Is Willies the X factor?

[DP5555]

It hasn't been successful because we haven't had a real play action threat for a long time. Hopefully this year and the next several years are different. It appears to be headed that way.

I think this is a big part of it, but you have to admit Jake has missed on some opportunities to exploit teams deep. No one expects him to complete every pass. That's not what I'm saying. However, capitalizing on a deep ball changes a game in an instant. If Jake, or CJ, can execute a little bit more successfully with the deep ball this year it will give the Iowa offense something they haven't had for quite awhile.

I only saw one practice so it's not even fair to judge, but in WDM Jake was definitely underthrowing guys going long. There was a very stiff wind that day though. If he doesn't have the arm strength to get it down the field then he needs to work on anticipating it a little bit faster so he can hit his receivers in stride. They finally have a couple guys who can exploit defenses over the top. It will be unfortunate if they can't figure out a way to take advantage of that.

 

[JHHawk]

Jake just does not produce the kind of spin on his passes that allows them to cut threw the wind...we have seen that last season, and again in the spring game last week. Without that good spin, his passes go wobbly into the wind, like vs MSU last season, where Dennard stepped up and easily caught that deep pass intended for KMart..it was a wobbler into the wind...

 

[Golfer]

I think this is a big part of it, but you have to admit Jake has missed on some opportunities to exploit teams deep. No one expects him to complete every pass. That's not what I'm saying. However, capitalizing on a deep ball changes a game in an instant. If Jake, or CJ, can execute a little bit more successfully with the deep ball this year it will give the Iowa offense something they haven't had for quite awhile.

I only saw one practice so it's not even fair to judge, but in WDM Jake was definitely underthrowing guys going long. There was a very stiff wind that day though. If he doesn't have the arm strength to get it down the field then he needs to work on anticipating it a little bit faster so he can hit his receivers in stride. They finally have a couple guys who can exploit defenses over the top. It will be unfortunate if they can't figure out a way to take advantage of that.

Yes. And I think we know enough about KF to take him at his word that there will be times we could see CJ in certain situations. I'll go that far.

I'm just not going to the place where people attribute specific losses last year to Jake's lack of long ball. Or blame every loss the year before on the QB when he had defenders in his face on almost every down after the injuries to the OL. A lot of moving parts, and Jake's seeming inability to throw a long ball is only one of them. One that I can't really blame a loss on. Not saying you are, just adding some clarity to why my opinion is what it is.

 

[DP5555]

Yes. And I think we know enough about KF to take him at his word that there will be times we could see CJ in certain situations. I'll go that far.

I'm just not going to the place where people attribute specific losses last year to Jake's lack of long ball. Or blame every loss the year before on the QB when he had defenders in his face on almost every down after the injuries to the OL. A lot of moving parts, and Jake's seeming inability to throw a long ball is only one of them. One that I can't really blame a loss on. Not saying you are, just adding some clarity to why my opinion is what it is.

Yes... I hope I didn't make it seem like I think the losses were on Jake. By and large, he outperformed everyone's expectations considerably with his play. It certainly wouldn't be fair to pin the losses on him because of missed opportunities down the field. As you said, there's plenty of other things that could be pointed to as well.

It will be interesting to see how they work this 2 QB system they've been talking about. Jake is pretty damn efficient running the GD system. His biggest weakness is getting the timing right on his long ball, but he's incredibly accurate with almost all of his other throws. The deep out route can be a bit scary sometimes because it does tend to hang out there a little bit (Northern Illinois ball). The problem is you can't just bring in CJ every time you want to throw the ball deep. That wouldn't be fair to Jake, and at some point it would tip off the defense.

I'll be honest. I've never been a big fan of 2 QB systems. It makes me nervous. I think it can make it difficult for each QB to find his rhythm. In some cases I also think it can force them both to feel like they need to make big plays that aren't necessarily there simply because they want to prove they are the better QB. If KF and GD decide to go with it this year I really hope they can figure out a way to do so effectively.

 

[Golfer]

It's going to be interesting. I can't imagine many situations that CJ would be brought in that were critical given the schedule, strength of OL and running attack. Like everyone else, I'll have to find out later I guess.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

Yes... I hope I didn't make it seem like I think the losses were on Jake. By and large, he outperformed everyone's expectations considerably with his play. It certainly wouldn't be fair to pin the losses on him because of missed opportunities down the field. As you said, there's plenty of other things that could be pointed to as well.

