Jon's look at Iowa D
- Thread starter CAARHawk
- Start date
hawkeyehat
Well-Known Member
I think you'll see Daniels and Binns in for most every snap and then a nice rotation at the other spots. Davis intrigues me but we've got a few other freshmen redshirting this year that could factor in for next year. As for the LB's IMO Morris and Nielsen are locks and the last spot is up for grabs. Should be interesting to see how it shakes out. Our D will be solid enough as long as everyone comes back that is eligible.
imported_ankle23
Well-Known Member
Davis - what has he done - other than stars on paper - to earn a spot on the line? not trying to be snarky, just haven't heard a thing about him. I think guys on the OL/DL generally take a while to develop. IMO.
1MoreHawkeyeInTX
Well-Known Member
You may be right 311, but unless the players and owners have a CBA by the end of the year, this would not be year to come out early. I don't see the NFL settling this soon, so I'd put his return more at 80/20.
hawkinaclownhouse
Well-Known Member
With a potential lock out facing the NFL next summer very few underclassman will declare for the the draft. You don't know what is going to happen a lengthy lockout means no money so why not stay in school and let this all get sorted out. Waiting a year won't hurt you financial because this year's draftees will not be signed until a new collective bargaining agreement is in place.
JonDMiller
Publisher/Founder
I highly doubt Sash goes. I think that he is a great player...I just wonder how he is going to 'test out' at the combine.
Yes, they do take time to develop. That is why I am glad he isn't in a Bain/Kanellis situation where he had to get in there before he was ready. It wrecked both those guys. That being said, there was a lot of position stuff coming out about him from the older guys on the line during the fall. And from what I have heard, he has been taken under wing and is not resisting the help the other players are giving.
However, are you really asking "what has he done?" What have anyone beyond Daniel, Daniels, and Binns done? Alvis got a nice sack against ISU and looks promising, but he is an end. The other guys are guys on paper and that is about it at this point.
Now, we will see what happens with Davis. He needs to succeed in school and outwork the other guys at his position before we talk about anything, because Iowa has not had tremendous luck with guys from Michigan lately.
But I have a feeling. Just like I had a feeling about MacMillan when he was off the depth chart and hurt in Spring. Nobody was talking about him as a potential starter and I couldn't quite figure out why.
All of this being said, Iowa has not had great luck with guys that have come in already big. They usually do better with guys that come in with a frame that can be built. So....
Imlivingthedream
Well-Known Member
this.
also Sash isnt going anywhere. Bob Sanders didnt go out early and hes no Bob. Hes second day at best.
We are talking true frosh Carl Davis at DT, and not junior lb Bruce Davis,right?
I think Carl Davis has a decent shot at being in a dt rotation,from what I have heard.
Bruce Davis, coming off an ACL, should be in the lb rotation in the middle.
As we have seen this year, your team is usually only as good as their 2 and 3 deep guys. LB will be a concern with only Neilsen back as a starter. Morris should be ready,tho. Then an injured Bruce Davis,and a bunch of unknowns like Kirksey,Poggi,ect, Wish we had one more year of Tarp or Hunter.
I think our d-backfield will be fine with Miller or Bernstine slotting into Greenies spot.
The d-line is also going to be a work-in-progress with newbies Lebron Daniel,Carl Davis,Dom Alvis,Nardo,Bigach having to meld in with Daniels and Binns.
I really like what I have seen from Alvis. My prediction will be a d-line rotation of Binns,Daniel,Alvis,and a true frosh(ND commit,who will decommit and come to Iowa for early playing time) at DE,and Daniels,Davis,Nardo and Bigach at D-Tackle.
Offense will have to carry the team early,but this defense will round into shape by the time the Michigan schools come to town and Iowa will be in the hunt for the division title when they go to Nebraska.
I think Carl Davis has a decent shot at being in a dt rotation,from what I have heard.
Bruce Davis, coming off an ACL, should be in the lb rotation in the middle.
As we have seen this year, your team is usually only as good as their 2 and 3 deep guys. LB will be a concern with only Neilsen back as a starter. Morris should be ready,tho. Then an injured Bruce Davis,and a bunch of unknowns like Kirksey,Poggi,ect, Wish we had one more year of Tarp or Hunter.
I think our d-backfield will be fine with Miller or Bernstine slotting into Greenies spot.
The d-line is also going to be a work-in-progress with newbies Lebron Daniel,Carl Davis,Dom Alvis,Nardo,Bigach having to meld in with Daniels and Binns.
