I am ready to watch the resurgent DLine

[OUTofTOWNHAWK]

Are you feeling ok? Jkjk.

I agree with you. I think there is a stud in the mix. In fact, I'd say a couple real good potential players. IMO, LTP is a motor guy that could wreak havoc when he wants to. I also think Davis and Coop will shine this year. I think Alvis and Ott/McMinn can be serviceable (at a minimum). If these guys can do this, the LBers can stay clean and make the plays (as our D is designed to do).

See there you have it. See Iam negative about gameday coaching and how KF talks to the media. Not just you Eda but I think everyone thinks Im this always negative person that looks down at everything. There is nothing else that I am really negative about. I dont put down players and I have always said good things about Iowa defense and recruiting.

 

[Eda]

See there you have it. See Iam negative about gameday coaching and how KF talks to the media. Not just you Eda but I think everyone thinks Im this always negative person that looks down at everything. There is nothing else that I am really negative about. I dont put down players and I have always said good things about Iowa defense and recruiting.

I was giving you a little fun ribbing. There's times I think you bring a good counter point to arguments, and enjoying reading some of your posts.
I thought I recalled you being critical if the LB corp before, so I was surprised by your post. But I must be remembering someone else.
Back to the OP, I still think this D will be much better this year, surprising a lot of people, and it will all begin with the line.

The shortcomings last year in the secondary and the LBers having a tough time was a direct result of the D-line.

The secondary was pushed into doing things they weren't used to (press converge, bump, blitzes, man, etc) and the result was giving up big plays (see PSU & Mich game particularly). In addition to that, the line not getting pressure forced the back 7 to cover longer.

 

[SamBrownlee48]

Why is everyone sleeping on LTP? He was our best DL last year.

LTP, Coop, Davis, Faith, Alvis and Ott should all see big minutes this year, with guys like Jaleel and McMinn having a chance to see action as well.

 

[Sparky]

Why dont you keep your mouth shut then? You always complain about it but you bring it up half the time.

This, this, this. Thank you!

 

[DJL]

7-5 this year....somehow, some way the Hawks will be 7-5

 

[bitmap]

Cooper's style reminds me of Daniels, anyone else? He really showed glimpses of being special player last year. Wouldn't surprise me if he performs the best out of this young group.

I hope he develops a work ethic like Daniels. He has the best hands in this group and will be effective disrupting pass lanes, maybe even an interception or two. Coop seems to have the makings of a ball hawk which is really needed. Remember the Cooper's Hawk that landed on the practice field last year? I still think that was a sign that Cooper will be a breakout player.

 

[Hawknick]

LTP will be a major disruptive force this year that is obvious. My post was about the new or almost new talent on the line since not as many people know about them yet.

 

[SteveL]

Obviously, I agree with you regarding Faith's ability (as I posted earlier). However, I wouldn't sleep on Drew Ott either. He's the one redshirt I wish the coaches wouldn't have burnt last year. They must have seen something in him, because he wasn't all that big either. He's added 20 pounds in a year, and will probably add another 10-20 lbs before his career is done at Iowa. I know he isn't the flashy pick, but as an Iowa fan I've learned to never underestimate the potential of a hard-working farm kid who has all the tools.

Drew Ott played last year because of injuries to other DEs. He was best option left so they played him.
I agree that he will be a factor in 2013 and his remaining time at Iowa.

 

[DP5555]

Drew Ott played last year because of injuries to other DEs. He was best option left so they played him.
I agree that he will be a factor in 2013 and his remaining time at Iowa.

I understand he only played because of the injury situation. However, they still chose to play him over McMinn, Hardy, Spears, Meier, and Faith. Don't you think that says something? Like they must have felt he was more ready to contribute. I think that says something about his potential.

 

[Hawknick]

Meier was not practicing at DE last year. He was rb then lb and special teams. As I mentioned before he has the ability to play many positions. He will develop into a major force on the line as he would at any position he and the coaching staff chooses. He is that talented.

 

[WinOneThisCentury]

See there you have it. See Iam negative about gameday coaching and how KF talks to the media. Not just you Eda but I think everyone thinks Im this always negative person that looks down at everything. There is nothing else that I am really negative about. I dont put down players and I have always said good things about Iowa defense and recruiting.

