Jon....you have some explaining to do

[cincyhawk]

I know you're joking, at least I think you're joking, but, IF that's the game plan, then it wasn't carried out very well. Staying with the premise, for what it's worth, I would recommend a different game plan for the rest of the season.

Not joking.

Listen to what Iowa's coaches say.

Bend but don't break is predicated on the fact that moist college teams can't drive the ball 12 plays down the field without missing a critical pass, committing a critical penalty, or turning it over.

On the opposite side, it's all about making long drives without making mistakes. Iowa has to execute perfectly, because that's the only way to beat teams - out-effort them. Committing a penalty or turnover is a cardinal sin precisely because that's how Iowa beats teams - by letting them make mistakes.

 

[tksirius]

Give me a damn break and quit acting like your on the field and no what’s going on from your couch..

Not to be that guy, but that's the 4th time I've seen you abuse "you're."

 

[HawkPrdatr40]

So do you have anything to contribute, or are you just here to criticize other posts?

I have contributed and why would I entertain stupid talk, because that’s exactly what a lot of the talk is..

 

[HawkPrdatr40]

Not to be that guy, but that's the 4th time I've seen you abuse "you're."

Nor do I really care bud, you can follow me around this site correcting my grammar as much as you want. Might actually be a good gig for you

 

[cincyhawk]

The comment regarding Iowa offense resembling Licklighter ball hits home. A glaring problem carries over and over each year. Who would have predicted KOK would be the highpoint of Iowa offense under Ferentz?

Totally disagree with posters that say Iowa doesn't have the talent to get this done.

Ferentz's comment that the offense only works if we have a good run game is telling. The coaching staff simply is stuck in a pattern and seems incapable of adapting long trm or in game - at least on the offensive side of the ball.

I feel for the young men on this team that do not have the kind of coach that can lead them on the field to use their hard work talent and time to achieve what they are capable of. They are left holding the bag and the fault, and they are simply doing what is coached and planned.

I see Jon's position like this - He did go a bit far in the past (imo) with criticism of iowa coaches and he now has too much respect for the Ferentz family and hImself to go anywhere even approaching that today. I get it and is much preferred to the big mouth negativity role some on here take.

For everyones sake I hope BF can learn and is capable of adapting and improving at some point or we and the young men who play their hearts out each Sat. are in for a rough ride.

I know he wants to win very very badly.

Jon's position in the past was honest and correct. He's either being too hard on himself or he's become apathetic.

Either way, I didn't even listen to the podcast, for the first time, because I know what I'm going to hear for the rest of time, which is, set your expectations low, and no matter how bad it gets everything's what you expected.

 

[HawkPrdatr40]

Jon's position in the past was honest and correct. He's either being too hard on himself or he's become apathetic.

Either way, I didn't even listen to the podcast, for the first time, because I know what I'm going to hear for the rest of time, which is, set your expectations low, and no matter how bad it gets everything's what you expected.

Anyone who had high expectations for this season I would ask where were they coming from? New OC new QB young WR etc.

 

[cincyhawk]

Through the first six games, I certainly feel he has done a solid job. If you are expecting perfection, then you will be disappointed. I look at it relative to things...an OC in his first year on the job, but also, now starting two freshmen tackles when going into the year, they had two 5th year senior tackles....that sort of might have an impact on effectiveness. At least, I think so, but I could be wrong.

Yesterday's second half was the first real stinker half I can recall from this year.

But like anything in life, how you feel about something has everything to do with your expectations. I felt this entire season was going to be a building up year, loading up for the next two...so much newness on offense was one of the key reasons why I picked them 6-6. Thus far, I haven't seen anything that was all that unexpected, on the macro level.

So, I am not flipping out...where, you, and others, are. However, you fairly specifically, seem unbalanced...so, I am not sure that anything short of 12-0 will work for you, as you have an axe to grind against the Ferentz's. With that being the case, I see no point in engaging YOU on this topic, any further.

Jon, it wasn't the only stinker -

2nd half vs MSU was worse. The North Texas game wasn't particularly good in general - Iowa was down asst half, and stayed down until very nearly the third quarter.

Iowa fans don't want 12 - 0 every year. We would like 7 - 5 as the floor and usually be 8 - 4. It would be nice for us to take a step and be like Nebraska and win 9 games. But we can't do that with a good D and hope they screw up on offense. Nobody can.

 

[JonDMiller]

Jon's position in the past was honest and correct. He's either being too hard on himself or he's become apathetic.

Either way, I didn't even listen to the podcast, for the first time, because I know what I'm going to hear for the rest of time, which is, set your expectations low, and no matter how bad it gets everything's what you expected.

TRANSLATION: you used to agree with my view. I liked you then. You no longer do, so now, you're apathetic or some other adjective that is the opposite of me.

