Jon's look at Iowa D

[HawkeyeMike23]

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.

Iowa averaged more than 35 in 2002 and just under it in 2001. Ferentz is a good coach, and he plays to the strength of his team. This year, with a defense like we have, we don't need to score that much to win. In 2001 and especially early on in '02 the offense was definitely the strength of the team and Iowa was able to win some shootouts. I see next season being a repeat of this, our offense ahead of the defense initially and the defense really coming on down the stretch.

 

[whammer33024]

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.

didn't homer just go over all of this with you?

wow.

 

[lightning1]

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.

I agree, unfortunately.
He wont be drafted very high. IMO.

 

[lightning1]

I think Kirksey will end up starting at one of the LB spots next yr.
That will be a very fast LB corps.

 

[homerHAWKeye777]

didn't homer just go over all of this with you?

wow.

No doubt whammer. I fail to see where our big drop-off at the skill position is going to be. In fact, with the increased experience that we'll have at RB ... that unit will be even better. Sandeman is definitely a HIGH QUALITY blocker at WR and has been very solid for us in the passing game too ... and DJK is definitely a stud ... however, considering that we still return our #2 and #3 WRs .... both of whom are proven and have HUGE upsides, I really don't see why we'd have a lot to worry about at WR. Furthermore, Cotton, Martin-Manley, and Shumpert are also ALL high ceiling guys too. Additionally, we should expect that AT LEAST one TR FR WR will be EARNING action in 2011. If I were to bet, my guess is that it would be Grant because of the blocking ability that he's already flashed on the high school level .... that and the fact that everything I've heard suggests that he has a tremendous work-ethic.

As for at TE, we'll be having proven guys returning ... and an influx of promising talent to boot. The level of competition at TE will be impressive ... I can guarantee you that. Thus, I have absolutely no worries about the future of our group of TEs.

And lastly, as others have suggested, Vandenberg is a VERY high ceiling guy ... and he's a guy who has been mentored by a guy who really did things the RIGHT WAY. That will really make a difference I think. I think that Vandenberg will be a tremendous QB for the Hawkeyes. Frankly, my only concern about Vandenberg is that I doubt that he has as nice of touch on his long ball as Stanzi ... however, then again, Stanzi's long ball is impressive.

 

[homerHAWKeye777]

I think Kirksey will end up starting at one of the LB spots next yr.
That will be a very fast LB corps.

If our starting trio is Kirksey, Morris, and Nielsen ... then yeah, it will be a pretty blazing fast group.

 

[Imlivingthedream]

No doubt whammer. I fail to see where our big drop-off at the skill position is going to be. In fact, with the increased experience that we'll have at RB ... that unit will be even better. Sandeman is definitely a HIGH QUALITY blocker at WR and has been very solid for us in the passing game too ... and DJK is definitely a stud ... however, considering that we still return our #2 and #3 WRs .... both of whom are proven and have HUGE upsides, I really don't see why we'd have a lot to worry about at WR. Furthermore, Cotton, Martin-Manley, and Shumpert are also ALL high ceiling guys too. Additionally, we should expect that AT LEAST one TR FR WR will be EARNING action in 2011. If I were to bet, my guess is that it would be Grant because of the blocking ability that he's already flashed on the high school level .... that and the fact that everything I've heard suggests that he has a tremendous work-ethic.

As for at TE, we'll be having proven guys returning ... and an influx of promising talent to boot. The level of competition at TE will be impressive ... I can guarantee you that. Thus, I have absolutely no worries about the future of our group of TEs.

And lastly, as others have suggested, Vandenberg is a VERY high ceiling guy ... and he's a guy who has been mentored by a guy who really did things the RIGHT WAY. That will really make a difference I think. I think that Vandenberg will be a tremendous QB for the Hawkeyes. Frankly, my only concern about Vandenberg is that I doubt that he has as nice of touch on his long ball as Stanzi ... however, then again, Stanzi's long all is impressive.

if you really think Vandy will be better NEXT year than Stanzi is this year theres really no point in discussing football with you.

And Keenan Davis is proven? How many catches has he had in the big ten?

 

[homerHAWKeye777]

if you really think Vandy will be better NEXT year than Stanzi is this year theres really no point in discussing football with you.

And Keenan Davis is proven? How many catches has he had in the big ten?

Where I have I ever written that Vandy will be BETTER than Stanzi. My statement is simply that there will be little to no drop-off. You have to remember that Vandy will be benefitting from a better OL in 2011 than the group that Ricky is playing behind in 2010. Furthermore, like it or not, Vandy actually is better than Ricky in the short passing game. Furthermore, Vandy has already proven that when he's comfortable and fully prepped (i.e. like he was in the tOSU game), he can be VERY impressive in the passing game.

Furthermore, look at the running game that Ricky has been forced to operate with over the past 2 years. He's been stuck complementing a running game that has been completely manned by underclassmen. In contrast, Vandenberg will have the benefit of being the QB with a loaded and veteran group of RBs. Furthermore, as I've mentioned before about the OL ... those same quality RBs will be running behind an IMPRESSIVE Iowa OL!

