Is Willies the X factor?

[cmhawks99]

DP,

I concur on Josey Jewel and in fact when I watched him play in that state championship game he was in I found myself wondering how he could possibly be a 2-star. Now to be fair I think that a lot but literally as DP said he was explosive all over the field. On a corollary note I found myself thinking similar things about Parker Hesse.

IMO this staff has recruited very, very well over the last 3 or 4 years continuing with this past year.

 

[tm3308]

To be fair in 2006 that line was really green still wasn't it? Also Klinkenborg was another one of those much-maligned Hawkeyes that was better than he was given credit for and the criticism by the fans of Humpal was totally unwarranted. He was drafted by the Steelers and injuries cut him short. He ran a 4.68 at his Pro day which is better than many if not most of the linebackers that will be drafted this year with better-than-average agility and shuttle times. In 2010 I think we played 10, 11 and maybe even 12 different linebackers, so it's not necessarily the best example either.

With all that said experience is the X factor! Fans hate to hear that for some reason or another but it's true nonetheless. The good news there is Alston and Spearman both played a lot in that raider package and that helps. Perry Has also seen some action and if it ends up being Josie Jewel or Kenney there will obviously be growing pains and on down the line. But I do believe we have plenty of talent and yes their athleticism is well above average and the same goes with the defense of backs.

I don't think I'd call the 2006 line green. They were young in title only, with all four starters back after starting every game as freshmen and sophomores. I do agree that Klink and Humpal took way more heat than they deserved, but like I said, it's no insult to say they weren't Greenway/Hodge or Angerer/Edds.

 

[cmhawks99]

I don't think I'd call the 2006 line green. They were young in title only, with all four starters back after starting every game as freshmen and sophomores. I do agree that Klink and Humpal took way more heat than they deserved, but like I said, it's no insult to say they weren't Greenway/Hodge or Angerer/Edds.

Agreed.... As far as the D line goes I was struggling trying to remember the year splits there. It was their second year and I was confused there.

C

 

[HawkeyeDenis]

I think Iowa's offensive scoring was in the mid 20's last year, which was adequate for a nice season. And now coming out of the spring games and going into the summer, it is starting to look like Iowa could have an offense that is a strength. As opposed to most years when Iowa scores just enough and then rides the defense to the finish.
When Scherff announced he was returning for his senior year, I think most of us saw the potential for Iowa to have a solid running game but now with the emergence of the wide receivers, there is potential for Iowa to have an offense that opposing coaches are going to have problems countering. Starting to get anxious for the season to start!

 

[JonDMiller]

Does RUdock have the arm to get it to these guys in stride? That is what I keep wondering about.

 

[Montanahawk]

Does RUdock have the arm to get it to these guys in stride? That is what I keep wondering about.

I think he can the problem is hitting them in stride deep.

 

[PCHawk]

Is it possible that Rudock underthrows the deep ball because of accuracy issues or is it for sure an arm strength issue?

 

[hawkdrummer1]

Is it possible that Rudock underthrows the deep ball because of accuracy issues or is it for sure an arm strength issue?

Interesting question. You get better at anything by doing it, or practicing. One has to wonder if our lack of emphasis on a vertical passing attack had hindered the development of our QBs in that area. We're not good at it, because we don't try to be good at it.

 

[22hawkeyes]

If cjb gets some game time we may end up with more than a QB "thing".

 

[trj]

Is it possible that Rudock underthrows the deep ball because of accuracy issues or is it for sure an arm strength issue?

I am no George Whitfield or anything, but I would say arm strength just by looking at his throws on intermediate routes not a lot velocity on them. Deep out routes the timing needs be perfect or it is a pick six waiting to happen.

Arm strength can be overrated, at this point Peyton Manning's arm strength isn't that much better than Rudock. GD's route tree is probably suited for Rudock arm strength except for the PA deep down the field stuff.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

I'm way more concerned with Rudock improving his turnover ratio and overall accuracy then his strength. That Michigan game he did everything but try to give them the game. He can throw the 15 yrd out to the opposite hash on the money. The deep balls are more of a timing issue then it is an arm strength issue.

 

[JonDMiller]

I'm way more concerned with Rudock improving his turnover ratio and overall accuracy then his strength. That Michigan game he did everything but try to give them the game. He can throw the 15 yrd out to the opposite hash on the money. The deep balls are more of a timing issue then it is an arm strength issue.

