Young is a tank who has gotten better at reading the holes and looks quicker this year. No way Goodson passes Sargent, Young or IKM, but he shows quickness and good hands. He just has some really good backs in front of him. He may get his shot through attrition, but I hope the top three stay healthy.
Howe: Kids Day Practice Thoughts, Observations
- Thread starter RobHowe
- Start date
NorthKCHawk
Well-Known Member
My dream scenario is that a healthy Young, with a year under his belt and a better and more athletic interior line, could do a really nice imitation of Shonn Greene and take over as the primary back, with Sargent being a really great 3rd down back and IKM as change of pace/relief pitcher. Young gets 20 carries for a 100 yards; 10 touches for Sargent and whatever is left for IKM.
That is the best "breakout" scenario that I see. IKM is never gonna be Freddie Russell and Sargent is never going to be Albert Young, IMHO. But, when healthy, they are all good enough to play in this conference.
That is the best "breakout" scenario that I see. IKM is never gonna be Freddie Russell and Sargent is never going to be Albert Young, IMHO. But, when healthy, they are all good enough to play in this conference.
BILLYBOBSTEXAS
Well-Known Member
Rob gave me a mild rebuke concerning my reading fundamentals. He is right though I have an excuse! After many years of supporting numerous bars, mostly in Dubuque, I have killed way to many brain cells to be good at everything. Reading suffers.
Someone with a good eye for such things...what kinds of running plays were they going with? It looks like a lot of inside zone and basic ISO, some draw. Didn't notice much outside zone (aside from that first TD run above). What would we call his big run at 50 sec? Just draw?
Goodson was in. He just got there in June.
MelroseHawkins
Well-Known Member
I have 12 year old boys now so I've been going to Kid's Day and the open spring practices for several years now. It's nice to go there for a few hrs and get that football fix until the season starts in a couple weeks. My observations.
1) Pleased with the kicking situation. I'm not sure either of the two front runners missed a kick. Quite accurate that day. Both seem to have similar leg strength. I think the freshman kicker may have had one blocked. Anyway, they seemed very solid 40-45 yrds in. Anything beyond that, Ferentz's may have a decision to make besides kicking. But, both very accurate Saturday which was pleasing and all one can ask.
2) This was the best the offense as a whole looked compared to past Kid's days. The offense seemed to have a nice rhythm and with a purpose. In years past, it seemed the defense was light years ahead of the offense at this point. The QB's seemed to move the ball well and play makers were making plays. This was a pleasant surprise, and especially with Mansell and Petras also having success. This was not because the defense was worse this year. I think the offense elevated a bit. They really worked a lot to the WR and they made plays. I think the player who may make great gains and be an integral part of the offense will be Nico Ragaini. I can see him being one of the go-to guys and I also think he will be running back punts. I think he is going to shine. WR's looked good, IMO. I as just pleasantly surprised how well the offense looked and how deliberate it looked.
3) Alaric Jackson vs A.J. Ep - Do not discount what this daily match-up in practice will do for both players. Those two going against each other each day in practice will elevate both player's game. I noticed they went up against each other a bit last Saturday and this thought came to my mind. Jackson may get more of the benefit as A.J. Ep is such a physical specimen and talent. He's that special player so this could really pay dividends for Jackson. Jackson is also terrific at L tackle with great technique which will definitely benefit A.J Ep. Jackson is a great L tackle but A.J. Ep is that unique talent with freaky athleticism that just doesn't come around all that often.
4) TE's - They of course are going to be intermixed a bit into Iowa's offense, but Iowa will definitely try to go the WR's a lot more in 2019. There is going to be a drop off after having two drafted in the first round which has never happened before in the draft. They worked them a bit last Saturday but they were not a focal point in the offense as in last year, which is probably a good thing. They will be utilized though and it will be interesting which two TE's step up after Nate Wieting. He's seems to be the solid #1 at this point. They didn't seem to go downfield to the TE's Saturday but found them in short routes, such as hitting a 3rd and 2 situation.