 

[cincyhawk]

Anyone who had high expectations for this season I would ask where were they coming from? New OC new QB young WR etc.

Mine weren't high. 7 - 5, which I thought meant 1 win against a team with a pulse (ISU-bad,Ill-bad,NT-bad,NW-ok,M-bad,N-bad,P-bad). Then that game against Penn State happened. Then it turned out that ISU was better than expected, and so was our qb and secondary. My expectations went to 8-4 with being competitive.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

I think people misconstrue what Jon says. Maybe I'm wrong but when I see/hear Jon say he thinks Iowa will get 6 wins it's not that he's ok with it. Or that he expects that so much as it's just what he thinks will happen based on how the team looks at the time. Be it preseason or now. Taking your frustrations out on him because his prediction looks like a possibility is just a you problem. It only makes him closer to being right.

 

[skinnykilmer17]

Wadley is not a threat unless he’s used in the slot, which apparently Brian Ferentz doesn’t like anymore.

He could run a 4 flat 40 and he still wouldn’t be a threat, because slamming a 195 lb back straight up the gut into 1,200 lbs of defensive line over and over and over and over and over and over doesn’t work.

Wadley’s only shot at being productive is splitting carries with a smash mouth runner like LeShun Daniels or playing in the slot. Period.

People keep talking about the NFL for Wadley and he will undoubtedly get drafted somewhere along the line, but you have to look no further than the NFL to see that the only way for a guy that size to actually play is at slot like Cole Beasley, Wes Walker, Danny Woodhead, etc. Brian Ferentz is smart enough football wise to know that, but something is preventing him from doing it. I can’t for the life of me figure out why because with the amount of time we have fullbacks on the field, Wadley’s lack of blocking is moot. Toren Young behind Kulick or Ross and Wadley split to the slot would be pretty attractive to me as a coach.[/QU

A really good post.

Football isn't rocket science.

And it's painful to watch this clan fail repeatedly on that side of the ball. For years.

Let's face it. They just aren't that smart or creative. There is no pill for this.

And how many former olineman have been successful OC's? Nothing against lineman, but come on. Do they spend their careers thinking about the entire field of play and those nuances?
OTE]

 

[hawkinstl]

What's frustrating is this team has the talent to be 5-2 or 6-1. For me, it's not that Iowa is 4-3 that bothers me. It's how the Hawks got to that record that bothers me.

 

[HawkPrdatr40]

Mine weren't high. 7 - 5, which I thought meant 1 win against a team with a pulse (ISU-bad,Ill-bad,NT-bad,NW-ok,M-bad,N-bad,P-bad). Then that game against Penn State happened. Then it turned out that ISU was better than expected, and so was our qb and secondary. My expectations went to 8-4 with being competitive.

7-5 is very possible yet. I thought 7-5 as well but wouldn’t be surprised at 6-6 or worse honestly with all the new pieces and unknowns. Iowa has 14 or 15 Fr and Sophmores listed on the 2 Deep on the offensive side of the ball and 6 of the 14 are in Skilled positions..

The game against Penn State still has me floored that we could have really won. Penn State is the real deal, but looking at the stats it was a Very lopsided affair, except at the scoreboard.

 

[cincyhawk]

TRANSLATION: you used to agree with my view. I liked you then. You no longer do, so now, you're apathetic or some other adjective that is the opposite of me.

No. I still like you. You've made your position clear, and aren't going to change. I do think you've been way too hard on yourself for '14's criticism.

One good year didn't change the fact that Iowa is around a 6/7 win team every year, when they could be as good as Nebraska or Wisconsin, with 8/9 wins every year, realistically. One good year doesn't offset a decade of average. Maybe a Rose Bowl win, or a playoff win would have. But not two straight losses and a mediocre year following up those 12 wins.

It hasn't been improving. It won't change the fact that nepotism hasn't improved the Iowa offense. With two weeks to prepare, they ran a bean pole into a combine over and over, Saturday. That was their plan?

I'm not a public figure, or a journalist, or a sports media personality. I'm a fan, of Iowa, and of you and Deace. Being realistic is nowhere in the job description of being a fan. I'm allowed to hope, unabashadly, and complain, unabashedly, about the things I'm a fan of.

Just a little criticism would go a long way for a lot of us - like Travis Justice's during sound off last night. One sentence.

 

[cincyhawk]

7-5 is very possible yet. I thought 7-5 as well but wouldn’t be surprised at 6-6 or worse honestly with all the new pieces and unknowns. Iowa has 14 or 15 Fr and Sophmores listed on the 2 Deep on the offensive side of the ball and 6 of the 14 are in Skilled positions..

The game against Penn State still has me floored that we could have really won. Penn State is the real deal, but looking at the stats it was a Very lopsided affair, except at the scoreboard.