It will be interesting to see how they work this 2 QB system they've been talking about. Jake is pretty damn efficient running the GD system. His biggest weakness is getting the timing right on his long ball, but he's incredibly accurate with almost all of his other throws. The deep out route can be a bit scary sometimes because it does tend to hang out there a little bit (Northern Illinois ball). The problem is you can't just bring in CJ every time you want to throw the ball deep. That wouldn't be fair to Jake, and at some point it would tip off the defense.

I'll be honest. I've never been a big fan of 2 QB systems. It makes me nervous. I think it can make it difficult for each QB to find his rhythm. In some cases I also think it can force them both to feel like they need to make big plays that aren't necessarily there simply because they want to prove they are the better QB. If KF and GD decide to go with it this year I really hope they can figure out a way to do so effectively.

I agree with you I feel the same about two qb systems. It's one thing to mix it up if say one is a runner and the other is a statue. And just change out for a series or two. But these two are pretty similar. They would be running the same offense with CJ possibly throwing deep a time or two more. I think it throws off the rhythm between the qbs and their receivers and just overall offense. I guess I wouldn't have a big problem with it if it's just for a series. But if they start alternating series and subbing them like they do running backs I don't think that'll fly.

 

[DP5555]

I agree with you I feel the same about two qb systems. It's one thing to mix it up if say one is a runner and the other is a statue. And just change out for a series or two. But these two are pretty similar. They would be running the same offense with CJ possibly throwing deep a time or two more. I think it throws off the rhythm between the qbs and their receivers and just overall offense. I guess I wouldn't have a big problem with it if it's just for a series. But if they start alternating series and subbing them like they do running backs I don't think that'll fly.

It's tough. We all know this isn't something KF likes to do. He likes to pick his QB and go with him. That's why it's kind of an intriguing situation. Maybe I'm reading too far into it, but I feel like the coaches can't find a legitimate reason to take Jake's role away from him because he's been so consistently good. On the other hand the coaches and the rest of the team see CJ making big plays in practice and they don't want him to feel like he isn't going to get a shot. So I kind of feel like they are entertaining the two QB system idea as a way to avoid coming out and admitting there could be a QB controversy. Considering the way Jake led the team last year I think it's a more respectful way to handle the situation as opposed to telling the fans and the media that he's competing for his job.

However, if they do indeed rotate the two QB's I think there is a reason behind it. I think they want to give CJ an opportunity to showcase his abilities on the big stage. If he comes through I have to think he could end up taking over the starting role. It's just hard for me to imagine KF actually running a two QB system for any reason other than figuring out which guy to go with. It would be a bit easier to turn the keys over to CJ if he proves during real games that he's the best guy.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

It's tough. We all know this isn't something KF likes to do. He likes to pick his QB and go with him. That's why it's kind of an intriguing situation. Maybe I'm reading too far into it, but I feel like the coaches can't find a legitimate reason to take Jake's role away from him because he's been so consistently good. On the other hand the coaches and the rest of the team see CJ making big plays in practice and they don't want him to feel like he isn't going to get a shot. So I kind of feel like they are entertaining the two QB system idea as a way to avoid coming out and admitting there could be a QB controversy. Considering the way Jake led the team last year I think it's a more respectful way to handle the situation as opposed to telling the fans and the media that he's competing for his job.

However, if they do indeed rotate the two QB's I think there is a reason behind it. I think they want to give CJ an opportunity to showcase his abilities on the big stage. If he comes through I have to think he could end up taking over the starting role. It's just hard for me to imagine KF actually running a two QB system for any reason other than figuring out which guy to go with. It would be a bit easier to turn the keys over to CJ if he proves during real games that he's the best guy.

That line of thinking does coincide with Ferentzs way of doing things for sure. (and my own) Yet the last year or so he's been going outside the box on a lot of things. With recruiting, bringing in a Raider package and blitzing last year among other things. I just don't know what to think. It may very well be more media chatter then anything but Ferentzs own words are what got the ball rolling on it. I guess we'll just have to wait and see....

 

[HawkinGoferLand]

Reading this thread and thinking of QB package with CJB has me intrigued. CJ can run and throw long ball so we have Read Option play, naked boots, deep ball and QB Draw ala Banks.