I really like what I have seen from Alvis. My prediction will be a d-line rotation of Binns,Daniel,Alvis,and a true frosh(ND commit,who will decommit and come to Iowa for early playing time) at DE,and Daniels,Davis,Nardo and Bigach at D-Tackle.
Offense will have to carry the team early,but this defense will round into shape by the time the Michigan schools come to town and Iowa will be in the hunt for the division title when they go to Nebraska.
hwkwyld
Well-Known Member
I don't see Sash leaving. He hasn't had a "Highlight Film" start to make the jump a year early.
homerHAWKeye777
Well-Known Member
Here is my takes on competition for spots on D next year:
The DL:
"Locks" = Binns and Daniels
near-"locks" = Daniel
guys I expect could make "noise" = Forgy, Alvis, Bigach, C. Davis, and D. Johnson
DL Synopsis:
When we feature first-time starters, that coaches often refrain from subbing as many guys in because it undermines the development of the new starters. However, with Binns and Daniels being so veteran, I really don't think that the coaches will worry much about subbing in guys on the DL in 2011 ... that is, assuming that the up-and-comers have EARNED the game-action. Furthermore, with Daniel being a pretty veteran guy too ... they'll probably be willing to sub guys in for him too.
A direct consequence of the above assertions is that I think that we'll probably see at least a pretty healthy 6 man rotation on the DL. That will likely help keep guys fresh ... but it will also allow for us to use some guys situationally. Not unlike the action that Clayborn and Ballard earned in 2007 as freshman, I think that we could end up seeing some underclassmen come in to provide us "sparks" situationally ... and that will help them gain confidence and also help get them up to game speed a bit more quickly.
From what I've gleaned, it sounds like D. Johnson and C. Davis (among other youngsters) have been taken under the "wings" of Clayborn and Ballard ... and that likely will really help along their development. I remember hearing that Iwebema acted as a mentor to Clayborn and Ballard ... and he really helped them out. Now look at them!
The LBs
"Locks" = Nielsen and Morris
near-"locks" = B. Davis
guys I expect could make "noise" = Kirksey, DiBona, and Poggi
LB Synopsis:
If Morris continues to see plenty of quality reps like he's already benefitted from ... I think that we'll likely see his developmental curve mimick the one we saw Edds follow. He's a kid who has the instincts to pull off the MIKE spot, but he also has the speed, hips, and athleticism to cover like an OLB. He's a unique specimen and I really don't think that anybody will be able to keep him off the field in 2011. Heck, I kinda feel similarly about Nielsen ... and that is why I think that he'll be money too. And, for a similar reason, I think that may end up being a reason why Kirksey could legitimately earn a starting spot (at WILL) in 2011 too.
Since the 2008 season, I've marvelled at how well our LBs have been able to "move" ... and I think that has really been a critical component of our pass-D. If anything undermines Bruce Davis ... it could be that he's not necessarily as strong as some of our other guys in coverage.
However, part of the success of our Ds over the past several years has been due to the fact that we've been able to only place 6 guys in the box against balanced sets ... and still manage to defend against the run. Many schools need AT LEAST 8 guys in the box to stop the run .... Iowa Ds traditionally can do it with only 7 ... and recent Iowa Ds can seemingly do it with only 6.
The above fact has afforded us the ability to play LBs who are better against the pass than the run. It may end up being the case that we'll have to again have more of a "run specialist" LB over the next few years if the drop-off on the DL is greater than I anticipate. I'll be interested to find out what ends up being the case.
I placed Poggi on the list of guys who could make noise simply because our depth at the OLB spot (our LEO LB spot) is seemingly lacking. I have no doubts about what Nielsen brings to the table, however, we'll have absolutely ZERO experienced depth behind him. Somebody will need to step up there. Maybe it will be Poggi ... heck, maybe it could end up being an impressive TR FR. Who knows?! (yeah ... I lookin' at you Mr. Tabb!)
The Ss
"Locks" = Sash
near-"locks" = Bernstine and Miller
guys I expect could make "noise" = Donatell, Hitchens, Swanson, and N. Nielsen
S Synopsis:
Sash will definitely bring plenty of leadership to the table at the safety spot. Also, I don't buy any claims about Sash leaving for the pros early. I just don't see it happening. For the love of Hawkeye football, I see him playing out his eligibility for us.
While I love the quality of the guys who could step up and take over Greenwood's vacated spot ... I'm definitely skeptical about the ability of a new guy to be able to come in and play the FS spot as well as Greenwood. While it's probably easy for a new guy to come in and be "flashier" ... FS is a spot where consistency is far more valuable. Thus, going off of such an attribute, I might end up banking on Tanner Miller to beat out Bernstine for the open spot. While Bernstine hasn't lacked in the talent category ... his consistency has seemingly been lacking. Thus, given that Greenwood and Sash have already taken Miller under their tutelage ... I really wouldn't be surprised if he ends up being one of Iowa's next great safeties. Also, I'm pretty excited about Hitchens. The fact that the coaches like what he brings to the table enough to allow him to get up to game-speed through special teams ... he's a guy who could potentially surprise us down the road too.