Really...you don't like the gameday coaching or KF approach to the media? No one would ever freaking know that from the several hundred posts you have made about it. That's the point moron, you simply point out everything negative (ok, just the two things you can remember and you probably have them written on your hand or something) about KF in every thread.

 

[whammer33024]

Really...you don't like the gameday coaching or KF approach to the media? No one would ever freaking know that from the several hundred posts you have made about it. That's the point moron, you simply point out everything negative (ok, just the two things you can remember and you probably have them written on your hand or something) about KF in every thread.

i must have missed the post in this thread where he did that until you coaxed it out of him. and you immediately resort to name calling. classy.

if you don't like him so much then block him. he has a right to voice his opinion if he wants. we may disagree, but he does have the right to do it. just like you have the right to defend KF anytime you want to

 

[tubahawk]

Really...you don't like the gameday coaching or KF approach to the media? No one would ever freaking know that from the several hundred posts you have made about it. That's the point moron, you simply point out everything negative (ok, just the two things you can remember and you probably have them written on your hand or something) about KF in every thread.

You do realize you're the one who hijacked the thread? I'm not sure what your obsession is with OoTH but this one is all on you.

 

[tubahawk]

Back to the point of the thread, I agree that something is to be read into the staff burning Ott's redshirt. I look for him make a big step up this year.

Additionally, even though this is based primarily off of the game at Nebraska I think something clicked for LTP. Hopefully that game gave him good confidence going into the off-season.

 

[Eda]

Back to the point of the thread, I agree that something is to be read into the staff burning Ott's redshirt. I look for him make a big step up this year.

Additionally, even though this is based primarily off of the game at Nebraska I think something clicked for LTP. Hopefully that game gave him good confidence going into the off-season.

Agreed about burning the red shirt. IIRC, he came in for half of the season, so they really must have seen something in him or are super high on his ability/ceiling.

 

[HawkeyeMHA]

McMinn has put on some good weight. Him and Hardy are my d line sleepers this year.

 

[hawkdrummer1]

The more I consider it, the more I believe our best shot at a decent season may hinge on that improved DL.

I just don't see a KFz/Greg Davis offense putting up a lot of points. Could be a lot of ugly 17-14, 13-10 kinda games. But that is likely our best chance at 7-5 or better.

 

[DP5555]

Meier was not practicing at DE last year. He was rb then lb and special teams. As I mentioned before he has the ability to play many positions. He will develop into a major force on the line as he would at any position he and the coaching staff chooses. He is that talented.

Well regardless of where Meier was practicing last year Ott received playing time over several other guys. Some of which were more experienced than him. I'm sorry, but if Meier was talented enough to be a "major force" at any position then he would have been starting as a true freshman somewhere. When I hear someone say "major force" I think of the Jadaveon Clowneys, Johnny Manziels, and Hershel Walkers of the football world. Meier has some nice potential, and I love the fact he seems to have raw toughness. However, if he's ever going to become even a minor force on the defensive line he's going to have to get a little bit bigger. He's listed at 6'2 235 right now. That's a nice sized fullback or LB, but it's a very undersized defensive lineman. Even if you're putting him in the Clay Matthews pass rusher type mold he's undersized. Matthews is 6'3 and 255 lbs.

I appreciate your enthusiasm. It's a breath of fresh air around here, but I think it would be wise to slightly lower your expectations just a wee bit.

 

[HawkeyeWalker]

I know I'll hear the usual "your expectations are too low" garbage, but I'll be one very happy Hawkeye fan if we can get to 6 wins and a bowl game with this brutal schedule. We MUST win 3 of the first 4 non-conference games to make that happen....

I think your expectations are spot on. I believe we fall in the 5-7 range for wins, hopefully the higher range. Anything more than 7 should be considered a GREAT year.

 

[LASBUR]

I think KF said they wanted to RS him but needed some help last year ( understatment ) so they pulled his RS

Agreed about burning the red shirt. IIRC, he came in for half of the season, so they really must have seen something in him or are super high on his ability/ceiling.