5) DB's made a couple interceptions, I know one against Stanley and another against Mansell for sure. Ojemudia had one for sure. Not sure if Brents or Milani got the other. Heck, they both may have had one each. Not sure but some DB plays were made.
6) Punters - Rastetter did well I thought on Saturday. I also thought Sleep-Dalton did well to. Consistency has always been the problem with Rastetter so we will see how he does thru the year. I thought he had some good leg on a few punts. He still had one punt he practiced from inside Iowa's 40-45 yrd line that I'd like him to be able to get inside the 10 that he did not. I think it was around the 20-25 yrd range. But, all in all, not bad when punting for length. I don't know if they are going to rotate depending on situation or what, but Sleep-Dalton may have the bigger leg. I don't know what Sleep-Dalton's finesse game is like with pinning punts in certain situations.
1) Pleased with the kicking situation. I'm not sure either of the two front runners missed a kick. Quite accurate that day. Both seem to have similar leg strength. I think the freshman kicker may have had one blocked. Anyway, they seemed very solid 40-45 yrds in. Anything beyond that, Ferentz's may have a decision to make besides kicking. But, both very accurate Saturday which was pleasing and all one can ask.
2) This was the best the offense as a whole looked compared to past Kid's days. The offense seemed to have a nice rhythm and with a purpose. In years past, it seemed the defense was light years ahead of the offense at this point. The QB's seemed to move the ball well and play makers were making plays. This was a pleasant surprise, and especially with Mansell and Petras also having success. This was not because the defense was worse this year. I think the offense elevated a bit. They really worked a lot to the WR and they made plays. I think the player who may make great gains and be an integral part of the offense will be Nico Ragaini. I can see him being one of the go-to guys and I also think he will be running back punts. I think he is going to shine. WR's looked good, IMO. I as just pleasantly surprised how well the offense looked and how deliberate it looked.
3) Alaric Jackson vs A.J. Ep - Do not discount what this daily match-up in practice will do for both players. Those two going against each other each day in practice will elevate both player's game. I noticed they went up against each other a bit last Saturday and this thought came to my mind. Jackson may get more of the benefit as A.J. Ep is such a physical specimen and talent. He's that special player so this could really pay dividends for Jackson. Jackson is also terrific at L tackle with great technique which will definitely benefit A.J Ep. Jackson is a great L tackle but A.J. Ep is that unique talent with freaky athleticism that just doesn't come around all that often.
4) TE's - They of course are going to be intermixed a bit into Iowa's offense, but Iowa will definitely try to go the WR's a lot more in 2019. There is going to be a drop off after having two drafted in the first round which has never happened before in the draft. They worked them a bit last Saturday but they were not a focal point in the offense as in last year, which is probably a good thing. They will be utilized though and it will be interesting which two TE's step up after Nate Wieting. He's seems to be the solid #1 at this point. They didn't seem to go downfield to the TE's Saturday but found them in short routes, such as hitting a 3rd and 2 situation.
5) DB's made a couple interceptions, I know one against Stanley and another against Mansell for sure. Ojemudia had one for sure. Not sure if Brents or Milani got the other. Heck, they both may have had one each. Not sure but some DB plays were made.
6) Punters - Rastetter did well I thought on Saturday. I also thought Sleep-Dalton did well to. Consistency has always been the problem with Rastetter so we will see how he does thru the year. I thought he had some good leg on a few punts. He still had one punt he practiced from inside Iowa's 40-45 yrd line that I'd like him to be able to get inside the 10 that he did not. I think it was around the 20-25 yrd range. But, all in all, not bad when punting for length. I don't know if they are going to rotate depending on situation or what, but Sleep-Dalton may have the bigger leg. I don't know what Sleep-Dalton's finesse game is like with pinning punts in certain situations.
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MelroseHawkins
Well-Known Member
Sometimes it is difficult to get key on the RB position watching these practices. They do drills but all look the same. Then when scrimmaging it's hard to get an opinion as they aren't going 100% usually and not taking the hits like in real game situations. They are hard to evaluate at something like Kid's day or a practice, IMO. I think Geil is a beast and I can't wait to see how he does on the field. I remember a smaller RB that is pretty shifty.