I wouldn't either, but it doesn't really make sense. Teams with the same coaching staff just don't go from 12-2 to 6-6 in two seasons at major college schools very often. This year, the recruiting bump from that year should show up.

I don't have stats, but I'd guess when the Hawkeyes are 40th or higher, nationally, in scoring offense, they have 9+ win seasons. They don't have to be good. They have to be average.

 

[Playmaker]

Unbalanced Jon? Nope, just feel gutted and without any hope with this HC. Look how far the bar has been lowered in comparison to what was expected...and probably should have happened....coming off 2002-2004. Instead of earning his ever increasing salary by trying even harder to reach the ultimate level, Ferments got lazy....and has been lazy ever since. NO HC making his money is lazier in recruiting then he is.....look at the F'n receivers at Iowa State for crying out loud. At OUR expense, he gets his joys at trying to coach up two stars, rather than removing some of the risk by actually busting his ass recruiting top talent like other REAL programs do.....and most certainly like other coaches making his salary do.

------------but I also think they have a big pay off next year and the expectations, and thus the stakes, will be higher.

Big pay off....you REALLY believe that? hahahahha clip and save that one. And who will the stakes be higher for....Ferments? Don't make me laugh....that snake oil salesman will still be HC when we are all dead and buried. The Iowa Football Program has been one giant shit hole for 7 of 8 years now. And you know it isn't going to get any better under this stubborn coach, so quit feeding us lines of shit...ok? That may sound "unbalanced" for an Iowa fan....but actually pretty calm if it was coming from a fan following a program that actually strives for more than 7-5 and the occasional smoke and mirrors season. Now I am going out to work in the backyard and maybe take the dog for a walk....then take my wife to lunch...then watch the Cowboy game. See, that all seems pretty balanced....doesn't it? Peace brother....I do enjoy your podcasts....I just miss the old Jon.

 

[JonDMiller]

Unbalanced Jon? Nope, just feel gutted and without any hope with this HC. Look how far the bar has been lowered in comparison to what was expected...and probably should have happened....coming off 2002-2004. Instead of earning his ever increasing salary by trying even harder to reach the ultimate level, Ferments got lazy....and has been lazy ever since. NO HC making his money is lazier in recruiting then he is.....look at the F'n receivers at Iowa State for crying out loud. At OUR expense, he gets his joys at trying to coach up two stars, rather than removing some of the risk by actually busting his ass recruiting top talent like other REAL programs do.....and most certainly like other coaches making his salary do.

------------but I also think they have a big pay off next year and the expectations, and thus the stakes, will be higher.

Big pay off....you REALLY believe that? hahahahha clip and save that one. And who will the stakes be higher for....Ferments? Don't make me laugh....that snake oil salesman will still be HC when we are all dead and buried. The Iowa Football Program has been one giant shit hole for 7 of 8 years now. And you know it isn't going to get any better under this stubborn coach, so quit feeding us lines of shit...ok? That may sound "unbalanced" for an Iowa fan....but actually pretty calm if it was coming from a fan following a program that actually strives for more than 7-5 and the occasional smoke and mirrors season. Now I am going out to work in the backyard and maybe take the dog for a walk....then take my wife to lunch...then watch the Cowboy game. See, that all seems pretty balanced....doesn't it? Peace brother....I do enjoy your podcasts....I just miss the old Jon.

First off, the old Jon would have banned you a long time ago

Kirk may be a lot of things, stubborn being one of them, but lazy, he is not. You are misconstruing a lack of results at recruiting for a lack of effort. In my lifetime, Iowa has never consistently brought in mid-high level WR talent on a regular basis. That's not to say there wasn't a willie guy here and there, who had the accolades...but that has been incredibly uncommon at Iowa in the Fry and Ferentz era.

I think they have some good playmakers on campus, right now. It's just going to take some seasoning.

The money thing is so freaking old. The people who donate the sums to pay for his salary wouldn't do so if they didn't like him there. Kirk is a beloved figure among most of the fanbase, especially the big money people. So when you say 'OUR' expense, you have a mouse in your pocket...because it's not really YOUR expense at all.

 

[DDThompson]

I think people misconstrue what Jon says. Maybe I'm wrong but when I see/hear Jon say he thinks Iowa will get 6 wins it's not that he's ok with it. Or that he expects that so much as it's just what he thinks will happen based on how the team looks at the time. Be it preseason or now. Taking your frustrations out on him because his prediction looks like a possibility is just a you problem. It only makes him closer to being right.

Hawks should be playing for NC every year or you are not a true fan — just content with mediocrity.

Or something like that I guess.

 

[DDThompson]

So when you say 'OUR' expense, you have a mouse in your pocket...

The most perfect double entendre ever.

 

[mrolympia]

Jset your expectations low, and no matter how bad it gets everything's what you expected.

sadly I thought I did at 7 wins