coaching staff is much closer philosophically to '3 yds and a cloud of dust' than they are to 'the greatest show on turf' or 'basketball on grass.'

I would not be expecting a 'wildcat' offense or a high percentage of plays with the QB in shotgun. I think they will continue to employ a FB and multiple TE sets as much as anyone.

As far as play selection goes, this offense is set up to be balanced. The 2009 Hawkeyes had a run:pass ratio of 1.16. That is actually the median number for the Hawks since 2001. The mean ratio is 1.34 over the last 9 seasons. Compare that to a school like Tx Tech where the run:pass ratio the last 2 years has averaged 0.49.
What is interesting is that the 4 highest scoring years since Kirk turned it around in 2001 have been (in order): 2002, 2008, 2003, 2001. The run: pass ratio in those year: 1.76, 1.61, 1.67, and 1.49. Those are the 4 highest ratios in the time span. To me that suggests that success for this offense correlates with giving the opposition a heavy dose of the running game.

As far as explosiveness goes, I think that is more a function of the players on the field than of 'being wide open'. An athletic WR can turn a 6 yd. slant into a 80yd TD and an explosive back can take a seam off tackle to the house just as well as can be done with a 5 WR, trips right set or a team in the Wildcat.
 
I still think that Kirk's got a great problem with A-rob, jewel, and wegher in the backfield. If the O-line comes back strong, look out.
 
I guess 'wide open" was not the right term to use. Do you think we will get the ball to our playmakers so they can use their strengths? A bubble screen to DJK, a fade route to McNutt in the endzone(like at the Orange Bowl) more sweep or zone blocking for Wegher. And Stanzi throws a good deep ball, most of his picks were on short slants or outs. His deep ball was not the problem. Hopefully the O-line will gel early and we can get down to buisness.
 
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