Iowa's not a "blitzing" team, but...

[iHawk]

are we being even more reserved with our blitzes in Norm's absence?

Seems to me that Norm would send 'em in sometimes when the occasion warranted, if our front four wasn't getting enough pressure. I also think sometimes he would send 'em out of the blue just to keep the offense thinking. Not often, but every once in a while.

Anyone have any statistics to back this up?

I miss Norm.

 

[Rawkhawk73]

I personally feel that our lack of aggressiveness on the defense side of the ball has led to our poor record in close games over the past several years.

I posted a stat that I found that shows of all the teams that have made BCS bowls since 2005 (27 in all), Iowa is dead freaking last in games decided by 8 points or less (11-15). I believe that is a direct result of keeping our "bend but don't break" mentality at the end of close ball games. Contrast our defense with, say, Arizona's at the end of the game. They brought the house on 5 straight plays and look at the result. If you can make a QB uncomfortable, normally good things will happen.

Our defense keeps us in games, but I believe that in close games, it has also led to our downfall.

 

[AHawk1]

We were blitzing more earlier this season before Norms departure,then I can recall in past years.

 

[Rawkhawk73]

We were blitzing more earlier this season before Norms departure,then I can recall in past years.

Actually, I'd say last year we blitzed more than I can ever remember a Ferentz-coached team blitzing. I think it was a direct result of having some great linebackers in Edds and Angerer and a great cover corner in Spievey.

Coincidentally (or maybe not), it also happened to be the year that we won more close games (before Stanzi's injury) than we probably ever have.

 

[Hawkchop]

I personally feel that our lack of aggressiveness on the defense side of the ball has led to our poor record in close games over the past several years.

I posted a stat that I found that shows of all the teams that have made BCS bowls since 2005 (27 in all), Iowa is dead freaking last in games decided by 8 points or less (11-15). I believe that is a direct result of keeping our "bend but don't break" mentality at the end of close ball games. Contrast our defense with, say, Arizona's at the end of the game. They brought the house on 5 straight plays and look at the result. If you can make a QB uncomfortable, normally good things will happen.

Our defense keeps us in games, but I believe that in close games, it has also led to our downfall.

I don't know, but I'm pretty sure that every game last year was pretty dang close.

 

[Imlivingthedream]

I dont think Iowa blitzed once saturday. I dont know if Ive ever seen that at any level before.

 

[edr247]

I didn't think Norm's sudden departure would hit us hard, considering how long the rest of the coaches had been with the team, and the belief that we'd be able to continue our game planning and execution as we had with Norm present.

However, I have to think that something just isn't right. It's hard to tell because Norm's been gone since maybe even the ISU game, but we seem to be a bit more skittish/timid on defense. I don't know if it's because of the lack of experience along certain positions, or what. But our defense is seeming a lot less scary than it was last year.

 

[hawkfan340]

I didn't think Norm's sudden departure would hit us hard, considering how long the rest of the coaches had been with the team, and the belief that we'd be able to continue our game planning and execution as we had with Norm present.

However, I have to think that something just isn't right. It's hard to tell because Norm's been gone since maybe even the ISU game, but we seem to be a bit more skittish/timid on defense. I don't know if it's because of the lack of experience along certain positions, or what. But our defense is seeming a lot less scary than it was last year.

Some of it's missing Norm, but I think the biggest difference is the difference in talent from last year. You can't lose 3 guys to the NFL and just pick up where you left off. Especially, when the replacement guys at LB haven't been able to be on the field. Even Hunter missed a big chunk of time last game. It stinks b/c you want you're best guys to play, but college football is too brutal of a sport.

 

[CAARHawk]

Cousins can't throw for anything with pressure in his face. The guy is totally soft. But if you give him time, he will carve Neilson and Hyde up like crazy. Accordingly, Iowa's best shot against MSU is to get to Cousins in the backfield. Which means it is time to send another guy or two.

Also, why not move AC around some. Good way to get the double teams off of him is to switch him inside and to the left side occasionally. If the other team doesn't know where he is going to line up, they can't be so sure to double him.

Really coaching 101 basics here.

 

[Maroons19]

Wisky isn't a vertical passing team. I don't think their receivers have caught a touchdown pass all season. I thought jumping into the 3-4 or bringing a safety up to play with just one free safety for the obvious passing downs would have been a good move to counter the repeated drag patterns they were hitting. It was clear our 4 man rush was not going to get to Tolzein. It's all easier to second guess now after the fact. Either way this was the first loss in a long, long time (maybe since the Pitt/JC fiasco a couple of year ago) that I feel the coaching staff laid an egg. I think they will right the ship and get a big win next week.

 

[HawkI101]

The "bend don't break" philosophy (hate that phrase) will not allow you to be an elite team (in my opinion). You can't give up 350-400 yards again and expect to win all of them. Last year things just went our way, I mean there is no way we should have beat Indiana last year.

If you keep giving up between 300-400 yards each game 95% of the time it will always be a close game and percentages dictate you can't win them all.

 

[pacoyal]

The "bend don't break" philosophy (hate that phrase) will not allow you to be an elite team (in my opinion). You can't give up 350-400 yards again and expect to win all of them. Last year things just went our way, I mean there is no way we should have beat Indiana last year.

If you keep giving up between 300-400 yards each game 95% of the time it will always be a close game and percentages dictate you can't win them all.

I will say that when Norm was around, we certainly did the bend but don't break, but there was something behind it. Certainly, Norm did not blitz too often. He didn't blitz infrequently. It worked for our D.

That being said, I asked my buddy on the way out of the game if he remembered us blitzing a single down because I could not. Don't get me wrong, I like how we do it nice and simple and blitz only when called for, which is what drove me nuts, after the game.

Wisky's O-Line is great, no doubt. Our D line is great. But we got no pressure. As much as we all know we don't blitz, Norm would have thrown in a blitz in there, which is one of the many reasons we miss our D Coordinator.

 

[ThunderHawk]

When the bend-don't-break becomes the bend-then-break you're screwed. When a QB like Tolzien is hitting those underneath routes with laser-like accuracy, you MUST pressure him. Or you'll lose. Especially when your starting linebackers are injured.

On 4th and 4 with the game on the line, you blitz and live with the results. You don't rush 4 and hope that the guy who has been picking you apart underneath on 5 yard routes all of the sudden fails.

Maddening!

 

[BALDIES7980]

Cousins can't throw for anything with pressure in his face. The guy is totally soft. But if you give him time, he will carve Neilson and Hyde up like crazy. Accordingly, Iowa's best shot against MSU is to get to Cousins in the backfield. Which means it is time to send another guy or two.

Also, why not move AC around some. Good way to get the double teams off of him is to switch him inside and to the left side occasionally. If the other team doesn't know where he is going to line up, they can't be so sure to double him.

Really coaching 101 basics here.

You know in the SEC several teams line up the LB like we did against Wisky and he shoots the corner on the RT and the DE drops into flat coverage. Nielsen is fast enough and so is AC.