Howe: Hawkeye Quarterback Nate Stanley Can Do This
- Thread starter RobHowe
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thedukeofearl
Well-Known Member
The main aspect of Stanley's game that I would like to see improved is to throw the ball out of bounds when he is trapped with nobody open.....
We are fortunate to have him.....
We are fortunate to have him.....
I played small college football. This bares almost no similarity to D1 football (probaly more like HS in most respects), but I think I can relate to Stanley in one way.
I was on a very good HS football team that almost never lost. In college, we were not so good, and losing, and sometimes getting blown out, was a real possibility many games. My first few years, I worried so much about the outcome of the game, I was just gassed by kickoff. The best way I can describe playing within the games is that I had tunnel vision. Overly focused on my role, difficulty seeing the bigger picture (game situation, appreciating the whole field, enjoying the moment). I wasn't really nervous about my performance or doubting myself, but I was overly anxious about outcomes in a way that constrained me.
My third year I finally had the revelation. You hear it your whole life, but it finally sunk in. I was really struggling with enjoying the sport because we were struggling (especially my side of the ball). But I realized that most of the outcome was out of my hands (I was only 1 of 11), and I shouldn't worry about those things I cannot control. I just decided I would try to go out and do my part to the best of my ability, try to have fun, and let the chips fall where they may.
I became a better player from then on. I am not sure how noticable it was externally, but it felt completely different. I didn't start a game with fatigue from worrying all day, I could move more naturally and less robotically, I could appreciate game situation and the whole field better, I had more fun, and I was a better leader.
I have no idea why it took until my 3rd year to get to that point. It is not like I had never heard, "Control the things you can, don't worry about the things you can't" before. But it finally clicked, and it made a difference.
It sounds like Stanley has had some of the same issues. I know our kickers (especially Recinos) credit the UI Sport Psych department for helping them a lot the last few years. Hopefully Stanley is spending a lot of time with them as well. Once he gets out of his own head, look out.
I was on a very good HS football team that almost never lost. In college, we were not so good, and losing, and sometimes getting blown out, was a real possibility many games. My first few years, I worried so much about the outcome of the game, I was just gassed by kickoff. The best way I can describe playing within the games is that I had tunnel vision. Overly focused on my role, difficulty seeing the bigger picture (game situation, appreciating the whole field, enjoying the moment). I wasn't really nervous about my performance or doubting myself, but I was overly anxious about outcomes in a way that constrained me.
My third year I finally had the revelation. You hear it your whole life, but it finally sunk in. I was really struggling with enjoying the sport because we were struggling (especially my side of the ball). But I realized that most of the outcome was out of my hands (I was only 1 of 11), and I shouldn't worry about those things I cannot control. I just decided I would try to go out and do my part to the best of my ability, try to have fun, and let the chips fall where they may.
I became a better player from then on. I am not sure how noticable it was externally, but it felt completely different. I didn't start a game with fatigue from worrying all day, I could move more naturally and less robotically, I could appreciate game situation and the whole field better, I had more fun, and I was a better leader.
I have no idea why it took until my 3rd year to get to that point. It is not like I had never heard, "Control the things you can, don't worry about the things you can't" before. But it finally clicked, and it made a difference.
It sounds like Stanley has had some of the same issues. I know our kickers (especially Recinos) credit the UI Sport Psych department for helping them a lot the last few years. Hopefully Stanley is spending a lot of time with them as well. Once he gets out of his own head, look out.
Years of "molding" by KF and Son tend to produce QBs that are risk averse, afraid to fail, and overall jittery under duress. Running QBs out there with the voice of "whatever you do, don't screw up" playing in their heads leads to average results with close games, but seldom leads to top shelf excellence.
Aside from their many strengths the staff and especially Kirk have a tendency to "lock up" when the battle is fierce, the bullets are flying and confusion and "frozen brains" want to come out to play. A "calming presence" Kirk is not, especially on the sidelines where leaders make their money.
So, "saying the right words" to calm down the QB before the season isn't the solution. Be an example of in-game calmness and professional decision making under duress coach. Every player and coach will be the better for it.
Iowa has the opportunity, with talent and experience, to have a great season. Let's see some top shelf leadership for these guys! It will be interesting to see how it plays out.
One wish...please play the back-up QBs more this year...when the game is "won." They will want to stay around, and will remain interested. And, we will need them sooner rather than later.
My bit of advice for Stanley...just go for it, enjoy it, it is only a football game, let your talents, training, and experience take over.
Two cents
Aside from their many strengths the staff and especially Kirk have a tendency to "lock up" when the battle is fierce, the bullets are flying and confusion and "frozen brains" want to come out to play. A "calming presence" Kirk is not, especially on the sidelines where leaders make their money.
So, "saying the right words" to calm down the QB before the season isn't the solution. Be an example of in-game calmness and professional decision making under duress coach. Every player and coach will be the better for it.
Iowa has the opportunity, with talent and experience, to have a great season. Let's see some top shelf leadership for these guys! It will be interesting to see how it plays out.
One wish...please play the back-up QBs more this year...when the game is "won." They will want to stay around, and will remain interested. And, we will need them sooner rather than later.
My bit of advice for Stanley...just go for it, enjoy it, it is only a football game, let your talents, training, and experience take over.
Two cents
HawkGold
Well-Known Member
KF s best years are when he has qb s that has it naturally.. . Ignore the conservatism and do what they want. NS does naturally do that. The really good KF qb s are ones that KF didnt want to go with.
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RobHowe
Administrator
Thanks for sharing your experience.
NS has spent time with the sports psychologist. I've spoken to him about that. He's been given tools from that aspect.
Kirk has gotten soooo much better at late game situations that it's almost unrecognizable. He's put a lot of work into improving that weakness and it shows big time.
Just listen to him in interviews as well; it is clear he is stressing less and enjoying the moment more. He is basically doing exactly what he is asking Stanley to do. It took him decades of coaching to get to that point, but I think it is noticeable in his interviews, his in-game decisions, his post-game reactions, etc..
RobHowe
Administrator
I think credit can be given to his staff, too, particularly Brian, in terms of him loosening up. I think there's more trust there, which makes sense being as his son his one of his top assistants.
AreWeThereYet
Well-Known Member
Hopefully he can settle in fairly early this year. It would be nice to get into a bit of groove with the new receivers during these first games.
UNI really helped him out last year. He struggled mightily early, and then it seemed like the staff planned to throw early and often in that game to find a groove (Easley had 100+ yards receiving). He had his highest QBR of the season in the next game (Wisc), and he had 14 TD passes over the next 4 games following UNI.
I want to see Iowa take that approach tomorrow.
HawkeyeDenis
Well-Known Member
A good part of Stanley's success has to given to a couple of tight ends. How much of a factor is debatable.
A large part of the skill set for a quarterback is the mental side. I always liked what I've seen from Nate Stanley, but I still don't have that feeling late in a game that he is going to win it for Iowa.
A large part of the skill set for a quarterback is the mental side. I always liked what I've seen from Nate Stanley, but I still don't have that feeling late in a game that he is going to win it for Iowa.
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trj
Well-Known Member
You can take that a step further and in my case life in general. Quit stressing over dumb, irrelevant bullshit(excuse my language) and enjoy the moment for what it is. “Getting out of your own head” is somewhat of a cliche, but it is so on point with many aspects of my life anyway.
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trj
Well-Known Member
Yet he is still labeled by some as a poor game manager. To be honest, I slip into that category as well. In reality, you are correct the last 3 years or so are light years better than the previous 17.
Can't wait to see the new late game Kirk vs Northwestern and Wisconsin.