The CBs
"Locks" = Prater, Hyde, and Castillo
near-"locks" = Lowe and Bernstine
guys I expect could make "noise" = Lowery and Campbell
CB Synopsis:
I still love the promise of our group of CBs. I think that the talent level is high ... and I think that the level of competition at the spot is also high. While nobody has yet elevated their game to Spievey's level ... I do believe that we'll see somebody get "there" sooner rather than later.
I'm not really worried about the CBs in 2011. In fact, I think that given the fact that front 7 will still be very solid ... I think that that will allow the secondary to be a team strength in 2011.
The DL:
"Locks" = Binns and Daniels
near-"locks" = Daniel
guys I expect could make "noise" = Forgy, Alvis, Bigach, C. Davis, and D. Johnson
DL Synopsis:
When we feature first-time starters, that coaches often refrain from subbing as many guys in because it undermines the development of the new starters. However, with Binns and Daniels being so veteran, I really don't think that the coaches will worry much about subbing in guys on the DL in 2011 ... that is, assuming that the up-and-comers have EARNED the game-action. Furthermore, with Daniel being a pretty veteran guy too ... they'll probably be willing to sub guys in for him too.
A direct consequence of the above assertions is that I think that we'll probably see at least a pretty healthy 6 man rotation on the DL. That will likely help keep guys fresh ... but it will also allow for us to use some guys situationally. Not unlike the action that Clayborn and Ballard earned in 2007 as freshman, I think that we could end up seeing some underclassmen come in to provide us "sparks" situationally ... and that will help them gain confidence and also help get them up to game speed a bit more quickly.
From what I've gleaned, it sounds like D. Johnson and C. Davis (among other youngsters) have been taken under the "wings" of Clayborn and Ballard ... and that likely will really help along their development. I remember hearing that Iwebema acted as a mentor to Clayborn and Ballard ... and he really helped them out. Now look at them!
The LBs
"Locks" = Nielsen and Morris
near-"locks" = B. Davis
guys I expect could make "noise" = Kirksey, DiBona, and Poggi
LB Synopsis:
If Morris continues to see plenty of quality reps like he's already benefitted from ... I think that we'll likely see his developmental curve mimick the one we saw Edds follow. He's a kid who has the instincts to pull off the MIKE spot, but he also has the speed, hips, and athleticism to cover like an OLB. He's a unique specimen and I really don't think that anybody will be able to keep him off the field in 2011. Heck, I kinda feel similarly about Nielsen ... and that is why I think that he'll be money too. And, for a similar reason, I think that may end up being a reason why Kirksey could legitimately earn a starting spot (at WILL) in 2011 too.
Since the 2008 season, I've marvelled at how well our LBs have been able to "move" ... and I think that has really been a critical component of our pass-D. If anything undermines Bruce Davis ... it could be that he's not necessarily as strong as some of our other guys in coverage.
However, part of the success of our Ds over the past several years has been due to the fact that we've been able to only place 6 guys in the box against balanced sets ... and still manage to defend against the run. Many schools need AT LEAST 8 guys in the box to stop the run .... Iowa Ds traditionally can do it with only 7 ... and recent Iowa Ds can seemingly do it with only 6.
The above fact has afforded us the ability to play LBs who are better against the pass than the run. It may end up being the case that we'll have to again have more of a "run specialist" LB over the next few years if the drop-off on the DL is greater than I anticipate. I'll be interested to find out what ends up being the case.
I placed Poggi on the list of guys who could make noise simply because our depth at the OLB spot (our LEO LB spot) is seemingly lacking. I have no doubts about what Nielsen brings to the table, however, we'll have absolutely ZERO experienced depth behind him. Somebody will need to step up there. Maybe it will be Poggi ... heck, maybe it could end up being an impressive TR FR. Who knows?! (yeah ... I lookin' at you Mr. Tabb!)
The Ss
"Locks" = Sash
near-"locks" = Bernstine and Miller
guys I expect could make "noise" = Donatell, Hitchens, Swanson, and N. Nielsen
S Synopsis:
Sash will definitely bring plenty of leadership to the table at the safety spot. Also, I don't buy any claims about Sash leaving for the pros early. I just don't see it happening. For the love of Hawkeye football, I see him playing out his eligibility for us.