Thus, when you insert a little bit of critical thought ... you quickly can start piecing things together. The first key observation is that Vandenberg will be able to benefit substantially from a MUCH IMPROVED Iowa running game. That will then go a LONG ways to selling our play-action and roll-out game ... which then allows us to get yards in big chunks.

As for your comment about Keenan Davis, the last time I checked, he logged in a substantial number of game minutes against Penn State last week. In BOTH my estimation and that of the Iowa coaches ... that counts as quality experience ... even if the ball doesn't come his way. All season so far, Keenan Davis has seen plenty of action. Furthermore, when McNutt went out, that gave Davis an opportunity to run the routes that were the primary looks for Stanzi. Assuming we were watching the same game, it appears to me that Keenan Davis did a fine job of making the most of that opportunity. Thus, by the time the 2011 season rolls around, I really expect that Keenan Davis will be at the level McNutt was at when McNutt entered his JR season. Davis might not have the same numbers under his belt ... however, that is understandable considering all the quality upperclassmen who we have at WR.

Anyhow, yeah, I think that Keenan Davis will be more than adequately experienced when entering the 2011 season. Furthermore, with Vandy benefitting from our running game ... I expect that Iowa's passing game to McNutt, Davis, CJ Fed, Herman, and company will be VERY productive.

And frankly, for the 2011 Iowa O ... an average of 34 points per game really wouldn't surprise me.

 

[imported_ankle23]

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....

What have the other guys done? Been in the program 1, 2, 3 years, developing their game, their bodies, getting ready for their 'next man in' time. That's what they've done/been doing.

 

[SeattleHawkeye]

if you really think Vandy will be better NEXT year than Stanzi is this year theres really no point in discussing football with you.

And Keenan Davis is proven? How many catches has he had in the big ten?

I'll say it - Vandy has some aspects of his game I think are better than Stanzi's, in particular re mechanics and arm strength. And I don't think it's a stretch to say those things. Vandy will definitely have to step up his game next season, but it's not unconscionable to think he has some aspects of his game now that are better than Stanzi's. (Likewise, it's not uncommon to have back-ups at many positions have some aspects of their skill sets being better than starters, i.e. a back-up OL being a better run or pass blocker than a starter, or a back-up LB being better in pass coverage than a starter.) That being said, it's also obvious Stanzi is one of (if not thee) unquestioned leaders of this team, and his moxie and leadership will be extremely challenging to replace in early '11.

What's more surprising is your negative attitude toward the '11 offense. Almost every player that is projected to start in '11 has logged significant, quality minutes as a starter or back-up. I find it difficult you want to argue that these players won't likely be better players next season w/ another year of physical and mental development, along w/ the remaining '10 season's worth of experience. And please recognize, the significant difference between the '11 O and D is that pretty much everyone on O has played, giving cause for excitement. Whereas on D, there are definitely some positions lacking experience going into next year (at least at this point). And everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but your's definitely seems different than basically every other poster on this board...and that seems telling.

 

[ColoradoHAWKEYE]

You guys are essentially arguing semantics. We don't even know who will be injured or ineligible, or have personal situations, or ...either way, you all are painting a pretty "rosey" picture. Of course, the glue to it all is a content coaching staff, seems a given at this point, but not a lock and definitely questions about D-Cord.

 

[whammer33024]

You guys are essentially arguing semantics. We don't even know who will be injured or ineligible, or have personal situations, or ...either way, you all are painting a pretty "rosey" picture. Of course, the glue to it all is a content coaching staff, seems a given at this point, but not a lock and definitely questions about D-Cord.

when making predictions and looking toward the future, you have to assume that everyone is healthy. of course there will be injuries and the random ineligibility or suspension issue. but that's like saying the steelers offense may not be very good next year because big ben MIGHT get busted for raping a girl. you plan for what your starters SHOULD be and who SHOULD be playing and go from there. we could play the "what if" game all day.

and obviously if norm isn't there next season it could hurt quite a bit. but i also have confidence in the men who have been under his wing for a few years learning the system. granted, you can't lose a guy like norm and expect not to miss a beat. but that's where norm and iowa's defense is special...they can miss a "normal" beat and still compete with MOST defenses in the country

 

[Imlivingthedream]

like I said, if you really think Vandy will perform as well as Stanzi, the fifth rated passer in the country, next year Id avoid drug tests.

Vandy did OK versus OSU-I was at that game. They hardly rushed more than 4 all night and he struggled versus NW and Minnesota. A guy puts up 12 points versus Minnesota in his last start and magically, after not playing for a year, he will meet or exceed the 5th rated passer in the country.

 

[whammer33024]

read it again...he says he's NOT saying vandy will be better in 11 than ricky is in 10. he's saying he has a high ceiling and is better than ricky in the short passing game.

do you pay attention to what's typed at all?

 

[lightning1]

I think JV has a stronger arm and a quicker release. This will put more pressure on DBs and LBs. They will have to line up a step closer to the WRs if they want to jump a route or stop short yardage situations.
Once JV has all of the play-action nuances and audibles down, he may very well be a better QB than Stanzi.
Until he has a LOT of wins on his resume, it isnt close, IMO.