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Herschberger21
Member
Hey Rob,
See you mentioned Logan Klemp in the article. As an South Hamilton grad was curious as to how you thought he performed performed on Saturday as I didn't get down to Iowa City. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Go Hawks!
BILLYBOBSTEXAS
Well-Known Member
Did you get the feeling that Petras maybe edging ahead of Mansell just a little? From what I've read, it seems to be the case. We know Kirk prefers a pocket passing QB.
RobHowe
Administrator
I thought he looked good. He moves well and fits the LEO as a linebacker who can cover.
It says a lot that he's already climbed into the two-deep already. Granted, Barrington Wade is hurt, but still.
Herschberger21
Member
Thanks for the fast update. Glad to hear that he's fitting in and adjust well. I know he's making everyone from SH proud!
tksirius
HN's Love Doctor
I know it's just one practice so not saying much here... But, I watched a ton of video (assuming the entire practice) and both Mansell/Petras looked better than Stanley. I'm not saying either should start over Nate; I just think Nate made more mistakes than I was expecting.
I also think people saying Petras looked better than Mansell are putting a lot of stock in Petras' arm strength. He made some good passes but so did Mansell. Peyton's running ability puts him over Petras IMO. Mansell outran the entire defense on one play. He has some speed.
MelroseHawkins
Well-Known Member
I've always been intrigued with Mansell because of his athletic ability. Also, he's a guy who at every level of play has always had to prove himself. He's always started behind someone every level of play since youth football and has always elevated himself.
I did see him throw the interception on Saturday that did look to be a bad read/decision. I could see how some think Petras may be edging a bit. But, I only saw the one 2 hr practice so I really don't have a say, to be fair. I've always thought of Mansell as a "gamer". I also always think of him as a combination of Peyton Manning and Johnnie Mansell, not sure if that is good though!!
MelroseHawkins
Well-Known Member
I don't know if anybody has mentioned but A.J Ep had a nice interception on Saturday. He broke off his D end spot and drifted into coverage and had a nice interception. It was a very freaky athletic play.
Rob, you have the video for this play?
Rob, you have the video for this play?
I too would like to hear from folks who were present what type of running plays Iowa ran? From the few clips I saw it looked generally like more straight-ahead blocking schemes and some traps (and even some pulls?) with less outside-zone action -- a change that many of us have been clamoring for, for years! Could that possibly be one factor which led to corresponding improvement in the running game during Kids Day? Also loved to see the delay/draw run call which Fry ran with perfection with Harmon back in the day...if Iowa really is going to open up their offense and go to their WRs more, that's a great play to slow down the pass rush.
NorthKCHawk
Well-Known Member
Is Sleep Dalton also a rugby style kicker? I assume so.
I stated this last year. As a nod to getting playmakers on the field, I would love to see a read option package put into the offense for Mansell. I think he has the ability to make something happen and I would love to see a package come his way. Would also give DCs something else to prepare for. Come on New Kirk, try it!!!
I stated this last year. As a nod to getting playmakers on the field, I would love to see a read option package put into the offense for Mansell. I think he has the ability to make something happen and I would love to see a package come his way. Would also give DCs something else to prepare for. Come on New Kirk, try it!!!
MelroseHawkins
Well-Known Member
They were typically the same. I think that is Iowa's mojo. Hope your o-line out techniques the opponent and run the solid run plays so can eventually play action off of them. They have to "sell" the "usual" run plays when doing play action. I don't think that is ever going to change. If they added a bunch of funky running plays, that might lessen the play action effect for a team like Iowa.
They did run Ragaini on an end around so I can see him getting 1-2 runs a game. He had success and can be a shifty runner to a point. The guys got game.
MelroseHawkins
Well-Known Member
I did see Mansell at least once have a QB keeper. I'm not sure if was a pure QB keeper or if they were going to have an option from it.