While I love the quality of the guys who could step up and take over Greenwood's vacated spot ... I'm definitely skeptical about the ability of a new guy to be able to come in and play the FS spot as well as Greenwood. While it's probably easy for a new guy to come in and be "flashier" ... FS is a spot where consistency is far more valuable. Thus, going off of such an attribute, I might end up banking on Tanner Miller to beat out Bernstine for the open spot. While Bernstine hasn't lacked in the talent category ... his consistency has seemingly been lacking. Thus, given that Greenwood and Sash have already taken Miller under their tutelage ... I really wouldn't be surprised if he ends up being one of Iowa's next great safeties. Also, I'm pretty excited about Hitchens. The fact that the coaches like what he brings to the table enough to allow him to get up to game-speed through special teams ... he's a guy who could potentially surprise us down the road too.
The CBs
"Locks" = Prater, Hyde, and Castillo
near-"locks" = Lowe and Bernstine
guys I expect could make "noise" = Lowery and Campbell
CB Synopsis:
I still love the promise of our group of CBs. I think that the talent level is high ... and I think that the level of competition at the spot is also high. While nobody has yet elevated their game to Spievey's level ... I do believe that we'll see somebody get "there" sooner rather than later.
I'm not really worried about the CBs in 2011. In fact, I think that given the fact that front 7 will still be very solid ... I think that that will allow the secondary to be a team strength in 2011.
whammer33024
Well-Known Member
here's where i'm at with it. i think our offense will come out next year and put up points at will. i'm seeing a complete turn around to what we are used to saying..."our defense is amazing and our offense is good enough to win".
i think in 2011 it will be "our offense is amazing and our defense is good enough to win". those of you who are wanting a 3 TD lead before we let off the gas just may get to see that next season
i think in 2011 it will be "our offense is amazing and our defense is good enough to win". those of you who are wanting a 3 TD lead before we let off the gas just may get to see that next season
Imlivingthedream
Well-Known Member
whammer33024
Well-Known Member
kenan davis is new? vandy isn't good? CJ isn't going to be good?
OK
OK
homerHAWKeye777
Well-Known Member
I'm not certain that I'd go so far as to say "score at will" ... however, I agree with whammer that our O will be rather formidable.
You're looking at too much of what we lose ... and not enough at who we gain and/or retain.
At QB: We lose a great QB ... and we gain a NEW very good QB. And, in my estimation, Vandenberg will be a QB who develops into a GREAT QB. Anyhow, the guy already has career starts under his belt ... and he's seen game action in a back-up capacity too.
At WR: We lose a great one in DJK ... however, we return McNutt ... a guy who will then be a year more refined. Furthermore, when McNutt was dinged ... Keenan Davis stepped up and played like a starter. I admit that our remaining WR depth isn't terribly proven ... however, I've heard plenty to suggest that they're promising!
At TE: We lose a very good TE in Reisner ... however, remind me how many years Reisner has been a full-time starter? Why should we NOT expect Herman to continue to develop and be capable of putting up a SR campaign like Reisner? And, on top of that, have you seen CJ Fed in games? The kid has been playing at a pretty darn high level for a TR FR ... and he's accompanied by Zach Derby ... a walk-on who has impressed me too. In other words, if anything, our TE depth will actually be BETTER in 2011!
At RB: We return everybody ... and they'll each be a year more experienced. I have no doubt that our running game will be a HUGE team strength in 2011.
AND, most importantly for an Iowa O .....
AT OL: We return EVERY starter with the exception of Vandervelde. However, given how Gettis and MacMillan have been rotating ... we basically have a 6-man rotation of "starters" on the OL. When you consider that promising guys like Van Sloten and Boffeli will be a year more experienced ... they'll be that much more ready to contribute at a higher level. And, that's not counting some of the buzz I've been hearing coming out about Scherff ... what out for that kid!
Iowa's O is built off of OL-play ... and Iowa's OL will be better in 2011. Furthermore, we really won't see much of ANY drop-off talent-wise at the skill positions. In other words, the future is looking VERY bright for Iowa's O!
whammer33024
Well-Known Member
by "at will", i meant its not unreasonable to think we can't put up 35+ points a game.
we won't be able to light up the board like oregon or anything
we won't be able to light up the board like oregon or anything
Imlivingthedream
Well-Known Member
has Iowa ever averaged 35 plus under Kirk?
Im guessing 2002 was our best offense stat wise..did we average that many points that year?
and this..."Furthermore, we really won't see much of ANY drop-off talent-wise at the skill positions. In other words, the future is looking VERY bright for Iowa's O!"
wow.
