Is Iowa better off with Bullock over Coker?

JonDMiller

JonDMiller

Publisher/Founder
This isn't easy to answer and probably not a right answer.

But after watching Bullock play this week, and the quickness he showed at times of getting to and through the LOS at the POA, it made me wonder.

Personally, I'd love to have both of them and have a chance of pace, but if Coker were still on the team, he'd get the majority of the reps, no doubt. This offense, like many of Iowa's previous offenses, needs big play potential in the running game. You didn't really have that with Coker, or rather he couldn't do it on his own. Bullock may have the ability to do it on his own with decent blocking, making a seven yard gain a long one by making someone miss or being fast enough through the LOS that a defender who might have gotten over to lay a lick on Coker may not be there in time to get Bullock.

This was the same with Robinson, who I felt was a tough son of a gun but dealt with a lot of contact because he wasn't all that quick in getting to and through the LOS.

Shonn Greene had a great line opening up holes for him, but he had more speed than Robinson or Coker and also great vision. Bullock may have the quickest feet of any Iowa back we've seen since Damien Sims or Fred Russell.

This post isn't to suggest Bullock can put up better overall numbers than Coker did last year...he doesn't have to...being able to hit a few home runs in the running game over last year would be a big improvement even if the total yards are down..and I don't think Bullock is going to have many 30 carry games again.
 
Maybe, I think the biggest question about Bullock is his durability. If he can't stay healthy and fresh, then Iowa is relying on totally unproven freshman. Coker was a workhorse and Iowa needed him to be a workhorse. Kind of different situations.
 
JonDMiller said:
This isn't easy to answer and probably not a right answer.

But after watching Bullock play this week, and the quickness he showed at times of getting to and through the LOS at the POA, it made me wonder.

Personally, I'd love to have both of them and have a chance of pace, but if Coker were still on the team, he'd get the majority of the reps, no doubt. This offense, like many of Iowa's previous offenses, needs big play potential in the running game. You didn't really have that with Coker, or rather he couldn't do it on his own. Bullock may have the ability to do it on his own with decent blocking, making a seven yard gain a long one by making someone miss or being fast enough through the LOS that a defender who might have gotten over to lay a lick on Coker may not be there in time to get Bullock.

This was the same with Robinson, who I felt was a tough son of a gun but dealt with a lot of contact because he wasn't all that quick in getting to and through the LOS.

Shonn Greene had a great line opening up holes for him, but he had more speed than Robinson or Coker and also great vision. Bullock may have the quickest feet of any Iowa back we've seen since Damien Sims or Fred Russell.

This post isn't to suggest Bullock can put up better overall numbers than Coker did last year...he doesn't have to...being able to hit a few home runs in the running game over last year would be a big improvement even if the total yards are down..and I don't think Bullock is going to have many 30 carry games again.
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agree jon.
 
After one game, I'm ready to declare Bullock one of the best RB's in Iowa history
 
Ah, after reading your post now I know who DB reminds me of. Damien Sims.

Tough to say if we are better off with Coker or Bullock. For sure, we are in good hands (feet) now.
 
I just think of the Minnesota game last year. Could Bullock have housed a few of those runs? I like Coker, but I think you need guys like Bullock/Garmon that can run, and a bruiser too. A good combo would be great, but just a guy that can play is good enough right now for iowa.
 
After watching the way he runs/moves, I can see why they moved Bullock to WR (or flanker, or whatever he was last year). He just doesn't look like an RB. That said, neither does Matt Forte and he seems to be making out alright.
 
Speculation is nice, but it's speculation. We have what we have, and we aren't in bad shape. Football and business are a lot alike, you need to deal with what you have, and usually in a hurry.

I for one have no problems with what I saw on Saturday. In retrospect, I was pleasantly surprised. It will be fun watching the kids grow this year. In past seasons it was not. My speculation, based on what I saw, was the offensive line surprised me, but several of the sacks were a function of misreads by receivers.

My question is can Bullock hold on to the ball if he gets popped in ISU secondary?
 
Too early too tell. For obvious reasons, I just hope Bullock is around long enough for us to find out the real answer. We haven't had a RB in the program for more than a year or two for a while.
 
I dont like questions like this....AIRBHG will take notice. It is way too early to tell. Let Bullock play a few more games. I would take Coker's experience right now.
 
Coker served the KF M.O. which was to put together slow methodical drives down the field, eating up T.O.P. and keeping the defense fresh.

Kirk 3.0 is about scoring points.

Off to an auspicious start, and I'm not ready to crown Bullock yet. It's not like he averaged 8 YPC, he hit 5 on the head with a 23 yard run.

But to suggest that he didn't pass everyones expectations wildly would be equally asinine.
 
I sure hope the passing game can make some strides.
Imagine what Bullock could do with some honest defenses in front of him....
 
franstheman said:
FYL, FML. Don't talk like that. He may hear you.
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Don't worry, Bullock is the hero Iowa deserves, the one it needs right now. So we'll give him the ball. Because he can take it. Because he's our hero. He's a running guardian, a playmaker. A Hawkeye Running Back.


[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiD7SvlTyEw]Hawkeye Running Back Rises - YouTube[/ame]
 
Bullock also seemed quite fluid catching the ball out of the backfield. We all wish we had 3 All-Americans rotating carries and for all we know, maybe in a couple of years we have that with Bullock and Garmon and Canzeri and whoever. But until then everyone has to be thrilled with Bullock's performance so far.
 
I will admit I didn't watch a minute of the game, but with that said Coker in his first start ran for over 200 yards against Missouri. The offense though that day was no better than the offense Iowa put out there on Saturday. 20 offensive points to 18. So statistically it's to early to tell (Bullock could wear down)

With that said, football is much more than #'s and without seeing Bullock it's hard for me to tell. How's his agility?
 
I am not crowning the kid...just think this offense has been in dire need of a home run hitter in the mix for a long time and I think Bullock 'may' have something like that in him. BTW, Ronnie Harmon was a WR first too..or in the slot.
 
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