ChosenChildren
Well-Known Member
After watching the demolition of a supposedly salty NW D line, I think it might be. Thoughts?
Is the 2015 OL approaching the 2002 OL?
- Thread starter ChosenChildren
- Start date
History has shown us that KF likes to fiddle around with the personnel and placements on the line to find the magic combination. I think that combination has now been found. What was a huge question mark before the season has been answered. The injuries have shown that there was unexpected depth there as well.
What really has me wondering is that there were pundits and wonks in the media telling us before the season that Iowa may have the best OL in the B!G. I scoffed at talk like that. Was that just lip service and are they as surprised as some of us are?
The line I saw Saturday meets the definition of "synergy". Are they as good individually as the 2002 line? Blythe may be the equal of Nelson but where is the Gallery? It's the situational awareness shown by this group. They are all on the same page and playing as a cohesive unit. And I think we might want to add the fullbacks into the equation as well. The FBs knew their assignments and knew what the line was going to do.
I really wondered what a "run game coordinator" was when I saw that earlier in the year. Pretty sure I know what one of those does now. Maybe "run game choreographer" would be better description after Saturday.
What really has me wondering is that there were pundits and wonks in the media telling us before the season that Iowa may have the best OL in the B!G. I scoffed at talk like that. Was that just lip service and are they as surprised as some of us are?
The line I saw Saturday meets the definition of "synergy". Are they as good individually as the 2002 line? Blythe may be the equal of Nelson but where is the Gallery? It's the situational awareness shown by this group. They are all on the same page and playing as a cohesive unit. And I think we might want to add the fullbacks into the equation as well. The FBs knew their assignments and knew what the line was going to do.
I really wondered what a "run game coordinator" was when I saw that earlier in the year. Pretty sure I know what one of those does now. Maybe "run game choreographer" would be better description after Saturday.
I just feel like CJB has taken too many shots this year for the line to be considered elite so far. Of course, part of the reason he is getting hit is because receivers aren't getting quick separation but another part is obviously break down of the OL. I hope they continue to improve because what they've done the last two weeks to allow two 200 yard rushers is pretty awesome.
DBAHawkFan
Well-Known Member
We completely dominated every team we faced in 2002 (minus one half of the ISU game, and the bowl game we seemed more interested in partying than football).
If we had the 2002 OL, CJ wouldn't be on life support right now. Yes he can get hurt running out of the pocket, but he's just been killed back there.
the 2016 OL could be pretty salty with all the experience coming back. But the 2015 just needs to keep getting better each week, and hopefully learn how to pass block at the same rate they can run blcok.
If we had the 2002 OL, CJ wouldn't be on life support right now. Yes he can get hurt running out of the pocket, but he's just been killed back there.
the 2016 OL could be pretty salty with all the experience coming back. But the 2015 just needs to keep getting better each week, and hopefully learn how to pass block at the same rate they can run blcok.
I was asking myself the same thing. I am pretty sure we will start to see a more methodical rotation on the OL like we do on the DL.
Dare I say we need a "passing game coordinator"? Or is the theory that if we are running over opponents we will open up the play action and the passing game will take care of itself?
hawkdrummer1
Well-Known Member
Uh, no. Our QB looked like an 80 yr old man walking off the field saturday...primarily because of how often he got clobbered against Pitt and Wisconsin.
EstronHawkKing
Well-Known Member
hopefully he'll look like a 20 year old after 2 weeks rest.
Fryowa
Administrator
I kept thinking to myself that he looked like Brett Favre coming off the field in his last couple seasons. This is purely speculation but I have a hard time thinking Rudock would still be playing if he were in the same spot.
Hopefully the the bye helps a little but I doubt he's going to feel like a spring chicken. Those small, frequent shots are cumulative.
okeefe4prez
Well-Known Member
CJB is getting beaten up because Davis is a moron and has way too many slow developing pass plays in the playbook. Sure, the line has allegedly looked "bad" in pass protection, but a lot of those plays they are throwing 6 guys at us or overloading one side so we have 2 blocking 3. The tackles had some problems in pass protection against Illinois, but they tightened them up and Illinois has some studs on the outside. No one else has the pass rushers that Wisconsin and Illinois have, so you haters will be silenced in the coming weeks.
hawkeyebob62
Well-Known Member
Moving James Daniels after the Illinois game was probably a big plus. He got thrown into the fire against Illinois (no sense trying to move too many in-game), which is not a surprise for any freshman.
I would say this OL is very good. Hard to compare from year-to-year with all the variables. And for every "huge" play we've seen, we also saw an inability to convert 2-and-2 AND 3rd-and-2 against ISU, plus several failed 4th-down attempts in the red zone so far.
Still, we don't have many reasons to complain.
I would say this OL is very good. Hard to compare from year-to-year with all the variables. And for every "huge" play we've seen, we also saw an inability to convert 2-and-2 AND 3rd-and-2 against ISU, plus several failed 4th-down attempts in the red zone so far.
Still, we don't have many reasons to complain.