By all measures, he outperformed Soph Stanzi. Had better stats than Junior Stanzi. He will be better. He just won't have a gun. Stanzi didn't either but he had a knack for the pong deep balls sooner and letting his teammates run under it.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

By all measures, he outperformed Soph Stanzi. Had better stats than Junior Stanzi. He will be better. He just won't have a gun. Stanzi didn't either but he had a knack for the pong deep balls sooner and letting his teammates run under it.

I think Rudock will improve as well. I think the weapons he'll have to play with will be on par with what Stanzi had. I like KMM I love Smith, Hillyer (watch Hillyer block) and who doesn't like what Willies brings to the table. Not to mention Powell who hopefully will be that deep threat X factor also. When it comes to the deep balls I'd much rather he under throw it a step witch either lets our receiver still catch it or draw a flag as opposed to over throwing him by 5 yards. To me it's not the biggest deal in the world. Iowa has thrown maybe 2 deep balls a game last year? If Iowa were to be trying to throw 10 deep balls a game or more and not completing many that'd be one thing. But it's not a big part of what they do. Mostly it's a time and score situational thing as to when Iowa attempts to be aggressive. The td to KMM comes to mind in the Nebraska game (that wasn't that deep of a throw but it was an aggressive shot)

 

[HawkeyeWalker]

JR may not be able to throw the "bomb". That said timing and accuracy/placement are just as important if not more so on the deep ball. Hopefully he can improve both along with reads.

Stretch the field a little more, which 15-25 yard passes can do...we may see vast off improvement.

 

[trj]

I think Rudock will improve as well. I think the weapons he'll have to play with will be on par with what Stanzi had. I like KMM I love Smith, Hillyer (watch Hillyer block) and who doesn't like what Willies brings to the table. Not to mention Powell who hopefully will be that deep threat X factor also. When it comes to the deep balls I'd much rather he under throw it a step witch either lets our receiver still catch it or draw a flag as opposed to over throwing him by 5 yards. To me it's not the biggest deal in the world. Iowa has thrown maybe 2 deep balls a game last year? If Iowa were to be trying to throw 10 deep balls a game or more and not completing many that'd be one thing. But it's not a big part of what they do. Mostly it's a time and score situational thing as to when Iowa attempts to be aggressive. The td to KMM comes to mind in the Nebraska game (that wasn't that deep of a throw but it was an aggressive shot)

That's just it you have to hit some of those......Those plays are game changers. Who knows how that LSU game turns out if Rudock connects on that deep pass down the middle the play was there he just under threw it. Defenses are practically daring Iowa to do it. it would be nice to make them pay every once in a while.

 

[HawkeyeDenis]

This is a nice concern compared to where we were last year. Maybe he can't hit the deep ball consistently, but it should be enough to loosen up the running game. If it becomes a problem there is another QB waiting on the sideline.

 

[Eda]

That's just it you have to hit some of those......Those plays are game changers. Who knows how that LSU game turns out if Rudock connects on that deep pass down the middle the play was there he just under threw it. Defenses are practically daring Iowa to do it. it would be nice to make them pay every once in a while.

This.

I think it's a arm strength thing. He missed far too many long balls to think it's not an arm strength issue. He is money on short, and solid on intermediate; but he needs more arm strength to hit the deep ball. If he can pick up 3-5 yds on his long, it'd be a tremendous jump (can he be Doyalized for that?). Opposing safeties play 8-10 yds off the LOS due to lack of respect for the deep ball. We definitely need it.

 

[RocknRollface]

I think Rudock will improve as well. I think the weapons he'll have to play with will be on par with what Stanzi had. I like KMM I love Smith, Hillyer (watch Hillyer block) and who doesn't like what Willies brings to the table. Not to mention Powell who hopefully will be that deep threat X factor also. When it comes to the deep balls I'd much rather he under throw it a step witch either lets our receiver still catch it or draw a flag as opposed to over throwing him by 5 yards. To me it's not the biggest deal in the world. Iowa has thrown maybe 2 deep balls a game last year? If Iowa were to be trying to throw 10 deep balls a game or more and not completing many that'd be one thing. But it's not a big part of what they do. Mostly it's a time and score situational thing as to when Iowa attempts to be aggressive. The td to KMM comes to mind in the Nebraska game (that wasn't that deep of a throw but it was an aggressive shot)

They may only do it a couple times a game but the play action long ball is an important part of the offense they run.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

They may only do it a couple times a game but the play action long ball is an important part of the offense they run.

I'll agree that it is if they'd hit it more often. Last year it seemed more like that it was just a token play to keep the defense honest kind of thing. Alot more schools use it as a major part of what they do. We use it to try and open up the box for the running game as much as anything.

 

[Golfer]

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.